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We're playing around with ways to let you know of some of the best events happening in LA. So here are 10 of our favorite events happening this week (through Thursday), and we’ll be back to help you plan the weekend. This week's column features a number of Halloween-themed events, but we obvs couldn't list them all, so check out an earlier column of Halloween suggestions or feel free to post other tips in the comments section below.
Monday, Oct. 28
FOOD + DRINK: Ray’s and Stark Bar presents The Wurst Halloween Party Ever” tonight from 7-10 pm that includes a selection of seasonal sausages, drink specials and a “Wurst Costume Ever” contest. Wurst plates include Wesisswurst, Braunschweigner, Bratwurst and others. Cocktail ($7) highlights include the Dragon’s Tail made with blended scotch, allspice, dram, lime and bitters and The Blood SuckingBrady Bunch including Rum, Calvados, Velvet, Falernum, lemon juice and Angostrua Bitters. Wine and beer specials ($5-6) are available as well. Executive chef carves up a stuffed hog’s head at 9 pm, and the costume contest follows at 9:30 pm. Tickets: $9-$12 for individual small plates or $25 for all you can eat.
FILM: The Aero Theatre in Santa Monica screens director Sarah Polley’s Stories We Tell(2012) at 7:30 pm. The actor, writer, director turns the cameras on her own family to re-discover her mom, who died when Polley was 11. The documentary uses interviews and re-enactments to reveal “the truth.” There’s a discussion immediately following the screening. Tickets: $11.
Tuesday, Oct. 29
MUSIC: KROQ presents a great bill at The Greek Theatre tonight: The Flaming Lips are joined by Tame Impala and White Denim. Doors at 7 pm. Tickets: $52.75-63.
LIT: The Hammer Museum continues its Some Favorite Writers at 7:30 pm on Tuesday. The topic of discussion is seasonally fitting: Dracula! The character has made appearances in literature, film, music, theater and the visual arts, and Dracula “experts and enthusiasts” Jonathan Grossman, Leslie Klinger, Elizabeth Miller and David Skal join writer/curator Mona Simpson to present selected vampire writings and discuss Dracula’s everlasting appeal. Costumes welcome. Free. Parking is available under the museum for $3 after 6 pm.
FILM TALK: Landmark Theatres' Anniversary Classics Series continues at The Regent on Tuesday at 7 pm with a screening of The Haunting, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. One of the film's stars and Hollywood legend Russ Tamblyn appears in person, too. Directed by Oscar-winning director Robert Wise, it's one of the films that influenced this summer's The Conjuring. Tickets: $13.
MUSIC CONFERENCE: The 12th annual Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter Film & TV Music Conference takes over the W Hotel Hollywood on Oct. 29 and 30. The conference examines all aspects of music and its uses in film, TV, advertising and on the web. Attendees can expect keynotes from Randy and Amos Newman, The Hunger Game’s Alexandra Patsavas and T Bone Burnett who will be honored with the Maestro Award. The conference also offers one-on-one sessions with publishers, song reps and experts from various industries. Late registration: $575.
Wednesday, Oct. 30
FILM TALK: Visual Consultant Thomas Ethan Harris leads a Director's Workshop at the Egyptian Theater tonight that leads attendees in Deconstructing ROSEMARY: Master Class In Screen Direction. Using shot construction and scenes from Roman Polanski's Rosemary's Baby (1968), he'll examine the film that's considered one of the greatest horror films ever made, exploring the director's vision and what exactly makes this film stand the test of time. NOTE: The film will not be screened in its entirety, but attendees are encouraged to watch the film beforehand. The Egyptian screens the film on Tuesday, Oct. 29th. Seminar tickets: $20, $15 student/senior, $12 members.
MEXICAN WRESTING/BURLESQUE:Lucha VaVoomreturns for its annual Halloween shows on Oct. 30-31 at The Mayan in DTLA. Noche de Los Salvajes presents live Mexican wrestling, striptease, comedy, a "mini-blacklight battle royale" and much more. Tickets: $35.
Thursday, Oct. 31
EROTIC HALLOWEEN: The Pleasure Chest teams with the Moroccan palace-esque Acabàr for a Masked Gala—an "erotically tinged celebration, with titillating interactive entertainment, suggestive nibbles and saucy cocktails." The bites are specially created by Chef Octavio Becerra and Acabàr mixologists Josh Goldman and Julian Cox have crafted a special cocktail for the night. DJ Heidi spins the tunes throughout the night. Also expect stilt walkers, firedancers and "a well-trained pony player and her master." There's also a rope station, and an interactive performance inspired by the films of legendary experimental filmmakers Jack Smith and Andy Warhol and by Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut. 8pm-2 am. Tickets: $50. The first 50 guests will receive gift bags from The Pleasure Chest.
MUSIC: Celebrate Halloween at the Echo with an evening of Murder Ballads & Dark Songs presented by The New Los Angeles Folk Festival, Origami Vinyl and L.A. RECORD. These bands will be singing songs about wicked deeds and sinister thoughts all night long: "RT N the 44s", Jenny Luna, Wicklow Atwater and the Fallen Flame, friends as supergroup Eastside Hayride; Tommy Santee Klaws, Bloody Death Skull, Kitchen Hips as supergroup Bloody Kitchen Klaws; The Dustbowl Revival, The Herbert Bail Orchestra, Ocha la Rocha and more. DJ sets by Cal King and DM Collins, visuals by The Mystery Machine. Tickets: $8 or $5 with costume.
Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
