Halloween events to haunt after massive mix-up

The whirring chaos of outrageous costumes, thumping music, and bewildered characters is typical of Monster Massive, a rave that has taken place annually in Los Angeles since 1998. This year’s event has been cancelled due to a miscommunication between prospective venues and the event promoter, Go Ventures.

Monster Massive advertised the Coliseum as its venue, but abruptly changed it to Oak Canyon Park and Lake Irvine in Orange, Calif.

The fact of cancellation didn’t become public until two headline performers, Armin Van Buuren and Erick Morillo, announced withdrawal through their websites.

Revelers need not worry, as there are many alternatives to fill the void.

A similar production that is still on schedule is the HARD Haunted Mansion, at the Shrine Expo Hall on Friday and Saturday Oct. 28 and 29.

Over 32 acts including Fatboy Slim, Skrillex, and Soulwax will feature along with other artists. Tickets start at $70 for one-day admittance and $125 for both days. For tickets or more information, visit Hardfest website.

This Friday Oct. 28, The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach will be open late for their Night Dive, where costumed patrons can explore all exhibits while enjoying food, drinks, and music from several bands and DJs.

Tickets are $12.95, and alcoholic beverages will be available to those over 21.

For further inquiries, visit www.aquariumofpacific.org.

On Saturday Oct. 29, KCRW will be hosting Masquerade, their third annual Halloween costume ball, located at the Legendary Park Plaza in L.A. Moby features along with 17 of KCRW’s own DJs.

KCRW’s “Masquerade” will also include four different stages, five themed ballrooms, and the vaudeville circus troupe Lucent Dossier.

This is a 21-and-older event, and tickets are $75 presale and $85 at the door. More information is available at Kcrw.

That same night, The Hollywood Palladium will be hosting 97.1 AMP Radio’s Pink at the Palladium Masquerade, featuring LMFAO and the Far East Movement. The concert’s pink theme supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The one who walks in with the best costume, gets the chance to win $10,000.

Tickets start at $39.50. For further information, go to Amp Radio.

For those just looking to show off their costumes in a noncompetitive environment, the annual West Hollywood Costume Carnaval takes place Oct. 31 on Santa Monica Boulevard.

This event allows its attendees to express their eccentricity and appreciate the elaborate costumes and traditions of Halloween.

For more information about this free event, go to West Hollywood Halloween.

These are just some of the larger gatherings offering a good time this Halloween weekend on through All Hallows’ Eve itself. Many local establishments are holding their own celebrations, and one needs only to look around to find them.