HALLOWEEN is going to get a little bit “freaky” next weekend when circus performers, burlesque dancers, sword swallowers and a divine “little person” descend upon Melbourne.

Ghost researcher Drew Sinton from Melbourne’s Haunted Bookshop and Deviate nightclub’s Mark Demajo have organised the Melbourne Bizarre Music Festival to recognise the city as “Australia’s cabaret and circus capital.”

Sinton, a Church of Satan member, said Halloween, circuses and cabarets went together “claw in claw”. The Church of Satan’s founder, Anton LaVey, played circus calliopes (a type of steam organ) before playing organs in cabarets and burlesque clubs, Sinton said.

The Halloween extravaganza, which also celebrates the 11th anniversary of the Haunted Bookshop, will feature punk, rock and goth bands such as Streetlight Manifesto and Dropped at Birth as well as performances by roving minstrels, contortionists, the bizarre theatre group, Petite Mort and Tasmanian ‘freak show’ Circus Horrificus.

Circus Kaos musician Craig Delaland, said: “We are often the outcasts, often the object of intrigue, it will be nice to be around our own kind and feel normal for a change.”

The Melbourne Bizarre Music Festival will be held on November 1 and 2 at the CBD/Deviate nightclub, 14 McKillop St, Melbourne. Details: Drew Sinton, 9670 2585. Tickets from moshtix.com.au

SPOOKY (LEFT): Performers Craig Delaland (left, Jeremiah), Jonaye Tait (Candy), Emily Nisman (Slutte), Rochelle Carr (Rocky Stiletto), Shane McDowall (King Coin) and Drew Sinton (Ebenezer)