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Pencil This In: A Literati Toast at the Library, Cosplay Exhibit and a Boo-tanicum

Hello, Friday! We missed you! So are you looking to blow off steam before all the Halloween parties this weekend? Here are few events we found: a cosplay photo exhibit; stargazing in Calabasas; horror comic book recreations; and a Young Literati event to benefit the Los Angeles Public Library. Read on for all the details.
PHOTOGRAPHY
ICON Projects holds an artist reception from 7-9 pm tonight for Ejen Chuang and Cosplay in America: A Photography Exhibit, on view through Dec. 16. There’s also a 21+ afterparty and multimedia exhibition at Boulevard 3 from 10 pm-2am. RSVP for the afterparty. $10 in costume, $20 no costume. No charge if you pick up a VIP wristband at artist reception at ICON.
NATURE
Tonight at 7 pm, the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon / Open Space Preserve in Calabasas presents
Fall into the Night Sky
tonight at 7 pm. Spend a crisp fall evening under the stars with volunteer astronomer Pat, who’ll show you the stars and constellations. Expect a ½-mile hike to the viewing platform and a two-hour program. Meet at the Victory Trailhead.
VARIETY
Captured Aural Phantasy Theater
takes over the Valeslavasay Panorama at the Union Theater tonight at 8 pm with a Halloween-themed variety show. The troupe performs skits out of pre-code horror comic book stories, with art and live music to boot. The Panorama of Horrors Spook Show begins at 8 pm. Get there early for a Zombie makeover or to listen to the surf band The Noble Gasses. Tickets: $8-$10.
BOOK BENEFIT*
Tonight at 8 pm, the Young Literati of the Los Angeles Public Library hold their
4th Annual Toast
, a library benefit. With co-chairs Shepard Fairey and Rachel Small at the helm of the evening, the Toast includes music, drinks and hors d'oeuvres and features readings and performances by Russell Brand, Demetri Martin, Henry Rollins and more. Tickets: $150 per person / $100 for members. Valet park next door at Cafe Pinot for $7.
HALLOWEEN
Theatricum Botanicum
in Topanga turns into a haunted BOO-tanicum with the theater company's first annual Halloween extravaganza. Wander around a haunted house; listen to ghost stories, carve a pumpkin and play a number of games. Live music by Peter Alsop, Many Distant Cities, the Matt Van Winkle Band and Tommy Santee Klaws. For eats, there’s organic chicken and waffles from Bon Melange Catering. Today from 4-10 pm. Tickets: $5-20. Children 4 and under are free.
*Pencil pick of the day
Want more events? Follow me on Twitter ( @christineziemba ). Or follow Lauren Lloyd—who takes care of Pencil on Wednesdays ( @LadyyyLloyd ).
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