ORIGINAL HIPSTER

If you’re in New York for Halloween, here are some events where you’ll find originally hip people doing originally hip things. In other words, this ain’t your Williamsburg Halloween party. Oh, and did we mention they’re all cheaper than a pair of pants from American Apparel?

Justin Bond at Joe’s Pub – “Justin Bond is Scary, Mary!! A Halloween extravaganza!”
From the website: “Tonight we celebrate Persephone-Queen of the Underworld, a fair young thing who went out one day to pick some flowers and ended up the sex slave of SATAN!” Expect fabulousness.

The Renaldo the Ensemble at The Living Room – CD Release party and concert (photo)
The self-described absurdist collective  celebrates the release of their new album Why Are You? (It’s great, by the way.) The Renaldo takes the stage around 11 p.m., but if you get there early, you can enjoy performances by members of the Uke Salon. Never heard of the cult-like Uke Salon? Check out my “Uke Odyssey” podcast, here.

World/Inferno Friendship Society at the Grand Ballroom, Manhattan Center (with O’Death)
The Bowery takes a huge liability and fire code risk by presenting the annual World/Inferno Hallowmas show. What’s the danger, you ask? Read for yourself: last year I followed the band and their maniacal fans through the Halloween parade and into the Hallowmas ritual concert in Brooklyn. I still haven’t recovered from the mayhem. Word to the wise: do not wear glasses to this event.

The Lily’s Revenge at the HERE Arts Center
A five-hour epic musical extravaganza with a distinct downtown vibe. Playwright Taylor Mac performs, along with 40-plus New York artists. OH note: I sat in on one of the rehearsals. The show is terrific! Hilarious, wacky, smart, poignant. If you don’t see it on Halloween, see it before it closes on November 22. (And look for my article about it in the November issue of the Brooklyn Rail.)

It Might Get Loud at Cinema Village 12th Street
For a (slightly) more subdued evening, see Jack White, The Edge, and Jimmy Page in a documentary about the electric guitar. On 10/31, the film starts at 10:55 p.m.