Thanks to the one-two trick-or-treat of Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos hitting this Saturday and Sunday, this weekend is one of the busiest holidays of the year for getting out. Earlier in this very issue, Sara Atenci0-Gonzales gave us a beautiful rundown of the significance of Dia de Los Muertos here in Albuquerque, speaking to a number of local cultural organizations and listing some of the bigger celebrations happening around Albuquerque on Nov. 1 – from the South Valley to Old Town. The night before is, of course, Halloween and there are scores of events happening all over town – from bar crawls in Downtown, kids’ “trunk or treat” events at churches and civic organizations and more costume contests than you can rattle an empty candy bag at. So let’s see if we can get you started on this weekend’s festivities by picking out four of the scariest, most monstrous events on tap in ABQ.
Night of the Living Cover Bands (Sunday 1, Music)
Over the years, Launchpad (618 Central Ave. SW) has turned its annual costumed cover band concerts into a much-loved Halloween tradition. After nine epic nights of music, Night of the Living Cover Bands comes to an ear-splitting end this Sunday, Nov. 1 from 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. with a bonus, tenth “encore” performance, featuring some of the best local bands from previous nights, delivering sets from some of their favorite national bands. Manhunt will be there performing as Slayer, NEH is doing Creed, Baloney Poney is dressing up as Bloodhound Gang, Crookedile performs as King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, and Hazard Theory does their best Rush imitation. And that’s just for starters. A grand total of 13 bands will be performing at the six-hour-plus concert. If you weren’t able to catch any of the previous shows this year, this is a perfect opportunity to get in on the fun. And this one is an all-ages show, so everyone is welcome! A mere $10 gets you in the door. And nothing says you can’t show up dressed as your favorite rock star as well.
Goddesses of Rock Vol. 4: Ghouls Gone Wild (Saturday 31, Music)
JUNO (1501 First St. NW) puts the ladies in charge this Halloween. Goddesses of Rock: Ghouls Gone Wild hits the stage Saturday, Oct. 31 at 6:30 p.m. The lineup is packed with hard-rocking women-led bands, including AVALE, Space Buns, Eryn Bent, Ukuladies and Josi & the Vibe. And don’t miss the night’s headliner, all-female Black Sabbath tribute Heaven in Black. Continue the night’s theme by dressing up as your favorite female rock star, living or (even better) dead for the night’s special costume contest. Tickets (eventbrite.com/e/goddesses-of-rock-ghouls-gone-wild-feat-heaven-in-black-sabbath-trib-tickets-2002671859442) are $13.46.
New Mexico Bigfoot Bash (Saturday 31, Festival)
From chupacabras to the mysterious Crybaby Monster of 1966, New Mexico has had a longtime love for cryptids. Craft Republic (4301 The Lane @ 25 NE) joins in on the weird creature crush by hosing New Mexico Bigfoot Bash, a day-long fest dedicated to all things Bigfoot/Sasquatch/Yeti. Expect a raffle, themed activities, contests, expert speaker presentations, vendor booths, a kids’ zone and more. Tickets (nmbigfootbash.com) are $25 for adults (kids 12 and under free). All proceeds benefit the YMCA of Central New Mexico. Be there for big fun on Saturday, Oct, 1 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Who knows, maybe the hairy guy himself will show up, and you can share a beer with him!
Houdini Halloween Seance (Saturday 31, Supernatural)
Exactly 100 years ago, magician Harry Houdini died on Halloween. After his death, his widow spent years trying to contact him via séance. But Houdini never spoke to her from beyond the grave, perhaps proving his skepticism about life after death. Now, freaky-cool magician Jordan Jonas leads The Houdini Halloween Séance, at Painted Lady Bed & Brew (1100 Bellemah Ave. NW). The night is described as “part history, part theater, part we genuinely don’t know what’s going to happen.” Just 13 chairs are available on Oct. 31 at four seatings (6, 7:30, 9 and 10:30 p.m.) Tickets (breakfastisoverrated.holdmyticket.com/tickets/466758) run $51.72 to $68.60.