Halloween highlights

There are many ways to enjoy Halloween this year, including smashing pumpkins or dressing up like a slutty pumpkin. With the copious Halloween festivities going down this week in Sactown—like old-school hip-hop parties and scary storytellings—it'll be hard to choose. Here's the lowdown on five don't-miss events that SN&R recommends.

Pumpkin Smash Bash

If you love Halloween but hate pumpkins, this is the party for you. There will be seasonal craft beer, a costume contest, food for sale and, of course, plenty of pumpkin smashing. The event costs $20 for members of the Heidrick Ag History Center, and $50 for the public. It happens on Saturday, October 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Heidrick Ag History Center in Woodland (1962 Hays Lane). For more information, visit www.brownpapertickets.com/event/455614.

Trash Film Orgy Halloween

This 18-and-older event run by the quirky Sacramento film festival Trash Film Orgy features a screening of the 1982 film Creepshow, a live stage show, games and a bar. Guests are encouraged to spend happy hour around K Street starting at 4 p.m., Thursday, October 31, where joints such as Henry's Lounge (1117 Ninth Street), Oishii Sushi Bar & Grill Karoke Lounge (1000 K Street, Suite 200), and Tequila Museo Mayahuel (1200 K Street) will serve treat bags to adults. Doors for the film event open at 8 p.m., and the screening starts at 9 p.m. at the Crest Theatre (1013 K Street). Tickets cost $10, and $9 for those in costumes. Visit www.trashfilmorgy.com for more details.

Hangtown Halloween Ball

This is pretty much the Sacramento region's version of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival: The Hangtown Halloween Ball is a four-day music festival (Thursday, October 24, through Sunday, October 27) in the boonies (well, Placerville), with a diverse lineup and camping. Headliners include Railroad Earth (who will host as well as perform three sets), Galactic, Matisyahu and Les Claypool's Duo de Twang. It all goes down at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville (100 Placerville Drive). Ticket prices vary; check them out at www.hangtownhalloween.com.

Hip-Hop Halloween House Party

I'd hardly call a show at Thunder Valley Resort Casino a “house party,” but it's definitely going to offer some classic old-school jams from Whodini (“Friends”), Kurtis Blow (“The Breaks”) and Rob Base (“It Takes Two”), that'll definitely make the over-30 and B-boy crowd start to dance. The show on Friday, October 25, starts at 9 p.m. at Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln (1200 Athens Avenue). Tickets cost $49.50. Head to www.thundervalleyresort.com for more information.

Asian Tales of Terror

Everyone knows Asian horror stories are way scarier than non-Asian ones (Ringu was much scarier than The Ring, for example). Check out the San Francisco-based story-theater group Eth-Noh-Tec, presented by the Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra, on Sunday, October 27. In Asian Tales of Terror, the troupe will layer Asian mythology, folktales and urban legends with performance art. Caution: It's for adults and children age 9 and older. OK, maybe it won't be that scary. Tickets cost $20-$23 for the performance at the Nevada Theatre in Nevada City (401 Broad Street). More information is available at www.catsweb.org.