There is plenty to do out and about in Los Angeles and the Valley socially distant. Check out our round-up of some events perfect to attend or celebrate with your quarantine pod!

The Magic Castle

When: Friday, October 9-Sunday October 11

Where: The Magic Castle (Hollywood)

Cost: $125 per car for up to 5 people

There’s so little live comedy right now in LA that this bi-weekly drive-in series at the Magic Castle almost seems like a miracle. This weekend’s lineup includes a slew of Improv/Comedy Store regulars including Sarah Tiana, Preacher Lawson, Jamie Kennedy, and a ton more. There’s food available to order, too, including fried chicken sandwiches and burgers from the Magic Castle kitchen.

Screamfest Screenings

When: Tuesday, October 6-Thursday, October 15

Where: The Regency Van Nuys 

Cost: Varies

The longest-running horror film festival in the U.S. is back again, with in-person drive-in screenings at the Regency Theaters in Van Nuys. Screenings include a bunch of new low-budget horror shorts and features, as well as some of the classic “Halloween” films and a free screening of the new Steven King thriller, “Mr. Mercedes.”

Celebrate Filipino American History Month

When: Saturday, October 10

Where: Your Home!

Cost: $20-90

October is Filipino American History Month, and the Filipina-owned gin bar Genever has teamed with HiFi kitchen for a one-off dinner/cocktail/show extravaganza, featuring a traditional Kamayan feast (Chicken adobo/saltado/sisig/fixings), a cocktail by Genever’s Jesse Smith, and the hosts of This Filipino American Life podcast schooling viewers on Filipino history. Food is available for pickup or delivery for an additional fee.

Golden Road’s Oktoberfest Pop Up

When: Saturday, October 10-Sunday October 11

Where: 1300 Glendale Ave, Echo Park

Cost: $40-$75

Raucous Oktoberfest parties may be off the menu this year, but that’s not stopping beloved local-gone-national brewery Golden Road from celebrating the season: in addition to a new Oktoberfest Bier, they’ve collaborated with ultra-colorful clothing brand The Quiet Life on a capsule collection. Order any of the clothes to pick up at their popup this weekend (ranging from a logo-heavy hat to tie-dye shirts) and they’ll throw in a 6-pack of the new beer as well as a limited edition tote.

West Adams Ballot Party

When: Sunday, October 11

Where: Delicious Pizza (West Adams)

Cost: Free

Hip-hop inspired, party-hearty pie-slinger Delicious Pizza is getting civically involved with this socially-distant get-out-the-vote event. Bring your ballot by for a pop-up photo booth, voter guides to help you figure out how/who you’re going to vote for, and DJs all day.

It’s time to get into the Halloween spirit! A fun family activity (that is less messy than carving pumpkins) is painting pumpkins! Check out these creative ways to paint pumpkins for the interior and exterior of your home this season.

Chalk-Painted Pumpkins

The chalk paint trend is ever strong, has inspired us to create a set of these elegant floral pumpkins. We love the combination of a matte chalk finish and these large stencil designs! Thy match any fall décor perfectly.

Glittered Pumpkins

There’s no denying it – everything is better with glitter. Both pumpkins are coated in a fine sprinkling of shimmer – gold and copper, respectively – and one is polka-dotted while the other is crafted with the visual effect of dripping in luxury.

Falling Leaves Pumpkin

Autumn-inspired silhouettes add simple charm. To paint this pumpkin, adhere the leaf stencil to the pumpkin and pounce the inside of the stencil with white craft paint. Slowly, peel off the stencil and re-adhere it to a new spot on the pumpkin. Repeat this method until the pumpkin’s entire rounded surface is covered in leaves.

Abstract Expressionist Art Pumpkins

Abstract Expressionist artists – Pollock, Rothko, and Franz Kline – all use sophisticated designs. Similarly, the trio of pumpkins pictured here is inspired by some of the greatest artists of our time.

Skeleton Pumpkin

A skeleton with a devilish grin like this is just the thing your front porch needs this Halloween. Kids will love to help come up with their own spooky, silly, up-to-no-good expressions.

Content Sourced from: Martha Stewart Living

As we enter the next phase of the reopening of California within Los Angeles, there are many guidelines unique to the particular place of interest that we will need to follow. The Mayor of Los Angeles issued a statement on social media regarding what will be open on June 12th, and what he is holding off on. 

“In alignment with the County of L.A., gyms and fitness centers, museums, galleries, hotels for leisure and day camps, and their pools within the City of L.A. may reopen Friday. Film, TV, and music production can resume. Stadiums and arenas can resume without spectators.

Every business that is reopening is required to implement the County’s detailed public health protocols. Physical distancing and wearing face coverings will be required. Protocols and guidelines can be found at Coronavirus.LACity.org/Business.

There are still many types of businesses and activities that will remain closed: nail salons, tattoo shops, bars and wineries, movie theaters, concert halls, arcades, and bowling alleys. All gatherings and parties, inside or outside, are still not allowed.”

OPEN IN LOS ANGELES:

Gyms

In order to reopen, fitness facilities are told that they should require patrons to wear face coverings (at least while they enter and exit the facility). During the work out it is optional to wear face masks but encouraged to do so if they can do so. It was common courtesy at the gym is for the patron to wipe down the equipment after they use it — this is something that is now required. Equipment is required to be spaced out by at least six feet. 

See more guidelines here: https://covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-fitness.pdf 

Have yet to open in LOS ANGELES:

Movie Theaters (and other family entertainment establishments) 

Movie theaters, bowling alleys, miniature golf courses, batting cages, and arcades are allowed to reopen on Friday, June 12th in the state of CA. However, the city of Los Angeles is postponing the opening of these establishments. When they do open, they are all required to cap their capacity at a much lower rate. For example, movie theaters are limited to 25% of the theater or a maximum of 100 people — whichever number is lower. Theaters are encouraged to promote physical distancing, use disposable or washable seat covers, and provide the means to disinfect hands for patrons. 

See more guidelines here: https://covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-family-entertainment.pdf 

Schools 

Schools in California will be allowed to reopen on June 12th, but most won’t reopen until the next school year as most are already out on a summer break. School districts are currently convening to make sure they are in compliance with the list of health and safety guidelines released by the Department of Education. Within the list of guidelines that they must remain compliant on are keeping students spaced out by at least 6 feet in the classroom, staff to wear a face mask or shield, eliminating self-service buffets, and implementing a staggering of start times by grade or class to lower the number of bodies passing by others. 

See more guidelines here: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/documents/strongertogether.pdf