Jackson Hole 2015 Halloween Parties!
(this piece was published by Planet Jackson Hole)
Dress-up parties are the true hidden agenda for Teton County bargoers. With the density of adventure-seeking personalities, Halloween weekend is an open invitation for the madness to creep in. With a little creativity and a high capacity for shenanigans, your All Hallows' Eve experience could take you just about anywhere. Here are eight musical parties to get fancied up for.
Always a good place to start is downtown Jackson, where party hopping comes at a low cost. What has become a tradition at the Silver Dollar Showroom in recent years is a reggae Halloween with local eight-piece Chanman Roots Band, decked out by The Celestial Horns and a gang of backup vocalists. A costume contest runs 9 to 10 p.m. for these categories: best female, best male, and best couple. Winners receive dinner for two at the Silver Dollar Grill. Chanman Roots Band, 7:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the Silver Dollar Showroom. Free. 732-3939.
Across the street at the Pink Garter Theatre and The Rose, expect an Electro-Funk Zombie Party in the theatre followed by a late night DJ throw down in the bar. While the featured act The Earful was nominated for Best Jazz Artist 2013 in the San Diego Music Awards, it’s a funk equation ala Soulive or Maceo Parker that brings the party—that is, 98% funk, 2% jazz. The Earful rhythm section is downright nasty, a booty shakin’ machine, and the pixel-mapped light show will surely coexist is festive form. The Earful, 9 p.m. Saturday at the Pink Garter Theatre. DJ Mr. Whipple and guests late night in The Rose. $15/advance, $20/day-of-show. PinkGarterTheatre.com, 733-1500.
Bringing a similar funk vibe with an emphasis on groove is local touring act Sneaky Pete & the Secret Weapons, who is currently on the road through the Northwest before closing with a ghoulish bang at Town Square Tavern. Sneaky Pete & the Secret Weapons, 10 p.m. Saturday at Town Square Tavern. $10/advance, $15/day-of-show at 307Live.com or the Tavern Liquor Store.
Across the street at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, it’ll be an outlaw rockabilly affair with Wyatt Lowe & the Mayhem Kings. Lowe recently moved from Jackson to Colorado, where he’s been working the Front Range scene. Hot blues and swinging’ rock ‘n’ roll on tap. Wyatt Lowe & the Mayhem Kings, 9 p.m. Saturday at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. Free. 733-2207.
Created for high rollers by Veuve Clicquot Champagne, a brand of French Group LVMH and owner over sixty luxury brands worldwide, the Yelloween Veuve Clicquot Party is so high class that it’s unpronounceable. The luxury party’s dress code is black tie for men and women (though “make up and details to customize style are welcome” and “funny or scary aggressively garments are not appropriate for the occasion”). Entertainment will include a DJ spinning tunes from 70's to the 00’s, as well as a performance show with local actors and musicians. Yelloween Veuve Clicquot Party, 8 p.m. Saturday at Amangani. $500-$4500. experienceagencyjh@gmail.com.
Across the pond, aka Teton Pass, it’s a different vibe altogether with the high mountain alt-grass of local sextet One Ton Pig. The band is fresh off a recent break from its near eight-year weekly residency on Tuesdays at the Silver Dollar Bar. Tight pickin’ with enough looseness for the occasional exploratory jamgrass tangent, the Pig is your insulation for a cold, spooky night in Teton Valley. One Ton Pig, 10 p.m. Saturday at the Knotty Pine in Victor. $10. 208-787-2866.
There are also parties on Friday night! The 7th Annual HalloWine, hosted by Habitat for Humanity DIGS, is benefit Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Teton Area. The door charge includes unlimited wine, live music, food, raffle, and a silent auction. Costumes encouraged, but not mandatory. 7th Annual HalloWine, 7 to 10 p.m. Friday at Town Square Tavern. $20. 733-3886.
The Mexican custom of El Dia de los Muertos, “Day of the Dead,” contradicts the U.S. custom of Halloween in which death is “scary.” Instead, the holiday celebrates the memories of the deceased. Get your sugar skulls prepped. Dia de los Muertos with DJ E.R.A. and friends, 10 p.m. Saturday at The Rose. Free. 733-1500.
Keep it safe out there!