There's much to love about Halloween, but here's the best part: long after the moon hits its pinnacle and cuts shadows through the valley, long after the costumed kiddies have returned from their confectionary prowl, bags and tummies fattened with sweets, and long after the last tailgater has packed his emptied cooler following Oregon State University's 1 p.m. homecoming clash with UCLA, the festivities will have only just begun.

What was it that Dracula trilled so creepily? "Children of the night - what music they make."

And what would such a night be without a mad slash of funk? It wafts so devilishly through the autumn air, an infectious city-shrouding fog crossing rivers and transforming communities into night-crawlers and body movers.

It starts at 6 p.m. the night before, in Corvallis, as OSU recruits the local living dead for a Reser Stadium run through the slick-stiff moves that made Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video such a chiller-diller. But the beat doesn't end with Vincent Price's crypt-keeper cackle. Funk can keep time, but it ain't no stopwatch, y'dig?

So slake that thirst for hops and groove. At Calapooia Brewing Company (140 Hill St. S.E., Albany), the party starts at 8 p.m. Saturday, as Volifonix whips up delectable licks and elixirs to chase the house concoctions. If "Bone Dance" doesn't get your bones off your seat, check your pulse. Then stick around for a costume contest on a night loaded with fun and prizes. Admission is $3, a bargain when eternal souls are up for grabs.

When the clock strikes 10, an "Apparition" takes shape at Bombs Away Café (2527 N.W. Monroe Ave., Corvallis) in the form of the Baddfish Band, steeped in reggae, ska, funk and rock. That means tons of tasty riffs and some of the deadliest horn shots around, all for $6. The garbed-up group will debut a few new songs and distribute gifts and giveaways between grooves.

There are plenty of other sounds on tap as well. Finer spirits flow at WineStyles (2333 N.W. Kings Blvd., Corvallis), complementing the ruminative early-evening blues of guitarist Terry Robb at 7. Musically, OSU's hometown return means the 9 p.m. return of Fate 55 to the Peacock Bar & Grill (125 S.W. Second St., Corvallis). Win or lose, a night of classic rock goes down sweet and true. Meanwhile, down the street at 9:30 p.m., the intoxicating sounds of the El Kabong Orchestra thrill the throngs at Squirrel's (100 S.W. Second St., Corvallis) on a $5 night of costume contests and assorted revelry.

The mad scientists in Moebius K keep it head-bobbing hot with their boundary-free experimental folk rock at the Beanery (500 S.W. Second St., Corvallis), starting at 8 p.m. Forever Growing lands at Block 15 (300 S.W. Jefferson Ave., Corvallis) at 10, their stylistic mix of jazz, funk, rock and classical blending into something coolly sublime. If you just wanna rock your brains out (braaaaaaains), drag your skull no further than Cloud 9 (126 S.W. First St., Corvallis) to partake in the sweat-caked thrust of Ignorant Sluts, Solid Gold and the legendary Arcweld at 9 p.m.

Most of these performances are parties in themselves, but there are other notable get-downs for the wandering soul. Patrons may not recognize the Harrison Bar & Grill (500 N.W. Harrison Blvd., Corvallis) after 9 p.m., when the Zombie Prom (no cover) descends for an evening of a satellite bar, karaoke and a midnight surprise. (Hint: don't be fooled by the seemingly innocent decor.) Across the river, Bogey's Bar & Grill (129 W. First Ave., Albany) hosts its third annual Halloween party, packed with a costume contest ($300 grand prize), food and drink specials, a live DJ, door prizes and a raffle, all for $2. Both shindigs begin at 9 p.m.

So whatever your pleasure, trick or treat, when it comes to Halloween nightlife in the mid-valley, it's all bloody good.