From funeral feasts to bratwurst and beer! Explore Halloween rituals at a food and death panel, catch Mariska Hargitay’s new doc, Oktoberfest hits Pomona and more.
Highlights:
Indie fave Panda Bear, a.k.a. Noah Lennox of Animal Collective, is at The Fonda on Thursday.
The Hammer’s "Made in L.A." this year features work from local artists like Patrick Martinez, who has created a mural-scale installation for the event, and Carl Cheng and Pat O’Neill, veteran L.A. artists who’ve been working here for more than 60 years.
It’s pumpkin season! Get ready to carve, roast at a local pumpkin patch.
We've only just started October, and already the ghosts and ghouls are taking over this city. If you’ve been planning your costume and making shopping trips for cleverly named Halloween treats already, well, you’re clearly not alone. The hayrides are happening, and the pumpkins are ready for picking.
One not-so-spooky alter ego making an appearance next week, however, is friend of LAist, John C. Reilly, in his Mister Romantic one-man show, which is back at the Palace Theatre on Oct. 10, so make sure to grab a ticket.
And Licorice Pizza’s Lyndsey Parker casts a vote for checking out the Dandy Warhols and Kula Shaker at the Bellwether on Monday, or maybe you’re looking for Lionel Richie, as he does a special Q&A with friends at the Orpheum, also on Monday. On Tuesday, British singer-songwriter Patrick Wolf is at the Lodge Room, and “power-disco” Bristol duo Getdown Services is at The Echo. Dua Lipa also wraps her run at the Kia Forum this week. The Haim sisters are next up at the Forum on Thursday, and Latin superstar Alicia Villarreal is at the YouTube Theatre that night.
Wednesday, October 8, 7 to 9 p.m. Inviting Death to Dinner: A Food & Death Panel Philosophical Research Society 3910 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Feliz COST: $14.95; MORE INFO
Halloween isn’t just ghosts and ghouls; it’s also about sacred rituals, the change of seasons and favorite foods. The Philosophical Research Society is hosting a series of “Death Becomes Us”-themed events, including this week’s unique panel to discuss how food and death intersect. The evening will have everything from recipes carved onto gravestones to funeral feasts and kitchen rituals that help us “grieve, remember and honor the lives that came before us.”
Tuesday, October 7, 8:30 p.m. Panda Bear The Fonda 6126 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood COST: $66.78; MORE INFO
Panda Bear of Animal Collective performs during the 2021 Pitchfork Music Festival at Union Park.
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Barry Brecheisen
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Indie fave Panda Bear, a.k.a. Noah Lennox of Animal Collective, is at The Fonda, showcasing his experimental side from his February 2025 release, Sinister Grift. Check out his recent interview with Billboard about the tour and take a listen to Panda Bear’s recent Tiny Desk concert performance at NPR, featuring the same full band that will be playing The Fonda.
Thursday, October 9, 7 p.m. Behind the Scenes at Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz 10361 Pico Blvd., West L.A. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Théâtre Raymond Kabbazhas been bringing a little bit of France to L.A. for 25 years, and in celebration of that big anniversary, they are holding a free party to give behind-the-scenes access and on-stage experiences with live music, food, a curated memory lane, a photobooth, a time capsule activity and a raffle to win full-season tickets. C’est si bon!
Through Sunday, November 2 Mr. Jack O’ Lantern's Pumpkin Patch 11404 Santa Monica Blvd., West L.A. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Frederic J. Brown
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AFP via Getty Images
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It’s pumpkin season! Get ready to carve, roast, and plan your Halloween discord at Mr. Jack O’ Lantern's Pumpkin Patch in West L.A. (or their other locations in Brea and Torrance). Open through early November, you don’t even have to leave the west side to pick your gourd, practice your carving and pumpkin painting skills and keep the kids occupied with bounce houses, games and a petting zoo.
Through Sunday, October 26 The Dinner Party The Middle Room 3229 Glendale Blvd., Atwater Village COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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The Middle Room
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In this group show, 22 artists who’ve exhibited at the female artist-focused gallery Middle Room before are paired with a "guest" of their choosing for a unique play on the famous Judy Chicago piece, “The Dinner Party." The show features 44 unique pieces, showcasing unexpected duets and thought-provoking imagery. Think “less banquet, more potluck.”
Through Sunday, March 1, 2026 'Made in L.A. 2025' Hammer Museum 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Paul Soto
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The Hammer’s "Made in L.A." exhibition has become the event that defines where L.A. sits in the art world and who to watch for the year to come. This year’s show features work from local artists like Patrick Martinez, who has created a mural-scale installation for the event, and Carl Cheng and Pat O’Neill, veteran L.A. artists who’ve been working here for more than 60 years. Many talks and events are scheduled throughout the show’s run.
Viewing Pick
Thursday, October 9, 7 p.m. My Mom Jayne, with guest Mariska Hargitay Museum of Tolerance 9786 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Mariska Hargitay descends from Hollywood royalty, and she explores her unique upbringing in the lauded HBO documentary My Mom Jayne. Her mother, Jayne Mansfield, died in a car accident when Hargitay was just three; the documentary explores her family dynamic and the search for the mom she barely knew. Hargitay will be on hand for a Q&A at the free Museum of Tolerance screening.
Dine & Drink Deals
Fridays and Saturdays through October 18 Oktoberfest Fairplex 1101 W McKinley Ave., Pomona COST: FROM $16; MORE INFO
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Fairplex
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Book in for brats, oom pah pah bands, and of course, beer at the annual Oktoberfest in Pomona. Be transported to Germany but stay right here in SoCal!
Through Saturday, October 11 éphémère: légume pop-up Le Petit Trois L’Original 716 North Highland Ave., Hollywood COST: $234; MORE INFO
Chef Ludo Lefebvre brings his Trois Mec space back to life with this special vegetarian tasting menu. Classic French technique makes California produce shine like only Ludo can.
Tuesday, October 7 National Taco Day Puesto Multiple locations COST: VARIES, MORE INFO
Win a coveted Puesto Golden Ticket, which might be hidden under your three-taco plate with choice of tacos, each served on a handmade, organic, non-GMO blue corn tortilla.
