Posted: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:50 PM - 7,442 Readers
By: Austinist.com
Costume contests, a boat party, and, of course, zombies: Halloween in Austin offers something for just about everyone. Check out our roundup below, and shoot us an email if there's something we've missed. Art, music, and film-related events will be covered more extensively later in the week.
Benefits and Fundraisers
First Night Austin 2010's Masquerade Ball at United States Art Authority: Performances by Artificial Life Preserver, Henry and the Invisibles and the Blue Hit, plus a sneak peek at programming for this year's NYE festival. Thursday, 8 p.m. to midnight, suggested donation $10.
Shuck Shack's Halloween Pet Costume Contest at the Shuck Shack: Daytime benefit for Emancipet with raffle, "owner and pet" photos, and more. Saturday, 2 to 5 p.m.
Scaraoke Halloween at Opal Divine's on West 6th: it's the finale event of Drink Pink, a great fundraiser benefiting Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas. Burlesque, celebrity judges and karaoke. Saturday, 8 p.m. to midnight.
Scare for a Cure Haunted House at 7400 Coldwater Canyon Dr.: this annual fundraiser helps out local cancer charities, and does so by putting together one of the most frightening interactive haunted houses there is. Just watch out for ghouls keen on licking your ear. Wednesday through Saturday, guided tours.
The Ghoulwill Ball at the Driskill Hotel: this spooky fundraiser returns for its third year with the theme "Ghosts of Graceland." Open bar, hors d'ouvres, auctions, and music by Blue Finger Disco. Proceeds benefit Goodwill's job-related programs and services. Friday, 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., $125 per ticket.
Thrills, Chills, Haunts and Jolts at Jo's South Congress: Monofonus, Boozefox, and Jo's Coffee are teaming up for a "monstrous Halloween event" filled with music, games, concessions, a costume competition, and more. Performances by Wax Museum Pandemonium, The Inheritance, The Blue Hit, and Wino Vino. Proceeds will go directly to Urban Roots, a local nonprofit that combines sustainable agriculture with youth development. Saturday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Free.
AIDS Services of Austin's The Belmonster Bash at The Belmont: ASA's second annual Belmonster Bash features DJ Logic, a costume contest, and cocktail specials—the proceeds of which go straight towards the nonprofit. They'll also be announcing the final amount raised during last weekend's annual AIDS Walk. Saturday, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., $10.
Things That Are Zombie-Related
The Zombie Ball at 4715 East 5th Street: This one's so big that they had to split it up into two days. Three stages of music, one of which is a "re-fashioned firetruck with an integrated solar system flying the 2nd largest disco ball in Texas" (!!!), with bands including PONG, Boombox, T Bird and the Breaks, and many more. Friday and Saturday.
Zombie Fuzz Club at Scoot Inn: a 60s zombie/monster-themed dance party with reimagined classic moves like the "Sinister Stomp," "Graveyard Cha-Cha," and the "Wombat Twist." Saturday, 9 p.m.
Zombie Prom at the Highball: If there's one ridiculous event that many of our friends are planning to hit up, it's this zombie-themed party being held at the newly-opened bowling-karaoke-skeeball establishment. You must be dressed as a zombie in order to gain entrance, but feel free to 'zombie-up' whatever your existing costume might be—think zombie pirate, zombie sexy nurse, zombie slutty cat, etcetera. Dance party provided via The Action Pack, zombie photobooths, human brains on the menu, and more. Saturday, 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., $13.
Dismember the Alamo at the Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek: Our film writers will tell you more about this later in the week, but suffice to say that this is one of the ultimate homages to all things undead. If you go, be sure to arrive early so you can play some Left 4 Dead in the lobby. Thursday through Saturday.
Things That Are Not Zombie-Related
Flip Scene's Halloween Bash 2009 at The Mohawk: The Black and White Years, L.A.X. and the Bright Light Social Hour, plus Learning Secrets, Neiliyo, and DJ Markus. Costume contest courtesy of Birds Barbershop and Wish, along with a photobooth by Annie Ray. First 300 attendees get a $25 gift certificate to Wish. Wednesday, 8 p.m. to midnight, $10 for advance tickets, $12 day of show.
Boat Party on Lake Austin with Magnifico: DJs, free beer, and a performance by Austin's very own Queen tribute band while you're cruising past million-dollar houses and enjoying the evening skyline. What more could you ask for? Friday, 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Boarding starts at 8:30 p.m. at Hula Hut.
Monster Show 4 at Domy Books: themed art show with work by Aiyana Udesen, Alison Kuo, Amber Rademacher, Ben Aqua, Benjamin Marra and more. Saturday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Free admission.
Graham Wilkinson's Halloween Eve Fall Jam at The Ghost Room: Music by La Tampiquena, Drew Smith, and The Trishas, sponsored by Sierra Nevada. Friday, $15 in advance, starts at 7 p.m.
South Austin Monster Mash at Jovita's: Nakia and His Southern Cousins, The Fireants. Saturday, $10.
HalloWeeN Fish Fry and Karaoke Party at Club Deville: A night of "mayhem, corpses and dead eyes," plus hellish karaoke and a fiery fish fry. The evening kicks off with The Ripe and Nic Armstrong spooking out as "The Rollercoasters" Saturday, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., $5.
Dos Equis Presents Halloween at the Graveyard: The list for this one is totally full. Get there early if you RSVPed in time. Saturday, 7 p.m.
White Ghost Shivers Halloween Ball of Fantasy at The Mohawk: Join the "Demons, Hobbits, Goblins, Warriors, Gnomes, Creatures, Witches, Warlocks, Fairies, Sprites, Knights, Maidens and Wizards" for an Austin Halloween night tradition. This one's all about Dark Crystal and Legend. Saturday, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
