Best things to do in LA and SoCal: Oct. 21-27

While those of us closer to LAX wait around for the People Mover to finally make its much-delayed debut (oh, how I remember fondly taking a video of its virgin run around the terminals when I got off a plane a few months ago … ), those in the Valley and parts north have had the last laugh as the new Burbank terminal makes the area’s best airport even better. Sigh.

But who needs to go anywhere? We’ve got plenty going on right here. And remember to get your ballot in and use our voter guides as your one-stop-ballot-info stop. Election Day is Nov. 3!

Music

In music around the region this week, highlights from Licorice Pizza's recommendations include:

Chief Keef will be at the Wiltern on Oct. 27

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Erika Goldring

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Getty Images

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Wednesday

• G-Eazy with Logic and Juicy J at the YouTube Theater
• Chappell Roan’s two-night charity event “Super Graphic Spectacular” at the Shrine Auditorium, benefiting her Midwest Princess Project

Thursday

• Doja Cat and Latto paint the town red at the Forum
• Talib Kweli and Friends are at the Blue Note

Friday

• Andrew Bird with the LA Philharmonic at Disney Hall
• Foster The People with Goth Babe at the Greek
• Channel Tres at the Shrine

Saturday 

• Animal Collective at the Fonda
• Pershing Square’s free I Love Funk Festival with Kool & the Gang, Zapp, Evelyn, Rose Royce and the Dazz Band
• Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert at the United Theater, featuring a live band performing the full Bowie soundtrack

Sunday

• Xavier Wulf at the Hollywood Palladium
• Jodeci play the YouTube Theater

Monday 

• The Well and Pink Fuzz at Zebulon
• Great Lake Swimmers at Lodge Room

Tuesday

• Chief Keef at the Wiltern
• Josh Johnson ANIMATIVE with Anna Butterss and Ben Lumsdaine at Zebulon

Events

Movies Under the Microscope: Real Genius

Thursday, Oct. 22, 6 p.m.
Natural History Museum 
900 Exposition Blvd., Expo Park 
COST: $25; MORE INFO  

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Courtesy TriStar Pictures

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The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County’s Movies Under the Microscope series is back with an ‘80s sci-fi flair, followed by a discussion about how movie science and real science overlap. This week, Val Kilmer (RIP) leads a pack of teen scientists building a laser for the government in the 1985 classic Real Genius. The screening is followed by a panel featuring Dr. David Saltzberg, professor of physics and astronomy at UCLA and science consultant on The Big Bang Theory and Oppenheimer; Cody Ziglar, comic and writer for Futurama and Rick and Morty; Jason Patrick Galit, lead consultant for InterMyth and pop culture educator; and Beth Werling, the senior collections manager of history (Material Culture) at NHM. NHM’s Joel Quizon will moderate the panel.

Treasures and Trivia Thrifting Event

Friday to Sunday, Oct. 23-25
465 N. Halstead St., Pasadena
COST: $40; MORE INFO

Benefiting the Children’s Hospital of LA, Treasures and Trivia is an upscale thrifting event where you can find high-end clothing, furniture, art, housewares, holiday décor and more. Find your next prized possession among rows and rows of unique vintage items.

Side B: the sounds

Through Saturday, Oct. 24
David Zwirner Gallery
606 N. Western Ave., Melrose Hill
COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

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Courtesy David Zwirner Gallery

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Did you know there’s a jazz listening room at David Zwirner through this weekend? "Side B: the sounds" is part of the current exhibition at the airy gallery space in Melrose Hill, Roy DeCarava: the sound i saw. There are a few events this weekend at the space, including a screening of the 1984 documentary Conversations with Roy DeCarava (Oct. 22), a reading by Harmony Holiday (Oct. 23) and a live jazz performance organized with the Sam First jazz club (Oct. 24). You can follow the full schedule of events here.

Grand Ave. Arts: All Access

Saturday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Downtown L.A. 
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

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Courtesy Grand Ave. Arts

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Grand Ave. is the place to be on Saturday, when 14 leading arts and cultural institutions open their doors for the tenth anniversary of Grand Ave Arts: All Access. From the Ahmanson to Colburn, REDCAT to MOCA, DATALAND and more, all of the institutions along Grand Ave. are planning performances and exhibitions, including a special performance of ¡SÍ SE PUEDE! from Center Theatre Group, an instrument petting zoo at Colburn and Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Downtown Día de los Muertos celebration. Plus, it’s all free!

Public Spirits: Festival of Performance Art

Friday, Oct. 23, 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Various locations 
Chinatown
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

The Performance Art Museum is hosting an all-day festival of interpretive art, with performances by Jade Guanaro Kuriki-Olivo (Puppies Puppies), Pau S. Pescador, Da Ron Vinson and Ryat Yezbick. Each artist approaches performance “as a form of public speech and a means of intervening in civic life in a spirit of resistance and critical response to the political climate.”

City of San Fernando Día de los Muertos Festival

Saturday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
San Fernando Recreation Park
208 Park Ave., San Fernando
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

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Courtesy the City of San Fernando

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Bring the whole family to experience the rich tradition of Día de los Muertos! This lively event honors the memories of loved ones, and the city of San Fernando asks you to join in the sacred tradition by building your own altar.

L.A. Times Food Bowl 

Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24
Barkar Hangar
3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica
COST: FROM $170; MORE INFO

Try bites from the hottest restaurants in L.A. at the annual L.A. Times Food Bowl, this year taking place at the massive Barkar Hangar in Santa Monica. Roy Choi, Chainsaw, Baroo, Rustic Canyon and many, many more will have tastes and treats — all included in your ticket.

It's Funny NOW: Five Moth Champions Live

Saturday, October 24, 8 p.m.
Hermosa Beach Playhouse
710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach
COST: FROM $21.24; MORE INFO 

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Courtesy RimoVision

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Five Moth StorySlam and Grand Slam champs join forces at the Hermosa Beach Playhouse for It’s Funny NOW. True stories, live on stage and only the best — you really can’t go wrong, just don’t forget to bring the tissues.

Venice Yoga Festival and block party

Saturday, Oct. 24, 12 p.m. to sunset
Venice Basketball Courts
1708-1978 Ocean Front Walk, Venice 
COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

Get your vinyasa on, or just meditate by the ocean waves with fellow yogis and community members at the free Venice Yoga Festival at Muscle Beach. In addition to free classes with local practitioners, the day also features live music and kirtan, kids’ activities, workshops and talks.

Blind Runner

Through Sunday, Nov. 8 
South Coast Repertory
655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
COST: FROM $41; MORE INFO

”Blind Runner” will be at South Coast Rep for a few weeks.

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Matt Stasi

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South Coast Repertory

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Mehr Theatre Group’s Blind Runner tells the story of three Iranians in a race against themselves — and time — using projection, immersive imagery and a story performed entirely in Persian with English supertitles. The unique show premiered at New York’s St. Ann's Warehouse in January 2025 as part of the Under the Radar Festival. With text and direction by award-winning Iranian theatre artist Amir Reza Koohestani, Blind Runner runs through Nov. 8 at South Coast Rep. Shows on Oct. 25 and 28 feature artist talkbacks.