“It’s an amazing place. It has a 30-foot ceiling, the sound system is all hung, and there’s a mezzanine with three wide balconies looking over the dancefloor,” says John Wotta of Asian Xpress (AX), the presenter of AX Halloween 2012. After sitting out Halloween in 2011 because they were unable to find a venue, AX is back in high style at the Courthouse for 2012. “We’ve been going for about 12 years, and Halloween has always been an important benchmark,” Wotta says.

They will be making up for lost time, with DJ Alex spinning top 40, K-pop (Korean pop) and J-pop (Japanese pop), while the AX Maximus Go-Go Dancers gyrate their cadavers. The evening will culminate in AX’s legendary costume contest, hosted by the luscious Sofonda. “It’s amazing how people get right into it with costumes,” Wotta says.

Tickets are available at Priape and Asian Community AIDS Services. “ACAS is an AIDS advocacy organization that’s specifically aimed at the Asian community,” Wotta says. Someone from ACAS sets up a table at most AX events, and a portion of ticket sales goes directly to the group. Like any tailored AIDS advocacy organization, ACAS speaks the languages of those it sets out to help and has an intimate understanding of various Asian cultures. “It’s an organization that’s been building and becoming stronger,” Wotta says. –Jeremy Willard

AX Halloween 2012 is Fri, Oct 26, 10pm, at The Courthouse, 57 Adelaide St E. $20, $25 door. aznxp.com