Spooky Spotlight

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25 Flying Saucer

205 Main, 713-228-PINT,

www.beerknurd.com

Halloween Glass Night.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27 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.

The Corridor

3704 Fannin, 713-499-4934

$200 costume contest. Contest categories include Rock-A-Zombie-Billy, Horror-Glam, Ziggy Stardead and Dead Elvis.

Houston Museum of Natural Science

One Herman Circle Drive, 713-639-4629, www.hmns.org

For a real fright this Halloween, skip the haunted houses and party under the truly terrifying jaws of vicious prehistoric carnivores. Houstonians can do the monster mash with mummies under the watchful eye of the T Rex at the Spirits and Skeletons Bash from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., with live music from the Fab 5. Come in costume and dare to stroll by an Edmontosaurus with its razor sharp teeth in the Hall of Paleontology as you make your way to the cash bar and enjoy free appetizers (insert evil laughter). Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for Museum members, and include an IMAX¨ movie. No identification is required.

Jimmie's Place

2803 White Oak, 713-861-9707

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

M Bar

402 Main, Preston, 713-222-1022,

www.momain.com

M Bar's Halloween Masquerade Ball featuring DJ FIVE ("Las Vegas' #1 DJ"). Receive discounted cover before 11:30 p.m. if dressed in Masquerade attire.

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.

Numbers

300 Westheimer, 713-526-6551,

www.numbersnightclub.com

'80s Artist Costume Contest. Class Numbers with DJ Wes Wallace. Cash and prizes for the best '80s artist costumes. Doors open at 9 p.m.

Tumbleweed TX

13101 Kuykendahl, 281-872-7829,

www.tumbleweedtex.com

"Zydeco Cajun" Voodoo Night, Wayne Toups in concert. 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. $10 in advance; $15 at the door.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28 702

702 W. Dallas, 713-654-8040,

www.702houston.com

Drink specials, costume party and horror flicks.

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.

Byzantio

403 W. Gray, 713-520-6896

Halloween costume party with best costume $$ prize. $2 sangria, $3 mimosas, $3 margaritas with Maliboo promotions.

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.

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.

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.

Jefe Bar

502 Main, 713-226-8868

Live International Mix Halloween Party. All Halloween weekend.

Halloween Havok

4116 E. Crosstimbers,

www.myspace.com/halloweenhavok

Resurge Media presents three areas of music representing hip-hop, rock and electronica. Hosted by Reko Trill, President of the World.

Hans' Bierhaus

2523 Quenby, 713-520-7474

www.hansbierhaus.com

8 minute Halloween-8 minute dating, costume contest and bobbing for beers. Prizes for best costume, best couples costume, scariest costume and most bizarre costume. Noon–2 a.m., no cover.

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center

4501 Woodway Dr., 713-681-8433,

www.houstonarboretum.org

Enjoy a night in nature with the family at ArBOOretum 2006. Bring the family out for carnival games, petting zoo, pony rides, puppet show and more. Wear comfy shoes and bring a flashlight to take a trick-or-treat trail through the forest.

HUE

202 Tuam, 713-522-9393

Don't miss out on this spectacular 2nd Annual Halloween Lingerie Party with special guest DJ Homicide from Miami, previously of Sugar Ray. Come witness the ultimate sexy lingerie girls strut their stuff. 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

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.

M Bar

402 Main, 713-222-1022,

www.momain.com

M Bar's Halloween Bash featuring DJ Surain & DJ Little Martin.

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.