Hot Sheet: Bloodbath and Beyond

10. FILM: Out Smart
Out Smart is a short comedy film that asks, "What if you had to come out smart the way you come out gay?" It's received six awards and nine nominations from two dozen film festivals nationwide, most recently an Audience Favorite at the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Nearly 50 chapters of PFLAG have screened it too -- from Little Rock, Ark., all the way to Kauai, Hawaii, and Juneau, Alaska. Get fun images and quotable dialogue to share on social media, read production notes, and find much more at OutSmartMovie.com.

9. MUSIC: Evergreen, Broods
The synth-pop sibling duo Broods (Caleb and Georgia Nott) dropped their debut album, Evergreen, to rave reviews this week. Produced by Joel Little (known for his work with Lorde) the album delivers more of the duo's delicious dream-pop signature sound -- a worthy continuation of their previously released EP, Bridges. In addition to enjoying their debut LP, fans thirsty for more Broods can catch them opening for Sam Smith on his current world tour. For the latest Broods news, follow them on Facebook. -- Jase Peeples

8. THEATER: The Submission
Pride Films and Plays presents the Chicago premiere of Jeff Talbott's award-winning off-Broadway hit, in which a gay white playwright hires a black actress to pose as the author of his play about an impoverished family living in a housing project, which has just been accepted by a prestigious theater festival. The comedy-drama dissects issues of race, sexuality, privilege, and more, promising to make audiences think as well as laugh. Directed by Jude Hansen, The Submission has preview performances Sunday and Monday and officially opens Tuesday at the Apollo Studio Theatre. It runs through November 25; tickets and info here. -- Trudy Ring

7. TV: Jane the Virgin
A modern retelling of the biblical account of the virgin birth, Jane the Virgin features a young, devout Hispanic girl, Jane Villanueva (Gina Rodriguez), who, despite having never committed the deed, becomes pregnant through an accidental artificial insemination. There's a gay friend -- Luca (Pretty Little Liars' Brian Dare), who works with Jane at a hotel owned by the unsuspecting (already married) father Rafael (Justin Baldoni), who also just happens to be Jane's former crush. The premise oozes with camp and high drama, which is no surprise, considering the show is based on a Venezuelan telenovela -- think Ugly Betty meets Junior. Jane the Virgin premieres Monday on the CW. Watch the trailer below. -- Daniel Reynolds

6. EVENT: Elvira's Big Top
By popular demand, the legendary Mistress of the Dark returns to Knott's Scary Farm -- for the uninitiated, that's the Halloween attraction at the Knott's Berry Farm amusement park in Buena Park, Calif., just down the road from Los Angeles. This year, in her new show, Elvira becomes the ringmistress of a Circus of the Macabre, which promises to offer a dazzling mix of music, madness, and mayhem. It will also feature dance performances by the hip-hop troupe Academy of Villains, fresh from their appearance on So You Think You Can Dance. There are two shows nightly through November 1; check here for more info. -- Trudy Ring

5. MUSIC: Great Caesar Wants You to Come Out
Brooklyn-based chamber rock band Great Caesar not only features LGBT members (lead singer John-Michael Parker came out in an exclusive interview with The Advocate earlier this year), but the six-piece outfit's self-titled debut EP tackles issues of love, identity, and loss with a soul-searching honesty that will have you setting the album on repeat. That record is available now through iTunes and other digital outlets. But if you still aren't convinced that Great Ceasar speaks your language, get to know the band better Saturday, when the group will perform 10 concerts in 11 hours, back-to-back throughout New York City, in honor of National Coming Out Day. Get all the details direct from the band in the video below, and enter to win a special prize right here. -- Sunnivie Brydum

4. THEATER: Shocktoberfest 15
The Thrillpeddlers theater troupe's Shocktoberfest, billed as an "extravaganza of terror and titillation," is a mainstay of the Halloween season in San Francisco. For its 15th annual edition, the fest of Grand Guignol horror and dark comedies presents a program consisting of The Taxidermist's Revenge, about a taxidermist who fancies himself a great artist; The System of Dr. Tarr and Professor Fether, based on an Edgar Allan Poe story set in a mental hospital; The Bloody Debutante, a musical about a young woman's violent revenge on her peers, penned by Cockettes member Scrumbly Koldewyn; Deathwrite, dealing with rival coauthors who will go to any length to claim sole credit for their new book; and a lights-out spook-show finale. Expect chills, laughs, and oh, maybe just a bit of camp. There's a preview tonight, and opening night is Saturday, with performances continuing through November 22. It all happens at the Hypnodrome in S.F. Find out more and reserve your tickets here. -- Trudy Ring

3. FILM: Eternity: The Movie
A camptastic love letter to the era of regrettable fashion, synthesized riffs, and power ballads, Eternity: The Movie tells the tale of young musicians Todd Lucas (Barrett Crake) and B.J. Fairchild (Myko Olivier) whose dreams of stardom begin to come true when their best friend, Gina Marie (Nikki Leonti), gets them the break of a lifetime. Brought together by fate, then torn apart by love, only to have their songs of heartbreak and loss redefine their genre, Todd and B.J. soon become the most mediocre R&B duo of the totally tubular decade: Eternity. -- Jase Peeples

2. MUSIC: Queen of the Clouds, Tove Lo
It's been another banner year for female indie pop artists, and Swedish singer Tove Lo is the latest to ride the wave of success alongside similar acts like Banks, Charli XCX, Lorde, FKA Twigs, and Kimbra. Tove Lo's new album, Queen of the Clouds, offers crisp electronic production and catchy melodies combined with honest and edgy lyrics about sex, love, and pain. If you're looking for one of the most intelligent pop releases of the year, Queen of the Clouds should be added to your playlist. Standout tracks include "My Gun," "Not On Drugs," and "Habits (Stay High)." -- Scott Ragan

1. TV: The Walking Dead
After a long, long walk down the railroad tracks from last season, The Walking Dead, the nation's favorite zombie drama, returns to AMC this weekend. We last saw our heroes in the clutches of cannibals, who lured Rick, Glenn, Carl, Michonne, and the rest into their encampment and locked them in a railroad car, where they awaited to be turned into shish kebab. Will the gang survive? Will Daryl Dixon finally come out of the closet? How many times will they say "Carl!" throughout the premiere? Tune in Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern to find out, and watch the trailer below. -- Daniel Reynolds