Silly me, I was thinking of writing my column on Halloween stuff next week so it would come out on the day proper, but, as I should have remembered, all the goings on come the weekend before a holiday. Hence, as they used to say, I better get to writing about the frighteningly large number of bar parties coming right up.
To start with, the longest running event only seems right, so “velcome, friends” to the one and only Hobgoblinspookadelic. Originated and hosted by none other than NIL8, one of Springfield’s longest running and most popular bands, the all ages “spooktacular” event, now commonly called the “Hobgob,” begins around 7 p.m. at the Black Sheep Cafe with Soap Scum, Looming, Execution Techniques and Orange Soda also there to terrorize, horrify and otherwise entertain the crowd. Wear costumes please, and in a nice twist, they’ve asked attendees to donate any extra winter wear, such as blankets, scarves, coats and gloves. Just set them on a table at the show, then folks can take what they want, kindly dropping some cash into a can, if they can, to help with the expenses at the not-for-profit all ages venue.
Moving on to the scary bar scene, almost every jumping joint in town is having some kind of costume party on Saturday night along with live music. Different venues have costume contests with varying prizes from cash to congratulations, but you and I both know, anybody wearing a costume on Halloween is a winner.
On Saturday around 7:30 p.m., the ghastly ghosts at Knuckleheads Bar on Peoria Road host the 2nd Annual Northend Arcade Reunion Halloween Bash doing double duty with a Halloween costume party and a get-together for those from Springfield’s north side. The event title refers to the Seitz Family Arcade, a popular hangout on North Grand Avenue years ago for the youngsters. Bands include those perennial shock rockers Rockhouse and special ghoulish guest, Flight.
Donnie’s Homespun manages three nights of melodic mayhem and hellish harmony. Friday’s Zombie Dance Party 2 features Grateful Dead tribute band Jake’s Leg from 9 to midnight with an intermission set by Mondope. Then comes electronic music makers, The Widdler from Texas and Shlump taking it on to 3 a.m. with opening sets by Sir Racha and Sonders. On Saturday, the party transforms into a benefit for the Chrysalis Foundation (a private organization helping people with disabilities) featuring Brooke Thomas and the Blue Suns, Debbie Ross Band and the Stone and Biscuit Band. The party starts around 6 and goes to midnight with costume contests, a 50/50 drawing and silent auction. Then jump to next Friday, Nov. 1, as The Station performs their always awesome, annual themed Halloween show with Lowder opening the show. Now that’s frightening!
Okay let’s see what other terrible and terrifying events are happening this Saturday night for you hellbent-on-horrifying Halloweeners. There’s the zany Zombie Fest at Capital City Bar and Grill or cut loose as the Escape Goatz host Halloweenboolooza at Mowie’s Cue. How about experiencing the gruesome Groundhog Day at the Koo Koo’s Nest or bludgeoning at the Blue Grouch by KFD? Perhaps you need some shocking Live Wire at the Curve Inn or a visit to the monstrous Micah Walk and lewd Liz Eckert as the devilish duo Deep Hollow at Quaker Steak.
Get out of town and see Sleepwalker slither into Petersburg’s JB’s or Off the Wall bounce into Lincoln’s Zero Tolerance. Then Pop Cherry pops into dangerous Double D’s in Edinburg and phantasmagoric Phat Kitti falls into Mama Lee’s Sandbar near Mechanicsburg.
Now I am officially scared.
Contact Tom Irwin at [email protected].
