Haunted Happenings

Wednesday, Oct. 29
Adopt-A-Ghoul: Halloween costume and decoration donations for children of all ages, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., through Friday, Oct. 31. Hamilton Family Center, 1631 Hayes (at Lyon), 409-2100.

The Barbecue Murders: John Fisher"s interpretation of Marin County"s 1975 barbecue murders, 8:30 p.m., through Saturday, Nov. 1, $5-$15. Theatre Rhinoceros, 2926 16th St. (at South Van Ness), 861-5079.

Ghost Walk: City Hall: 6:30 p.m., free. City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl. (at Fulton), 554-5184.

Magic and Mayhem: Stage Effects of the Grand Guignol: A lecture and presentation to France"s legendary Le Théâtre du Grand Guignol, "Theater of Horrors," 7 p.m., $5-$10. SF Performing Arts Library & Museum, War Memorial Bldg., 401 Van Ness (at McAllister), Fourth Fl., 255-4800.

Thursday, Oct. 30
The Barbecue Murders: See Wednesday.

The Cubby Creatures, Space Vacuum (from Outer Space), and Slow Poisoners: Halloween costume party and rockin" music. Visit www.cubby.net for more fun and information, 8:30 p.m., $6. Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd St. (at Mission), 647-2888.

"Disko Bloodbath -- An Hellektrodiskohiphopvoodooshockrock Costume Ball!": Music from DJs Neel N Sukmeov, Deadly China Girl, plus the Crystal Lake Go-Go Dancers, toilet apple bobbings, and more, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., $5. 26 Mix, 3024 Mission (at 26th St.), 826-7378.

Halloween at the YMCA: Carnival games, costumes, and haunted house, 7-8:30 p.m., $5-$6, 447-9611 (Information). Letterman Gym, 1152 Gorgas (at Sternberg).

Meat: Devil's Night: With DJs Mitch, Ritter Gluck, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., $5-$7. DNA Lounge, 375 11th St. (at Folsom), 626-1409.

Motherfunker Presents: Merkin -- A Halloween Pre-party: A night-before Halloween party to test out your costumes and fun, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., $5. 26 Mix, 3024 Mission (at 26th St.), 826-7378.

Pirate's Cove: Featuring Halloween candy buffet and trick-or-treat grab bags. Costumes or upscale attire required. Music from Rich Laxamama, 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Ruby Skye, 420 Mason (at Geary), 693-0777.

Friday, Oct. 31
1st Annual Noiserock Halloween: With Replicators and Hate Breeders as AC/DC and Misfit cover bands, respectively. Discount for coming in costume., 9 p.m., $6-$8. Edinburgh Castle, 950 Geary (at Larkin), 885-4074.

All Hallow's Eve: The Figure by Candlelight: Halloween night spent drawing by candlelight with artist Sydney Cohen, 6:30-9:30 p.m., $40, 510-594-3710 (Information). California College of the Arts/Oakland, 5212 Broadway (at College), Oliver Art Center, Oakland, 510-594-3650.

The All Hollows Eve Jam: A night of fun and fright for ages 14-20, 7:30 p.m., $5-$7. Oakland Box Theater, 1928 Telegraph (at 19th St.), Oakland, 510-451-1932.

Among the Dead and The Lady and the Monster: 6 and 9 p.m., $5-$7. Auctions by the Bay Theater, 2700 Saratoga (at West Red Line), Alameda, 510-740-0220.

The Barbecue Murders: See Wednesday.

Birdleg's Halloween Bash: 10 p.m., $10. Eli"s Mile High Club & Restaurant, 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way (at 37th St.), Oakland, 510-655-6161.

Boo 3: With Wonder Bread 5, 8 p.m., $13-$30. Red Devil Lounge, 1695 Polk (at Clay), 921-1695.

Corby Yates Halloween Bash: 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., $15. Biscuits & Blues, 401 Mason (at Geary), 292-BLUE (2583).

CrawlSF Halloween Bash: With DJ Blaqwest spinning, plus contests and prizes, 8:30 p.m., $12. Broadway Studios, 435 Broadway (at Columbus), 291-0333.

Cuban Salsa Halloween Party: With the rhythmic Tito y su Son de Cuba, 9:30 p.m., $10. Boom Boom Room, 1601 Fillmore (at Geary), 673-8000.

Diamondhead Halloween Weekend: Featuring Super Diamond and Notorious singing selections of Neil Diamond, 9 p.m., $20. Slim"s, 333 11th St. (at Folsom), 522-0333.

eXtreme Halloween 18+ Event: Featuring DJs Nick G, Don Lynch, Slim Havoc, plus costume prizes, and more, 9:30 p.m.-2:30 a.m., $15. Club X, 715 Harrison (at Fourth St.), 339-8686.

The Fly: The original 1958 cautionary tale of science, man, and fly gone awry, 7:30 p.m., $4-$8. Pacific Film Archive, 2575 Bancroft (at Bowditch), Berkeley, 510-642-5249.

Garaj Mahal: Halloween party featuring Kai Eckhardt, Fareed Haque, Alan Hertz, Eric Levy, and more, 9 p.m., $20. Avalon Ballroom, 1268 Sutter (at Van Ness), 673-5716.

GayGlo Halloween Show: Spectacular and unique glowing musical revue at the Castro"s main stage, 8:45 p.m., free. Castro Street, (at Market).

Ghost Walk: Palace Hotel: 6:30 p.m., free. Palace Hotel, Market & New Montgomery, 392-8600.

Hallofest!: Huge indoor/outdoor party featuring performance artists, dancers, costume contests, and DJs spinning hip hop, trance, deep house, rock, and more, 9 p.m.-5 a.m., $30-$75. Kelly"s Mission Rock, 817 China Basin (at Mariposa), 626-5355.

Halloween 2003 at the Hotel Utah Saloon: Featuring the Bootcuts, Boxcar Saints, Extra Action Marching Band, Multiply, and more. Costumes strongly encouraged, 8 p.m., $7. Hotel Utah, 500 Fourth St. (at Bryant), 546-6300.

Halloween Ball: With Stug, Zoo Station, and costume contest, 9 p.m., $9. Last Day Saloon, 406 Clement (at Sixth Ave.), 387-6343.

Halloween Bash: Rotating DJs, costumes encouraged, 9 p.m., free. Bubble Lounge, 714 Montgomery (at Jackson), 434-4204.

Halloween Costume Night: 9 p.m. The Velvet Lounge, 443 Broadway (at Kearny), 788-0228.

Halloween in the Castro: A Halloween mecca of revelry, outrageousness, and hard-core trick-or-treaters. Castro Street, (at Market).

Halloween Masquerade Ball: A Latin and Brazilian dance party and fundraiser for Samba do Coração, 7:30 p.m., $15-$20. Metronome Ballroom, 1830 17th St. (at De Haro), 252-9000.

Halloween Night 2003: Featuring DJs Garth, Sen-Sei, David Coleman, and more, 10 p.m.-4 a.m., $10, free with costume. Whisper, 535 Florida (at Mariposa), 356-9800.

Halloween Party: With DJs Mei Lwun and Johnny Knight, 9 p.m.-3:30 a.m., $25. Suite one8one, 181 Eddy (at Mason), 345-9900.