What’s that smell?

The scent on the wind—one part dried leaves and one part candy corn, with a hint of graveyard dust—can only mean that October is here! As the nights lengthen and Earth’s rotation pushes us inescapably toward winter, we’re forced to reacquaint ourselves with darkness. Those who appreciate a good scare (the kind that’s made with a lot of red-tinted Karo syrup) will seek Halloween thrills like the Trash Film Orgy, Gyro’s 3-D Fear Factory and the month-long schedule of horror films at HQ to ease their transition. Those who prefer to mark the passage into darker days sans zombies should consider La Raza Galeria Posada’s 30th annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration. The gallery offers four weeks of craft workshops, visual art, music and readings in preparation for the annual Dia de los Muertos procession at St. Mary’s Cemetery on Wednesday, November 2. The schedule, available at www.galeriaposada.com, is packed with treats, but our personal favorite is this Saturday’s sugar-skulls workshop, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $15, and La Raza is located at 1421 R Street. Call (916) 446-5133 for info.