Zombie Prom at Artifice
Remember when you were a teenage zombie? Relive those carefree, flesh-eating days at a party featuring a Thriller dance-off, a zombie photo booth, a drag MC, live music by Max Fischer and DJ Chyld and a special food and drink menu. Proceeds benefit the Clark County Democratic Party. October 27, 9 p.m., $25-$50. – Geoff Carter
The Gathering: Maiden Voyage at Downtown Las Vegas Events Center.
Downtown has become the new dance spot, thanks to events like this Halloween-themed boogie fest, which includes talent like future bass whiz K?D and house/techno champ Justin Martin—and a 7-9 p.m. open bar. Proceeds go to the Zappos Fund. October 27 ad 28, 7 p.m., $45-$80. –Mike Prevatt
Dueling Jam Masters
Jam-band fans adore Halloween weekend, but we’re not sure they’ll love having to choose between two of the genre’s most beloved bands. The Trey Anastasio Band, whose leader finally resumed performing in Las Vegas in 2014—with Phish, for yes, Halloween—following a nine-year hiatus here, plays two shows at Brooklyn Bowl, October 27 and 28 (7 p.m., $45). Southern stalwarts Widespread Panic go one bigger, holding down Park Theater for three straight nights, October 27-29 (9 p.m., $60). How about Trey on Friday, Panic on Sunday and flip a veggie burrito to see where you end up on Saturday? October 27-29 –Spencer Patterson
Sugar Skull workshop at Charleston Heights Arts Center
They’re commonly seen during Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos celebrations throughout Mexico—brightly colored skulls, known as calaveras. The skeletal figurines are used to decorate ofrendas, or altars, alongside images of saints, crucifixes, flowers, candles, food and cut tissue paper. Ofrendas—which literally translates to “offerings”—are a critical part of the celebration, and help commemorate loved ones who have died. Learn to make your own calavera to take home—traditional skulls are made from sugar or clay—while honoring Mexican heritage in this community workshop, which takes place just days before the festive holiday. Wear clothes you won’t mind getting messy. October 28, 1 p.m., $15 (advanced registration required), 702-229-2787. –Leslie Ventura
Life and Death Festival at Winchester Cultural Center
Celebrate the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with this free, two-day event. There will be arts, crafts, dance, poetry readings and food vendors. Ofrendas (or altars) will honor dead loved ones, and, in true Vegas fashion, festival patron “Elizadeath” is a showgirl. November 1 and 2, 5-9 p.m. –C. Moon Reed
Tony Bennett at Encore Theater
“I’ve had some great days in Las Vegas, unforgettable times,” Tony Bennett says. “The last time I played there they named the street after me!” Indeed, the Las Vegas Strip was temporarily renamed Tony Bennett Boulevard last year, when the legend returned to perform at the Keep Memory Alive Power of Love gala, and there’s a small stretch called Tony Bennett Way running east of Paradise between Twain and Flamingo.
The iconic 91-year-old brings some serious star power to the recent residency bookings at Wynn’s Encore Theater starting Wednesday, and he’s jazzed about it. “I love being in Las Vegas, because you run into so many performers you love. It’s a great feeling to be part of the whole scene there.” November 1-11, 8 p.m., $65-$500. –Brock Radke
3 Reasons to bum rush the bunkhouse
San Diego’s Prayers were handpicked by goth icon Ian Astbury to open for his band, The Cult, for a short run of West Coast shows back in 2014. Just one year later, singer Rafael Reyes—aka Leafar Seyer—and beats/synth man Dave Parley released an EP featuring Blink-182’s Travis Barker. That success stands in stark contrast to Reyes’ darker past—he grew up as a member of San Diego’s Sherman 27th Street Grant Hill Park gang and spent time in jail before heading in a more positive direction and embracing the ’80s-influenced electro sound at the heart of Prayers’ music. Catch the self-described “cholo goths,” paired with LA’s noise-rock specialists Health, Saturday, October 28 at the Bunkhouse (9 p.m., $25-$30).
But don’t stay out all night. You’ll need energy to wake up Sunday morning and head back to the Bunk for a boozy Downtown community brunch in the backyard, hosted by lifestyle platform Riding With Cory and Candice (11 a.m., $35-$45).
Ready to go three for three? Sunday’s Macro Fi reunion will benefit victims of the October 1 Route 91 shooting. Defunct local punks Holding Onto Sound will be back for one night only, and will be joined by also-on-hiatus Rusty Maples, Outside Looking In, The Quitters, Narrowed, The Rifleman, Kalipso and comedian Jason Harris (8 p.m., $10 donation).
Oh yeah, and that’s not all. Turn to Page 60 for our interview with Guided By Voices, which plays—you guessed it, the Bunkhouse on Friday, October 27. –Leslie Ventura
