Though this autumnal heat wave persists, it's really starting to feel like fall around here. The shorter days (and longer nights) are made for movie watching, and we have some fun options this weekend to do just that. Front Porch Cinema continues tonight at the Santa Monica Pier with a free showing of Sandra Bullock and George Clooney's sci-fi space adventure Gravity. If primo seats are a big deal, then get there around 6 p.m. for DJ jams and snacks before the movie begins at 7:30 p.m.
Film Fest
The 11th annual Other Venice Film Festival also kicks off tonight with red carpet action and celeb guests at Beyond Baroque. Festivities run through Sunday, October 12. Tickets for tonight's opening ceremony and screenings are $30 each; per-screening tickets are $10 each for Saturday and Sunday; and an all-access pass for the weekend is $100. Purchase tickets here.
ArtBlock
ArtBlock returns this Sunday with its fourth open-studio tour. The free community event provides everyone an opportunity to see artists in their natural habitat. More than 60 studios will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pick up a map at 4th and Sunset Ave and then walk, bike or hop on the shuttle as it loops throughout the self-guided tour.
Halloween
By now, you're probably also starting to lock down plans for Halloween night. We have bad news and good news. Sadly, the Venice Haunted House on Rose Ave. will not be rising from the grave this year. The zombies are taking a year off. They probably wanted to go to the Halloween Masquerade Ball across the street. Which brings us to the good news. Full Circle Venice, that new creative event space at Rose Ave. and Hampton will be hosting the Venice Masquerade Ball on Halloween night. And it sounds wicked ... costume contests, live performances, projection art, potion bar, tarot card readers and more. Plus, it's co-creator is Nicole Muyingo, one of the driving forces behind Venice Art Crawl. Tickets for the ball are $25 each now through October 15, then $30 until October 30, and $35 at the door.
Antiquing
Finally, for all of you antiquers, or eager holiday planners already assembling dinner table decor, there are two big shopping events you should know. This weekend, The Mart Collective, a 16,000 square-foot antique and vintage collective on Lincoln Blvd. is hosting a fall sale with discounts up to 20 percent off. On October 15, Leftover Luxuries, arrives in Venice with a pop-up boutique through December 30 at 712 Lincoln Blvd. (Right next door to where Obama made his presidential pop-in to Ted Lieu's campaign office.)
Happy weekend!