Where to go this Halloween, if you Dare …

The Republic — Creepy Beats and Sexy Treats

Adele McConnell

New Orleans Republic reigns supreme as the place to be Halloween night. In the dark crimson recesses of the venue, you will discover what is sure to be the sickest All Hallows Eve throwdown ever seen by New Orleans. This official Voodoo Fest after-party will feature electronic artists who promise to create a thumping dance party under the moonlight. Opening acts King Britt and Swiss Chriss will ignite the evening by spinning some high-energy electronica. As far as the audience goes, New Orleans’ finest costume creators will start trickling in a few minutes before 10 p.m., so don’t miss your chance for some unbeatable people-watching while showing off your own first class attire. But let’s get to the main event: the DJ set by Joe Goddard and Alexis Taylor of Hot Chip. Be prepared to shimmy out of your carefully crafted costume as you bust out the groovy moves you never knew you had — even the most delicate of wallflowers will succumb to their electronic intoxication. The Grammy-nominated artists from the UK are renowned for creating gigantic dance parties — and what better way to spend Halloween night? But if that’s not enough boogying for you, the party will rage on into the wee hours of Sunday morning with Damion Yancy’s late night set. If you want to spend your Halloween dancing to the wildest music in town, head to The Republic and get freaky.

Vampire Ball at the House of Blues

Picture it: Louis XVI sauntering down Bourbon Street, angry French peasants storming Jackson Cathedral, Marie Antoinette having a powdered sugar fight at Café Du Monde. Now, just add some vampires, college debauchery and Halloween thrill, and you’ll have the ingredients for the annual Endless Night Festival and Vampire Ball at the House of Blues. This Versailles-themed Vampire Ball promises to showcase some of the city’s most highbrow costumes, as well as some of the most paradoxical displays of goth and class. If you’re willing to spend the $40 it takes to get in the door and are committed to dressing the part — strict Vampire Ball dress code is enforced — then look no further for Halloween fun. Keeping up with its reputation, the House of Blues has an excellent entertainment lineup scheduled, including a belly dancing performance, a DJ Aengel and DJ Fangz set and a costume contest. The Vampire Ball is not for anyone faint of heart or without costume creativity. This isn’t an event to stumble to drunk. This is a night for both class and crass. Though it’s impossible to say just what’s going to go down in Versailles this year, one thing is for sure: The Vampire Ball is as far from parades of Playboy bunnies and near-naked nurses as you’re going to get this Halloween in New Orleans.

Frenchmen Street

We all know there is nothing the people of New Orleans like more than a chance to dress up in elaborate costumes and spend a night out on the town, reveling shamelessly in the ambiance and culture of the city. Halloween offers the opportunity to do just that. Whether you’re a local or a newbie to the Crescent City, you should know by now that the place to spend Halloween night in New Orleans is on Frenchmen Street, easily reached by crossing Esplanade Avenue at Decatur Street. Frenchmen provides a festive and exciting atmosphere, and is basically one huge costume party in the street that nearly everyone in the city attends at some point during the night. It offers plenty of live music and the chance to mingle with some of the craziest local characters in their natural habitat — celebrating, merrymaking and just having a good time. On Halloween, you’re likely to run into countless pirates, princesses, sexy Cleopatras, a few vampires, voodoo dolls and drag queens parading around the block. Since the crowds promise to be at least a little overwhelming, you can always drop into any of the bars and music clubs for a while to get a drink and listen to some quality tunes. Many offer free admission, while others host specifically themed parties or planned events, for which you will probably have to pay a small cover charge to attend. The incomparable atmosphere and chance to let loose and get down with tons of locals and tourists make Frenchmen a trip you won’t forget. While some opt to dress in regular attire, wearing a costume is recommended. You’ll have more fun that way and won’t stick out as much.

Oak Street

Whether you’re tired of the crowded Frenchmen Street scene every Halloween or simply don’t want to venture too far from campus this year, head no further than the first annual block party at 9 p.m. Halloween night on 8300 Oak Street — just a few-minute walk or bike ride from campus. In honor of the Ivory Coast Festival of the Masks, the event is themed African Mask Party, so there will surely be thumping, eclectic beats to set a tribal tone to your Halloween evening. The street is sure to be packed with drunken revelers swaying to the beats of the African drumming of Seguenon Kone. Your ears will also be pleased by piano master Jon Clearly’s performance. Local favorite the Maple Leaf will serve as the official host of the celebration, welcoming hundreds of sweat-soaked dancers who will pack themselves into the snug, homey venue until the wee hours of the morning. The nearby Jacque Imos’ will be onhand, providing its unusual take on Cajun cuisine. Look out for artist Frenchy to be painting alongside the party, adding to the spectacle. Whether you plan to dance the night away in the street or stop by for a drink before heading off wherever the evening takes you, Oak Street is the place to be for a rousing Uptown party, free of charge.

Molly’s at the Market Parade

Madison LaGrone

If you aren’t still at Voodoo Fest, get your Halloween celebration started early with Molly’s at the Market at 1107 Decatur Street. This grimy French Quarter bar is a popular neighborhood haunt, but it also serves as host to the always-exciting Jim Monaghan annual Halloween parade. Jim and his wife Carol have been running Molly’s since 1974, providing a dimly lit, authentic New Orleans drinking experience for tourists and locals alike. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., the parade will run from the bar throughout the French Quarter. You can catch it on Bourbon or Decatur, all the while enjoying drinks at neighboring bars. Sights include the usual Krewe de Vieux-esque floats dripping with sarcasm, as well as jugglers and stilt walkers. Most importantly, judges at Conti Street bar Erin Rose will be awarding parade-goers with the best costumes of the evening — giving participants yet another chance to kick back and have a drink. Once the floats have passed you by, meet back at Molly’s for the real celebration. The laidback bar will be serving up strong drinks and cheap, home-cooked eats all night long. The low-key attitude surrounding both the parade and Molly’s make it the perfect start to any Halloween in the French Quarter. A map of the parade route can be found at http://dev.mollysatthemarket.net/halloween/.

Trombone Shorty at Tipitina’s Uptown

Jonathan Estuart

Trombone Shorty, a.k.a. 23-year-old Troy Andrews, may play in New Orleans all the time, but that’s only because we can never get enough of the man. But that’s not to say the guy isn’t going places: he’s already toured with Lenny Kravitz, played with U2 and Green Day, and appeared on the late “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” on NBC. An enigmatic performer accomplished at both trumpet and trombone, the musical phenomenon’s latest venture with Orleans Avenue effortlessly blends funk, Hip Hop and rock into a zany concoction he likes to call “SupaFunkRock.” A Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue live show, however, requires several more superlatives than just super. Try incredible, exciting, invigorating, electrifying or any word you find under “awe-inspiring” in the thesaurus. If you don’t want to trek all the way to Frenchman to have a blast, Tipitina’s will undoubtedly host one of the best Halloween parties of the night. Want to see Shorty, but still witness all the crazy stuff that is happening that evening? Check out the tireless band’s set the very next day at Voodoo Fest.

One Eyed Jacks

Andrew Pelesh

With a lineup featuring Quintron and Miss Pussycat, Super Nice Bros. and The Buttons, One Eyed Jacks in the French Quarter is sure to be a haven for costumed folks looking to shake a leg to electronic music on the spookiest night of the year. Headlining the night’s events will be New Orleans-based organist Quintron and his wife Miss Pussycat. Both Quintron’s music and act are delightfully bizarre. His catchy jams, which he hammers out on an organ modeled to look like a muscle car, sound straight out of a 1960s drug binge. His sound is psychedelic, poppy and definitely danceable. Miss Pussycat will join him on stage with her troop of colorful puppets. Along with the dizzying house lighting effects and Quintron’s beats, Miss Pussycat’s puppet show will surely be strange enough for Halloween in New Orleans. Preceding Quintron and Miss Pussycat are Mobile, Ala.’s Super Nice Bros. and New Orleans’ own The Buttons. Super Nice Bros, who playfully describe themselves on their MySpace as a “historical reenactment group…[g]ood for school field trips, parties, and outdoor events,” play poppy electronica that’s heavy on the synthesizer. The duo, made up of vocalist Ponytail and drummer/synth-man Appleseed will warm up the crowd with their odd yet hilarious act. The Buttons, a local electronic act, will also be playing. Their music is standard techno-pop fare in the vein of Daft Punk, but concertgoers certainly won’t mind their space-age sounds.

“A Midsummer Night’s Scream” at Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras is still some time away, but if you want to mix the Carnival madness with the Costumed mayhem of Halloween, head to Mardi Gras World for “A Midsummer Night’s Scream.” Labeled a “costume mandatory dance extravaganza,” this party isn’t for those who aren’t prepared to go all out (and spend $75) on Oct. 31. With the profits going towards Louisianan’s with HIV, the shindig hosts Los Angeles DG Roland Belmares and promises non-stop dancing and an absolutely ludicrous light show. As mentioned, costumes aren’t only required, but they also better be fantastic if you want to compete in the “Official Halloween New Orleans Costume Contest,” though with so many different types of awards, like Best Small Group, Best Theme Costume and Hot Mess, you just might win a prize. Complete with an open bar, this Mardi Gras World party looks set to be the one to top. Looking for more reason to throw down all that cash? You can get a sneak peek at the Mardi Gras floats while you’re there.