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Home / Life! / What to do this week: Oct. 8-14

What to do this week: Oct. 8-14

by F Diaz
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Don’t know what to do this weekend? Tired of being at home? We’ve got you covered. This week’s list includes everything from monsters and pumpkins to mariachis and free art.

Night of the Jack

King Gillette Ranch | 26800 Mulholland Highway Calabasas, CA 91302 | Through Oct. 31 | nightsofthejack.com

Vast grounds of intricately hand-carved and illuminated jack o’lanterns welcome visitors to Nights of the Jack, an immersive Halloween experience. Event organizers promise a live pumpkin carver, gift shop, top LA food trucks, a “spookeasy bar” offering seasonal drinks and “Instagrammable” moments. The grounds open at 6 p.m. and close at 10 p.m. Tickets are timed and start at $34.99 (prices depend on the day). Children under 2 can enter for free.

Haunt of Halloween

Kaleidoscope Mall | 27741 Crown Valley Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 | Through Oct. 31 | hauntofhalloween.com

Haunt of Halloween promises a good in “truly macabre fashion.” Every ticket includes: Haunted Maze Attraction, Face Your Fears Sensory Attraction, Up Close Horror Pop Up, Souvenir Photo Op, S.C.H.A.R. Reptile Exhibit, Scary Shows and Halloween Acts. Admission tickets are sold with a scheduled maze entrance during 30 minute time slots, each hour. Single night tickets are $20 to $25 per adult. Parking is free.

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride

Griffith Park | 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027 | Through Oct. 31 | losangeleshauntedhayride.com

The town square of “Midnight Falls” serves as the epicenter of this year’s scary festivities, featuring cast members interacting with guests.The premise of the hayride is that a witch has summoned creatures that have hidden themselves throughout the attraction. Tickets start at $29.99.

Hybrid ArtNight Pasadena

Pasadena | Oct. 8 | Virtual and in person | cityofpasadena.net/artnight

The City of Pasadena’s fall ArtNight is this Saturday from  6-10 p.m. Enjoy a free evening of art, music, and entertainment as Pasadena’s most prominent arts and cultural institutions provide free art experiences including Boston Court Pasadena, Art Center College of Designs, Armory Center for the Arts, and USC Pacific Asia Museum.

Haunted Pasadena

Pasadena | Oct. 8 |pasadenawalkingtours.com

Meet the phantoms who haunt Pasadena’s alleys, underground tunnels, corridors, and back rooms during this nighttime walking tour of the Playhouse Village and Old Pasadena. The walk starts at 6:30 p.m. from Performer Statue outside of the Stand (36 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101). The tour is 1.5 miles long and lasts two hours, ending at Castle Green (99 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105). Tickets are $25 per adult.

Noche de Gala

Exposition Park Christmas Tree Lane | 500 Exposition Park Dr., Los Angeles, CA, 90037 | Oct. 8 | ajuajalisco.com

The night will feature Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan, Mariachi Estrellas de México, Angel NG and Ballet México Folklorico. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m.

Monster House

Northside Park | 601 W. 11th St., Azusa, CA 91702 | Oct. 8 | azusaca.gov

Get in the Halloween spirit with “Monster House” at this drive-in experience at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $10 per car. Purchase tickets at azusaca.gov/civicrec.

¡Viva La Tradición! México de Noche

The Ford | 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. E., Los Angeles, CA 90068 | Oct. 9 | theford.com

Mexico de Nocher brings together the singing duo of Pepe Martinez Jr. and Susie García, the all-female Mariachi Las Colibrí, the cumbias of Viento Callejero and the colorful movement of Ballet Folklorico Ollín.The concert begins at 8 p.m.Tickets start at $50 and can be purchased at my.theford.com.

Monrovia Wine Walk

Library Park | 321 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016 | Oct. 9 | eventbrite.com

Participants are invited to stroll down Old Town Monrovia, exploring business while sampling various wines. Guests will receive a tasting glass and a map of the participating businesses in Old Town. The event runs from 6-9 p.m. Tickets are $40. 

Mariachi los Camperos

San Gabriel Mission Playhouse | 320 S. Mission Drive, San Gabriel, CA 91776 | Oct. 9 | missionplayhouse.org

Tradición, Arte y Pasión: Un Día De Los Muertos En México sees the return of Mariachi Los Camperos to the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse on Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. The two-time Grammy winners will be joined by Mariachi Tesoro and folklorico group Chiquina Palafox. Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.

Festival de Mariachi

Pico Rivera Sports Arena | 11003 Sports Arena Drive, Pico Rivera, CA 90601 | Oct. 9 | ajuajalisco.com

The festival will feature Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan, Mariachi Estrellas de México, Mariachi los Reyes, Juan Valentin, Angie, Ballet Mexico Folklorico, and Omar Arreola. Festival doors open at 11 a.m. and the show begins at noon. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $60 for VIP. Purchase tickets at ticketon.com.

Mercado Harvest Fair

Highland Park | York Boulevard between 50 and 52 avenues | instagram.com/elmercadohlp 

The market features northeast LA artists, crafters, live music, a farmers market, vintage clothing and furniture, handmade jewelry, loca restaurants and food vendors. The market runs from 3-8 p.m.

The Latino Comics Expo 2021

Museum of Latin American Art | Online | Oct. 9 | molaa.org

The Latino Comics Expo will once again be hosted by the Museum of Latin American Art as part of its online programming. Participation is free to the public.Sessions include a discussion with Pulittzer Prize winner Lalo Alcaraz as he discusses his art, politics and work on Pixar’s “Coco” with LCX co-founder, Ricardo Padilla. Sign up for any of the online sessions at molaa.org.

Welcome to the West Music Festival

Toyota Arena | 4000 Ontario Center, Ontario, CA 91764 | Oct. 9 | toyota-arena.com

Welcome to the West Music Festival spotlights West Coast hip hop.The festival features The Game, Mack 10, Xzibit, Too Short, Warren G, Tha Dogg Pound, O.T. Genasis, King Lil G, B Real and many more artists. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 6 p.m. Parking is $25. Tickets start at $65 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com

Como La Flor Band, Tribute to Selena

Northside Park | 601 W. 11th St., Azusa, CA 91702 | Oct. 9 | azusaca.gov

Como la Flor Band, a tribute to Selena, will get everyone dancing at this Saturday night concert in the park. The concert starts at 7 p.m. You can reserve your free spot at azusaca.gov/civicrec.

The Doobie Brothers

The Forum |3900 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90305 | Oct. 9 | thelaforum.com

This concert — featuring Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons, Tom Johnston and John McFee —  was originally scheduled for Sept. 18. Tickets are still available and start at $25. 

Latin Jazz & Music Festival

Sycamore Grove Park | 4702 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90042 | Oct. 9-10 | gilcedillo.com

The festivities begin Saturday from 12:30-8 p.m. with Banda Filarmonica, Soul Sauce, Boogaloo Assassins, Little Willie G and Ozomatli. On Sunday, festivities begin at noon and last until 8 p.m. Sunday’s lineup includes Grupo Jazz, Las Chikas, The Susie Hansen Latin Band, Cold Duck, Joe Bataan and La Sonora Dinamita with Vilma Diaz. The even is entirely free. 

Oktoberfest

Santa Anita Park | 285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007 | Oct. 9-10 | santaanita.com

Oktoberfest returns to Santa Anita with Bavarian beer, food, live music and entertainment. Participate in Oktoberfest games all day long including a costume contest, stein hosting, corn hole competition, and more. General admission is $35 and VIP is $80. Join the Santa Anita Park newsletter and get $10 off your Oktoberfest package.

Guerra de Bandas

Pico Rivera Sports Arena | 11003 Sports Arena Drive, Pico Rivera, CA 90601 | Oct. 10 | ajuajalisco.com

The festival will feature Pequeños Musical, Banda Astilleros and Lupillo Rivera. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the show starts at noon. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $60 for VIP and are available at ticketon.com.

Los Muertos Uptown Celebration

Casita del Pueblo | 13100 Philadelphia St, Whittier, CA 90601 | Oct. 10 | casitadelpueblo.org

Los Muertos Uptown is one of Southern California’s largest Day of the Dead celebrations, according to event organizers. This year’s celebration includes an art show featuring local artists, an opportunity to support local artisans by shopping in stores and throughout the festival, kits to make your own sugar skull and a community altar.

BlocktoberFest

Maple Block Meat Co. | 3973 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230 | Oct. 10 | eventbrite.com

The sixth annual BlocktoberFest will feature Burgers by Standing’s, Smog City Brewing, Brouwerji West and LA-Ax, an axe throwing social club. Tickets, which start at $49 guarantee you all you can eat. The event will have craft beer, whole hog BBQ, burgers, live music and axe throwing.

Tortilla Tournament of Champions

Smorgasburg LA | 777 S. Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA 90021 | Oct. 10 | eventbrite.com

KCRW and Los Angeles Times columnist Gustavo Arellano have teamed up for the Great Tortilla Tournament of Champions at Smorgasburg LA from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Every participating tortilleria has won at least one round in previous years so the competition is fierce. “Get ready for DJs sets with KCRW’s very own Raul Campos and Jose Galvan, scavenger hunts, an Ask a Tortilla Expert table, and of course, live tournament rounds between the Fuerte Four tortillas in Southern California to determine who walks away with the golden tortilla,” say organizers. RSVPing for the event is free. 

CicLAvia

Heart of LA | Oct. 10 | ciclavia.org

CicLAvia returns to DTLA and surrounding neighborhoods. Enjoy 6 miles of open streets to skate, run, walk, skateboard, bike or spectate. The event is free and runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Carved

Descanso Gardens | 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011 | Oct. 11-31 | descansogardens.org

Carved, a family-friendly event featuring hundreds of carved pumpkins lining a one-mile walk through the Camellia Forest and Oak Grove, opens at DescansoGardens Monday, Oct. 11. Additionally, expect to see oversized sculptures made of natural materials, a hay maze, themed food and drinks. Timed tickets are $25–28 each for members and $32–35 each for non-members.

Mariachi Herencia Michoacana

Azusa City Library. | 729 N. Dalton Ave., Azusa, CA 91702 | Oct. 13 | instagram.com/azusacity

The City of Azusa wraps up Hispanic Heritage Month with a performance by young musicians at the Azusa City Library, under the gazebo, from 4-6 p.m. In addition to music, enjoy snacks and crafts. 

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