Talk about a celebrity-filled Halloween-just consider the stars who are expected at parties around town.
A couple of the original Brady Bunchers-Florence Henderson (Carol), Barry Williams (Greg) and Christopher Knight (Peter)-will be on hand to rate costumes at WCKG`s fifth annual Halloween Party.
While Butch Patrick-that`s right, Eddie Munster-will judge the costumes on parade at Brewer Bros.
In fact, the world`s most famous magician, the late, great Harry Houdini may even show up, sort of, at Schulien`s Restaurant & Saloon. That`s where a special Halloween show with magicians Al James and Bruce Bernstein just happens to coincide with the anniversary of Houdini`s death on Oct. 31.
”They might try to call back his spirit,” says Schulien`s spokesperson Joyce Heitler, of the two prestidigitators. ”Whether Harry comes back or not, there will be a lot of spirits at the bar.”
Spirits and spirited parties are what most Halloween parties for adults are all about. It`s also the one night a year most people indulge their costume fantasies. Which is the main reason costume contests and costume-oriented promotions rule the nightlife at clubs and pubs around town.
Yet, you need not wear a costume at all the events.
Magic: While the restaurant`s regular card trick whiz amazes diners, there will be a Halloween Magic Show in the back room of Schulien`s, 2100 W. Irving Park Rd. (478-2100). James and Bernstein will perform everything from illusions to sleight of hand and ESP at two shows (7 and 9:30 p.m. Wednesday; tickets $8).
Pumpkins: If crazy carved pumpkins, crazier drinks-like a Monster Manhattan or a Witches Brew-and some of the best piano around sounds like a perfect Halloween mix, then drop in at the Coq d`Or in the Drake Hotel, Lake Shore Drive and Michigan Avenue (787-2200). Guess the number of jellybeans in a jar and win a weekend at the hotel, vote on staff-carved pumpkins and savor the piano style of Buddy Charles (Wednesday; no cover).
Portraits: A one-night exhibit of portraits by photographer Marc Hauser, from his ”Halloween in Bucktown” series of children in costume from the neighborhood, will spotlight the alternative party at the Blue Room club, upstairs from the Mirador restaurant, 1400 N. Wells St. (951-6441). Costumes are encouraged but not required (Wednesday; no cover).
Monster Madness: About those costumes. . .the word from a couple costume shops is that cartoon characters continue to top the list of favorites. At Broadway Costume, 954 W. Washington St., the most popular costumes so far are for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Phantoms of the Opera and 1920s flappers. Over at Chicago Costume Co., 1120 W. Fullerton Ave., costumes for Marge and Bart Simpson, the Ninja Turtles, Batman and The Littlest Mermaid are among the most wanted.
So where can you go to parade that costume and your imagination?
At the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, 5620 S. Harlem Ave., Summit
(708-496-3000), if you show up in costume for dinner and their production of ”Fiddler on the Roof,” you`ll receive dinner free on Halloween night.
While you can help charity and have a good time as well at WCKG`s fifth annual Hallowen Party which benefits the Easter Seals Society of Chicago. Scheduled for Saturday in the Grand Ballroom, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.
(781-7300), there will be a costume contest, those Brady Bunch folks and music by classic rockers Backstreet ($7 cover).
A lot of clubs have costume contests, with a variety of prizes, some goofy, some monetary, some just great vacations. Here are a few, but you`ll have to check with the clubs on costume and judging specifics.
– At the Hop, Holiday Inn O`Hare, 5440 N. River Rd., Rosemont
(708-671-6350). They`re calling the evening, a Monster Mash Bash. There are several costume categories, cash prizes, a showing of monster movies and monster movie trivia along with complimentary bat wings, ghoulish goulash and other hors d`oeuvres (4:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday; no cover).
– Bop Shop, 1807 W. Division St. (235-3232). There will be a Phantom of the Bop Shop mystery, a buffet and the Ray Bailey Quintet (Saturday; $15). Charlie`s Bop Shop Halloween Bash will feature a band (Jeff Newell), a buffet, plus costumes and prizes (Wednesday; $6 cover).
– Brewer Bros., 225 W. Chicago Ave. (944-4144). Cash prizes for most original and most ugly or scary costume (Wednesday; no cover).
– Bub City Crabshack and Bar-B-Q, 901 W. Weed St. (266-1200). The theme is a Halloween Old West, the music`s by The Barnburners and partygoers to Club Bub are invited to dress as their favorite old west character, with prizes awarded for the best (Wednesday; no cover).
– Fitzgerald`s, 6615 Roosevelt Rd. (708-788-6670). There`s a $2 discount for those who come in costume. The rock band, Tail Gators, performs
(Wednesday; $6 cover).
– Les Violins Nightclub, 59 W. Grand Ave. (464-0061). A masquerade ball, the first annual, is set for this club which promises a celebrity panel of judges (Wednesday; no cover).
– Prairie Avenue Gallery, 1900 S. Prairie Ave. (842-4523). Costume yourself as the past, present and futures at the annual party in an art gallery that features dancing, a buffet and crazy prizes (Friday; $10 donation).
– Shelter, 564 W. Fulton St. (648-5500). This hot spot is looking for the world`s bizarre to join together in a combination freak show-costume competition (Wednesday; $10 cover).
– Southport City Saloon, 2548 N. Southport Ave. (975-6110). Prizes for costumes, a complimentary buffet and Frank K & Co. for dancing (Wednesday; no cover).
Another Dimension: Amidst all the carved pumpkins and costume parties of a typical Chicago Halloween, a different dimension has been added to the season with the growing number of events keyed to the Mexican tradition of El Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, on Nov. 2. Some are traditional, others avant-garde. All are based on the event celebrated nationwide in Mexico.
The dead in Mexico are never completely forgotten or neglected, and this annual tradition allows the living to celebrate with those who have gone before by welcoming them home for a visit. Throughout Mexico, the shelves of confectioners` shops fill with decorated sugar-candy skulls, while bakery windows are stacked with specially shaped breads, their surfaces glazed to a rich brown. Craftsmen shape papier mache skeletons and masks, while those who craft witty phrases have been busy writing calaveras-translated as skulls, but actually referring to satirical short poems-that poke fun at everyone from politicians to policemen.
And there are visits to the cemetery to honor the deceased-the children or angelitos on Nov. 1 and the adults on Nov. 2-as well as ofrendas, or altars, set up with food offerings and decorated with a type of marigold called a zempasuchitl.
Some of the Chicago-area events and exhibitions are in tune with the spirit of the original Mexican tradition. Other shows and installations, fashioned by artists in galleries and exhibition spaces, are as individual as their creators. Here are just a few:
– Mexican Fine Arts Center and Museum, 1852 W. 19th St. (738-1503). Museum marks Day of the Dead with exhibit of altars by artists from Chicago and across the country (through Nov. 25; free); slide presentation and lecture on the traditions and customs of El Dia de los Muertos by Robert Loescher, School of the Art Institute of Chicago (7 p.m. Nov. 2; free); Miguel and Ricardo Linares, father and son papier mache artisans from Mexico City, demonstrate how they make alebrijes-multicolored fantasy creatures-and calaveras-skulls and skeletons (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday; free); Alvaro and Jose Antonio de la Cruz, another father-son team, from Michoacan, demonstrate how to make colorful, hand-built clay skeletons
(10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 6-25; free). Museum is closed Mondays.
– Art Encounter, 927 Noyes St., Evanston (708-328-9222). Art encounter for singles includes a visit to artist exhibits in Wicker Park`s Flat Iron building, a meeting with noted artists Paul Sierra and Oscar Martinez, discussion on Day of the Dead and supper (Wednesday; tour and supper $35;
reservations necessary).
– Suburban Fine Arts Center, 777 Central Ave., Highland Park (708-432-1888). Day of the Dead exhibit includes an altar by the Mexican community
(through Oct. 31; free); a lecture by Robert Loescher, School of the Art Institute of Chicago (7 p.m. Thursday; $5); and an exhibit titled ”Death” by Chicago artists, including Roger Brown, Harold Allen and Margaret Wharton
(through Nov. 6; free).
– Day of the Dead Installations: The Mi Raza Arts Consortium (MIRA) has initiated a Day of the Dead homage to artist Vincent Van Gogh, with artist-created installations at several galleries including A.R.C. Gallery, 1040 W. Huron St. (733-2787; Tuesday-Dec. 1); Artemisia, 700 N. Carpenter St.
(226-7323; Tuesday-Nov. 30); N.A.M.E., 700 N. Carpenter St. (226-0671; Nov. 2-16); and Objects Gallery, 230 W. Huron St. (664-6622; dates to be determined).
