If you've been busy this week stressing over your Halloween costume, let's catch up on Castro news of the week that you may have missed.
For those Halloween costume procrastinators out there, know that Cliff's Variety is a good last minute option with a 25-percent-off Halloween merchandise sale, but according to Terry Asten-Bennett at Cliff's "you may not have a lot of choices come Thursday and Friday." (Gulp.)
As has been the case for the past eight years, there will be no street closures in the Castro for Halloween. Castro Merchant's President Daniel Bergerac tells us "there will be a large police presence on Castro and in the neighborhood with eight sergeants and 50 officers." Bergerac says that the city is "especially cognizant of the fact that Halloween falls on a Saturday this year." Bars will also still be closing at 2am even in light of this weekend's time change, which takes effect Sunday morning.
Castro residents can get caught up in celebrating Halloween with spooky decorations; this week, we tool readers behind the scary window of Castro residents Scott Liapis and Darren Gero, who bring blood, gore and a little bit of humor to their display.
Looking for some more Halloween decorations? Take a stroll around the neighborhood. Highlights from some local businesses include window displays at Twin Peaks Tavern, Knobs, Cliff's Variety, Moby Dick and P.O. Plus, a giant pirate minion protecting his booty on top of The Mix, an alien spaceship display inside Midnight Sun and more.
Along with all the decorations, houses around the neighborhood also get in on the fun. One of the houses that stands out from the rest is at 4407 18th St., with a scary zombie/clown window display, and there's another particularly notable front yard display at 45 Upper Terrace.
4407 18th St.
45 Upper Terrace (Photo: Alisa Scerrato/Hoodline)
The Castro is not only decorated for Halloween, it is also decorated for the three0day Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), which begins on October 31st and ends on Nov. 2nd. This gate outside 520 Castro St. has been beautifully decorated for the occasion.
While the main focus this week has been on preparing for Halloween, there's still been plenty more going on around the neighborhood. Earlier this week, we brought you the stories about Philz Coffee temporarily removing their outdoor seating in order to comply with Castro-specific guidelines. Then there was a fire on Dolores St. across the street from the Market St. Whole Foods, and today's news that Pesce's former Market Street space has been claimed for a new Japanese restaurant.
There are plenty of fun Halloween-themed events going on all week around the Castro (and beyond!)—if you're looking for ideas, here's what we'd suggest you check out.
Thursday, October 29th
Image: Hollyween/Facebook
6:30pm-10pm
Host Description: "Hosted by The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Join the Richmond Ermet Aid Foundation and Passport Magazine for the 4th Annual Hollyween at Madame Tussauds San Francisco." (Madame Tussauds, 145 Jefferson St.)
7:30pm
Host Description: "The Booksmith is thrilled to host Welcome to Night Vale, the book based on the widely popular podcast that shares the same name. Join creators Jeffrey Cranor and Joseph Fink for another romp through a desert somewhere in the great American Southwest, where the lives of two humble residents and two puzzling mysteries will converge." (Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St.)
Halloween with SF Symphony & Peaches Christ
7:30pm-10:30pm
Host Description: "Celebrate Halloween at Davies Symphony Hall! Come for an evening of spooky film music, plus a special 40th anniversary screening of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show,' hosted by Peaches Christ." For more, see Hoodline's story here. (Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave.)
Friday, October 30th
Midnites For Maniacs- Tribute To Wes Craven
7:20pm & 9:40pm
Host Description: Double Feature for $12.
Scream: "Wes Craven's masterful direction deliciously carved out yet another defining maniac to the history of film, while at the same time creating relatable victims that you actually root for."
Wes Craven's New Nightmare: "Wes Craven's meta-masterpiece is one of the 1990s most underrated and overlooked films. With the entire cast of the original A Nightmare on Elm St. (1984) returning to play themselves, Craven dives deep into the darkness of post-modern folklore." (Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St.)
Image: Brewcade SF/Facebook
Cosmic Arcade Night at Brewcade
8pm-2am
Host Description: "Our decorations are up. Our draft list is on point. Our tunes are set to spook. We have completed installation of a very expensive new blacklight system that looks just incredible. We want you to come hang with us in all its glowing glory. Bright white and fluorescent attire, body pain and accessories are highly encouraged. Don't be the dull one in here. Help us make this place look awesome! Cosmic Arcade Nights will continue on the first Friday of every month beginning December 4th." (Brewcade, 2200 B Market St.)
Saturday, October 31st (Halloween!)
Image: The Sisters/Facebook
Children's Halloween w/ The Sisters
12pm-2pm
Host Description: "Join The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence at the Eureka Valley Recreation Center for games, face painting, entertainment and the ever popular Costume Contest sponsored by Cliff's Variety. Games and Entertainment start at Noon. Costume Contest at 1:15pm. Followed by neighborhood trick-or-treating." (Eureka Valley Recreation Center, 100 Collingwood St.)
3:30pm, 5:20pm & 7pm
Host Description: All three films for $13.
Night Of The Living Dead: "George Romero's low-budget, black-and-white nightmare is THE prototype for zombie horror as we know it, and its biting social commentary, sadly, remains as relevant and timely as ever."
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: "Despite surprisingly minimal gore, Director Tobe Hooper's sweaty, deep South horror opus ratchets up the intensity to truly frightening levels, and 40 years later remains one of the most terrifying movies ever made."
The Evil Dead: "This creative and irreverent, but very intense, no-budget indie established director Sam Raimi as a talented new voice in horror, and began the ascendancy of cult icon Bruce Campbell, appearing here for the first time as like-able everyman Ash." (Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St.)
Image: Lookout/Facebook
Dia De Muertos Halloween Party
8pm-1am
Host Description: "Find your trick or get a treat. Hunky go-go ghouls that make you go bump in the night!" (Lookout, 3600 16th St.)
Cosmic Arcade Night 2 at Brewcade: Halloween Costume Contest
8pm-2am
Host Description: "Brewcade will hold a costume contest for the best costume, fluorescent costumes encouraged but not required." 1st place wins a $300 Brewcade gift certificate along with gift certificates for 2nd and 3rd, $200 and $100 respectively. (Brewcade, 2200 B Market St.)
Sunday, November 1st
(Don't forget to set your analog clocks back one hour before you go to bed on Halloween night.)
6pm & 8:30pm
Host Description: A Drew Barrymore double feature in preparation for her appearance next week.
E.T. The Extraterrestrial: "Returning to the rich pastures of American suburbia, Spielberg takes the utterly commonplace story of a lonely kid befriending an alien from outer space and invests it with exactly the same kind of fierce and naive magic that pushed Disney's major masterpieces."
Firestarter: "Drew Barrymore is a Barrymore, Lionel mostly (with a flash of John). This is a rare chance to see Martin Sheen at his most brilliant. George C. Scott in a ponytail rather bizarrely resembles George Washington." (Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St.)
Image: Beaux/Facebook
9pm-2am
Host Description: "Come one, come all to the Home-Disco-Circus that is Big Top Sundays at Beaux for Dia De Los Muertos with special guest stars Laganja Estranja and Gia Gunn." (Beaux, 2344 Market St.)
Taking a look ahead at next week, here are a few midweek events.
Monday, November 2nd
7pm
Host Description: "Two-time winner of the Ignatz Award storyboard artist Sam Alden shares his captivating new illustrated story collection, 'New Construction: Two More Stories'." (Books Inc., 2275 Market St.)
Tuesday, November 3rd
If you haven't already voted by mail, find your polling place and take part in this November's election. If you're unsure of what's on the ballot or need a little bit more info before making your decision, check out our interactive Election 2015 Voter Guide, which rounds up all the locals endorsements to help you make your choices.
Wednesday, November 4th
4pm-10pm
Hungry? Didn't get enough 25¢ wings at Hi Tops on Monday night? Then head on back today for their new 25¢ corn dogs night. Bring your friends, enjoy some cold beers and see how many corn dogs you can woof down. (Hi Tops, 2247 Market St.)
Did we miss any other Halloween events or creative decorations around the neighborhood? Let us know in the comments below. Have a safe, fun and spooky Halloween!
