This Week's Picks: Hispanic Heritage and Halloween Lights: Sept 29 – Oct 3

9/29/14 - By Jacqueline Stansbury

We are in the midst of Hispanic Heritage month, an annual celebration that runs from September 15 to October 15. Several Latin American countries celebrate their anniversaries of independence during this period. It’s a great time to hail our city’s rich Hispanic Culture before we segue into October and Halloween. Start the week making a Mayan Mask at the Library and finish up at Descanso Gardens’ Rise of the Jack O’ Lanterns.

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1. Mayan Mask Craft– Monday
The Edendale Public Library in Silver Lake celebrates Hispanic Heritage with a Mayan themed craft and story time. Learn about the ancient pyramids and then create a jade mosaic mask.

2. Arts and Crafts - Tuesday
Tuesday is arts and crafts day at Giggles and Hugs. Even better, some locations offer two for one admission on Tuesday. Escape the heat with indoor play and organic food.

3. Free Day at the Craft and Folk Art Museum– Wednesday
The first Wednesday of the month is free at this museum. Clare Graham’s extraordinary large scale sculptures made from small scale found objects like bottle tops are currently on view.

4. Front Porch Cinema – Thursday
Check out the Santa Monica Pier for food, DJ, and a free outdoor movie. This popular annual film fest holds most of its screenings on Friday evenings but kicks off this week with a special Thursday screening of Jeremy Jones’ documentary about Big Mountain snowboarding, Higher. If a Frozen sing-along is more your kids' speed, come back on Friday night. BYO Lawn chairs, or rent them for $5.

5. Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns - Friday
It is never too early to start celebrating Halloween. Get started on the plans for your costume or haunted house and then head to Descanso Gardens, where 5,000 hand carved pumpkins light the way along a trail. Tickets can be purchased in advance. This is a rain or shine event.