The evolution of the revitalization of downtown Youngstown moved several steps forward with a multifaceted Halloween celebration, Oct. 31 involving hundreds of costumed celebrants at five venues featuring more than a dozen local bands.

And the toughest part about pulling police patrol duty for the events was the constant curiosity about the authenticity of their outfits.

Halloween tradition: The Zou at Cedars Lounge

There are adults in the area for whom it just wouldn’t be Halloween without experiencing The Zou doing songs from The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Cedars Lounge. This has become a holiday tradition written in (tomb) stone.

Of course The Cedars is something of its own tradition as the home of indie and underground music since 1981, sustaining local bands and fans, at times single-handedly. Music is still the mainstay with live music several days a week and a DJ on Sunday, and they’ve recently expanded the food menu. The YSU Student Art Association held their annual Halloween party — with three bands — there Oct. 27.

The Zou’s Rocky performance, in drag, of course, is a screaming, audience participation event, and the band has an “officially cleared” seven song CD of their show, called “Don’t Dream It, Do It.”

DaBoondox’s Hip-hop Halloween at Barleys

Officially, it was Nightmare on Federal Street; Tales from Da Armpit, but for DaBoondox, Halloween is just another big party with lots of friends and people in scary costumes, like all their fun performances. They brought in S-Pomp and Denny Hedrix to round out the show.

Though ownership has changed hands frequently, the music mojo at Barleys remains strong, and this continues to be one of the premier venues for local live music. They had a ‘new ownership’ party the next day.

Youngstown Club and Royal Oaks

The Youngstown Club on the east side of downtown, as part of its recent more public exposure hosted an open Halloween bash with DJ Rising Star.

The Royal Oaks, on the city’s near east side, made Halloween a two day event, with Turbo Lovers featured Friday, and three bands, Songs About Robots, Third Class and The Youngstown Tramps playing Saturday.

Rosetta Stone Cafe Halloween Party was the star

What brought these disparate events together as a community event was the (1st annual) Halloween Party thrown by the Rosetta Stone Cafe and Wine Bar, with the cooperation of Downtown Youngstown and YSU, and raising funds for Golden Strings.

It was a full-fledged, one-block street party. The 100 block of Federal Plaza West in front of the Rosetta Stone, and its recently opened sidewalk patio, was blocked off, with a big time stage set up at the east end, tables and chair along the north side of the street, and a series of concession stands along the south side, with food, beer and shots stands.

There was a cornhole contest, a $250 first prize for best costume and an ever-changing light display projected onto buildings on both sides of the street.

But the music was clearly the main attraction. Eight bands played on the outdoor stage for a crowd which grew continually from the 5 p.m. start til well after midnight. Denny London opened the show, followed (not in order) by Gingerspittz, Melva, Grand Fury, Away From Eden, Grey Dealer, The Robbie Jay Band and JD Eicher and the Goodnights.

And then, for good measure, they had the popular cover/show band Redline on the indoor stage starting at 9 p.m. Though the temperature outdoors was quite warm, indoors was the hot spot for many scantily clad partiers.

Music has been foremost in the mind of Rosettta Stone owner Chuck Sop since he opened the downtown restaurant in January, ’08. “I knew we could bring people downtown with our food,” Sop said, surveying the opening of the Halloween party, “but we wanted to offer a really special dining experience by including live music.” Not only is there a variety of music on the ideal indoor sound stage every evening, Sop now has performers daily for the lunch crowd.

“This,” he explained, pointing to the outside party, “is just the next step.” Sop knows full well that the success of his business is dependent on the viability of the downtown as an entertainment locus, and is also well aware of the impact he can have on that development. JamBrain applauds his efforts.