NEWS

Tonight, 98.7 FM Close to Home presents Family of the Year with special guests Terraplane Sun and The Young Rapscallions at the Viper Room. Before headlining next month at The Fonda Theatre, catch the indie pop quartet here on The Sunset Strip in the intimate confines of the Viper. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.  www.ViperRoom.com

Start your Halloween celebrating a day early at Pink Taco on Tuesday, Oct. 30. Costume contest with prizes and two-for-one priced pitchers of margaritas. It's "Taco Tuesday," goblin style. www.facebook.com/pinktacosunset

You’ve waited all year! IT’S OCT. 31! West Hollywood’s Santa Monica Boulevard will once again host the world’s largest costume party and Halloween Carnaval with an epic street fair, while The Sunset Strip’s venues will host a night of music and mischief:

• Enjoy a Halloween party with a “Black Magic” theme at The Standard. Performances by special guest DJs Sam Sparro and Nomi Ruiz. Tickets are $20 in advance, $30 day of show. 8 p.m. until close. www.facebook.com/thestandardhollywood

• The Viper hosts a Halloween party with GNR tribute band Hollywood Roses and LA Velvet. Enjoy $5 well drinks all night as well as a “sexiest costume contest” with a $500 grand prize. Tickets are $10 in advance. Ages 21 and older, only. www.viperroom.com

• Stop by House of Blues for PunkOween Carnival in the music hall with All Time Low and “Scary-oke” at their Crossroads restaurant. www.hob.com/losangeles

• Katana is serving up a costume party on the patio with DJ, food and drink specials plus a costume contest. 6-11:30 p.m.  www.katanarobata.com

• And Faster Pussycat, A.H.M.A.D., Permacrush and Suicide Romance take over the Whisky for an all ages show. Tickets are $20 and available through Ticketweb. www.whiskyagogo.com

PICK OF THE WEEK: This Thursday, Nov.1 rock n’ roll musical sensation Hedwig and the Angry Inch returns to the stage at The Roxy Theatre for a seven night stint. You’ve seen the movie, and know the soundtrack by heart, now don’t miss this exclusive engagement starring Camp Freddy founding member Donovan Leitch. Doors for all shows open at 8 p.m. General admission seating is $45 and standing is $30.  www.theroxyonsunset.com

Friday, Nov. 2 legendary director Oliver Stone and history professor Peter Kuznick stop by the hallowed halls of Book Soup for a signing/discussion of their new revealing read The Untold History of the United States. This companion to the controversial Showtime documentary aims to shift the public’s general perception of popular historical events previously thought to be “case closed.” Event begins at 7 p.m.  www.booksoup.com

“The world’s first and only heavy metal mariachi band” Metalachi returns to The Sunset Strip this Saturday, Nov. 3 at The Whisky A Go-Go.  Playing all your favorite metal hits like “Master of Puppets,” “Ace of Spades” and “Holy Diver” the band always brings a fiesta gigante to wherever they take the stage. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15.  www.whiskyagogo.com

Sunday, Nov. 4 Head to House of Blues Sunset Strip for a belated Halloween performance by the horrifically over-the-top metal showmen better known as Gwar. That’s right, if a month’s worth of costumes, blood and gore just wasn’t enough, check this show out before seeking professional help. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 advance/$33 day of show.  www.hob.com

--@brentXmendoza