Spooky Spotlight

The Meridian

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

Upsidedownhouse.com presents RENT's Halloween party.

The Mezzanine Lounge

2200 Southwest Freeway, Suite 150,

713-528-MEZZ, www.mezzaninelounge.com

The Mezzanine Lounge is celebrating Halloween 2006 with a four-day "Fright Fest," with fun and specials from Saturday through Halloween night. Tonight is the "Night of the Living Dolls" theme party. $2.50 Fright Fest drink menu; Extreme Karaoke; $250 costume contest prize.

Mr. B's Billiards and Sports Bar

803 S. Mason, Katy, 281-398-2424

Halloween costume contest at midnight. Sign up by 11 p.m. to win cash and prizes. Live music by the Adrenaline Band from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. $5 entry.

Numbers

300 Westheimer, 713-526-6551,

www.numbersnightclub.com

Danseparc. Cash prizes for best costumes. Doors open at 9 p.m.

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.

Skol Casbar & Grille

2117 Chenevert, 832-265-4460

Halloween Block Party: The Resurrection 2. $10 cover but free for anyone in costume. 18 to get in, 21 to drink. Live DJ, pool tournament, costume contest, food and drink specials.

The Sidecar Pub

11202 Huffmeister Road, 281-807-4040, www.sidecarpub.com

A & F Promotions presents Halloween 2006 at Sidecar Pub. This event features some of the best local bands on the Houston music scene including Iambik, Virus, Mindflow, Saturate and Unsung. Come in costume or as yourself and catch some great music. Party from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. $10.

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.

Tumbleweed TX

13101 Kuykendahl, 281-872-7829,

www.tumbleweedtex.com

Join us for our Halloween Bash live on 93Q, with DJs Scotty and Tim Tuttle. Halloween party costume contest. 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Ladies free; men $5.

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.

The Mezzanine Lounge

2200 Southwest Freeway, Suite 150, 713-528-MEZZ, www.mezzaninelounge.com

The Mezzanine Lounge is celebrating Halloween 2006 with a four-day "Fright Fest" with fun and specials from Saturday through Halloween night. Today celebrate "Bloody Sunday." NFL Sunday Ticket; $2.50 Fright Fest Drink Menu; $3 Bloody Marys.

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

March Of Flames.

The Mezzanine Lounge

2200 Southwest Freeway, Suite 150, 713-528-MEZZ, www.mezzaninelounge.com

The Mezzanine Lounge is celebrating Halloween 2006 with a four-day "Fright Fest," with fun and specials from Saturday through Halloween night. Today celebrate "Halloween Eve" with a $2.50 Fright Fest drink menu and free haunted football squares.

Sherlock's Pub -- Clear Lake

2416 Bay Area Blvd., 281-461-4702

Halloween costume contest with cash prizes. Two contests and no cover all night, with live music by Pirate Radio.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31 702

702 W. Dallas, 713-654-8040,

www.702houston.com

Scary-oke. Come dressed as your favorite musician!

Baker Street Pub & Grill -- Rice Village

5510 Morningside, 713-942-9900

Halloween costume contest with cash prizes. No cover all night long.

Baker Street Pub & Grill -- Willowbrook