by Sarah Wengert

In the ’80s it was in vogue to spray on scads of punky pink hair dye and dress as a generic rock star for Halloween. Although we may have all been internally channeling Jem, the non-specific rocker look stood on its own. But what specific music-makers — besides the “truly outrageous” one — are good costume fodder? You could drop your pants and go gaga, as in Lady Gaga. Stop by Absolutely Fresh for some killer claws to fashion into footwear, a la Alexander McQueen, and you’re all set! A little ghouly makeup, Jheri-curl and that red, leather jacket and you’re good to go as a zombified, Thriller-era Michael Jackson. Don sunglasses, an Irish accent and make all philanthropic checks out to me and boom! — you’re Bono. This year All Hallows Eve falls fortuitously on a Sunday, giving its festivities room to sprawl over the entire weekend. Here are few places to take your creepy self and get your ghoulie groove on: Visit The 1020, 5013 Underwood Ave., Friday, Oct. 29, for Hillbilly Halloween w/ Southpaw Bluegrass Band & Friends. According to SpBB’s Josh Krohn, the 9 p.m. free show will be the band’s last for a while. Something Wicked Goth Ball 2010 throws its monster annual party upstairs at Sokol, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. If you’ve never witnessed Cloven Path they are worth the admission alone ($10 ADV/$15 DOS), and will be joined by And Collapse, DJs W.E.R.D. and Emy, a local fashion show and cage dancers. Omaha Symphony kicks off its Symphony Rocks series at the Holland Center with The Music of Michael Jackson, Oct. 30, at 8 p.m. Tickets range $25-$70. Featured vocalist James Delisco does his best MJ backed by the live orchestra — and yes, they will perform “Thriller.” Bella Domenica, Loom and Loud present Beastmode Boogie, Saturday, Oct. 30, at Louis Bar, 5702 NW Radial, in Benson. The Halloween dance party will feature music from Brent Crampton (a Reader contributor), Stephen Bils, Masaris, Kethro and Reece Vavrick, across two levels with a pair of dance floors, a cinema lounge and a costume contest. The 21+ shindig begins at 9 p.m. with a $5 cover. Rad Kadillac presents its 4th Annual Halloween Spooktacular at Lincoln’s Bourbon Theatre, Saturday, Oct. 30, featuring Family Groove Company, Resident Anti-Hero and Blue Martian Tribe. The 18+ show starts at 9 p.m., cover is $10 for those in costume and $12 without. Watch out for the pumpkin drop at midnight, plus other specials, prizes and “ghastly surprises.” Backbeat takes you behind the scenes of the local music scene. Send tips, comments and questions to backbeat@thereader.com.

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