Rock The Red (Shag) Carpet

San Diego Film Festival lights up the Gaslamp Quarter and La Jolla through September 30.

The annual San Diego Film Festival celebrates quirkier movies that seldom get a shot at the megaplex, but there’s fun to be had outside the theater, too. Like at a block party themed after Almost Famous, Cameron Crowe’s semiautobiographical film about a teenage rock critic growing up in San Diego. On Sept. 28, festival organizers will carpet a downtown street with red shag and show the film on a giant outdoor screen for party guests dressed up in full 1970s regalia—the original Penny Lane is even slated to attend. Another highlight of the fest: a retrospective of the films of Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Milk), held at the Sherwood Auditorium in La Jolla with the Oscar-nominated director in attendance. Through Sept. 30, various venues. 619.818.2221. sdfilmfest.com