MT's 2014 Detroit Halloween party guide

If you ever wanted to know how horror movie makeup artists get the characters to look as gnarly as they do, then the DIA has a family-friendly event for horror fans of all ages. "Watch as artist Myranda Jennings shares some of the make-up and stage effects she has used to make characters look ghostly, ghoulish, and ghastly as we prepare for Halloween."

Noon to 3:30 p.m.; 500 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7900; dia.org; free.

Halloween doesn't need to be all terror, all the time. You can dance your ass off too. And there are few better chances to do that this season than at Elektricity's Rave from the Grave, a Glo-Out event under the unearthly luminescence of black light, with costume contests, and loads of prizes, including two round-trip tickets to London, sports tickets, fitness memberships, venue passes and much more. Ladies free before 11 p.m. Fun lasts until 4 a.m.

Doors at 9:30 p.m.; 15 S. Saginaw St., Pontiac; elektricitymusic.com; 248-599-2212; 18 and older only.

Some of the biggest names in drag — Bianca Del Rio, Jinkx Monsoon, Adore Delano, and Alaska Thunderfuck, of RuPaul's Drag Race fame — will cram their larger than life personalities onto one stage. VIP meet and greet tickets are available — call to inquire.

Starts at 8 p.m. 7096 E. 14 Mile, Warren; 248-268-2840; neptix.com; tickets start at $25.

What better way for Ann Arbor's cineastes to celebrate the spooky season than with the chilling "Symphony of Horror" that is F.W. Murnau's 1922 film Nosferatu at the Michigan Theater? Max Shrek's iconic performance as the rat-faced vampire still haunts audiences today, and the film itself is a masterpiece of German expressionism. What's more, the "silent" film will be given the grand accompaniment of the theater's historic Barton organ, with Stephen Warner at the keys, playing his own original score for the picture. Spring for the VIP package and you'll get reserved seating and a special pre-show reception, with drinks and snacks from 6 to 7 p.m.

Film starts at 7:30 p.m.; 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; ticketweb.com; $15.

So, this isn't technically a Halloween event, but there will be skulls involved. Imperial's take on the Mexican holiday has local artists decorate papier-mâché skulls, which are auctioned off to raise money for local charities. The restaurant will also have tasty food specials and a signature drink for the duration of the event as well. Thursday's artist's reception will feature special treats from Pinwheel Bakery and Valentine Vodka while Saturday promises a sugar skull make-up contest. Sunday's festive celebration is the culmination of the skull auction.

Also takes place Saturday-Sunday, November 1-2. Imperial is located at 22828 Woodward Ave, Ferndale; 248-850-8060.

The beginning of a three-day event, the Darkness includes an art exhibition, "ethereal ambiance," and exotic performances. Pay a little extra and get in on the VIP absinthe tasting that starts at 7 p.m. The evening promises to be an introspection within the primal sense of self. Following the Darkness, Friday, Oct. 31 promises the Enlightenment, while Saturday, Nov. 1 is the Masquerade.

VIP on Thursday starts at 7 p.m.; general admission starts at 9 p.m. 715 Milwaukee Ave., Detroit; thatdamnedshow.com; tickets start at $15.

"Join over 1,000 lost souls who will gather for the condemned man's last celebration." That's the tagline for the Fillmore's inaugural Monster's Ball, an event semi-shrouded in mystery. There will be music coupled with entertainment from stilt walkers, illusionists, acrobats, fire performers, fortune tellers, but who is this condemned man? We do not know.

VIP starts at 8 p.m.; general admission opens at 9 p.m.; 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; thefillmoredetroit.com; tickets start at $20; General admission is 18 and older only; VIP is 21 and older only.

You know who else loves zombies? Clowns. This vaudevillian cabaret, somewhere between an open mic and a party, is a celebration of clowns everywhere with promises of women, fire, danger, and, last but not least, clowns — surely a winning combination. Despite what the title might suggest, you are not required to dress up like a clown.

Event starts at 10 p.m.; 350 Madison, Detroit; jazzcafedetroit.com; tickets are $10; 21 and older.

Talk about a treat! Small's will be hosting a two-fer this Halloween as Thirst Wave and Industrial Is Not Dead team up for a very spooky show. Resident DJs Pleasure Kitten, Elektrosonik, Aaron Hingst, and Void6 will spin new wave, dark wave, and old school industrial until 2 a.m. while DJ Davo provides video sets. In their first Detroit appearance, 3TEETH will be performing at 11pm. Costumes aren't mandatory, but you'll need one to win one of the prizes they'll be doling out for best male, female, couple, and Thirst Wave-inspired costume.

Starts at 9 p.m.; 10339 Conant, Hamtramck; 313-873-1117; smallsbardetroit; cover is $6 for 21 and older and $10 for 20 and younger.

Monster movies and rockabilly go so well together (perhaps because both tap into a certain era of American trash pop culture), and both get celebrated at Corktown Tavern. This bill features sets by the Twistin' Tarantulas and the 3-D Invisibles, who have long incorporated their monster movie fandom into their songs, along with special guests Awesome Jarvis. Prizes go out to best retro horror costume, so get creative.

Doors at 8 p.m.; 1716 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-964-5103; corktowntavern.com.

Features a live set by Will Sessions and the funkiest 45s spun by DJs Brad Hales and Frank Raines. Dancing goes till 4 a.m., and there are cash prizes for the best costume, so maybe ditch the clunky cardboard robot costume for something you can actually dance in, eh?

Starts at 10 p.m.; 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700; majesticdetroit.com; tickets $10 for 18 and older, $5 for 21 and older.

This party puts it all out there. "Come in your best '90s gear or at least wear some kind of costume, it's fucking Halloween," says the event's description. Hip in Detroit's Sadie Q will host the evening of local bands covering infamous acts like Hole, Faith No More, and White Zombie.

Doors open at 9 p.m.; 22634 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; thelovingtouchferndale.com; $5.

Some people want to run with the dead. It's not necessarily our cup of tea, but if you're indeed one of those people who wants to run with the dead, you'll get your chance on November 1st, as hordes of the living will be jogging with the dead through the Woodmere and Holy Cross cemeteries in Southwest Detroit. Organized and sponsored by the Southwest Detroit Business Association in addition to Savor Southwest, the Run of the Dead is a 5k and 10k walk/race through Southwest Detroit while enjoying the other Day of the Dead festivities. Traditional Day of the Dead attire and makeup is allowed.

Registration begins at 7 a.m., the race starts promptly at 9 a.m. and ends at noon; 2300 Woodmere St., Detroit; 313-842-0986; southwestdetroit.com; $25 for the 5k, $30 for the 10k. — mt