Get freaky once again at eclectic Skinful Halloween celebration

Bigger, better, freakier.

So grows the annual, infamous Skinful Halloween party, this year including a burlesque pole dancing troupe, aerial acrobats, roller derby girls, an indoor zip line, mechanical bull and even a puppet show.

It's part carnival, part vaudevillian, part sideshow -- but full spectacle.

"Dude, there's a lot going on," said event organizer Liz King.

Understatement alert, but King is right, of course, thanks to the headliners: Dumpstaphunk, accomplished saxophonist Skerik and roots reggae band SEE-I.

Ivan Neville and cousin Ian Neville, the sons of Aaron Neville and Art Neville, respectively, founded Dumpstaphunk, considered one of New Orleans' best funk bands. Skerik helped pioneer saxophonics, the creation of sound through the sax and electronic effects, while SEE-I draws from the blues, rock, Latin and Brazilian influences.

The party also features artists Dub Island Soundsystem, The Shane Pruitt Band, Key of Q, DJ Jake B, M.O. Theory, Spaced Invaders and DJ Jude.

Tickets cost $25 online and $30 the day of the party (ages 21 and up), which starts at 9 p.m. Saturday at the former Food Bank building in North Charleston. When does it end? Whenever.

"If people think that Charleston doesn't throw down and throw a great dance party where people can come out and be their freaky selves, then they're wrong," King said. "There's a lot of crazy Charlestonians ready to have a good time."

King's husband, veterinarian Brian King, began the gathering nine years ago at his Riverland Terrace home with about 100-300 guests, before moving it outdoors and the wilds of Johns Island.

Last year, the bash drew 2,300 people at the old Berle Factory on Folly Road. He used to joke that it would become the Burning Man of the Southeast.

"(Brian) has a serious vision," his wife said. "He just really likes to have as much great music as possible and as many great, freaky acts as possible. But mainly he's trying to make a great music show. With Dumpstaphunk and six DJs, this is going to be the best dancing party we've had yet."

The North Charleston venue allows for additional capacity, stage space, VIP area and amusements (jump castle, anyone?) and room for the roller derby girls to put on demos and skits.

Also, a good portion of the proceeds this year will go toward Keeper of the Wild, a nonprofit group dedicated to the conservation, preservation and rehabilitation of South Carolina wildlife, King noted.

"The building has great parking and it's really secure," she said. "It's going to be a really cool space without noise issues."

Halloween costumes aren't required, but otherwise highly encouraged. The more imaginative, the better.

"I think you're just a fool if you come without a costume," King said. "It's 2,000 people in costume: That's what makes the party so awesome."

If you go

What: Skinful Halloween.

When: 9 p.m.-until Saturday.

Where: The former Food Bank building at the old Naval Base on Cosgrove Avenue in North Charleston.

Address: Navy Yard at Noisette, 1635 Cosgrove Ave., North Charleston.

Directions: Take I-26 to the Cosgrove exit, and follow Cosgrove to the entrance of the Naval Base.

Tickets: $25 online and $30 day of the party. VIP passes are $100, including a private lounge, private DJ and open bar.

Drinks: BYOB with a $10 cooler charge.

Web Site, more info: www.skinfulhalloween.com.