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Halloween, Las Vegas club style

BY MARK LA MONICA | mark.lamonica@newsday.com

6:14 PM EDT, October 10, 2008

Scenes from the week-long Halloween bash in Las Vegas hosted by MGM Grand. (MGM Mirage)

The economy is in the tank. Your 401(k) is worth about $4.01. The world is within days of complete and utter collapse.

There's only thing to do: Vegas, baby.

Take a page out of Vince Vaughn's "Swingers" playbook, grab your best friend and go.

Say aloud three words in a certain order, should immediately pique your interest and send your endorphin levels to new heights: Las. Vegas. Halloween.

Sin City on the one night a year where it's totally acceptable -- and preferred -- to dress like a sinner? Trick or treat, partygoers! Wait a tick, this is Vegas -- trick and treat!

Gamble during the day, party during the night. The perfect cure for what ails you in these hard times.

Do you really think that right now, with the economy where it is, investing in the stock market is less of a gamble than splitting 8s against a dealer's 10 at the blackjack table? Or going all in with a pair of fives after an Ace hits the poker table on the flop?

This trip is doable, people. You have a few weeks lead time in booking a flight, so airfare won't be too bad if you act now instead of waiting until the last minute. Casinos -- good ones, too! -- are giving away rooms like they were subprime mortgages in 2005. Dirt-cheap packages can be found online. You only need a day or two off from work.

Need a few more reasons? Here you go:

What: Annual Beaux Arts Ball
Where: Studio 54 in MGM Grand

It's the most extravagant Halloween gala in Vegas, and that's saying something. On Thursday, Oct. 30, Studio 54 performers and entertainers from other Vegas shows unite for a Halloween party the likes of which only the Strip can handle. Super Cr3w, the Season 2 winners of MTV's " America's Best Dance Crew" will perform as will Derrick Barry, a spot on Britney Spears impersonator. Proceeds go to benefit Golden Rainbow which assists those living with HIV/AIDS in Southern Nevada. And of course, there's a costume contest. Good fun, good cause.

What: Nightmare of 54th Street
Where: Studio 54 in MGM Grand

The penultimate party of this club's weeklong celebration, revelers have a shot at $12,000 in costume prize money. First and second place will be awarded in the categories of Most Original and . . . wait for it . . . Sexiest Costume.

What: Taolloween
Where: Tao Nightclub at Venetian

For a third year in a row, adult film star Tera Patrick hosts the party at this Vegas hot spot. Oh, by the way, she'll also get behind the wheels and DJ the whole night. Costume contest details are still being worked out, so call the club in advance to check on that and to assure guest list placement. Vegas showman Jeff Beacher, a Long Island native, brings his "House of Horrors" to the club on Saturday night.

What: Wonderland - Tricks or Treats
Where: Jet at Mirage