Best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California: October 21 - 24

Performance art isn’t for everyone, but in the second of three consecutive Tuesday nights dedicated to the unique immersive art at the iconic Catch One club, you’ll get a chance to see a variety of installations that may challenge your understanding of what it can be. Host Miss Barbie-Q emcees a showcase featuring experimental vocalist Carmina Escobar, Terence Koh (“asianpunkboy”), multidisciplinary group La Pocha Nostra and many more.

There’s more than one good reason to get out to see the Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra at 2220 Arts. First off, the organization has been an incubator of talent, with more than 300 innovative musicians playing in the group since the '70s – and this is a chance to catch them in a smaller space, ahead of their performance next month as part of Noon to Midnight at Disney Hall. But it’s also an opportunity to help support their musical director, Mekala Session, who’s facing eviction from his studio space and is holding this event as a fundraiser. The night will feature selections of music videos filmed in the garage of Session's home, which also serves as the rehearsal space of the band.

The recently expanded David Zwirner Gallery is hosting a new exhibit curated by New Yorker critic Hilton Als about the painter Alice Neel and her long history of painting people from all walks of life, including many in the queer community. The expansive show, At Home: Alice Neel in the Queer World, includes paintings of politicians, philanthropists, writers, performers, artists, friends, and neighbors.

Our friends at KCRW are hosting ten accomplished storytellers to compete for the Moth GrandSLAM title of Los Angeles Storytelling Champion. This round’s theme asks performers to talk about “hard choices, danger, and moments that test one's mettle.”

Huntington Beach Art Center is launching a new show celebrating women veteran photographers, just ahead of Veterans Day in November. The public opening reception will be a fun opportunity to see the show, which is open through Nov. 7.

There are only a few books that I can say really changed how I thought about an issue and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Powers’ 2018 book The Overstory – about trees and their unique relationship to us and our environment – was one of them. Powers’ new book, Playground, moves focus to the oceans by following four intertwining stories that look at our shared humanity and relationship to the waters that connect us. He will be in conversation with fellow novelist Steph Cha at Live Talks.

This is one to cross off your L.A. bucket list! If you’ve ever wanted to help build a float for the Tournament of Roses Parade, here is your chance. The Burbank Tournament of Roses Association is looking for volunteers to help build and decorate their 2025 Rose Parade float with the theme "Having A-Lava Fun!" The float features a dozen prehistoric dinosaurs frolicking among a floral landscape beneath an active volcano. Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty and make sure you’re wearing closed-toed shoes!

I can’t think of a better time of year to watch the master of suspense on the big screen. Landmark’s Hitchcock Retrospective runs through Friday and will screen films like Dial M For Murder (1954) and Stage Fright (1950).

Take a 75-minute theatrical journey that combines haunting original music, dance, immersive design, and, of course, four themed cocktails that celebrate Poe and the Halloween season, created by Spirit Guides. Non-alcoholic options are also available.

In celebration of Filipino American Heritage Month, SoulPhil, a Filipino-Soul Food fusion experience by Chef Tiana Gee (Food Network's Ciao House), will pop up alongside Chef Vinson at Openaire. The collab is a partnership with KACE Tea. Gee is a Filipina and Black Los Angeles native who weaves together nostalgic flavors from her childhood with a soulful edge. The four-course dinner will be paired with KACE Tea-infused cocktails.

Speakeasy Old Lightning (behind Scopa Italian Roots) will host Beth Buckner, Senior Manager of Innovation and Blending at Maker's Mark for a tasting of three Maker's Mark selections, accompanied by small bite pairings from Scopa Italian Roots. Tickets will allow guests to purchase one bottle of the OL x Maker's Mark Private Barrel Selection.