If there was ever a Halloween made for dusting off the single white glove and the high-water pants, this is it. The death of Michael Jackson still looms over pop culture, as do those images of the King of Pop in his 1980s glory days. Plus the guy once did a pretty famous video that featured dancing zombies. It’s an All-Hallows-Eve no-brainer.
So it’s not surprising that more than one local venue has decided to host a “Thriller’’-themed extravaganza this weekend, inviting revelers to dust off their moonwalks and channel their bad selves - as tastefully as possible, we’re sure. The new Kings Dedham hosts a Jackson-themed costume party tomorrow, offering a prize for the best Jackson costume, plus a “Thriller’’ dance contest as midnight approaches. At the downtown Ritz, blu will present its own Jackson-centric fete, and has put out a call for vintage Janet Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, and Madonna costumes. Sel De La Terre on Boylston Street will crank up the ’80s music for an MJ bash, offering prizes for the best Jackson costume and the best zombie suit.
Or you can bring your costumed self to the Acton Jazz Cafe, where a band featuring Adrian Sicam, Mark Shilansky, Eric Byers, and others will perform the complete “Thriller’’ album, along with other Jackson and Jackson 5 hits. As nostalgia goes, it should be hard to beat. -- JOANNA WEISS
THE COMPLETE THRILLER/HALLOWEEN PARTY
7 p.m., Sat., Acton Jazz Cafe, 452 Great Road, Acton.
MICHAEL JACKSON COSTUME PARTY
8 p.m., Sat., Kings Dedham, 950 Providence Highway, Dedham.
"THRILLER" AT BLU
10 p.m., Sat., blu, 72 Tremont St., Boston
THRILLER NIGHT
9 p.m., Sat., Sel De La Terre, 774 Boylston St., Boston.
If you've had your fill of "Billie Jean," Globe writers offer other entertainment suggestions for the weekend.
THE COLBY ROOM A modern museum of science should be enlightening, illuminating, and edifying all in one. Which is why I’m always disturbed, and secretly thrilled, when I pass by the dark and forbidding Colby Room, which is downstairs at Boston’s Museum of Science. What does it contain? A lot of dead animals. Skinned or decapitated ones, for the most part. These “trophies’’ - otherwise known as pelts, antlers, mounted heads, and horns - once belonged to Colonel Francis T. Colby, and they are among the spookiest and most eye-catching features of this fastidious re-creation of his Hamilton den, which first opened at the museum in 1965. Museum of Science. $20 (children $17), 617-589-0300. www.mos.org.
TELEMUNDO AND SHOWCASE LIVE PRESENT MASCARAS New York’s DJ Don Juan, from the Gomez Brothers, provides the music at this massive Halloween bash in the shadow of Gillette Stadium. Come dressed as your favorite Telemundo personality and you could win a prize. 8 p.m. Sat., Showcase Live, Patriot Place, Foxboro. Tickets $20-$100, www.ticketmaster.com.
CHURCH’S HALLOWEEN ROCK BASH In what’s become somewhat of a tradition, local musicians have gotten into the Halloween spirit by channeling the ghosts of rock bands past. Tomorrow night’s lineup at Church is especially inspired. This year’s WBCN Rumble winners the Luxury will get their new-wave groove on as Duran Duran, while Sidewalk Driver will pay homage to a man they’ve been compared to, David Bowie. In the most inspired bit of casting, trash-talking glam-rockers Gene Dante and the Future Starlets will no doubt be extra fierce as the Runaways (black has always been Dante’s color). And what could be spookier than the Lights Out saluting Phil Collins with “In the Air Tonight’’? 8 p.m. Sat. $12, $10 in advance. Church, 69 Kilmarnock St. 617-236-7600. www.churchofboston.com.
JAMES REED
THE DONKEY SHOW and SLEEP NO MORE Which is more scary: Disco or Lady Macbeth? The American Repertory Theater offers both options. You can dig out your disco duds for a costume party at tomorrow’s 10:30 p.m. performance of “The Donkey Show.’’ Or you can check out ART’s spookily atmospheric (and mostly wordless) adaptation of “Macbeth’’ titled “Sleep No More.’’ Be sure not to miss the scene where Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost at the dinner table. His expression will chill you to the bone. “Donkey Show,’’ 10:30 p.m., Sat. $35. Oberon, 2 Arrow St., Cambridge. 617-547-8300. “Sleep No More,’’ 7 p.m., 7:20 p.m., 7:40 p.m., Sat. $39. Old Lincoln School, Brookline. 617-547-8300. www.americanrepertorytheater.org. DON AUCOIN
SINNERS AND SAINTS HALLOWEEN BALL Are you a good witch or a bad witch? A friendly ghost or a cranky one? Young professionals, ages 21-39, are invited to bring their costumed selves to Vinalia tonight for complimentary hors d’oeuvres (8:30-9:30), dancing, music by DJ Samuel L, and costume prizes for Best Sinner, Best Saint, and Best Overall. 8:30 p.m.-2 a.m., Fri. $25 for two (with online reservation); $20, $10 students (at the door). Reservations are recommended. 21+. Vinalia Boston, 34 Summer St., Boston. 781-444-7771. www.bostoneventguide.com. JUNE WULFF
HALLOWEEN BIKE RIDE Don’t be alarmed if you see a motley crew of costumed cyclists pedaling through Jamaica Plain, Brookline, Allston, and Cambridge tomorrow. It’s just the annual 14-mile Halloween Bike Ride around the city. There won’t be any trick-or-treating along the way, but there will be a “stereo bike’’ pumping out tunes. 8 p.m. Sat. Meet at the Green Street T stop in J.P. www.truthserum.org/halloweenbikeride. COURTNEY HOLLANDS
NIGHTMARE ON CHARLES STREET Something tells us that Freddy Krueger’s invite to this spooky soiree got lost in the mail. This will be one of the hottest Halloween parties in the city - Rafanelli Events is turning the Liberty Hotel’s ballroom into a haunted house and DJ Michael Savant will be spinning at Liberty Bar. Bonus: Your ticket gets you a free Scream vodka cocktail. 21+. 8 p.m. Sat. $25. Liberty Hotel. 617-224-4000. www.libertyhotel.com.
C.H.
SPIRITUAL REZ So popular that they’re hosting a two-night stand at the Middle East Downstairs, local reggae-rock sensations Spiritual Rez prove Halloween doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. The seven-piece band, which has cultivated a national following with its horn-driven hybrid of funk, rock, and traditional reggae, will feature different opening bands on each night. Tonight’s local supporting acts include Destroy Babylon and the Organic Sound Project, while Rubblebucket and Ila Mawana get the party started tomorrow. 9 p.m., Fri. and Sat. $15. Middle East Downstairs. 617-864-3278. www.mideastclub.com. J.R. 
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
