This day anything goes: Halloween show roundup 2010

Posted by Sasha

I dig Halloween a lot. I always feel like dressing up like an idiot and it is the one day I get to without being judged. I wanted to be Danzig this year and then I realized I was five foot two and a hundred pounds and also a girl. And I feel that if I tried it ironically, Glenn himself would rise up from the netherworld and destroy me with disdain. So that won't work out so well for me. Maybe it will for you.

If you feel like bringing your costume-clad self to a show this year, worry not, for there's plenty of opportunity to flaunt your dress-up skillz. Here are some of the Samhain celebrations we're most excited about.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27

Schubas (3159 N. Southport)

Schubas celebrates All Hallow's early this year with a premiere screening of Bohemian Soul Revival's film Life by Numbers, followed by a bands-as-other-bands cover show. Victorian Halls will be going as Brand New, Republic of Lights will be The Strokes and Suns will play some Black Sabbath.

8 p.m., $8 advance, $10 at door, 18 and over. More info and tickets.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29

The Abbey (3420 W. Grace)

The Abbey's Halloween Fest returns for its 3rd year, again with two nights of full tribute lineups. Friday features five of Chicago's best, with Canasta as Elton John, Who's This Mary? as The Cure, Ellis Clark & Epicycle as The Beatles, Penthouse Sweets as The Kinks and Tomorrow the Moon as Pink Floyd.

Doors 8 p.m., show 8:30 p.m., $8 advance, $10 at door, 21 and over. More info and tickets.

Quenchers (2401 N. Western)

Self-described "post-apocabilly" rockers The Columbine take the stage at Quenchers for their Halloween show.

9 p.m., $5 at door, 21 and over. More info.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30

The Abbey (3420 W. Grace)

The Abbey features another solid Halloween Fest lineup. Check out ZZ Listening as ZZ Top, Phil Angotti as Buddy Holly, The Webstirs as The Beach Boys, The Delafields as New Order, and Curtis Evans as Nirvana.

Doors 8 p.m., show 8:30 p.m., $10 advance, $12 at door, 21 and over. More info and tickets.

Beat Kitchen (2100 W. Belmont)

For more morbid jubilation, stop by Beat Kitchen for their Halloween show extravaganza. The Barcait Couture will celebrate the retiring of their name and their rising from the dead as The ExoSkeleton. Mara will be celebrating the release of their new record, while Stoop Goodnoise and Left Brain Heart will just be straight-up celebrating.

Doors 5:30 p.m., show 6 p.m., $10, all ages. More info and tickets.

Double Door (1572 N. Milwaukee)

Double Door will host their 14th annual Halloween bash with some more musical masquerade, this time with a retro vibe. This killer lineup will pay homage to their '80s roots, with The Last Vegas as Aerosmith, The Midnight Shows as Duran Duran, Blackbox as Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Hüsker Düdes as Hüsker Dü and The Sweeps as The Cars.

Doors 8 p.m., show 9 p.m., $12, 21 and over. More info and tickets.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31

The Vic Theatre (3145 N. Sheffield)

Okay, so it's not Danzig-Misfits, but come on! The freaking Misfits playing Chicago on Halloween, heck yeah we're a lucky city. You'll probably see me there as American McGee's Alice moshing my stupid face off. Local acts Juicehead and The Turbo Vamps will open.

7:30 p.m., $21.50, 18 and over. More info and tickets.

Reggies Rock Club (2109 S. State)

Absurdist rock legends The Tubes will headline what is sure to be an insane party, with Chicago locals Aint No Er Like A Stripper, Moist Guitars and Springa Sonic Droogs also playing. Be sure to dress up for this one--best costume wins $200 and the runner-up goes home with $100.

7 p.m., $20 ($50 V.I.P. passes available), 17 and over. More info and tickets.

Darkroom (2210 W. Chicago)

The Darkroom will host their own epic Halloween rock show with some oddly specific tribute performances. Rodeo will play Bleach-era Nirvana, The Earth Program will do an Unknown Pleasures Joy Division (update 10/21: Earth Program will actually perform material from all of Joy Division's albums), FYKMA will take on a Free Wheelin'-era Bob Dylan and Terrible Spaceship will musically recreate Orson Welles's famous 1938 War of the Worlds radio broadcast. There'll be a costume contest with prizes and also a super secret guest host.

7 p.m., $5, 21 and over. More info.

Going to an awesome show not listed here? Let us know in the comments!