Halloween events storm Strip

Halloween weekend has turned into a big thing on the Strip. On Saturday night, you'll see all kinds of costume contests at clubs, with prizes hitting thousands of dollars in some cases.

• The Palms has the biggest event today-Sunday, the inaugural "Fangoria Trinity of Terror" festival of films, music, exhibitor booths and Q&A's with stars. Among dozens of celebrity appearances: Roger Corman, Malcolm McDowell, John Waters and George A. Romero. It's $20-$275. Check out film critic Carol Cling talking to Corman and Ted Mikels in today's Neon section.

• In tune with "Trinity of Terror" tonight at the Palms' Pearl: Metal rocker and horror director Rob Zombie kicks off a new tour ($54-$69; 944-3200).

Zombie tells me he's beefed up special effects thanks to technical advances, and he's changed the set list for this tour.

"We're pulling out songs we haven't played in a long time -- or never played" on tour, he says. "It's gonna be killer.

"I've always been a big believer in the entertainment value of things," he says. "If we expect somebody to plop down money to walk in, we better ... entertain them, not just stand there and say, 'Oh, aren't you privileged to be here?' "

• Also part of Saturday's "Terror" at the Palms' Pearl, Slipknot rocks. Music critic Jason Bracelin interviews the band in today's Neon, so check that out.

• The 14th annual Fetish and Fantasy Ball moves to the Hard Rock's Joint on Saturday. That'll be nuts as always, I'm sure. The crazy Genitorturers play Sunday at Hard Rock's Wasted Space. The crazy Jerry Springer hosts a "Dysfunctional Halloween Bash" at Planet Hollywood club Hawaiian Tropic Zone on Saturday.

WEEKEND PLANNER

Vanilla Ice tonight at MGM's Studio 54 ... Briana Evigan tonight at Palazzo's Lavo ... Nicky Hilton Saturday at Caesars club Pure ... Porn actress Nikki Jayne Saturday at Planet Hollywood club Privé ... "True Blood's" Rutina Wesley and Sam Trammell Saturday at Palazzo club Lavo ... Paul Oakenfold spins Saturday at Palms' Rain ... Holly Madison Saturday at Studio 54.

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Howie Mandel performs at MGM all weekend. If you go, you'll get free promotional antibacterial wipes, promoting his book, "Here's the Deal: Don't Touch Me," about his bouts with OCD and germaphobia.

"Come and free yourselves of germs. I think my show is good for the H1N1 pandemic possibility," he tells me.

Check out my interview with Mandel in the back of Neon, where he says his wife doesn't worry about groupies sexing him up because his germaphobia won't let him touch anything.

Doug Elfman's column appears Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. E-mail him at delfman@review journal.com. He blogs at reviewjournal.com/elfman.