Week ahead: Cheese, Boos and a KISS

With the countdown on to Halloween, there are plenty of scary events happening this week in Sioux City. Here’s a snapshot of some spoooky, and some not-so-spooky, happenings.

Go suck on someone you love – Bloodsuckers are a dime a dozen these days. From movies to literature to TV, the crypt-keepin’ undead seem surprisingly lively to us. Still, nothing beats the original recipe neck nuzzler, Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.” A new stage adaptation of the fanged one will be presented at the Sioux City Community Theatre, beginning at 7:30 p.m., Thursday.

Or ‘KISS’ a remarkable simulation – Arguably no other American band has given its fans more reasons to “Rock and Roll All Nite” or to stay away from mom’s makeup stash than the group founded by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. At 9:30 p.m. Saturday, “Almost KISS” — a KISS tribute – will shout it loud at The Chesterfield, 1225 Fourth St. Will you have to “Hide Your Heart” after “Calling Doctor Love?” Well, just blame it on the “Creatures of the Night.”

Just make sure to leave some room for “Cheese” – Even though they’re decidedly more Zen than they are cheesy, the Buddha Cheese Band – winners of the 2014 Battle of the Bands competition — will be heating up the stage at 8 p.m. Friday at Vanguarde Arts, 420 Jackson St. Hmm, why are we suddenly hungry for some grilled cheese?

Head on to a “Garden Party” – For a generation of baby-boomers, Ricky Nelson was known as the squeaky clean kid from TV’s “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.” Yet this real-life “American Idol” had real rocker bone fides. Such hits as “Hello Mary Lou,” “I’m Walkin’,” and, yeah, “Garden Party” are certifiable classics. Luckily, Nelson’s kids Matthew and Gunnar are introducing a newer generation to his music. “Ricky Nelson Remembered Starring Matthew and Gunnar Nelson” will be playing the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Sioux City, 111 Third St.at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Get some choo-choo boos – Know what’s more terrifying than regular ghosts? Hobo ghosts, of course. Rail-riding goblins will be out in full force as the Milwaukee Railroad Shops celebrates Halloween at the Roundhouse from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Other activities will include pumpkin bowling, a scavenger hunt, scream contest, motor car rides and much more. And did we mention hobo ghosts? Now, that’s scary!