Alrighty, let’s get right to it, shall we? Time is inching ever so close to October’s big day – Halloween – and for all you fanatics out there who eat up every second of the season, man, do I have a few new goodies in store for you! For those of you who aren’t so taken with all of the haunted hullabaloo, there are a few other events, including a very cool Hollywood parade celebrating 100 years of Tinseltown – courtesy of the Petersen Automotive Museum – along with several community events that will help you connect more with, well, your community. And if you missed last week’s roundup of month-long Halloween happenings, just click here and you’ll be magically transported to that page. Enjoy!
Halloween, Seasonal Fun, and 100 Years of Hollywood
Kicking things off this week, on Sunday, October 15, the Petersen Automotive Museum is showing some love and admiration for Tinseltown with a Hollywood Car Parade: Celebrating 100 Years of Hollywood. The event includes a reception, lunch, and private tour of its latest exhibit Hollywood Customs. So come find a spot along the route and watch as the museum’s iconic movie car collection proudly rolls through Hollywood all the way up to the Hollywood sign and back. And for those of you interested in learning more about the original Hollywoodland development – just south of the sign, which once read ‘Hollywoodland’ back in the day – be sure to make a pit stop at the 100 year-old Hollywoodland Realty office located at 2700 N. Beachwood Dr., which will also be celebrating its anniversary with free coffee and biscotti, and an archive expo of its own. Cars will be on display from about 10:30-11:30 a.m., when they will start heading back down to the Petersen. All-inclusive Tickets are $45. Click on the event link for map of the parade route – which includes Larchmont Blvd. just south of the Village – and the day’s full schedule of events happening from 8 a.m – 1 p.m.
The Art Deco Society of Los Angeles events never disappoint, and this annual favorite, taking place on Sunday, October 15, is no different. Now in its 40th year, the ADSLA continues to “dig up the dirt” on Hollywood history via a Living History Walking Tour of the 124-year-old Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Visit the gravesites of early Hollywood stars, movie moguls, and the pioneers who shaped Los Angeles, as you hear fascinating tales about their lives – the good and the bad – from historians and living history performances. Featured on the tour are those who mapped Hollywood, including Col. Griffith J. Griffith and Hollywood founder Harvey Wilcox, silent film stars Douglas Fairbanks and heartthrob Rudolph Valentino, Cecil B. DeMille, slain director William Desmond Taylor, and more than twenty other legends. Tickets are $28 ($18 for ADSLA members) and $30 ($20) at the door (cash only). Tours depart from the parking lot behind the Cathedral Mausoleum every 20 minutes, from 9 – 11 a.m. and last 2 ½ – 3 hrs. Parking is free.
This next one is so exciting, especially if you’ve never had the opportunity to visit this legendary LA landmark, and now is your chance. Through the Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society’s Magic Castle Halloween, you’ll get to experience this private, members-only magic nightclub during the spookiest time of the year. On the evening of Thursday, October 19, guests will enjoy cocktails and various activities starting at 5 p.m., followed by dinner in the main dining area at 6 p.m., where you’ll get to indulge in a delicious 3-course prix fixe meal, and Palace Magic Show in the main theater at 8 p.m. You are also welcome to stay and enjoy the castle, along with the rest of the shows, until closing at 1 a.m. The Magic Castle, located at 7001 Franklin Ave. in Hollywood, opened its doors in 1963 and to this day maintains an atmosphere reminiscent of classic nightclub days. A dress code of fancy party attire is strictly enforced. The cost for dinner and show is $182 per person. Please note this is a no-host bar. Parking is $25; rideshares are encouraged.
Dinner, cocktails, and a whodunit – you in?! Great, ‘cuz you’re in for a treat at this year’s Hotel Who Murder Mystery: a 1930s immersive experience across four acts at Castle Ivar in Hollywood! Someone is found dead in the castle. A murderer is amongst you and now you have to figure out who it is before they move onto their next victim. Will you be able to solve the case in time? There’s only one way to find out! “Premium” guests start the evening with cocktails and an ‘autumn harvest’ feast, where they’ll get to know the characters, be sent on side missions, and uncover secrets within the castle. “Standard” guests will start with cocktails and join in on the fun an hour later, which will all culminate into the evening’s main event, the reason you were invited in the first place: La Séance! This weekend is sold out, but tickets remain for next weekend, October 27-28 and on select dates through Nov 18. The cost is $225 for premium tickets (7 p.m. start time) or $165 for standard tickets (8 p.m. start time). 1930s attire is strongly recommended.
Local Government and Community
Hi there! Operation Sparkle is back and on the move, targeting a new location at 3rd Street and Beverly Blvd. on Saturday, October 14 from 9-10:30 a.m. Join your fellow neighbors and the sparkle team as they clean up 3rd/Beverly and make it all shiny and new and sparkly! Some say you could even eat off the streets after, but I wouldn’t recommend it. And if you’re interested in another Operation Sparkle clean-up of Wilshire or Olympic Blvds. in Miracle Mile, great, because they’re looking for 2 volunteers to lead the next clean-up! Kindly email [email protected] to sign up. Thank you in advance.
And if you missed the heads up from last week, the Spirit Of Giving: Women Supporting Women at The Ebell is happening this Saturday, October 14 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Come lend a hand to the club’s Social Services Committee by donating hygiene items, like shampoo, body wash, deodorant, toothpaste/toothbrushes, etc. and/or volunteer to put kits together. This is the ONLY donation drive for the Ebell’s RCA grantees, so please do what you can and help women at risk! Sign up to volunteer or donate here.
It’s that time again, people, time for you and yours to take over 7.8 miles of open, car-free streets at CicLAvia – Heart of LA on Sunday, October 15 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Experience a day outdoors on the streets of DTLA, as you jog, walk, ride, skate, bike, hop, skip, jump, and scoot all along the route on Broadway, Figueroa, 1st street and a few streets in between. This pedestrian-oriented experience also features fun activities and games, so check out the day’s digital map to plan which businesses, local gems, and Hubs to check out during the event. And, as always, CicLAvia events are open to people of all ages and abilities. No sign-up is necessary, so don’t miss out!
Next up is the annual LAPD Wilshire Division Open House, complete with food offerings, live entertainment, safety exhibits, raffle prizes, kids fun zone, bounce house, and more! Highlights include a tour of the station and a viewing of antique LAPD patrol cars. Festivities will take place this Sunday, October 15 from Noon – 4 p.m. Admission is free and all are welcome. So come on down, meet your local law enforcement peeps and other community organizations, and show them some love. The Wilshire Community Station is located at 4861 W. Venice Blvd (just east of La Brea).
Our friends at the Mid City West Neighborhood Council are also back in action this week, with a meeting for its PLUM Committee on Monday, October 16 at 7 p.m. and Public Safety & Well-Being Committee on Tuesday, October 17 at the same time. Check Mid City’s calendar for details, agendas, and full schedule. All MCW meetings are held at the Pan Pacific Park Senior Center (lunch room) located at 141 S. Gardner St.
And closing out LG&C this week is your local NC, the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council (aka The GWNC), which has an all important Outreach Committee meeting on the schedule for Tuesday, October 17 at the JC Fremont Branch Library (6121 Melrose Ave), Community Room starting at 6:30 p.m. Check the website for cancellations, agendas, and full schedule here.
