Weekend Planner: 20 Things To Do In Los Angeles

Here are 20 of our favorite events happening in L.A. this weekend....

FRIDAY, OCT. 21

CRAZY4CULT X (Art)
Gallery 1988 (West) opens its biggest show of the year on Friday. Crazy4Cult X—the 10th edition of the show—features more than 100 artists taking on some of the best cult movies of all time. The opening reception runs from 7-10 pm, and the works will be on view through Nov. 5.

SO CAL GHOSTS (Ghost hunting panel)
On Friday at 8 pm, The Last Bookstore presents Richard Carradine (GHOULA co-founder) who hosts a panel discussion So Cal Ghosts & Where to Find Them with members of Planet Paranormal and North Orange Paranormal. The guests will discuss paranormal activity in Southern California, from well-known spots like Disneyland to the Queen Mary to the California missions and places in between (like the 100-year-old Last Bookstore itself).

DIVERSITY IN COMEDY FESTIVAL (Comedy)
The Second City Hollywood presents the first Diversity in Comedy Festival this weekend, Friday through Sunday. The action takes place on three stages featuring a lineup that includes Afros & Ass Whoopins, Armagayddon, Ithamar Has Nothing To Say, The Black Version, Chris Redd & Friends, among many other act. The festival also holds workshops and panel discussions, too. Tickets to events are sold separately, and a two-item minimum is required for shows.

ROCKTOBERFEST: GRILLED CHEESE AND BEER NIGHT (Food)
Andrew’s Cheese Shop in Santa Monica presents Rocktoberfest Grilled Cheese & Beer Nighton Friday from 7:30-10 pm. The family-style event includes a starter salad, four courses of grilled cheeses (paired with four specialty seasonal beers) and finished with a dessert course of an Imperial Stout Float with French Vanilla Ice cream.

YOUNG THE GIANT + RA RA RIOT (Music)
Young the Giant headlines the Greek Theatre on Friday night, with the pretty ra-ra-rad sounds of Ra Ra Riot opening (check out their song, "Water," posted above). Doors at 6:30 pm. Show at 8 pm. Tickets: $30.50-$40.50.

FOUR KINGS AND AN ACE (Charity poker tournament)
Vince Vaughn, Mel Gibson and Andrew Garfieldare three of the celebrity “kings” playing poker and raising money on Friday for Mending Kids, a nonprofit that helps children get life-saving surgical care. Tickets are available for $500 to attend and $5,000-$10,000 for a seat to play at the Texas Hold ’em tables. All tickets include a buffet dinner, hosted bar, valet parking, entertainment and more. The event starts at 6 pm at at Citizen in Beverly Hills.

SATURDAY, OCT. 22

P-22 DAY (Festival)
P-22, L.A.’s most famous cougar, has its own day and festival dedicated to raising wildlife awareness. The P-22 Day is being held on Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm in Griffith Park with workshops, vendors, VR experience of wildlife crossing the L.A. River, kid and adult activities, music, food and more. The festival is part of Urban Wildlife Week, and hikers, who are tracing P-22’s possible route across L.A., finish their hike in Griffith Park on Saturday.

BREWERY ARTWALK (Arts)
The Brewery Art Complex in DTLA presents the fall edition of the Artwalk this Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm. The twice annual open studio weekend, held at the site of the former Pabst plant, includes dozens of participating resident artists opening their studio doors to the public. Check out new works, installations and get a chance to meet and talk to the artists and makers themselves. Admission and parking are free (but it gets crowded so think about alternative transportation). Food and drinks will be available onsite for purchase.

CRATE DIGGERS (Vinyl fair)
Discogs presents Crate Diggers LA—a free record fair and after party (for those 21+)—on Saturday at Lot 613 in DTLA. The record fair features more than 30 vendors and runs from noon to 6 pm with a number of DJs spinning throughout the day. The afterparty runs from 8 pm to 4 am featuring Juan MacLean, DFA RECORDS, Rick Wade, Harmonie Park, Rush Hour, Moods & Grooves, Zernell, Grimy Edits and Crate Diggers.

BEACH GOTH (Music)
This weekend, the OC rockers The Growlers present the fifth edition of their Beach Goth festival, which isn’t at the beach or particularly goth-y. Hosted by Eric Andre at Oak Canyon Park in Orange County, the lineup is exceptionally eclectic, with James Blake, Nicolas Jaar, Albert Hammond Jr., Bon Iver, Reel Big Fish, 2 Live Crew, Joy Division and many more. Single day tickets start at $99+ fees. Two-day passes start at $175+ fees.

MORTIFIED’S LA BIRTHDAY BASH (Live taping)
Mortified celebrates 14 years of awkward journal reading/storytelling on Saturday night for two back-to-back shows at Wanderlust in Hollywood. The night’s shows (at 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm) will be filmed for a new documentary series. Each show has a different lineup. All ages. Tickets: $20.

FILM & MEDIA FESTIVAL (Talks and panels)
On Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm, Emerson College in LA presents the 16th annual ELA Film & Media Festival. The fest is a celebration of film and television through interactive panel discussions and networking opportunities. Featured guests and speakers include Norman Lear, The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman, showrunner Scott Gimple, AMC's Programming President Joel Stillerman, Preacher showrunner Sam Catlin and music video directors. The event takes place at Emerson College LA's building on Sunset Boulevard. Tickets: $20 and includes cocktail reception.

PASADENA ARTWALK (Art fair)
The 11th edition of the Pasadena ARTWalk returns to the Playhouse District this Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. The family friendly event (on Colorado between Madison and Oak Knoll) is Pasadena’s largest art fair and features more than 70 Southern California visual artists. Look (and buy) works of painting, sculpture, watercolor, photography, ceramics, jewelry, drawings and printmaking. The event is free and free and as a bonus, there’s reduced museum admission for ARTWalk attendees at Pasadena Museum of California Art and Southern California Children’s Museum.

PAREIDOLIA (Art)
De Re Gallery on Melrose has its grand re-opening on Saturday, debuting Pareidolia, an exhibition of works by artist Michael Sagato. From the gallery: “Sagato’s concept and process is different than other realistic paintings, as his work is not only a graphic experience but a sculptural experience as well. The reflective background is constantly moving as the viewer observes the reflection when they move back and view the paintings from different angles. Sagato’s work is an interactive experience.” The works will remain on view through Nov. 17.

SUNDAY, OCT. 23

HARRY DEAN STANTON (Celebration)
On Sunday at 8 pm, the Vidiots Foundation honors iconic actor Harry Dean Stanton with one hell of a party at The Theatre at Ace Hotel in DTLA. Vidiots’ Harry Dean Stanton Award will annually recognize a member of the film world who has made significant cinematic contributions throughout their careers. Stanton himself (at 90!) will be in attendance to accept the inaugural award. The evening features film clips, conversation and music by
Kris Kristofferson, Father John Misty, Inara George, Jack Huston, Harper Simon and other guests. Tickets start at $30.

BUGATTI (Art + cars)
The Petersen Automotive Museum opens the new exhibition, The Art of Bugatti, on Sunday. The exhibit features a collection of artifacts and rare vehicles as well as tells the history of the Bugatti family, “from Carlo’s furniture and fine art to Rembrandt’s sculptures to Ettore’s incredible automobiles.” Cars on view include more than a dozen of the rarest Bugatti vehicles, from the Type 41 Royale to the unfinished Type 64 and the new Chiron (for a limited time). Adult general admission: $15.

TALES OF THE UNDERWORLD (Storytelling)
On Sunday at 9 pm, Beyond Books and We Like L.A. present a Storytelling Soiree: Tales of the Underworld at El Cid in Silver Lake. The night will be filled with music, art, cocktails and stories, including the 'Tales of the Underworld' immersive readings, from the new collection Beyond The Veil. There will also be a Literary Costume Contest so dress up as your fav literary character if you want to enter. Doors at 8 pm. Tickets: $7. 21+.

BON IVER + PATTI SMITH (Music)
Bon Iver, aka Justin Vernon, headlines the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday. Patti Smith(!) is one of his supporting acts, along with Hiss Golden Messenger. Doors at 6 pm. Tickets start at $51 (and are getting scarce).

CIRCLE V FESTIVAL (Music + fundraiser)
The Circle V Festivalis at the Fonda Theatre on Sunday night to raise awareness for animal rights and money for Mercy for Animals. The festival, founded by Moby and Tony Kanal of No Doubt, features vegan eats, a panel discussion and speakers, including Kat Von D and John Salley, and performances by Moby, Blaqk Audio, Cold Cave and Valida. Tickets to the festival are $10 for 1-6 pm speakers and food or $59.50 for both the conference event and evening concert (7 pm).

FIRST SET (Comedy)
The New York-based show First Set comes to UCB (Franklin) on Sunday at 7:30 pm. Hosted by Giulia Rozzi, comedians are interviewed while they share rare (and embarrassing) footage of their early sets. To make up the laughs, they’ll perform more current (and hopefully funnier) material, too. Guests: Jamie Lee, Brooke Van Poppelen, Will Miles and Adam Newman. Tickets are $5

Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.