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LAist gets a lot of event announcements, and we comb through them all to bring you a curated list of what’s happening in LA this weekend, including these 22 events. Check out our Halloween Guide and Dia de los Muertos Guide for other suggestions, and we'll be back on Monday to help you plan the week ahead.
FRIDAY, OCT. 31
ELFMAN + BURTON: Here’s a real treat for fans of Danny Elfman-Tim Burton collaborations. Danny Elfman’s Music From The Films of Tim Burton takes over the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Friday and Saturday at 8 pm (and on Sunday at 7:30 pm at the Honda Theater in Anaheim). The Hollywood Studio Symphony and choir, conducted by John Mauceri, will feature newly created suites from all 16 of the filmmaker and composer’s collaborations. Elfman himself will perform his songs from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Video clips and Burton’s artwork will be projected throughout the night. Ticket Prices: $55, $65, $85 and $150.
COMIKAZE: Stan Lee’s ComiKaze is LA's largest pop-culture convention and it returns to the Convention Center from Oct. 31-Nov. 2. This year’s theme, “Where Pop Culture Rules the Universe,” is a must-do event for fans of comics, sci-fi, anime, horror and pop culture in general for performances, panel discussions, workshops, games, collectibles and more. Guests this year include Gwendolyn Christie and Alfie Allen from Game of Thrones, Elvira, Stan Lee, Kevin Smith, Spike & Mike’s Festival of Animation and more. Day tickets start at $30, passes at $70 and add-on packages cost extra.
FILM: The LA Phil screens the 1922 F.W. Murnau classic Nosferatu at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Friday at 8 pm. The first vampire film will be accompanied by Clark Wilson on the concert hall’s gigantic pipe organ. Costumes are permitted, but no realistic weapons, masks that cover the face or obstruct the views of other guests are allowed. Full face paint is discouraged, too. (So maybe don't wear one?) Tickets: $37-67
CRAWLOWEEN: ACME Hospitality Group is holding a Halloween-themed bar crawl on Friday night from 7 pm to 1:30 pm. All five of their downtown bars—Library Bar, Sixth Street Tavern, Beelman's Pub, Spring St. Bar and King Eddy Saloon—are participating in Crawloween. The bars, which are all within walking distance of each other are holding themed parties, from Sixth Street Tavern’s Zombie Prom and King Eddy’s Warriors party. Each bar is offering a $4 spiked punch and a costume contest at 11:30 pm.
MUSIC The Satellite has a great Halloween bill featuring the tunes of co-headliners Zak Waters and French Horn Rebellion with support from Mackintosh Braun. Doors at 8:30 pm. 21+. $15.
FILM: As part of Spectrefest 2014, Cinefamily celebrates on Friday with a “Childhood Haunts” Halloween Party. They’re screening an original Cinefamily video mix that reaches back into childhood, picking things that scare the crap out of us into adulthood. There’s also a midnight ghost story performance by Chicago-based artist Lyra Hill (Brain Frame), terrifying animation from Fox’s ADHD, a live set of dronescapes by Telecaves, and a return of the Oculus Rift lounge (loaded up with “Satan’s Family Arcade”). Tickets: $15. 8 pm.
ZOMBIE CRAWL: The 2nd annual Santa Monica Zombie Crawlhits the streets on Friday night at 7 pm, with the undead crawling from the Pier to 5th street. With crawl tickets, wristbands will give participants access to drink specials like $4 drafts, $5 wells and $5 shots at more than five local bars and restaurants (including Rusty's Surf Ranch, Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe, Ye Olde King's Head and Del Frisco's Grille). The $12-$15 tickets include entrance to the after party at Wokcano.
SATURDAY, NOV. 1
FILM: The film Showrunners: The Art of Running a TV Show explores the behind-the-scenes world of U.S. television showrunners and how they bring together cast and creatives to bring their shows to life. On Saturday after the 4:15 pm screening, there’s a Q&A with showrunner Jeff Melvoin (Army Wives, Alias) and after the 4:15 screening on Sunday, there’s a Q&A with Mike Royce of Men of a Certain Age. Tickets: $12+ fees.
ART: On Saturday night, Gallery1988 East opens the show Astronaut with works from painter Scott Listfield. The Gallery will feature 20 of Listfield’s work and a handful of brand new, limited edition giclee print. The opening artist reception happens on Saturday from 7-10 pm. This show will run through Nov 29.
HORSE RACING: There’s a Breeders’ Cup Infield Bash at Santa Anita Park on Saturday during one of horse racing’s biggest days. The races start at 10:15 am. Music by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. The $15 general admission includes one beer scrip, a wagering tip sheet and a BC racing program. The $120 VIP: package includes two drink scrips, a food redemption voucher, a wagering tip sheet, a BC racing program and a Breeder’s Cup 2014 gift.
TOP TUNE: On Saturday at 8 pm, TopTune takes over Busby’s East with six L.A. songwriters performing one of their songs. They’re then paired into teams, given a title and then sent off for 17 minutes to write another song. Participating songwriters on the program this week are: Dan Bern, Phoebe Bridgers, Stefano Capobianco, Moi Navarro, Marty Shannon and Kristen Toedtman with host Gary Anthony Williams. On the judging panel are Van Dyke Parks, Kiki Ebsen and Gary Shapiro. Admission: $10.
PARTY: The Day of the Dead-inspired “Noche de Agave” event with a live music sets by Lissie, George Stanford and others takes place at The Paramount Theatre (in Boyle Heights) on Saturday night. It’s a night of music, art, tradition, prima agave y los muertos. Music provided by KCRW DJ Dan Wilcox. There’s an Agave Bar where patrons can taste “avid tequila enthusiast” Lissie’s special edition Metl Mezcal and Reposado Tequila from 7-9pm. Tickets start at $25 and includes one free signature Lissie cocktail. Costumes welcome. Tickets: $35. 7 pm.
ART: The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation and Gagosian Beverly Hills open an exhibition of Robert Rauschenberg’s works on metal from 1980-90 at the gallery on Saturday. This is the first presentation of the artist’s work on the West Coast since MOCA’s traveling exhibition of his Combines in 2006. The opening reception takes place from 2-5 pm on Saturday, and the show remains on view through Dec. 13.
GARDEN APARTMENT TOUR: On Saturday from 10 am-4 pm, The L.A. Conservancy is offering a one-day tour of three “villages in the city.” LA has one of the largest numbers of garden apartments in the country, with nearly 40 built between the 1930s and the mid-1950s. The tour includes visits to Village Green in Baldwin Hills (1941), Chase Knolls in Sherman Oaks (1948), and Lincoln Place in Venice (1951). “The latter two were nearly demolished and serve as great preservation success stories.” Tickets: $35, $25 LA Conservancy members and tour site residents, $15 students, $10 for children 12 and younger.
BENEFIT: Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea is holding his annual benefit on Saturday night for his music school, The Silverlake Conservatory of Music. The party is happening at an estate in Beverly Hills with live performances by Bruno Mars and Rufus Wainwright. An art auction for the school features new works from Damien Hirst, Raymond Pettibon, Shepard Fairey and more. For donations, ticket info and more info, please contact Jennifer Rey at 323-665-3363 or jrey.scm@icloud.com.
VARIETY: On Saturday night at Largo, there’s The Detroit Party, which benefits the Detroit Creativity Project (an arts nonprofit). Keegan-Michael Key hosts performers Marc Evan Jackson, Paget Brewster, Thomas Middleditch, Kumail Nanjiani, and musical guests Martin Starr w/ Common Rotation (Adam Busch, Eric Kufs, Jordan Katz), Sara Watkins and Allee Willis. Doors at 7 pm, show at 8 pm. Tickets: $40.
LIT: The 15th Los Angeles Latino Book & Family Festival takes place on Saturday from 10 am-5 pm on the campus of East Los Angeles College. Throughout the day, there will be readings from Latino authors (including Louis J. Rodriguez, the new poet laureate of L.A. at noon), seminars and panel discussions, as well as a food court, entertainment on the main stage, exhibiting bookstores and publishers and info booths from the local community. As a bonus, the college holds its annual Dia de los Muertos celebrations, also in the Performing & Fine Arts Complex. Free admission and parking.
COMEDY: The Wheel Show returns to NerdMelt on Saturday night at 9 pm with Bob Odenkirk and Lisa Loeb. So the show is basically a smorgasbord of choices placed on a big wheel and the audience never knows what to expect when the wheel stops. There’s a chance for sketches, stunts and other surprise guests. Tickets: $8 in advance, $10 at the door.
MUSIC: New Politics is on its Everywhere I Go fall tour and the band stops at the Fonda Theater in Hollywood on Saturday. Joining them on the bill are Bad Suns and SomeKindaWonderful. Doors at 8 pm. Tickets: $20.50-$23.
MUSIC: KCET’s Artbound show “Studio A” (which airs Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 pm) features performances from both established and up-and-coming musicians. This weekend Studio A tapes sets by Nick Waterhouse and Ceci Bastida. The tapings are open to the public—but you have to sign up for the KCET Music eNewsletter or follow @KCETMusicon Twitter.
SUNDAY, NOV. 2
COMIC BOOK TALES: Captured Aural Phantasy Theater teams with Famous Monsters Magazine to present Sunday’s show Day of the Dead Spooktacular at El Cid. The theater troupe combines the drama and comedy of a vintage radio show by interpreting/retelling stories from old comic books. This show combines Halloween, Day of the Dead, live music, prizes luchadores, magic and more. Tickets: $10+ fees. Doors at 7:30 pm, show at 8:30 pm.
SEX TALK STORYTELLING: Sunday Night Sex Talks is L.A.'s only "No Boys Allowed" storytelling night that features all-women performers and audience. Held at Bar Lubitsch, the storytellers this week are comedian Melissa Hunter, actress Jessica Lowe, writer Chelsea Steiner and actress Iris Braydon. Tickets: $8 online and $10 at the door.
Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
