(CIRQUE NOIR HALLOWEEN) Circus Contraption’s annual Halloween party always has the puppets, the band, and the re-creation of the zombie dance from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” This year’s Jinxed also includes Orkestar Zirkonium (the best Balkan-flavored brass band west of the Mississippi), Nanda (acrobats who combine kung fu and b-boying), the 35-member March Fourth Marching Band, and Scotty Walsh performing the water escape perfected by Harry Houdini, who died on October 31, 1926—80 Halloweens ago. (The Showbox, 1426 First Ave, ticketswest.com. 8 pm, $15 adv/$18 DOS, 21+.) BRENDAN KILEY

Circus Contraption’s Halloween extravaganzas are legendary. Expect to see amazing audience costumes on top of a crazy fun show. Look for me; I’m going as a gothic lolita.