Ada’s wine goddess Kat Thomas suggests Halloween candy pairings

If you’ve spent time tasting wine and trying new things with sommelier Kat Thomas at Ada’s Wine Bar in Tivoli Village, you know the main objective is always to have fun. The same thing goes for Halloween. Since we know she’s game, and we know we’ll be picking through the kids’ trick-or-treat take to steal a few of our favorite classic candy bars, we tasked Thomas with conceptualizing the ideal glass of wine to go with the sweet stuff.

“Generally I’d say to separate everything, just have fun, and Champagne is going to be the answer to everything anyway,” she says. “But get adventurous. Most of the time, the things you have in the fridge don’t pair with the things you’re trying to put in your mouth hole. But you can buy these things in advance or just come down here to Ada’s and bring the candy and we’ll have some fun.”

M&Ms + Three by Wade Red Blend

Many people assume chocolate and red wine is a natural combo, but it’s actually quite a challenge, Thomas says. Basketball star Dwyane Wade’s Three by Wade series blends Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot for a smooth balance that rocks with the candy-coated, dark chocolate gems. “If you’re doing milk chocolate, you might go with a Grenache or Zinfandel or Merlot because you find milk chocolate in some of the tasting notes of those things. But I’d go for dark chocolate M&Ms with the Three by Wade for its sweet smokiness and dark red fruits.”

Skittles + Smith & Sheth Sauvignon Blanc

We figured we’d stump Thomas with these super-sweet fruity favorites. No chance. “Sauvignon Blanc does this wonderfully bright, zesty, crisp kind of thing that makes your mouth zing, and that’s what Skittles do. They kind of make your eyes pucker. The concentration of bright fruits [in the wine] actually mimics the sugar concentration you can find in Skittles.”

Snickers + Gonzalas-Byass Alfonso Oloroso Sherry

Snickers is Thomas’ favorite Halloween candy. “A lot of people have tried a fino sherry or something that was really salty or something they were not ready for, and sherry is one of those things you gotta get nurtured into. This Oloroso is really nutty with dried fruit notes, just everything a Snickers bar is to me, nutty, caramel-y, very complementary.”

Kit Kat + Christian Etienne Cuvee Brut

This is where the bubbles come in, matching up with the creamy milk chocolate-covered wafer bar. “It’s got that great crunch and texture, so if you get a rich style of Champagne—I’ll toss out one nerdy term here, a reductive style versus oxidized, because you want a little bit of oxygenation which has more nuttiness to it and a creamier style—that will be a nice complement to the Kit Kat. This one has a little bit of a marzipan, roasted nut, baked apple component and a creamier mouthfeel.” Her beer backup for the Kit Kat is Evil Twin Brewing’s Imperial Biscotti Chili Hazelnut Break, an indulgent stout that will make you “fall head over heels.”

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups + Broadbent 10-year Malmsey Madeira

“Again, Madeira is not something a lot of people have at home, not commonplace unless you’re a super nerd or you somehow fell in love with it at some point in your life. I love giving people a splash of these things at Ada’s and when you have it with a little bit of food, it all starts making sense. But this is really fun with Reese’s because it gives you that feeling of peanut butter and jelly.”

Creative costumes (for adults)

Checking in with Kayla Keka, manager at Déjà Vu’s Adult Emporium (4335 W. Tropicana Ave., 702-367-8009, loveboutique.com), for some last-minute ideas and tips.

• What’s Popular: Halloween favorites like cats, cops and nurses still reign supreme, but there are a few surprises. “We have quite a few nun costumes. Nuns are really good right now,” Keka says, adding that Greek goddesses and plushy animal costumes are also popular picks. “There’s this bat costume that does well every year. It’s like a jacket—it zips up, and it’s really warm.” Many have also been opting for school-girl warrior princess Sailor Moon and digs from Austin Powers and Ghostbusters.

• Last-minute looks: “I recommend body suits … because you can accessorize those,” Keka says. “All you really need is a witch hat or some ears, and that’s pretty much an automatic costume with little accessories [like] chokers. … We have devil accessories, those are some of the easiest ones usually towards the last week.”

Some women, Keka says, just style and accessorize around lingerie. “The lingerie ones are my favorite, just because they’re really sexy. A lot of times those people who are putting those together are usually going to the Fetish and Fantasy Ball.”

• Pro tip: Always keep a few fashion fixes on hand. “Definitely some double sided tape. Maybe some safety pins. I’ve had to use those just in case a button came off,” Keka says. “When people are out there and they’re partying, something’s gonna happen. … Some of the costumes are ‘teddies’ [or] one pieces. … If you ever get one of those, you want to be extra careful when you go to the bathroom.” –Amber Sampson

Creative costumes (for kids)

Checking in with Julie Roehm, chief marketing and experience officer for the Party City chain (partycity.com), for some last-minute ideas and tips.

• What’s popular: “Costumes with a pop-culture tie are always popular,” Roehm says. “This year, older kids are gravitating towards the Michael Myers costume from the new Halloween Kills movie, Spider-Man, characters from the Ghostbusters movies and Wonder Woman.”

• Last-minute looks:“Our variety of accessories can even be combined with clothing kids already have in their closets for a super-customized look,” Roehm says. “For example, you could pair cheetah tattoos with a leopard tail and tiger ears for a ‘pawsome’ jungle cat look.” Other accessories include glow in the dark face paint, light-up masks, face jewels and hats.

• Pro tip:As the seasons change, parents should remember that Halloween night might be chilly—and not just because of the scares. “We recommend encouraging [kids] to pick a warmer costume option or simply sporting a long-sleeved shirt under costumes.” Batman and doctor costumes are good choices, she says. “Parents should also anticipate that kids will be doing a lot of walking or running while trick-or-treating, so comfortable shoes are crucial. Your child’s favorite shoes should work with just about any costume, but you can also add shoe covers to some costumes.” –Amber Sampson

In the clubs

G-Eazy at Zouk

The rapper and producer launched new album These Things Happen Too last month with big bashes in Vegas and Miami, and now he’s ready to showcase his latest tracks at the freshly minted Resorts World nightclub. October 29, 10:30 p.m., $30-$50, zoukgrouplv.com.

Chromeo at Discopussy

The Canadian electro-funk duo launches a weekend of music and themed costume parties at the Fremont Street hot spot that also features Taiki Nulight, Vnssa and Honeyluv. October 29, 10 p.m., $20, discopussydtlv.com.

Afrojack at Marquee

The towering Dutch DJ makes his Las Vegas club comeback—he spun at EDC with R3HAB—during Marquee’s FreaqShow weekend at Cosmo. October 30, 10 p.m., $20-$30, taogroup.com.

Lil Wayne at Drai’s

You’re probably not even ready for HalloWeezy. The sorta-always-in-costume Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. arrives for a Saturday-night rooftop party to remember at the Cromwell. October 30, 10 p.m., $200-$250, draisgroup.com.

Fisher at Omnia

The Australian party starter continues to bounce between Tao and Hakkasan venues with a set under the Omnia space-chandelier at Caesars Palace. October 31, 10:30 p.m., $40-$60, hakkasangroup.com.

Black Coffee at Hakkasan

The South African house music icon’s current international tour continues to involve Las Vegas after he played Wet Republic during EDC Week. He’s at MGM Grand’s nightclub on Halloween night, and he’ll back for New Year’s Eve, too. October 31, 10:30 p.m., $20-$30, hakkasangroup.com.

Diplo at XS

The Chainsmokers and Kygo warm up the weekend at Wynn’s megaclub before the one-and-only Diplo takes control for one of the biggest Sunday nights of the year. October 31, 10 p.m., $55-$85, wynnnightlife.com. –Brock Radke

Fetish & Fantasy picks up again at Area15

Plenty of the city’s favorite annual events have already made grand post-pandemic comebacks this fall, but there’s nothing else quite like Fetish & Fantasy. The naughty and nice, dance music-charged Halloween bash makes its delayed debut at Area15 on October 30—marking its 25th event in Las Vegas.

“We’re definitely excited to see some of those same faces we’ve been seeing through the years, and there’s a lot of people who’ve been showing up on a regular basis for 10 to 15 years now,” says event coordinator Jeff Davis, who’s been with F&F for a dozen years. “We have cultivated a unique clientele, and they tend to make the trip [every year]. People definitely missed it last year.”

Set to take over the A-Lot and Portal spaces at Area15, the party will feel quite a bit different this time as it moves out of familiar casino resort surroundings. The 2019 edition was held at the former Hard Rock Hotel and took over the theater formerly known as the Joint. Area15 doesn’t offer similar facilities, but Davis says its innovative display capabilities and unique feel will be a “nice switch-up” from venues of the past.

As always, costumes are mandatory; A $60 party-pooper fine will be in place for ticketholders who show up without one. Expect a supercharged version of the Human Petting Zoo and extra strolling, atmospheric performers that contribute heavily to the Fetish & Fantasy vibe. Grammy winner Dave Aude tops a DJ roster that includes Andy Moor, Ron Reeser and Scooter & Lavelle, and the afterhours party starts at 2 a.m. at the Artisan.

“We just want people to show up, have a good time and strut their stuff,” Davis says.

FETISH & FANTASY HALLOWEEN BALL October 30, 9 p.m., $95-$285. Area15, fetishandfantasyhalloweenball.com.

Stage frights

Long before suspense, terror and dread became pillars of cinematic storytelling, actors had to elicit those emotions from a stage without the help of visual effects or trick editing. What you see in a stage production is what you get, which is why the scariest and most suspenseful plays are the ones that convince you that you’re not seeing what you think you’re seeing—or direct you to look into the most fearful and superstitious parts of yourself, where real terror lies. If that sounds like fun—and it should!—here are three local productions you need to catch.

Witch by Jen Silverman

New York-based author Silverman crafted Witch as “a darkly comedic retelling” of The Witch of Edmonton, a 400-year-old English drama. Silverman’s version peels away the old-world trappings and keeps the good stuff: the village that literally takes the Devil’s bargain, and the character of Elizabeth Sawyer, who the village has scapegoated as a witch—and might be the best hope anyone’s got of saving themselves. Vegas Theatre Company, star Katrina Currow and director Andrew Paul are hosting tours through Edmonton’s dark mischief. October 29-November 7;Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2 & 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 5 p.m.; $25-$33. Art Square Theatre, 725-222-9661.

Ghost(s)

Table 8 Immersive and Majestic Repertory Theatre, which previously scared the bejeezus out of Vegas with the one-two punch of Horrorwood Video and Krampus, now invites you to join the “Pyewacket Society for Occultural Affairs” for an evening of communing with the dead. This 21-and-over immersive theater experience begins with cocktails and ends somewhere beyond this mortal coil. The production includes loud sounds, bright lights and theatrical fog, and isn’t for those “who are not comfortable … being alone.” Bartender, set us up. October 28 & 30, times vary, $35. The Usual Place, 100 S. Maryland Parkway, majesticrepertory.com.

The Sandman: A Little Nightmare Musical

Prussian author E.T.A. Hoffmann kinda owns Christmas; he wrote the 1816 story on which The Nutcracker is based. He also penned Der Sandmann, a fable as creepy and unnerving as The Nutcracker is warm and fuzzy. The endlessly inventive Troy Heard directs this Richard Oberacker and Robert Taylor-penned musical adaptation of Hoffman’s tale of inscrutable nannies, unexplained fires and eyeball-stealing nightmare creatures that live in the moon, and two of our favorite local actors—Annette Houlihan Verdolino and Darren Weller—feature in the top-shelf cast. Thru November 11; Thursday-Saturday, 8 & 10 p.m.; Sunday 5 & 7 p.m.; $35-$25. Majestic Repertory Theatre, 1217 S. Main S., majesticrepertory.com. –Geoff Carter

Spooky screenings

Movie Massacre at Money, Baby!

It’s not spooky season without Halloween. John Carpenter’s iconic masked stalker returns to the big screen at Money, Baby! for a double feature of Halloween and Halloween II. Relive classic  terror alongside friends and enjoy a killer cocktail or two. moneybabylv.com, October 28, 9 p.m.,Virgin Hotels, free, reserve at moneybabylv.com/reservations 

Hidden Cinema Rooftop Garden

Catch American Psycho at this cinema rooftop garden, offering a sweeping view of the city. Beer, wine, candy and popcorn anchor the dining menu, and you can upgrade to a lounge chair or love seat for ultimate comfort. October 31, 9:45 p.m., $11, 321 S. Casino Center Blvd., hidden-cinema.com.

The Front Yard at Ellis Island

Hocus Pocus Brunch will feature a screening of the 1993 cult classic, which we’ve heard goes perfectly with mimosas and bloody marys. October 30, 10:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m., reserve at bit.ly/3FMfUXO.

TeenTober Movie Night at Windmill Library

Geared toward kids in grades 6 and up, this event explores the “strange and unusual” with a collection of four Tim Burton classics. Teens can choose from 9, Frankenweenie, The Nightmare Before Christmas or Edward Scissorhands, and paint a pumpkin or two. October 28, 5:45-7:45 p.m., free, 7060 W. Windmill Lane, lvccld.com.

Halloween Carpool Cinema at Galleria at Sunset

Those looking for a fun, outdoor experience should consider this complimentary screening of 2019 Disney sequel Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. Goody bags will be provided to kids, so bring the family. October 29, 8:30-11 p.m., free, reserve at bit.ly/3vEjAGI. –Amber Sampson

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