John Reynolds and Sunita Mani star in the sci-fi comedy 'Save Yourselves!' (Courtesy of Bleecker Street)
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Coronavirus is wreaking havoc on schools, stores, businesses and events. With in-person concerts, talks, comedy shows, food festivals and other gatherings cancelled, we have turned our events column into a "nonevents" column. It will remain this way as long as social distancing and stay-at-home orders are in effect.
During this difficult time, please consider contributing to your local arts organizations or to individual artists and performers.
It's Halloween season. Prepare to celebrate with films and haunts from the safety of your car. Celebrate Mortified's new game at a storytelling night. Check out Dublab's 21st birthday. Ease into the weekend with a Grand Park session. Attend any number of art virtual openings. And don't forget to celebrate National Taco Day on Sunday.
Save Yourselves! This sci-fi comedy, written and directed by Alex H. Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, follows Brooklyn couple Jack (John Reynolds) and Su (Sunita Mani) as they head to an isolated cabin for a week to unplug from the outside world. While at the cabin, they're unaware that the planet is under attack. They need to figure out how to make their way back home -- or whatever's left of it. COST: Varies; MORE INFO
Friday, Oct. 2 - Saturday, Oct. 3
Sidewalk Sessions The Mint 6010 West Pico Blvd, Mid-City Open since 1937, The Mint hosts live music and comedy on the sidewalk at a safe distance. Food and beverages are served outside, too. On Friday night, check out music by Elise Carver (8:30 p.m.) and Midnight Village (10 p.m.). On Saturday, catch Illunis (8:30 p.m.) and Dominykas Bytautas (10 p.m.). Both nights are 21+. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Friday, Oct. 2 - Thursday, Oct. 8
Beyond Fest 2020 Mission Tiki Drive-In Theatre 10798 Ramona Ave., Montclair The largest genre film festival in the U.S. heads to the drive-in for its 2020 edition. It opens with a world premiere of The Wolf of Snow Hollow, directed by and starring Jim Cummings, followed by Joe Dante's 1989 movie, The 'Burbs. Tickets for the fest are going fast. COST: $17 - $42; MORE INFO
Fans hold a photo of music star Selena during the ceremony honoring her with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, held on November 3, 2017. (TARA ZIEMBA/AFP/Getty Images)
Friday, Oct. 2; 7 p.m.
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour with guest Gregory Nava The En Casa con LA Plaza virtual series continues as master of wit Guerrero interviews filmmaker Nava (Selena, My Family/Mi Familia and El Norte). View on Zoom or watch on Facebook. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Mortified Presents: Game Night! After taking the summer off, Mortified's back to celebrate the release of its debut game -- I Can't Believe I Did That -- with a free show. The theme for the selected storytellers is the games they played as kids. Hear adults (over)share the things they did in childhood for attention, diversion or love. The viewing link will be emailed to those who register beforehand. If you enjoy the show, consider donating to The Thurgood Marshall College Fund. COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
Heidi Duckler Dance presents 'The Quest,' 10 evenings of distanced celebrations in locations around L.A. (Courtesy of Heidi Duckler Dance)
Through Saturday Oct. 10
Heidi Duckler Dance: The Quest Various Locations The L.A.-based dance company, which specializes in site-specific performances, presents a series of safely distanced celebrations that include dance, great views of L.A. and honorees. Set in locations such as Baldwin Hills, Mt. Washington and DTLA's Fashion District, the pieces ask audiences to look for truth in our environment, our memory and our current moment in history. All events are either drive-up or walk-up and require viewers to stay six-feet apart. A COVID compliance officer will be present at every performance. Masks are required for all attendees. COST: $35 - $400; MORE INFO
Through Sunday, Oct. 4; 12 - 8 p.m. PDT
DRIVEN: A Latinx Artist Celebration Hollywood Palladium 6215 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Hyundai has partnered with the Museum of Latin American Art and chief curator Gabriela Urtiaga, and The Art of Elysium to create a free, outdoor, drivable art experience. View eight art installations created by multi-generational Latinx artists. COST: FREE, but tickets required; MORE INFO
Saturday, Oct. 3; 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Yachtley Crew / Metalachi Rubidoux Drive-In 3770 Opal St., Riverside There are two live concerts at the drive-in. Catch the '70s and '80s soft rock tunes of Yachtley Crew at the early show. If metal-meets-mariachi is more your style, check out L.A.-based, five-piece Metalachi at the late show. This is not a double-feature; tickets are sold separately for each show. COST: $79 - $129; MORE INFO
Saturday, Oct. 3; 12 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. PDT
Dublab's 21st Anniversary The L.A.-based Internet radio station celebrates its 21st birthday with an all-day broadcast of live DJ sets and performances. The lineup includes Kelsey Lu, Suzanne Kraft, Silent Servant, Nicolas Godin (Air), Gabriela Triste, DJ Pareja, Ki Oni, Juke Bounce Werk, Suzanne Ciani, Peaking Lights, Julianna Barwick and Korean Town Oddity. The day also doubles as a fundraiser for the nonprofit station. COST: FREE, but donations encouraged; MORE INFO
William Carmargo's 'Origins and Displacements, Vols. 1 & 2' is an ongoing body of work examining Orange County's history. (William Camargo, 'We Gunna Have To Move Out Soon Fam,' 2020, Digital inkjet print )
Saturday, Oct. 3 - Thursday, Dec. 31
Origins & Displacements, Vols. 1 & 2 Grand Central Art Center 125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana
MUZEO Museum & Cultural Center 241 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim This two-part exhibition of work by artist William Carmargo is on view from the storefront windows at both locations. Carmargo's ongoing body of work uses contemporary photos, videos and performance to examine Orange County history. He frequently challenges the stereotypes and erasure of Chicanx/Latinx people while examining issues related to gentrification, systematic racism and police brutality. COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
Emmylou Harris performs at L.A. Live on September 17, 2019. (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)
Saturday, Oct. 3; 2 - 5 p.m. PDT
Let the Music Play On Hardly Strictly Bluegrass moves its annual concert event from San Francisco's Golden Gate Park to your home. Watch veteran performers and first-time artists play from their hometowns. Performances by Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller, Bonnie Raitt, Steve Earle and the Halfgrass Dukes, Birds of Chicago, Sierra Ferrell, Shakey Graves, Robert Earl Keen and Patty Griffin. Watch live on Circle TV, HSB site and Nugs.TV. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Corey Helford Gallery presents a number of solo shows this weekend, including new works from Ian Francis. (Courtesy of the artist and gallery)
Saturday, Oct. 3 - Saturday, Nov. 7
Corey Helford Gallery Exhibitions The Boyle Heights gallery opens several exhibitions virtually on Saturday. The main gallery features a four-artist show with works by London-based duo Kai and Sunny, Dutch artist Handiedan, Japanese painter Hikari Shimoda and Ian Francis. Gallery 2 hosts a solo show by Nigerian artist Arinze Stanley, known for his hyper-realistic charcoal portraits. CHG's third gallery features works by Mayuka Yamaoto and Erika Sanada. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 - 11 a.m. PDT
Grand Park's Easy Mornings The digital series eases you into the weekend for one last installment. Do some light stretching exercises with yoga instructor Courtney Seiberling, take part in coloring sessions hosted by GURL Museum Day, watch a multimedia art performance of Callejera by artist Jose Richard Aviles and interviews from local business owners Chef Calvin of Smhokin Pot Cajun Cuisine and Fatima Dodson of Headwraps in the Park. Coloring sheets are available for download at grandparkla.org. Watch on YouTube or Facebook Live. COST: FREE;MORE INFO
Night Gallery opens two solo shows this weekend, including HeartBeat Bots, an exhibition of paintings by Wanda Koop. (Courtesy of the artist and gallery)
Saturday, Oct. 3 - Saturday, Nov. 7
Art Openings: Wanda Koop and Michelle Rawlings Night Gallery 2276 E. 16th St., downtown L.A. The gallery opens two solo shows for viewing online and by appointment. Koop's paintings in HeartBeat Bots address the artist's fascination with robotics and the post-human condition. Rawlings' newest paintings in In the Garden, are recreated from runway photos of Virginie Viard's Spring 2020 haute couture collection for Chanel. The works are an homage to the French Impressionists who inspired the fashion collection. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Sunday, Oct. 4, 2 p.m. PDT
Nourishing Genius: Food and Wine in the Time of Michelangelo The Getty's Drinking in the Past series welcomes Fred Plotkin, a specialist in Italian gastronomy, opera and history, and Getty drawings curator Julian Brooks as they take the audience back to the late Renaissance, exploring the food, drink and the art of Michelangelo and his peers. Watch on the Getty's YouTube channel. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Sunday, Oct. 4; Tuesday - Wednesday; Oct. 6-7
Friday the 13th 40th Anniversary Enjoy the newly restored and remastered horror classic on the big screen. Head back to Crystal Lake, where a young Jason Voorhees purportedly drowned. Watch what happens when a new owner and several counselors don't heed locals' warnings and reopen the camp. Each screening will include the featurette Secrets Galore Behind the Gore starring SFX makeup artist Tom Savini as he guides viewers through great gory moments in the original Friday the 13th. (Note: In OC and San Diego only; theaters in L.A. County remain closed.) COST: Varies; MORE INFO
Through Saturday, Oct. 31
2020 Santa Ynez Valley Scarecrow Fest In need of a road trip? Head up to the SYV wine communities of Buellton, Los Olivos, Los Alamos, Santa Ynez, Ballard and Solvang to view more than 100 scarecrows created by local businesses, individuals and organizations. Vote online for your favorites. While you're up there, take time to shop and sip the local wines. COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
Ongoing
Grand Central Comedy Grand Central Market 317 S Broadway, downtown L.A. The food hall and market hosts a new, live comedy show featuring familiar names and undiscovered talents from a safe distance. Taking place on the building's rooftop, the show offers great views of Downtown L.A.'s skyline not often available to the public. Tickets include complimentary parking. COST: $30 - $35; MORE INFO
The A+D Museum presents the online exhibition, 'Designing Worlds: Re-envisioning Realities through Video Games.' (Courtesy of the A+D Museum)
Ongoing
Designing Worlds: Re-envisioning Realities through Video Games It's a topsy-turvy world and video games allow people to create communities where they have some semblance of control. A+D Museum's latest online exhibition examines the leading-edge work being created by video game artists and designers as they face or escape reality. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Ongoing
The Escape Game Irvine Spectrum Center 655 Spectrum Center Dr., Irvine The national escape room company recently opened its first Southern California location, offering both on-site and virtual games. All games at the Irvine location are now private games for two to eight people in your bubble. COST: $39.99 per person; MORE INFO
Locals can buy day passes and wellness classes for the Hotel Figueroa's pool and exercise classes. (Hotel Figueroa)
Ongoing
Daycation Hotel Figueroa 939 S. Figueroa St., downtown L.A. If you miss traveling, fake it a little with new poolside day packages and outdoor wellness classes in collaboration with Resort Pass. The half-day stay includes a reserved lounge chair and towel, pool access, wifi and $5 parking for $5 with validation. In addition, the hotel is holding new outdoor wellness, fitness classes (yoga, pilates, etc.) that are free for hotel guests and available to the public.COST: Tickets start at $35; MORE INFO
Casa Vega and Fall Out Boy are offering the new taco, 'Sugar, We're Goin' to Get Tacos,' the entire month of October. (Courtesy of Casa Vega)
Dine & Drink Deals
Who doesn't miss going out to eat or stopping by a bar for a drink? Here are a few options from restaurants and bars as we work our way back toward normal.
HiHo Cheeseburger has partnered with the James Beard Award-winning Willie Mae's Scotch House of New Orleans to add a new menu item to its Mid-City location. "The Willie Mae" is a fried chicken sandwich topped with housemade pickles, a slaw sauce, organic honey and cabbage. It's not yet available in the Santa Monica location, but will be shortly.
Sunday, Oct. 4 is National Taco Day, and a lot of SoCal restaurants are celebrating. Longtime Sherman Oaks' fave Casa Vega teams with the band Fall Out Boy to debut a limited edition taco available during October. The "Sugar, We're Goin' to Get Tacos" features a crisp corn shell, ground beef or shredded chicken, homemade queso, Cool Ranch Doritos, pico de gallo and a cilantro ranch crema. Half of the proceeds from each $7 taco will be donated No Us Without You, a charity providing food security for undocumented back-of-house restaurant staff and their families.
Tito's Tacos and Austin's Tito's Handmade Vodka team up to celebrate National Vodka Day and National Taco Day, which occur on the same day. Guests can stop by the taco stand for a goodie bag with a bottle of Tito's Handmade Vodka hand sanitizer (available for the first time to the L.A. public) and reusable masks. No purchase necessary. To give back to frontline healthcare workers, both Tito's brands will donate $10,000 to World Central Kitchen.
San Pedro Fish Market Grille in Harbor City, Rolling Hills Estates and Wilmington celebrates National Taco Day on Sunday with a $5.99 shrimp taco combo (dine-in only). The meal comes with two tacos, homemade tortilla chips and salsa.
Santa Monica's Lanea Cocktail Bar honors both National Taco Day and first responders and frontline workers on Sunday. Its drive-through taco stand is open from 12 to 7 p.m., offering free tacos to firefighters and frontline workers as well as one free taco with purchase of a cocktail to all customers. A portion of proceeds from the day will benefit The Santa Monica Firefighters Relief Fund.
Every two years, Desert X presents site-specific outdoor installations throughout the Coachella Valley. Two Los Angeles artists have new work on display.
