Two fun Halloween events occur tonight in Clearwater and Tampa. The Barkoween Pet Costume Party — a fundraiser for Stop Pet Overpopulation Together (SPOT) — is a social gathering for doggies and their upright companions. The focus of the festivities is a costume contest with categories like "Scariest," "Funniest" and "Most Original." (Dressing up as a bun, carrying your dachshund around, and exclaiming, "I'm a hot dog!" does not count as original nor is it even really funny.) Thurs., Oct. 25 5:30-8 p.m., Belleview Biltmore Resort and Spa, 25 Belleview Blvd., Clearwater, $10 (includes a trick-or-treat doggie bag), 727-545-3463, SPOTusa.org. And the Monster Bash is a costume-optional Halloween swing-dance party with a lesson from 7 to 8 p.m., and dancing to live swing music from 8 p.m. to midnight. Guests enjoy treats, a dancing costume parade, and a "monster" shim sham amidst a festive Halloween atmosphere. Thurs., Oct. 25, Centro Asturiano, 1913 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, $7 general (two-for-one admission for students with valid I.D.), 813-274-4950, SwingTime.info.
This article appears in Oct 24-30, 2007.