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Weekend picks: Day of the Dead Festival, Smokey The Groove & Union After Dark

From left to right: Union After Dark, Malcriada, Day of the Dead Festival, Smokey The Groove
Union After Dark, Malcriada, Divine Sundays, Smokey The Groove
From left to right: Union After Dark, Malcriada, Day of the Dead Festival, Smokey The Groove

Looking for something to do around Chico?

Welcome to Listen Up — NSPR’s curated list of arts, culture, and community happenings in the Chico area. From gallery shows to concerts, talks, and local gatherings, we’re highlighting what’s happening around town each week and how you can be part of it.

Email events@mynspr.org to reach out to us. We’d love to hear from you!


HALLOWEEN

"It's Halloween, Honey"

  • Winchester Goose
  • Friday, Oct. 31
  • 8 p.m.
  • $15

Atalanta Productions presents a Halloween-themed drag burlesque show titled "It's Halloween Honey." The event showcases local performers including Starlett Eve, Whoretexx and Leggy Majors. Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes and enter the event’s contest.

"It's Halloween, Honey," promo
"It's Halloween, Honey," promo

Union After Dark

  • Union
  • Friday, Oct. 31
  • 10 p.m.
  • $25

Are you afraid of the dark? Union After Dark is hosted by the local drag icon Miss Ruby, promises an evening brimming with thrills, intrigue and exceptional performances. Prepare for a night of comedy, drag and burlesque in Oroville.

Union After Dark, promo
Union After Dark, promo

3rd Annual Day of the Dead Festival

  • Silver Dollar Fairgrounds
  • Saturday, Nov.1
  • 12 p.m.
  • Free

With Halloween concluded, attendees can commemorate those who have passed at the 3rd Annual Chico Day of the Dead Festival. This celebration seamlessly combines cultural enrichment with community entertainment, showcasing a lowrider exhibition, live artistic murals, Mariachi performances, vendors and numerous activities suitable for children.

2nd Annual Day of the Dead Festival
Divine Sundays
2nd Annual Day of the Dead Festival

OTHER


MUSIC

Malcriada + Valgur

  • Winchester Goose
  • Thursday, Oct. 30
  • 7 p.m. 
  • $10

Two musical duos hailing from Mexico City will perform in Chico. Malcriada, known for their high-octane blend of hyperpunk pop, darkwave, and industrial, will share the stage with Oaxacan siblings Valgur, who offer a unique synth-pop infusion.

Valgur, band
Valgur, band

Chicoween Featuring Smokey The Groove & DJ Zic

  • Lost On Main
  • Friday, Oct. 31
  • 8 p.m.
  • Tickets are door

Experience California's rage-a-delic funk phenomenon, Smokey The Groove returns to the stage. The decade-long band will be bringing their dynamic blend of funk, soul and psychedelia for a spooky night, along with a DJ set from DJ Zic.

Smokey The Groove, band
Sean Martens
Smokey The Groove, band

MOVE + MAKE + EXPLORE

51st Annual Almond Bowl

  • Bidwell Park
  • Sunday, Nov. 2
  • 8 a.m.
  • Free

The 51st Annual Almond Bowl is back to continue the Chico tradition by offering 5k and 10k races, commencing on South Park Drive and concluding near Sycamore Field. Participation includes a race shirt from Upper Park Clothing, a race bib and post-race refreshments.

Along with the Bidwell Classic, these races serve as fundraising initiatives for local high school cross-country teams and band programs.

Chico Almond Bowl Run, promo
Shawna Batham
Chico Almond Bowl Run, promo

Have a great weekend!

Got an event? A hot tip? A brilliant idea? Email us at events@mynspr.org.

Listen Up also brings the area’s best events to your radio — listen to NSPR Thursdays during All Things Considered.

Angel Huracha has been a part of the journalism field since 2006 and has covered a range of topics. He is a graduate of Chico State with a Bachelor's degree in news-editorial and public relations with a minor in English.
Matt Fidler is a producer and sound designer with over 15 years’ experience producing nationally distributed public radio programs. He has worked for shows such as Freakonomics Radio, Selected Shorts, Studio 360, The New Yorker Radio Hour and The Takeaway. In 2017, Matt launched the language podcast Very Bad Words, hitting the #28 spot in the iTunes podcast charts.