Halloween is a strange and wonderful time of year when many social conventions are temporarily waived. Generally unacceptable customs are not only accepted, but actually condoned, such as wearing leotards, eating bizarre candy and frightening small children. Therefore, honor the holiday by participating in some uniquely Halloween revelry, because come Monday, you’ll have to put on real pants and go back to economics class.
Warhol’s Factory, Nov. 1 at the House of Blues: Inspired by the artsy ragers that Andy Warhol used to hold at his New York studio, called The Factory, this Halloween party is half electronic dance party and half multimedia art exhibit, which means a night of delicious crazy, kitschy, hipster shit. The event (which suggests that one come attired, if not in costume, in something “fashion forward or pop-art inspired”) will feature dubstepper Kastle and elusive nu-disco group Autograf. While the musicians will be set up on the actual dance floor, the stage will display Warhol-inspired art by local artists.
Statesville Haunted Prison, until Nov. 2: If you’re a serious fear-seeker, Statesville Haunted Prison is considered one of the the scariest haunted houses in the area by the Huffington Post, the Travel Channel and many Chicago locals. The hour-long tour (longer if you get separated from your group and lost - beware) involves trying to “escape” from a maximum security prison full of vaguely supernatural and extremely villainous inmates who all want to detain and kill you. The length of the tour is what brings the terror level up to eleven. This is the type of place where people literally pee in their pants in fear. This is usually horrifying, but in a Halloween context is completely appropriate, and nobody will fault you for it at all.
Musical of the Living Dead, until Nov. 9 at Stage 773: This musical, voted the Chicago Reader’s Best Musical of 2012, is the story of 10 survivors of the zombie apocalypse hiding in a farm house from swarms of violent, malicious, singing, dancing, rapping zombies. It also satirizes and uses every horror trope ever, so if campy B-horror is your scene, look no further. It's also worth noting that the front row is considered a splash zone.
Rocky Horror Picture Show:Rocky Horror is the most loyal, reliable, tried-and-true form of Halloween entertainment short of Trick-or-Treating, which is generally considered unseemly for legal adults. Therefore, Rocky Horror is the best option for people who want to have the best time possible while putting the least effort possible. All you need are a ticket, your most libertine outfit and a vague idea of how to do the Time Warp (it’s just a jump to the left!). Also check for showtimes at the Chopin Theater, the Music Box Theater, the pH Comedy Theater, etc.
Day of the Dead festivities at the National Museum of Mexican Art: This year, we’re lucky that all three days of the Day of the Dead holiday take place during the weekend. Therefore, you have no excuse (such as “I have school”) not to explore the amazing Day of the Dead events that the city has to offer, especially at the National Museum of Mexican Art. Said events include a Day of the Dead Community Night (Nov. 1), a Day of the Dead Ball (Nov. 2) and Day of the Dead art tours that run until early December.