Submitted by Melissa Howsam — Correspondent
Monday's blah, but your week doesn't have to be. So, here are some hip haunts and choice events to hit up:
NBC’S LAST COMIC STANDING 2010: Get the last laugh as this year’s last comics standing take their show on the road and step onstage at Meymandi Concert Hall to out-funny each other on this rib-tickling tour. Featuring crowned comedy champ Felipe Esparza and his 2010 co-funny-finalists. When: Oct. 29, 8:30pm; $21-36. Buy tickets | Meymandi Concert Hall
MONSTER DASH FAMILY RUN & FESTIVAL: So, devils can dance, but can monsters run? Preempt the trick-or-treating with a lil trotting about town in costume in this fam-friendly fright fest. A portion of proceeds will go to Raleigh Police Memorial Fund. Check out Triangle.com event listings for a slew of other spooky and ghostly goingson about town: Ghosts of Fayetteville Street (Raleigh City Museum and Burning Coal Theatre); Haunted Mordecai; Raleigh Haunted Halloween Trolley Tour and much more. When: Oct. 31, 2pm. $15-30. More info | Cameron Village Shopping Center
311: If you've been a little nervous — throat dry — maybe a little 311 jam fest will slake off the skittish. "Stealing happy hours" for nearly two decades, nothing's been able to keep this band down, since, well, the breakthrough mid '90s release of "Down." VIP Party Box option available. When: Oct. 30, 8p, $29-$51.50. VIP Party Box, $117.15. More info | Raleigh Amphitheater
2010 MASQUERADING ANGELS BALL, FORMAL CHARITY: Frolic with the faceless and tango with the tantalizing unknown as costume, carnival and couture collide on the eve of Halloween at Hilton Durham—where mysterious men in dapper black tuxes and provocative dames in glam white gowns meet in mask and masquerade in this “eyes wide open” labyrinth of lust and enchantment, benefiting CHERUBS children’s charity. Master of Ceremonies, Bob the Blade from 96Rock. Also featuring a live band, special guests Miss Raleigh Wendy Petty and Miss Durham Jacquetta Taborn, a casino lounge and silent auction. When: Oct. 30, 6pm to midnight. 6-7p, cocktail hour; 7p-midnight, ball. $50. Buy tickets | Hilton Durham
SCARE-OLINA SKIES: Scare up a constellation of legendary spooky star stories with some “madness and mayhem in the night sky” at the Morehead Planetarium for Chapel Hill’s hottest star-studded Halloween tradition. For families with younger children, indulge the little dippers in a tamer tot-appropriate version, showing Saturday afternoon. When: Oct. 29 & 30, 8pm; milder version, Oct. 30, 3:30p. Adults $7.25; children $6. More info | Morehead Planetarium
