When Halloween falls on a Saturday, it usually means that the whole weekend becomes a conglomerate of scary, but the musical events happening on Oct. 31 are the real deal. Whether you're trying to rock hard or get your country on, there's something for all (even terrible) desires. Expect most places to have a costume contest, so come fully decked out. Be safe out there.
GET DOWN, STAY DOWN
After changing hands last month, the reimagined way-up-north Palomino (formerly Palomino Club) hosts its first public event Saturday with the Descend 3 Halloween Night. DJ JT Washington, DJ Perfechter, DJ Funk and DJ Kirby do their best to help one and all get their grind on to scary good, and bad, hip-hop. $10/$15 day of, 18+, 8:30 pm
Other ideas: Some downtown venues featuring DJs include the Blind Buck, nYne and Pinnacle Northwest.
ROCK IT OUT
Sometimes, all this Halloween business just makes you want to scream. The ladies of local punk duo Phlegm Fatale understand that sentiment; singer Kendra McKay is known for wailing loudly. They rightly headline Baby Bar's ghoulish celebrations. Two other local acts, Marriage + Cancer and Ouija Bored, open. $3 at the door, 21+, 9 pm
Other ideas: GA's Too Broke To Trick Or Treat Featuring Trapt, September Mourning, Soblivios, Drone Epidemic at Knitting Factory.
TAKE IT TO FUNKYTOWN
Dumpstaphunk has a lot to live up. After all, Sir Mix-A-Lot took over the Hive in Sandpoint last Halloween. But with this New Orleans-based jam band, music lovers at the Hive are still in capable hands. Led by Ivan Neville, son of the Neville Brothers' Aaron, the group will make you sway and, dare we say, get funky. $25/$30 day of, 21+, 9 pm
Other ideas: The talented Bakin' Phat mixes their Inland Northwest blues brand with a side of funk at the Cellar in Coeur d'Alene.
COUUUUNNNNTRY-FIED
Maybe you're tired of all the usual country joints. The Lariat Inn, one of Mead's oldest bars, is the kind of place that makes anyone feel welcome. Saturday they'll host the Spokane River Band, a cover band that plays all the Top 40 hits (just like other country acts in town), country classics and even some rock 'n' roll. A little two-steppin' is expected. Free, 21+, 8 pm
Other ideas: Nashville North, with the Luke Jaxon Band, and the Roadhouse, with the Ryan Larsen Band, respectively, are going big.
HAUNTED HOUSE
Perhaps you have super cute kids to hang out with, or maybe you're throwing a raging party at your house. Parent or not, you deserve to get your groove on, too. Take a listen to classic tracks like Michael Jackson's "Thriller" or "Monster Mash" by Bobby Pickett, but don't forget about Alice Cooper's "Feed My Frankenstein" or Ramones' "Pet Sematary."
Other ideas: Get a babysitter. ♦
