After Dark: Get into spooky spirit with Halloween parties

It's the last weekend of October and Halloween is on everyone's minds.

From stores to bars, restaurants to playgrounds, everyone seems to be in the spirit for a spooktacular holiday, especially because it falls on a Saturday this year. On any other day of the week, Annapolis throws a phenomenal Halloween party, but when it falls on a Saturday, there's no telling what can happen! On Saturday night, and even somewhat on Friday, sites downtown and all around Annapolis are sure to be crazy scenes of costumes and hilarity.

Tomorrow

The Hammond-Harwood House (19 Maryland Ave.) gets into the Halloween action from 4 to 6 p.m. tomorrow with its annual Pumpkin Walk - a costume parade, storytelling, games, face painting, apple bobbing, crafts and more. It's a great way to kick off the weekend, for all ages. Admission is $6 for everyone aged 1 to 99. Ccall 410-263-4683, Ext. 10 for more information, or visit the Web site at www.hammondharwoodhouse.org

At 7 p.m. tomorrow, the 1925 silent film "Phantom of the Opera" will get a rare big-screen viewing with live music performed by organist Larry Molinaro. Historic St. Anne's Episcopal Church (Church Circle, Annapolis) will resonate with a creepy and fun original movie score created by Molinaro for this film.

Molinaro also will offer "tours" of the big pipe organ following the film. Tickets for "Phantom of the Opera" are $18 for adults and $13 for students. To order, call 410-280-5640 or visit www.marylandhall.org.

Annapolis is fortunate to have a number of absolutely amazing musicians who live and play at local establishments, creating a scene which much larger cities would be jealous of. This plethora of talent allows for some amazing musical feats and groupings, including the fantastic pre-Halloween party tomorrow night at TK Sharky's (2072 Somerville Road, right next to the Annapolis Towne Centre).

At 9 p.m., some of the area's best will get together to perform a tribute to Fleetwood Mac, including Bryan Ewald of the Jarflys and Meg & Bryan as Lindsay Buckingham (guitar and vocals), Meg Murray and Angie Miller as Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie (vocals), Josh Chapman of the Dan Haas Band as John McVie (bass) and Brandon Bartlett of No Pets For Noah as Mick Fleetwood (drums). Special guests including Dan Haas will make appearances. Wear your best costume or classic '70s garb. Call 410-841-5599 for more information.

The Whiskey (1803 West St.) is also throwing a huge pre-Halloween bash with some great musicians tomorrow night beginning at 9 p.m. The Bumpin' Uglies will play (in drag, apparently) at 9 p.m., followed by Sweet Leda, the Grilled Lincolns and Pasadena. A costume contest will take place at midnight, with prizes for a variety of categories. Jameson will be on special and everyone will be having a ton of fun.

McGarvey's (8 Market Space) kicks off its two-night Halloween celebration tomorrow beginning at 9 p.m. They're open until 2 a.m. and will feature all sorts of ghoulish music and fun.

Saturday

A quick note before we get on to all the things happening on Saturday - the Halloween Festival on Maryland Avenue has been canceled this year. You can head over to Maryland Avenue to check out the shops and restaurants (and you should), but there will be no festival.

English Premier League doesn't stop for Halloween, nor does the World Series or college football, which is why you should be glad we have a Fado (1 Park Place) in Annapolis, as they'll be playing all the games you want to see, including Bolton vs. Chelsea, Temple vs. Navy and Philly vs. the Yanks.

Tired of wearing heavy plastic and rubber masks on Halloween? If so, head to Market Space in downtown Annapolis from 11 a.m. to

4 p.m. and get your face (or body) professionally painted by the staff of Crystalooneys. For a flat rate of $10 per face, they'll decorate young and old. Crazy hair, glitter tattoos and hair wrapping also will be available. Call 443-995-7082 for more information.

The 20th annual Halloween Happening will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds (1450 Generals Highway/Route 178). With a haunted barn and hayride, this might be one of the spookiest things happening in town this weekend. Tickets are $10; children younger than 5 are admitted free. Visit Halloweenhappening.com for details.

If you're looking for a relaxed way to celebrate the holiday, you might want to head over to Sam's on the Waterfront (2020 Chesapeake Harbor Drive E.), where Mickey Basil will begin performing a jazzy mix for drinkers and diners at 7 p.m.

If you're in the 30-and-over crowd, you may want to take a drive south on Saturday for a night of great music and dancing at Chesapeake Beach Resort and Spa (4165 Mears Ave., Chesapeake Beach) from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tommy the matchmaker will be on hand to get it all going and a DJ will spin tunes. There will be a costume contest with cash prizes, too. For more information, call 866-312-5596.

The Ebb Tide (985 Bay Ridge Road) is known for crazy good Halloween parties, so this year is bound to be downright insane! The Harbor Cats will play a great party mix of blues, jazz, funk, pop, rock and even a little country. Costumes are strongly encouraged at this party, which has a costume prize package that includes tickets to see the Redskins host the Cowboys. Learn more about the band at www.harborcats.com or just get out and see them play.

Another absolutely crazy band, and a mainstay of Halloween parties in Annapolis, is the Clones of Funk, who will be performing at the Halloween party at the American Legion Cook-Pinkney Post 141 (1707 Forest Drive). These guys take funk to a completely new level and are in costume every day of the year, so it will be even better this Saturday. Doors open at 9:30. Admission is $15 per person, $10 if you're in costume.

Deep Creek Restaurant (1050 Deep Creek Ave., Arnold) is hosting its annual Halloween bash on Saturday from 9 p.m. until close. Enjoy $2.50 Miller Lite pints, $4 caramel apple shooters and $6 Jagermonster bombs. The bar will be fully decorated and feature a DJ spinning dance hits, karaoke, a costume contest and plenty of giveaways.

If you're looking for a haunted house on Saturday night, head to the Wharfside Bar & Grill (158 W. Central Ave., Edgewater), where the $50 admission gets you into a Halloween party complete with haunted house, dinner, drinks and dancing. It's a heck of deal and a lot of fun! The party runs from 7 to 11 p.m. Call 410-956-7774 for more information.

Local roots and bluesman Dean Rosenthal throws his annual Halloween party at The Whiskey (1803 West St.) on Saturday. It will feature five bands, all sorts of specials and giveaways, and more fun than you'll know how to handle. Van Meter (9 p.m.), Rosenthal's 4Piece Racket and East is East will rock out upstairs throughout the night, while Higher Hands and Lucid perform downstairs. Expect costume contests, prizes, giveaways, specialty shots (including a new pumpkin pie shot) and general mayhem. Visit www.thewhiskeyannapolis.com for more information.

One of the biggest parties of the night will be WRNR's Halloween Hoe-down at Fado's Haunted House (1 Park Place). The prizes they're offering will make you spend some time on that costume, as you want to win these! First place is a trip to Hell (Grand Cayman), second is a 42-inch flat-screen television and third is a one-night stay in a hotel and a $50 gift voucher to the Fado Irish Pub in your choice of either Philadelphia or D.C. There will also be prizes for the scariest, sexiest and silliest costumes, as well as drink specials, WRNR DJ appearances and great music spun by DJ Ray from 9 p.m. to close.

Heading down West Street toward downtown, make your way to Stan and Joe's (37 West St.), where Sweet Leda will be performing their great mix of music and the bar will be throwing a ridiculous Halloween party. Come as your favorite '70s or '80s rock star and enjoy costume contests, giveaways, great drinks and fantastic music.

Downtown Annapolis will basically be one giant costume party on Saturday, as you'll see costumed characters bar hopping up and down Main Street throughout the night. Even if you're going somewhere else to party, it's worth a drive through just to see the sights.

Pusser's (80 Compromise St.) is hosting its fourth annual costume party, and it's certain to be another great night of crazy costumes, great music spun by a DJ, plenty of drinks and more. Prizes for the costume contest, which include a 32-inch flat-screen TV, will be awarded at 11 p.m.

The party continues at McGarvey's (8 Market Space), beginning at 9 p.m. Next door, Middleton Tavern (2 Market Space) also will be hosting a great party, with Larry Lay upstairs on the piano and a TBD band downstairs. DJ Draco will spin tunes all night long at O'Brien's (118 Main St.).

Over in Eastport, bar hopping is key, because you won't want to miss the scene at The Rockfish (400 Sixth St.), which is hosting a party that will include great music from American Standard, costume contests, specials and much more. You also don't want to miss the fun at Boatyard Bar & Grill (400 Fourth St.), which always hosts a phenomenal Halloween party with a DJ, lots of drinks and a ridiculous amount of costumes. Down the street at Davis' Pub (400 Chester Ave.), there's no set party, but there will be plenty of costumes, cheap drinks, late night food and fun for all.

Sunday

Sunday morning will come awfully early for revelers this year, which is why brunch is such a good idea. If you're up really early, you can head to Fado and catch the 8:10 a.m. live showing of the Guinness Premiership match between the London Wasps and Leeds Carnegie. They serve up a fantastic Irish breakfast and brunch.

The brunch at Carrol's Creek (410 Severn Ave.) is always a great source of sustenance after a long night out, as it is a massive display of delicious and well-prepared food, from eggs Benedict and a carving station to omelettes and desserts. It has everything and a view of downtown - fantastic!

Stan and Joe's (37 West St.) offers brunch that heads right into football, starting off with a massive Bloody Mary bar and continuing with great specials throughout the games.

Was that a pig you just saw fly by? It must have been, because McGarvey's (8 Market Space) now has televisions, and will be showing football on Sunday afternoon. Enjoy their great brunch, then stay for the pigskin.

Tuesday

Cafe Normandie (185 Main St.) hosts its monthly wine dinner on Tuesday evening. The six-course meal, which costs $74.95, will focus on French fall specialties, including cream of pumpkin soup, beef tenderloin and more, each course expertly paired with a French wine. Call 410-263-3382 for more information.

Thursday, Nov. 5

Thursday night is Ladies Night at B.B. Bistro (112 Annapolis St.). A $10 admission gets you delicious eats and drinks as well as an evening of fun with other ladies. The fun happens between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Tell Jessica about your next event, party or gig at afterdark@hometownannapolis.com