Tuesday:
Here & Now Opens
The Arts District welcomes Here & Now in the former Westbound space. Here & Now is a result of Westbound founder Sarah Meade’s collaboration with Va’La Hospitality, which is made up of Aaron Melendrez (Salazar), Damian Diaz and Othon Nolasco (both previously of E.R.B.). The team tapped Executive Chef Geo Delgado (Gusto, Petit Ermitage Hotel) to create a full culinary program to compliment Va’La Hospitality’s expansive cocktail list. Highlights include: Pork Belly Fries with Kennebec potatoes, American cheese, pork belly, Boyle Heights dressing and caramelized shallots; Mushroom & Polenta with maitake, oyster and porcini mushrooms, 63 degree egg and crispy Brussels sprout leaves; Chicken Milanese Cobb with little gem, green goddess dressing, crispy pork belly, pepitas, shallots and heirloom tomato; Meatball Sammy with beef and pork meatballs, mozzarella, basil and La Mascota Bolillo roll served with chips; and the Here & Now Burger with short rib, chuck, brisket pattie blend, American cheese, shallots and Boyle Heights sauce on a potato bun with fries. Here & Now’s bar program pays homage to L.A.’s rich and diverse history, offering cocktails inspired by three centuries, as told by Melendrez, Nolasco, Diaz and Meade. The cocktail menu is broken into five sections representing significant eras in L.A.’s history, with cocktail highlights including: Arrowhead Trail with Bacardi 4yr, 8yr and Banana Rums, Cuatro and Ocho Rums, Thai Iced Tea, Coconut Cream and Angostura Bitters (with option to make it a large format cocktail serving four, delivered in a suitcase vessel, a celebration of the pioneers who’ve made L.A. their home); Acapulco Bleu with Arette Resposado Tequila, Combier Bleu, Lime and Pineapple; San Gabriel with Avua Prata Cachaca, Italicus, Chareau, Kiwi and Lime; Water Wheel with Lustau Fino Sherry, Beefeater Gin, St. Germain, Celery & Peach Bitters; and Noble Savage with Laird’s Apple Brandy, Sazerac Rye, Amontillado Sherry, Dry Curacao, Spiced Pear Liqueur and Pecan Bitters. 300 S. Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Wednesday:
Lucha VaVOOM’s “Circo de Vampiros”
The two-night Halloween event from Lucha VaVOOM — Los Angeles’ longest running, most celebrated action-packed variety show where electrifying Mexican masked wrestling, burlesque and comedy collide — is coming to DTLA.You are encouraged to attend in costume and brace yourselves for a huge helping of lucha libre-style wrestling straight from Mexico City, Tijuana, Guadalajara, and Juarez, plus high-octane performances from world-renowned talent, hairy monsters, tequila, minis, aerialists, hula hoops, low riders, comedy, live music, and more at this year’s “Circo de Vampiros” shows .In addition, the Halloween shows will also feature a special music performance by multimedia artist Viktoria Modesta, the return of the Karis (an androgynous and queer performance artist, most notable for his hula hoop artistry), and a live music performance from Neon Music. $40, $55/ringside; Wednesday & Thursday, doors: 7 pm, show: 8 – 10:30 pm; The Mayan Theater, 1038 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA
Thursday:
Día de los Muertos Festival
Located at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, Olvera Street is one of L.A.’s most popular tourist destinations, home to a colorful marketplace, restaurants and some of the city’s oldest landmarks. For more than 30 years, the merchants of Olvera Street have celebrated the annual Día de los Muertos Festival. The pre-Columbian Novenario Procession is held nightly on Olvera Street. Before and after each candlelight procession, Mayan blessings and cleansings will be offered. Following each procession, free pan de muerto (sweet bread) and champurrado (Mexican hot beverage) will be served. Community altars (“las ofrendas”) will be on display in the Plaza and there will also be daily live entertainment and weekend face painters that will turn you into a calavera. Thursday though November 2nd, 7 pm; 125 Paseo De La Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012
