Party Time--The Mask at Hand
Halloween blows in on a Friday this year, and it may be devilishly difficult to scare up an Orange County club that isn’t planning something spooky. Leave the candy at home, but dress divinely, whether the mood strikes for reggae, rockabilly or retro: There’s money to be made on costume contests and weird games from Fullerton to San Clemente.
Here’s a list of night spots going ghostly on Oct. 31 (unless another date is noted):
* Halloween Night, China Beach Canteen, 2369 El Camino Real, San Clemente. Dance to live music from American Standard (rock), Super Fly (disco) and 4-20 (reggae). Generic best-costume contest. $100 prize. 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. 21 and over. Cover: free before 9 p.m.; then $5. (714) 492-6228.
* Masquerade Ball, Avant Garde Ballroom, 4220 Scott Drive, Newport Beach. Ballroom dancing on Halloween and Nov. 1, 8 p.m. to midnight. Contests for scariest, best period-dress and most imaginative costumes. Winners receive free dance lessons. All ages. Cover: $10, includes snacks and nonalcoholic drinks. (714) 442-7600.
* Halloween Bash, In Cahoots, 1401 S. Lemon Ave., Fullerton. Line dancing and two-stepping. Contests for scariest and sexiest costumes and for best Addams Family and Munster look-alikes. Prizes to be determined. Also, a $1,000 “Dash for Cash.” How much money can you catch in 30 seconds? 5 p.m.-2 a.m. 21 and over. Cover: $2 7 to 8 p.m.; then $5. (714) 441-0505.
* Hillbilly Halloween, Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach. Wear yer overalls and pigtails to hear headliner Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys. A custom-car show in the parking lot. 18 and over. 7 p.m. Cover: $8 presale; $13 at the door. (714) 740-2000 (Ticketmaster).
* The 1997 Halloween Costume Ball, Sheraton Hotel Newport Beach, 4545 MacArthur Blvd. Four deejays spin for Phoenix and Unity Productions’ third Grand Ball. Dancing indoors and out. Up to $1,000 in cash and prizes for sexiest and best costumes. 21 and over. 9 p.m. Cover: $25. (714) 223-0199.
* Halloween Party, Sloppy Joe’s, 31 Fortune Drive, Irvine. Best-all-around-costume contest with a $1,000 top prize. The Stool Pigeons (acoustic duo) play 4:30 to 8 p.m., followed by the Untouchables (yes, the ‘80s ska band) from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Cover: $10 after 8 p.m. Doors open 11 a.m. (714) 727-1484.
* The Pimp and Ho Halloween Erotic Ball , Club Utopia, 3765 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas. Venture where county party hounds like to go. Ten deejays and the Afrodisiacs disco band entertain 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. Put on by Spiritworld Productions (Club Rubber), which says “dressing is optional, but erotic is a must.” 21 and over. Cover: $20. (714) 224-3006.