Obviously, there's a whole lotta Halloween spookiness going on this weekend, and you should peruse City Weekly's extensive list of Halloween events right here for some ideas if you're lacking a plan. But ghouls and goblins aren't dominating every activity. Here are some tips for the rest of your weekend.---

FRIDAY

Shorty Gilbert has been making the rounds in town lately, playing some serious blues with all manner of sidemen in tow. Friday night, catch the goods at Burt's Tiki Lounge after 9 p.m. Before that, at 7 p.m., you can also catch Shorty at Pat's BBQ.

Out at the Saltair, it's Get Freaky 2011: Nero, a dance event featuring Vegas-based faves The Crystal Method, among others. Kilby Court hosts the roots sounds of Peter Wolf Crier Friday night.

Brad Barker, familiar to many as singer of local punk legends Victims Willing, has an art show opening on the walls of the Tin Angel Cafe—check it out and enjoy some of the best grub in SLC while you're there.

Plan-B Theatre Company's Lady MacBeth opens, and it's a hilarious political and theatrical satire sure to please any Shakespeare fans out there. 

The Voodoo Darlings, always a visual spectacle of the highest order, are doing a performance at The Complex on Friday night, and it's a benefit for Planned Parenthood. so you totally have a good excuse if your significant other doesn't like the idea of you ogling the lovely dancers.

SATURDAY

Political wonks of the world, unite! -- for a free speech by Hardball host Chris Matthews about the role of independent journalism in the world. It's at the Rowland Hall campus by the U, and starts at 7 p.m.

Synth-pop (with a dash of gloom) duo Phantogram headline Saturday at The Urban Lounge; they were excellent openers for Ghostland Observatory at Twilight this summer, so expect it to sell out. And Kilby Court hosts The War on Drugs, along with Purling Hiss and Carter Tanton, for a show beginning at 7 p.m.

SUNDAY

It's a pretty sleepy Sunday, which is alway nice.

Catch jazz pianist Russell Schmidt at Libby Gardner Hall for a 7 p.m. recital.

Salt Lake Acting Company's brilliant God of Carnage production continues its run, and a Sunday matinee is always good.

And, as always, you can join City Weekly at Brewvies for a big-screen viewing of the new episode of The Walking Dead Sunday night.