The arrival of the relocated music festival Voodoo Fest has brought about more events and Halloween celebration all over town. Beginning tonight, and running through Halloween night on Monday, many local restaurants and bars open their doors to a weekend-long party.
If you prefer to stay close to campus, there is plenty going on at Newby's on Highland. Tonight there will be a costume contest and performances from the bands Speakeasy and The Minivan Blues Band. Doors open at 10 p.m. and the cost is $7. First prize of the costume contest is four tickets to Sunday's Voodoo Fest. Second place receives $100 and third place takes home a Newby's grab bag.
Saturday evening, The University of Memphis' Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity is celebrating with an event open to the public. Costumes are also welcome at this ghostly affair that will take place in Newby's concert hall.
"We thought we'd give them a big room and have some fun," said Newby's owner Todd Adams.
Newby's will also be the home of a Voodoo Fest after party, featuring DJ's from the United Kingdom spinning some great dance tracks, along with more costume fun.
Although Halloween falls on a Monday this year, that did not deter Adams from hosting Newby's ninth-annual Halloween Masquerade Party.
"Whatever day a holiday falls on, we will celebrate it," Adams said.
The Masquerade Party features a performance from a Memphis band, making their return home after recently recording an album in New York City.
"Pnuma is a three-piece rockin' trance band," Adams said. "They're just phenomenal."
Monday's celebration begins at 9 p.m. and is open to all ages.
If midtown is your destination this weekend, there are plenty of ways to celebrate this weekend. The Hi-Tone Cafe is hosting the Rockening Festival tonight and tomorrow. Rockening is a New Orleans garage rock festival featuring performances from Black Oak Arkansas tonight, and Saturday evening's headliner is Mr. Quintron and Ms. Pussycat. The cost is $10 per night, and doors open at 8 p.m.
Monday night, the Cat Call Choir will be performing at The Hi-Tone's Halloween party for $5 beginning at 9 p.m.
One of midtown's favorite restaurants and margarita fill-up stations, Cafe Ole, celebrates the Latin holiday, The Day of the Dead, on Wednesday.
"We want to make this holiday like Cinco de Mayo," said Roxanne Lemmon, a Cafe Ole employee. "We want it to be like a fall festival."
The band Los Cantadores will be playing Wednesday evening, along with specials on both margaritas and draft beers.
Downtown Memphis will be littered with costumes on Beale Street, and a costume contest will be taking place Saturday night at the Flying Saucer. The winners will receive cash prizes and gift certificates.
"All of our staff dresses up too, and Halloween is on our Pint Night, so we're gonna have a three-day party," said John Haley, an employee at the Flying Saucer.
After playing Voodoo Fest Sunday morning, local band Mrs. Fletcher will be playing a Halloween show alongside Muck Stickey and other acts at the New Daisy Theatre on Beale Street. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $7.
If, after all of this Halloween fun around town, you still haven't had enough, "Saw II" opens tonight.
