Haunt club
Halloween and Día de los Muertos events.

By Cheryl Eddy

YOU WORKED LONG and hard creating your costume – time to show it off! The fact that Halloween falls on a Friday this year is definitely in your favor, so slip into your Governator (eek!) or Paris Hilton (nooo!) togs and get to struttin'. In our annual guide to all things Halloween, you'll find tons of parties, performances, and film screenings, plus kid-friendly fare and events and exhibits commemorating Día de los Muertos.

halloween

Parties/events

Annie's Cocktail Lounge 15 Boardman Pl; 703-0865. Oct 31-Nov 1, 9pm. Free. The bar hosts a costume party – specifically, dress as "a dead celebrity or celebrity you wish were dead."

Fencesitters Costume Ball Jezebel's Joint, 510 Larkin; bipridesf@yahoo.com. Sat/25, 9pm-2am. $8-10. DJs Pimprock and Happy Kid Marty spin tunes at this bi dance party.

'A Fiendish Halloween' Jezebel's Joint, 510 Larkin; clubfiendish@yahoo.com. Oct 31, e-mail for time and price. Goth and industrial with Netik (Meat), Rodent (Bondage a Go Go), Djall (Reactor 4), and Fernando (Shrine/Assimilate).

'Hallofest' Kelly's Mission Rock, 817 China Basin Way; 820-9169 or (408) 380-3030. Oct 31, 9pm-5am. $30-40. The indoor-outdoor extravaganza spans four blocks and includes performances by Goodie Mob, Q-Bert, Planet B, Deep Sky, and Hybrid.

Halloween costume party Whitney Young Cultural Center Mansion, 1101 Masonic; 346-8323. Sat/25, 5-10pm. Free. The gallery hosts a holiday party in conjunction with the exhibit "San Franbananas: Color and Humor in Art."

'Halloween Freakfest' Lit Lounge, 101 Sixth St; 278-0940, lit_lounge@yahoo.com. Oct 31, 9pm. Free. DJs spin hip-hop and dance hall at this party.

'Halloween in the Castro' Market at Castro; www.halloweensf.com. Oct 31, 7pm-midnight. $3 requested donation. This year organizers are planning for a more orderly event than the mob scenes of years past (there'll be gates set up where folks'll be searched for booze, weapons, etc.). The event kicks off with the third annual March of Light Parade (6pm), followed by a party with four stages of live entertainment.

Halloween Masquerade Ball Metronome Ballroom, 1830 17th St; 252-9000. Oct 31, 7:30pm-midnight. $15-20. Come early to learn how to cha-cha, salsa, and samba, then take your booty to the floor when the party gets started (9pm). Proceeds benefit drumming and dance group Samba do Coração's performance at next year's San Francisco Carnaval.

'HallowQueen' Castro Theatre, 429 Castro; www.hallowqueen.org. Oct 31, 6pm. $25. Drag kings and queens compete to be HallowQueen 2003; also on tap are audience-participation games and a sneak preview of the evening's beneficiary: Two Queens, a new doc about queer activist Carol Queen and her born-again Christian brother John.

'The Haunted Barn: A San Francisco Nightmare' Hunters Point, follow signs from Third St and Evans (check Web site for map); 285-8103, www.thehauntedbarn.com. Oct 30-Nov 1, 9pm-2am. $13. This adults-only haunted house features a gruesome take on San Francisco history (with nods to Muni, Anton LaVey, Hitchcock, and others), plus live performances, a spooky side show, and more.

'Hov-o-Ween II' Il Pirata, 2007 16th St; www.houseofvoodoo.com. Oct 31, 9pm-2am. $5-7. House of Voodoo hosts this party with DJs Perki, Voodoo, and special guests, plus a costume contest.

'Magic and Mayhem: Stage Effects of the Grand Guignol' San Francisco Performing Arts Library and Museum, 401 Van Ness, fourth fl; 255-4800, www.sfpalm.org, www.grandguignol.com. Oct 29, 7pm. $5-10. See 8 Days a Week.

'Scary Dancing Queens' Diva's, 1081 Post; 586-7130, www.pacificfriends.org. Sat/25, 7-10pm. $5-7. Pacific Friends San Francisco – a group advocating friendship and cross-cultural understanding among gay Asians and Pacific Islanders, their partners, and friends – hosts its annual party, featuring costume competitions and a "screaming queen" contest.

'Swashbuckling Singles Pirate Ship Party' Urban Diversion, 1329 Columbus, Ste B; 776-7455. Sat/25, 8pm-2am. $65-75. Dress in pirate gear for this singles party.

'Theatre of Blood: Around the World with the Grand Guignol' City College of San Francisco, Diego Rivera Theatre, 50 Phelan; www.sfpalm.org. Tues/28, noon. Free. Historian Agnès Pierron discusses the notoriously gory theater.

'Treasure Island' Ruby Skye, 420 Mason; www.deliciouskarma.com. Oct 31, 9pm-4am. $30. A custom-built pirate ship is the centerpiece of this party, featuring the DJ skills of Miguel Migs, Marques Wyatt, and Donovan.

Vampire Tour of San Francisco Meet at corner of California and Taylor; (650) 279-1840, www.sfvamptour.com. Oct 31, 8-10:30pm. $15-20. Mina Harker leads an eerie tour of Nob Hill.

'Wicked Wednesday' Cosmopolitan, 121 Spear; 273-1620. Wed/22, 7-11pm. $25-35. The Richmond/Ermet AIDS foundation benefits from the masquerade party, with entertainment by Kitten on the Keys, Connie Champagne, and Donna Sachet.

Bay Area

'Le Bal des Vampires' Pleasanton Senior Center, 5353 Sunol, Pleasanton; (510) 522-1731, www.peers.org. Nov 1, 7:30pm. $15-20. The Period Events and Entertainments Re-Creation Society presents a ball highlighting "three centuries of haunting ballroom dance music" by the Divertimento Dance Orchestra.

Daughters of the Goddess Temple Womyn's Ritual and Spiral Dance Orinda Masonic Temple, 9 Altarinda, Orinda; (925) 787-9739, (925) 787-9247, www.daughtersofthegoddess.com. Fri/24, 7:30pm. $10-27. Women from throughout California attend this ritual, with live music, drumming, crafts, and a spiritual celebration of the earth-based holiday of Hallowmas, or Samhain.

Deaf Electric Jazzhouse, 3192 Adeline, Berk; (415) 846-9432. Sun/26, 7pm. $6-15. Sound artist Loren Chasse of Thuja, Karen Stackpole, and Die Elektrischen perform at this Halloween edition of the monthly "extreme electronica" party.

Fetish and Fantasy Halloween Ball City Lights Theater Company of San Jose, 529 South St, San Jose; (408) 293-7660, ext 1, www.leathermasters.com. Oct 31, 8pm-12:30am. $25. Leather Masters hosts its first annual fetish ball; proceeds benefit City Lights Theater Company of San Jose.

Halloween dance party Rings Nightclub, Embassy Suites Hotel, 101 McInnis, San Rafael; (415) 507-9962. Sat/25, 8pm-midnight. $10. Single professionals of all ages are invited to this dance party and costume contest.

Mystery Ball Headlands Center for the Arts, 944 Fort Barry, Sausalito; (415) 331-2787, ext 27. Nov 1, 7pm-midnight. $80. The Headlands Center for the Arts present its annual costume gala and fundraiser, capped off by a live art auction of work by local artists.

'San Francisco Siggraph Halloween Pirate Booty Bash' Expressions Center for New Media, 6601 Shellmound, Emeryville; 1-877-833-8800, www.acteva.com (registration required by Oct 25). Oct 31, 7pm. $45-50. This 21-and-over Pirates of the Caribbean-themed party features a special effects showcase by ILM, plus live music, dancing, and a costume contest.

Film/music/theater

'Bat Tales' Veterans Building, Green Rm, 401 Van Ness; 1-866-468-3399, www.ticketweb.com. Sun/26, 3pm. $15. The Lively Foundation celebrates bats with theater and dance inspired by legends from different cultures.

'Fauxgirls!' Marlena's, 488 Hayes; 864-6672. Sat/25, 10pm. Free. Victoria Secret and Alexandria host a Halloween-themed drag cabaret and costume contest.

'Frankenstein' Noh Space, 2840 Mariposa; 621-7978. Previews Oct 29-30, 8pm. Opens Oct 31, 8pm. Runs Thurs-Sat, 8pm. Through Nov 22. $15-20 (opening night with Halloween reception, $25). Theatre of Yugen kicks off its 25th-anniversary season with Erik Ehn's "Noh-distilled" version of the classic tale.

'Garaj MaHalloween' Avalon Ballroom, 1268 Sutter; 421-TIXS. Oct 31, 9pm. $20. The jazz-world-funk band Garaj Mahal celebrate the release of their first studio album with a Halloween-themed concert and party.

'Ghouls and Ghosts' Zeum, 221 Fourth St; 820-3353, www.ethnotec.org. Sat/25, 8pm (adults and older kids); Sun/26, 2pm (suitable for young children). $7-13. Eth-Noh-Tec Creations presents its annual Halloween shows, featuring frightful tales from China, Japan, and other Asian cultures.

'Halloween Virtuosities' Victorian Englander House, 807 Franklin; 362-6080, englanderh@aol.com. Oct 31, 4, 7, and 10pm. $10-15. Pianist Seth Montfort performs spooky compositions by Chopin and Liszt, plus an original work, The Supernatural House Sonata.

'Independent Exposure: Halloweird Edition' 111 Minna Gallery, 111 Minna; 864-0660, www.microcinema.com. Mon/27, 8pm. $5. (Also Tues/28, 8pm, Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway, Oakl; 510-763-1146, www.oaklandopera.org.) See 8 Days a Week.

'Noiserock Halloween' Edinburgh Castle Pub, 950 Geary; 885-4074. Oct 31, 10pm. $6-8. Replicator (and friends) perform as AC/DC, and Misfits cover band Hate Breeders play.

'Nosferatu, A Symphony of Horror' Red Vic Movie House, 1727 Haight; 668-3994. Oct 28-29, 7:30 and 9:30pm. $3-6.50. Back for their fifth year, Jill Tracy and the Malcontent Orchestra perform an original score to F.W. Murnau's 1922 vampire classic. Also on the bill: "The Fine Art of Poisoning," a short, animated film by East Bay artist Bill Domonkos, also set to music by Tracy.

'The Revolting Dead' Varnish Fine Art, 77 Natoma; 222-6131, www.varnishfineart.com. Sat/25, 8:30pm. $7. Check out an advanced screening of the indie horror flick about grave-robbing funeral parlor owners whose shady dealings are avenged by a gaggle of angry corpses.

'Slow Poisoners Phantasmic Spooktacular' Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd St; 931-WIMP, www.slowpoisoners.com. Oct 30, 8:30pm. $6. The Slow Poisoners headline a night of "music and theatrics," also featuring the Cubby Creatures and Space Vacuum (From Outer Space).

'Spiral Dance: Witches' New Year' Regency Grand Ballroom, 1300 Van Ness; (510) 763-3911. Sat/25, 7:30pm. $20-60. Celebrate Samhain at this participatory pageant and ritual.

'Stage Frights: Plays from Hell' CELLspace, 2050 Bryant; 240-9202. Fri/24-Sun/26 and Oct 31, 8pm. $10-20. Hardcore Thrush Productions presents a show of spooky (and spoofy) short plays that take on pop culture icons (including Superman and Pee Wee Herman).

'Technomania Circus Blacklight Halloween' Center for Variety Arts, 608 Taraval; 242-4433, www.technomaniacircus.com. Sat/25, 8:30pm. $12. Willy Bologna, Dr. Techno, Princess Safira, and other acts perform at the vaudeville circus and black-light theater event.

'Thundercrack' Roxie, 3117 16th St; 552-FILM, www.filarts.org/festival. Oct 31, 11pm. $8-10. The Film Arts Festival of Independent Cinema hosts a screening of Curt McDowell's sleazy, black-and-white underground horror classic.

True Fiction Magazine Bayfront Theater, Bldg B, third fl, Fort Mason Center, Marina at Laguna; 474-8935, www.improv.org. Oct 31-Nov 1, 8pm. $15. Drawing inspiration from pulp novels of the '30s and '40s, the improv theater company performs its annual Halloween shows.

Zag Men Artists' Television Access, 992 Valencia; 824-3890. Oct 30, 8pm. $5. The "country-metal-improv sonic gutfuck" ensemble provide a live score to F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu; related events include a Max Schreck costume contest.

Bay Area

'Fear' La Val's Subterranean, 1834 Euclid, Berk; (415) 869-5384, www.un-scripted.com. Oct 24-25, Oct 31-Nov 1, 8pm. $7-10. The Un-Scripted Theater Company performs a full-length, improvised horror story.

'Halloween Havoc' Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck, Berk. (510) 841-2082. Oct 31, call for time and price. This party features a costume contest and performances by 7th Direction, Grasshoppers, and Pocket.

'Halloween with David Sedaris' Stanford University, Memorial Auditorium, Serra at Galvez, Stanford; (650) 725-ARTS, livelyarts.stanford.edu. Oct 31, 8pm. $30-44. The author and humorist chats about Halloween.

'Horror Host-Palooza, Part Two' Parkway, 1834 Park, Oakl; (510) 814-2400, www.thrillville.net. Thurs/23, 8:30pm. $8. Will the Thrill presents "Creatures Features" host John Stanley and a program of horror films including Godzilla-Mothra-King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack.

Lee Press-on and the Nails Rancho Nicasio, Town Square, Nicasio; (415) 662-2219. Oct 31, 8:30pm. $12-15. The swing band plays upbeat originals and big-band standards; the evening also includes a costume contest with prizes.

'Mad Scientists Halloween Blast' 21 Grand, 449B 23rd St, Oakl; (510) 444-7263. Oct 31, 9pm. $5-15. Come hear experimental, noise, and oddball music by Van Boven, Cheap Ass Robots, Tri-Cornered Tent Show, Helium Karaoke, Pengo, and the Autumn Project.

'Movie Classics by the Bay Halloween Weekend' Auctions by the Bay, 2700 Saratoga, Alameda; (510) 835-6187. Oct 31-Nov 2, call for times. $5-7. The spooky program includes double bills of Among the Living and The Lady and the Monster (Oct 31); Them and The Thing (Nov 1); plus King Kong (Nov 2). Call for show times.

'Peaktimes: Trick-or-Treat News' Jazz House, 3192 Adeline, Berk; (510) 524-9497. Fri/24, call for time. $8-15. The experimental music and dance show draws inspiration from current events ("come dressed as your favorite spook or governor").

Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums Little Fox, 2209 Broadway, Redwood City; (650) FOX-4119, www.foxdream.com. Oct 31, 8pm. $13-15. The jazzy swing band perform at this Halloween party, featuring prizes for best costumes from each decade from the '20s through the '60s.

'Sweeney Todd' Playhouse, 27 Kensington, San Anselmo; (415) 461-1196. Opens Oct 30, 8pm. Runs Oct 31, 6:30pm (Halloween gala benefit); Nov 1, 6-8, 8pm; Nov 2, 9, 4pm. $15-20 (Oct 31, $50-55). Independent Actors of Marin performs Stephen Sondheim's musical thriller about the "Demon Barber of Fleet Street."

'Thrillville's Halloween Beach Party' Copia, 500 First St, Napa; www.thrillville.net. Mon/27, 8pm. $6. Will the Thrill hosts a creepy beach-themed shindig, featuring a screening of Horror of Party Beach. Can't get enough thrills? The same film plays at the "Thrillville Tiki Halloween Party" – in a double bill with Plan 9 from Outer Space (Oct 31, 9pm, free, Conga Lounge, 5422 College, Oakl).

'Turbo Jugend Halloweenie Party' Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph, Oakl; (510) 444-6174. Oct 31, 9pm. Call for price. The West Memphis Three benefits from this show, which includes a costume contest and performances by Ill Gotten Gainz, the Lewd, Hurting Crew, Trouble Maker, and Black Furies.

Venusians Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo, Berk; (510) 525-5054, www.ashkenaz.com. Oct 31, 9:30pm. $13. The band perform at their third annual Halloween dance party.

Family events/festivals

Cannery Halloween Festival Cannery, 2801 Leavenworth; 771-3112, www.thecannery.com. Sun/26, noon-4pm. Free. For the 26th year, the Cannery hosts a day of family-friendly spooky stuff, with a costume contest and parade (kids under 12), live entertaintment, trick-or-treating, and more.

Family Halloween Festival Stonestown Family YMCA, 333 Eucalyptus; 242-7129, www.ymcasf.org/stonestown. Sat/25, 5-8pm. Free. The YMCA hosts a party with a haunted house, a cake walk, face painting, and more.

Gardens Ghoullery Walk Yerba Buena Gardens, Fourth St at Mission; 543-1718, www.ybgf.org. Sun/26, noon-4pm. Kids under 10 and their families are invited to trick-or-treat around Yerba Buena Center Gardens.

Halloween Costume Tea Ritz-Carlton, 600 Stockton; 773-6198, www.ritzcarlton.com. Sat/25-Sun/26, 10am. $50. Bay Area SCORES (a nonprofit soccer and creative writing after-school program for students from low-income families) benefits from this Halloween-inspired teatime with sandwiches and treats and storytelling by Binky the Great Pumpkin.

'Halloween Heroes' Zeum, 221 Fourth St; (510) 839-3100, (650) 321-4142, www.wenderweis.org. Tues/28, 6:30-9:30pm. $175-550. Outreach and youth development organizations Junior Giants Program and 49ers Foundation benefit from this party. Enjoy kids' activities and appearances by pro athletes and local celebs, including soccer star Brandi Chastain, S.F. Giant Jesse Foppert, 49ers Derrick Deese and Scott Gragg, and others.

Halloween stroller parade Moscone Park, Chestnut and Buchanan; 776-3191. Oct 31, 10am. Free. The Marina-Cow Hollow Neighbors and Merchants host a Halloween stroller parade.

Japantown Fall Festival and Halloween Carnival Japan Center, Post between Laguna and Fillmore; 567-4573. Sat/25-Sun/26, 11:30am. Free. On Oct 25, Japanese culture is highlighted, with a rice-pounding ceremony, traditional music performances, kendo demonstrations, tea ceremonies, and more. On Oct 26, Halloween is the focus, with rides, games, trick-or-treating, a mask contest, and more.

Bay Area

All Hallows Eve Jam Oakland Box Theater, 1928 Telegraph, Oakl; (510) 451-1932. Oct 31, 7:30pm. $5-7. Youth 14 to 20 are invited to this no-drugs, no-booze dance and costume party benefiting the Oakland Box Theater's youth programs.

'Boo at the Zoo' Oakland Zoo, Knowland Park, 9777 Golf Links, Oakl; (510) 632-9525. Sun/26, 10am-3pm. $4.50-6.50. The zoo hosts a party with trick-or-treating, a scavenger hunt, a parade, and more.

'Goblin Jamboree' Bay Area Discovery Museum, Ft Baker, 557 McReynolds, Sausalito; (415) 339-3900, www.baykidsmuseum.org. Sat/25-Sun/26, 10am-5pm. $8. The 16th annual edition of this costume party features a haunted house, a "witches' school," train rides, and other fun for kids under 12.

'Halloween Trick-or-Treat Day' Town Center Corte Madera, West side of Hwy 101 at Tamalpais exit, Corte Madera; (415) 924-2961. Sun/26, noon-3pm. Free. Kids of all ages are welcome to trick-or-treat at the shopping center.

'Hilltop Mall Trick-or-Treating' Hilltop Mall, 2200 Hilltop Mall Rd, Richmond; (510) 223-1933. Oct 31, 6-7pm. The mall hosts trick-or-treating for local kids.

'Jack-o'-lantern Jamboree' Children's Fairyland, 699 Bellvue, Oakl; www.fairyland.org. Sat/25-Sun/26, 10am-5pm. $8. Children's Fairyland hosts its annual "more delightful than frightful" party, with costumed storybook characters, "wizards" performing science experiments, Oakland firefighters (and a fire truck), and more.

Kids' Halloween party Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline, Oakl; (510) 336-7300, www.chabotspace.org. Nov 1, 10am-5pm. Free with general admission ($7-11). Kids are invited to come in costume and participate in spooky hands-on activities.

Lawrence Hall of Science Halloween Party Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive near UC Berkeley and Grizzly Peak Blvd, Berk; (510) 642-5134, www.lawrencehallofscience.org. Sat/25, 6:30-9:30pm. $8-12. Reservations are required for this popular party, featuring games, activities, and candy.

Mary Pope Osborne Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park; (650) 324-4321. Tues/28, 6pm. Free. The author reads from the children's book Haunted Castle on Hallow's Eve.

Pumpkin carving and costume making Berkeley Farmers Market, Center at MLK Jr. Way, Berk; (510) 548-3333, www.ecologycenter.org. Sat/25, 10am-3pm. Free. Buy a pumpkin from a local farmer, then get to carving (kid-safe tools provided). The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse is also on hand with materials for costume making and hat decorating.

'The Three Witches' Oakland Public Library, Dimond Branch, 3565 Fruitvale, Oakl; (510) 482-7844. Tues/28, 7pm. Free. (Also Oct 29, 3:30pm, Brookfield Branch, 9255 Edes, Oakl; 510-615-5725; and 4:30 and 7:30pm, Main Library Children's Room, 125 14th St, Oakl; 510-238-3615.) Storytellers weave spine-tingling tales for children.

Art exhibits

'Folk and Fantasy' Canvas Gallery, 1200 Ninth Ave; 504-0060. Opening reception Oct 30, 6pm-midnight; gallery hours Sun-Thurs, 8am-midnight; Fri-Sat, 8am-2am (gallery staffed Wed-Sun, 1-9pm). Through Nov 25. Free. The gallery hosts an exhibit of works inspired by folk legends and fairy tales, with a Halloween-themed opening reception featuring music by Charlotte the Baroness.

'Mischief' Lola Gallery, 2517 Mission; 401-6800. Opening reception Oct 30, 7pm-midnight; gallery hours Wed-Sat, noon-7pm, and by appt. Through Nov 29. $5-8. More than 20 emerging and established California artists contribute to this multimedia exhibit celebrating Halloween and "the mischievous side to artistic creativity."

'Monster' Creativity Explored, 3245 16th St; 863-2108, www.creativityexplored.org. Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm; Sat, 1-6pm. Through Nov 29. Free. Art featuring classic monsters, including the Mummy, Dracula, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon, as well as original creations ("the Axe Monster"), highlight this multimedia show.

Bay Area

Glass pumpkin patch Cohn-Stone Studios, 560 S. 31st St, Richmond; (510) 234-9690. Sat/25-Sun/26, call for time. Free. The art glass studio opens its doors to the public for an autumn sale featuring a "pumpkin patch" stocked with pieces created from glass. Also on tap are glass-blowing demos and tours of the studio's Mediterranean-style garden.

Vallejo Artists' Guild 930 Main, Vallejo; (707) 556-9710. Halloween party Sat/25, 6-9pm; call for gallery hours. Through Oct 31. Free. The exhibit includes art representing Halloween, Día de los Muertos, and harvest festivals.

día de los muertos

'Bringing Light to Darkness' SomArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan; 863-1414, ext 104, www.somarts.org. Tues-Sun, noon-5pm. Through Nov 2. Free. In addition to hosting its annual Day of the Dead exhibit of traditional and unusual altars and art installations, SomArts presents "Espectáculo de los Muertos: Songs and Stories to Celebrate Our Dead," a bilingual performance of folk songs and tales with Boxtales Theatre Company and musical trio Cascada de Flores (Nov 1, 1pm); and "Fiesta Bravas," a puppet- and mask-filled performance by Mexico City's Mascara Entre Sombras (Nov 2, 2-6pm).

'Death and Rebirth' Precita Eyes Mural Arts and Visitors Center, 2981 24th St; 285-2287, pem@precitaeyes.org. Nov 2, 7-10pm. Free. Precita Eyes Center's annual Day of the Dead celebration includes tributes to muralists and their loved ones who have passed on.

Día de los Muertos celebration California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park; 750-7145, www.calacademy.org. Nov 1, 10am-4pm. $2-8.50. Decorate traditional ofrendas and enjoy a live, pre-Columbian music performance by Ernesto Hernández Olmos.

Instituto Familiar de la Raza 2919 Mission; 229-0554. The center offers workshops on how to make sugar skulls, pan de muerto, altars, and other topics (Wed/22 and Oct 30, 4-7pm, free) and its 23rd annual Día de los Muertos procession (Nov 7, 5:30pm, free, begins at Horace Mann Middle School at Bartlett and 23rd Sts) and ceremony (Nov 7, 6pm, free, at the center).

'Saturdays Are Special' Randall Museum, 199 Museum Wy; 554-9600, www.randallmuseum.org. Nov 1, 1-4pm. $3. Kids are invited to make Day of the Dead skulls inspired by the Randall Museum's animal skull collection.

Bay Area

Día de los Muertos exhibit Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, 551 Broadway, Sonoma; www.svma.org. Oct 30-Nov 3, 11am-8pm. Free. The museum hosts an exhibit of altars, painting, and sculptures, as well as a reception (Nov 2, 11am-5pm) with live music, food, and a skull-making workshop for children.

'Express Night: Days of the Dead' Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak, Oakl; (510) 238-2200, www.museumca.org. Nov 7, 6-9pm. $5-8. Artist Ala Ebtekar discusses the exhibit "Global Elegies: Art and Ofrendas for the Dead" (see below), plus a screening of Lourdes Portillo's film La Ofrenda: The Days of the Dead.

'Global Elegies: Art and Ofrendas for the Dead' Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak, Oakl; (510) 238-2200. Wed-Sat, 10am-5pm (first Fri, 10am-9pm); Sun, noon-5pm. Through Dec 7. $5-8. The exhibit features artworks and installations inspired by traditions and ceremonies for honoring the dead, including those of Mexico, Cuba, China, Ghana, Iran, the Philippines, and Vietnam, plus contemporary American art.

'Matices de la Muerte (Shades of the Dead)' Corazon del Pueblo, 4814 International Blvd, Oakl; (510) 532-6733. 10am-6pm daily. Through Nov 4. Free. The center hosts its second annual Día de los Muertos art exhibit.