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28 Of The Coolest Events Happening In Southern California This Weekend

Tenacious D are at L.A. Comic Con to discuss the duo's 'Post-Apocalypto' series and upcoming album. (Photo: Courtesy Tenacious D)
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The weekend is hopping with Halloween parties and we have the scoop on where to find the best ones but there are also tons of other seasonal events including a scavenger hunt, an Edwardian era funeral tour and an underwater pumpkin carving contest. And we haven't even gotten to the boatload of Día de los Muertos celebrations happening around Southern California, so don your best calaca makeup and go wake the dead. Plus, chef Yotam Ottolenghi hits town and RuPaul speaks.


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FRIDAY, OCT. 26 - SUNDAY, OCT. 28
L.A. Comic Con
Los Angeles Convention Center -- 1201 S Figueroa St., downtown L.A.
L.A.'s largest confab of comics, gaming, sci-fi, horror, pop-culture and cosplay returns just in time for Halloween. More than 200 panels, parties and special programs are scheduled throughout the weekend, including Tenacious D presenting their animated show, "Post-Apocalypto"; a celebration of four decades of "Fangoria"; and Elijah Wood and other SpectreVision founders talking about their cult hit, "Mandy," starring Nic Cage.
COST: $25 - $509; MORE INFO

FRIDAY, OCT. 26 - SUNDAY, OCT. 28
The Contemporary Crafts Market
Pasadena Convention Center, Exhibit Hall -- 300 East Green St., Pasadena
Meet hundreds of artisans producing hand-crafted furnishings, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, blown glass, metalwork, wood, fiber art and basketry. Get your holiday shopping done early.
COST: $8 admission; MORE INFO

FRIDAY, OCT. 26; 8 p.m.
An Evening with Yotam Ottolenghi
New Roads School -- 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica
Live Talks L.A. hosts an evening with the London-based chef known for putting his unique spin on Middle Eastern fare. He co-owns several restaurants in the U.K., including the fine-dining spots NOPI and ROVI. He'll discuss his latest book, Ottolenghi Simple.
COST: $20 - $60; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, OCT. 27; 9:30 a.m.
Haunted Halloween Hunt
Throughout Downtown L.A.
Race/LA's annual scavenger hunt, adventure race and escape game sends teams of two to four people to different locations in downtown L.A. as they solve puzzles and challenges. Winners are decided by time and points. The hunt includes a short trip via Metro to a second location. While costumes are optional, bonus points will be awarded to the team with the best costumes. This haunt/hunt is recommended for those ages 14+.
COST: $45 per person; MORE INFO

An image from the 2016 movie "La La Land."
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SATURDAY, OCT. 27; 5 - 10 p.m.
La La Land Day at the Beach
Hermosa Beach Pier Plaza - 1 Pier Ave Hermosa Beach.
The city celebrates its starring role in La La Land with a free jazz concert (from 5 to 7 p.m.) and an outdoor screening of the Oscar­-winning musical (at 7:30 p.m.). On Thursday and Friday of this week, you can also catch jazz concerts at The Lighthouse Café, which was featured in the movie.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, OCT. 27 - SUNDAY, OCT. 28
Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata
Occidental College's Thorne Hall -- 1600 Campus Rd., Eagle Rock
Pacific Opera Project (POP) teams up with Oxy's Glee Club for two performances of Giuseppe Verdi's masterpiece. Sung in Italian with English subtitles, the performance includes professional and student choruses accompanied by an orchestra. Verdi's work follows the dying courtesan Violetta Valéry as she finds true love with Alfredo Germont.
COST: $20 - $60; MORE INFO

The Heritage Square Museum holds its annual Mourning Tours this weekend, exploring early 20th century death and burial customs. (Image: Heritage Square Museum/Facebook)
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SATURDAY, OCT. 27 - SUNDAY, OCT. 28; noon - 4 p.m.
Mourning and Halloween Tours
Heritage Square Museum -- 3800 Homer St., Montecito Heights
This interactive presentation for adults reenacts an Edwardian funeral, circa 1918. Learn about early 21st century customs and attitudes toward death. Watch the re-creation of a Phantasmagoria and then participate in a séance. A children's program takes place only on Sunday and includes period games, crafts, trick or treating and a pumpkin patch.
COST: $8 - $20; MORE INFO

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P22 walks by one of Miguel Ordeñana's wildlife cameras in the daylight.
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SATURDAY, OCT. 27; 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
P-22 Festival
Shane's Inspiration -- 4730 Crystal Springs Dr., Griffith Park
The city of L.A. declared Oct. 22 as P-22 Day to recognize the importance of its resident cougars. The Friends of Griffith Park hosts its third annual P-22 festival, capping off Urban Wildlife Week. Check out a VR experience of wildlife crossings and the L.A. River, photo opps with a P-22 likeness, meet-and-greets with rangers and experts, urban wildlife installations, music, food and kid-friendly activities.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

Dia de los Muertos on Olvera St.
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SATURDAY, OCT. 27; 7 - 9 p.m.
Noche de Ofrenda
Grand Park -- 200 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A.
For the sixth year, the park partners with Self Help Graphics & Art and LORE Media & Arts for a night of altars and offerings to honor the dead. View installations created by local artists and community groups, performances by L.A.-based artists, including Quetzal and Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company, and traditional blessings led by the local indigenous community. The night coincides with Grand Park's weekend celebration (Friday through Sunday) of Día de los Muertos, with free guided tours of the artwork, altars and traditions of the holiday.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, OCT. 27; 7 p.m.
Catrinas Unidas
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes -- 501 N. Main St., downtown L.A.
The fundraiser features music by Mariachi Las Colibri, light bites and dessert from Gloria's Restaurant, wine by Puente de Rus and margaritas by Dragos Cantina. The event also features a lifestyle fair with artisanal merchandise, health screenings, healthy lifestyle products and services, and a panel discussion on the importance of women as civically engaged advocates. Proceeds benefit AltaMed's Women's Health Services & Diabetes Prevention Programs.
COST: $125 per ticket; MORE INFO

Seu Jorge performs, 'The Life Aquatic: A Tribute to David Bowie,' on Saturday at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex. (Image: Courtesy the Luckman)
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SATURDAY, OCT. 27; 8 p.m.
Seu Jorge
The Luckman Fine Arts Complex -- 5151 State University Dr., El Sereno
The Grammy-winning artist who found mainstream success after Wes Anderson's film "The Life Aquatic" will play a special tribute show to David Bowie at Cal State LA. Jorge will perform several songs by Ziggy Stardust, as well as Bowie's other alter egos, in Portuguese, while strumming his acoustic guitar.
COST: $45 - $65; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, OCT. 27; 12 - 2 p.m.
Eat Like Your Orijen Dog Halloween Brunch
Angel City Brewery -- 216 South Alameda St., downtown L.A.
Orijen dog food hosts a brunch for you and your pooch. The menu is inspired by fresh, regional ingredients but since it's an event for humans, too, there will be plenty of beer, wine and coffee to accompany the food. Pups that come in costume can win treats and goodies. One dog per guest. This event is 21+.
COST: FREE with registration; MORE INFO

Jack-o'-lanterns are displayed at the "Rise of the Jack OLanterns" exhibition, featuring more than 5,000 hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins in La Canada Flintridge, California, on October 22, 2014. (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
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SATURDAY, OCT. 27; 8 - 10 a.m.
Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest Benefit Dive
Veteran's Park -- 300 George Freeth Way, Redondo Beach
The Eco Dive Center's annual carving contest/dive runs in conjunction with a food drive for Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. To enter the contest, you must be certified with California diving experience and RSVP at 310-398-5759 or by writing to autumn@ecodivecenter.com. Hollow out your pumpkin beforehand and bring 2 - 3 lb. weights since the pumpkins float while in the water.
COST: FREE (but bring food donations); MORE INFO

The Boulet Brothers throw their annual Halloween party this weekend at the Globe Theater in DTLA. (Image: The Boulet Brothers/Facebook)
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SATURDAY, OCT. 27; 10 p.m. - 4 a.m.
The Boulet Brothers 18th Annual Los Angeles Halloween Ball
Globe Theater -- 740 S. Broadway, downtown L.A.
The renown drag queens throw a massive, three-level haunted house nightclub with music, dancing, horrifying stage presentations, mazes, Halloween carnival games and costumes. You'll get to see performances by Trixie Mattel from Rupaul's Drag Race, and Vander von Odd and Victoria Elizabeth Black from Dragula. There's a costume contest with the winner taking home a $1,000 cash prize. This event is 21+ and no outside photography/video allowed.
COST: $25 - $1,000; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, OCT. 27; 9 a.m. - 2:40 p.m.
23rd Annual Historical Cemetery Tour
Sunnyside Cemetery -- 1095 E. Willow St., Long Beach
The Historical Society of Long Beach presents a tour of the two oldest cemeteries in the city. The family-friendly event features graveside storytelling by costumed actors portraying individuals who helped shape the city as well as ordinary, nearly forgotten residents. There are other historical presentations and book signings scheduled throughout the day. Please wear comfortable shoes since the ground is uneven on the walking tour.
COST: $1 - $20; MORE INFO

Filipino food is front and center at the Eat. Play. Move. Block Party in DTLA. (Image: stu_spivack/Flickr)
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SATURDAY, OCT. 27; 12 - 4 p.m.
Eat. Play. Move. Filipino Angeleno Food Block Party
Jackson Street (near Boomtown Brewery), downtown L.A.
After a few hiccups in its inaugural year (who knew that 25,000 people would show up for ube cronuts, adobo burritos, buko pandan lattes and pancit?), the Filipino food fest changes venues and promises more seats and more shade. It has also been limited to ticketed guests only. This year, they've added a Boomtown Brewery beer garden along with a performance stage and kids' activities.
COST: $5 admission; MORE INFO

Through SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2019
Origami in the Garden²
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden -- 1500 N College Avenue, Claremont
The recently opened outdoor sculpture exhibition supersizes the delicate paper art form of origami creations. Fabricated in metal, the works by Jennifer and Kevin Box also feature collaborations with world-renowned origami artists Tim Armijo, Te Jui Fu, Beth Johnson, Michael G. LaFosse and Robert J. Lang.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, OCT. 27 - SUNDAY, OCT. 28; noon - 4 p.m.
Panamanian International Film Festival in LA
The Los Angeles Theatre Center -- 514 S. Spring St., downtown L.A.
The festival celebrates the works of established and upcoming filmmakers from Panama and Central America. In addition to screenings of shorts and features, there will be musical and dance exhibitions (and even culinary samples) from the region. Free workshops include "Industry: Women In Post and Overcoming the Challenges of the Independent Filmmaker."
COST: Tickets and passes available: $7 - $40; MORE INFO

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever this weekend. (Image courtesy: Mauricio Hoyos Photography/Hollywood Forever Cemetery)
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SATURDAY, OCT. 27; noon - midnight
Día de los Muertos Festival
Hollywood Forever Cemetery -- 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood
This year's celebration honors the divine feminine in Coatlicue, the Mexica-Aztec goddess who gave birth to the moon, the stars and Huitzilopochtli, the god of the sun and war. Come dressed in calaca/Day of the Dead apparel and spend the day viewing altars, purchasing arts, crafts and food and enjoying the celebrations. Music by Panteón Rococó, Mexican Institute of Sound, Hello Seahorse!, Y La Bamba and Loli Molina. Children 8 and younger and seniors 65 and older get in for free until 4 p.m. Please plan ahead and carpool or rideshare.
COST: $25; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, OCT. 27 - FRIDAY, NOV. 2
Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead
Olvera St. -- downtown L.A.
The festival is a celebration of life, and not one of mourning. Community altars will be on view through Nov. 2, with live entertainment, face painting and kid activities taking place both weeknights and weekends. Each night at 7 p.m., a Novenario Procession through the street leads to a ceremony that incorporates pre-Columbian, Aztec, Mayan and Catholic rituals surrounding death.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

SUNDAY, OCT. 28; 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Stand Up! for Main Street
WGA Theater -- 135 South Doheny Dr., Beverly Hills
This comedy show for a cause features sets by Bill Burr, Eliza Skinner, Felipe Esparza, Felicia Michaels, Alex Edelman, Caroline Rhea and Jimmy O. Yang. Proceeds benefit Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group that champions public (and not corporate) interests.
COST: $25 - $100; MORE INFO

SUNDAY, OCT. 28; noon
Half Half Half Half Half Marathon
Los Angeles State Historic Park -- 1245 N. Spring St., downtown L.A.
826LA holds its second race of .826 miles, combining "games, storytelling and feats of mild athleticism." Join as an individual or as a team to raise funds for the nonprofit organization that provides free writing and tutoring programs for kids. Registration fees for participants and spectators alike includes drinks and snacks. Registrants who are 21+ also have access to a free beer garden hosted by Three Weavers Brewery. Additional food will be available for purchase from trucks onsite.
COST: $25; MORE INFO

Forest Lawn celebrates Dia de los Muertos in three locations on Sunday. (Image: A Día de los Muertos community altar, courtesy of Forest Lawn)
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SUNDAY, OCT. 28
Día de los Muertos Celebration
Forest Lawn locations in Glendale, Cypress and Covina Hills
In addition to the arts, crafts, face painting and altars, each of the locations hosts its own programming and events throughout the day. Glendale holds screenings of Disney's Coco at noon in English and at 2:15 p.m. in Spanish. Cypress hosts a music performance by Mariachi Juvenil Herencia Mexicana while Mariachi Divas perform in Covina Hills from noon to 4 p.m. On Nov. 2, All Souls Day, Forest Lawn's Coachella Valley location holds its celebration from 3 to 6 p.m.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

SUNDAY, OCT. 28; 7:30 p.m.
The Psychopath Chain: Cult Edition
UCB Franklin -- 5919 Franklin Ave., Franklin Village
Many women are part of a Google group devoted to creepy news about psychopaths, cults, kidnappings and murders. For this show, members of one group share some of the "best" found material with a like-minded audience. Presenters include Lauren Adams, Eva Anderson, Beth Appel, Susannah Becket, Alison Bennett, Sarah Claspell, Leila Cohan-Miccio, Kate Spencer and Jessica Stickles.
COST: $7; MORE INFO

SUNDAY, OCT. 28; 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Día de los Muertos Art Festival
Downey Theatre -- 8435 Firestone Blvd., Downey
The celebration of Mexican arts and culture features live music and dancing -- including ballet folklorico and Aztec dancers -- on three stages. There are also altar contests, car art, an art show featuring works by local artists, a sculpture alley, food trucks and a beer and wine garden.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

SUNDAY, OCT. 28; 7 p.m.
An Evening with RuPaul
The Montalban Theatre -- 1615 Vine St., Hollywood
Live Talks L.A. holds an evening with the drag queen, performer, actor, model, author and producer, who has won two Emmys for RuPaul's Drag Race. RuPaul discusses his new book, GuRu, a collection of philosophies and photographs explaining how he (and you) can build a fabulous life from the inside out.
COST: $20 - $55; MORE INFO

SUNDAY, OCT. 28; 8:30 - 1 a.m.
Night Of The Living Dead w/ Necro + More
Catch One -- 4067 Pico Blvd., Arlington Heights
Union Nightclub recently changed its name to honor its legacy (it was formerly Jewel's Catch One) and to celebrate, it'll hold a party with Necro, the "King of Death Rap" and Psycho+Logical-Records. Also performing: Mr. Hyde, One Be Lo of Binary Star, 2Mex, Pawz One, DannyBoy and many others. MC Lyfe emcees the evening. Come in costume for a chance to win money from Necro during his "Who's Your Daddy?" sexy $250 Halloween costume contest.
COST: General admission tickets: $25; MORE INFO

SUNDAY, OCT. 28; 3 - 9 p.m.
San Pedro Día de los Muertos Festival
398 West 6th St., San Pedro
Celebrate the Day of the Dead in the South Bay with authentic Mexican fare, art and musical performances by the Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea, locals Kotolan and Salt Petal. The festival debuts a tequila garden and features an ofrenda installation, honoring unsung heroes from Mexican culture including Jose Cuervo founding lady Ana Gonzalez Rubio y de la Torre, painter Maria Izquierdo, Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata and printmaker/illustrator Jose Guadalupe Posada.
COST: FREE, but tickets required; MORE INFO

How are you spending your weekend? Let us know on Twitter @christineziemba and @LeoHasACat.


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