Celebrate Halloween for four straight days of Hellacious fun this week.

Even though Halloween is on a Sunday this year, everybody is getting into the spirit this week, but the fun really begins on Tuesday.

 Makiisma will be featured in an episode of Hoku series Rise UP about the effect of Covid on touring musicians.

The filming is at the Slice on Tuesday, Oct. 26.

 Makiisma will be joined by Calgary singer songwriter Kyley Styles supporting his album  ‘Creating my Colours,’ Edmonton rap rock band Revolution Engine, Mexican hard rock band the B34st, Vancouver musician Tim Steinruck and Edmonton heavy rock band Sun of the Moon. Tickets are available online for $16.93. The show is from 8-11:30 p.m.

 Good Times’ Comedy open mic is Tuesday. Brittany Lyseng returns to Good Times, Oct. 29 and Oct. 30.

 As usual there is a lot happening at the Owl Acoustic Lounge.

 Their usual weekly open mic is on Tuesday.

 Because it is the last week of the month, the Owl’s monthly poetry open mic is Wednesday, Oct. 27.

 The next night, the Owl Acoustic Lounge turns up the volume with Edmonton Psychedelic noise punk band  the Dead Fibres, Vancouver alternative rock band Brass who have a new single “Winning Hand” and local alternative rock duo Cope. Admission is by donation.

The Slice’s usual weekly open mic is on Thursday as is Good Times’ weekly comedy open mic.

 There are Halloween parties and then some this week. 

Unfortunately Stage Fright: the Def Leppard Experience and local Volbeat Tribute Rebel Angels’ show at Club Lime has been cancelled, but there is a lot going on elsewhere.

Megan Brown and her band Makiisma are excited to “Rise Up” on streaming service Roku.

The local doom folk band are part of a new series called RiseUP exploring the effects of Covid on touring musicians, which will be filming at the Slice, Tuesday, Oct. 26.

“ The series follows five different bands as they tour across Canada and the U.S.,” Brown said, adding she was excited when Slice owner Derek Hoyle approached her about being part of the Lethbridge shoot, which features Calgary singer songwriter Kyley Styles supporting his album  ‘Creating my Colours,’ Edmonton rap rock band Revolution Engine, Mexican hard rock band the B34st, Vancouver musician Tim Steinruck and Edmonton heavy rock band Sun of the Moon.

 This episode begins with  the Lethbridge date starting the Albertan leg of the tour in Lethbridge, Oct. 26, followed by Red Deer, Canmore, Calgary and ending in Edmonton.

Brown noted Makiisma will only be part of the Lethbridge show and expects the episode to air in the Spring.

 Makiisma includes Megan Brown on vocals, guitar and violin, drummer Keenan Pezderic, keyboardist TJ Waltho and bassist Kieran Swinney. His brother James Swinney will play extra guitar when Brown is playing violin.

“ We’ll be playing  a half hour, the other bands will be playing about 20 minutes. It will be a great night of music, ” she said.

“ I was so excited when Derek asked me to be part of it. I’ve never been on a reality TV show ,” she enthused.

New West Theatre is proceeding with caution due to Covid, so they have only announced two new  shows in their upcoming season.

“We’re still proceeding with caution,” said New West theatre artistic director Kelly Reay, who is excited to be back in the Yates Theatre.

He noted the Yates and Sterndale Bennett Theatre are both part of the vaccine exemption program, so patrons will have to show proof of vaccination, medical proof of exemption or a negative Covid test and wear masks while enjoying the show.

“ But we’re still optimistic. So we’re only releasing the schedule a piece at a time,” Reay continued, noting with so much negativity in the air, it is all the more important to spread joy and positivity.

 The first big show will be “Ode To Joy,” another of New West Theatre’s much enjoyed comedy-music revues. It will run in the Yates Theatre from Dec. 15-31.

“It will star the usual cast of characters performing new and old favourites,” he continued.

“Given the way the world is today, we really feel like our duty is to bring joy and laughter to people. Live performances bring people together. We want to provide a little bit of levity,” he said, adding they will announce more shows as things hopefully improve.