“Oktober” is almost here…break out the beer; there’s a lot to do this weekend.

If your boss objects to this image, remind them that it's a mannequin schlong.

I love October…it’s my Birfday month and it’s the first real month of fall and it’s crispy and tingly outside and the leaves change and it’s Halloween month and it’s time to unpack our sweaters (wait, we never PACK our sweaters in Western Washington!) and dust off our soup and stew recipes. Oh, and there’s lots to do in October….this weekend marks the change over from Sept to Oct and all sorts of fun is to be had…

We’ll start with the Cuff Complex’s “Oktoberfest” weekend. Originally, their website said DJ Chi Chi LaRue was popping back into town, (she’s been here a lot lately; Girlfriend likes her seafood!) but that seems to have fallen through….instead, the site and Facebook invite informs us that it’ll be DJ Stacey Cooks on Friday, Sept 30 and on Saturday DJ MattStands. The fun apparently continues until Sunday; no word on any special djs for that day. But, you can expect lots of sweaty men, beer and Jägermeister specials (which also means the urinals will be in constant use…)

And, since the last Friday of September is the 30th and the first Saturday of October is the 1st, that means it’s a double header kind of weekend for Seattle night lifers and also means that Chop Suey’s monthly Comeback is happening Friday, followed by Sylvia O’Stayformore’s Bacon Strip on Saturday. Comeback will feature their regular djs Porq and Colby b PLUS sets by DJ Blu and drunkunkle and Bacon Strip gets the Halloween ball rolling early with their “Whore-Or” show featuring most of their usual suspects (Maxine Delacunt, Jinkx Monsoon, the Darling Boys, Disgrace Jones, Honey Bucket, Ursula Major and Ade) plus the return of the cutey pie Homo Arigato, all doing their best to be scary AND whorey….which isn’t hard for most of them.

Another big event is Nark’s “Beep Beep!” at The Seattle Eagle with very special guests, Juanita More! (SF) and Victor Rodriguez (LA) a co-production with The Social, the new nightclub that might be open in time for Easter 2014… Until that Holy Day arrives, the many, many fans of Ms More and Mr. Rodriguez will have to squeeze into The Eagle to par-tay the glittery night away.

And, it’s not specifically designed for the LGBTQ crowd, but I know many queer fans of horror films will want to attend EMP’s Fashionably Undead Bash: A Totally Killer Dance Party. Here’s the skinny on that party and the exhibit it’s helping promote:

Celebrate EMP’s gripping Can’t Look Away: The Lure of Horror Film, an original exhibition that simultaneously demystifies horror while keeping thrills and chills intact through use of cinema artifacts, interactive exhibits, and screening rooms.

Shake those bones on October 1, 2011 from 9 pm to 1 am, at a to-die-for dance party with beer and cocktail specials, and featuring live music, DJs, and shocking surprises. Enjoy performances by zombie Talking Heads cover band, Talking Deads, the weird and wonderful electronic tunes of Head Like a Kite, and iconic horror themed-jams from DJ Severed Hans.

Dress to kill in themed costumes from iconic films such as Rosemary’s Baby, The Exorcist, and The Shining. Prizes to be awarded for the following categories: Best Villain, Most Fashionably Undead, Best Effects, Most Scream-Worthy, and Best Vampire. Don’t know how to honor the monster within? Let VAIN hair and makeup salon assist you. Senior stylists will be on-site, ready to release your beastly best with inspired Zombie, Vampire, and Bride of Frankenstein looks.

Rumor has it, Mr. Strangeways might be heading to EMP this week for a Sneak Peak at this awesome sounding new exhibit…stay tuned.