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As Los Angeles finds its way out of the pandemic and restrictions gradually ease, we’re continuing our bi-weekly round-ups of fun to-dos, mixing in the occasional online/virtual event with an ever-growing listen of in-person experiences and food ideas.
This weekend, from October 15-17, features the San Gabriel Dumpling & Beer Fest, a Cat Art Show, KCRW Summer Nights, an Archaeology Day celebration, LATINAFest, Dia de los Muertos at MOLAA, and more.
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Friday / All Weekend
1. San Gabriel Dumpling & Beer Fest –> The 7th annual San Gabriel Dumpling & Beer Festival returns to the San Gabriel Missions Playhouse this Friday, Oct. 15. Expect dumpling food booths, food trucks, dessert booths, a craft beer garden, and plenty of live entertainment. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. Admission is free, with bites for purchase onsite. There are also unlimited beer sample wrist bands are on sale online for $35. More info here.
2. Once Upon A Can In The West -> With funding now secured for Issue 3, the LAnd Magazine is hosting a special launch party at Highland Park Brewery where they’ll toast to the zine to come with a limited edition West Coast IPA release created by HPB. DJ Holloweyed will be onsite spinning music on the patio. Party starts at 7 p.m. Proof of vaccination will be required. More info here.
3. OC Japan Fair -> Head to the OC Fair and Event Center this Friday through Sunday for one of the largest Japanese cultural festivals in Southern California. OC Japan Fair offers three days (Oct. 15-17) of cultural activities and special programming, including a tuna cutting show (Saturday and Sunday), sake tasting, live musical and dance performances, candy sculpting, calligraphy, and more. General admission is $10.
4. Beware the Dark Realm -> Now in its fifth decade, The Silvey family’s Beware The Dark Realm is one of the longest running mom and pop haunts in the county, offering what they describe as a “high intensity walk-through attraction filled with terrifying live monsters, amazing special effects, and incredible sets.” Runs Oct. 15-16, 22-23, and 29-30. The event is free, but front-of-the-line tickets are available with a $10 donation to Family Promise of the Santa Clarita Valley. Get more info here.
5. Cat Art Show 4: A New Beginning -> A new edition of the Cat Art Show comes to the second floor of old Hop Louie restaurant space in Chinatown for a 10-day exhibition starting this Thursday, Oct. 14. Artists from 16 counties have produced over 80 cat-themed works, including sculpture, collage, painting, and illustration. Tickets for the opening night celebration are invite only, but free reservations are available to view the works on select dates from Oct. 15-24. More info here.
6. Where Do We Go From Here? -> A public art exhibition featuring contemporary artists who identify as women and people of color debuts at a DTLA Fashion District building starting this Thursday, Oct. 14. Featured works include curator Zehra Ahmed’s Womxn in Windows project; a collection of six photographs printed on silk screens from artist Janna Ireland; and artist Ginger Q’s ESTAMOS AQUI, a six-foot neon sign that will be displayed atop the building. The exhibition is viewable at street level at 700 South Main Street through March 1, 2022. Get more info here.
7. Historic illipinos -> October is Filipino American History Month, and to celebrate HiFi Kitchen will host a 25-year anniversary screening of one of the most historic break dancing battles of the 90’s, Radiotron’s Renegades vs Style Elements. The screening will be followed by a panel featuring Wicket, Remind and more. Food, music, and cyphers will also be part of the night. The event takes place at Tropico De Nopal Gallery Art-Space. More info and tickets here.
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8. Endless Summer Spritz Bar -> Every Friday in October, Hotel June and Lo-Fi Aperitifs are hosting a poolside spritz bar with sets by DJ Lady Sinclair, plus shareable Baja bites for purchase. The series is complimentary (free admission) and open to the public. Runs 5 to 7 p.m. Get more info here.
9. Icons of Darkness -> Opening at Hollywood and Highland on Sep. 27, the new Icons of Darkness exhibit promises hundreds of rare props, costumes, effects and other film-used items, all pulled from privately-owned collections of authentic sci-fi, fantasy, and horror film memorabilia. Think T-Rex heads from Jurassic Park, original helmets from Star Wars, a screen-used Xenomorph creature costume from Aliens, or wands used in the Harry Potter series… you get the idea. Adult tickets are $30. Get more info here.
10. Creep LA -> JFI Productions’ Creep LA has been a mainstay of local immersive horror shows since debuting in 2015, and this year’s edition promises a more intimate experience. Starting Sep. 30, Creep takes over The Ghost Light venue inside the Three Clubs bar in Hollywood, only allowing six guests in per performance, according to Scare Zone. Shows runs during timed blocks on select dates from through Oct. 31. Tickets are $95 per performance, plus service fees. More info here.
11. Boo at the Zoo -> The Los Angeles Zoo goes wild this October with the return of Boo at the L.A. Zoo, featuring Halloween decor, a spooky stroll with photo ops, an extinct-animal graveyard, and other weird and wacky animal facts and educational opportunities. Weekends include special animal feedings, merry-not-scary entertainment, take-home crafts, and, during the last two weekends in October, trick-or-treat candy stations scattered throughout the Zoo grounds. Runs Oct. 1-31. All activities are included with Zoo admission, which is $22 for adults, and $17 for children 2-12. Tickets are More info here.
12. Haunt ‘O Ween LA -> Building on last year’s drive-through experience, this year’s Haunt ‘O’ Ween LA at the Westfield Topanga expands into a spooky fun playground of family friendly in-person attractions, including a pumpkin patch, spooky graveyard, trick-or-treating area, food trucks, wine tasting, and more. Runs Oct. 1-31. Tickets are $30 per person on weekdays and $35 on weekends. More info here.
13. Los Angeles Haunted Hayride -> After adapting to a drive-thru version last year, the Haunted Hayride is back in Griffith Park for 2021 with in-person activities based around a fictional town named Midnight Falls, circa 1985. In addition to the signature hayride, highlights for this year’s event include a Trick or Treat Maze, the Midnight Mortuary Tour, and the Dead End Diner. Kicks off this Friday, Sep. 24 and runs on select nights through Oct. 31. General Admission tickets are $39.99 (access to all attractions) and if you want to do the hayride only it’ll run you $29.99. Get more info here.
14. Nights of the Jack -> Set at the King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas, Nights of the Jack creates an interactive walking trail more than a half mile in length, lined with thousands of hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins and pumpkin inspired installations. Runs daily from Oct. 1–31. Weekday general admission is $34.99 per person, and weekends run $39.99. More info here
15. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal -> Universal Studios Hollywood brings their annual terror attraction back starting on Sep 9. This year’s attraction will include the return of the “Terror Tram,” featuring “The Ultimate Purge,” along with a maze based on “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers.” GA tickets range between $69-$99, depending on the date of attendance. More info here.
16. Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch -> Culver City’s favorite pumpkin village offers plenty of family fun, including photo ops in front of giant pumpkin installations, a straw maze, a super slide, giant rocking horses, and pumpkin decorating sessions. Dogs are even welcome too, on select days of the week. Runs Oct. 7-31. Tickets range from $5-20, depending on date of attendance. More info here.
Saturday
17. KCRW Summer Nights -> One Colorado in Old Pasadena plays host to this rescheduled edition of KCRW’s signature outdoor summer series (and yes, we know summer is over!). DJ sets by KCRW’s Travis Holcome bookend a featured performance by Afro/Latin Funk group Jungle Fire. Music starts at 7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. More info here.
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18. Pulling the Sun Back -> This past Monday (Indigenous People’s Day), a new site-specific work by Mercedes Dorame opened at Los Angeles State Historic Park. Pulling the Sun Back – Xa’aa Peshii Nehiino Taame allows viewers to explore three elements of Tongvan community structures: Kiiy (home), Shyee’evo (healing space), and Yovaar (ceremonial space). This Saturday an opening reception will be held to celebrate the new project. Reception runs from 3 to 5 p.m. More info on the opening here.
19. Archaeology Day -> The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area celebrates Archaeology Month with a special event this Saturday at King Gillette Ranch. The all-ages event include presentations and demos by local archaeologists, Native American performances, hands-on excavation boxes, and even the chance to throw an atlatl spear at a target. Free to attend. Runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More info here.
20. Murad x Rooftop Cinema Club’s The Drive-Up at Santa Monica Airport -> Murad has partnered with the RCC drive-up series for Saturday movie screenings this month with a hosted sample bar giving out free deluxe samples of Murad’s Retinol Youth Renewal Collection plus other fun giveaways and an IG worthy concession stand. This Saturday they’ll screen Hocus Pocus. More info here.
21. Angel City Market Dia de los Muertos -> Angel City Market is hosting back-to-back days of Dia de los Muertos themed outdoor events. Expect dozens of local vendors, face painting, DJ’d, music, games, and live dancing. A limited number of free tickets are available online, otherwise it’s $5 at the door. Get tickets and check out the list of activities for Day 1 here. Day 2 here.
22. Gimmie Gimmie! Peach Samba -> This monthly comedy show held at Oeno Vino Wines in Atwater Village. Saturday’s lineup includes Sara Schaefer (Comedy Central Half Hour, MTV, Netflix), Ever Mainard (Disney, Conan), Doc Willis (Netflix, Cartoon Network), Best Actress, Jonathan Cerda Rowell (Coming Out on Stage) and Max Kerwien. Tickets are $5. More info here.
Sunday
23. Dia de los Muertos at MOLAA –> The Museum of Latina American Art in Long Beach celebrates Dia de los Muertos this Sunday with a free event featuring DJ’d music, mariachi and live dance performances, special vendors, and a altar created by artist Carmen Vargas Argot. Keep in mind that while admission to the event is free, onsite parking is $15. Runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. More info here.
24. LATINAFest -> A celebration of all things Latina comes to LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes this Sunday starting at 11 a.m. Expect dozens of local vendors, a cocktail garden, live musical and spoken word performances, plus wellness demos. General admission tickets start at $10. Get more info here.
Dining
25. The Greyhound Giving Out Free Wings -> On Friday The Greyhound in Highland Park celebrates their two-year anniversary with free wings (chicken and veggie wings) from 4 p.m. till close on Friday, Oct. 15. Pair complimentary wings with Happy Hour (4 to 6 p.m.) deals that include food and drink specials.
26. Filipino American History Month X Genever -> It’s Filipino American History Month and Genever is hosting an early weekend Happy Hour this Saturday from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. For every cocktail sold $1 will be donated to the Asian Foster Family Initiative. In addition, a Sarao Jeepney will be parked right outside Genever for the public to step aboard for a photo opt. If you’re not familiar with Jeepneys, the colorful jeeps are the Philippines’ most popular form of public transportation after World War II. Everyone is welcomed to view the Jeepney but you must be 21 or older to enter the globally inspired cocktail bar.
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27. S.Pellegrino Destination Dining -> Starting this Friday, S. Pellegrino Destination Dining returns with a cross-coastal culinary exchange between restaurants in Los Angeles and New York. Diners in Los Angeles can enjoy signature dishes from some of the hottest restaurants in New York including Llama San, Contento, Di an Di and Shukette. Each week the program will focus on two restaurants from opposite coasts exchanging recipes for the week. Kicking things off on from Oct. 15 through 22 is Chef Josef Centeno’s Michelin-starred Orsa & Winston cooking up Chef Erik Ramirez of Llama San recipes. Each signature swap dish comes with a free bottle S.Pellegrino. More info here.
28. Todo Bien -> Tijuana style birria pop-up Todo Bien opens their first brick and mortar on Friday Oct. 15. Located on the corner of La Brea Ave. and Sunset, the casual spot’s will feature birria (beef or chicken) stuffed in tacos, burritos, quesadillas, or topped on tostadas. Traditional sides, vegetarian friendly options, cold beers, micheladas and churros are also in play.
29. Comfy Pup -> This Sunday sink your teeth into a Smoked Italian Beef Sandwich from midwestern comfort food pop up Comfy Pup. River St. BBQ teamed up with Comfy Pup to create the 8-hour smoked Wagyu round roast sandwich which will be available at Deus Ex Machina in Venice from noon to 2 p.m. The Smoked Italian Beef Sandwich ($18) is served with au jus, on a toasted French roll and covered in hot giardiniera with a side of Comfy Pup’s hand cut fries covered in River St. BBQ’s queso. Pre-orders are available now.
30. Ellenos -> Seattle’s popular scooped yogurt bar Ellenos is a staple at the iconic Pike Place Market, and this month they’re giving Angelenos a taste by popping up at Grand Central Market. Available Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the month of October, Ellenos’ traditional Greek yogurt scoop cart will be located inside the Hill Street entrance of the market. Scoops include fan-favorite flavors like Pumpkin Pie, Marionberry, Lemon Curd, and more.
Any notes or corrections? Want to suggest an event we should add to an upcoming list? Hit us up at [email protected].
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