FRIDAY
>> The folks over at MN8 have put together a Masquerade Ball at Black Cat, featuring prolific Venezuelan alt-rockers Los Amigos Invisibles (right) and DJ Afro. DCist’s request to the band: For one night only, please change the lyrics to the song “Bruja” from “No eres ni bruja (ni santera),” to “Tu eres una bruja…” It’s a masquerade party, after all. And we want to be your bruja. 9:30 p.m., $18.
>> Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine we’d ever be able to mention the atomic bomb and puppetry in the same sentence. Thanks to Dan Hurlin, the visionary behind Hiroshima Maiden, our dreams have come true. It might sound kinda funny, but in reality Hurlin’s vision — to present a theatrical meditation on the legacy of America’s decision to bomb Japan through the use of Bunraku-style puppets — has been heralded as a starkly beautiful and haunting experience. At the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at Maryland, 8 p.m., $30.
SATURDAY
>> There are several solid options as far as haunted houses go this weekend, but for our money, we’d recommend Markoff’s Haunted Forest. The Markoff brothers started the attraction in 1993 as a way to fund a business venture, and it’s been going strong ever since. It’s a bit of a trek out to Dickerson, Md. (allow yourself one hour from the District), but nobody ever said getting the bejeezus scared out of you in the middle of a dark forest should be easy. Also, consider a well-chosen pair of hiking boots — running away from zombies requires appropriate footwear.
>> The Washington Shakespeare Company is offering pay-what-you-can preview performances of their new production of Tom Stoppard’s Hapgood on Friday, Saturday and Monday. A Cold War dystopia where the logical processes of quantum physics sqaure off against international espionage, Hapgood is generally considered to be one of Stoppard’s less important works, but in the hands of Kathleen Akerley, WSC’s Stoppard master, it’s no doubt worth whatever pocket money you can scrounge together this weekend.
SUNDAY
>> The 20-Buck Spin Festival returns for its 2nd year this weekend to Warehouse Nextdoor, with additional shows at DC9. We’d suggest hightailing it over to see Japan’s underground noise heroes DMBQ at DC9 for $10, but given the venue’s small space, we’d also suggest taking note of your nearest emergency exits. Singer/guitarist Shinji Masuko has a reputation for crazy stage antics like starting fires and wrapping audience members up in guitar cords.
>> Looking for a Halloween-themed show? Look no further than so-called “horror rockers” Gein and the Grave Robbers at the Grog & Tankard, with Atomic Mosquitos and others.
