Facets Night School: Haxan

Facets Cinematheque continues its Night School screenings in October with screenings of classic horror films Tonight's film is the 1922 Swedish film Haxan and includes a pre-screening lecture and Q&A session after the film. The screening is at midnight, and admission is $5. See the Facets Night School page for a complete schedule. Facets: 1517 W. Fullterton (near Ashland). (773) 281-9075.

8 Bit Halloween ft. Bit Shifter

One of the premiere Game Boy-wielding 8Bit electronic musicians in the world is Josh Davis, aka Bit Shifter, and subVariant and Front 312 are excited to have him perform at Ai Lounge, 358 W. Ontario. The show runs from 10pm to 3am. A late night sushi menu is also available, as is $10 valet parking. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. 21+

Spooky Pooch Parade @ Botanical Gardens

This is the one time each year that dogs are allowed into the Chicago Botanical Gardens, but of course Spot has to be in costume--the Anti-Cruelty Society holds this annual benefit event. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes. Tickets $14-19; Gardens admission is $20 per car. 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL. Registration and activities open at 1pm; judging takes place at 2pm.

Roky Erickson @ Bottom Lounge

Singer and songwriter Roky Erickson plays a Halloween show tonight at 8pm at the Bottom Lounge (1375 W. Lake). Also on tonight's bill: Mannequin Men; Land of Lincoln; and Maximum Wage. Tickets are $20 and are available through Ticketweb.

Galaween @ Chicago Cultural Center

Decorations, dancing, DJ White Shadow, open bar, hors d'oeuvres, and a costume contest with a top prize of $1,000 are more than worth the price of admission to Galaween. Galaween is a fundraiser for the Chicago Cultural Center Foundation, directly supporting the admission-free Chicago Cultural Center, as well as the presentation of hundreds of free events and exhibitions there each year. Galaween runs from 7:30 pm - 1 am at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 East Washington Street. Tickets are $75 in advance, $90 at the door. Reservations can be made by calling (312) 744-1364 or online at galaween.org.

Celebrating the You in Fashion @ The Center on Halsted

Fine Threads Inc. hosts "Celebrating the You in Fashion" today from 8:30am until 4:30pm at the Center on Halsted (3656 N. Halsted Avenue). The event features fashion workshops, industry speakers, breakfast, and lunch. Admission for the event is $175. For more information and to buy tickets visit their website or call (773) 478-3945.

Mulberry Street @ Chicago Filmmakers

Chicago Filmmakers and After Dark Films give you an alternative Halloween plan to drinking yourself stupid. The 2006 independent film Mulberry Street tells the story of a group of soon-to-be evicted apartment dwellers fighting off their aggressive mutant community after a strange outbreak is caused by the city's rat population. The film was shot entirely on location in Manhattan, which hearkens comparison to the realism of Night of the Living Dead and the post-9/11 paranoia of Cloverfield.
Screening starts at 8pm. Tickets are $8 for general, $7 for students and seniors with ID, and $4 for Chicago Filmmaker members. 5243 N. Clark St., 2nd Floor.

Busy Beaver Buttons @ Uncle Fun

In a pinch for a costume or just like parties? Join Busy Beaver Buttons and Uncle Fun on Halloween for a night of novelty at the Uncle Fun HQ in Lakeview. Details at Busy Beaver Button's Facebook page. Uncle Fun is located at 1338 W. Belmont Ave. (773) 477-8223.

Biking Tour of West Town

Join the Chainlink, a Chicago bicycling community, for some west of downtown biking fun today. Starts 10am at the corner of Division and Western. Wear a costume and your helmet! More information here. Free.

Scott Treleaven & Josh Azzarella Opening @ Kavi Gupta Gallery

Canadian, Paris-based artist, Scott Treleaven's current exhibit memorializes the beautiful delirium of the 19th-century psychocultural impetus to capture the ephemeral - that which throbs just beneath the scrim of consciousness or skin, via travelogue, spirit photography, or film paraphernalia.

New York artist Josh Azzarella, shows his new film, Untitled #100 (Fantasia) 2007- 2009. The film makes a departure from his former use of historic press images to augment what is likely the 20th century's greatest pop cultural phenomenon, Michael Jackson's "Thriller". As a work that was created over a nearly three year process it predates the star's passing and marks Azzarella's most ambitious project to date.

The opening is from 4-7pm. The show will be up through Dec. 5th. Kavi Gupta Gallery: 835 W. Washington. Call (312) 432-0708 for more info.

Mrs. Gruber's Ding Dong School

Easily the best Robot vs. Dinosaur show to date, Mrs. Gruber's Ding Dong School takes the audience through a twisted, rollicking day at an academy run by a doddering but feisty schoolmarm with an age-addled brain and a passion for expanding young minds. Spot on casting, warped sensibilities and imaginative puppetry give it a Wonder Showzen feel, without a hint of a knock-off. Tickets are $15, and the show runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm through Nov. 21 at Gorilla Tango, 1919 N. Milwaukee (right under the Western Blue Line stop). For tickets, call (773) 598-4549 or visit www.gorillatango.com.

Kids Halloween Party @ Green City Market

Green City Market is hosting at Halloween Party during their last outdoor market of the season. Starting at 9am, a Green City volunteer with conduct a special Halloween Tour of the market for the kids. At 9:30am, some of the best pastry chefs in Chicago, including Mindy Segal of Hot Chocolate, will provide sample tastings. In addition to this, there will be costume contests, cooking demos, and more! South end of Lincoln Park between Clark and Stockton Drive.

Vaudezilla's Monster Burlesque Academy @ The Portage Theater

Grab the torches and sharpen the pitchforks! This Halloween, Vaudezilla presents the inaugural graduation ceremony for Monster Burlesque Academy. Several bewitching broads will invade the Portage Theater (4050 N Milwaukee Avenue) this Saturday, including Red Hot Annie, Donna Touch, Coo d'Twat, and special guest Lady Lillith. The pomp and circumstance begins at 10pm, but come early to haunt the lobby and peruse costumes, adult goodies, and for a chance to win gift bags. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. For more details and a complete listing of the devilish dancers, visit Vaudezilla's website.

Wicker Park Halloween Prowl

Starting today at noon, the Wicker Park Halloween Prowl kicks off at the Polish Triangle (at Ashland, Milwaukee and Division) and marches up through Wicker Park. Sponsored by WPB, the inaugural civic event gives local families an opportunity to join a 20-person theatrical procession of dancers, actors, musicians, vampires and mummies led by Chicago's Collaboraction Theatre. The free, all-ages parade will make stops to trick-or-treat, dance and cavort at local parks and businesses along the way. The Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce and other neighborhood partners are sponsoring other "Boo-Palooza" activities throughout the afternoon, including pumpkin decorating, face painting and a Monster Mash Music Bash. Bring your noise makers and wear your costumes!