SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town include Eric Idle and âWeird Alâ Yankovic, Halloween happenings, a feast of foodie events, and much more!
Eric Idle & âWeird Alâ Yankovic Together in Santa Monica: Monty Python legend Eric Idle and âWeird Alâ Yankovic are teaming up for an evening of conversation, comedy and music â including a joint performance with their band. Idle will also discuss his new book, Idle in Provence: A Brief History of Thyme. We're not entirely sure what happens when these two share a stage, but we're pretty sure it will be weird. Thursday, Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m., John Adams Middle School Performing Arts Center, 2425 16th St. More details here.
Ghosts of the Miles â Historical Haunt: The historic Miles Memorial Playhouse gets a spooky makeover for this immersive theatrical haunt. What begins as a historical tour leads guests through backstage spaces, hidden corridors and atmospheric rooms where Santa Monica history and haunting lore come to life. Friday, Oct. 23, & Saturday, Oct. 24, 6 â 9:45 p.m., 1130 Lincoln Blvd. More details here.
Halloween Cinema by the Sea: Halloween movie nights get a coastal twist at The Regent Santa Monica Beach, with ocean views, themed cocktails and bites from ORLA. Catch Hocus Pocus on Oct. 24 or Practical Magic on Halloween night, with unlimited popcorn and soft drinks included. Saturday, Oct. 24, & Saturday, Oct. 31, 6:30 p.m. seating, Films begin at 7 p.m. 1700 Ocean Ave. More details here.
Malibu Moves Running Festival: Running with a view? Malibu Moves returns to Zuma Beach with a half marathon, 10K, 5K, one-mile Zuma Dash and kidsâ run. The weekend also features food, music, wellness activities and a post-race celebration, with proceeds benefiting local community organizations. Saturday, Oct. 24, and Sunday, Oct. 25, Zuma Beach, Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. Registration and details at malibumoves.com.
Broadway Classics at The Georgian: JUNO Award-winning vocalist Laura Anglade brings an intimate, theatrical take on Broadway classics to The Georgian Room at the Georgian Hotel. The special evening offers a first listen to material ahead of her Nov. 3 album release, paired with a new menu from Chef Ronan and a selection of Georgian wines. Saturday, Oct. 24, 7 and 9 p.m., 1415 Ocean Ave. thegeorgian.com/events/laura-anglade
Halloween Spooktacular at the Marina: Head to Burton Chace Park for two evenings of Halloween fun, with face painting, arts and crafts, carnival games, food trucks and spooky attractions including a haunted blackout maze and scare zones for thrill-seekers. Free with RSVP; costumes encouraged. Saturday, Oct. 24, and Sunday, Oct. 25, 4â10 p.m., 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey visitmdr.com/events-marina-del-rey/halloween-spooktacular
Spooky Sips at Viceroy: Shake, stir and sip your way into Halloween at Viceroy Santa Monicaâs monthly mixology class. An expert bartender will guide guests through seasonal cocktails featuring autumn flavors, with a welcome drink, tastings, light bites and recipe cards included. Costumes are optional; spooky cocktail names are not. Sunday, Oct. 25, 4â5:30 p.m., 1819 Ocean Ave. instagram.com/viceroysm
Not-So-Haunted House: Looking for Halloween fun without the nightmares? Santa Monicaâs Main Library is hosting a kid-friendly afternoon of festive crafts, a spooky-but-not-too-scary storytime and games. Costumes are encouraged, and the scares are strictly optional. Saturday, Oct. 24, 2â3 p.m., Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. More details here.
Little Shop of Horrors at Ocean Park Library: A man-eating plant gets its moment in the literary spotlight with a screening of the 1960 horror-comedy classic Little Shop of Horrors, followed by a discussion with Beverly Gray, author of Roger Corman: Blood-Sucking Vampires, Flesh-Eating Cockroaches, and Driller Killers. Because apparently even a carnivorous plant deserves a little literary analysis. Wednesday, Oct. 28, 6â8 p.m., Ocean Park Library, 2601 Main St. More details here.
Volley-Ween Hits the Beach: Halloween gets a volleyball makeover at the 5th Annual Santa MoniCARES Volley-Ween Tournament, featuring beach volleyball, a costume contest, food, drinks and plenty of sand-side fun. You donât have to be a volleyball playerâor even good at volleyballâto join the party, with proceeds benefiting Santa MoniCARES and its charitable partners. Wednesday, Oct. 28, 3â6 p.m., Perryâs Beach Cafe, 2400 Ocean Front Walk. e.givesmart.com/events/K0P
ONGOING: Museum of Illusions; The CUBE VR; Splatter Studio; Locals' Night Third Thursdays; Western Line Dancing @ Santa Monica Place (throughout October)
WHAT'S NEW & DELICIOUS?
NEW OPENING - Bar Fortuna Brings Italian Flair to Main St: Crudo e Nudo chef-owner Brian Bornemann has opened a stylish new Italian restaurant and cocktail and wine bar just a block from his fantastic seafood restaurant. Bar Fortuna pairs Italian-inspired cocktails, an extensive amaro selection, and California-focused wines with a food menu that features 100% California-sourced ingredients for its handmade pasta, house-butchered meats, and snacks like fried squash blossoms. Look for a moody, old-world vibe, a vintage Victrola playing Italian opera and plenty of reasons to linger over a Negroni. Open for dinner Wednesday - Sunday and lunch Friday - Sunday; 2917 Main St. instagram.com/barfortunala
Food Bowl Returns With a Top 101 Reveal: The L.A. Times Food Bowl brings two nights of serious eating to Barker Hangar, with unlimited bites and drinks from more than 30 restaurants each night, chef demonstrations and cookbook signings. Friday's festivities feature a live countdown of the Los Angeles Times' 101 Best Restaurants in L.A. list, while Saturday brings cooking demos from comedian-chefs Anthony Anderson and Cedric the Entertainer, plus James Beard Award-winning chef Roy Choi. It's a chance to sample some of SoCal's best kitchens without driving all over town. Friday, Oct. 23, 7â10 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 24, 6â9 p.m., 3021 Airport Ave. latimes.com/events/la-food-bowl
Marilyn Monroe's Centennial Celebration: The Fairmont Miramar celebrates the Hollywood icon's centennial with a glamorous evening inspired by Monroe's connection to the historic hotel. The menu features Oysters Rockefeller, Waldorf Salad and Caviar Fries, alongside the Bungalow #5 cocktail, named for the bungalow where Monroe reportedly escaped the paparazzi. Dress as Marilyn, sing along with live tribute performer Bri Oglu and try to take home the prize for best costume. Diamonds optional; star power encouraged. Saturday, Oct. 24, from 6â10 p.m., 101 Wilshire Blvd. fairmont-miramar.com/events/marilyn-monroe-centennial-celebration
Oktoberfest Grilled Cheese & Beer Night: Forget the bratwurst. Andrew's Cheese Shop is celebrating Oktoberfest with four courses of its signature grilled cheeses, each paired with a specialty beer, plus a starter salad and a dessert beer float with vanilla ice cream. It's a decidedly cheesier take on the German beer festival â and a good excuse to make dinner out of melted cheese. $75. Saturday, Oct. 24, 7 p.m., 728 Montana Ave. More details here.
BlocktoberFest at Maple Block: Barbecue, craft beer and live music take over the parking lot at Maple Block Meat Co. for its 11th annual BlocktoberFest. The family-friendly party features smoked brisket, ribs, sausages and other barbecue favorites, along with a beer garden, live bands, a DJ, cornhole and pumpkin decorating for kids. General admission starts at $10, with separate tickets available for unlimited barbecue. Sunday, Oct. 25, 12 - 4 p.m., 3973 Sepulveda Blvd. More details here.
Ina Bakes Halloween PopâUp: Spooky season is here, and theyâre baking up Halloween treats all morning long. Saturday, Oct. 24, 9 a.m.,â1 p.m., 535 Rose Ave, Venice Inabakes.com/store
Rustic Canyon 20th Anniversary: âThe Wiz Kidsâ Dinners: Former executive chef Andy Doubrava (who helped earn the restaurant its Michelin star) and former pastry chef Erika Chan (now of Kato) reunite for a two-night culinary collaboration showcasing inventive, market-driven dishes and desserts. Monday, Oct. 26 & Tuesday, Oct. 27 Rustic Canyon, 1119 Wilshire Blvd. resy.com/cities/los-angeles-ca/venues/rustic-canyon
Marcus Samuelsson Talks Food at the Hammer: Award-winning chef Marcus Samuelsson visits the Hammer Museum to discuss Back to Green: Rediscovering a World of Delicious, Healthy Eating. In conversation with Los Angeles Times food executive Laurie Ochoa and Sandra Jackson-Dumont, Samuelsson will explore how food traditions carry stories of ancestry, migration and cultural exchange. A book signing follows the talk. Admission is free, with tickets distributed first come, first served. Wednesday, Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m., 10899 Wilshire Blvd., LA More details here.
Looking Ahead: Montana Avenue Halloween Hop (10/31); DĂa de los Muertos at the Pier (10/31); SaMo Pier Swiss Winter Village (11/14 - 1/3); Ice at Santa Monica (starting mid-November)
Know something I missed? Send tips, events and questionable culinary decisions to sean@smdp.com or instagram.com/seanbesser. Check out my past Around Town columns here.