The streets of the Castro will most likely be quiet this Halloween since the annual street party event has been officially canceled, but that's no reason to be, well, scared...BOO! Remain strong party people, there's plenty of other awesome, scary, and risque events happening in San Fran-psycho that will have you saying, “the Castro on Halloween? Never struck me as a good time.” Well, maybe not, but at least these events won't leave you in the dark...BOO!

Exotic Erotic Ball
Just when you thought it was time to pack away the leather outfit for next year's Folsom St. Fair, there's the Exotic Erotic Ball to get that sort of thinking out of your mind. Don't expect a bowl of spooky punch or bobbing for apples, it's not that kind of party! This is one party that will actually dominate, seriously, all other Halloween parties. Check out the website and make sure you know what you're getting yourself into.
@ Cow Palace, October 26-27. Tickets available at Ticketmaster

Opel Halloween
Opel Halloween presents its “Night of the Living Bass” at Mighty. Headliners for the night include Dylan Rhymes and Elite Force along with the posse of Opel DJ players. The party kicks off at 9pm and will commence almost strategically at 4:20am. If you know anything about an Opel Production, you know that they put together one hell of a good party. Costumes are strongly encouraged, as this is a Halloween themed night. So make sure you're not that guy or girl.
@ Mighty, October 27. Pre-sale tickets $15.

Bridge School Benefit
Rocking into its 21st year, the Bridge School Benefit puts together some of the music industry's top name artists and does it all for a great cause. This is well known as one of the best concerts in the Bay Area, and this year you're presented with another stellar line-up. Metallica, Tom Waits, John Mayer, Neil Young, and Jerry Lee Lewis are all on the bill alongside a few other notable acts. The Bridge School Benefit is also mostly an acoustic show. Visit www.bridgeschool.org for more information.
@ Shoreline Amphitheater, October 27 & 28.

STS9 @ The Warfield
Check out the now annual Bay Area Halloween appearance of Sound Tribe Sector 9 at the Warfield on Halloween night! The Santa Cruz based group blends together electronica into their already crunchy jam band style at this “Day of the Dead” celebration. You don't have to get dressed up for this event, but you can bet that it would be a lot better if you did. Traditional costumes are encouraged, so don't be surprised to see more than one dancing skeleton.
@ Warfield, October 31. Doors at 8pm

Surya Dub @ Club Six
Surya Dub left out the tricks and beefed up on the treats this year with their “Halloween Mashup” at Club Six. That's right, the club scene has not and will not be neglected this Halloween, and four of the nations hottest DJs are coming together in San Francisco to make this happen. Jason Mundo (Dub Assembly), DJ Thomas (Umoja Soundsystem), MC Zulu (Riddim Killah), and Zebbler (Glitchcrew) are all in line with Surya Dub to get scary dub. Costumes are encouraged for this show, and you have to be 21+ to get in. If you're not quite there, this may be the one night your fake ID that says you were born in 1965 works...it's because you'll be in costume Junior.
@ Club Six, October 27. 10pm-3am. 21+ w/ ID and $10 at the door

Other suggested parties to get yer freak on at:
UNKLE @ Mezzanine (10/27)
Transylvania (feat. Armin Van Buuren, Gabriel & Dresden, Markus Shultz and more) @ Ruby Skye (10/27-31)
Drummatic Twins @ Temple (10/27)
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