8 Halloween parties, Youmacon and plenty more to do in Detroit this week

There is so much spookiness in the forecast this weekend. I hope you have prepared not one, but several Halloween getups, because you’re gonna need ‘em. Whether you’re an anime fan getting your fix at Youmacon, a live music lover or a family man, there is something for everybody this week. 

Wednesday and Thursday

🏙 This Wednesday, join Urban Consulate host Orlando P. Bailey at The Cochrane House for a candid conversation with co-developer and music producer James Dukes (aka IMAKEMADBEATS), CEO of Unapologetic.  Hear about how a collective of artists from Unapologetic are transforming a vacant landmark tower and factory in the historically Black Memphis neighborhood of Orange Mound into a mixed-use development for Black art, entrepreneurship, retail and housing. Oct. 27, free, info.

🎸Local country duo The Whiskey Charmers will be gracing the stage at Cadieux Cafe this Thursday. Head over to the beloved east side establishment for their famous mussels, vast beer selection and the angelic sounds of singer Carrie Shepard’s voice. Oct. 28, $5, info.

🎭What is spooky season without ska and punk rock? Catch Detroit’s own Suicide Machines and a whole bunch of their friends at The Whiskey Factory this Thursday for the Hallowhiskey Masquerade. Detroit City Distillery will be slangin’ cocktails and Imperial’s food truck will be pulling up with tacos. Oct. 28, $30+, info.

🍷 Need a reason to get fancy and check out the new(ish) restaurant Oak and Reel? This Thursday they’re hosting a Wine Dinner Date with special guests Dominic Nocerino of Vinifera Imports and Dion Blumentritt of Veritas Distributors. The meal includes five courses and accompanying wines. Pinkies out! Oct. 28, $300, info.

🎮Anime is back in Detroit! Now in its 17th year, Youmacon is a celebration of Japanese animation, video games, popular culture and costuming. The event runs for three days and includes musical performances, tabletop gaming, cosplay, panels and more. Did I mention it lasts three days, 24 hours a day? So if getting buzzed up on espresso and playing Firefly till 4 a.m. at the TCF Center is your thing, this is your weekend! Oct. 28-31, $30+, info.

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This weekend

🎻 Missing the mind-bending, infamous Theatre Bizarre blowouts of Halloweens past? They’ll be back in 2022, but this year you can still have a chillingly intimate evening with their house band, the Theatre Bizarre Orchestra. This Friday, they’ll be performing “Dance with the Devil” and “Carpe Noctem” cabaret-style by candlelight  at Valentine Distilling Co. Oct. 29, $50, info.

🧛🏻‍♀️ If you were a total “Twilight” stan, you might be into this virtual talk coming up on Friday with John Edgar Browning. The co-author and co-editor of numerous books and shorter works about vampires — as well as an ethnographic researcher who has studied vampire communities — has a lot to say on this sinister subject. ‘Tis the season to spook yourself with a quick deep dive into real life vampires! Oct. 29, $12, info.

🤣Planet Ant is one of my personal favorite places to visit in Hamtramck, and I am hoping to catch the sketch comedy show “Why Are You Crying” at Ant Hall this weekend. The show was written by recent graduates of the Sketch 5 Program and is directed by Lauren Bickers. If it’s nearly as funny as the weekly Monday Night Improv shows, it’ll have you in stitches. Oct. 29-30 and Nov. 5-6, $15, info.

🎃If you make it to the comedy show, why not turn it into the full Hamtramck experience and check out neighborhood dive Whiskey in the Jar for the other HalloWhiskey. Their annual costume party is back after a Covid hiatus. Show your best costume and take advantage of the cheap booze. Oct. 29, free, info.

🔗 Detroit Nonprofit Day is a one-day event with workshops, fireside chats, networking and skills-building exercises to strengthen Detroit’s dynamic nonprofit and social enterprise communities. This is a great opportunity for nonprofit leaders and community organizers to connect and learn. Detour Detroit readers receive $25 off admission when they use the discount code DDDND2021 — say hi if you see me! Oct. 30, tickets start at $75, info. (Detour is a media partner of Detroit Nonprofit Day)

🎨On Saturday, enjoy an afternoon with the kiddos at Alger in the Alley, hosted by the Alger Theater. Graffiti artist Sintex will be live painting a mural, while DJ Charles Preset sets the tone with the tunes. Brilliant Detroit and the Jefferson Library will be onsite engaging kids in crafts and storytelling during the neighborhood festivities. Oct. 30, free, info.

🥤Get out your black-and-white makeup and stop by the corner store for some Faygo on the way home from work tonight. Insane Clown Posse is back at Majestic Theatre this Saturday night. *Fun fact*: I bartended at the Majestic Complex for almost a decade, and don’t let the freaky makeup and horrorcore lyrics scare you, the fans are some of the nicest out there (and good tippers!). Join them this weekend and let your inner juggalo run wild. Oct. 30, $66.50, info. 

There are a LOT of Halloween parties on Sunday, so I picked out a few that I’m debating between myself: 

🍹Lost River is major #vibes all the time, so I can’t wait to see how they play it up for Halloween. They’re whipping up specialty drinks and it’s an all-night happy hour. Plus, Roland Remington will be playing some freaky tiki tunes on his haunted vibraphone starting at 8 p.m. Oct. 31, free, info.

🤸🏻‍♂️Ring the alarm and pull the neon out for the ‘80s club-themed party at Motor City Wine this Sunday. Tighten that scrunchie and get back on the dance floor, because DJs Michael Fotias, Vince Patricola, David A-P and some special guests will be spinning throwbacks all night long. Costumes are encouraged and the event is free. Did I just end the debate with myself? Oct. 31, free, info.

👯‍♀️Grab a friend and lose yourself on the dancefloor to the sweet sounds of Detroit techno. The city’s own Stacy Pullen will be playing all Sunday night at TV Lounge. I reckon it may be worth staying up past my bedtime on a school night. Oct. 31, $15+, info.

🥂If getting jazzed up and sipping prosecco is more your style, celebrate at The Shinola Hotel with An Evening of Mystery this Sunday. In honor of the release of a Shinola edition of the CLUE board game, there will be live music from garage rocker Olivia Jean, fancy hors d’oeuvres and chances to win a free stay at the Shinola Hotel. Oct. 31, $75, info.

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Next week and beyond

🎟In the top 10 of my favorite movies of all time, is of course, “Pretty Woman.” Now is your chance to see the live musical version of the story at The Fisher Theatre. The play stars Broadway superstar and Tony Award®-nominee Adam Pascal and rising star Olivia Valli to bring the beloved romcom to life. Nov. 2-14, $39+, info. 

🏃🏻‍♀️Girls on the Run is a nonprofit organization that encourages positive emotional, social, mental and physical development in young girls through physical fitness. At the end of the curriculum participants run in a noncompetitive 5k, which is coming up on Nov. 14. The organization is recruiting running buddies to support the org and join in! Better start stretching now, because I have a feeling these middle school kids are going to give me a run for my money.  Nov. 14, $100, info.

🥊Detour DoGooders is back! This is a one-of-a-kind volunteer experience from yours truly. We’ll kick things off with a couple hours of volunteering at Downtown Boxing Gym, a nonprofit youth program that has been servicing kids in our community since 2007. After that, we’ll relocate one block north to Spot Lite Detroit, an art gallery, music venue, bar, coffee shop and record store all under one roof! There we will warm up for the weekend with cocktails on Detour, snacks, music and more. You don’t want to miss this! Nov. 19, free, info.