Events for Oct. 31-Nov. 6, 2013

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THURSDAY, OCT. 31

Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights

HALLOWEEN

Theme Parks: If you don't want to stay home to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters or battle the throngs of people at West Hollywood's annual Halloween Carnaval, you still have three more nights to visit one of the SoCal theme park's annual Halloween haunts. There's Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios where you can dodge zombies in a prison like the one in "The Walking Dead" or try to escape demons from Evil Dead, Insidious. This year's Knott's Scary Farm Haunt has five new mazes, an Elvira stage show and the always entertaining "Hanging" with a gothic fairytale theme. Not to be outdone, Queen Mary's Dark Harbor offers six mazes (including a new circus-themed one), live musical performances, a burlesque show, costume contests and rides.

L.A. Haunted Hayride @ The Old Zoo (Griffith Park)
Tonight is the last night to experience the annual attraction that is "Based on Actual Events" of murder and paranormal activity that haven occurred at the park. There's also the In Between that has you navigating the maze in utter darkness and the Purgatory sideshow with a ride, psychic readers, the House of Mirrors, live shows and more.

Scream @ Exposition Park (South Los Angeles)
If you want a slightly tamer experience, Street Food Cinema hosts a screening of Wes Craven's 1996 slasher film. Written by Kevin Williamson, Scream stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette. Komodo, Dogtown Dog, the Wing Joint and other food trucks are scheduled to be on hand, and DJ Steady State will be spinning all night long.

FRIDAY, NOV. 1

FILM

In Theaters This Week
Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams in Richard Curtis' About Time; Michael Polish's adaptation of Jack Kerouac's Big Sur, with Jean-Marc Barr, Kate Bosworth, Josh Lucas and Henry Thomas; Dallas Buyers Club stars Matthew McConaughey as an AIDS-stricken electrician who refuses to give up on life. Also starring Jared Leto and Jennifer Garner; Naomi Watts in Diana; I'm such a fan of Orson Scott Card's sci-fi novel, Ender's Game, (and its Ender's Shadow companion) that I sincerely hope that the film version doesn't disappoint. With a cast headed by Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford, Hailee Steinfeld and Ben Kingsley, I've got my fingers crossed; James Franco's Sal Mineo biopic, Sal. Also in theaters: Bastards; The Broken Circle Breakdown; Capital; Free Birds; Krrish 3; Last Love; Last Vegas; Man of Tai Chi; Nosotros los Nobles; A Perfect Man

SATURDAY, NOV. 2

DAY OF THE DEAD

Dia de Los Muertos @ Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Hollywood)
The theme for the 14th annual celebration is El Magico Mundo de Los Alebrijes, the brightly colored folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures. From noon to midnight, you can enjoy the procession, over 100 altars, Aztec ritual dancers, an art exhibition, costume contest, Mexican cuisine and arts and crafts. Don't miss performances by Saul Hernandez, Ceci Bastida, Chicano Batman and Quitapenas.

No-Ho Zombiewalk @ Metro Red Line Station at Lankershim/Chandler (North Hollywood)
Put on your finest zombie make-up and take part in this walk along Lankershim Boulevard, from the Metro station to Huston Street.

MUSIC

HARD Day of the Dead @ L.A. State Historic Park (Elysian Park)
This year's festival features two days of musical acts on four stages, so make sure to wear some comfortable shoes. Saturday's lineup includes Skrillex, Nero, Boys Noize, Bloody Beetroots, Kavinsky, Glaslamp Killer and Wolf + Lamb. The following day is even better with Deadmau5, Calvin Harris, Pretty Lights, Cut Copy and, of course, Destructo.

SUNDAY, NOV. 3

FOOD

Taste of Venice @ Electric Lodge (Venice)
The even highlights the neighborhood's culinary talent while supporting Inside Out Community Arts. It kicks off with a VIP Reception at 3 p.m. hosted by Adam Gerler and Jet Tila, with fare from Chaya Venice, Café Gratitude, Tasting Kitchen, Barnyard and more, along with music, cocktails, demos from local chefs. From 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., you can go on a walking/tasting tour of some of the best restaurants on Abbot Kinney, including my favorite Joe's. There's also Hal's, Willie Jane, Primitivo and Abbot's Pizza, among others, to visit.

MONDAY, NOV. 4

MUSIC

Desaparecidos @ The Fonda (Hollywood)
The Nebraska five-piece released their only album, Read Music/Speak Spanish, in 2002, but finally released new material last year. The original lineup of Conor Oberst on vocals/guitar, Landon Hedges on bass/vocals, Matt Baum on drums, Denver Dalley on guitar and Ian McElroy on keyboards reunites for a national tour that stops in Los Angeles tonight. With lyrics that are definitely more political charged and more explosive melodies than the frontman's main Bright Eyes project, be forewarned: your ears will be ringing from the sonic assault on your eardrums at a Desaparecidos show.

TUESDAY, NOV. 5

FILM

Muse Live at Rome Olympic Stadium @ Vista Theatre (Los Feliz)
If you missed the British trio the last time they swung through town, then here's your chance to see their first concert film in 4K ultra high definition in my favorite L.A. movie theater before it comes out on CD/DVD and Blu-Ray Dec. 2. Shot in July of this year, the film captures what the band calls their biggest tour – which translates to your average group's stadium shows on steroids – complete with pyrotechnics, huge digital screens and a troupe of actors complimenting hits like "Uprising," "Supermassive Black Hole," "Time Is Running Out" and "Starlight." The screening begins at 9:45 p.m.

PLAYS

"Play Dead" @ Geffen Playhouse (Westwood)
The opening minutes of the show, created by magicians Todd Robbins and Penn & Teller's Teller, are performed in total darkness, setting the tone for a terrorizing and mesmerizing evening. Be prepared for some gruesome yet brilliant tricks woven with crafty storytelling and telepathy in this production that takes a look at life, death and the in-between.

Halloween Costumes 2012

Bane costume - available at Party City

Now that you've figured out what Halloween events you're going to attend this year, it's time to get working on a costume. Here are some costume ideas, followed by a list of shops where you can buy a costume in a bag, rent one or get materials for a DIY outfit.

Women: Honey Boo Boo, Katniss (The Hunger Games), Lana Del Rey, Michone ("The Walking Dead"), Ravenna (Snow White and the Huntsman), Snooki with baby, the Tanning Mom, Vomiting Lady Gaga

Men: Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, Bane, Big Bird, Clint Eastwood and an empty chair, NFL Replacement Referee, an Observer ("Fringe"), Psy, Ryan Lochte, Snoop Lion, 2 Chainz, Vomiting Justin Bieber

Couples/Groups: Christian Grey & Anastasia Steele, Kim & Kanye, The Fab 5, Walt & Jesse in their yellow jumpsuits ("Breaking Bad")

STORES

aahs!! - 3223 Wilshire Blvd. (Santa Monica); 8878 Sunset Blvd. (West Hollywood); 1090 Westwood Blvd. (Westwood)

Adele's of Hollywood - 5034 Hollywood Blvd. (Hollywood)

Cinema Secrets - 4400 Riverside Drive (Burbank)

Goodwill - various locations

Halloween Club - 7107 Telegraph Road (Montebello)

Halloween Town - 2921 W. Magnolia Blvd. (Burbank)

Hollywood Toys & Costumes - 6600 Hollywood Blvd. (Hollywood)

National Council Jewish Women's Thrift Store - various locations

Out of the Closet - various locations

Spirit - various locations

Western Costume Company - 11041 Vanowen St. (North Hollywood)

Whimsic Alley - 5464 Wilshire Blvd. (Miracle Mile)

Halloween Events 2012

Pretty much every club in Hollywood, from the Avalon to Greystone Manor and the Tropicana Bar at the Roosevelt, is hosting a dance party, and there will be Halloween-themed pub crawls in Santa Monica and Hermosa Beach. But if you're looking for something more than your standard Halloween party, check out the events below.

 

Dia de Los Muertos at Hollywood Forever Cemetery

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS 

Oct. 27 @ Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Hollywood)
Since Dec. 21, 2012 is fast approaching, this year's Dia de Los Muertos festival at the cemetery explores Mayan gods, rituals and calendar. Over 100 altars created by the community to their departed loved ones, Aztec ritual dancers, a dance plaza, arts and crafts and food vendors are all going to be featured. Besides headliners Ozomatli, bands such as La Santa Cecilia and Very Be Careful are performing.

DUSK-TO-DAWN HORRORTHON

Oct. 27 @ Aero Theatre (Santa Monica)
Spend the entire night at the seventh annual scary movie marathon, featuring Hellraiser, Motel Hell, The Devil's Rain, Christine, The Living Dead of Manchester Morgue (aka Let Sleeping Corpses Lie) and The Manitou. There will be plenty of between-film free food, coffee, energy drinks and prize giveaways, too.

EEK AT THE GREEK

Oct. 28 @ The Greek (Griffith Park)
Symphony In The Glen and Nederlander present the second annual celebration of creepy musical masterpieces perfumed by a 60-piece orchestra with Maestro Arthur B. Rubinstein. Selections include, John Williams' "Double Trouble" from Harry Potter, "Night on Bald Mountain," a reading of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" accompanied by music and the premiere of Rubinstein's "The Spider and the Fly."

ESCAPE FROM WONDERLAND

Oct. 27 @ NOS Events Center (San Bernardino)
Alice's Wonderland goes mad, as Insomniac presents six stages, a custom-built haunted house, vendor village, art installations and a landscape of mazes. Calvin Harris, Martin Solveig, Rebecca and Fiona and Infected Mushroom are only some of those scheduled to perform.

FRIGHT FEST

Now-Oct. 28 @ Magic Mountain (Valencia)
Magic Mountain really has the best roller coasters in the southland, and during Halloween season they 'spookify' many of them: Colossus runs backwards, and they turn off the lights for Tatsu, Goliath, Viper, Apocalypse, the Riddler and Batman the ride. There are also mazes, monsters out to scare you as you're walking around and gruesome shows. Oct. 6 is Resident Evil 6 Night, when you can play the new video game inspired by the film.

HALLOWEEN BOOOOTIE LA

Oct. 27 @ The Echoplex (Echo Park)
Bootie LA presents a night of monster mashups with resident DJs Faroff and Shyboy joined by Seattle's Destrukt. The first 300 people to come in costume get a free limited-edition CD, and there will be cash prizes for best costumes, a R.A.I.D. dance crew performance and a Halloween photo booth.

"The Walking Dead" maze at Universal

HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS

Now-Oct. 31 @ Universal Studios (Universal City)
This year, the Universal backlot is invaded by AMC's "The Walking Dead" for a brand new Terror Tram experience. You'll scream, ad possibly cry, as you make your way through the various scare zones to mazes that include Welcome to Silent Hill, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Saw is the Law, Alice Cooper Goes to Hell 3D, La Llorona: La Cazadora de Los Niños and The Walking Dead: Dead Inside.

HALLOWEEN SILENT FILM

Oct. 31 @ Walt Disney Concert Hall (Downtown)
The LA Phil presents a special screening of the classic 1927 silent film, The Cat and the Canary, accompanied by Clark Wilson on the concert hall's gorgeous organ. The storyline deals with a family who is gathered in their recently deceased relatives mansion for the reading of his will, when an escapee from a nearby asylum shows up and bodies start to fall.

HALLOWEEN TIME

Now-Oct. 31 @ Disneyland (Anaheim)
I love Disneyland during Halloween, because it's not so incredibly scary that I want to curl up into a ball and die. Jack Skellington and other Tim Burton characters from The Nightmare Before Christmas take over the Haunted Mansion (It's the only time I'm able to look up in the elevator lobby without being terrified.) Rides like Space Mountain are taken over by ghostly beings, you can go to a meet and greet with Disney Villains and even wear a costume and go trick-or-treating on certain nights.

HARD HAUNTED MANSION PRESENTS: DAY OF THE DEAD

Nov. 3 @ Los Angeles State Historic Park (Elysian Park)
The annual festival returns with a Dia de Los Muertos theme and almost 30 performers. Headlined by Justice, the lineup also includes Knife Party, Major Lazer, Diplo, Kill the Noise and HARD founder Destructo.

HELL BREAK L.A.

Oct. 11-31@ 5601 Santa Monica Blvd. (Hollywood)
The abandoned Sears building is transformed into a post-apocalyptic/prison themed haunted house. This two mazes are sure to scare the crap out of you.

KCRW MASQUERADE

Oct. 27 @ The Legendary Park Plaza (Downtown)
The fourth annual costume ball and concert hosted by the radio station features five uniquely themed rooms, entertainment by the Lucent Dossier troupe, contests, ghost stories, food trucks and, of course, KCRW DJs. Musical performers include Z-Trip, Mexican Institute of Sound, Hanni El Khatib and the Dustbowl Revival.

KNOTT'S SCARY FARM 40TH HAUNT

Now- Oct. 31 @ Knott's Berry Farm (Buena Park)
Knott's Scary Farm holds so many memories from my teen years – a lady falling in a fountain when she got startled by a creeping monster, me pushing the person in front of me down so I could run out of a maze. Oh, what good times. The entire theme park is transformed into a scream-inducing plethora of walking monsters, breath-taking mazes and rides full of horrifying images.

LONG BEACH ZOMBIE WALK

Oct. 27 @ Marina Green/Shoreline Village (Long Beach)
The festival includes two music stages, food trucks, a beer garden, horror artists and authors and an outdoor screening of Shaun of the Dead. Bands include Stolen Babies, the Radioactive Chicken Heads, Feral Kizzy and many more.

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride (themeparkadventure.com)

LOS ANGELES HAUNTED HAYRIDE

Now-Oct. 31 @ Old Zoo Area (Griffith Park)
"The Congregation," a tale of a murderous little boy who wrecks havoc on his community, is the theme for this fourth year of the terrifying hayride trail. Running on select dates through Halloween, the attraction offers a maze (The In Between) and an interactive sideshow with "The Scary-Go-Round," House of Mirrors, a special effects fabrication booth and more. Caution: You will get wet, bunt ponchos are provided.

LUCHA VAVOOM AZTEC HORROR

Oct. 25 & 26 @ The Mayan (Downtown)
Lucha VaVoom celebrates its 10th anniversary with two nights of wrestling, burlesque and comedy mayhem, hosted by Blaine Capatch, Greg Proops and Dana Gould. In addition, Julie Atlas Muz and Mat "Sealboy" Fraser unveil a cabaret comedy sideshow spectacle, tunes from DJ Howie Pyro, Mexico City's Dr. Cerebro and Mexican Warrior, as well as all your Lucha VaVoom favorites.

MONSTER MASSIVE

Oct. 27 @ Los Angeles Center Studios (Downtown)
The music festival returns for a 15th year of DJ sets and dancing. The theme for this one is the Bloody Bear. Lineup is still TBD.

PARANOIA

Now-Oct. 31 @ Leven 3 at Santa Monica Place (Santa Monica)
This attraction at the mall consists of three mazes: the hospital-themed Infirmary, Insomniac Clown Playhouse and Granny's Manor of Mayhem.

SCARIUM OF THE PACIFIC

Oct. 20 & 21 @ Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach)
This family-friendly event offers special Halloween programs that include a costume contest, underwater pumpkin carving and free treats.

THE QUEEN MARY'S DARK HARBOR

Now-Oct. 31 @ The Queen Mary (Long Beach)
Just going on the regular tour of the ship made me scared, especially going down into the boiler room and hearing the death tales that supposedly happened at the indoor pool. This year's Halloween event offers six mazes, live musical performances and an R.I.P. Lounge.

SCREENING OF DAWN OF THE DEAD

Oct. 20 @ Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Hollywood)
Cinespia celebrates Halloween with George Romero's 1978 horror film, commonly referred to as the original zombie adventure movie. Gaslamp Killer spins before and after the screening.