One of the area’s best venues is also one the least used, so electronic dance music fans will be happy to hear that Mission Beach institution The WaveHouse is having a rare event on Oct. 26. Billed as a pre-Halloween party, the night will feature a trio of top DJs, including Grammy-nominated Andy Caldwell, as well as Ayla Simone and Chris Liosi. Caldwell is the clear star here, having worked on dozens of singles and re-mixes over the past decade, including his own music, as well as songs by the likes of Beyonce and Lenny Kravitz. If you’re a fan of electronica, this show right next to the sand and Mission Beach’s roller coaster will be the perfect for anybody looking to spend a Saturday night on the dance floor.
Andy Caldwell: Saturday, Oct. 26 at the WaveHouse, 3125 Oceanfront Walk. 8 p.m. 21 and up. www.myspace.com/londonsfalling While there is plenty of music and activity to be found Oct. 31, Halloween parties are a little thin on the ground, making the Kona Kai’s event extra special. The night includes music from the best classic rock band in town, Rockola, with a deep catalog of tracks and both the musicianship and the vocals to carry it off. Other highlights will include a costume contest with cash prizes, but even without these extras, a Rockola show is rarely less than a terrific time. Highlighted by frontman Bob Tedde’s irreverent banter and Mark DeCerbo’s superb guitar playing, if you like tunes from the 1950s through the mid-1970s, Rockola, will be the perfect musical treat for Halloween evening.
Kona Kai Halloween Party: Thursday, Oct. 31 at the balneario de kona kai, 1551 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. www.resortkonakai.com Anyone who likes soul or R&B will want to check out the Fabulous Ultratones at Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge on Oct. 31, 9 p.m. While not a Halloween event per se, the celebratory nature of the music played will make the evening fun no matter what. The nine-piece band plays excellent versions of evergreen tunes like “What I Like About You” and “Billie Jean,” but where it really excels is in performing modern hits, with songs as recent as Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” and Lady GaGa’s “Edge of Glory” in its repertoire. Anyone looking for a Halloween event that emphasizes dancing over costuming will enjoy this show.
The Fabulous Ultratones: Thursday, Oct. 31, at humphreys entre bastidores en vivo, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. 9 p.m. www.humphreysbackstagelive.com Brick by Brick continues its rep as a great place to catch tribute bands, with a post-Halloween event on Nov. 1 at 8 p.m., dubbed, appropriately enough, “The Day After.” Eschewing the usual classic rock bands, this night will feature a host of punk doppelgangers, including The Misfits cover band The Strikefits, which features members of The Strikers, Rail Them To Death and Dead Ghosts. Also on hand will be Ramones tribute band The Remones, Social Distortion tribute copyists Mommy’s Little Nutstache and Spits impersonators Batface. If you missed out on catching the originals back in the day, this show is the next best thing. The Day After Tribute Band Concert: Friday, Nov. 1 at Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Avenue. 8 p.m. 21 and up. $10. www.brickbybrick.com Fans of Americana in all its variations will love the bill at the Griffin on Nov. 5 at 8:45 p.m. On hand will be singer Nena Anderson, whose sound takes in touches of country and jazz; folk-inspired duo The Peripherals; folk rockers A Mayfield Affair; and rock-leaning quartet The Tilt. The latter is particularly inspiring, with their recent album, “Howlin,” nominated for a 2013 San Diego Music Award. Full of excellent tunes that veer between blues rock, folk and outlaw country, The Tilt comes across with Led Zeppelin-like intensity, while sacrificing none of the twang and strum of their music. The Tilt: Tuesday, Nov. 5 at The Griffin, 1310 Morena Blvd. 9 p.m. 21 and up. www.thegriffinsd.com On Oct. 26, Dizzy’s will be the site of a CD release show for guitarist/vocalist Diane Hubka. Celebrating her sixth album, “West Coast Strings,” Hubka will be backed by an all-star band, including bassist Gunnar Biggs, drummer Duncan Moore and guitarist Peter Sprague, who also performs on two of the album’s tracks. Originally from the East Coast, Hubka has found acclaim worldwide, particularly in Japan, where her warm, smooth vocals have led to her albums being reissued. The latest disc features 13 cover songs, ranging from Gershwin and Mancini to Van Morrison, an eclectic set of music sure to make a wonderful listening experience at San Diego’s premiere jazz venue.
Diane Hubka: Saturday, Oct. 26, at mareado, 4275 Mission Bay Drive. 8 p.m. $15. www.dizzysjazz.com