Each year, the list of Halloween parties continues to grow at such a rapid pace that to feature just one would be a bloody shame. So I asked my Halloween ArtPrize-inspired alter ego, Jesus Christ Zombie Superstar, to pick Grand Rapids' top five parties of Halloween 2012.
Retro Deluxe Halloween Edition, Thursday, Oct. 25, 10:30 p.m.: This monthly retro-infused video dance party is a staple on the dance circuit of fun. This month, it takes a death dive (a good thing) with a bloody good collection of ectoplasm-infected tunes from the '70s,'80s, and '90s. DJ Jef Leppard has been taking requests on his
Facebook page all week, so be sure to join his page to submit your favorite. (Pyramid Scheme, 68 Commerce SW)
Bottom 40: Halloween, Friday, Oct. 26, 9 p.m.: Everyone likes a sequel, even if it seems familiar, but it isn’t at the same time. Confused? You won’t be when you discover that The Saz is now The Rez.
Bottom 40 returns to the scene of the crime at the Creston neighborhood haunt where it began many years ago. Remember, as with every Bottom 40 affair, this is a chance to get your costumed body all sweaty on the dance floor with the masses who will no doubt be MJ line dancing to "Thriller" at least once during this night. (The Rezervoir Lounge, 1418 Plainfield NE)
Fête Dément: AIGA West Michigan Halloween Party, Friday, October 26, 6 p.m.: This really is a two-for-one night out on the town as it’s a costume party with great prizes, but also a chance to hear three great speakers: Mig Reyes of 37 Signals (Chicago), Drea Zlanabitnig of
New York Times Magazine (Brooklyn), and Kelsey Dake (Phoenix). This is also a chance to check out downtown’s newest event space, the City Flats Ballroom. (City Flats Ballroom, Monroe Center)
www.fetedement.com
Grand Rapids BarCrawl's Annual Halloween Crawl, Saturday, October 27: Sometimes you just want someone else to cart your drunken bones around town and this is where GR BarCrawl fits the bill. This concierge level of party service takes costumed Halloween revelers all around the city to secret locations to enjoy the hottest bars like a true VIP, with on-board treats and skip-to-the-front of the velvet rope service at clubs. For those who want to pack a lot of life into their night without the annoying worry of parking or long lines outside the clubs, this is truly your ticket to avoid a ticket.
www.grbarcrawl.blogspot.com
Rocky Horror Live, Saturday, Oct. 27, 9 p.m.: What’s better than seeing
The Rocky Horror Picture Show on the big screen? Seeing it live in person with the once in a blue moon chance to sing along with cast members at one of the hottest new clubs in the city. This one-night-only performance of
The Rocky Horror Picture Show will feature five of the original eight leads from the oh-so-raunchy 2004 Actors' Theatre production of the musical. So let’s do the "Time Warp "again. (
SpeakEz Lounge, 600 Monroe NW)