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Home / Life! / Entertainment / Fun things to do this week: Oct. 21-27

Fun things to do this week: Oct. 21-27

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We’re back! This week we bring you celebrations for Oktoberfest, Taylor Swift’s new album, moles from Mexico, Asian and Asian American art, and a long list of Halloween activities. Go forth an explore, SoCal.

Oct. 21

Fairplex Presents Oktoberfest

Fairplex | 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768 | Oct. 21-22 | fairplex.com

These are the last two days to catch Oktoberfest at Fairplex featuring Bavarian music, authentic German food, the chicken dance, games, prizes, tribute bands, live Dj and beer.

Meet Me At Midnight

The Glass House | 200 W. Second St., Pomona, CA 91766 | Oct. 21 | eventbrite.com

Gather ‘round Swifties! Celebrate the release of Taylor Swift’s new album “Midnights” with your squad at this listening/dance party.

‘The Look Of Love’

The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage | 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, CA 90401 | Oct. 21-23 | broadstage.org

“The Look of Love” features original choreography by Mark Morris and new musical arrangements by Ethan Iverson. The evening-length compilation of more than a dozen Bacharach hits, will be performed by company dancers accompanied by the MMDG Music Ensemble, consisting of piano, trumpet, bass, and percussion, with lead vocals by singer, actress, and Broadway star Marcy Harriell.

Dancers in “The Look of Love.” | Photo by Christopher Duggan

Oct. 22

National Theatre Live: “Frankenstein”

Boston Court Pasadena | 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106 | Oct. 22 | bostoncourtpasadena.org

Watch Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternate between the roles of Victor Frankenstein and the Monster in this 2011 production captured live on stage. Tickets are $20

Mozart & Saint-Saëns

Ambassador Auditorium | 131 S. St. John Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105 | Oct. 22 | pasadenasymphony-pops.org

Pianist Terrence Wilson, violist-composer Nokuthula Ngwenyama and conductor Vinay Parameswaran will perform selections form Mozarts, Rossini, Saint-Saëns and original compositions. 

Future Nostalgia

The Robinson S.P.A.C.E. | 104 Robinson St., Los Angeles, CA 90026 | Oct. 22 | eventbrite.com

HOT NOIZE, an art curation group founded by Marco Liu and James Tseng, will be hosting a one-night showcase of Asian and Asian American art in LA’s Historic Filipinotown neighborhood. The show will feature 16 different artists, a lineup of five DJs throughout the evening, sponsored beverages, a pop-up bar by Taiwanese tiki bar owner and bartender Will Fahn, and select food vendors from SoCal’s restaurant scene.

Future Nostalgia will showcase Asian and Asian American art.

‘80s Halloween Monster Mash Dance Party

The Mixx | 443 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101 | Oct. 22 | themixxclub.com

Celebrate Halloween early at this ‘80s dance party with special guest DJ Protolkall. Grab some drink specials and dance or sing along the entire night.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall | 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 | Oct. 22 | pacificsymphony.org

Hear selections from “A Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra,” “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and even “Harry Potter” in this magical orchestra performance. 

El Monte Harvest Festival

Arceo Park | 3125 Tyler Ave., El Monte, CA 91731 | Oct. 22 | instagram.com/p/CjtaYZEvjWk/ 

The 25th AnnualChildren’s Day Parade and Harvest Festival will feature a petting zoo, merry-go-round, glitter tattoos, train rides, arts and crafts vendors, and food booths. 

The BookFest

Livestream | Oct. 22-23 | thebookfest.com 

The BookFest returns for its 6th biannual, free livestream with an array of authors, literary experts, and speakers discussing book bannings and climate change. Presented by the Horror Writers Association and Bookinfluencers, The BookFest Fall 2022 has a spooky, autumnal theme.

Oct. 23

La Feria De Los Moles

Grand Park | 200 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012 | Oct. 23 | feriadelosmoles.com 

Celebrating its quinceañera, join this festival of pre-Hispanic dishes and traditions with free entry. There will also be dancing, music and traditional moles from Puebla and Oaxaca. 

Bamboo Club Spooktacular Movie Nights: ‘Lost Boys’

The Bamboo Club | 3522 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA 90802 | Oct. 23 | bambooclublb.com

Get into the Halloween spirit with some spooky movies, a buttery popcorn machine, haunted tiki cocktail specials and a full-service dinner menu of Hawaiian and Asian-inspired eats. Movies start at 7:30 p.m. in its outdoor tent.

The Bamboo Club. | Courtesy photo

Oct. 24

Secret Concerts: Halloween

1827 S. Hope St., Los Angeles, CA 90015 | Oct. 24 | eventbrite.com

Listen to The Artifact Trio and soprano Molly Flanagan perform Halloween songs surrounded by candlelight creating a spooky night of music.

Paint Nite: The Original Paint And Sip Party

El Torito | 3333 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107 | Oct. 24 | eventbrite.com 

An artist will guide you step-by-step through the process of painting a scenic mountain view as you sip on some drinks and laugh with friends. 

Oct. 25

AFI

House of Blues Anaheim | 400 Disney Way #337, Anaheim, CA 92802 | Oct. 25-26 | houseofblues.com

The rock band behind “Miss Murder” performs with Drab Majesty opening. 

Día De Los Muertos

Olvera Street | 845 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 | Oct. 25-Nov. 2 | olveraevents.com

Olvera Street has planned nightly programming including danzas, novenarios, entertainments, and face painting to commemorate Día de los Muertos. Community altars will be on display in the plaza.

Oct. 26

Lola Bouteés’ TRIPtease dancer. | Photo by Jason Miller / Hey SoCal

Lola Boutée Presents TRiPTease Burlesque

TRIP Santa Monica | 2101 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405 l Oct. 26 l eventbrite.com

Lower your inhibitions and see what’s hot at LA’s longest running weekly burlesque and variety show. Every Wednesday features a fresh new lineup of talent hosted by the original dame herself, Lola Boutée.

Cue the Music With Robert Kraft 

The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage | 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, CA 90401 | Oct. 26 | broadstage.org

Cue the Music with Robert Kraft will feature  Harry Gregson-Williams, the celebrated composer of the scores for “Shrek,” “The Martian,” “Gone Baby Gone,” “Man On Fire,” “Veronica Guerin,” “Unstoppable,” and “Kingdom Of Heaven.” Cue the Music is an original production celebrating the power of film scores by game-changing composers. This program will feature performances and breakdowns of Gregson-Williams’ most famous scores alongside film clips, demonstrations with live musicians, conversations, and an audience Q+A moderated by Robert Kraft. 

Harry Gregson-Williams. | Photo by Johnny Greig

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre Of Taiwan

Segerstrom Center for the Arts | 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 | Oct. 26 | scfta.org

Named after the oldest known dance in China, this contemporary dance company combines martial arts, Qi Gong, modern dance, and classical ballet. I

Trick or Treat Village

Various LA County Parks | Oct. 26–30 | parks.lacounty.gov

On select days, different LA County Parks will host events featuring free activities and trick or treating for kids. 

Bamboo Club Spooktacular Movie Nights: ‘Evil Dead’

The Bamboo Club | 3522 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA 90802 | Oct. 26 | bambooclublb.com

Get into the Halloween spirit with some spooky movies, a buttery popcorn machine, haunted tiki cocktail specials and a full-service dinner menu of Hawaiian and Asian-inspired eats. Movies start at 7:30 p.m. in its outdoor tent.

Oct. 27

The Haunting Of Old Pasadena

The Bunker Experience | 20 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103 | Oct. 27 | thebunkerexperience.com

Head over to The Bunker Experience for an immersive ghost tour followed by a seance with your group of friends. 

What Is A Western? ‘Ravenous’

The Autry: Wells Fargo Theater | 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027 | Oct. 27 | theautry.org

A cannibal-Western/black comedy, “Ravenous” was partially inspired by tales of the Donner Party and Alferd Packer. Autry curator Josh Garrett-Davis will introduce the film. 

The Autry Museum in Griffith Park. | Photo courtesy of The Autry Museum

Witch!

Mountain View Mausoleum | 2300 N. Marengo Ave., Altadena, CA 91001 | Oct. 27–31 | eventbrite.com

Witch! Witch! You’re a witch! In this immersive experience inspired by the Pendle Witch Trials of 1612, you might get separated from the people you arrived with as you meet witches and inquisitors around the haunted mansions and abandoned chapel. Goody Putnam might even accuse you of witchcraft. 

Bob Baker Halloween Spook’tacular

One Colorado Courtyard | 41 Hugus Alley, Pasadena, CA 91103 | Oct. 27 | onecolorado.com

Join the ghostly ghouls of the Bob Baker Marionettes for Halloween. All your favorite spooks will be there – from wonderful witches to Dracula, Vampira, Purple People Eaters and many more.

Ongoing

Lavender Nights

123 Farm | 10600 Highland Springs Ave., Cherry Valley, CA 92223 | Through Oct. 23 | 123farm.com

Lavender may be out of bloom but you can stroll through the fields, admire half a million lights outdoors as you dine, enjoy live music and shop at the marketplace. You can even rent your own s’mores pit. 

Lavender Nights olive grove. | Photo courtesy of 123 Farm

Cemetery Lane

Heritage Square Museum | 3515 Pasadena St., Los Angeles, California 90031 | Through Oct. 30 | cemeterylane.com 

Trick-or-treat from 13 spots in this spooky, and reportedly haunted, neighborhood of Victorian manors. 

House Of Spirits

Casa Vertigo | 1828 Oak St., Los Angeles, CA 90015 | Through Oct. 31 | houseofspiritssoiree.com

This haunted cocktail soiree features macabre magic, tarot readings, strange roaming specters, secret games and craft cocktails paired with French chocolate truffles. 

House of Spirits: Vaughan Hall – A Haunted Cocktail Soirée. | Photo courtesy of Fever

Haunt O’ Ween

6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills, 91367 | Through Oct. 31 | feverup.com

Trick-or-treat, make a few potions, challenge your friends to a dance-off, or check out the bounce houses, games, rides and performances in this 200,000-square-foot immersive space.

The Pumpkin Factory

Westminster Mall | 1025 Westminster Mall, Westminster, CA 92683 |Through Oct. 31 | thepumpkinfactory.com

Pick out your family-farm-grown pumpkin at this patch featuring rides, slides, petting zoos, games, food and more.

Prancer’s Farm Fall Festival

Prancer’s Farm | 18540 E. Telegraph Road, Santa Paula, CA 93060 | Through Oct. 31 | prancersfarm.com

Explore this 30-acre farm filled with 10-acres of pumpkin picking, wagon rides, barrel train rides, horse rides, face painting, music, and don’t miss out on the sunflower and corn expeditions. 

Boo At The L.A. Zoo

LA Zoo | 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027 | Through Oct. 31 | lazoo.org

The LA Zoo gets a spooky makeover featuring extra surprises on the weekends like “Spooktacular Science” shows, animal pumpkin feedings, photo ops, education stations and trick-or-treating on the last two weekends of the month.

Carved

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

Hundreds of carved pumpkins line the Camellia Forest in this family-friendly event featuring activities, the hay maze, pumpkin house, and holiday-themed food and drinks. 

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride

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

The Witch of the Woods has cast a spell over Griffith Park summoning spirits to come out and play at LA’s beloved Halloween event featuring new attractions and shows this year.

“(Re)Inventing The Americas: Repeat. Erase, Construct”

“Chimborazo Seen from the Plain of Tapia” Louis Bouquet (French, b. 1765–1814) and Jean Thomas Thibault(French, 1757–1826)Engraving in Alexander von Humboldt, Vues des Cordillères, etmonumens des peuples indigènes de l’Amérique (Paris, 1810),between pp. 200 and 201Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (85-B1535)

The Getty | 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049 | Through Jan. 8 | getty.edu 

Challenging European interpretations and often racist versions of history, “(Re)Inventing the Americas: Repeat. Erase, Construct” analyzes the creation of the mythologies that arose during the conquest and exploration of the Americas and reveals the influence that those myths and visions have had on defining the two continents. The exhibition will feature a collaboration with Denilson Baniwa, a contemporary artist from the Brazilian Amazon region who will generate different artistic interventions throughout the show.

“Regeneration: Black Cinema, 1898–1971”

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures | 6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036 | Through April 9 | regenerationblackcinema.org

The exhibition explores the achievements and challenges of Black filmmakers in the US in both independent production and the studio system—in front of the camera and behind it—from cinema’s infancy in the 1890s to the early 1970s. A survey of the films and filmmakers explored in the exhibition will be shown until Sept. 29 and will feature more than 20 screenings. The Regeneration Summit, Feb. 3–5, 2023, will be a two-day celebration of Black cinema featuring artists, scholars, and filmmakers participating in conversations, workshops, and activations throughout the museum.

Stars and Icons, “Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971,” Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. | Photo by Joshua White, JW Pictures/ ©Academy Museum Foundation

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