Some Halloween Entertainment Suggestions

Halloween is always a time for fun and spooky activities, even when you’re an adult. Here are a few suggestions for upcoming entertainment events.

Start your celebrating early with Halloweensteen, a week-early holiday event featuring Michael McDermott and The Duke Street Kings, taking place tonight at Park West in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. The evening kicks off at 7:30 pm and will feature songs by Bruce Springsteen, along with a few by Tom Petty.

The FitzGerald’s venue in Berwyn, IL will present the Dead Sullivan’s Retro Rock & Roll Halloween Bash on Thursday, October 29. The Facebook post describes this event as “A vintage rock and roll dance party featuring smashed hits from the 50s/60s by “Bloody” Holly, “Scary” Lee Lewis, and the “Ghoul” Groups of the 60s.” “Dead” Sullivan will serve as host, and Zachary Stevenson & Friends will provide live music. General admission is $15; minors can only attend if accompanied by a guardian. Costumes are encouraged.

The Hideout Chicago venue on the city's north side will hold its 30th Anniversary Chic-A-go-go Halloween Dance Party at noon on October 31. 

Singer-guitarist Michael Steven Cohen, a former member of the power pop bands The Abbeys and Pop Dollys, has embarked on a successful career playing selections from The Great American Songbook at dinner clubs.

I’ve never known him to be frightening, but maybe he can perform a few vintage spooky songs at his show  in the lounge at Chicago Prime Italian in Schaumburg on Halloween night.

Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side will present a three-night Halloweekend this year, which means there will be even more local bands masquerading as famous acts. This very fun event has been around for several years in various clubs, and seems to have found a permanent home at Montrose Saloon. There’s a lot to recommend, but here are a few prime examples: Everly Hillbillies as The Everly Brothers; John Aselin as Roky Erikson; Rachel Drew as Siouxsie And The Banshees; Ellis Clark as Badfinger; Amazing Heeby Jeebies as The Cramps; and Phil Angotti as Sting. Admission for these 21+ shows is $20 each night; the Thursday showcase starts at 7:00 pm; and at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday.

The Soul Avengers, a Chicago-based quartet featuring Steve Dawson, Alton Smith, Bill Brickey, and Chris Greene will return to Evanston SPACE in Evanston, IL on Halloween night. Nothing in their Facebook event announcement suggests a haunting theme, but there’s sure to be plenty of cool music.

You’re also sure to find some Halloween fun on the radio. For example, The Razor And Die Annual Spooktacular can be heard from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Friday, October 30 at WLUW88.7FM and WLUW.Org.