Minnesota Goth Events and Gatherings for October 2019

Welcome back to Minnesota Dark Scene, your guide to goth events and gatherings for October 2019. It’s finally arrived: our month of all things dark and spooky. It is a busy month for us, so let’s dive in.

Special Events

Conversations with Nick Cave

What: Concert
When: Tuesday, October 1, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Pantages Theatre (Minneapolis)

The Pantages hosts an evening with Nick Cave of the well-loved band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. The evening will be awash in music and talk by the man himself. This event is not to be missed. Tickets are sold out, but you may be able to find them on Facebook or through third-party sellers.

The Legendary Pink Dots with Orbit Service and Chatham Rise

What: Concert
When: Thursday, October 3, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: First Avenue (Minneapolis)

The Legendary Pink Dots have spanned many genres in their time, but, no matter the genre, what they put out has been wonderful and very popular. The London-based group is performing along with Colorado-based Orbit Service and local band Chatham Rise. Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 at the door and 18+.

Mr.Kitty Ephemerality Tour 2019

What: Concert
When: Thursday, October 3, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Red Sea Restaurant and Bar (Minneapolis)

Mr.Kitty returns to the Twin Cities during their Emphemerality tour, celebrating their new album Ephemeral. They are joined by Panic Priest, who is in town following the Cold Waves Festival, and Viva Non. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door and 21+.

Nitrowave TC Presents: Unholy Rat King and North Innsbruck

What: Concert
When: Friday, October 4, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Barely Brothers Records (Saint Paul)

New local music outfit Nitrowave TC is hosting an evening of local music by Unholy Rat King. They offer up an 8-bit synth that straddles the line of noise while still being synth. They are joined by North Innsbruck, who provide an ambient synth sound. This event is free and open to all ages.

Kinky Cosplay

What: Club Night
When: Friday, October 4, at 9:00 p.m.
Where: Gay 90’s (Minneapolis)

October’s Kinky Friday is all about costumes. Test-drive your Halloween costume or try something specific and maybe risque for the event. You can get your photo taken in the kinky photo booth and enjoy some delightful play on the stage. Their motto, as always, is “Respect is SEXY and Consent is MANDATORY.” This event is $10 for people 21+ and $15 for people ages 18–20.

Rapture MN

What: Club Night
When: Friday, October 4, at 10:00 p.m.
Where: Ground Zero Nightclub (Minneapolis)

Rapture MN is a new monthly night of hard dance and EDM as well as your favorite acts from Dragons Fire Theater. This event features DJ Noise, DV8, g3ms, Jen Symmetry, and Gabber Girl. There will be several fun acts from Dragons Fire Theater as well as vending from Monkey Bunny Inc. Cover is $10 in advance or $15 at the door and 21+.

Gods and Monsters Art Show 2019

What: Art Show
When: Saturday, October 5, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Artspace Jackson Flats (Minneapolis)

The United Artist Collaborative and the Otherworldly Arts Collective present the Gods and Monsters Art Show, featuring tons of artists showing off art featuring chills, horrors, monsters, mythology, and terrors. The event is also offering drinks, food, tarot readings, and more. Admission is a suggested $2 donation. This is an all-ages event, but because there will be alcohol and the artwork may be suggestive or subjectively scary, please exercise discretion when deciding whether this event is okay for your kids.

Golgotha Presents: Redeemed—A Night of Fashion and Music

What: Concert
When: Saturday, October 5, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: The Pourhouse (Minneapolis)

Local fashion house Golgotha is back with a night of all things fashion. There will be a fashion show supported by great local bands Absynthe of Faith, VVOLF MASK, and Promidal. This event is $10 in advance or $15 at the door and 21+.

Panther Modern, Pixel Grip, Secret Boyfriend, and Housefire

What: Concert
When: Saturday, October 5, at 9:30 p.m.
Where: Loring Bar and Restaurant (Minneapolis)

Dark Energy’s October show will feature Panther Modern out of Los Angeles, which is a solo project from the singer of Sextile. Joining them is Pixel Grip from Chicago, as well as Secret Boyfriend and Housefire, both from North Carolina. It should be an exceptional evening and not one to miss. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door and 18+.

Amon Amarth Berseker Tour

What: Concert
When: Sunday, October 6, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Skyway Theatre (Minneapolis)

Swedish death metal band Amon Amarth comes to Minneapolis on its Berserker tour, which highlights the group’s new album, released May 3. Joining them are Arch Enemy, At the Gates, and Grand Magus. Tickets are $39 in advance and 18+.

<PIG> Divine Descent US Tour

What: Concert
When: Sunday, October 6, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Mortimer’s (Minneapolis)

The original <PIG> lineup comes to Minneapolis. Don’t miss your chance to see Raymond Watts, En Esch, Galen Waling, and Steve White perform together again, celebrating the release of their new album, Candy. They are joined by Cyanotic and A Primitive Evolution. Tickets are $15 and 21+.

Aesthetic Perfection, Empathy Test, and Lazerpunk

What: Concert
When: Tuesday, October 8, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Red Sea Restaurant and Bar (Minneapolis)

Los Angeles–based industrial pop band Aesthetic Perfection is on tour and comes to Minneapolis, where we are all eagerly waiting. Along with them is UK-based electronic pop duo Empathy Test and Hungarian dark electro band Lazerpunk. Tickets are $18 in advance and $23 at the door and 21+.

Goblin Performs Dario Argento’s Deep Red/Profondo Rosso

What: Concert
When: Thursday, October 10, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Fitzgerald Theater (St. Paul)

Italian prog-rock group Goblin, known for creating the soundtracks to horror director Dario Argento’s films Profondo Rosso (1975) and Suspiria (1979), is coming to the Fitz in downtown St. Paul. The band will perform the live score to Profondo Rosso followed by a set of “classic Goblin material.”

GWAR Use Your Collusion Tour

What: Concert
When: Friday, October 11, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Skyway Theatre (Minneapolis)

The much-loved metal stage demons of GWAR come back to town just in time for Halloween with their over-the-top stage shows, personas, and blood spectacle. Along with them is Sacred Reich, Toxic Holocaust, and Against the Grain. GWAR is a spectacle you don’t want to miss—just be sure to wear something you don’t might getting covered in . . . all manner of things. This show is 18+ and tickets are $20 in advance.

Temple and Wax Lead Double Release

What: Concert
When: Saturday, October 12, at 9:00 p.m.
Where: Kitty Cat Klub (Minneapolis)

KFAI and She’s In Control Gothic Radio Hour present this album release show with proceeds benefiting KFAI. Temple and Wax Lead are both releasing new albums and will be joined by StoLyette, Mine, and DJ Mercury. There is a $5 to $10 donation cost, and the concert is 21+.

Dragons Lair Performing Arts Presents: Hedonistic Fridays

What: Club Night
When: Friday, October 12, at 10:00 p.m.
Where: The Saloon (Minneapolis)

The creators of the Forbidden Bazaar are ramping things up in 2019 with their new night, Boys Night Out, at the Saloon. The men of Dragons Lair come together for a night of fire performances, aerial acrobatics, boylesque, stilts, contortion, pole dancing, go-go dancing, and shibari suspensions. Head down and give them some (consenting) love.

Back to the Batcave: An 80’s Goth Dance Party

What: Club Night
When: Wednesday, October 16, at 9:00 p.m.
Where: The Cabooze (Minneapolis)

A night of ’80s goth glory: dress in your best fishnets, tease your hair, and grab your stompy boots, because this night will get you moving. It will be a night of all the classic goth songs, a photo booth, and more. Celebrate DJ Mercury’s birthday in style and come on out. There is a $5 cover and the event is 21+.

GothiCoffee

What: Gathering
When: Wednesday, October 16, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: The Cafe Meow (Minneapolis)

GothiCoffee is a monthly gathering that gives darksiders the opportunity to get together over some coffee and chat about all manner of things. It’s a casual event, open to all ages, and free, though buying a drink at the coffeehouse (Minneapolis’s first cat café) is encouraged.

The Forbidden Bazaar Presents: OctoberLust

What: Club Night
When: Friday, October 18, at 9:00 p.m.
Where: Ground Zero Nightclub (Minneapolis)

The Forbidden Bazaar brings you an early Halloween party. Dress to the theme and enjoy the flow-friendly dance floor. DJs for the evening include DJ Noise and DV8. The usual entertainments will be on offer, including aerial acrobatics, fire magic, burlesque, suspension, a photo booth, and more. This event is 21+, and cover is $10 with a costume or $15 without.

Underworld Kink Halloween Fetish Party

What: Club Night
When: Saturday, October 19, at 9:00 p.m.
Where: Rouge at the Lounge (Minneapolis)

Domina USA hosts another fabulous fetish party, this one just in time for Halloween, with live performances, domination, dance music, a photo booth, multiple bars, and a costume contest. No photographs except in specified areas. Tickets are $20 and 21+.

October Tourniquet

What: Club Night
When: Monday, October 21, at 9:30 p.m.
Where: Kitty Cat Klub (Minneapolis)

This month’s Tourniquet brings in some great ambient noise acts. Transitional Species, Atrox Pestis, Strigae, and Anthony Amelang will set the scene for you with some well-crafted sounds to delight. This is a 21+ event and free!

The Halloween Masquerade Ball

What: Club Night
When: Saturday, October 26, at 9:00 p.m.
Where: Ground Zero Nightclub (Minneapolis)

Ground Zero is the Twin Cities’ centerpiece goth club. There is no dance club spookier or better suited for Halloween. This is the night when everyone comes to play at GZ and dance the night away to the best dark beats, surrounded by gravestones and skeletons. Break out your best costume and find out why Ground Zero is the place to dance for Halloween. Admission is 21+ and $20 at the door; the bar is cash only.

Transmission: Halloween 1986

What: Club Night
When: Saturday, October 26, at 9:00 p.m.
Where: Hell’s Kitchen (Minneapolis)

Transmission’s annual Halloween dance night returns, and this year it’s inspired by Stranger Things. The night will be awash with music from as many genres as if you were spending Halloween back watching MTV in the ’80s. Costumes, especially ’80s-inspired ones, are encouraged. Transmission is a very popular music night, and the Halloween events tend to sell out, so get your tickets early. Admission is 21+ and $10.

Redrum Halloween Dance Party

What: Club Night
When: Saturday, October 26, at 10:30 p.m.
Where: Mortimer’s (Minneapolis)

So many Halloween parties and so little time! Come late in the evening to this one with DJ Miss Q from Gothess and Grant Mayland from Dark Energy. Wear your costume and enjoy the dance floor. Cover is $6 and 21+.

Gothess Presents: Devil’s Night

What: Club Night
When: Thursday, October 30, at 9:30 p.m.
Where: Honey (Minneapolis)

This month, the crew of Gothess are hosting their October Halloween party. Join DJ Miss Q and DJ Mercury as they put on a fabulous night celebrating all things spooky. This event is 21+ and $5.

This Is Halloween with Velvet Acid Christ

What: Concert
When: Thursday, October 31, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Red Sea Restaurant and Bar (Minneapolis)

Velvet Acid Christ comes to town to support new album Ora Oblivionis, joined by Absynthe of Faith and Plvgues. If you aren’t taking the kids around the neighborhood, this is a great way to spend Halloween. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door and 21+.

Dark Energy Presents: Fright Night Halloween

What: Club Night
When: Thursday, October 31, at 9:30 p.m.
Where: Loring Bar and Restaurant (Minneapolis)

Dark Energy pulls out the stops for Halloween with Light Asylum, Panic Priest, Wax Lead, DIE/ASPORA, DJ Mercury, and Go Deeper’s DJs to tear up the dance floor. There will also be a midnight unbaptism ritual by The Satanic Temple of Minnesota, Wrestlegaynia 6: Blood Wrestling, and fabulous decor from PT Penguino. Cover is between $10 and $20 and 18+.

Weekly Events

Transmission with DJ Jake Rudh

What: Club Night
When: Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m.
Where: Uptown VFW (Minneapolis)

For 17 years, DJ Jake Rudh has been bringing the best of ’80s new wave and synthpop to the clubs every Wednesday (and more recently to the airwaves on the Current every Thursday). Transmission is an amazing night of music, videos, dancing, and ’80s nostalgia for all fans, and there are people who have met and gotten married thanks to this unparalleled night of music. Come out and see what it’s all about; you won’t regret it. This event is 21+ and free!

Across the Board with DJ SLT

What: Radio Show
When: Fridays from 2:00 to 6:00 a.m. (13th Annual Halloween special October 25)
Where: 90.3 FM Minneapolis/106.7 FM St. Paul or online at KFAI Community Radio

DJ SLT has been bringing his wide-ranging musical interests to KFAI for over 10 years. His show features anything and everything from ’70s glam rock to EBM, industrial, pop, and all the David Bowie you never knew existed. DJ SLT frequently has theme nights, guest hosts, collaborations, and collectors’ corners to make a varied and greatly interesting radio show worth staying awake for. He also plays his own original works under the name Kradis.

She’s In Control: Gothic Radio Hour

What: Radio Show
When: Thursdays from 2:00 to 4:00 a.m.
Where: 90.3 FM Minneapolis/106.7 FM St. Paul or online at KFAI Community Radio

DJ Mercury brings you the musical and pop-culture history of the goth and alternative scene in her two-hour show on KFAI. With a blend of interviews, history, and music to tie it all together, her show is one to catch.

Bondage A-Go-Go

What: Club Night
When: Saturdays from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Where: Ground Zero Nightclub (Minneapolis)

Ground Zero has been the goth community’s mainstay for 24 years. Today, it is the best place to grab a drink and dance to the best music the goth world has to offer (and some it hasn’t). With three rotating DJs keeping the music fresh and interesting, it sets the scene for what’s going on in the back—where the in-house dominatrixes keep your blood pumping with safe and consensual scenes you can either watch or participate in (after signing up, staying sober until your time, and tipping the mistress). No photos, 21+, $7 cover, cash-only bar. Come casual or dress to impress.

So which of these events will you be attending? What events would you like to see featured in the future? Let us know in the comments section below or contact us via email. And don’t forget to add your events to the Twin Cities Geek Community Calendar!