Ol’ Orpheum:
The 75-year-old Orpheum Theatre in downtown L.A., which has been closed for most of this year, recently has been renovated to its former splendor. To celebrate, the Los Angeles Conservancy is holding a gala dance benefit on Oct. 20 inside the lavishly decorated historic theater at 842 S. Broadway. Master of ceremonies will be actor George Takei, who portrayed Mr. Sulu in “Star Trek.” He remembers attending the theater in the late 1940s when it was a movie house. It originally was built as a venue for vaudeville. Information: (213) 623-2489 or www.laconservancy.org.
Spooky Shipwreck:
The Queen Mary in Long Beach is holding its annual ghostly terror fest called Shipwreck 2001 until Oct. 31. Visitors will find mutants and monsters as they make their way through the creepy corridors of the haunted ship. In the adjacent geodesic dome, seven macabre mazes lead guests to the “Haunted Hull of Horrors,” the “House of Hallucinations” and “Londontowne of Terror.” Information: (562) 435-3511 or www.queenmaryshipwreck.com.
Egyptian Theatre:
Get a sneak preview on Oct. 19 of movie director Peter Bogdanovich’s first film in eight years. It’s called “The Cat’s Meow.” It’s a behind-the-scenes look at a legendary excursion aboard the private yacht of newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst in 1924. The trip resulted in the death of Tom Ince, silent film pioneer and inventor of the Hollywood studio system. Discussion follows with Bogdanovich, screenwriter Steven Peros and the cast. Information: (323) 466-3456 or www.egyptian theatre.com
Egyptian Theatre:
Free Getty:
The Getty Museum is hosting a series of free Friday night concerts. On Nov. 2, veteran singer/songwriter Loudon Wainwright III will be performing. Wainwright, father of well-known contemporary singer Rufus Wainwright, became a folk singer/songwriter in the late 60s, singing nakedly honest autobiographical songs. He recorded “Album I” in 1970 and “Album II” in 1971. His latest album, “Last Man on Earth” came out in September. Wainwright’s humor has made him a cult figure and a concert favorite. Information: (310) 440-7300 or www.getty.edu.
