Scare Tactics

Mad Scientist’s Halloween Party: Annual event featuring live performances, a ritual desecration of home appliances, and dastardly experiments, 8 p.m., $10- $20. 21 Grand, 449B 23rd St. (between Broadway and Telegraph), Oakland, 510-444-7263.

Mother Hips Halloween Party: With Dean Del Ray, 9:30 p.m. Sweetwater, 153 Throckmorton (at Miller), Mill Valley, 388-2820.

Mungo’s Halloween Pageant: With the Woodyz, Hot Pink Feathers, Mungo the Clown, Zombie, Dissection, and more, 8 p.m., $7-$9. Voodoo Lounge, 2937 Mission (at 25th St.), 285-3369.

Once in a Boo Moon: Kid’s Halloween party with a planetarium show, cartoons, science activities, and trick-or-treating, 6-9 p.m., $8-$10. Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline, Joaquin Miller Park, Oakland, 510-336-7300.

Real Halloween: Concert featuring the Venusians, Danny Heines, and Andrew Chaikin, 8:30 p.m., $10. Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo (at Gilman), Berkeley, 510-525-5054. The Residents: Demons Dance Alone, 8 p.m., $25-$35, all ages show, 421-TIXS. Warfield, 982 Market (at Sixth St.), 775-7722.

Sex, Death and Eyeliner: Keith Border’s film explores the goth scene, for whom “every day is Halloween,” 8 p.m.; free. Jezebel’s Joint, 510 Larkin (at Turk), 820-3907, www.sfindie.com.

Shocktoberfest!!: Thrillpeddlers’ annual festival of one-act horror plays and sex farces from the Grand Guignol Theatre in Paris, 9 p.m. and midnight Thursdays- Saturdays; $5. Odeon, 3223 Mission (at Valencia), 550-6994. Shrine of Lilith Halloween Party: Goth, industrial, and death rock music, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., $3-$5, 820-3907 (information). Jezebel’s Joint, 510 Larkin (at Turk), 345-9832.

“Soundboutique” Halloween Party: With DJs Jacob, Sean, and guests, 10 p.m. Ivy Room, 858 San Pablo (at Solano), Albany, 510-524-9299.

The Strokes: With the Realistics, 8 p.m., $26.75. Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, 99 Grove (at Larkin), 974-4060.

Michelle Tea: The local writer signs copies of her latest work, Chelsea Whistle, 7:30 p.m., free, attendees are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes. Books Inc./Castro, 2275 Market (at 16th St.), 864-6777.

“Thursday Night Live: Halloween Rocks!”: With American Girls, Girls Got Rhythm, Sunday Girls, N-Judas, 9 p.m., $5. Eagle Tavern, 398 12th St. (at Harrison), 626-0880.

Twisted: Premiere of a locally made horror film, described by director Baayan Bakari as “an African-American Blair Witch Project,” 6:30 p.m., $5. The Parkway Theater, 1834 Park (at Lake Merritt), Oakland, 510-814-2400.

The Vampire Tour of San Francisco: Discover how the undead played a role in the history of seven famous attractions in this guided tour through the city, featuring a costume party with prizes, 8-10 p.m., $15-$20, 650-279-1840 (information), www.sfvampiretour.com.

California & Taylor Sts. Victorian Gothic Halloween Reading: Bring a spooky selection from Poe, Brontë, Hugo, Wilde, or others to read, 6-8 p.m., free, costumes encouraged. Mechanics’ Institute Library, 57 Post (at Market), 393-0100.

Virgins & Vampires Party: 8 p.m. Johnny Foley’s/Cellar, 244 O’Farrell (at Cyril Magnin), 954-0777. Werepad Halloween: Screening of Mad Monster Partywith live music by Teeze, 9:30 p.m., $5. Werepad, 2430 Third St. (at 22nd St.), 824-7334.

Young Zombies in Love: Emerald Rain Productions presents Damian Hess’ pop/rock musical comedy about a twisted love affair between two teens from Tombtown, Halloween show includes a reception and costume contest (advance tickets only); no performances on Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 28-30, 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, through Dec. 7, $12-$15, 510-982-0433 (reservations). Venue 9, 252 Ninth St. (at Folsom), 289-2000.

Zoo Station: Best costume contest with cash prize, 9 p.m. Ireland’s 32, 3920 Geary (at Third Ave.), 386-6173.

FRIDAY,NOV.1

Ghostlight: Postmodern ghost stories around a 60-watt campfire, 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, and Saturday, Nov. 2, $10. Exit Theatre, 156 Eddy (between Taylor & Mason), 673-3847.

A Halloween Costume Ball: Marimba Pacifica presents a ritual invocation of ancestors in honor of the Day of the Dead with live music and art, 8 p.m., $10-$13. Black Box Theater, 1928 Telegraph (at 19th St.), Oakland, 510-595-5597.

The Halloween Mystery Sale: Book sale with all books $1 or less, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., free, 437-4857 (information), Larkin Street steps. Main Library, 100 Larkin (at Grove), 557-4277.

Hermanas Unidas Sorority Halloween Party: With guest DJs, 9 p.m., $10. Galia, 2565 Mission (at 22nd St.), 970-9777.

SATURDAY,NOV.2

Experiments in Terror: Other Cinema’s annual Halloween show, featuring video clips from horror film history, 8 p.m., $5, come dressed in costumes. Artists’ Television Access, 992 Valencia (at 21st St.), 824-3890.

Halloween Party — Mongolian Disco: With guest DJs, 8:30 p.m., $10-$15. Galia, 2565 Mission (at 22nd St.), 970-9777.

Le Bal des Vampires: The Period Events & Entertainment Recreation Society presents the ninth annual dance, featuring music by the Divertimento Dance Orchestra and a performance by Le Theatre des Vampires, 6:30 p.m.-midnight, $15-$20, 510-522-1731 (information), www.peers.org. Pleasanton Senior Center, 5353 Sunol (at Mission), Pleasanton.