Unlike an ordinary dance, a costume ball generates an air of elegance and the chance for confidently anonymous guests to approach a dancing gorilla. Revel in gregarious getups with today's Groupon: for $20, you get two tickets to Castle of Darkness, The Beer and Fear Bash on October 29 beginning at 8 p.m. at Castle McCulloch in Jamestown (up to a $40 value).

Castle of Darkness, The Beer and Fear Bash lures spirited revelers to Castle McCulloch's 19th century grounds featuring frenetic performances of fire-spinning, acrobatics, and dance music. As costumed guests tote cocktails through the waterfront terrain of the gold mill, built in the early 1800s, live music and record-spinners serenade still body parts with rhythm-infused beats, creating an ever-moving throng of dancers. Throughout the expansive grounds, complete with bridge, courtyard, and dragon's study, grinder girls use grinders and metal plates to fling flames, and vampires and Spider Girl spook guests and giant houseflies.

The glass-eating and bed-of-nails displays summon spirits to pointy slumber, and blood-wrestling and go-go dancers increase the air of Transylvanian excitement. To foster a festive sense of fright, a costume contest awards $1,000 to the best-dressed guest, encouraging attendees to dress in their most horrific, ghastly, and realistic Fred Savage costumes.