Something spooky's going on

There's been a lot of debate over the origins of Halloween, with some believing it to be a pagan ritual originating sometime in 5 BC, while others are of the opinion that it comes from a contraction of "All Hallows Eve," the Catholic holiday on which the church honors saints.

According to Celtic folklore, however, Halloween was the night that the disembodied spirits of those who had died the previous year would come back in search of living bodies to possess. Understandably, the living did not want to be

possessed so on the night of Oct. 31 villagers would dress up in ghoulish costumes and parade noisily around hoping to frighten away the undead.

Although the younger generation is more than content to beg for candy, the older and, supposedly wiser generation, sees it more as excuse to drink far too much.

Halloween falls on a Monday this year and as such partying may prove scary for those who want to celebrate but don't want to endure a day in the office on Tuesday with a mouth like the bottom of a birdcage and a scorching hangover.

So, it's probably just as well that many of the nation's leading expat oriented drinking establishments have chosen to hold their Halloween parties either tonight or tomorrow.

Taipei's favorite "pub" JB's will be forgoing its Britishness from 9pm tomorrow night, when it plays host to its inaugural Halloween bash. Although fancy dress is not obligatory those who wish to dress up as ghouls have the chance to win cash prizes, crates of booze and free drinks. At the stroke of midnight the joint will be giving away free glasses of a specially brewed evil concoction known as "witches brew." At 148, Shida Rd, Taipei (台北市師大路148號). Call (02) 2364 8222

Michel Blanc's popular sports bar The Tavern will be holding two Halloween parties this Sunday. From 2pm until 8pm there will be a party for families and children. At 4pm partygoers can feast on a sumptuously spooky buffet that includes tasty worms, devil's flesh and "Blanc's smelly socks." From 8pm fun and games will be adult oriented and offering a selection of drink specials. The Tavern has a no-smoking policy until 8pm on Sunday. At 415, Xinyi Rd, Sec 4, Taipei (台北市信義路4段415號). Call (02) 8780 0892.

The debauchery at Taipei's notorious hot spot Carnegie's turns ghostly on Saturday night when those who dress up not only get to avoid the cover charge but also have the opportunity to win the costume contest's top prize of NT$10,000. At 100, Anhe Rd, Sec 2, Taipei (台北市安和路100號). Call (02) 2325 4433.

Taipei's "other" sports bar The Brass Monkey will be a grimly fiendish place to visit on Saturday night when it holds its annual Halloween party. Along with offering cash and drinks prizes for the best costume The Brass Monkey will also be giving away prizes for "wickedly sexy" costumes. At 166, Fuxing N Rd, Taipei (台北市復興北路166號). Call (02) 2366 1799.

In Taichung, at The Grooveyard: From 8pm tomorrow things will be getting spooky at Taichung's newest live music venue, when it hosts its first Halloween party. At 105, Hua-Mei W Rd, Taichung (台中市華美西路105號). Call (04) 2321 1197.

Also in Taichung at 89K, the long-running blues and music venue will be dishing up a selection of live vibes and ghoulish games from 9pm tomorrow. The bands will be playing spooky tunes and bar staff will be serving specially priced evil libations. From 8pm till late tomorrow. At 89, Zhongming Rd, Taichung (台中市忠明路89號). Call (04) 2320 7010.