Costume drama
Dressing up for Halloween is nice and all, but being rewarded for our creativity ain’t bad, either (what, you thought this Janet Jackson love child get-up assembled itself?). Want some payback for those long hours of costume prep? Head to Exotica, where the best-dressed split a $5,000 pot of cash and prizes. With DJs John Curley, Chris Tomasone, Jernell Geronimo, Shaka 23 and Ben Castaneda. 9 p.m. Saturday. $10-$20. RSVP at sound-bar.com for reduced admission. 226 W. Ontario St. 312-787-4480.
Aw, shucks
We’re not exactly sure what a “royster” is, but anything involving mounds of mouthwatering shucked suckers can’t be wrong. Chicagoans consume more than 62,000 slippery devils at the annual Royster with the Oyster event; we’ve especially primed our palates for the Rock My Oyster tent party, featuring a final slurpoff judged by WXRT’s Lin Brehmer, plus live music by Lonnie Brooks and more. 3 p.m. Friday. $10. Corner of Kinzie and Clark Streets. 312-527-2722.
Wigged good time
Whether you take your inspiration from The Donald or Diana Ross, cover that noggin of yours with the most outrageous rug you can rustle up, and hustle over to Not Your Mama’s Hallowig-o-Rama Costume Ball. You could win prizes for your put-on pelt; plus, dance to DJs, snack on appetizers and cocktails, and get your cards read at this smoke-free party. Also features The Seldoms, and Matthew Hollis and the Mattresses. 8 p.m. Friday. $25-$50. Tickets: seechicagodance.com Architectural Artifacts, 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave. 312-328-0303.
Peas of the action
You could dress like a celeb for this holiday–or you could party with some. It’s your call, but if you decide to go with the latter (hint, hint), you could spend Halloween with the Black Eyed Peas. DJs Jernell Geronimo, Martin “Boogieman” Luna and Mark Lojo also spin at the bash, which includes a cocktail reception from 9 to 11 p.m. Still not ready to relinquish your carefully planned Britney with baby get-up? Come in costume and get in for half-price. 9 p.m. Friday. $20. FOUR, 1551 W. Division St. 773-235-9100.
Little shop of Horrors
Prefer gender-bending dress up to chart-breaking hip-hop? Go drag for a midnight screening of the 1975 cult classic “Rocky Horror Picture Show”; no additional outside props are allowed, but the theater will provide goodie bags for playing along (we’ll take a stash of dirty doodads over a candy-filled jack-o’-lantern any day). With live accompaniment by Midnight Madness and costume contests before the flick. Midnight Friday and Saturday. $10. Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave. 773-871-6604.
Get Lucky
Candy is so last year; this Halloween you’re aiming for more exotic treats in your goodie bag–like a trip for two to L.A. Check out metromix and RedEye’s Halloween Party at Lucky Strike Lanes, where costume contest winners nab cash and pack-your-bags prizes. With premium open bar, appetizers, DJs, a haunted house and more. 9 p.m. Saturday. $35; $30 if you buy your ticket at Lucky Strike Lanes by Friday. 322 E. Illinois St. 312-245-8331.
Art beat
Forget the futon; you get plenty of quality couch time at home. SOFA Chicago 2005 deserves your standing attention; the 12th annual Sculpture Objects and Functional Art expo features works in glass, metal, fiber and more from galleries as far-flung as the Czech Republic and Argentina. Not ready to drop a bundle for your own piece of art history? Sit in on a free lecture series. 11 a.m. Friday-Saturday; noon Sunday. $12-$15; $25 three-day pass. Navy Pier Festival Hall, 600 E. Grand Ave. 800-563-7632.
Howl-iday cheer
Sure, trying to understand contemporary art can make us cower in terror (some things are really scary), but this excellent exhibit’s meant to be a hair-raiser: Spy Halloween-themed art at The Werewolf Bongo Party Halloween Bash, an opening-night reception featuring free appetizers, drinks and artist appearances. 7 p.m. No cover. DvA, 2568 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-871-4382.
Human interest
After all that holiday revelry (not to mention serious sugar shock from indulging in too many trick-or-treat top-offs), get a dose of alternative brain food at the 16th Annual Chicago Humanities Festival. Look for readings, performances, lectures, films and more; weekend highlights include a slew of cabaret acts. Saturday through Nov. 13. $5-$10 per program. See metromix.com for more info. 312-494-9509.
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jwehunt@tribune.com
