Events
SPONSORED
The Tune In Festival
Oct. 28-Nov. 1. One of the driving features of CAP UCLA’s 2020-21 Season is The Tune in Festival; a convergence of music and poetry in a time of change. A five-day convening of more than 20 artists, bands, ensembles and soloists from across the U.S., Canada and Latin America in a grand gesture of cross-cultural solidarity that shares the time-honored tradition of music and poetry as a wellspring of resilience, resistance and inspiration. This event is free, RSVP now. cap.ucla.edu
Belly Up Virtual Tour
Begins Oct. 30. The legendary Belly Up nightclub is turning up with music with its first-ever livestream virtual tour concert series—running through December 19. The series features 10 shows from the Belly Up stage, including world-renowned acts Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe (pictured), Los Lobos and The White Buffalo, along with crowd-pleasers such as Queen Nation and an Oingo Boingo-inspired Halloween bash with Dead Man’s Party, plus more. See website for full line up. $10-$20. bellyuplive.com
Drive-In Movie Night at Ventura County Farm Day
Nov. 1. Head over to Ventura County Fairgrounds for a drive-in movie night featuring the award-winning, family-friendly documentary The Biggest Little Farm. The evening includes a Q&A session with John Chester—farmer, cinematographer and co-founder of Moorpark’s Apricot Lane Farms where the documentary was filmed. Fairgrounds open at 5 p.m., documentary at 6 p.m. $35 per car (includes popcorn). Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura. venturacountyfarmday.com
Halloween Weekend
Devilish Drinks at Conservatory West Hollywood
Oct. 30-Nov. 1. Get in the Halloween spirit with these devilish drinks at the all-outdoor Conservatory West Hollywood—costumes encouraged! New libations include the White Widow, Rosemary’s Baby and Devil’s Margarita. There’s also candy corn and bloody brain Jell-O shots on Halloween—while supplies last! Available for dinner and weekend brunch; reservations encouraged. All protocols on capacity and safety are followed. 8289 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, 323.654.0020. conservatoryweho.com
Bob Baker’s Hallowe’en SpOoKtAcUlAr
Through Nov. 18. Pasadena Playhouse presents the continuation of family entertainment on PlayhouseLive with the Bob Baker Marionette Theater’s production of Bob Baker’s Hallowe’en SpOoKtAcUlAr. Filmed in front of a live audience, this Halloween offering is an eye-popping and unforgettable musical variety puppet spectacular not to be missed. Viewers can rent the production through PlayhouseLive for $14.99 and is available through November 18. Closed captioning available in both English and Spanish. playhouselive.org
Food + Drink
Taqueando Takeover: Week 2
Oct. 29-31. Ignite your tastebuds at the Taqueando Takeover, a five-week rotating pop-up of taqueros and taqueras curated by Bill Esparza—located at the former Church & State restaurant space in DTLA. Guests include chef Ray Garcia, Poncho’s Tlayudas, Mariscos Jalisco, Tacos El Ruso, San Diego-based Tuetano Taqueria and chef Eduardo Ruiz. This week, it’s Surf and Turf Taco Night with Mariscos Jalisco and Tacos El Ruso serving their signature shrimp and carne asada tacos, respectively. Dine-in on the restaurant’s outdoor patio; takeout also available. 5:30-11 p.m. 1850 Industrial St., L.A., 213.405.1434. taqueandofest.com
Day of the Dead Brunch at Las Palmas
Oct. 31-Nov. 1. West Hollywood’s new Tulum-inspired rooftop concept Las Palmas is bringing Día de los Muertos celebrations stateside with its Day of the Dead brunch series. Come in costume and enjoy a Yucatan-inspired menu (think: lobster quesadilla, breakfast tacos and more) alongside a specialty Michelada in collaboration with Calidad Beer. There will be plenty of Instagram moments, from larger-than-life Calaveras to an orange backlit photo booth. Reservations required and can accommodate parties of four or six between noon-4 p.m. 603 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.855.9955. eplosangeles.com
Día de los Muertos at Nueva
Oct. 31. Celebrate the Day of the Dead at Venice’s newest contemporary Mexican cantina! Indulge in specials such as pumpkin tacos with pumpkin seed salsa, as well as festive libations including Flaming Margaritas (pictured), Tequila Vampire, Mezcal Mummy and Zombie Cocktails. available for brunch, lunch and dinner. 10:30 a.m.-midnight. 822 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey, 310.747.6050. nuevavenice.com
The Spare Room … Somewhere Else
Now Open. Get a taste of the new ephemeral alfresco cocktail experience: The Spare Room…Somewhere Else. Guests can expect incredible cocktails from bar director Yael Vengroff and her award-winning bar team such as Birds Aren’t Real and Highway to Bell. Also on hand will be to-go cocktails featuring The Spare Room classics—available for takeaway post-visit or pick-up from the hotel lobby. Don’t miss out on the small plates including burrata with pomegranate agrodolce; mushroom sott’olio with truffled ricotta and ciabatta (pictured); and “cacio e pepe” beef tartare. Reservations highly recommended. W-Th 5-11 p.m., F-Su 3-11 p.m. 7000 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., 323.769.7296. spareroomhollywood.com
Arts + Culture
Reena Esmail’s Piano Trio
Begins Oct. 29. The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents a four-part digital series featuring violinist Vijay Gupta, cellist Peter Myers and pianist Suzana Bartal performing composer Reena Esmail’s Piano Trio, which blurs the boundaries between Indian and Western classical music. The broadcasts are online over a four-week period on Thursdays (Oct. 29, Nov. 5, Nov. 12 and Nov. 19). These also include comments by the artists, who last appeared together live at The Wallis in February 2020, performing the Piano Trio, among other works by Esmail. 5 p.m. thewallis.org
Ray Bradbury Windows Unveiled at South Pasadena Public Library
Oct. 29. Watch artist Tim Carey unveil a new set of fused glass windows inspired by the life and work of author Ray Bradbury and made at Judson Studios in South Pasadena. These new windows, entitled “Live Forever,” were commissioned by the Friends of the South Pasadena Library and will be installed Thursday morning. Meet under the big fig tree outside the South Pasadena Public Library. 6-8 p.m. 1100 Oxley St., South Pasadena. More Info
Clay Insta-thon with Andres Payan Estrada
Oct. 31. Join Andres Payan Estrada for a whopping Instagram live marathon with studio visits, clay making activities, Laguna Clay Co., giveaways and cocktail workshops! Follow along the day as you meet artists around the U.S. on the final day of Craft Contemporary’s POTLUCK auction. Live on Instagram. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. craftcontemporary.org
Día de los Muertos Art Installation La Catrina Sculptures
Oct. 31-Nov. 2. Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) and the Santa Monica Pier Corporation honor Día de los Muertos, highlighting the traditional Mexican cultural celebration of life and death, with a larger than the after-life art installation on Third Street Promenade (10 a.m.-8 p.m.) and Santa Monica Pier. Sculptures of La Catrina, one of Día de los Muertos’ most recognizable figures, by L.A.-based artist Ricardo Soltero are viewable at nine locations throughout the Promenade and four locations on the Pier. downtownsm.com
Photo credits: Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe by Nick Sonsini/@sonsinimedia. Conservatory West Hollywood by Max Milla. The Spare Room…Somewhere Else credit Eugene Lee. All other images are courtesy of the venues.
