Arts & Entertainment
East County Nightlife: Too Old For Halloween?
Your Patch guide to East County Nightlife, Oct. 27-30.
Reader poll (at bottom of page): What, exactly, is the maximum age for trick-or-treating? Early teens? High school? The beginning of that awkward-looking patch many people experience between age 8 and 14? Either way, there’s nothing sadder than the day we realize we’re too old for free candy (even worse—the day we have to start buying candy for others).
Yet, adults have found a way to hold on tight to one aspect of Halloween—the dressing-up part—using that one day out of the year as an excuse to outwardly pretend we’re something we’re not (as opposed to all those other days when we just inwardly pretend). Most often, fall in the range of funny, scary, trashy or ironic, although super-bonus points will be awarded to the person who manages to pull off all four (a female friend who once went as a dead, sexy Michael Jackson came close).
And then there’s the drinks—candy corn-infused vodka, anyone? Yes, adults have definitely found a way to keep a little piece of Halloween alive after everything else about childhood falls into a distant memory.
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So then, how much of a bummer is it when ultra-nightlife-oriented Halloween falls on a Monday? Seriously, how are responsible grown-ups supposed to partake in all the festivities when they have to drag their still-sparkle-coated behinds to work the next day? Especially East Countians, who not only host the best private Halloween parties, but are privy to the most rocking bar parties as well—events, it should be mentioned, that don’t require them to be built like a Victoria’s Secret model or professional athlete to feel welcome, unlike other venues around the county (cough—downtown—cough).
THURSDAY
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Where/when: Grossmont College Stagehouse Theatre, 8800 Grossmont College Dr., El Cajon, 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Why Go: Like beauty, talent is in the eye of the beholder—while parents fawn over little Suzy’s adorable jazz dance to modern pop music, the janitor who happens to walk by the auditorium is likely rolling his eyes. Thankfully, by the time little Suzy gets to college-level dance classes, even complete strangers will be wowed by her talent—you’ll be wowed too by the student-choreographed and performed dance concert “Breaking Boundaries” this weekend.
Price: $12.
FRIDAY
“AMAZING TASTES OF THE NATIONS”
Where/when: , 9400 Campo Rd., Spring Valley, 6 to 8 p.m. Friday.
Why Go: Have you ever been curious about an international cuisine, such as Thai or Ethiopian or Peruvian, but you haven’t mustered up the courage to patronize a restaurant featuring such fare? If you’d rather try a little at a time, check out Faith Chapel’s food festival this Friday featuring more than 30 restaurants, providing diverse cuisine in trial-size portions.
Price: $20 donation.
Where/when: , 9628 Carlton Hills Blvd., Santee, 9 p.m. Friday.
Why Go: Not to be outdone by all the bars, restaurants and coffee houses in Santee, smoothie shop Frubble is getting in on the live-music action. Frubble’s Music Showcase this Friday will feature the Bombshells, Myself and the Mean Ones, Where the Truth Lies, Limits and Lines, Her Crimson Love, and Introspection.
Price: Free.
Where/when: , 9143 Campo Rd., Spring Valley, 9 p.m. Friday.
Why Go: Sometimes, band names are just too perfect. For instance, what could be a better description for a hardcore punk band whose situation, motivation, and—very likely—core audience are primarily concerned with being angry and broke (along with the Occupy Movement’s 99 percent)?
Price: Free.
SATURDAY
Where/when: Main Tap Tavern, 518 E. Main St., El Cajon, 9 p.m. Saturday.
Why Go: Grown-ups might be too old to trick-or-treat on Halloween, but they’ll easily find an excuse to dress up and head out to one of the few places that welcomes such childish shenanigans: bars. The Juan Bravo Band will rock Main Tap’s Halloween bash this year, but sadly, there will be no free candy.
Price: No cover.
Where/when: , 8330 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, 9 p.m. Saturday.
Why Go: Upping the ante for the typical bar Halloween party, Pete’s is hosting a costume contest this Saturday. While the prize for said contest is not clear, there’s no question the place will be rocking with music from The Eruption and guest band The Addixxx.
Price: No cover.
“HALLOSCREAM SAPTRAVAGANZA!”
Where/when: , 3902 Kenwood Dr., Spring Valley, 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Why Go: Laurel and Hardy enthusiasts Saps at Sea are back at it with a holiday-themed selection of films accompanied by Russ “Franken” Peck on the “haunted piano.” The silent short “Habeas Corpus” (1928) will be followed by “A-Haunting We Will Go” (1942).
Price: $6 donation.
Where/when: , 9188 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa, 9 p.m. Saturday.
Why Go: The Farmers rock East County yet again at the cozy Parkway Bar on Fletcher Parkway. No word yet if the band will dress up for “Farmerween.”
SUNDAY
Where/when: , 7662 Broadway, Lemon Grove, 9 p.m. Sunday.
Why Go: Have your weekly karaoke trips become a bit stale? Have you sang every song you know won’t completely embarrass you, or have the regulars (yourself included) recently lacked that spark of z-list stardom that karaoke originally inspired? Here’s a thought—dress up as your favorite pop star, Halloween-style, and enter Dirk’s weekly karaoke contest as the diva/heartthrob you’re invoking. Seriously, who wouldn’t vote for a somewhat-lookalike Lady Gaga or Michael Jackson?
Price: Free.
