SPOOKY SPOTLIGHT

Jimmie's Place

2803 White Oak, 713-861-9707

Live music with Big Jim's Wife for Halloween weekend.

Maria Selma Restaurant

1619 Richmond Ave., 713-528-4920

Join in the Halloween costume party from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. No cover all night long.

The Meridian

1503 Chartres, 713-225-1717, www.meridianhouston.com

Live music with Pete Yorn.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28

Armand Bayou Nature Center

8500 Bay Area Blvd., Pasadena, 281-474-2551

A family-oriented Halloween alternative. Guided night hikes through the woods with talking animals, storytelling, face painting, hayrides, a barn show and more. Advance reservations required. Members $8; non-members $10. Two and under free. 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Beer Island

2631 White Oak, 713-862-4670

Costume contest with cash prizes. $100 for first place and $50 for second.

Corkscrew's

1919 Washington Ave., 713-864-WINE

Hallo-Wine Party featuring Vampire Wines with costume contest, Seanse and DJ. Starts at 8 p.m.

The G.R.A.B.

809 Pierce, 713-655-0707

Join in the fun at the 3rd annual GRAB Halloween Bash. Halloween-themed parties every weekend in October. Come dressed to dance and party. Spooky specials and frantic fun all month long. Costume contest Saturday, October 28. No cover.

Fitzgerald's

2706 White Oak, 713-862-3838

Black Light Ball and costume contest with live music from 30 Foot Fall, Peelander-Z, The World's Most Dangerous Band and Last Few Days. 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. $10.

Jimmie's Place

2803 White Oak, 713-861-9707

Live music with Steven Reynolds and The Texas Two for Halloween weekend.

JP Hops House

2317 S. Highway 6, 281-496-0623

Annual Halloween party with live music from Shake Russell & the Spooks.

MECA

1900 Kane, 713-802-9370

Day of the Dead Festival. Día de los Muertos is a traditional Latin American holiday that honors and celebrates the lives of family and friends who have gone before us. A playful mockery of death and a reaffirmation of life are demonstrated through music, dance, theater and visual arts. Performances by Houston Balalaika Society, Gabriella "La Tempestad" and Del Espadín Baile Español, The Jive Sisters, Ambassadors International Folkloric Ballet, Second Generation Dance Company, Kuumba House Dance Theatre, Sirrom School of Dance (belly dancers), Michelle Brangwen Dance Ensemble, Vantress Tillman as Tina Turner, Cleola Williams, Colombian Folkloric Dance Troupe, Trio Guadalajara, Sister Sister, Lucy Salazar the female Elvis, Mariachi MECA and MECA Intermediate Mariachi, MECA Ballet Folklórico -- Adult and Youth Groups. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Commit for life by donating blood to the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Meridian

1503 Chartres, 713-225-1717, www.meridianhouston.com

Upsidedownhouse.com presents RENT's Halloween party.

Red Star

2606 Fannin, 713-665-7827, www.clubmonkey.com

This is Houston's best Halloween party, the 10th Annual Pimp & Prostitute Ball. Round up your bitches and grab yo' gold; it's time to be fly. Lost Boys will be playing live with multiple DJs spinning through the night. $4,000 costume contest with prizes going to Pimp of the Year, Classiest Ho and Best Overall. You must sign in by 10 p.m. to be part of the contest. Tickets $15 in advance; $20 at the door.

Rich's

2401 San Jacinto, 713-759-9606, www.richs-houston.com

Mausoleum tricks and treats with internationally acclaimed DJ Mark D from XM Satellite Radio 81. Anita Bump presents the costume contest upstairs, with loads of prizes and giveaways. Get your picture taken in a real coffin. $2 Hallow-weenies all night. No cover before 11 p.m.

Sherlock's Pub -- Westheimer

10001 Westheimer Rd., 713-977-1857

Two Halloween costume contests with cash prizes. No cover all night, with live music by Rat Ranch.

Sherlock's Pub -- West Gray

1997A West Gray, 713-521-1881

Costume contest with cash prizes. There will be two contests, with live music by the Stripperlie. No cover all night.

Sherlock's Pub -- Humble

228 West First St., 281-446-0407

Two Halloween contests with cash prizes. No cover all night, with music by September Sun.

South Beach

810 Pacific Ave., 713-529-SOBE, www.southbeachthenightclub.com

Pirates on Pacific Street, The Curse of Halloween outdoor street party and costume contests. DJ Brett Henrichsen of MasterBeat direct from Los Angeles. Advance tickets $15, including VIP line entrance. On sale at JR's, South Beach, MaleUWear, M2M Fashions and Hollywood. 10:30 p.m. to 5 a.m.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29

MECA

1900 Kane, 713-802-9370

Day of the Dead Festival. Día de los Muertos is a traditional Latin American holiday that honors and celebrates the lives of family and friends who have gone before us. A playful mockery of death and a reaffirmation of life are demonstrated through music, dance, theater and visual arts. Performances by Houston Balalaika Society, Gabriella "La Tempestad" and Del Espadín Baile Español, The Jive Sisters, Ambassadors International Folkloric Ballet, Second Generation Dance Company, Kuumba House Dance Theatre, Sirrom School of Dance (belly dancers), Michelle Brangwen Dance Ensemble, Vantress Tillman as Tina Turner, Cleola Williams, Colombian Folkloric Dance Troupe, Trio Guadalajara, Sister Sister, Lucy Salazar the female Elvis, Mariachi MECA and MECA Intermediate Mariachi, MECA Ballet Folklórico -- Adult and Youth Groups. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Meridian

1503 Chartres, 713-225-1717, www.meridianhouston.com

Round Two of Bodog Music's Battle of the Bands.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 30

The Meridian

1503 Chartres, 713-225-1717, www.meridianhouston.com

Live music with Norma Jean, Between The Buried and Me, and Fear Before The