Night Spot Haunts for the twentysomething Crowd

Just because you’re old enough to actually use those cans of shaving cream being bought up for Halloween purposes, doesn’t necessarily mean you have to sit at home this Wednesday night, doling out Good-n-Plenties to 5-year-old Mutant Ninja Turtles and keeping the neighborhood Bart Simpsons from knocking down your mail box.

A bevy of Orange County nightspots will be opening their doors so that you, the disenfranchised hordes in the 21-plus age group, can dress up and have someplace to go during the Halloween season.

Those looking for something completely different need go no further than the corner of Newport Boulevard and 17th Street in Costa Mesa, where the NYC nightclub will present its first “Insanity Ball” this Saturday from 8 p.m. till dawn.

Among the thrills in store for ticket holders are a performance by the Romanian All Boys-Female Choir, nude break-dancing, Jello diving, Greek Midget Racing, a “Haunted House From Hell,” competition dance-floor tandem body surfing, a performance of Wanton Magic--a Human Candle Opera, a six-hour confetti war and a mass pillow fight.

Guests are encouraged to dress for success for the costume competition, which will be judged by an original Oompa-Loompa from the movie “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” The grand prize for men’s and women’s best costume is $500. Second and third runners up will receive NYC Platinum and Gold VIP cards, which entitle the bearer to savings and preferential treatment at the nightspot.

A trio of live Playboy bunnies will mingle with guests, a patrol of life-sized evil robots will roam the dance floors, and a paraphernalia shop will sell merry pranksters an assortment of poppers, silly string, plastic handcuffs, whipped cream, squirt guns, body paint and other “fun” items. And if that isn’t enough, the club will be serving breakfast between 2 and 6 a.m. On Wednesday night the club will present “Insanity Costume Ball, Part II,” with Orange County rock bands Johnny Monster & the Nightmares, Medicine Rattle and Heat & Dust. Costumed guests can compete for cash prizes and club VIP cards, and the club will offer specials on drinks throughout the evening.

Tickets for Saturday’s bash are $20 in advance; admission to the party on Wednesday, beginning at 9 p.m., is $6. For tickets and information, call (714) 645-7313.

In another bizarre offering, Fun House productions on Wednesday presents its annual Halloween Bash at Old World, 7561 Center Drive, Huntington Beach. Starting at 8:30 p.m., the party will feature a “Mutilation Maze” with special effects by Slaughter Spree of Hollywood, a gross-out slide show profiling “Atrocities of Medical Science,” adult-oriented games, drink specials, a costume contest and dancing to prerecorded music.

Advance tickets, for $7, can be purchased at Beggar’s Banquet in Anaheim, London Exchange in Costa Mesa and Cargo West in Long Beach, or tickets can be purchased for $10 at the door. Call (213) 430-8426.

If mutilation slide shows and nude break-dancing are not your style, then check out “Vincent Price, Pinot and Poe,” tonight at the Robert Mondavi Wine and Food Center, 1570 Scenic Ave., Costa Mesa. Price, best known for his starring roles in Gothic horror films of the ‘50s and ‘60s, will read from the works of Edgar Allan Poe while guests partake of a five-course banquet and quaff fine wine. Admission to the event, beginning at 6 p.m., is $150. Call (714) 979-4510.

San Juan Capistrano will rock on Wednesday night as the Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, presents the Cram Brothers and Family Affair--along with a costume dance party--beginning at 8 p.m.

The club will be doling out more than 100 prizes throughout the evening, including concert tickets, CDs, portable televisions, limo services, hotel accommodations, jewelry and more. Tickets for the Halloween bash are available for $8 in advance by calling (714) 496-8930, or for $10 at the door.

Drawing from the same vein, Peppers Golden Bear, 300 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, will present Orange County rock band Elektric Eyes in a costume dance party beginning at 8 p.m. on Wednesday. The club will provide a Mexican buffet, and magicians and fortune tellers will entertain guests. Cash prizes will be awarded for the most original costumes. Tickets are $10, available at the box office or by calling (714) 374-2327.

Orange County-based concert promoters Tangent Productions will offer a Halloween dance party on Friday featuring rock bands Tender Fury, Big Drill Car and Johnny Monster & the Nightmares, beginning at 8:30 p.m. at the Marquee, 7000 Garden Grove Blvd., Westminster. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door ($12 without costume). Call (714) 998-0423.

Country music lovers can belly on over to the Crazy Horse Steak House, 1580 Brookhollow Drive, Santa Ana, for a Halloween hoedown on Wednesday, beginning at 8 p.m. Touch of Country will provide live music for dancing, and prizes will be awarded in six different costume categories. Admission to the hoedown is free. Call (714) 549-1512.

Jazz aficionados will not be left out in the cold thanks to the Cafe Lido, 501 30th St., Newport Beach, which will feature a 10-piece blues band, the Pocket Rockets, at a party Wednesday begining at 9 p.m. Small prizes will be doled out following a score of costume contests and a grand prize of $50 will be awarded for the most original costume. Admission is $5 at the door. Call (714) 675-2968.

Reggae fans can party down with Jawge & the Unknown Band on Wednesday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Sunset Pub, 16655 Pacific Coast Highway, Sunset Beach. The club will offer cash prizes for the three best costumes and drink specials throughout the evening. Admission is $3. Call (213) 592-1926.

Jezebel’s nightclub, at 125 N. State College Blvd., Anaheim, is putting on a head-bangers ball on Wednesday beginning at 8:30 p.m. with metal rockers, the Diamond Dawgs, Mysteria, Cheetah and Pretty Boy Floyd. First-, second- and third-place winners in the costume contest will win cash prizes and the club will offer drink specials throughout the evening. Admission is $6. Call (714) 772-1561.

In addition to the larger clubs and concert venues, a cross-section of Orange County’s smaller lounges and restaurants are offering dance parties.

At Rumplestiltskins, 114 McFadden Place, Newport Beach, Orange County rock band the Trek will play Wednesday beginning at 9 p.m. Prizes will be doled out in a costume competition. Admission is free. Call (714) 673-5025.

Night Moves, 5902 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach, will have a dance party with local reggae rockers 714 on Wednesday beginning at 9 p.m. Prizes for best costume and drink specials will be available. Admission is $5. Call (714) 840-6118.

Club Postnuclear, 775 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, is offering a Halloween bash Wednesday beginning at 9:30 p.m. featuring prerecorded industrial and Gothic dance music and cash prizes for the three best costumes. The club features a smoke-free, alcohol-free environment. Admission is $10. Call (714) 494-1432.

Orange County blues-rock band Electric Avenue plays Wednesday, beginning at 9 p.m. at a costume dance party at Perqs, 117 Main St., Huntington Beach. Admission is free. Call (714) 990-9996.

Boy Howdy will be pickin’ ‘n’ grinnin’ Tuesday, Oct. 30, at the Bandstand, 1721 S. Manchester Ave., Anaheim. The free dance party begins at 7 p.m., and prizes for best costumes will be awarded. The club will hold a bigger Halloween bash on Wednesday featuring dancing to prerecorded music and costume contests. Admission to the Wednesday party is free with a costume, $3 without. Call (714) 956-1410.

The Cannery, 3010 Lafayette Ave., Newport Beach, will present Orange County rock band 19 at a dance party Wednesday beginning at 8:30 p.m. Festivities include a costume contest. Admission is free. Call (714) 675-5777.

The Shout will play rock Wednesday at 9 p.m. during a Halloween party at the Blue Beet Cafe, 107 21st Place, Newport Beach. There’s also a costume contest. Admission is free. Call (714) 675-2338.

A Halloween party at the Sail Loft Bar & Grill, 400 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, features local rock band Alter Ego and a costume contest Wednesday at 9 p.m. Admission is free. Call (714) 494-3358.

Crackers Restaurant, 710 Katella Ave., Anaheim, features a Halloween cabaret show, live music, dancing and a costume contest on Wednesday beginning at 5 p.m. Admission is $3, or free with a dinner reservation. Call (714) 978-1828.