Things To Do

34 Totally Fun Things To Do in L.A. This Week You Need to Have on Your Radar [10-5-15 to 10-9-15]

October 5, 2015 by Christina Champlin

Every week in Los Angeles there are tons of great things to do (even before the weekend gets started) that we think you ought to have on your radar. With that in mind, we put together a list every Monday morning to keep you in the know about what’s happening in the city you love (or maybe just like).

This week includes a free cooking class at Hyde, Front Porch Cinema, Boo at the Zoo, the Downtown Art Walk, a SourFest, Knotts Scary Farm, and plenty more options to choose from.

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Hope you find the rundown useful and, as always, enjoy your week!

[RELATED: The Best Way to Find Discount Events in Los Angeles]

Front Porch Cinema

Image via Front Porch Cinema at the Santa Monica Pier

[REMINDER: In some cases We Like L.A. does receive revenue when visitors click on ticket links and make purchases, however we maintain complete editorial control over the events we suggest. Basically, it only makes it on to the website if we think it is cool!]


Monday October 5th, 2015

1. A Conversation With Steve Martin & Adam Gopnik From The New Yorker

Steve Martin is curating the first major U.S. exhibition devoted to groundbreaking Canadian modernist painter Lawren Harris. Joining Martin in conversation will be the essayist and staff writer for The New Yorker Adam Gopnik. This event is free at The Hammer museum with in person, first come first serve tickets.

2. Beachwood BBQ SourFest

Pucker up because SourFest is back at Seal Beach and Long Beach locations of Beachwood BBQ! Owner, Gabriel Gordon is opening up his sour beer collection to pour tons of acidic and tart brews from around the world. The festival will kick off Monday with a pre-festival party featuring Cascade Brewing. There will be special rare offerings from brewers that include Allagash Brewing. Conveniently, a free shuttle will be running between both locations Friday through Sunday. Admission is absolutely free to this event CHEERS!

3. Hot Tub With Kurt and Kristen

Comedians Kurt Braunohler and Kristen Schaal’s Hot Tub With Kurt And Kristen is one of the most popular weekly variety shows happening at The Virgil. You might recognize Kurt from Chelsea Lately and Kristen from The Daily Show and Flight of the Concords. Laugh your butt off for just $5 bucks or $8 at the door. Get your advance tickets here.

4. What Would You Brew? Is Back!

Ever thought about brewing your own distinct favor of beer? Will here’s your chance! Angel City Brewery is asking What Would You Brew? Simply submit your answer here, the more out there the better! One lucky winner will brew their beer with the Angel City brewing team. In addition, they’ll receive a custom kegerator, case of pint glasses, tap handle and a tin tacker sign. The beer will also be featured during LA Beer Week 2016!

5. Free Meditation Classes At The Springs DTLA

Urban wellness oasis The Springs is offering free meditation class, Monday through Fridays at 1:00pm! Grab one of their fresh pressed juices after, it’s pretty much the best in town.

6. SPiN Standard Open Ping-Pong Tournament

From 8:00pm to midnight Spin Standard inside of The Standard in Downtown Los Angeles will host a open ping pong tournament. For just $10 you get unlimited table time and an entry into the singles tournament.

Tuesday October 6th, 2015

7. Rooftop Film Club

The popular screening series that has already held court in London and New York is now here in Los Angeles! For each screening of the Rooftop Film Club series organizers will set up rows of lawn chairs on the r oof of the Ricardo Montalbán Theatre and provide headphones for each attendee. Doors open at 6:00pm with screenings starting at 8:00pm. Kicking off the week of screenings is Father of the Bride on Tuesday, Grease on Wednesday, Mad Max: Fury Road on Thursday and The Shawshank Redemption on Friday.

8. A Free Cooking Class With Chris Crary At Hyde Sunset Kitchen + Cocktails

Cooking with Chris, is a free evening cooking demonstration hosted and taught by Hyde’s very own Executive Chef Chris Crary. Taking place on Tuesday, at 7:00pm, Chris will offer participants an inside glimpse of the culinary magic behind the scenes of Hyde. Guest will learn how to prepare a delicious fall salad, and numerous seasonal side-dishes and sauces. Throughout the evening, guests will also indulge on a Roasted Beet Salad with apples, goat cheese, watermelon radish, and crispy sunchoke.

9. Taco & Trivia Tuesday’s at Angel City Brewery 

Every Tuesday celebrate all things “T” with tacos and trivia at DTLA’s open air brewery Angel City. Taqueria el Severo will be serving up grilled tacos outside, while Brainstormer host’s trivia inside. Trivia starts at 7:00pm sharp.

10. The Ancient Forest At Descanso Gardens

Descanso Gardens just opened their brand new Ancient Forest over the weekend, the forest features plants virtually unchanged since dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Highlight includes a new cycad collection that includes almost 175 plants representing 66 species including several endangered species.

11. LACMA Tuesday Matinee Film Series Screens The Wolf Man

LACMA will screen the horror classic The Wolf Man . This ongoing  Tuesday Matinee film series cost $2 for members and $4 for non members.

12. Gourmet Food Truck Night

Every Tuesday night the California Heritage Museum holds a Gourmet Truck Night at the museum showcasing a select of gourmet truck eateries.  All happening from 5:30pm to 9:30pm.

13. Bow & Truss Screens Poltergeist

Latin-inspired restaurant Bow & Truss  throwback movie night series is back. This week Poltergeist will screen on the patio of the NOHO restaurant. Admission is $15 for a reserved spot and comes with a movie-themed cocktail and dessert!

Wednesday October 7th, 2015

14. LA Haunted Hayride

If the idea of hopping on a bandwagon that travels through the darkness of Griffith Park while costumed characters seep out of the shadows to try to terrify you sounds like the time of your life… then step right up to the L.A. Haunted Hayride! The hayride will run from October 2-31 (every Friday-Sunday, plus some Thursdays and Wednesdays), and our friends at Goldstar have some special deals to save you about $5 on select dates.

15. Old World Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is in full effect down at the Old World Village in Huntington Beach. Enjoy beers, brats, German baked goods and plenty of live music and activities. Happening this Wednesday through the weekend.

16. Matthew Barney: River of Fundament

Matthew Barney: RIVER OF FUNDAMENT is Barney’s first major solo museum exhibition in Los Angeles. Barney’s newest film might be his largest undertaking since his five-part CREMASTER film cycle. The artist made 85 pieces for this movie, including a 25-ton sculpture, drawings, photos, and storyboards, all will be displayed at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA starting this Sunday and will run through January 18.

Thursday October 8th, 2015

17. The Downtown Art Walk

The Downtown Art Walk has been an L.A. cultural phenomenon bringing in art enthusiasts and locals together every second Thursday of each month. Art galleries, shops, bars and more open up for one big party celebrating art and DTLA for one fine night. This month the DTLA Art Walk will recognize the artistry inherent in the production of fashion and dedicates the month of October to the theme of “Fashion & Textiles.”

Participating galleries for this Art Walk will include: Howard Griffin Gallery, Please Do Not Enter, Fathom Gallery, DAC Gallery, These Days, Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts Gallery, Carol Cirillo Stanley Studio Gallery, the Fine Arts Building, and The Spring Arts Collective.

18. MOCA Free Night

Every Thursday evening from 5:00pm – 8:00pm admission is free to both the MOCA on Grand and The Geffen Contemporary.

19. The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor

Long Beach Harbor transforms into a seaport of the damned this Halloween. At Dark Harbor, six mazes await you that will take you through never-before-visited areas of the haunted Queen Mary. There’s also the Monster Midway, where you, zombies, food and entertainment intertwine, including a sinister freak show and the Mechanical Monster. Be sure to grab discount tickets (while available) for select dates via our friends at Goldstar.

20. Five-Course Beer Pairing Dinner At Abigaile

Abigaile in Hermosa Beach celebrates Oktoberfest with a month full of food festivities. This week an autumn-inspired beer pairing dinner of German-inspired dishes and brews will be served. Dishes include a sausage plank, smoked trout and emmental with an onion tart.

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21. Game Night At Grand Central Market

Eat, drink and play every Thursday at Grand Central Market. Grab dinner and cocktails then top the night off with an assortment of games from Jenga to ping pong. The festivities end at 9pm for all the early risers out there!

22. Free Night At The Skirball Cultural Center 

The Skirball Cultural Center is free to all every Thursday. Check out the Singing Posters and Bill Graham and the Rock n Roll Revolution exhibit.

23. Playhouse District Block Party

Every Thursday night from 6:00pm to 11:00pm in the Playhouse District of Old Town Pasadena, join a crowd of locals gathering for live music and food trucks. This week brings the Sun of a Bun and Lobos truck to Old Town. Get more info on the official Facebook page for the event.

24. The Food Truck Collective

Come out to the NOHO Library on a Thursday night and nosh on food truck goodies, partake in some games such as giant jenga, giant chess and checkers as well as a LEGO building station. There are also story read-alongs where the kids get read a story by the DJ and are encouraged to sign up for a FREE Library card! There will be plenty of lawn space where families can bring their blankets and make it a picnic night.

25. Throwback Thursday Movie: This Is Spinal Tap

This Thursday catch a featured screening of the hilarious rock mockumentary that helped defined the genre (and was the precursor to such films as Best in Show and A Mighty Wind). Starts at 7:30pm at The Laemmle Theater in NoHo. More information and discount tickets available via our friends at Goldstar.

Friday October 9th, 2015

26. Knotts Scary Farm

For 2015, the Knotts Scary Farm features 11 menacing mazes, tons of interactive scare experiences and more than 1,000 monsters roaming the park and lurking in the fog, whatever you’re imagining, it’s here…at Knott’s Scary Farm. Knott’s Scary Farm takes place on select nights September 24 – October 31. Tickets go for around $46, but sure to check our friends at Goldstar for discount offers throughout the month.

27. Learn the Olympic Sport of Curling: Beginners Welcome!

Who hasn’t watched a curling match during the Winter Olympics and wondered to themselves… “How do you play that, anyway?” Well, now you no longer have to wonder. For around $13 you can get a beginners lesson featuring an excellent introduction to the basics, including sliding stones, sweeping, and game strategy All equipment provided. Tickets available via our friends at Goldstar.

28. Front Porch Cinema Series Kicks Off!

The Santa Monica Pier presents Front Porch Cinema, a free movie night under the stars taking place every Friday during the month of October. Unwind on old-timey lawn chairs and watch oceanfront films on a giant inflatable screen, this week the featured presentation is Big Hero 6. The Cinema Lounge will open at 6:00pm and the movie begins at 7:30pm.

29. LA Boo at the Zoo

Every weekend in October, the LA Zoo’s special season program offers live music, storytelling, fun photo opportunities, jack-o-lantern carving demonstrations, costumed characters, crafts and more. There will even be a “Graveyard Safari” to discover creatures that emerge in the dark corners of Los Angeles.

30. The Groundlings: Stakeout

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This Friday night off Melrose catch The Groundlings latest and greatest night of improv comedy and sketches: Groundlings Stakeout. Our friends at Goldstar has tickets for just $10 (while supplies last) so grab ’em while you can!

31. Oktoberfest at Alpine Village

Enjoy traditional Bavarian fun, food, and beer at the oldest running Oktoberfest celebration in Southern California at Alpine Village in Torrance. Things kick off on September 11 and the festivities continue all the way until October 31.

32. Rise of The Jack O’ Lantern Festival

Attention pumpkin carving enthusiasts! The Rise of the Jack-O’-Lantern Festival features more than 5,000 hand-carved illuminated jack o’lanterns created by professional artists and sculptors arranged in creative ways along a 1/3-mile scenic walking trail all set to an original music score. In 2015 there are two L.A. locations where you can enjoy The Rise, at either Descanso Gardens or Santa Anita Park.

33. Innovate Pershing Square

As part of our city’s Innovate Week, check out the Innovate Pershing Square Expo scheduled for Friday, from 4-8pm at Pershing Square in DTLA. Expect DJs, music, food, entertainment, and a  showcase of innovations in public space through the visions of L.A. real estate developers, architects and arts community, with some of these renderings offered to the public in a virtual reality demo. 100% FREE to attend!

34. Halloween Horror Nights

Halloween is just a couple weeks away but if you can’t wait till then head on over to Universal Studios for a pre-game scarefest! Universal Studios has announced some new features to their annual horror night including the Crimson Peak: Maze of Madness, based on the upcoming Guillermo del Toro film. Walk into the world of Insidious, outrun the park’s monsters and try to survive the walkers of The Walking Dead. They even revamped the Terror Tram with a 3-D maze based on the apocalyptic comedy This is the End.


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