Sunday, October 25, 2009
A+E, Life, In this Issue..., Atlanta

What’s your poison?

13 fiendishly fun ways to throw down on Halloween weekend

By Meghan Kotowski

Talk about a frightening dilemma: Halloween is one of the biggest parties of the year. But which party to attend? We’ve narrowed down your options to 13 of the sexiest soirees the weekend has to offer—the rest is up to you.

99X BROUHAHA
Atlanta’s newly returned alternative rock station resurrects one of the biggest Halloween parties of the year. Take part in a $1,000 costume contest while rocking out to tribute bands Wrong Way (Sublime), Behind the Sun (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Once (Pearl Jam) in Heaven; dance the night away with DJ Pat O’Brien in Hell; consult with free psychics, tarot and crystal ball readers and brew your own rum concoction at the Bacardi Bat Bite Lounge in Purgatory; or explore the chilling Chambers of Horror. This is a 21-and-up event. 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 at the Masquerade. $15-$25. 404-577-8178. www.masq.com.

THE AUDIO JUNKEEZ COSTUME BALL
You love to gossip about “The Real Housewives of Atlanta”—now you can party with them as well! Hang out with Kandi Burruss and Kim Zolciak, who’ll be performing Kim’s single "Tardy for the Party." The Audio Junkeez—DJ Rhythm, DJ Legacy and MC Sunnie Dae—keep the music pumping, and there’s a $500 prize for the best costume. Tickets are $30-$75. The red carpet starts at 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 at the Gateway Event Center, 165 Mill Road, McDonough. www.ajcostumeball.eventbrite.com.

DAMES AND DEMONS
Whiskey Park brings you a tantalizing party with music by DJ Silk Wolf, drink specials and the sexiest zombie strippers the undead have to offer. There will be prizes for the best costume from W Atlanta-Midtown, Bliss and Only You Tattoo. 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. RSVP at wpatl@gerberbars.com. 404-724-2560. www.gerberbars.com.

DAY OF THE DEAD
Los Cenzontles ("The Mockingbirds") perform at Georgia State University's Rialto Center for the Arts to commemorate the Mexican holiday of Dia de los Muertos. The eight-member ensemble celebrates Mexican music with a mix of traditional and contemporary styles. Tickets are $26-$52. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. 404-413-9849. www.rialtocenter.org.

DEAD SEXY HALLOWEEN PARTY
Star 94’s Cindy and Ray host this soiree at East Andrews. Put on a slinky costume (they didn't name it "Dead Sexy" for nothing) and dance ’til you drop in the haunted courtyard, or groove to ’80s and ’90s covers from Unzipt at Andrews Upstairs. Enjoy $3 SoCo and limes and $5 witches’ brew. $10-$25. 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. 404-869-1132. www.andrewsupstairs.com.

LOST ANGELS
Mix and mingle with some of the city’s most attractive demons and she-devils at Whiskey Blue, with music from DJ Chris Rimby. Enter the “Best Sexy Costume” contest to win a room at the W Atlanta-Buckhead and dinner at Market. Sounds good to us. 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. RSVP at whiskeyblueatl@gerberbars.com. 678-500-3190. www.gerberbars.com.

THE MOST LEGENDARY HALLOWEEN PARTY EVER
Go rocking in a “Winter Horror Land” at this 21-and-up event, featuring free drinks from Firefly Vodka, Catdaddy Carolina Moonshine, Jagermeister and Whynatte Latte from 8 to 10 p.m. (while supplies last). DJs WMXXV, Ceasar and Chris Nickelson hold down the dance floor. Or head up to the Loft to listen to Ledfoot Messiah, the Constellations and Adelita's Way. Costume and valid I.D. are required. $15 in advance. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 at Center Stage. 404-885-1365. www.centerstage-atlanta.com.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re thinking chills and thrills. But throw in the original 1925 silent-film version of “Phantom” starring the great Lon Chaney, with accompanying live music from the full ASO, and you’ve got yourself an event. $20-$38. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 at Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org.

THE REGULAR GUYS SPOOKTACULAR
Join Rock 100.5 morning-show cohorts Larry Wachs, Eric Von Haessler, Tim Andrews and Southside Steve Rickman for a night of debauchery featuring live music and multiple cash-prize costume contests—and, we’re guessing, lots of ladies in skimpy outfits.
Tickets are $10 in advance. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 at Wild Bill’s in Duluth. 678-473-1000. www.atlantasrockstation.com.

SCARY PARTY 9
Sounds like trouble: Not one but two outdoor festival areas, one in front of Twisted Taco on 12th Street, and the other behind CosmoLava. The streets will be blocked off for this massive bash, which features a costume contest with a first-place prize of $1,000. Shake your groove thing to the Michael Jackson tribute band Thriller, followed by DJ Cannonball and DJ Doomsday on the ones and twos. $15-$30. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. For tickets, visit www.wednesdaynightdrinkingclub.com.

SCREAM ON THE GREEN
Want to spook your youngsters while having an easy and safe Halloween? Bring them to Centennial Olympic Park for trick or treating and a free screening of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." Did we mention admission is free? Gates open at 5 p.m., and the movie begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. For more information, visit www.peachtreetv.com.

SILVER SCREAM SPOOK SHOW
Don't dare to come to the Plaza Theatre alone. Watch as Professor Morte conjures a ghost before your very eyes! Become hypnotized by the entrancing dancers of Blast-Off Burlesque! And be on the lookout for monsters! All that, plus the Bela Lugosi classic “White Zombie” and a costume contest? We’re so there. Tickets are $7 for adults and free for children 12 and under for the 1 p.m. matinee; $10 for the 10 p.m. late show. 404-873-1939. www.plazaatlanta.com.

STAR 94 HALLOWEEN PARTY
Star 94 personality Darik hosts this eerie event, with live music from Atlanta's own Cartel, Fishhawk and James Hall & the Futura Bold. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 day of show, and also get you into Vinyl, where you can dance all night long to some of the city’s hottest DJs. Remember to wear your costumes! 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 at the Loft. 404-885-1365. www.theloftatl.com. SP