The Haunts

Hallowbaloo returns Oct. 25  PHOTO BY SEAN DAVEY PHOTOGRAPHY

Hallowbaloo returns Oct. 25
PHOTO BY SEAN DAVEY PHOTOGRAPHY

In Hallowbaloo Music and Arts Festival director Mark Tarone’s opinion, there is something special about Halloween in Hawaii. (And he’s an expert — he organizes one of the state’s biggest Halloween events.) The creativity of costumes alone, he says, is an appeal. Plus, there is a huge range of festivities to celebrate Halloween. In addition to hitting the club or parading up and down the strip in Waikiki, there are seemingly endless ways to get in touch with your ghoulish side in the next two weeks. Below are just a few.

And other than what’s here, there’s Haunted Wonderland Oct. 25, and various bars and clubs have Halloween night events, including 54 Halloween at Addiction Nightclub, Hardcore Horror at Anna O’Brien’s, and Halloween Thriller at Hard Rock Cafe. We’ll have more on some of those in next week’s On The Grid events calendar.

HALLOWBALOO MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL

“It’s all that Chinatown has to offer in its best light,” Tarone says.

“The great appeal of the festival is it’s everything combined in this one amazing night.”

Indeed, Hallowbaloo showcases all aspects of Chinatown — local musicians take the stage, restaurants including The Pig and the Lady and Grondin will have booths featuring their signature dishes, and many galleries and bars host their own smaller events — all encapsulated in Halloween fun.

Hallowbaloo has been taking over the streets of Chinatown since 2008 and consistently draws in thousands of attendees. This year’s event runs from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. (We know you won’t actually want to call it a night that early — don’t worry, that’s just when it’s time to head into the area bars and clubs.)

Hallowbaloo events take place throughout the streets in Chinatown, as well as in various area bars and clubs PHOTO COURTESY HALLOWBALOO

Hallowbaloo events take place throughout the streets in Chinatown, as well as in various area bars and clubs PHOTO COURTESY HALLOWBALOO

At the Burger King Hawaii Stage (main stage), you can find national acts, including hip-hop bounce artist Big Freedia, renowned instrumentalist David Lindley and the eclectic soul/R&B/rock/ hip-hop musician Iyeoka. (Tarone credits Burger King’s sponsorship for allowing them to bring three national performers.) Plus, you can jam along with your favorite local artists including Reggie Padilla and The Stella Bean Brass Band, Erin Smith, Activ8 Electro Jazz and The Aphrodisiacs, as well as Metro columnists Super CW and Anton Glamb.

For Tarone, a legal services attorney who moonlights as a prolific events producer, other than giving guests a good time, an important aspect of Hallowbaloo is its ability to “bring statewide and national and international attention to the Chinatown arts district. It’s such a unique neighborhood with all the great music venues … and then all of the galleries and all of the boutiques and restaurants.”

For the first time this year, a costume fun run, the Hallowbaloo Marathon, kicks things off at 5:30 to raise money for local arts nonprofits. It’s a one-block course right through the heart of the Hallowbaloo action. Runners can register at crowdrise.com/hallowbaloomarathon.

“We are focusing on the arts because it is such a big part of Chinatown,” Tarone says. “And these are organizations that we feel are in need and really deserve some special attention. A lot of these places still haven’t recovered from the downturn in the economy, and they are still struggling to stay afloat.”

After the street party wraps, a wristband ($10 as of press time, but prices go up as bands sell out) will get you into select area venues until 2 a.m.

For more information and a breakdown of events, visit hallowbaloo.com.

HALLOWEEN IN EDEN

The top of Tantalus boasts probably the best view of downtown there is — and you can enjoy it Oct. 31 during Halloween in Eden. Hosted by media tech company Core808 at the historic, elegant Honolulu Ridge, you can party like you’re in the Great Gatsby. A former macadamia nut orchard, the lush, secluded property is lined with trees and exotic flowers.

The Nutridge Estate also has been home to a number of notable guests over the years.

You could celebrate Halloween here at Honolulu Ridge PHOTO COURTESY CORE808

You could celebrate Halloween here at Honolulu Ridge PHOTO COURTESY CORE808

“People like Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Shirley Temple, Frank Sinatra — they have all stayed in the house,” says Core808 president Jason Zulueta.

Given this Eden-esque locale, the night’s costume theme is Adam and Eve — and the sexist Adam and Eve will earn a $1,000 prize.

The party flier cheekily states that the party goes from “10 p.m. to ?,” but no matter what that question mark turns out to be, you’ll have a way home: Core808 is providing transportation to and from the party, with pick-up and drop-off sites at various locations. (Times and locations to come.)

At $75 ($100 for VIP), the event may seem a little pricey — but it’s all inclusive and gets you access to the open bars that can be found throughout the estate.

Plus, Halloween in Eden allows you to party for a good cause: Proceeds go toward cancer treatment and research.

“We have this beautiful view of the city lights and the stars,” Zulueta says. “The atmosphere is just beautiful, and being able to party in that environment is really a unique situation.”

It sounds idyllic — and also sounds like it could be just the right amount of spooky.

There are only about 200 tickets available, so get yours now via flavorus.com.

For more information, email info@core808.com.

EAT THE STREET

If you’re going to be out all night, you’re going to need a little party fuel. Good thing you can start the evening at Eat The Street, which runs from 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31.

In the mix are Eat The Street’s usual vendors, including Aloha Pops, Beyond Burgers, Uncle’s Kitchen, Yaya’s Thai, Le Crepe Cafe, Hawaiian Fresh Farms, Kiawe Pizza and dozens more — all preparing food under the Dia de los Muertos theme.

Metro-102214-Feature-Halloween-EatTheStreet

“It’s a Latin theme, so our specialty food item will be tacos,” says event coordinator Lehua Vermeesch.

As always, there is plenty to look forward to other than the food. Live music will be provided by Kapena. If you’ve got keiki in tow, there also will be trick-or-treating at all of the food trucks. Don’t worry, there are treats for adults, too. Those can be found at the bar area. Plus, watch as the food vendors battle it out for the title of tastiest taco. (If you’re lucky, you’ll get picked to be the judge and sample all of these items.)

Come dressed up, as there are two costume contests — one for children and one for adults — and it’s the perfect launch pad for your next Halloween activity.

“It’s early enough in the night where you can come here first and then go off to Waikiki or downtown,” Vermeesch says.

Visit eatthestreethawaii.com.

ARTAFTERDARK

Live out your own classic horror movie at Nightmare

on Beretania Street during a spooky twist on Honolulu Museum of Art’s monthly ARTafterDARK, from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31.

DJ Slant will be spinning a “monster mashup” of ’80s tunes. If you need a break from the dance floor, check out the Haunted Maze in the Palm Courtyard, where you’ll try in vain to run from iconic killers like Freddie Kruger.

Don’t forget to come dressed up — there’ll be a costume contest, with prizes going to the scariest, most creative, funniest and best duo. And if you need to touch up your ghoulish looks during the evening or didn’t think to dress up, T Galleria will have a makeup artist on site.

The event also will feature a photo booth and food from The Grove in Kailua.

When you’re not getting lost in the haunted maze, you can roam through the exhibits, including Art Deco Hawaii, Natural Unnatural Supernatural, and Land Division along with the permanent collection galleries.

For more information, visit honolulumuseum.org.

Get lost in the Haunted Maze. PHOTOS COURTESY HONOLULU MUSEUM OF ART

Get lost in the Haunted Maze. PHOTOS COURTESY HONOLULU MUSEUM OF ART

Do the Monster Mash at Nightmare on Beretania Street. PHOTOS COURTESY HONOLULU MUSEUM OF ART

Do the Monster Mash at Nightmare on Beretania Street. PHOTOS COURTESY HONOLULU MUSEUM OF ART