FILM
The Bodyguard – 7 PM, October 4: Iconic diva Whitney Houston delivers an electric performance in this glamorous and show-stopping romance. Kevin Costner plays former Secret Service agent who grudgingly takes an assignment to protect a pop idol who has been threatened by a crazed fan. At first, the safety-obsessed bodyguard and the self-indulgent diva totally clash. But before long, all that tension sparks fireworks of another sort, and the love-averse tough guy is torn between duty and romance. Don’t miss all the music (including Whitney’s cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You”), the swoon-worthy romance, and the showmanship of the Princess of Pop Whitney Houston! Vidiots, 4884 Eagle Rock Blvd., Los Angeles.
If I Go Will They Miss Me – 10 PM – October 2: A poetic, emotionally expansive father-son story about Black family, grace, imagination, and the hope that love can transform even the most fragile relationships into something more healing and beautiful. Vidiots, 4884 Eagle Rock Blvd., Los Angeles.
Hocus Pocus – 11 AM, October 3: On All Hallows’ Eve, skeptical teen Max and little sister Dani are trick-or-treating in their new town of Salem, Massachusetts, when they accidentally resurrect the Sanderson Sisters, three 17th-century witches who were executed after terrorizing the town. The kids must team with Max’s crush, Allison, and Binx, a boy cursed… by the sisters to live out eternity as a cat, to put an end to the witches’ reign of terror before the sisters can steal their souls. A box office and critical failure upon release, Hocus Pocus gained cult status through annual Halloween reruns on Disney Channel and the iconic performances from Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the witches. Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, 6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.
Cabaret – 2 PM, October 4: The second feature from director-choreographer Bob Fosse is one of his greatest works in any medium. It’s a dazzling adaptation of the John Kander-Fred Ebb Broadway show, inspired by Christopher Isherwood’s The Berlin Stories, and a fine demonstration of how a movie musical rooted in realism… can be as satisfying as the more traditional variety. When naïve young Brian Roberts (Michael York as the Isherwood figure) moves into a Berlin boardinghouse in 1931, he is unprepared for his new neighbor—the brash, would-be star Sally Bowles, played by Liza Minnelli in her Oscar-winning, career-defining performance. The film received 10 nominations (including Best Picture) and won eight Oscars, including for Fosse’s direction, Joel Grey’s supporting performance, and the art direction of Rolf Zehetbauer, Jurgen Kiebach and set decorator Herbert Strabel. Their work brought the film’s time and place to life and provided Fosse with a realistically claustrophobic Kit Kat Klub, which nonetheless made room for the filmmaker’s typically thrilling musical numbers. Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, 6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.
Night Frights Film Festival October 2 – 4: Welcome to the dark heart of the weekend. Explore three highly calculated tracks of independent feature film premieres, specialized filmmaker panels, live red carpet receptions, and brutal, themed shorts blocks meticulously cataloged from afternoon arrival flows to late-night afterparties.Event includes shorts, parties, red carpet gala, screening of Lenore and Demonetize, world premiere of Too Tight to Move, and more! Visit the website for fill schedule! Gardena Cinema, 14948 Crenshaw Blvd., Gardena.
MUSEUMS AND ART
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art – NOW OPEN! The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opens on September 22! It’ll be crowded for a while, but I’m sure it’s amazing! The new museum in L.A. celebrates the power of visual storytelling. Founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the museum explores how images move us and shape our collective memory. From Frida Kahlo’s self-portrait to Norman Rockwell’s scenes of everyday life to Charles White’s portraits of dignity. Each invites reflection. Each tells a story. One Lucas Plaza, 3800 S Vermont Ave., Los Angeles.
Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind – through October 11: Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind traces more than seven decades of Yoko Ono’s groundbreaking career, from her early text-based works in the 1950s and ’60s to recent large-scale installations informed by her ongoing campaigns for world peace. Organized in collaboration with Tate Modern, London, the exhibition—Ono’s first solo museum exhibition in Southern California—explores her radical approach to art, language, and participation, challenging conventional ideas about the roles of artist and audience. The Broad, 221 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.
Willie Birch: Stories to Tell – through October 21: The first-ever career retrospective of renowned artist Willie Birch, this exhibition brings together groundbreaking works from 1968 to the present that chronicle his unique vision of Black American life and the interconnected nature of global art forms. Born and raised in New Orleans and trained in Europe, Baltimore, and New York, Birch often speaks about “retentions,” a term he uses to describe evidence of one culture’s narratives and traditions within another. Throughout his career, Birch has explored particularly how African traditions have been retained in music, art, and culture in America as part of the Black experience and beyond. California African American Museum, 600 State Dr, Los Angeles.
Free and Queer: Black Californian Roots of Gay Liberation – through February 28, 2027: Free and Queer: Black Californian Roots of Gay Liberation presents California as a pioneering site of sustained, Black-led struggles for LGBTQ equality, civil rights, and recognition. The exhibition recovers histories largely excluded from existing narratives and exposes powerful ways that print culture, artistic practice, and performance styles shaped, advanced, and interpreted Black queer social movements alongside political and legal activism. California African American Museum, 600 State Dr, Los Angeles.
Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon – through February 28, 2027: Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon celebrates Marilyn Monroe—born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926—as a visionary actor and image-maker, examining how she created and shaped her public image in the context of the classical Hollywood studio system. Presenting hundreds of original objects, including posters, portraits, photographs, production documents, letters,… and rarely seen personal materials—many on display for the first time—the exhibition offers unique insight into her agency in becoming a Hollywood icon. The exhibition also features an extensive array of Monroe’s screen-worn costumes, ranging from a dress featured in Love Happy (1949) to items from her final and unfinished film, Something’s Got to Give (1962). Major highlights include two costumes by Orry-Kelly from Some Like it Hot (1959), as well as the rarely exhibited famous pink dress by William Travilla from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, 6067 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles.
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures ASL Interpreted Tours: American Sign Language (ASL) tours of select galleries are always offered at noon on the same day as the museum’s monthly Calm Morning program and accommodative Family Matinee film screening. Join a museum educator and ASL interpreter to experience cinema’s wide-ranging contributions to the world. Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, 6067 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles.
THEATRE
They Tend to Themselves: A Choreopoem – 7:30 PM, October 2: Rainbow Delicious is afraid of her own reflection. In the liminal space between past and future, she wrestles with what it means to be Black, a woman, and everything the world has tried to make her doubt about both. Drawing on Afrofuturism, ancestral wisdom, and the African diaspora, writer-performer Gabrielle Jackson weaves spoken word, movement, and music into a meditation on self-love as an act of resistance. Journey through mirrors, memory, and becoming in the unforgettable one-woman choreopoem: They Tend to Themselves. The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N. McCadden Pl., Los Angeles.
Antigone: In the Language of Kings – through October 3: Set in the vibrant world of pre-conquest Tenochtitlan, Mexico, this powerful reimagining of a classic tragedy confronts themes of loyalty, familial duty, and the clash between divine law and state edict. Weaving in pre-Hispanic music and poetry, this timeless story brings Aztec mythology to life in a rich historical tapestry that resonates across cultures, pitting love and defiance against tyranny. Adapted from Sophocles by Evelina Fernández, Directed by José Luis Valenzuela, Co-produced by Latino Theater Company. Getty Villa, 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades.
The Visit – through October 4: A DESPERATE TOWN. A DETERMINED WOMAN. AN IMPOSSIBLE OFFER. When the richest woman in the world returns to her struggling hometown, she’s ready and willing to rescue it from ruin… on one condition. In this haunting, twisted, and truly grotesque comedy, an entire community is forced to confront an unthinkable question: how far are you willing to go for a billion dollars? Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Avenue, Pasadena.
Before It’s Too Late – through October 6: A clock counts down as Christopher Moncayo-Torres, a habitually late Ecuadorian-American live-storyteller, rushes to make up for lost time with his born and bred Ecuadorian parents, Nancy Moncayo and Abel Torres in this heartfelt, comedic solo-ish show. Showing up for Christopher as best they can, Abel, his once estranged, 82-year–old father, will fly in from Queens, NY, and Nancy, his 78-year-old mother, will video call in from her home in Ecuador.
Making their performance debut as a duo (yes, really), Abel and Nancy will co-parent Christopher for the first time and unpack their complex relationship throughout this epic evening of attempted belated bonding despite their language barrier- Christopher only knows so much Spanish, his parents only know so much English. This recovering no sabo kid ( a Latino or Hispanic individual living in the U.S. who does not speak Spanish well or at all) from Queens will need your support as Christopher juggles translations, true stories, too many boxes, hopefully-reliable video calls, a pair of backup moms (his eldest sisters, Natalie & Catherine might make a cameo) while actually preparing delicious Ecuadorian food from his mother’s recipe book. Despite the cultural, geographical and linguistic chasms between them, can these two aging immigrant parents and their child experience forgiveness, empathy and generational joy while actually understanding one another before time runs out? Outside In, 5317 York Blvd., Los Angeles.
Into The Woods – through October 18: When the Baker and his wife venture into the forest to break a witch’s curse, they encounter Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Jack (of beanstalk fame)—and familiar tales take on clever new lives. But be careful what you wish for, because “happily ever after” is never the whole story. With a Tony Award-winning book and score, this poignant musical comedy masterpiece celebrates its 40th anniversary with a fabulous new SCR production. South Coast Repertory, Emmes/Benson Theatre Center, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.
COMEDY
Improvised Monster Movie – 10:30 PM, October 2: Inspired by the golden age of late-night horror hosts, drive-in creature features, and classic B-movies, Improvised Monster Movie invites audiences to create the night’s film before the cameras (sort of) roll. From the name of the town and the body count to outrageous product placements, monster weaknesses, and unforgettable plot twists, audience suggestions become the ingredients for a completely original creature feature.
Packed with suspense, laughs, outrageous monsters, and a healthy dose of drive-in nostalgia, every performance is a love letter to the creature features that kept generations of horror Outside In, 5317 York Blvd., Los Angeles.
Giving Back with The Real Ghostbusters: A 40th Anniversary Celebration – 1 PM, October 3: Giving Back with The Real Ghostbusters: A 40th Anniversary Celebration, a special charity event celebrating four decades of the beloved animated series as part of the spirit of Ghostbusters Give Back, the franchise’s commitment to using the power of Ghostbusters fandom to support charitable causes and communities. The afternoon will feature a special live script reading with members of the original cast, including Laura Summer (“Janine”, voice actor), Maurice LaMarche (“Dr. Egon Spengler”, voice actor), and Jim Cummings (“Extreme Ghostbusters”, singer) bringing the voices and spirit of The Real Ghostbusters back to the stage for a one-of-a-kind 40th anniversary celebration. The reading is cast and produced by Patrick Cotnoir (The George Lucas Talk Show, Hey, That’s Me! A Commentary Podcast).
The event will also feature a special live musical performance by Jim Cummings with The Flux Capacitors Band, including a performance of the iconic The Real Ghostbusters theme song. The performance will celebrate the music that helped make the series an unforgettable part of the Saturday morning television experience. Dynasty Typewriter, 2511 W. Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.
Pilot Season: Latine Heritage Month Edition! – 7 PM, October 4: In UCB’s Pilot Season, veteran comedy TV writers take the audience’s suggestion of a show title, and, on the spot, develop a pilot for a brand new show. It could be a sitcom, a prestige drama, or any number of different genres. Talented improvisers then take that pitch and bring it to life on stage.
In solidarity with ongoing efforts to improve diversity and representation in the industry, all proceeds from the show will go to the Entertainment Community Fund, which provides emergency financial assistance and supports underrepresented writers and actors. Writers: Alberto Roldán (Widow’s Bay), Alex Zaragoza (Lopez v. Lopez, Primo)
Steven Canals (Pose), X Mayo (Checkpoint, Daily Show);Performers: Anna Salinas, Anna Rajo, Carlos Santo, Chris De La Cruz, Nina Concepción, Oscar Montoya, Raiza Licea, Saleh Karaman; Musical Scoring by Branson Nejame; Produced by Chris De La Cruz and Saleh Karaman. Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre 5919 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles.
Happy Hour Saturdays with Jenny Yang, 6 PM, Saturdays: Work-in-progress stand-up comedy shows at a reasonable hour. Comedian Jenny Yang will work out new material about her Chinese medicine fertility experiences in Taiwan, the necessity for women to be single, childless and moisturized, and what it means to be more gay, Mexican and immigrant every single day in 2026. These work-in-progress standup comedy shows feature a pay-what-you-can suggested ticket price of around twenty bucks, a 5PM pre-show happy hour, 6PM comedy show AND you can be on your way home or to dinner by 7:30PM. Outside In, 5317 York Blvd., Los Angeles.
BOOKS
Our Cut of Salt by Deena Helm – 7 PM, September 28: A conversation with Dahlia de la Vega. In this lyrical debut, three generations of Palestinian women must put the haunting of their ancestral home to rest, before the secrets of the past drown them all. Our Cut of Salt is a powerful and intimate look at what it means to make a home, to lose it, and to return, only to find it irrevocably changed. Skylight Books, 1818 N Vermont Ave., Los Angeles.
Anti-Zionism: A Jewish History by Benjamin Moser – 7 PM, October 1: A conversation with Laila Lalami. In Anti-Zionism: A Jewish History, Benjamin Moser uncovers a suppressed tradition that has shaped Jewish thought for generations. Through a cast of artists, rabbis, poets, lawyers, activists, journalists, and politicians—from Europe and Africa and Asia and Latin America—Moser traces a lineage of Jewish dissenters who confronted Zionism’s moral and political stakes—often at devastating personal cost, including censorship, exile, and death. Skylight Books, 1818 N Vermont Ave., Los Angeles.
Never Say Die Conversation and Book Signing with Ke Huy Quan – 4 PM, October 3: Actor Ke Huy Quan discusses his new memoir, sharing his journey from Vietnamese refugee to 1980s child star, culminating in a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022). Amy Homma, director and president of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and Academy Collection,… moderates. Each ticket includes a copy of Never Say Die, signed by Quan during the event. Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, 6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.
COMMUNITY
Opening Plenary – Circa: Queer Histories Festival 2026 – 7:30 PM, October 1: Join the Opening Plenary – an evening of celebrating queer histories as we kick off the fourth annual Circa: Queer Histories Festival! Don’t miss opening remarks from One Institute and a distinguished guest lecturer as a part of The Paul D. Lerner and Stephen Reis Lectures on LGBTQ+ History. Established in 2023, Circa: Queer Histories Festival is a month-long, LA County-wide programming series showcasing the trailblazing histories and vibrant cultural contributions of LGBTQ+ communities through the lens of present-day challenges and triumphs. Through exhibitions, performance, readings, screenings, lectures, dialogues, and parties, Circa features queer and trans artists, activists, and educators leading the movement for LGBTQ+ liberation. The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N. McCadden Pl., Los Angeles.
RAINBOW & RAZA – 7:30 PM, October 2: The first two weeks of October mark the intersection of Latinx Heritage Month and LGBTQ+ History Month; the first celebrates ethnic and cultural heritage, while the latter brings orientation and identity to the forefront. Mariachi Arco•Iris de Los Angeles (The Los Angeles Rainbow Mariachi) was created as a haven for mariachi musicians who identify as LGBTQ+ to come together and perform traditional Mexican regional music in an otherwise machista and discriminating subculture of the mariachi world.
In celebration of LatinxQ+ Half-Moon Legacy – a comprehensive representation of the musicians of this historic ensemble – the world’s first LGBTQ+ mariachi performs a program of queer-inspired ranchera music and mariachi-style Broadway show tunes. RAINBOW & RAZA will be a proud, authentic representation of Latinx and Queer communities through song. The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N. McCadden Pl., Los Angeles.
Gay Ass Trivia at Precinct – 7 PM, Thursdays: Queen Sheeba hosts this weekly trivia night with prizes including bar tabs, shots, and bar apparel. Maximum team sizes of six people. No cover! Precinct, 357 S Broadway, Los Angeles.
May the Balls be with You: Drag Queen Bingo 7 PM, Tuesdays and Wednesdays: Legendary Bingo is LA’s most popular Drag Queen Bingo & charity event! Come play at Hamburger Mary’s every Tuesday and Wednesday! Hamburger Mary’s, 8288 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood.
