WEDNESDAY, OCT. 26
GIFoween
Brooklyn Bazaar, 150 Greenpoint Ave., Greenpoint; 7pm; free
The web’s best animators set out to prove that everything is scarier when it’s looped for all eternity at this contest from the folks at GIPHY and Brooklyn’s Animation Block Party. The coolest entries are being screened and measured up by celebrity judges at the Brooklyn Bazaar’s new four-story space — here’s hoping for lots of animated homages to the dancing pumpkin man. Plus, on Saturday BK Bazaar is doing their “Brooklyn Fright Bazaar,” with musical tributes to The Cramps and The Bee Gees, games, karaoke (guess they found a manager), a Halloween drinking game contest (yikes), food and more.
FRIDAY, OCT. 28
Cryptkeepers
Aviv, 496 Morgan Avenue, Greenpoint. 10 pm to 4 am: $10-15 advance, $20 doors.
As you surely have heard, DIY spot Aviv is closing their doors very soon. As part of the festivities, queer art collective The Culture Whore (fresh off of a night showcasing up-and-coming queer musicians) is back in the party-throwing mode in a big n’ spooky way with Cryptkeepers, a bash that will keep you shrieking till the wee hours with the help of creative and likely-shocking drag shows and performances, a ton of crazy awesome outfits, and four DJs spinning everything from trap to techno.
Scream! Feat. MikeQ, DJ Haram, Celestrial Trax + more
Sunnyvale, 1031 Grand Street, East Williamsburg. 10 pm to 4 am: $10 advance, $12 before midnight, $15 afterward.
Sunnyvale becomes Spookyvale in this jam-packed night of dancin’, with six DJ sets to ensure nonstop beats. In addition to the music mavens named above, expect Fake Accent’s Tygapaw going B2B with Sweat Equity’s JX Cannon, Rozay LaBeija guesting with Celestial Trax (who has some very spooky trax!), and much more. Meanwhile, Kaye+Amad will be serving up “nail-biting visuals,” which sound much better than anything involving nails on a chalkboard. There will also be a costume contest, so suit up. Scream Queens references seem apropos here.
Authentic Spirit Séance
Catland, 987 Flushing Avenue, Bushwick. 7 pm to 10 pm: $15.
Surprisingly, this isn’t the name of a ghostly party, but a true blue séance. Of course, it’s at Catland, so the “authentic” label is to be expected. Since this is a serious affair, there are some rules. All electronics are to be turned off, and you must be on time– no latecomers admitted. The evening, billed as a spiritual way to connect with deceased loved ones rather than anything spine-chilling, will be led by Reverend Paul Beaudet, an “ordained spiritualist minister,” Master Palm Reader, and certified séance conductor. He’s been doing this for over 12 years, so this isn’t some messing around.
SATURDAY, OCT. 29
BangOn!NYC’s Warehouse of Horrors
Secret location, East Williamsburg; 10pm to 6am; $65 to $130
If you’re seeking a portal to another dimension this Halloween, there’s probably a decent chance of finding one at the annual Halloween blowout from the rave-promoting wizards at BangOn!NYC. Their events cost a pretty penny, but hey, Easter Island statues, Burning Man mutant vehicles, and inflatable sinking Titanic slides don’t grow on trees. Special attractions this year include a “flesh-suspension zip line show” (yowza), silent disco, a multi-room haunted house, and DJs Big Wild and J.Phlip.
Halloween in the Black Lodge
Alphaville, 140 Wilson Ave., Bushwick; 8pm; $5
Gear up for the return of Twin Peaks by dressing up like David Duchovny in drag and watching electronic sorcerers a place both wonderful and strange perform The Laura Palmer Deviations, their dark audiovisual show that evolved from a piece commissioned by the David Lynch Foundation. There’s also a costume contest, so don’t half-ass that Special Agent Cooper outfit. Free coffee and donuts on hand, naturally.
Headless Halloween BBQ
Knockdown Center, 52-19 Flushing Avenue, Maspeth. 9 pm to 2 am: $15.
Food and drink will be aplenty at this late-nits Halloween BBQ, as well as beats by Bearcat, Oscar Nñ, HD, Shyboi, and Mistervacation. Don your gayest apparel to party alongside hosts Maya Monès (who recently turned it out for Fashion Week and wrote an intelligent and eye-opening overview of her experience as a black trans woman with regards to her hair), Nicky Ottav, Yera, Zach&Dez, and Rebecca Brosnan. Any party in a sprawling venue that also has food is a smart call, so you have something to soak up the booze and don’t get lost in Knockdown’s endless rooms.
Twin Peaks at The Glove
The Glove, 885 Lexington Avenue, Bushwick. 9 pm to 1 am: $10-15 sliding scale.
Part Twin Peaks themed party, part spooky performance bonanza, this “multi-scened playhouse” and shindig at DIY space The Glove has a live Orson Welles radio play, fancy pies, cello music and bands, jovial elderly contortionist Amazing Amy (appearing this time as “The Limber Log Lady,” of course), levitating magician Special Head, a late-night costume contest, and more surprises.
DefCon Industrial
Pyramid Club, 101 Avenue A, East Village. 9 pm to 4 am: $6.
Pyramid Club isn’t much at all the hotbed for experimental queer performance parties it used to be (RuPaul, Lady Bunny, Lypsinka, Ethyl Eichelberger, and many others used to call it home. Also GWAR). But it now serves as a reliable place to jam to industrial tunes among a semi-interesting crowd. This Halloweekend is no exception, as the DefCon NYC Industrial Dance Party rolls into its 7th year. Expect grimy synth and electro-industrial beats by DJs Rexx Arkana, Annabel Evil, and Stalagmike, and try to guess who is wearing a costume and who just looks like that all the time.
Halloween 3000
House of Yes, 2 Wyckoff Avenue, Bushwick. 10 pm to 4 am: limited door tix, price TBA.
As expected, House of Yes is pulling out all the stops for this “Space Themed Futuristic Halloween Party,” featuring headliner Moon Boots. The “underground disco”/R&B/house producer will be joined by four other Brooklyn DJs, but as usual the costumes and sights will be the star of the show. The best future creature / alien dance astronaut will win the costume contest and receive a lavish gift: a bottle of Moet and a private hot tub and champagne party for them and their friends at any future HoY event. Presale tix are sold out, but a limited number of spots will be available at the door. Also, there may or may not be “intergalactic acrobatixxx” and “strange edible delights.” Interpret as you will.
5th Annual MoMA PS1 Ball with Susanne Bartsch
MoMA PS1, 22-25 Jackson Ave, Long Island City. 8 pm to 12 am: $18 advance, $20 door, $33 for party + afterparty.
Nightlife fixture Susanne Bartsch’s annual museum ball (bizarrely sponsored by sex toy and condom brand LELO and Perrier) boasts an impressive and diverse slew of hosts that includes a host of luminaries like MoMA curator Klaus Biesenbach, performance artist Kembra Pfahler, fashion designer BCALLA, artist Raul De Nieves, DJ/producer Sadaf, and more, with performances by musicians like Macy Rodman and Neocamp and burlesque legends Dirty Martini and Julie Atlas Muz, among others. Though it ends at midnight, you may be one of the lucky ones to be whisked away to the secret Williamsburg afterparty, where you’ll surely engage in finely-dressed debauchery until the dead of night.
Dopewax Halloween
Le Bain at The Standard, 444 W 13th Street, Meatpacking. 10 pm to 4 am: FREE.
Those afraid of heights will surely feel a chill run down their spine when gazing at the city streets atop the roof of The Standard hotel, but it’s also a pretty nice view. Aside from spookily priced drinks, the night will be scored by beats all night courtesy of house DJ and producer Kenny Dope and friends. If you can’t get enough of Le Bain, they’re also partying on Halloween: check out their afro-funk Oct 31 party Zombie, co-presented by Giant Step and Jump N Funk, featuring DJ Rich Medina.
Rock is Dead
Unit J, 338 Moffat Street, Bushwick; 9pm; tickets $25-$39
SUNDAY, OCT. 30
Basement Seance
The Diamond, 43 Franklin Ave., Greenpoint; 8pm to 10pm; $10
Got a bone to pick with a dead relative? Here’s your chance to commune with the spirit realm and settle the score. Fresh off the joyful karate kick that is Rothtoberfest, The Diamond is taking a turn towards the macabre for Halloween by conjuring departed souls to the bar’s (possibly haunted) basement. Running the show is medium Paula Roberts, whose psychic resume includes successful summonings of Harry Houdini and Joseph Cornell. (She’s English, so you know it’s legit.) No Sammy Hagars, please.
Mischief Day Ball
Output, 74 Wythe Avenue, Williamsburg. 8 am to 7 pm: $25.
This party can serve many purposes: a really long after-hours, a really long and slightly later-in-the-day version of those early morning raves, something to do in the afternoon, the list goes on. When your doors open at 8 am and your party goes till 7 pm, possibilities are endless. And that’s scary enough! Add on extended sonic stylings by “transcendent, multi-dimensional” DJ/producer duo Bedouin, a live set by Chaim (not to be confused with the sisterly indie rock band Haim), and other sets, and you’re all set for a good and long pre-Halloween day. You’ll literally be a zombie by the time you head back to the club for their Halloween party, featuring UNER, US, and PJ Tranchese, starts at 10 pm.
MONDAY, OCT. 31
Coney Island Freakshow
Westlight at the William Vale, 111 N 12th St., Williamsburg; 7pm to 2am; no cover, reservations recommended.
Soak in some of the best views in Williamsburg from the William Vale hotel’s new rooftop bar, where you’ll be able to gaze 22 stories down, onto ant-sized Ken Bones and Harambes. Wear your costume and brace yourself for weirdness as the swanky space takes on a carny atmosphere with tunes from DJ Erika Hamilton and sideshow performances by contortionist Miss Ekaterina and snake charmer Zoe Ziegfeld.
Halloween at The Grove
Bohemian Grove, 64-66 Grove Street, Bushwick. 7 pm to 3 am: sliding scale donation.
The colorful DIY weirdos of Bohemian Grove spring their basement back into action for one spooky night. It begins with a “grilling/food/sacrificial bonfire” in the backyard, then everyone filters into the main space for a pack night of music and weirdness from The Spookfish, Dick Richards, Lipstick Killers, Bootleg Hazel Adkins, and The Trains. No, not Train. But can you imagine? Nevertheless, they humbly promise that “everyone will be turned into werewolves by the time music starts at 9.”
Gingercore Saves Halloween
Silent Barn, 603 Bushwick Avenue, Bushwick. 7 pm to 1 am: $5 before 9 pm, $10 after.
Rock out with candy at Silent Barn for this “spooky mystical Halloween spectacular” hosted by Jennifer Vanilla. Expect performances by Ashcan Orchestra, Time Warmer (featuring members of PC Worship, an “amorphous sort-of noise rock band” with free jazz influences and a rotating roster), some films by Miles Pflanz, an installation by Corey Bauer (who has a penchant for cassette tapes), and a costume contest led by musician Jono Mi Lo. Ears and eyes won’t be the only things entertained; keep your mouth full with free pizza, apple bobbing, scary stories, and candy cocktails.
Scream Queenz: A Halloween Sound Ceremony
Trans-Pecos, 9-15 Wyckoff Ave, Ridgewood. 8 pm to 12 am: $10 advance, $12 doors.
Never Normal Records presents this night of a thousand sounds, with sets by a lineup of (largely women/femme) DJs like Discwoman’s DJ Haram and Dylan The Gypsy. The night also features a “horror film debut” (not much other details, keeping it mysterious) with live scoring by VHVL and Never Normal’s creator, prolific producer/songwriter Suzi Analogue. Tack on some live visuals, tarot readings, and a dash of creative costumes and you’ve got yourself a Halloween night. Plus, it ends early enough to do something else afterward.
Blue Rose Coven Halloween Gathering
Tarot Society, 4 Charles Place, Bushwick. 8 pm to 1 am: FREE.
The occultists and card experts down at cozy little Tarot Society have something very big planned for Halloween: a five hour party that will spill out onto the streets of Charles Place. Which is just practical; that room is very small. Music of all sorts will be present, like Tarot Society co-founder Darcey Leonard’s vocal music project Songs For The Spirits, a DJ set by Foodstamps, Doorways (of “mystic house punk” group LeSphinxx), as well as a dance performance by Lyfty Sirena, a Halloween installation and opening séance by Blue Rose, and naturally, tarot readings available all night long.
an invertebrate halloween
The Gateway, 1272 Broadway, Bushwick. 8 pm to 12:30 am, $10 advance, $12 doors.
Can music dress up for Halloween? The answer very well may be yes at record label Invertebrate’s Halloween show, where The Gateway’s multi-level space will be taken over by two stages worth of bands aplenty dressed up (musically and perhaps costume-wise, too) as other bands. For example, The Regrets play as Avril Lavigne, Psymon Spine as LCD Soundystem, Nervous Dater as Weezer, etc. Though there’s a cover charge, they’re slinging $1 Genesee cans inside, so you have nothing to complain about.
No Parents / White Fang + Quintron & Miss Pussycat
Baby’s All Right, 146 Broadway, Williamsburg. 8 pm and 12 am: $10 / $15.
If you’re looking for a double feature, we’ve got your double feature at Baby’s All Right. First, a show by rock group No Parents (allegedly their guitarist was taught by “hyperintelligent crustaceans”…. I’ll buy it), White Fang, and The Birth Defects, who appropriately make songs about “partying and hating yourself.” Then at midnight, feast your senses upon something much stranger. Quintron and Miss Pussycat (a “swamp tech” synth head and rock show puppeteer, respectively) are swooping down from New Orleans to fry your brains with “electronic chaos” in the form of noise, electronics, puppets, more puppets, explosions, and general weirdness.
LPR Presents at Manhattan Inn
Manhattan Inn, 632 Manhattan Ave, Greenpoint. 8 pm to 12 am: $5.
This treasured Greenpoint music venue announced earlier this week it would be closing permanently in mid-November after 7 years of operation, but trust that it’s not going out without a bang. LPR Presents will be throwing Experience The Darkness (A Halloween Experience) on All Hallows Eve, with performances by experimental musician Xander Duell, Jen Goma, Fang Island guitarist Jason Bartell, Kolkata-born sitar player Abhik Mukjerhee, and Sam Muglia, who “performs layered harmonic wooden flutes designed to induce trances.” Get into the zone.
Samhain Ritual + Celebration
Catland, 987 Flushing Avenue, Bushwick. 9:30 pm to 2 am: $15.
Don’t just dress like a witch this Halloween, hang out with actual witches at Catland’s Samhain Halloween celebration. For the uninformed, Samhain is a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, often observed by Wiccans and Celtic neopagans as a religious holiday. Honor this transitional period with a night that begins with a ritual, goes on to feature three witchy femme-fronted bands, interactive art such as fire and LED shows and “human puppetry,” themed cocktails, a costume contest, and even a raffle with a grand prize of a coyote skull. Anything can happen here.
Gala of the Gone
House of Yes, 2 Wyckoff Avenue, Bushwick. 9 pm to 3 am: free before 10 pm with RSVP, $15 otherwise.
This promises to be a bit more spiritual that House of Yes’s usual ribald and wild celebrations. Focused more on rejuvenation and connection, there will be fruit offerings, hors d’oeuvres, a “performance seance,” massage and candles, tarot, and a general encouragement to honor the lives of those who have passed as well as those who are still with us. As the venue is always encouraging of expression, one could do this through quiet introspection or by dancing the night away.
CHERYL: CROW
(le) poisson rouge, 158 Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village; 9 pm to 2 am: $15-20.
Professional life-ruiners and party-throwing art collective CHERYL returns for what they call their “largest party in years,” and they will be joined by DJs JD Samson, Amber Valentine, DJ Nick, and DJ Grandma Internet. Harmoniously, the party begins just as the nearby Village Halloween Parade ends, so you don’t even have to take a break in between fun activities. Costume inspo for this night is rather off the rails, and includes “Big Bird’s moment of angst,” “boring hair,” and “blood transfusions.” They say it’s not a Sheryl Crow concert, but I’m still holding out hope for some totally twisted version of soft country rock gone evil.
FIXED Halloween
Good Room, 98 Meserole Avenue, Greenpoint. 9 pm to 4 am: $15 doors.
You don’t have to look far to find many Stranger Things-themed parties this season: The Skint has one at Littlefield on Friday, and nearby Gemini and Scorpio are throwing one the next day). But only one event has a live set by the very synth group who concocted the Netflix show’s acclaimed theme song. That’s right, the FIXED party series is doing Halloween night right with S U R V I V E playing live, joined by the party’s regulars JDH and Dave P. Advance tix are sold out (scary!) but get there early, some tickets will be sold at the door starting at 10 pm.