You never know what could be lurking in the dark at Creep Los Angeles.
Boo! It’s finally here, my scare-loving fiends. While most of this week’s column is indeed devoted to All Hallows’ Eve, there are some non-Halloween related events to enjoy in Los Angeles. The NBA season began on Tuesday, and we’ve got Clipper and Laker home games at Staples Center. There’s Stan Lee’s Comikaze at the Convention Center. In addition, one of the best annual concert series, Red Bull Sound Select’s 30 Days in L.A., begins on Sunday.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30
Culture
Creep Los Angeles in Downtown
As if walking through Downtown’s Arts District alone at night wasn’t terrifying enough, Creep has taken an abandoned warehouse in the neighborhood and turned it into a fully immersive and interactive haunt. The experience was born in the twisted minds of a group of theatrical artists, inspired by this Walter Jon Williams quote: “I’m not afraid of werewolves or vampires or haunted hotels, I’m afraid of what real human beings do to other real human beings.” Help! Creep Los Angeles is 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. tonight and tomorrow night.
Stan Lee’s Comikaze Expo @ L.A. Convention Center
If you’re a comic book geek, then you’re already dressing up as your favorite character for Stan Lee’s annual gathering anyway; the fact that Halloween is tomorrow just happens to be a coincidence. From 1 p.m. today through 4 p.m. on Sunday, there are panels, workshops and special talks, as well as the Cosplay National Championship. The list of guests this year is out of control: Carrie Fisher, Todd McFarlane, Grant Morrison, the cast of “Adventure Time,” Rob Liefeld, Jim Lee, Marc Silvestri, Summer Glau and, of course the man himself, Stan Lee.
Film
Shaun of the Dead @ Exposition Park
Although I’m generally not a fan of zombie movies or TV shows, I love love love Edgar Wright’s Cornetto Trilogy. It’s just impossible not to get caught up in the shenanigans of Shaun (Simon Pegg), Ed (Nick Frost) and the rest of the ragtag bunch as they navigate the zombie apocalypse in Shaun of the Dead (the red strawberry to the blue Hot Fuzz and green mint chocolate chip The World’s End). With a set from the Pocket Rockets, food from Cousin’s Maine Lobster, Riceballs of Fire and Fry Fry and a screening of the 2004 film, this is one Halloween night I could get behind.
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Live with Danny Elfman @ Hollywood Bowl
I really don’t like it when retailers try to rush through the seasons. Why are there already Thanksgiving plates and napkins next to the Halloween candy? Mashing together holidays is only acceptable in one case: The Nightmare Before Christmas. Tim Burton’s 1993 tale of Jack Skellington, Sally, Santa Claus, Oogie Boogie and Zero the ghost dog is a classic. What makes the world of Halloweentown even more magical is a score by Danny Elfman, who also provides Jack’s singing voice. See the movie tonight (or tomorrow night) at the Bowl, with the songs performed live by Elfman, a choir and an orchestra conducted by John Mauceri.
Culture
Halloween Horror Nights @ Universal Studios Hollywood
“The Walking Dead” fans have reason to be bummed out after last week’s surprise death, so why not remember the happier times, you know, like the cannibalism in Terminus. This year’s Halloween Horror Nights “The Walking Dead:” Wolves Not Far maze recreates some of the horror from the show, as well as mazes based on movies like Halloween, Insidious, Crimson Peak and Alien Vs. Predator. There’s also the Terror Tram, four Scare Zones, a Jabbawockeez show and all the rides you can normally enjoy at the theme park through Sunday. The season has been such a success that they’ve added two new “After Party” nights Nov. 6 and 7 as well.
Music
Danzig @ Microsoft Theater
Growing up, options for Halloween concerts in Southern California usually consisted of either Danny Eflman’s Oingo Boingo or, something a bit more in my personal wheelhouse, Danzig. I mean, what could be more ‘Halloween’ than spending the night moshing and head-banging to the Misfits and Samhain frontman, Glenn Danzing, howling “Mother” and “Dirty Black Summer” into a mic? Suppressing, Veil of Maya, Prong and Witch Mountain complete the lineup for what is sure to be one of the “blackest of the black” of nights.
HARD Day of the Dead @ Fairplex
If you customized your costume specifically with a night full of dancing in mind, then you already have tickets to HARD Day of the Dead in hand. The lineup for today and tomorrow is full of the best in EDM and hip-hop, and far too long for me to list everyone. Here are some of the can’t miss acts, though: Method Man & Redman, Hot Chip, Flying Lotus, Future, Deadma5 and a Bonobo DJ set on Saturday; Destructo, Groove Armada DJ set, Skrillex, Glass Animals and A$AP Ferg on Sunday.
Sports
Clippers vs. Kings @ Staples Center
The Los Angeles Clippers have everything they need to win a championship ring this season: Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, Paul Pierce, Chris Paul, who continues to be one of the best point guards in the league, and, of course, head coach Doc Rivers. There’s no doubt that they should finish with one of the winningest records at the end of the regular season, but will they be able to actually take it to the conference finals, let alone the championship finals? Let’s see how they fare against division rivals the Sacramento Kings tonight at Staples Center.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Music
Wax on Wax @ Madame Tussauds
Red Bull Sound Select’s 30 Days in L.A. kicks off tonight in Hollywood with their annual – and cleverly named – record swap meet and DJ night at the wax museum, Wax on Wax. You can shop at pop-ups from Amoeba Music, the Record Parlour and Origami Vinyl and dance the night away in celebration of the month full of awesome music shows coming up. The schedule includes performances by Grimes, Chromeo, Toro Y Moi, Flume, TV on the Radio, Big Sean and Foals among others. See the entire calendar here: redbullsoundselect.com/30days.
Sports
Lakers vs. Mavericks @ Staples Center
This year quite possibly marks the end of an era for Los Angeles Lakers fans, as well as basketball lovers the world over, since it will most likely be Kobe Bryant’s last. A face from the past returns, as Metta World Peace is back on the Laker roster. Let’s see if all the pieces fit together for a winning season. I’m crossing my fingers, eyes, legs and toes. The squad takes on Dallas in their opening Sunday home game of the season at 6:30 p.m. at Staples Center.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login