L.A. WeeklyFrom a mashup of Tito’s Tacos and Tito’s Tequila to a chance to draw the city, here are the 11 best things to do in Los Angeles this week.
fri 10/4
BOOKS/MUSIC
Best of Both Worlds
When it comes to rock autobiographies, some musicians have had lives full of fantastic adventures but can’t write their way out of a paper bag. Others are eloquent wordsmiths with dull personal histories that aren’t worth reading about. The best of both worlds aligns in Debbie Harry’s fascinating new memoir, Face It (Dey Street). With the help of co-writer Sylvie Simmons, the pop vocalist insightfully recounts her evolution from working as a Playboy Bunny and waitress at Max’s Kansas City to her success as lead singer of Blondie and a photographic muse for Andy Warhol, and her bold attempts to mix hip-hop and jazz into her music. Meanwhile, Blondie guitarist Chris Stein’s 2018 photo book, Point of View: Me, New York City and the Punk Scene, provides an atmospheric and evocative visual accompaniment to Harry’s stories about interacting with The Ramones, John Waters, Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Chic and H.R. Giger. The duo discuss their books with moderator Rob Roth. Aratani Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St., downtown; Fri., Oct. 4, 8 p.m.; $20-$100. (213) 628-2725, livetalksla.org/events/debbie-
Chris Stein (Scott Sherratt)
FOOD&DRINK
Holiday Mashup
Hey! You got your tacos in my tequila! Hey! You got your tequila in my tacos! Like two great tastes that will always taste great together, Tito’s Fiesta Mexicana brings together Tito’s Tacos and Tito’s Tequila to celebrate today’s twin festivities of National Taco Day and National Vodka Day, creating one titanic cataclysm of sensory overload revealing infinite dimensions of culinary goodness emptying out onto the singularity of this Culver City taco stand. What you get: three handmade specialty tequila-based Tito’s cocktails, multiple Tito’s tacos, mariachi music, and more jocular inebriation than you can feebly shake a salt shaker at. Tito’s Tacos, 11222 Washington Place, Culver City; Fri., Oct. 4, 2 p.m.; $25. (310) 391-5780, titosfiestamexicana.com. —David Cotner
(Courtesy of Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Tito’s Tacos)
sat 10/5
DANCE
Stay Woke
Known for its ability to seamlessly blend contemporary dance with ballet as well as for the abilities of its dynamic dancers, Complexions Ballet Company arrives for one night only. Led by choreographer Dwight Rhoden, who has more than 80 dances under his belt, the troupe brings two works that earned strong reviews when as they launched the ensemble’s 25th anniversary season in New York earlier this year. The SoCal premiere this visit is WOKE, described by Rhoden as a physical response to the daily news with segments set to a remix of music from Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Diplo and others. The second work marks the return of STARDUST, Rhoden’s popular 2016 tribute to the music and genius of David Bowie. Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Cal State University Long Beach, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach; Sat., Oct. 5, 8 p.m., $55. carpenterarts.org. —Ann Haskins
CULTURE
Take a Spooky Stroll
In October, the dead don’t rest in peace, especially not in Los Angeles. Macabre and muerto (dead) stuff is everywhere and there’s no shortage of Angelenos who want to get in the “spirit.” Celebrating its sixth year, the Olvera Street Muertos Artwalk is a fun and festive way to kick off the season, bringing vendors, performers, and dozens of local artists together for a spooky stroll along the landmark downtown locale. Artwork, jewelry, accessories, clothing, face painting and more will be available for purchase, as folkloric music and dance — much of it courtesy of local school troupes — fills the plaza. Entertainment this year includes: Mariachi Alegria de la Vida, Palms Middle School, Tlaliyoyo, Xipe Totec Aztec Dancers, Las Palmas Folklorico & Hamilton High School Folklorico, Mi Lindo Mexico, Grupo Folklorico de LMU, Cayambe, Orgullo Mexicano, La Hora Feliz, Teatro del Barrio performing La Danza de la Muerte, and more. Olvera Street, N Alameda St. & N Los Angeles St., downtown; Sat., Oct. 5, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; free. (213) 485-6855, olveraevents.com. —Lina Lecaro
Alchemy Tunnel by Laurie Shapiro at Radiant Space (Courtesy of the artist)
ART
Down the Rainbow Rabbit Hole
There’s a new immersive art experience in town, but artist Laurie Shapiro’s gallery installation Alchemy Tunnel has more in common with an ayahuasca tent than amped-up pop-culture spectacle. A wrapping helix of interconnected prismatic panels, dense with layers of screen-printing, drawn and painted images, and stitching, is activated with a LIFX lighting motherboard. As an environment, it resembles a fantastic dream, luminous and alive; as a place, it hosts ticketed events including comedy, theater, sound baths, vegan dinner and music. The art installation is open for free on Saturdays, and while daydreams are encouraged, no shoes are allowed. Radiant Space, 1444 N. Sierra Bonita Ave., Hollywood; opening reception: Sat., Oct. 5, 8-10 p.m.; Sat., noon-3 p.m., through Nov. 23, ticketed events also available; free. radiantspacela.com. —Shana Nys Dambrot
(Courtesy of Big Draw LA)
sun 10/6
ART
How To Draw a City
The monthlong all-city festival The Big Draw L.A. is happening throughout October and across the city, offering free drawing sessions and prompts at some of L.A.’s most intriguing public spaces. Today’s event is the largest of the initiative, as Make Your Mark in the Park fills the lawns of Grand Park with literal Sunday painters amid a sea of sharpened pencils and eager sketchpads. Ryman Arts students will be on hand for guidance, and this free event also includes music and of course food trucks. Bonus/warning, the CicLAvia route goes right by Grand Park, so adjust your perspective and mode of transportation accordingly. Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., downtown; Sun., Oct. 6, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; free. (213) 629-2787; rymanarts.org. —Shana Nys Dambrot
FOOD&DRINK/CULTURE
Get Greek!
Though you can find ones in Long Beach, Pasadena and the Valley, the L.A. Greek Fest is the largest of its kind in L.A., hosted by Tom and Rita Hanks, who’s of Greek descent, and attracting more than 15,000 visitors annually for the last 20 years. You can listen to traditional music, watch dancers and gorge on typical Greek food, whether it’s savory souvlaki, flaky spanakopitas or syrupy baklava. Better yet, take dance lessons for added authenticity. You can also hear Latin DJ music, a nod to the neighborhood’s Byzantine-Latino quarter, and go on one of the hourly tours of Saint Sophia Cathedral, a gorgeously ornate Greek-Orthodox church, built in 1952, that’s a designated historic cultural landmark. Saint Sophia Cathedral, 1324 S. Normandie Ave., Pico-Union; Fri., Oct. 4, 5-11 p.m., Sat., Oct. 5, noon-11 p.m., Sun., Oct. 6, noon-10 p.m.; $5. (323) 737-2424, lagreekfest.com. —Siran Babayan
mon 10/7
The Weekly recommends Rachel Maddow’s Writer’s Bloc appearance; as the event is sold out, however, Angelenos should stay home and read her new book Blowout … because reading is good; writersblocpresents.com/main/
Noe Bernacelli, mujer cuentos de invierno3196 copia (Courtesy of the artist)
tue 10/8
CULTURE
Rubber Meets the Runway
As part of L.A. Fashion Week, Petersen Automotive Museum presents the Cars & Fashion Runway Show. The show centers on the haute couture clothes and accessories created by Peruvian designer Noe Bernacelli. The designer made his U.S. debut at an earlier edition of L.A. Fashion Week a few years ago, and since then he has specialized in elegant evening gowns and other dresses that are lavishly detailed and sumptuously romantic. Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire; Tue., Oct. 8, 7-11 p.m.; $100-$250. (323) 930-2277, petersen.org. —Falling James
wed 10/9
BOOKS
When a Memoir Is More
As a musician, Patti Smith became an icon thanks to her captivating presence but also her eloquence, her edge and her honesty. The poet/punk queen is first and foremost a writer, and her award-winning books Just Kids and M Train served to cement her legacy, in some ways even more than her music. Her latest, Year of the Monkey, is being touted as another distinct take on memoir in which dreams and reality are interwoven to construct — and deconstruct — a particularly transformative year in the artist’s life, with Smith’s own Polaroids embellishing her expressive words. The Real Patti Smith, Up Close and Personal, a conversation about the project she’ll have with the L.A. Times is a can’t miss for fans, not only for context around the book, but for the chance to hear this living legend delve into her work and herself. It’s what she does best. Alex Theatre, 216 North Brand Blvd., Glendale; Wed., Oct. 9, 7 :30 p.m.; $100 (VIP orchestra reserved seating and a pre-signed book) or $40 (GA Seating and unsigned copy of the book). alextheatre.org/event/los-
Sergio Tiempo (Sussie Ahlburg)
thu 10/10
MUSIC
With an Ear Toward the Future
Over the past year, L.A. Philharmonic marked its 100th anniversary with a spectacular season that emphasized daring new music as much as traditional classical music. As the orchestra embarks now on its 101st season, it asks the musical question, “What’s next?” Music and artistic director/conductor Gustavo Dudamel responds with Music From the Americas, a program that reinforces L.A. Phil’s futuristic mindset. While Dudamel will imbue works by Carlos Chávez and Aaron Copland with his trademark passion and nuanced touch, he also guides stylish Argentine pianist Sergio Tiempo and the orchestra through the world premiere of Universos infinitos, a piano concerto by Esteban Benzecry. The composer’s past works have fused beauty, strangeness, lyrical eloquence and artiness in equal parts. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown; Thu.-Sat., Oct. 10-12, 8 p.m.; Sun., Oct. 13, 2 p.m.; $20-$222. (323) 850-2000, laphil.com. —Falling James
CULTURE
Horror (Back)Stories
Horror reigns on TV and in movies, and we love to be scared, especially this time of year. But ever wondered how some classic monsters were created? The Natural History Museum’s latest exhibit, “Natural History of Horror: The Science of Scary,” explains the origins — some true, some myths — of four horror icons, namely Dracula, which was derived from legend that vampires spread diseases throughout Europe; The Mummy, based on the excavation of King Tut’s tomb; Frankenstein, inspired by Luigi Galvani, an Italian doctor known for experimenting with animal electricity; and Creature from the Black Lagoon, taken, in part, from the story of an amphibious humanoid living in the Amazon. The display features movie props, film footage, items from the museum’s holdings and interactive areas, including a “lab” where you can reanimate a frog. Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., Exposition Park; daily, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., through April 19; $32, $29 seniors & students, $20 children, under 2 free. (213) 763-3466, nhm.org. —Siran Babayan
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