Halloween Tricks & Treats --
Other than Pride in June, there is probably no other busier time in the community than the Halloween season. There is just sooo much that's going on out there this weekend and through Wednesday, the actual day of Halloween. Elsewhere in BOI we've talked about the various costume contests; but know that there are other fun happenings that don't necessarily require you to play dress up.

Well, maybe dress down is more appropriate when it comes to the Halloween edition of SPIN's "Shower Contest" hosted by Frida Lay on Friday October 26. Sign-up by 11pm and be prepared to get wet at Midnight. DJ Chris Eterno lays down the groove.

MINIBAR | WINEBAR's "Second Annual Smoking Hot Halloween" fundraiser party, with its firefighter theme, has one time and two dates: 9pm on Saturday, October 27 and Wednesday, October 31 (after the parade). The event benefits the Chicago Firefighter's Children's Burn Camp.

HYDRATE is sponsoring Cashetta, the East Coast drag sensation who also dabbles in magic. You can catch her act at The Lakeshore Theatre (3175 N. Broadway) on Saturday, October 27 (10pm). Afterward, you can head back to the club and dance to the magic weaved by Chicago legendary DJ Ralph Rosario. Or

check out the next edition of the Nitro Party, "Bone Head: Skelton & Bones" at CIRCUIT NIGHTCLUB. DJs DeMarko! & Hugo provide the sounds with Cyon Flare on stage amidst décor and ambience designed and executed by VISUWIL.

The "11th Annual Halsted Halloween Costume Parade" takes place between Belmont and Addison on Wednesday, October 31. "Fire Breathin" mythological dragons are the theme of this year's parade, which is expecting a crowd in excess of 15,000. The sponsorship proceeds of the parade, which steps off at Belmont and Halsted at 7pm, benefit the construction of Space Park (815-817 W. Roscoe).

If you're up in Andersonville, then your Halloween destination might as well be MARY'S ATTIC for "The Scooty & JoJo Show: Carpenter's Halloween." This is a spine-shivering send up of the John Carpenter horror movie set to The Carpenter's classic songs! What could be scarier? Check it out on either Tuesday, October 30 or Wednesday, October 31 @ 8pm. $10 admission.

Congrats!!!! Longevity Has It's Place
TOUCHÉ celebrates it 30th anniversary with a full weekend of events November 1 - 4: a cocktail reception featuring Tony nominated, cabaret legend Sharon McNight on Thursday; a "True Colors Night" party on Friday honoring the bar's history of support of Chicago's leather/fetish clubs and organizations; a "A Very Hairy Bear Night" with popular bear porn star Steve Hurley on Saturday; and a huge Beer Bust and Anniversary Raffle on Sunday. The top prize in the raffle is a trip for two to Australia for the 30th Gay Mardi Gras festivities in Sydney.

"Dark Berries - Sweet Juice"
Since October 27 is the last Friday of the month, that means the "Urbano Party" takes over CIRCUIT with DJs Anton and Kenae spinning hip-hop, reggaeton, and house. The urban weekend continues with "Penthouse" at CLUB 720 on Sunday, October 28, featuring 6 HOT!! dancers from Atlanta who are ready to put on a Freaky Halloween show. Keeping with the hip-hop musical theme, "Ear-Rotic" with DJ Stoney takes place on Saturday, November 3, at SPIN NIGHTCLUB. And of course still going strong on Fridays is "Bling" at the PROP HOUSE.

Friday nights at CHESTERFIELD CLUB is "Cowboy Rage" with a midnight drag show featuring Yamileth and El Famoso Pancho. Sundays at CIRCUIT features the "Tardeada (T-Dance)" with DJs Fast Freddy & Alex Perez and host Veronica Zaid while Thursdays has La Noche Loca with Miss Ketty's Latina Review

Boom, Boom, Boom, Let's Go Back To My Room -
Late night hi-energy dance beats can be found up on the northside at JACKHAMMER, Wednesdays - Saturdays with DJ Oskar and others. CHARLIE'S rocks the Boystown

contingent on a nightly basis with the likes DJs LuLu, Mixmaster F, Kevy B, and Duane Thamm. On the opposite end of Boystown, BERLIN provides a wide ranging after-hours alternative with favorite Chicago DJs Heather Doble (Thursdays) and Greg Haus (Fridays).

House rhythms and beats in a bar environment can be found at COCKTAIL several nights a week (often along with the Spank Go-Go Boys): Fridays with DJ Freddie Bain; Sundays with DJ Pete Augusta and Tuesdays with DJ Michael Serafini. MARY'S ATTIC has the eclectic DJ Shoshana on Fridays and DJ Plez on Saturdays while DJ Timmy Loop works his magic across the street at @MOSPHERE, also on Saturdays.

In Uptown at BIG CHICKS the monthly "Formerly Known As " transgendered dance party takes place on Thursday, October 4. Weekly fun in the West Loop keeps the crowds coming to "Shelter" on Wednesdays at VICTOR HOTEL featuring DJ Pete Augusta.

Friday, October 26 has global trance legend Armin van Buuren in town for the 18+ "Hypnotized '07" Armada-ween" party at the Congress Theater (2135 N. Milwaukee Ave.). The one and only Dimitri from Paris brings his house music genius to ZENTRA on Friday, November 2 while international singing sensation In-Grid ("Tu Es Foutu" and "In Tango") performs onstage at SOUND-BAR the same night. Big time dancing on a local level happens on November 5, and every Monday, at "Boom Boom Room" at GREEN DOLPHIN STREET with resident DJs Michael Serafini, Diz, Uncle Milty and JustJoey.

Entertainment Without the Boom Boom Boom -
The wonderful duo that is Amy & Freddy are moving into the next phase of their careers, but before they do, you can catch one of their two farewell performances: Wednesday, October 24 at @MOSPHERE or Monday, October 29 at @ ROSCOE'S. Thanks for years of dazzling us all in Chicago and best of luck to you both.

Despite rumors to the contrary, GENTRY ON STATE is open for business and still presenting some of the best cabaret acts around, including "POP Goes GIO" and Kathryn Payne on Fridays and a special Halloween appearance by Khris Francis on Wednesday, October 31. Other sophisticated musical presentations in the city are featured at DAVENPORT'S in Wicker Park and 3160 in Lakeview. And in the heart of Boystown, CORNELIA'S features music six nights of the week with Ester Hana headlining on Friday, October 26.

Finding A Niche
Looking for serious leather men? Check out CELL BLOCK in Boystown and THE EAGLE in Andersonville. If drinking cheaply is your goal, then BOBBY LOVES and NORTH END are the perfect Boystown options while GRANVILLE ANVIL is a great dive bar on the far northside. Inexpensive libations in a classy environment can be had every Sunday and Tuesday with _-price martinis at KIT KAT LOUNGE & SUPPER CLUB.

While the women hang strong on the weekends at STAR GAZE and THE CLOSET, testosterone rules at bars such as downtown's THE SECOND STORY BAR, Lincoln Park's MANHANDLER SALOON, and LITTLE JIM'S and BUCK'S SALOON in Boystown. At the epicenter of Chicago's gay world, SIDETRACK continues to be one of the busiest bars in town thanks to the popular "Comedy Night" on Thursday and "Showtunes Night" on Mondays.

Northwest suburbanites can count on HUNTERS for their entertainment needs with DJ Ron G at "MWM" on Wednesdays, and DJ Laura B at "Ascent on Saturdays. Folks living in the southern suburbs find happiness at THE EDGE BAR with DJs Rockin RC and Pervy on Fridays and Saturdays, respectively.

STEAMWORKS, the full-service all-male club, gym, and sauna, features a "Lights Out" party every Thursday night (4pm-4am) and DJ Dick serving up sexy pulsating beats during the after-hours on Friday and Saturday nights. On Saturday, October 27, the "Bears, Bath & Beyond" play party takes place 1pm-6pm. The all-nude stripper shows at MAN'S COUNTRY features Kurtis & Giorgio on Friday, October 26 with Paris and Don Juan highlighting the line-up on Saturday, October 27.