Top Halloween Concerts In Philadelphia
Halloween is on a Friday this year and that means Philadelphia is offering plenty of concerts and events to make this one holiday to remember. See below for some of the top Halloween concerts in the city.
Burger Records Caravan of Stars
Johnny Brenda's
1201 N. Frankford Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 739-9684
www.johnnybrendas.com
Date: Oct. 31, 2014
Burger Records is an independent record label based in Fullerton, California that was founded in 2007. The label is famous for releasing the majority of its music on cassettes, but recently decided to release its material digitally as well. For the second year in a row, the label will present its "Caravan of Stars" in October and November. Dozens of Burger artists will participate and the tour is coming to Johnny Brenda's on Halloween. An array of bands will perform that night: Together PANGEA, Cherry Glazerr, Mozes & The Firstborn, AJ Davila & Terror Amor and Wax Witches.
Dracula's Ball
Trocadero Theatre
1003 Arch St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 922-6888
www.draculasball.com
Date: Oct. 31, 2014
Dracula's Ball takes place every three months in the city of Philadelphia and has been bringing vampires from all walks of life into the city for more than a decade. Its annual Halloween event is returning this year and will be at the Trocadero Theatre on October 31. The ball has a heavy vampire theme and people from all over the country and the world attend. The German electric band Das Ich will perform along with one other band and two DJs. This event is all ages – be sure to dress in your best vampire attire.
Halloween Organ Extravaganza
300 S Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 790-5800
www.kimmelcenter.org
Date: Oct. 31, 2014
On October 31, 2014, three professional organists (Peter Richard Conte, Ken Cowan, Paul Jacobs) will come together to play the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ at Verizon Hall. The organists will perform both classic and spooky songs, like Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor," to make your Halloween a memorable one. Along with the live organ performances, a Leopold Stokowski (who conducted the Philadelphia Orchestra from 1912 to 1940) recording of Bach's "Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor" will be played and brought to life. Costumes are encouraged at this family-friendly performance.
Preston Reed
Tin Angel
20 S. 2nd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 928-0770
www.tinangel.com
Date: Oct. 31, 2014
Preston Reed is a guitarist noted for his two-handed percussive fingerstyle and will play at the Tin Angel this Halloween. The Tin Angel is an intimate acoustic café located on the second floor of the Serrano in Old City and, if you're looking to enjoy a mellower Halloween, this is the place to be. Seats are reserved for Serrano diners, but dining before the show is worthwhile – the restaurant offers delicious and authentic International cuisine in a romantic and comfortable environment. The café serves coffee and teas along with liquors, wine and beer.
SKAlloween
North Star Bar
2639 Poplar Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 787-0488
www.northstarbar.com
Date: Oct. 29, 2014
SKAlloween is returning to the North Star Bar this year and will take place on October 29. This annual event is a celebration of both ska music and Halloween, so make sure you bring your dancing shoes and costumes. Ska veterans the Toasters will return along with the Hub City Stompers, who incorporate many different ska sounds from the 60s through 80s into their music. The Toasters have been touring for 33 years and their music follows two-tone, a genre of music that combines ska with a punk rock enthusiasm.
Kelly Neilson is a freelance writer living and working in Philadelphia. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.