It's a good week to eat and drink -- paella, dumplings, sangria, beer and a major pairing of tacos and vodka for National Taco Day. With the Halloween season in full swing, there's a Satanic Panic film series and Wicked Lit returns with another spooky theater installment. There's also a chance to explore your kinks and serve on a jury of a musical comedy production. Last but not least, NPR's Sam Sanders hosts a show live from L.A.
MONDAY, OCT. 1; 7:30 p.m.
Ideas Exchange with DeRay Mckesson
The Theatre at Ace Hotel -- 929 S. Broadway, downtown L.A.
The civil rights activist and host of the podcast "Pod Save the People" joins Los Angeles Times reporter Tre'vell Anderson for a conversation about culture, social justice, politics and Mckesson's new book, "On the Other Side of Freedom." Also joining in the discussion is Jon Favreau of "Pod Save America."
COST: $40 (includes a signed copy of the book); MORE INFO
MONDAY, OCT. 1; 8 p.m.
Terms of Endearment
Geffen Playhouse -- 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood
The James L. Brooks script (adapted from Larry McMurtry's 1975 novel) gets a one-night only reading as a fundraiser for Stand Up To Cancer and the Geffen Playhouse's New Play Development Program. The cast includes Calista Flockhart as Aurora Greenway, Chris Wood as Flap Horton and Melissa Benoist as Emma Greenway. The 1983 film starred Debra Winger and Shirley MacLaine.
COST: $100 - $5,000; MORE INFO
TUESDAY, OCT. 2; 8 - 11 p.m.
S&M Social: A Night to Explore Kink
Dungeon East -- downtown L.A.
Dominatrix Justine Cross unlocks her upscale dungeon and play space for a rare open house. If you're curious about kink, this is your chance to explore BDSM toys and techniques. The night includes flogging, bondage and spanking stations. Attendees will receive a gift certificate for $50 off an overnight or hourly rental of the dungeon. Wine, beer, soft drinks and hors d'oeuvres will be served. Ages 21+.
COST: $10; MORE INFO
TUESDAY, OCT. 2; 7:30 p.m.
It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders - Live in LA
The Crawford Family Forum -- 474 South Raymond Ave., Pasadena
KPCC's In Person series presents the NPR reporter and podcast host as he dives into a talk with writer and comedian Guy Branum, who discusses his new book, "My Life as a Goddess." The event will be taped live for later broadcast on KPCC.
COST: $30; MORE INFO
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 3 - MONDAY, DEC. 31
30 Years of Make-Up, Monsters, and Magic
The Hollywood Museum -- 1660 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood
The museum, which once housed the Max Factor Make-Up Studio, teams with Oscar-winning creature and character studio Amalgamated Dynamics for an exhibition of prosthetics and props from current productions to iconic horror films of the past three decades. Items include a full-size figure of the Predator from "Alien vs. Predator" and one of the deadly dolls from "Annabelle: Creation."
COST: $5 - $15; MORE INFO
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 3; 6-9 p.m.
Preview: Imperial Western Beer Co.
Union Station -- 1800 N. Alameda St., downtown L.A.
After being closed for 51 years, the space once occupied by the Fred Harvey Restaurant in historic Union Station, will reopen as Imperial Western Beer Co. -- and you can get a sneak peek. You'll also get to check out The Streamliner, the space's new cocktail bar. It won't come cheap but it's a benefit for the L.A. Conservancy. This is a 21+ event.
COST: $150; MORE INFO
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 3; 8 p.m.
The No Shame Show
Comedy Central Stage -- 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood
The show is a collection of true(ish) stories and sketches from six comedians who were inspired by Nanette, the Netflix special starring comedian Hannah Gadsby. It's a night of honest comedy from Nicole Blume, Maria Ciampa, Petey Gibson, Alison Royer, Karla Solarte and Alexa Rose.
COST: FREE, but reservations required; MORE INFO
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 3; 8:30 p.m.
The People Vs. Hell Kross
Three Clubs -- 1123 Vine Street
The rock opera musical comedy focuses on a 1980s British heavy metal band on trial for creating music that allegedly causes its listeners to commit crimes. Audience members get to be on the jury and help decide the verdict. Stick around after the trial because the band plays some of its hits as well as heavy metal covers of "other lesser-known bands" like Judas Priest, Black Sabbath and Britney Spears.
COST: $13; MORE INFO
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 3 - FRIDAY, OCT. 5
Latino Media Fest
AMC Century City 15 at Westfield Century City -- 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City
The National Association of Latino Independent Producers presents the best in U.S.-based Latinx content from all media platforms: narrative shorts, TV pilots, digital web series, virtual reality and documentary shorts. The festival also holds workshops, master classes and nightly mixers, which are included in festival passes. Single tickets ($20) are available only for the Short Programs or Latino Lens Showcases.
COST: $65 - $75 (passes); MORE INFO
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 3; 6:30 p.m.
Sommeliers Challenge Wine Dinner
Market City Caffe -- 164 E. Palm Ave., Burbank
Certified sommeliers Alexandre Brard of Morels Steakhouse in Las Vegas and Elliott Wang of Everson Royce in Pasadena face off in a vintner's challenge. Each somm selects wines to accompany a five-course meal prepared by chef Robert Chaidez. Guests vote on their favorite pairings with the winner announced at the end of dinner. Reservations required; call 818-840-7036.
COST: $85 per guest plus tax and gratuity; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, OCT. 4; 2 - 8 p.m.
Tito's Fiesta Mexicana
Tito's Tacos Mexican Restaurant -- 11222 Washington Place, Culver City
National Vodka Day and National Taco Day fall on the same day, so tito's Tacos and Tito's Handmade Vodka (no relation) have teamed up to raise funds for the Culver City Cultural Affairs Foundation. The full ticket includes three vodka cocktails, tacos and entertainment. Tickets will be sold at the door only and you get a discount if you take public transportation.
COST: $25 ($10 without alcohol); MORE INFO
THURSDAY, OCT. 4; 8:30 a.m.
National Taco Day
Guisados -- 312 N. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank
It's only fitting that dineL.A.'s Taco Trek happens on National Taco Day. The guide features 25 of the best taco spots in L.A. with the must-order items at each location. To celebrate, dine L.A. teams up with Guisados to give away tacos but only at the Burbank location. Starting at 8:30 a.m., Burbank diners who go to the counter and say, "dineL.A. Taco Trek," will each receive one free Bistek an Salsa Roja taco.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, OCT. 4; 6 - 10 p.m.
Dumpling & Beer Fest
San Gabriel Mission District -- 320 S. Mission Dr., San Gabriel
You'll definitely need elastic waistbands for this carb fest. Numerous food vendors will serve up a variety of dumplings, from Korean-style to vegan offerings as well as sweet versions. The night features a dumpling-eating competition. For those 21+, wristbands ($40) are needed to partake in the beer festival but they give you access to unlimited samples. Individual beers will not be sold although wine will be available for purchase. Food is available directly from food vendors and trucks.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, OCT. 4; 8 p.m.
Johnny Marr
The Theatre at Ace Hotel -- 929 S. Broadway, downtown L.A.
The former Smiths guitarist is touring in support of his latest solo album, "Call the Comet." The pop band The Belle Game opens.
COST: $25 - $49.50; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, OCT. 4 - FRIDAY, OCT. 5; 7:30 p.m.
National Geographic Live: Social by Nature
The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage -- 1310 11th St., Santa Monica
The event explores what it means to be human -- and how we differ from other social mammals, including chimpanzees, wolves and gorillas. Learn from biologist-turned-photographer Ronan Donovan who documents these mammals and what humans can learn from them. Donovan also does a post-show Q&A.
COST: Tickets start at $65; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, OCT. 4 - SUNDAY, OCT. 7
LA Fest: Dudamel Kicks Off the 100th Season
Walt Disney Concert Hall -- 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A.
The maestro conducts the LA Phil, which takes on the ultimate L.A.-centric piece, "LA Variations" by Esa-Pekka Salonen, the orchestra's conductor laureate. The program also includes Beethoven's "Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Piano in C major, Op. 56" and the world premiere of "Sustain," by local composer Andrew Norman.
COST: $20 - $202; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, OCT. 4 - FRIDAY, OCT. 26
Satanic Panic
Arena Cinelounge -- 6464 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood
This five-part film series, co-presented with Friday Night Frights, screens cult horror films. The series includes: "The Devil Rides Out" (1968) on Oct. 4; "Evilspeak" (1981) on Oct. 13; "Mazes and Monsters" (1982) on Oct. 17; "Trick or Treat" (1986) on Oct. 18 and a special closing night on the rooftop of The Montalban with "The House of the Devil" (2009) on Oct. 26.
COST: $16; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, OCT. 4 - SATURDAY, NOV. 10; 7:30 and 9 p.m.
The Chimes & The Corpse
Mountain View Mausoleum -- 2300 N. Marengo Ave., Altadena
Wicked Lit returns for its ninth year of spooky immersive theater. The current production includes two adaptations of classic horror literature, "Teig O'Kane and the Corpse" by Ernest Rhys and "The Chimes: A Goblin Story" by Charles Dickens. This season, the shows will stay indoors. Guests should still wear comfortable shoes to climb stairs and walk to a few locations.
COST: Tickets start at $30; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, OCT. 4; 7 - 8 p.m.
Paella Night on The Terrace
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills -- 465 South La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills
The famous paella by chef José Andrés is now available the first and third Thursday of every month on the terrace at The Bazaar. The fixe prix menu includes sangria, bread and aioli, Olives Ferran Adrià, traditional Spanish welcome tapas and, of course, paella. Take your pick of vegetarian or the specialty paella of the night. Reservations required.
COST: $50 per person; MORE INFO
How are you spending your week? Let us know on Twitter @christineziemba and @LeoHasACat.
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