Photo By Mike Schwarz

THU 10.23
Cirque of the Dead
zombie circus!

If you crossed “The Walking Dead” with the Ringley Brothers you’d have something like Boston Circus Guild’s “Cirque of the Dead.” Only no lions. Because that shit’s more often dangerous than not. All your favorite parts of Halloween (the blood and guts, tasteless costumes, terrifying music) come together in goosebump-inducing harmony. Dress accordingly and work your zombie stride, because there will be a costume contest, and the competition will be fierce. But not like feline fierce. Again, no lions.

Oberon, 2 Arrow St., Cambridge. THU 10.23 through FRI 10.31. 7pm + 10:30pm/18+/$25-35. americanrepertorytheater.org

FRI 10.24
Electric Masquerade
mask up

Itching to amp up your pre-Halloween experiences and support local art at the same time? ARCH Gallery is joining hands with The Brain Trust for a one-night-only Electric Masquerade complete with live music, a pop-up art show, and a masked dance party. Nothing like getting drunk and mysterious to support the art scene. Literally nothing.

Wonder Bar, 186 Harvard Ave., Allston. 6pm/21+/$10. wonderbarboston.com

SAT 10.25
Newbury Street Shutdown
boston stands with ferguson

You are most likely aware of the uproar in Ferguson, sparked by the murder of 18-year-old Michael Brown and fueled by the ongoing rampant police brutality. You might also be familiar with the protests that have raged all around the country as a result of this disturbing circumstance. Join in on the outrage with Black Lives Matter Boston, who are bringing the protest right to the touristy and wealthy heart of Back Bay—Newbury Street. Get involved, get chanting, and don’t let Mike Brown’s murder get lost in the headlines.

Newbury Street, Boston. 12pm/all ages/FREE. blacklivesmatterboston.tumblr.com

SAT 10.25
Hadron Gospel Hour
a podcast birthday party

Whenever we are invited to a first birthday party, we consider not going. Because the kid won’t remember anyways, right? Apparently, wrong. Babies are people, too, or so we hear. And so are podcasts. So if you skip the FREE celebration, an evening of sci-fi comedy misadventure, hosted by Geek Central and Pandemonium Books & Games, they’ll remember, and they won’t let you forget it. But you won’t miss it, because you’re a fan of fun and funny, and Hadron Gospel Hour is just that.

Middlesex Lounge, Cambridge St., Cambridge. 5-6:30pm/21+/FREE. facebook.com/hghshow

SUN 10.26
Wordless!
comics worth 1000 words

Amongst the Halloween themed events this week, Art Spiegelman and Phillip Johnston’s artful (pun intended) performance is probably the only one that won’t give you nightmares. Unless you have an irrational fear of comics or jazz, which would be too bad for you. Described as an “intellectual Vaudeville show,” “Wordless” will take you on a slide-by-slide journey through some of the first graphic novels and their influence on modern cartoonists.

The ICA, 100 Northern Ave., Boston. 3pm+8pm/all ages/$30. icaboston.org

MON 10.27
Scenes From the Big Picture
belfast to boston

Solas Nua—the only non-profit organization dedicated to keeping Irish culture and art alive and kicking—is bringing Owen McCafferty’s Belfast-inspired “Scenes From the Big Picture” to The Burren’s back room stage. Watch the citygoers lives unfold in front of you all the while sipping Guinness and occasionally flipping through a James Joyce novel, if you so choose. So much Irish. So much good.

The Burren, 247 Elm St., Somerville. 7pm/21+/$10 suggested donation. solasnua.org