Cheap & Cheerful Halloween

If you are too old to get away with trick or treating, there are still some great ways to catch the spirit...

Tim Burton at LACMA
If you haven't seen it yet, this is your last chance! On Sunday, October 30th, the Tim Burton exhibition at Los Angeles County Museum of Art will remain open all night, and on Monday, October 31st, it will be open until midnight. Tickets will be half-price from 12 am to 9 am on Monday morning.

http://www.lacma.org/art/exhibition/tim-burton


West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval
This is one loud street party, 500,000 strong. (Santa Monica Blvd. Between La Cienega and Doheny) Once a spontaneous happening, now an unabashed commercial exercise, it is still home to the most amazing costumes in the city. Parking is available at the Pacific Design Center, the New WeHo Library's lot and surface street(but read the signs first. Parking tickets are no treat.)

The actual event runs from 6pm-11pm, but the bars party on. It is a upbeat, fun vibe. Many say it is a family-friendly scene, but leave the stroller set at home. Too hard to negotiate the crowds and who really wants to have explain why Snow White has chest hair?


http://www.weho.org/index.aspx?page=845


Hollywood Blvd.
Second only to New Year's, Hollywood becomes jammed-packed on Halloween. While the restaurants, bars and clubs have all kinds of promotions (for plenty of money) the street scene is alive. Local lots range in price but plenty of metered street parking for early arrivals.


Olvera Street
For the purists in the audience, the actual Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is November 1 corresponding with the Anglo All Saints day. But the energy of Olvera street is a nice change of pace.How bout an authentic Mexican dinner and stroll to the plaza. "Fear not dying, fear not having lived."


http://www.olvera-street.com/html/fiestas.html

Houdini Mansion

The so-called “Houdini Mansion” ( 2435 Laurel Canyon Blvd.) by Lookout Mountain is said to be the site of the famous magician’s eventual reappearance. Legend has it, famed escape artist Harry Houdini told his wife that he would return. So every year on Halloween, some faithful fans and the curious park on neighboring side streets and hike down to the site, gathering around the property to pay homage to the legend...and maybe even catch a glimpse of the elusive escapist. Dress warmly and bring some food, it hasn't happened....yet!




Halloween Pub Crawl

October 31, 2011 5pm-10pm
O'Briens Irish Pub & Restaurant ( 2941 Main St)is hosting the Halloween Pub Crawl featuring the World's largest Halloween Costume Contest! 10 cities, 10,000 people, $10,000 in prizes! And to get you into the Halloween Spirit, $3 draft beers, $4 well mixers and $5 shots.


4th Annual Montana Avenue Halloween Hop

If you just want to enjoy and crisp fall evening, then get home in time to answer the door, the Montana Avenue Halloween Hop (Montana Ave from 6th to 17th Streets)makes sense.

It runs from 3:00pm-6:00pm and is basically an informal costume parade in which some businesses give out treats to the kids.

Cheap & Cheerful Night of Art -Miracle Mile

You've probably heard of Pacific Standard Time, the city-wide collection of art exploring post war work of California-based artists. Well, here is an opportunity to experience one of the many shows.

"Gallery Night Out" will be held Thursday, October 20 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, featuring five contemporary Miracle Mile galleries (Wilshire Blvd. between Fairfax and La Brea)

So avoid rush hour, stroll down Wilshire Blvd., take in the art and grab a bite to eat.

Want to see more? Return to the scene of the crime this Saturday the 22nd for the Miracle Mile Art Walk.

For more info:



http://www.miraclemileartwalk.com/mmaw_blog/mmaw_blog.html

323-651-3512

Cheap & Cheerful Harvest Festival -Ventura

Fall is always a busy time with numerous festivals, but the mother of all fall festivals is the Harvest Festival which travels up and down the coast but lands in Ventura's Seaside Park (10 W Harbor Blvd.) this weekend.

200 exhibitors will present more than 24,000 handmade items to shop. Specialty foods live entertainment, kid zone...all with constant sea breezes from the Pacific Ocean.

The Fair is open Friday and Saturday from 10:00am - 6:00pm, Sunday 10:00am - 5:00pm

Admission tickets are good for all three days of the fair. Adults are $9.00, Seniors (62+) $7.00, Youth (13-17) $4.00. Kids 12 year old and younger can attend free of charge when accompanied by an adult.




http://www.harvestfestival.com/Visitors/shows/ventura/index.aspx

Cheap & Cheerful Car Parts - Pomona

If you can't find it here, I don't think it exists.

The Pomona Auto Swap Meet is enormous: Hundreds of vendors of hard to find car parts and accessories and thousands of display vehicles all at the Pomona Fairplex (1101 W. McKinley) With affordable prices and one of the most comprehensive selections ever, you should be able to find what you are looking for.

Admission is $8.00 for adults, Children under 12 can attend for free.


http://www.pomonaswapmeet.com/

(714) 538-7091

Cheap & Cheerful Soul - Crenshaw Blvd.

Now this sounds like FUN!

The 6th Annual Taste of Soul Los Angeles Festival (Crenshaw Blvd. Between Martin Luther Ling Jr. and Rodeo Blvds.) takes place this Saturday, October 15th from 10am-6pm.

This is one huge party/fundraiser with bragging rights of "Los Angeles's largest street festival." Food, music, art, exhibits, a flash mob as well as an attempt at the World's Longest Soul Train Line. I think they have a shot at it as last year 250,000 people attended.

Admission is free, but I'd get there early as with so many people coming, parking will be a trick.

http://www.tasteofsoulla.org/

(323) 299-3800
Los Angeles Sentinel (founding sponsor)

Cheap & Cheerful Cutural Collision -Echo Park

Wondering what to do with yourself this weekend? Well head over to Echo Park for the 2nd Annual Culture collide festival presented by Filter Magazine.

It's already in high gear and running through Sunday. Multi day wristbands are $20.00. If you are really pressed for cash, stop by the Sunset Block Party on Reservoir Street between Sunset and Alvarado -it's free, but for those of us 21 years old and up.

With 80 musical acts from 24 countries it's the closest thing to world travel without leaving your city.

Here's the scoop:

http://culturecollide.com/

Cheap & Cheerful Hot Rods - Pomona

If 1970's -and-earlier hot rods are your thing, get out to the Pomona Fairplex (1101 McKinley) the first Wed of every month for the "Prolong Twilight Cruise".

The “Twilight Cruise” is run by the Cal-Rods Car Club on behalf of the NHRA Motorsports Museum, located on the Fairplex campus. Hot rods, classics and customs crowd into the museum parking lot for all to see.

Twilight Cruise admission is free, and while you are there, visit the Museum at no charge. The cruises feature the Celebrity Picks, great raffle prizes and a huge 50/50 drawing.

From 4pm - 8pm


http://museum.nhra.com/cruise.asp

909-965-4310