Central Track Staff
Beat On The Brat.
You don't have to go out to get your Halloween-themed rocks off tonight. For instance, you could always stay in and craft a homemade keg from a humble pumpkin.
Of course, that would require a lot of work. And your beers would get all pumpkin-y, so there's that. And, oh yeah, it'll mean you'll have an over-sized rotting gourd to deal with in a few days.
Good thing, then, that there's so much devilish revelry to get mixed up in this eve. — Cory Graves
Daniel Markham (Album Release) at Dan's Silverleaf
Much has changed since Markham moved to Denton and began playing solo shows a couple years back. Now with the support of backing musicians Ryan Becker, Grady Sandlin and Tony Ferraro, the quartet has certainly played its share of shows and done a good bit of touring since initially coming together — to the point that Markham now considers them his official band. So much so, even, that Markham says he considered adopting a new band name to better convey the idea that this band has now morphed into something more than just his solo project. That shift in philosophy rears its head all over the band's upcoming sophomore record, Pretty Bitchin', which will earn its release at this show. This time around, the band tracked most of its new album at the same time, giving the thing a noisier, more live feel. It's a natural progression, really — and one that sees the late-'80s-, REM-mining sound of Ruined My Life moving ever-so-slightly towards an early-'90s-, grunge-leaning alt-rock thing this go around. Hell, the album's tenth track, the trudging “Disconnected and Flying,” could just as easily be an Alice in Chains B-side. — CG
Devil's Night With Richie Ramone at Three Links
Ramones drummer Richie Ramone headlines this particular pre-Halloween assemblage. As such, the undercard will be made up of local acts like Mothershp, Sealion, Convoy and the Cattlemen, Plissken, Rodeo Bros & Dog Company each putting their own spins on the Ramones' catalog. So too will The Ramonahs, a band better known as Oliver Peck's all drag Ramones tribute act. — CG
MisFest at Lola's
In a similar vein to what's going down at Three Links tonight, a rotating cast of 817's finest will join forces to cover the Misfits' catalog. Sally Majestic, The Cosmic Trigger, Neptune Locals, Automorrow, Darth Vato and The Banned will be among those represented on the main stage, and Walker & the Texas Dangers will be throwing down rockabilly/blue grass re-imaginings of punk classics on the venue's back patio all night. — CG
Scheherezade at Meyerson Symphony Center
Russian composer Rimsky-Korsakov's Eastern-inspired set of symphonic sketches based on the Arabian Nights is simply extraordinary. The overture — based on the tale of Sinbad — is honestly our all-time favorite piece of music, better than anything grunge, better than The Beatles, better than everything. — CG
Nick Swardson at Majestic Theatre
Stop us if you've heard this before; but Nick Swardson is the least funny comedians working today. Guess the joke is on us, though, because thanks in large part to his frequent work with Adam Sandler's Happy Madison Productions, the Reno 911! actor is still making a lot more money than we ever will. — Chase Whale
AT&T Patio Sessions at Sammons Park (Free)
The final session of the year should be quite the note to go out on, as Mariachi Quetzal will be throwing down an early Dia de los Muertos celebration. — CG
Decks in the Park at Klyde Warren Park (Free)
Typically, when one brands an event as “family-friendly,” it usually means it's going to be the kind of thing people with kids will flock to and those without will avoid like the plague. For whatever reason, that doesn't seem to be the case with the free Decks in the Park dance parties held at Klyde Warren Park on the fourth Thursday of every month, which only seem to be growing in popularity each month. Don't sleep on it either, as tonight's costumes-encouraged, Halloween edition headed up by DJs Paradise, Souljah, Nick Van House, Willie Trimmer and Colly T will be the last of the 2014. — Kathy Tran
Dallas Mavericks vs Utah Jazz at American Airlines Center
Aside from that one, admittedly impressive, dunk over Tim Duncan, Chandler Parsons' Mavs debut on Tuesday was left a lot to be desired — he just five points in 34 minutes. He'll look to rebound in the team's home opener against Utah, who are on the back half of a back-to-back with Houston. — CG
Devotchka at Gas Monkey Bar N' Grill
DeVotchKa made its mark in Hollywood when the band did the soundtrack for the Academy Award-winning independent film, Little MIss Sunshine, which we still jam on the reg. The Denver-based gypsy/cabaret act will be here tonight to (hopefully) play some of those tunes, along with some of its newer tunes. Dallas' Fox and the Bird opens. — CW
Brew Haha Comedy Series at Peticolas Brewing Company
Laugh until Velvet Hammer comes out of your nose at the Peticolas Brewing Company stop on the Brew Haha comedy series. In addition to stand-up sets from a handful of local comedians, your ticket will score you a tour and three tastings of Peticolas' brews. — CG
Pre-Halloween Party at Double Wide
The D-Wide kicks off its three-day spooktacular with live music from Purple Wizard — which features members of Slowride — as well as Party Static and iill, both of which are making cases of late as Dallas' very best live acts. To top it all off there'll be a $50 gift card handed out to the person that shows up in the best costume. — CG
Dial M for Murder at Angelika Film Center
Tonight the Angelika wraps up its Hitchcocktober series with Dial M for Murder. This will be shown in 3D since it was shot in this format — an ambitious bold movie for its time. — CW
RAW Dallas Presents: “Axis” at Lizard Lounge
RAW Dallas' Halloween-themed event promises to be a bit different. As per usual, there will be 40 local artists musicians and folks from the fashion and film industries coming together to celebrate their crafts. It's a cocktail event, so cocktail attire is required (sorry, bro, no chain wallets at this event). For the complete lineup of artists attending, head here. In any case, these RAW events are always quite the scene. — CW
Scary Cheese Class at Scardello
As a Halloween treat Scardello's bringing out the especially gross- scary-looking cheeses, which they say often prove rewarding to the taste buds of those brave enough to give them a shot. The wines they'll be pairing them with at tonight's class, they also say, are far from frightening. RSVP here asap, as seats to these tend to fill up quick. — CG
Halloween Art Event at Dear Clark (Free)
There are a lot of Halloween parties tonight, so why are we writing about Dear Clark's? Well, for starters, all proceeds from this party will go to ALS. Also, there will be local artists there selling their groovy work and their will be a costume contest — winners will get free cuts and coloring from the fine staff at Dear Clark. So yes, come dressed to impress. — CW
Salome at Winspear Opera House
Richard Strauss' Salome is a German opera based on the French play by Oscar Wilde. It's based on the sex and violence laden text of all time (read: the Bible) and culminates in a makeout sesh with a severed head, making it a perfect mood setter for this weekend's Halloween festivities. — CG
Rock and Roll Sock Hop at Rubber Gloves
Just a buck and a costume gets you into this rock 'n' roll sock hop featuring the dulcet tones of Fishboy, Blank-Men, Bad Times and the oh-so-sexual Wonderboom. — CG
The Revivalists at Granada Theater
New Orleans funk/soul/country/alt-rock iconoclasts are a must-see live if only because the band's records don't really do it justice. Of course, that's mainly because this improv-heavy jam band has to somehow make its songs fit within the 80-minute confines of a standard compact disc. The London Souls and Naughty Professor open. — CG
Garrison Keillor at Bass Performance Hall
Even for fan's of Garrison Keillor's work on A Prairie Home Companion, tonight's solo offering from the acclaimed author, storyteller and humorist won't come with many of the frills of his radio program. During his one-man show he'll be humorously discussing growing up in the American Midwest, the people of Lake Wobegon and “late-life fatherhood.” — CW
Portrait Night at Kettle Art
Instant Film Society (read: the folks behind all those PolaWalk events) co-founder Justin Goode and Makeshift Photography's Steve and Erin Reeves are bringing a veritable smorgasbord of antiquated gear for all your becostumed instant portrait needs. Better yet, they'll have that camera that makes those rare 8×10 instant photos — just don't blink, as those suckers will cost you a cool $50 per. — CG
Blood on the Decks at The Record Lounge (Free)
Listen up boys and ghouls: Record Lounge is throwing one sweet-ass listening party. They have a stack full of scores from some of the best horror films ever made and will be playing them throughout the night. Also cool? Show up in a costume and you could win a $25 gift certificate to Shake Rag Music. — CW
To find out what else is going on today, this week and beyond, check out our events page.
