Events
L.A. Zoo Drive-In Movies
Begins Oct. 16. Experience the L.A. Zoo and Botanical Gardens in a completely new (night)light with drive-in movies in its parking lot through November 1! Each weekend showcases a different theme starting with “Animal Adventures” this weekend, “The Brilliant Betty White” (Oct. 23-25) and “Hair-Raising Halloween” (Oct. 29-Nov. 1). Need snacks? Movie theater fare is available through mobile food ordering from the comfort of one’s car. Gate opens at 6 p.m. with pre-show entertainment; movie starts at 8 p.m. See website for ticket prices. 5333 Zoo Drive, L.A., 323.644.4200. lazoo.org
“The Art of Frogtown” Online Festival
Oct. 16-18. Bring out the artist in you and your family at Elysian Valley (aka Frogtown) Arts Collective’s first-ever virtual Frogtown Artwalk. The festival kicks off with programming and activities for kids and adults such as free workshops, artist talks, panel discussions, art exhibits and online art galleries. Additional draws include music and dance performances, video interviews, crafts and demonstrations. All activities will be live-streamed on one or more platforms including EVAC’s website, Facebook and Zoom. evartscollective.com
The Present: A Grand Finale
Oct. 17. Intrigued by illusions? Don’t miss the epic finale of world-renowned performer and magician Helder Guimarães’ critically acclaimed interactive (virtual) experience, The Present. Inspired by Guimarães’ own life experience with quarantine during childhood, The Present features his signature mind-bending illusions used to recall funny, moving and illuminating lessons he learned when he least expected them. 6 p.m. $25. geffenplayhouse.org | Tickets
Festival of Books Goes Virtual
Starts Oct. 18. Calling all bookworms! Los Angeles Times is not closing the chapter on its annual Festival of Books this year; it is back and celebrating 25 years! To commemorate its quarter-century anniversary, this year’s festival will boast 25 individual virtual events, beginning on Sunday and continuing over the course of the month. Festival of Books celebrates storytelling with author panels, readings and other events, and this year’s festival will make that kind of inspiration accessible from home. See website for full schedule and lineup. Free, registration required. Info
Food + Drink
Gastro Garage Pop-Up
Starts Oct. 16-17. Light up your evenings at the Gastro Garage’s all-new culinary pop-up experience on the rooftop of the W Hollywood. The popular L.A.-based catering crew opens an 8-night event on Friday and Saturday nights (Oct. 23-24, Nov. 6-7 and Nov. 13-14) with three seatings per night at 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. This one-of-a-kind, blowtorch-powered event features an 8-course, progressive meal, with a specialty shot and a curated cocktail to round out the evening. $100. 6250 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 310.993.3979. thegastrogarage.com | Tickets
Forma in Venice
Now Open. On the heels of its fifth anniversary, Santa Monica’s Italian hotspot Forma Restaurant & Cheese Bar welcomes guests to its second location in Venice. Enjoy familiar classics including its signature pastas, such as the Tortellini with mushrooms, light cream and truffle oil, tossed in a wheel of bella lodi cheese; and the Chitarra Cacio E Pepe tossed in a wheel of pecorino romano. While the Santa Monica location serves beer and wine only, this location offers a full bar and cocktail list created by locally acclaimed mixologist Vincenzo Marianella. Su-Th 4-10 p.m., F-Sa 4-10:30 p.m. 110 Navy St., Venice, 424.330.2464. formavenice.com
New Dining Concepts at Mar Monte Hotel
Now Open. Santa Barbara’s newest lifestyle hotel unveils two new dining concepts, Costa and Café Lido. For the first, Costa is a pop-up—available on Friday and Saturday nights from 6 to 10 p.m.—at the hotel’s outdoor terrace with a limited menu sampling from executive chef Nathan Lingle, featuring bold coastal Italian cuisine. The second concept, Café Lido—open Sundays to Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m.—offers Mediterranean-inspired light bites, refreshing cocktails, locally sourced coffee and smoothies with a “Golden Hour” happy hour special. 1111 E. Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara. hyatt.com
Arts + Culture
SPONSORED
Wiesenthal – Exclusive Digital Engagement
Upcoming | Oct. 20-27. Filled with hope, humanity and humor, Wiesenthal is the riveting true story of Simon Wiesenthal, the “Jewish James Bond.” A Holocaust survivor who devoted his life to bringing more than 1,100 Nazi war criminals to justice, Wiesenthal was an intelligent, funny, flawed and noble universal hero. “CRITICS CHOICE! Beautifully written and performed” – Los Angeles Times. thewallis.org
Pasadena Presents
Begins Oct. 17. Experience chamber music like never before with the Pasadena Symphony’s new, intimate concert experience running through November 14. This series of four performances features a renowned soloist performing a concerto in recital, followed by an ensemble of Pasadena Symphony musicians performing in a socially distanced concert setting. The series opens with Avery Fisher Grant recipient Simone Porter (pictured) performing Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5, paired with Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence. 8 p.m. pasadenasymphony-pops.org
Live from Oaxaca: Celebrating Day of the Dead
Oct. 17-18. Tune in to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s celebration for Día de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) with music, dance, art activities and altar displays. Watch live via Zoom from Oaxaca for a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the artisans and art that are central to this holiday. After a Q&A with each artisan, SBMA’s teaching artist Tina Villadolid shares ideas about how to create meaningful elements out of simple materials that can be added to home altars to honor loved ones who have passed. 11 a.m.-noon. Tickets
Titanic Exhibition and Museum Benefit
Oct. 17. Get a glimpse into the lives of those who set sail on the “unsinkable” ship during Catalina Island Museum’s annual museum benefit event. During the virtual affair, viewers can expect a ribbon cutting and first look of the museum’s new Titanic: Real Artifacts, Real People, Real Stories exhibition. Additional highlights include special guests and celebrity appearances led by Captain of Ceremonies and celebrity auctioneer Matt Rogers, who will guide guests through an evening full of live and silent auction items. 6-7 p.m. Free, registration required. catalinamuseum.org | Registration
Global Live-Piano Concert
Oct. 18. Slow down your Sunday evening with MindTravel‘s global, online musical journey—livestreamed from Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica. As an immersive musical experience that takes place in iconic theaters and outdoor spaces, this MindTravel concert features pianist and creator of MindTravel Murray Hidar who will perform a program to help bring listeners closer together during these trying times while sharing this musical experience. 5:30-7 p.m. $20-$100. Tickets
Photo credits: Festival of Books by Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times. Ryan Autry courtesy Di Moda Public Relations. The Gastro Garage by Fitz Carlile. Forma Venice by Andrea D’Agosto. Titanic courtesy Alan Entertainment Holdings (Titanic Museum Attractions). All other images are courtesy of the venues.
