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Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: November 7-9
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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Our Picks
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.
Explore even more from LAist: Find local restaurants providing free or reduced cost meals to SNAP recipients, learn how to properly dispose of that pumpkin you still have sitting around, and book your tickets for next week’s Cookbook Live event with Chef Roy Choi.
Events
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
Sponsored message
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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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Sponsored message
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.
Sponsored message
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
Sponsored message
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.
(
Ken Woroner
/
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.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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