CultureShift Events Guide: Halloween music, movies and markets to check out

It’s Halloween weekend in Detroit, and there’s no scare-city of events. Whether you’re a thrill seeker or just have a sweet tooth, we’ve got something for you.

Plus, celebrating Día de los Muertos on the Detroit Riverfront. Read on to learn more.

Creepy concerts

It’s time for Jon Moshier’s annual Modern Music Halloween Special to crawl out of the grave and onto the stage! Join us at Cadieux Cafe on Friday, Oct. 27 for a Rock & Roll Horror Show, featuring performances by garage rock royalty The Hentchmen and The 3-D Invisibles, a costume contest, limited-edition show merch and more. Tickets are $20 and directly support WDET. This event is 21+. For more information, visit our events page.

Plus, tune in on Saturday from 4-6 p.m. to hear Jon’s award-winning Modern Music Halloween Special broadcast on WDET. Listen at 101.9 FM, WDET.org/listen-live or the WDET mobile app.

Monstrous movies

If you’re more of a scary movie celebrator, head to the Redford Theatre for a screening of ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ (1920) featuring live organ accompaniment by Tony O’Brien. This silent film is the first feature version of the classic Jekyll and Hyde story, and is brought to life with the Redford’s historic Barton Theatre Pipe Organ. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $15. For more information, visit their website.

Or, head to Beacon Park for a free screening of ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ (1993). Guests can enjoy popcorn, cocktails and mocktails in Beacon Park’s heated tent as they watch this Halloween favorite on its 30th anniversary. Screenings start at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27 and Saturday, Oct. 28. For more information, visit the Downtown Detroit Partnership’s website.

Family-friendly festivities

Parker’s Alley Boo Bash returns to downtown for all treats, no tricks this Saturday, Oct. 28. Detroiters are invited to dress up for a frightfully fun and family-friendly Halloween celebration with trick-or-treating throughout the Alley, on Woodward Avenue and beyond. There will be free face painting, balloon art, stilt walkers, and of course pumpkins from 1-5 p.m. For more information, visit their website.

Or, head west for downtown Farmington’s Haunted Market featuring live music, a pumpkin carving demonstration, trick-or-treating and more. This free event is on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Riley Park. For more information, visit their website.

Día de los Muertos

This Saturday, Oct. 28, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is hosting their annual Día de los Muertos celebration at Valade Park. This family-friendly event will feature live music, food, ballet folklórico and more. Guests can also view and contribute to the community ofrenda honoring lost loved ones in the spirit of the holiday. Admission is free and open to the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit their website.

Plus, the DSO will continue its PNC Pops Series at Orchestra Hall this weekend with Latin Fire. The program will be conducted by Enrico Lopez-Yañez and feature Costa Rican trumpeter José Sibaja and Mexican vocalist Mónica Ábrego. Latin Fire is a passion-filled celebration of Latin American orchestral hits including “Tico-Tico no Fuba,” “Bésame Mucho,” “Granada,” “Carmen Suite” and “Brasil.” Performances take place Friday, Oct. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 29 and tickets start at $24. For more information, visit their website.

Escape the scares

If you’re seeking solace from the spookiness, CatVideoFest is back at the DIA’s Detroit Film Theatre this weekend. This unique film festival features over 200 of the latest and best cat videos, including animations, music videos and internet classics. The festival starts Friday, Oct. 27 with screenings through Sunday, Oct. 29, and proceeds support local animal shelters. For more information, visit the DIA’s website.

Or, check out Cranbrook Art Museum’s new season of exhibitions, featuring “Skilled Labor: Black Realism in Detroit,” “LeRoy Foster: Solo Show,” “Carl Toth: Reordering Fictions” and “Ash Arder: Flesh Tones.” To learn more about each of these exhibitions, visit their website.