Happy Halloween! Are you ready for the weekend-long parties to begin? You can get a lot of mileage out of those costumes this year ‘cause there are even more places having big time parties. First that comes to mind is our new bar/restaurant on 1st Street, de Lazy Lizard. They are having their very first Halloween party tonight, Fri., offering a whoppin’ $500 prize to the best costume. Judging is at 11:30 so don’t be late. Also new to the Halloween party scene this year is Dead Freddies at 64th St. They are offering Halloween specials all weekend long; especially for the kids. Fri.-Sun. kids under 12 eat FREE if they’re in costume. There’s a special Trick or Treat party for them Sat., 5-7pm. Then the big kids get to party with DJ Wax at 9:30 for a costume contest. Very cool decorations.
    Jenny gave an excellent rundown of parties around town in Sonic Notes but here’s one that definitely needs talkin’ about - Smitty McGee’s. You won’t find more extravagant decorations anywhere and they, as far as I know, are the only ones holding true to the day, having their party on Sun., Oct. 31 when the real ghouls and goblins are on the prowl. DJ Wax will be spinnin’ the tunes and the costume contest is always one of the best in town. Sat. entertainment is up a notch at Smitty McGee’s, too, with Kevin Poole & Joe Mama playing every Sat. afternoon and, this week, it’s the Lander Heinz Project in the 8pm slot. As always, the irrepressible Randy Lee Ashcraft is most entertaining both Thur. and Fri. nights. So, with all that, and fantastic sports viewing, Smitty McGee’s is really fun place to be.
    Right down the road (Rt. 54) High Stakes Bar & Grill is joining the party schedule with their Weekend Fright Festival. Fri. DJ Z-Man will host the festivities & Sat. night it will be DJ Rupe playing the tunes. Lots of prizes and giveaways are offered here for costume contests. Wow, way to get in the spirit!
    I’m just trying to figure out how I can hit all these parties - “Scottie, beam me up.” I wish; I want to be everywhere. Last weekend I took full advantage of the opportunity to hear music outside by attending all three M.R. Ducks deck parties. Friday with The Chest Pains was absolutely off the Richter scale. We didn’t even mind that it was so chilly there on the water. The band was just awesome. You’ll have the chance to hear them again on Sat. at BJ’s but, alas, I won’t as I will be helping to judge the contest at Seacrets as friend Terri (Dispatch) and I have done for many years now. What a blast that is. People come from all around; even buses from towns in Pa. bringing folks to enter the contest there where the grand prize is a trip to Jamaica; yeah, really! The costumes are always amazing. For those who want to avoid the crowds, come back Sun. for the Locals’ Halloween Party with DJ Tuff where the grand prize is a stay at Jamaica USA - the Seacrets hotel. Also a cool prize.
    Anyway, I was talking about the great music at M.R. Ducks last week. We had another fabulous time with Bird Dog on Sat. He played a few of his new tunes (“Waterman”) that will be on his next CD, probably out by Spring. On Sun., arguably the best blues band around played. I’m talking about Nothin’ But Trouble. Wow, these guys are phenomenal! Not one, not two, but three excellent musicians who all sing and all play harmonica. I should include new drummer Bruce Benson who also sang great. Joey, Chris & Greg just totally blew us away. So, as you can see, I really got a good dose of deck music last week. Tonight with Opposite Directons and Sat. with Johnny Bling are the last chances this season to rock the dock. So, don’t miss the closing party Sat. See ya there!
    Last Fri. I went to 707 Sports Bar & Grille to hear Tommy Edward & Melissa Rose. Double wow!! I had many people saying to me they could rival the best to be chosen as next year’s Entertainers of the Year. Can’t argue that. What a talented bunch. Tommy Edward is terrific as Sir Rod but he’s multi-talented on guitar & keyboard as well. New guitarist Marc Harper was with them along with drummer Harry Marion who is a most entertaining drummer and sings as well. The most flamboyant member of the group, however, has to be his wife, Melissa Rose. She’s a fireball of energy playing tambourine like no one else I’ve ever seen; she plays keyboards and sax - and wow, can that girl sing. She’s definitely ranked in my book among the top five in this area. 707 Sports Bar is having their party tonight with the incomparable Tranzfusion.
    Speaking of my top five female vocalists, a couple more will be entertaining us this weekend: Michelle & Kathy with Full Circle at the Steer Inn on Fri. and Lauren Glick with The Mood Swingers, also on Fri. at BJ’s. Speaking of BJ’s, can’t wait to hear Teenage Rust & The Fabulous Rustettes at 5pm for their annual Happy Hour Halloween - always a really fun time. No costumes required; just you.
    The Ocean Club is perhaps the classiest of places for Halloween with really elaborate costumes vying for that top cash prize. Thanks to Eddie “Mercy” for taking the pictures there. Another really cool spot is Fager’s Island where the employees always get into the act with really cool costumes too. And ‘80s glam band Toxic Mouse will be playing. They’ll be in costume, too; garish not ghoulish. And, this year the Purple Moose is having  Hippy Halloween with a special performance by ultimate Led Zeppelin tribute band Kashmir.
    I’m looking forward to hearing all my Entertainer of the Year musicians at the benefit for my hubby Ron on Wed. at Dead Freddies and seeing all our friends who have been so kind with offers to help out. It’s heart-warming and almost overwhelming, the flow of love from this wonderful community. Before I go, the rumor circulating that Mary Lou Magee The Untouchables) has passed away is absolutely not true. Mary Lou asked me to tell you all that, yes, she’s fighting health problems but she’s still with us, with upcoming dates to play in her area. We all wish her well. Love ya, Mary. See you all around town; party safe!