something wicked this way comes...

I love October so much, I really, really do. So here's my usual round-up of affordably awesome stuff to do this month (again, apologies in advance: this is usually LA-based stuff. Also, please note that I try to keep everything on here less than $15 per person, but this month, there's a couple events over the budget, so don't get all huffy.)

Happy October, everyone!

Nick Horny* kicks ass.

This Tuesday, Oct. 6th (tonight!!) at 7:30 pm, he's hanging out at the Skirball and reading from his newest novel, Juliet, Naked. Hang around after the lecture to get your copy of the book signed, because he's just that cool.

Admission is free, but reservations are required. Get 'em here.

In the Egyptian theater, no one can hear you scream...

on Friday, Oct. 9th, the famous Hollywood theater is screening a double feature of Alien and Aliens. Just don't eat spaghetti for three weeks after you see the movies.

Check it out here - general admission is $10

Like art? Like walking?

What if someone COMBINED THE TWO, ooooh....

On Saturday Oct. 10th, from 11 am to 5 pm, Pasadena is holding their 4th annual ARTWalk, where you get to walk around all over pretty downtown Pasadena (in the Playhouse District, no less) and look at tons of art. The event highlights some of the best Southern Californian visual artists showcasing their work in painting, sculpture, watercolor, photography, mixed media, ceramics, jewelry, drawings and printmaking.

Best of all? Totally free...until you buy that vase for $400. Here's the details.

Not sick of Pasadena yet? Good, because there's chocolate to be had!

The very next day, on Sunday, Oct. 11th, someone who is a freakin' genius decided to create something called the Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon.

Happening down at the Pasadena Center, chocolate fanatics like myself can taste & experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate from over 30 professional chocolatiers. Plus, as if chocolate wasn't enough, there's wine tasting too.

It's $20 for advance tickets for adults and $25 at the door; kids under 6 are free; and kids 6 -12 are $10. No, I'm not kidding. This event is really happening. Praise the gods.

Manners are always important

Oh how I love Book Soup. There's books, there's...no...soup, but occasionally if Johnny Depp is in town you can find him here. You can also find the coolest book readings, like nifty advice on zombie manners, being read out loud on Monday, Oct. 12th at the store. How thoughtful of you, Book Soup! Now I'll say please when I beg for brains.

admission is free.

Where The Wild Things Are comes out Friday, Oct. 16th!!!

Oh my god can't.stand.the.awesome.

A haunted scavenger hunt in LA?

Where you can make your own Blair-Witch style documentary that will premiere on the big screen at the Egyptian theatre, and then after the awards ceremony, you can stick around for a double screening of The Lost Boys and The Goonies?? Sweet!

it's true

general admission is $32, $30 for students and seniors

Halloween is my favorite :)

If you're looking to celebrate with kids: the Descanso Gardens in La Cañada hosts the Pumpkin Roundup on both Oct. 24th and 25th. Along with costume parades, there's sing-alongs, face painting, pumpkin decorating, and pony rides (Oct. 24th only for pony rides).

General $8. Senior/Students $6. Children (5 to 12 years) $3.
Guild members and Children under 5 free.
Tram $4. Enchanted Railroad $3

If you're looking to celebrate with other adults: November 1st is Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and LA likes to celebrate it in style - we kick off our celebration on Saturday Oct. 24th at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery -- and calaca apparel is HIGHLY encouraged. I went to this last year -- it's amazing.

admission is $10.

and if you're not trick or treating on Halloween night:

Spend it with the UCLA Film and Television Archive when it presents The Skull (1965), a Peter Cushing thriller about supernatural grave robbers. Then visit with Christopher Lee and the cave-dwelling tricentenarians of City of the Dead (1960). Both of these would probably freak me out...considering the movie Gremlins scares me. Yeah...

Admission is $10, and you can get tickets here

*UPDATE: it's actually Nick Hornby, as pointed out by my friend Wilder, but I think everyone agrees that Horny works just fine as well. Hey, if the shoe fits...