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32 Awesome Events In Southern California ThisWeekendby Christine N. Ziemba in Arts & Entertainment on September 26, 2019 6:00 AM

Get wild with the wildlife at Roaring Nights at the L.A. Zoo. (Courtesy of GLAZA)

Climb the Bank Tower in DTLA. Watch Killer Crocodile. Attend Tegan & Sara's book launch.Check out Ava DuVernay's Array 360 film series. Catch the L.A. Opera — at the beach. Eat yourheart out at gelato and chocolate festivals. And get spooky — or spooked — with our SoCalHalloween Guide.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27; 6 - 10:30 P.M.Roaring Nights at the ZooLos Angeles Zoo — 5333 Zoo Dr., Griffith ParkHang with (some) creatures of the night at a party with music provided by DJ Richard Blade,Flashback Heart Attack, DJ Severe, The Detroit Nights and HUSH Silent Disco. Check outclose-up animal experience stations throughout the zoo. Food trucks will be onsite to feedpartygoers. The event is 21+.COST: $21; MORE INFO

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27; 11 A.M. - 9 P.M.YMCA Stair Climb for Los AngelesU.S. Bank Tower — 401 S. Hope St., downtown L.A.Be one of the 4,000 participants to take on the tallest stairwell west of the Mississippi, nd it's fora good cause. Race or walk up the U.S. Bank Tower's 1,664 steps (that'd be 75 stories) thentreat yo self by taking the elevator down to a block party with games, bands, food trucks and a21+ beer garden. Funds raised will benefit the YMCA's community programs.COST: $150 - $50 (for Elite racers); MORE INFO

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27; 5 - 9 P.M.Van Nuys Arts FestivalVan Nuys Civic Center — 14350 Sylvan St., Van Nuys

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This year's arts festival, The Glow Up, focuses on art and tech, nature and empowerment, with aglow nature garden by artists Debi Cable, Black Light King, Todd Meyer and Darlene Kerns.Listen to music by the Selena tribute band Selenamos and DJ Les Ortiz as well asperformances by The Gr818ers Dance Crew, Champs Charter High School of the Arts &Panorama High School. COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO

The inaugural Groove Island Festival on Catalina Island features DJs, dance music, outdoor activities, meditation, yoga and

comedy. (Courtesy of Prism Cam)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29Groove Island FestivalVarious locations in Avalon, Catalina IslandThe first immersive music dance festival on the island features 40 artists and DJs such asAndrew Rayel, Chus & Ceballos, Mark Knight, Oliver Heldens, Sam Feldt and Shiba San. Theevent includes themed costume parties; a chillout experience with yoga, meditation andwellness workshops; a silent disco; and stand-up comedy. Travel and lodging packages areavailable. This festival is 21+.COST: Single-day tickets start at $99.; MORE INFO

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27; 7 P.M.Frankie QuiñonesThe Wiltern — 3790 Wilshire Blvd., KoreatownThe stand-up comedian brings some of his best-known characters to the stage, includingCreeper (a reformed cholo turned fitness guru) and Juanita Carmelita (a suburban dramaqueen). If you can't make the Wiltern show this week, he also has four shows at the IrvineImprov on Oct. 4 and 5.COST: $25; MORE INFO

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27; 6:30 - 10 P.M.Haunted Little Tokyo Film Festival: Prince of Darkness David Henry Hwang Theater in the Union Center for the Arts —120 Judge John Aiso St.downtown L.A. Go Little Tokyo presents spook-tacular events throughout the month, including a film festival thatopens on Friday with John Carpenter's 1987 horror film. It screens in the church it was filmed(fka Union Church) with special guest, actor Dennis Dun. Guests 21+ can partake in themedcocktails at a cash bar, listen to a Q & A session with Dun and tour of the filming location withHorror's Hallowed Grounds' Sean Clark.COST: $20 - $25; MORE INFO

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27; 10 P.M.Beyond Fest: Killer Crocodile Egyptian Theatre — 6712 Hollywood Blvd., HollywoodFriday Night Frights presents the 30th anniversary screening of the 1989 film, written anddirected by Fabrizio De Angelis. A take on the "animals gone extra wild" subgenre, the moviefollows a croc that has grown unnaturally large due to chemical dumping in the river. The filmstars Richard Anthony Crenna (son of Rambo's Richard Crenna) who tries to save thecommunity from this predator. Tickets are only available at the Egyptian's box office one hourbefore showtime; two tickets per person maximum. (Also at Beyond Fest on Friday at 8 p.m. is afree screening of Paganini Horror (1989), the story of a female metal band that accidentallyopens a portal to hell while playing cursed sheet music.) COST: FREE; MORE INFO

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29Ohana FestDoheny State Beach — 25300 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana PointSay goodbye to summer with a three-day music festival at the beach. The all-ages eventincludes performances by Eddie Vedder, The Strokes, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Glen Hansard,Las Cafeteras, Jenny Lewis and Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats. COST: Single-day tickets start at $128.50; MORE INFO

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27; 8 P.M.Robot Chicken 10th Season Spectacular: Night of 1000 BawksThe Theatre at Ace Hotel — 929 S. Broadway, downtown L.A.Adult Swim promises an evening of laughs (at least 1,000) with a celebration of the show'sgreatest sketches and untold stories. Hear behind-the-scenes tales from co-creators Seth Greenand Matthew Senreich. They're joined by writers, producers, craftspeople, voice actors andcelebrity guests who've contributed to the show. Guests will also get a sneak peek at Season10. The event is 18+.COST: $10; MORE INFO

KILLER CROCODILE (1989, trailer) Fabrizio De AngelisKILLER CROCODILE (1989, trailer) Fabrizio De Angelis

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Filmmaker Euzhan Palcy presents her classic 1983 film, ,Sugar Cane Alley,' on opening night of Array 360. (Film still courtesy of

Euzhan Palcy )

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 - NOVEMBER 2Array 360Amanda Theater @ Array — 180 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park The new film series, which is curated, funded and presented by Ava DuVernay's nonprofit, ArrayAlliance, brings together filmmakers, emerging artists and the community for six weekends ofscreenings and conversation. The opening weekend features the two-day program, A Woman'sWork, highlighting the films of trailblazers Euzhan Palcy, Barbara Loden, Kathleen Collins,Marilou Diaz-Araya and Suzana Amaral. Palcy and Nina Collins, the daughter of late KathleenCollins, are expected to attend. The series runs through Nov. 2.COST: FREE, seats on a first-come, first-served basis; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, SEPT. 28; 6PMJail Guitar Doors Presents - Rock Out 5!John Anson Ford Amphitheatre- 2580 Cahuenga Blvd E, Los AngelesOn September 28th at the Ford Theatre, Jail Guitar Doors presents their annual benefit,Rock Out 5! The annual benefit, headlined this year by Moby and his band, raises funds forthe non-profit and help, which provides musical experiences as a solution for inmaterehabilitation.COST: Starts at $50 for adults (discounts for students / children); MORE INFO

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29Gelato Festival AmericaPacific Design Center — 8687 Melrose Ave., West HollywoodThis festival and competition pits artisanal gelato makers against each other as they vie for titleof best of the fest. Guests can taste all the gelato they want among competing flavors. Thewinning flavor and chef will head to the Gelato Festival World Masters 2021. The weekend alsoincludes games, contests and a laboratory of frozen desserts. COST: Admission $10 - $25; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28; 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.Nigerian Independence DayVeterans Park — 22400 Moneta Ave., Carson The 59th edition of the community carnival celebrates Nigeria's independence from British rule,

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which occurred on Oct. 1, 1960. Listen to tunes spun by DJ Lenitini, take part in culturalactivities, taste Nigerian foods available for purchase and shop the wares of local vendors.COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO

It's a weekend of culture, community and music at the Watts Towers, built by hand over 33 years by sculptor and designer Simon

Rodia. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29Watts Towers' FestivalsWatts Towers Arts Center — 1727 E. 107th St., WattsSaturday marks the 38th Day of the Drum Festival, which includes performances of Aztecdrumming and dance, Korean classical music, Japanese taiko, capoeira and West Africanbeats. Sunday's 43rd annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival features spiritual music,Italian jazz, Afro-Cuban and R&B music. Look for performances by David Ornette Cherry withOrganic Nation, Lynne Fiddmont and Dwight Trible. The festivals include kids activities, food andcraft vendors.COST: FREE; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28Main Day EventThe Pico Union Project, 1153 Valencia St.. Pico-UnionThis lit festival for LGBTQ writers culminates with a closing celebration and performances.Tegan & Sara read and discuss their recent memoir, High School. You can also catch readingsand performances by Katherine Agyemaa Agard, Charlie Jane Anders, Myriam Gurba, DynastyHandbag, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, Phranc, Tommy Pico, Danez Smith and KarenTongson (who also hosts karaoke to end the day). Doors open at 11 a.m. Free lunch provided byL.A. Habana. COST: FREE, but there's currently a waitlist; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28; 6:30 - 10 P.M.Queer PromFirst Christian Church of Whittier — 6355 Greenleaf Ave., Whittier

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The city holds its first-ever gay pride festival from Sept. 26-28, and one of the big events is theprom. Taking place after Whittier Pride, the event features sound and lights by three DJs, twophoto booths, snacks and a space to chill. The evening closes with a ballroom-style pose-off to crown three prom winners. LGBTQ+ community members, friends, family andallies are welcome to the dance. COST: Admission $5 - $50; MORE INFO

Relive the 1940s aboard the historic Battleship IOWA. (Courtesy of '40s on the Fantail)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28; 5 - 10 P.M.40's On The Fantail - Wine, Beer & Food FestivalBattleship USS Iowa Museum — 250 S. Harbor Blvd., San PedroThis 1940s-themed festival doubles as a charity fundraiser benefiting Mission 22, a nonprofitorganization that combats suicide among veterans. Guests will be treated to USO-styleentertainment from headliner Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five, the Satin Dollz and theHollywood It Girls as well as swing dance lessons, vintage cars and costume contests.COST: $65 - $120; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28; 12 - 7 P.M.Michelada Rumble on the BeachSeaLegs at the Beach — 17851 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington BeachThis festival devoted to beer cocktails features a competition among 24 of the best micheladas(a combo of beer, tomato juice and spices) from California and Texas. The day also includesluche libre wresting, a performance by Baby Bash and, of course, beer. This event is strictly 21+.COST: $25 general admission; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29; 2 P.M.Disney's That Darn CatNew Beverly Cinema — 7165 Beverly Blvd., Fairfax Watch a family matinee of the 1965 Robert Stevenson film in a 35mm print. Hayley Mills andDorothy Provine star as sisters with a trouble-making Siamese cat. Dean Jones co-stars as anFBI agent. Kids of all ages are welcome, and attendees 12 and younger get a free child sizepopcorn and raffle ticket.COST: $6; MORE INFO

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LA Opera's 2019 production of 'La Boheme' will be simulcast to Santa Monica and Torrance on Saturday night. (Cory Weaver )

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28; 7:30 - 10:30 P.M.Opera at the Beach and Opera in the ParkSanta Monica Pier — 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Columbia Regional Park — 4045 190th St., TorranceL.A. Opera opened its 2019-20 season with a new take on Puccini's romantic tragedy, LaBohème (the inspiration for Broadway's Rent). For the fifth year, catch the production on HD-livestreams in Santa Monica and Torrance. Bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets.COST: FREE; MORE INFO

A woman plays 'Mortal Kombat 2' on an 1980s console by Arcade 1Up at the 2019 Electronic Entertainment Expo, also known as

E3, opening in Los Angeles, California on June 11, 2019. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 RetrocadeUnion Station — 800 N. Alameda St., downtown L.A.The old-school gaming weekend is back by popular demand with more than 50 cabinet gamesfrom the '70s, '80s and '90s, including Pac Man, Donkey Kong, Mortal Kombat and StreetFighter. (We got dibs on Galaga and Donkey Kong.) All games are set to free play and theadmission fee covers two-hour sessions. Serious gamers can enter the Pac Man tournament

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each day from 5 to 7 p.m. A DJ spins while arcade food, beer, wine and cocktails are availablefor purchase. COST: $5 admission, $10 for Pac Man tournament; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28; 11 A.M. - 4 P.M.Los Angeles Libros FestivalLos Angeles Central Library — 630 W 5th St., downtown L.A.The free, bilingual book festival includes storytelling, music performances, international and localauthors, books and workshops throughout the day in dos idiomas. COST: FREE; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28; 10 A.M. - 5 P.M.Nature for All: National Public Lands Day Multiple LocationsExperience L.A. County's public lands for free, while taking public transportation. Start at UnionStation then head to the mountains, beach or parks either on your own or via a guided trip. Allparticipants need to have their own TAP card, with $3.50 pre-loaded for the roundtrip ride onMetro. Destinations include L.A. State Historic Park in Chinatown, the L.A. River (SteelheadPark), Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area in Baldwin Hills, Santa Monica Beach Pier andSturtevant Fall in the San Gabriel Valley. RSVPs required for guided tours.COST: FREE / donations accepted; MORE INFO

The Hammer Museum opens a retrospective on the artist Lari Pittman, including 'How Sweet the Day After This and That, Deep

Sleep Is Truly Welcomed.' (© Lari Pittman, courtesy of Regen Projects, Los Angeles)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28; 8 P.M.Lari Pittman: Declaration of IndependenceHammer Museum 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles The museum presents the opening celebration of the most comprehensive retrospective of theL.A.-based artist, teacher and social justice advocate's work. Featuring approximately 80paintings and 50 works on paper, the exhibition marks the first time the Hammer has devoted allof its major exhibition spaces to a single living artist. The opening night party features foodtrucks, a cash bar and a live DJ. The exhibition runs through Jan. 5, 2020. COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28; 9 P.M. NY Night Train Shakin' All Over Under Sideways Down! w/Jonathan ToubinZebulon — 2478 Fletcher Dr., Elysian ValleyDJ, producer, writer and party ringleader Jonathan Toubin brings his NY dance festivities to theWest Coast, spinning vinyl soul along the way. There's a $100 dance-off at midnight. Ages 21+.COST: $10 ; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28; 11:59 P.M. Barton FinkVista Theatre — 4473 Sunset Dr., Los FelizThe Secret Movie Club screens the Coen Brothers' 1991 film, which stars John Turturro as the

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title character, a mildly successful New York playwright who moves to L.A. to write screenplays.Once here, he encounters writer's block, a traveling salesman neighbor (John Goodman) and adead woman in his bed. COST: Tickets start at $12.75; MORE INFO

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29; 12 P.M.Offal Closing EventsLos Angeles Municipal Art Gallery — 4800 Hollywood Blvd., East HollywoodIt's the closing weekend of the Offal exhibition at the gallery. The group show is based on thepractice of consuming innards as well as an examination of culture and food. The two finalpublic programs are a walkthrough with artists Matt Hollis, Sarah Julig and Alex Nazari then apickle-tasting led by artist Robert Farid Karimi. Sample pickles that have fermented during hisinstallation's run or create your own as you listen to Karimi's poetry.COST: FREE; MORE INFO

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Come see OFFAL at @lamagbarnsdall this weekend! Open Thursday-Sunday 11am-4pm. “Dean Object (Digestive tract sculpture) by Jim Shaw

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29; 7:30 A.M.Alive & RunningWest 88th St. & La Tijera Blvd., WestchesterThe 5K run/walk remembers loved ones lost to suicide while raising funds for the Didi HirschSuicide Prevention Center. The org offers training, research and services to people who havethought, attempted or lost someone to suicide. Hosted by actor Catherine Hicks, the featuredspeaker is Talinda Bennington, widow of Chester Bennington of Linkin Park, with music by AlexBoyé. COST: $35; free for children 12 and younger; MORE INFO

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29; 10 A.M. - 6 P.M.35th Annual Abbot Kinney FestivalAbbot Kinney Blvd. — between Venice Blvd. and Main St., VeniceThe annual Venice block party takes over a one-mile stretch of the trendy boulevard with fourlive music stages, five beer gardens (21+), more than 350 vendors as well, and food booths andtrucks. The festival also features games, rides and music for kids. There are beer garden fastpasses ($35, includes one beer) and KidsQuad wristbands (games/rides) available for purchase

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Join over 125,000 people for live music and art, over 350 vendors, food trucks &booths, beer gardens and more! 🎡🎸🎨🍻🎟🍔 This weekend!! Sunday,September 29th from 10 am - 6 pm. #akf2019 #abbotkinneyfestival #venice 📷:@venicepaparazzi @sambasouldancecompanyview all 15 comments

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($90 - $100 for unlimited rides).COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29; 10 A.M. - 3:30 P.M.Los Angeles Chocolate SalonPasadena Convention Center — 300 E. Green St., PasadenaSample sweet treats from artisanal chocolatiers and confectioners such as Michael'sChocolates, Mignon Chocolate, Amano Artisan Chocolate and Andrea's Truffles. In addition totastings, there are chef and author talks, wine tastings (for those 21+) and cooking demos.COST: $20 - $25 for adult admission; MORE INFO

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29; 5 - 8 P.M.45th Annual AbilityFirst Festival of FallLaurabelle A. Robinson House — 195 South Grand Ave., PasadenaHeld on the grounds of the historic house, the festival showcases the tastes of more than 25 topchefs, restaurants, cocktail bars, wineries and breweries, along with live culinary demonstrationsand music. Sample delights from vendors including Bone Kettle, Bacchus' Kitchen, CelestinoRistorante & Bar, El Cholo Café, Sushi Roku andTam O'Shanter, among others. Specialcocktails and spirit tastings from Dulce Vida Tequila, Krafted Spirits, Mi Piace and The Raymond1886. Proceeds from the festival will benefit the nonprofit AbilityFirst, which helps people withdisabilities achieve their full potential.COST: Tickets start at $250; MORE INFO

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29; 10 A.M. - 7 P.M.Community ClassroomThe Row Downtown LA — 767 Alameda St., downtown L.A. The digital media company ATTN teams with UCLA to present a day of ideas and art, withalumni speakers taking on topics of culture, sustainability and entrepreneurship. Presentersinclude: actor and LGBTQ+ advocate George Takei; chef Ray Garcia of Broken Spanish; andCoolhaus founder Natasha Case. The day also features a community mural, art installations, the"Human Library" and Coolhaus ice cream sandwiches. COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29; 8 P.M.Rosh Hashanah Community DinnersShul on the Beach — 505 Ocean Front Walk, VeniceWatch the sunset over the ocean and share the first meal of 5780 with a welcoming community.

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The event will be led by Rabbi Shalom Rubanowitz.COST: Dinner tickets start at $35.; MORE INFO

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