Three days, three events - Weekend Spotlight
Dane Cook famously (or infamously, if the commercial makes you want to rip your ears out of your head) said, "There's only one October!" He may have been talking about baseball, but to me, that's a stark reminder that spooky season is always finite.
There aren't enough days in the month to celebrate Halloween, let alone choose between the many incredible area events commemorating the holiday. But the terrifying truth is that I have to choose three events for this spotlight series. So go ahead and buy some throat lozenges at the pharmacy today, because you'll be screaming all weekend long.
Friday - The Hive Presents: WICKED: Hallows Eve Rave
Get into the Halloween spirit at WICKED: Hallows Eve Rave, presented by The Hive on Friday, Oct. 30, from 8 p.m. to midnight at Portland House of Music in Portland. The 18-and-older dance party features DJs spinning house, tech house, techno, and dark electronic music. Expect heavy beats, spooky vibes, and a dark-room atmosphere designed for dancing into Halloween weekend. Costumes are highly encouraged, so come dressed as your favorite creature of the night.
Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $15. Portland House of Music is located at 25 Temple St. in Portland.
Saturday - A Very Jerry Halloween with Rose Alley (Jerry Garcia Band tribute)
Grateful Dead fans can celebrate Halloween with an evening of live music when southern Maine band Rose Alley brings “A Very Jerry Halloween” to Bayside Bowl in Portland on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 8 to 11:30 p.m.
The all-ages show celebrates the music of Jerry Garcia, the Jerry Garcia Band, and the diverse catalog of songs Garcia performed throughout his career.
Rose Alley features Aaron Nadeau on guitar and vocals; Kevin Roper on Hammond organ, piano and vocals; Neil Carroll on drums and vocals; and Drew Wyman on bass. The group combines faithful interpretations of Garcia’s music with its own improvisational approach, featuring energetic jams, rich instrumentation, vocal harmonies, and exploratory arrangements.
Tickets cost $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Bayside Bowl is located at 58 Alder St. in Portland.
Sunday - Jeff Tweedy Solo
OK, not exactly Halloween. Frankly, the only thing scary about Jeff Tweedy is how great his songwriting is. The founding member and frontman of Wilco brings his solo tour to the Waterville Opera House on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 7:30 p.m. The acclaimed singer-songwriter will perform an intimate set spanning his extensive catalog, including solo material and fan favorites from Wilco. Tweedy has released 13 albums with Wilco, four solo albums, and three New York Times bestsellers. His latest solo release, "Twilight Override," arrived Sept. 25. The concert offers fans a chance to experience Tweedy’s songwriting and musicianship in a stripped-down setting.
Tickets range from $65 to $75. The Waterville Opera House is located at 1 Common St. in Waterville.