Director Guillermo del Toro and Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein on the set of 'Frankenstein.' Del Toro is speaking at an Aero Theatre screening of the film this weekend.
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Ken Woroner
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Netflix
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In this edition:
Arts-a-Palooza in San Pedro, Frankenstein in 35mm, local authors on stage at the Burbank Book Festival, hop on two wheels for Octavia’s Bike Ride and more of the best things to do this weekend.
Highlights:
Don’t sleep on San Pedro’s arts scene. Angels Gate Cultural Center is one of my favorite spots in L.A., and it’s hosting open studios with more than 50 local artists participating as part of the annual San Pedro Arts-a-Palooza.
Cory Doctorow, Margaret Wappler, J. Ryan Stradahl and many more favorite local authors will be on hand at the Burbank Book Festival.
Director Guillermo del Toro will be on hand for a Q&A after a screening of his new film, Frankenstein, at the Aero Theatre.
If you also have a newfound (or perennial) interest in the work of local sci-fi author Octavia Butler, this is the fest for you. The events kick off this weekend with Octavia’s Pasadena Bike Ride on Sunday.
Some of our favorite organizations in L.A. — including Zocalo Public Square, Dynasty Typewriter, and Metro — are teaming up for a night of comedy, poetry and storytelling at beautiful Union Station, aptly called LAte Nite Train of Thought.
If you’re still coming down off that Dodgers win high, I’m right there with you. But we need some new things to look forward to now that baseball season is over. One thing to put on your calendar as we approach the anniversary of the January fires is a concert hosted by Altadena band Dawes, with support from folks like Brandon Flowers of The Killers, Brad Paisley, Jackson Browne, Jenny Lewis and many more. It’s happening on the one-year anniversary of the Eaton Fire — the evening of Jan. 7, 2026 — at Pasadena Civic Auditorium. It seems like a great way to hear some good tunes, honor the challenging events of the past year and support a good cause.
And for music picks a little sooner than January, our friends at Licorice Pizza have this week’s listings. One of my newish favorites, Tank and the Bangas, are at the Blue Note on Sunday; Inglewood-born-and-raised singer/songwriter SiR is at the Beehive on Sunday; and Iranian musician Arash Sobhani is at the Mint on Friday.
Saturday, November 8, 7 p.m. Metro Presents: LAte Night Train of Thought Union Station 800 N. Alameda St., Downtown L.A. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Metro L.A.
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Some of our favorite organizations in LA — including Zocalo Public Square, Dynasty Typewriter, and Metro — are teaming up for a night of comedy, poetry, and storytelling at beautiful Union Station. There will be a conversation titled “How Does Art Connect L.A.?”, improv and music performances, and complimentary sweets from Little Tokyo’s iconic Fugetsu-Do Confectionery.
Saturday, November 8, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mix at the Museum: A Roland Free Day Grammy Museum at L.A. Live 800 W Olympic Blvd., Downtown L.A. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Attend a live looping session with musician John Allen, jam with J. Mo & the Greats, listen in on sessions about building your music career and check out the Grammy Museum’s current exhibits, all for free. Plus, try hands-on experiences with Roland instruments throughout the day.
November 8-9 Iam8bit gallery reopening Studio 8 614 E 12th St., Downtown L.A. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Iam8bit
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Iam8bit was the early and mid-2000s hotspot gallery, hosting events that attracted a range of hip art types and gamer nerds alike. Well, the spirit of the aughts is alive again, as the early video game-inspired gallery reopens with a 20th anniversary exhibit celebrating both its origin story and the 8-bit form’s “ongoing influence on the art and games landscape.”
Saturday, November 8 San Pedro Arts-a-Palooza Multiple locations San Pedro COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Don’t sleep on San Pedro’s arts scene. Angels Gate Cultural Center is one of my favorite spots in L.A., and it’s hosting open studios with more than 50 local artists participating as part of the annual San Pedro Arts-a-Palooza. There’s also a special screening of the environmental documentary In Plain Sight at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium as part of the 14th Annual San Pedro International Film Festival at 11 a.m. Plus, there’s a free gallery show featuring Native and Indigenous women artists, live painting with the Angels Gate Teen Mural Club, and art workshops for all ages.
Saturday, November 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Burbank Book Festival Buena Vista Branch Library 300 N. Buena Vista St., Burbank COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Burbank Book Festival
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Cory Doctorow, Margaret Wappler, J. Ryan Stradahl and many more favorite local authors will be on hand at the Burbank Book Festival. From a romance novel panel to kids events, YA author appearances, readings, signings, giveaways and more, there’s something for every type of reader.
Sunday, November 9, 10:30 a.m. SOS Social Sculpture Laguna Art Museum 307 Cliff Dr., Laguna Beach COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Get up early on Sunday and be part of a unique art activation. You’ll be one of 800 volunteers holding up circular mirrors along the beautiful Laguna shoreline to spell out “SOS” in Morse code, part of Ana Teresa Fernández’s social sculpture aimed at “symbolizing a global call to protect our oceans.” The event is part of the museum’s Art & Nature initiative.
Through Sunday, November 9, nightly at 6:30 p.m. Alice Ryley & 'Big Deaths' The Church at Heritage Square Museum 3800 Homer St., Downtown L.A. COST: FROM $20; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Heritage Square Museum
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Haven’t gotten your Halloween fill? Heritage Square has plenty of ghosts lined up for you again this weekend. "Big Deaths" is a spooky, immersive nighttime crawl through the Heritage Square Museum — with operatic murder scenes in every room. Can’t you hear the organ now? There are scenes from Carmen, Lucrezia Borgia, Rusalka, The Turn of the Screw and more, all queued up for your frightening pleasure. The tour is followed by the West Coast debut of Michael Ching’s ghost story, Alice Ryley, in the site’s Lincoln Avenue Church.
Sunday, November 9, 3 p.m. Lennon & Nilsson: Songs from the Lost Weekend The Carpenter Center 6200 E. Atherton St., Long Beach COST: $53.75; MORE INFO
Sometimes I think I really missed out not living in Laurel Canyon in the ‘70s. Fortunately, time travel is possible thanks to this afternoon of jams from a variety of talented artists singing John Lennon and Harry Nilsson songs. Plus, a 3 p.m. show? Sign me up. Check out a preview here.
Outdoor Pick
Saturday,November 8 (and select dates through December) Octavia Fest: Octavia’s Pasadena Bike Ride Around the Cycle Bike Shop 1270 Lincoln Ave., North Pasadena COST: FREE; MORE INFO
I finally read Parable of the Sower after the fires this year (a little too prescient, Ms. Butler!). If you also have a newfound (or perennial) interest in the work of local sci-fi author Octavia Butler, this is the fest for you. The events kick off this weekend with Octavia’s Pasadena Bike Ride on Sunday, and programming is set through December, including a teen reading event on November 15 and an “afrofuturistic roller boogie affair” in Venice later in the year. The fest brings together community leaders and organizations ranging from Pasadena District 1 Councilmember Tyron Hampton to Active SGV, Octavia’s Bookshelf, the Pasadena NAACP and more.
Viewing Pick
Saturday, November 8, 7:30 p.m. Frankenstein in 35mm, followed by Q&A with director Guillermo del Toro Aero Theatre 1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica COST: FREE FOR MEMBERS; MORE INFO
Director Guillermo del Toro and Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein on the set of Frankenstein.
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Ken Woroner
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Netflix
)
This is already sold out, but it’s included here because we have it on good authority to recommend seeing the new Guillermo del Toro version of Frankenstein on the big screen — in 35mm if possible — even though it’s hitting Netflix this weekend. If you can’t get in at the Aero (check local Facebook groups, often folks give away their tickets if they can’t make these), find it on one of the other screens around the area — even if there’s not a Q&A with del Toro.
Dine & Drink Deals
November 7-9 Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival The Barker Hanger 3021 Airport Ave., Suite 203, Santa Monica COST: $175; MORE INFO
Tastemade hosts this massive food event at Santa Monica’s Barker Hanger, featuring chefs like Stephanie Izard (Top Chef, Girl and the Goat), Antonia Lofaso (Top Chef, Black Market Liquor Bar), Brooke Williamson (Top Chef, Playa Provisions) and more. Tickets include unlimited tastings and much more.
Friday, November 7, 5:30 p.m. Mother African Cuisine opening party Mother African Cuisine 14115 Crenshaw Blvd., Hawthorne COST: FREE; MORE INFO
KDAY DJ Cece Valencia hosts the opening of the new Mother African restaurant in Hawthorne. There will be African dishes, live entertainment and a celebration of African culture. It also coincides with Funny Frydaze, so there will be a comedy show.
