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Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: October 3-5
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The Dog Agency
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PetCon
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Our Picks
Last week, I was lucky enough to spend some time with artist Roberto Benavidez, whose piñata creations are on display at Perrotin in Mid-City through October 18. His work walks the line between mystical and absurd, cute and authentic. Read more about him here and check out the exhibit this weekend.
Music picks from our friends at Licorice Pizza include Ledisi at the L.A. Phil performing her For Dinah album on Friday, UK rising star James Marriott at the Echoplex on Sunday, Dua Lipa at the Forum on Saturday and Sunday, Perfume Genius outside at The Ford on Saturday and comedian Adam Conover (Adam Ruins Everything) is at the Lodge Room on Sunday.
Explore even more from LAist: You can get as sad as I am about missing the Cake Picnic, learn where you can donate Christmas ornaments to help brighten the upcoming holiday season for Altadena families, and catch up with Grammy winner Cory Henry and read about his residency in Inglewood.
Events
Friday, October 3, 7 p.m.
The Third Mind x The Mad Alchemist Liquid Light Show with Bolero!
The Troubadour
9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
COST: $44.84; MORE INFO
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A group of super musicians, including Counting Crows guitarist David Immerglück, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Alvin, drummer Michael Jerome — who’s played with The Blind Boys of Alabama and Better Than Ezra — and vocalist and guitarist Jesse Sykes, came together to form The Third Mind. Don’t miss this special, kind of psychedelic show at the Troubadour.
Through Sunday, Nov. 9
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Mark Taper Forum
135 N Grand Ave., Downtown L.A.
COST: FROM $40.25; MORE INFO
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T. Charles Erickson
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The sacred space of the hair salon takes center stage at the straight-from-Broadway run of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. Celebrating West African culture and sisterhood, the comedy follows the lives of immigrant braiders in a Harlem salon. It’s written by Tony Award-nominated, Ghanaian American playwright Jocelyn Bioh. She wrote the incredible School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, which you may remember from its run at the Kirk Douglas some years ago. There are several special event nights planned during the run, including a West African culture night (Oct. 21) and several Stage Talk nights.
Friday, Oct. 3, 5:30 to 10 p.m.
Queerceañera 2025: ‘Mariposas Sin Fronteras’
The Village at Ed Gould Plaza
1125 N. McCadden Pl., Hollywood
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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The annual Queerceañera hosted by the Los Angeles LGBT Center is a celebration of queer Latin culture. It’s free, and this year honors Mexican-American drag artist Lushious Massacr, plus Oliver Alpuche, the community leader behind Redline, KISO and DTLA Proud.
October 3-5
Masters of Musical Whistling
Barnsdall Gallery Theater
4800 Hollywood Blvd., Los Feliz
COST: $12.51; MORE INFO
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Masters of Musical Whistling
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Just put your lips together and blow. Sounds easy, right? I wouldn’t know; I have never been able to whistle. But these folks certainly can — the Masters of Music Whistling competition features stars like Columbian-American singer and world-class whistler Wanda Civic.
October 4-5
PetCon 2025
Wallis Annenberg PetSpace
12005 Bluff Creek Dr., Playa Vista
COST: FROM $33.95; MORE INFO
Meet your favorite influencer pets, from Gnocci the Frenchie to the “Anna Wintour of dogs” Tika the Iggy, to my personal favorite, Sunglass Cat, at Annenberg PetSpace’s annual PetCon. I’m sorry to report that these fine furry friends have more followers than you, but they are pretty darn cute. And know that 100% of ticket proceeds go to supporting the PetSpace Extraordinary Care Fund.
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October 4-5
National Menopause Show
Anaheim Convention Center
800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim
COST: FROM $45; MORE INFO
The algorithm knows us a little too well, my fellow women of a certain age. Head to Anaheim to see your “for you” page come to life at the “only live event in North America dedicated exclusively to perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause.” It’s Menopause Awareness Month, and this two-day event includes talks from experts on hormone health, longevity and more.
Sunday, October 5, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration
Fowler Museum at UCLA
308 Charles Young Dr. North, Westwood
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Fowler Museum at UCLA
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Take a guided tour of the "Fire Kinship" exhibit, drop in and make your own cyanotype art print with Meztli Projects, enjoy live cooking demos (with tasting!) and listen to poetry readings, music and storytelling at the Fowler’s first-ever Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration. The free event celebrates the Native cultures of Southern California and promises to be a great day of art-making and learning for the entire community.
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Outdoor Pick
Saturday, October 4, 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Water, Words & The City Converge screening, plus poetry reading
Stoneview Nature Center
5950 Stoneview Dr., Culver City
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
The section of the Los Angeles River flowing through the Frogtown neighborhood in Los Angeles is home to an assortment of birds, including this cormorant.
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Andrew Cullen for LAist
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A screening and event celebrating the L.A. River, right in nature itself. Pay a visit to the Stoneview Nature Center for a stroll, hike or picnic, followed by a special screening of director Cindy “Mimi” Phan’s short film Water, Words & The City Converge, featuring acclaimed poets Mike Sonksen and Rocio Carlos. Inspired by Sonksen’s poem “Ode to the Los Angeles River,” the film screening will be followed by a poetry reading by Sonken and Carlos, as well as a Q&A with them and the filmmaker, plus art and poetry activities on site and light refreshments.
Viewing Pick
Saturday, October 4, 3 p.m.
Grease sing-along
Venice (er, Rydell) High School
13000 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista
COST: FREE, VIP RESERVATIONS FROM $25; MORE INFO
Summer lovin’ might be over, but school is in session as Grease comes back to where it all started. Put on your best poodle skirt or leather jacket, and make a beeline for "Rydell" High School to see a special sing-along screening of the movie, which was filmed right here in Venice.
Dine & Drink Deals
Sunday, October 5, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
OTOTO Sake Fest
OTOTO
1360 Allison Ave., Echo Park
COST: $83; MORE INFO
Echo Park sake bar OTOTO not only has the cutest cat illustrations on their website (truly worth the click), but they are also hosting their annual Sake Fest, with more than 50 different sakes to try, plus light bites for World Sake Day. Distributors will be on hand to share tastes from known iconic labels, rare sakes and new-to-the-list bottles
Friday, October 3, 7 p.m.
Venice Beach Wine Club: The Anniversary Party
Milwood Studios
940 Palms Blvd., Venice
COST: $59.78; MORE INFO
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Kelsey Chance
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Unsplash
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Venice Beach Wine Club is turning three in style, with a party featuring a DJ set by David Ramos, an open wine bar included in your ticket, light bites and a good time. Dress to impress!
Sunday, October 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Feria de los Moles
Gloria Molina Grand Park
200 N. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
No two moles are exactly the same, so you will obviously need to try them all at the 18th annual Feria de los Moles at Grand Park. Plus, there will be folk arts and crafts, music and more.
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