🤙Taylor's Weekend Vibes

TAYLOR SWIFT

IS NEVER IN THE NEWS

TODAY'S CURATIONS BROUGHT TO YOU BY BRAD'S DEALS

👋 HEY CUTIE!

Good afternoon, LA Fam! The new website is complete, and I love the homepage + cannot wait to launch the exciting things that we have planned. And speaking of launches, Taylor Swift is all over the news today with her latest album release. I couldn't get away from it while sourcing. So apologies in advance for the Taylor overload...especially to those of us out there who aren't rocking friendship bracelets. But I've packed plenty in today's curations that are not Swift related. Note: I'll be back on Wednesday + Friday next week as CURATIONS-related work is taking place over the weekend. I'll see you all on Wednesday! - Wyatt

Be the designer of your world and not merely the consumer of it

🧠 DR. JAMES CLEAR | Author of Atomic Habits

🔙 ON THIS DAY | 1995 Former NFL running back, broadcaster, and actor O.J. Simpson found not guilty of crimes involving Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman at a courthouse in Los Angeles. | O.J. Simpson acquitted, via History Channel.

🗳️ TODAY'S TRIVIA | Which spooky event is rolling into Southern California at the end of October and had a major lineup announcement this week?

• Escape Psycho Circus
• Dia de los Muertos Fiesta
• Universal Horror Nights
• Haunted Hayride

Answer located at bottom of today's publication in a toggle-down.

🍟 EATS | 📆 EVENTS

🌴 COMMUNITY

🏡 DEVELOPMENT | 🚀 BIZ

🎬 ENTERTAINMENT | 🏈 SPORTS

🤙 GOODIES | 💌 EMAIL CONTENT

🛣️ NATIONAL

• 👾 $500BN: OpenAI tops SpaceX as world's most valuable private company with $500BN valuation.
• 👻 2025 COSTUMES: Spirit Halloween releases their top-2025 Halloween costume trends for Halloween shopping.
• 💃 SWIFT DROP: 6% of salaried Swifties say they are taking time off today for Taylor Swift's new album drop.
• 🍿 BOX OFFICE: Weekend preview: Taylor Swift's SHOWGIRL going straight to the top.
• 🍎 IPHONE 17 PRO REVIEW: Come for the camera, stay for the battery.
• 🔗 CURATIONSLA: Last publication's most viewed content: City breaks ground on massive $2.62BN expansion on LA Convention Center.

🤙 LOCAL

• 👾 SANTA MONICA: Tech St. Santa Monica unites startups, investors and community for the city's 150th anniversary.
• 🏆 LOS FELIZ: World-class whistlers compete in Los Angeles this weekend.
• 🐟 ALTADENA: Chef Tyler Wells' restaurant, Bernee, reopens as Betsy.
• 🪪 NEW IDS: DMV to release new California driver's license and identification card design with advanced security features.
• 🛣️ BURBANK: Burbank launches third phase of citywide street repairs. 💌

🎉 FUN

• 🌴 WEEKEND: LA weekend guide: Taylor Swift album release festivities, L.A. Loves Alex's Lemonade and PetCon 2025.
• 🎃 LA'S OCTOBER: A big list of things to do this month in Los Angeles.
• 🛍️ BEVERLY HILLS: Louis Vuitton to bring cafe and fine dining rooftop restaurant to Beverly Hills.
• 💃 SWIFTIES: Swifties celebrate Taylor Swift's new album with events throughout Los Angeles.
• 📆 MORE EVENTS: More things to do this weekend in Los Angeles from now until this upcoming Sunday.

WEST ADAMS 🍖 MAYDAN MARKET

Maydan Market opened its doors Wednesday in West Adams, blending LA’s immigrant traditions with Michelin-level flavors, including tlayudas from Poncho’s Tlayudas and Thai barbecue from pop-up hero Kyu. Created by Rose Previte, this vibrant new food hall celebrates shared stories on a communal live-fire hearth, making every dish a testament to Los Angeles’s cultural pulse. 

• WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM

FAIRFAX 🐔 CHIMMELIER

Chimmelier opens next Saturday, the 11th, on Melrose Avenue, bringing K-town's Korean fried chicken expertise to Fairfax with a menu that early visitors say actually delivers on the hype. The team's crispy wings come with house-made sauces that range from approacable to serious heat, plus chicken sandwiches that stand out in LA's crowded sandwich scene. Open 11:00am to 11:00pm daily with communal seating designed for groups.

• WEBSITE | MENU | INSTAGRAM

CULVER CITY 🍔 THE MEETUP

Smash burger upstart The MeetUp has quietly landed on La Cienega in Culver City, serving weekend popup style dinners that feel like discovering a secret shared in LA's digital underground. From 6:00pm to 10:00pm on weekends, lucky locals snag double cheeseburgers on pillowy Japanese milk buns, beef tallow fries with serious crisp, and signature Meet Up Sauce that brings real kick without overselling it. The vibe feels less scene and more community hideout with board games at tables, rooftop seating that channels a friends only group chat, and surprisingly clean bathrooms that even picky Angelenos appreciate.

• WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM

DTLA🥤EREWHON

Erewhon announces its first Downtown Los Angeles flagship at 940 S. Hill Street, transforming a former parking structure into a 24,430-square-foot wellness destination. The South Park location will feature the brand's signature cafe alongside smoothies, hot meals, and wellness drinks, marking a strategic expansion into LA's dense, transit-connected urban core.

🔗 EAT LINKS

• 🌮 LOS ANGELES: LA dominates Yelp's top 100 taco spots of 2025, via ABC7 Los Angeles.
• ☕ SANTA MONICA: Codos bringing exceptional coffee from Germany to Santa Monica, via Toddrickallen.

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📆 TODAY'S EVENTS

• 5:15PM 🎤 SURROUNDED FT. MIKE FALZONE, AMIR K, MANDY ROBBINS, BAILEY HARDWICK Comedy showcase featuring rising LA talent at HOLLYWOOD IMPROV
• 6:00PM 🎶 DICE WITH HENDRIX FRANKENREITER Indie rock meets electronic vibes for an eclectic evening at THE ECHO
• 7:00PM 🤘 L7 WITH LUNACHICKS & CSS Legendary 40th anniversary punk rock celebration with New York punks and Brazilian dance outfit at THE BELASCO 🔥
• 7:30PM 🎤 TONIGHT AT THE IMPROV FT. ILIZA SHLESINGER, BOBBY LEE Top-tier comedy lineup featuring Iliza Shlesinger and Bobby Lee at HOLLYWOOD IMPROV 🔥
• 7:30PM 🎸 THE STRUTS - EVERYBODY WANTS 10TH ANNIVERSARY British glam rock band celebrates their breakthrough album anniversary at THE WILTERN
• 7:45PM 🎤 CYRUS AND FRIENDS Comedy showcase in the intimate California Room setting at ICE HOUSE COMEDY CLUB
• 8:00PM 🎪 ERYKAH BADU - THE RETURN OF AUTOMATIC SLIM TOUR Neo-soul icon performs with special guest Westside Gunn at HOLLYWOOD BOWL 🔥
• 8:00PM 🎭 EUREKA DAY Progressive school vaccination policy satire takes center stage at THE PASADENA PLAYHOUSE
• 8:00PM 🎶 LEDISI: FOR DINAH Grammy winner celebrates Dinah Washington tribute album release at WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL
• 8:00PM 📚 TRIVIA NIGHT AT CARTOON ART MUSEUM Team-style trivia supporting first-generation students at CARTOON ART MUSEUM 🧠
• 8:00PM 🎵 DJ RANDY DANDY Rock, psychedelia and soul all on vinyl every Friday at THE CAT AND FIDDLE
• 8:00PM 💸 FREE FIESTA FRIDAY FT. STONER ROB, ERIC SCHWARTZ Free comedy with 2-item minimum at LAUGH FACTORY COVINA 💸
• 9:00PM 🎤 EMO NIGHT BROOKLYN FEAT. WHO CARES Nostalgic emo hits dance party for 21+ crowd at THE ECHO
• 9:30PM 🎤 TONIGHT AT THE IMPROV FT. EDDIE PEPITONE, ELEANOR KERRIGAN Late night comedy showcase with veteran performers at HOLLYWOOD IMPROV
• 9:30PM 🎶 POLO & PAN French electronic duo brings dance floor magic to arena setting at KIA FORUM
• 11:59PM 🎤 LATE NIGHT LEGENDS Comedy showcase featuring veteran performers at THE COMEDY STORE

🌴 SATURDAY'S EVENTS

• 9:00AM 🐾 PETCON LA 2025 Premier pet convention with vendors, activities and adoptions at WALLIS ANNENBERG PETSPACE
• 10:00AM 📚 RARE BOOKS LA UNION STATION CELEBRATES FRANKENSTEIN Antiquarian book fair honoring Mary Shelley's classic at LOS ANGELES UNION STATION
• 11:00AM 🎪 ODDITIES FLEA MARKET Unique vintage, curiosities and oddball treasures marketplace at GLOBE THEATRE
• 12:00PM 🍛 INDIAN FOOD FESTIVAL OF LOS ANGELES First annual celebration of Indian cuisine and culture at BETRUE STUDIOS
• 12:00PM ☕ AFTERNOON TEA Traditional British afternoon tea service on weekends at THE CAT AND FIDDLE
• 5:00PM 🏗️ LOS ANGELES REVIEWS ARCHITECTURE: LARA #2 LAUNCH Architecture publication release event and discussion at RAVENHILL STUDIO
• 5:00PM 🎵 NOBODY'S CLOWN + DAZZ BAND + MARY JANE GIRLS All-ages throwback funk and R&B celebration at ENCORE THEATER
• 7:00PM 🎤 TONIGHT AT THE IMPROV FT. ANTHONY JESELNIK, DULCE SLOAN Premium comedy lineup featuring HBO and Daily Show stars at HOLLYWOOD IMPROV 🔥
• 7:00PM 🎶 SANTA MONICA SYMPHONY PRESENTS SCENES FROM LIFE Classical music performance exploring life's movements at JOHN ADAMS MIDDLE SCHOOL
• 7:00PM 🎪 TERRIFYING TRUE STORIES Immersive haunted experience across four historic mansions at HERITAGE SQUARE MUSEUM
• 7:30PM 🎤 DAVE HELEM AND JOEY HILL PRESENT A DOPE COMEDY SHOW Featuring Jesus Trejo and rising LA comedians at THE COMEDY STORE
• 8:00PM 🎵 BIG WILD - WILD CHILD TOUR Electronic music producer's genre-blending live performance at THE WILTERN
• 8:00PM 🎶 AL GREEN: LET'S STAY TOGETHER, LA Soul legend performs classic hits with The War and Treaty at YOUTUBE THEATRE 🔥
• 8:00PM 🚀 DUEL OF THE FATES - TURNSTILE Post-hardcore powerhouse brings high-energy performance to outdoor setting at EXPOSITION PARK
• 9:00PM 🎉 POCKET MONSTER RAVE Anime-inspired dance party with themed DJs and costumes at CATCH ONE
• 9:30PM 🎤 TONIGHT AT THE IMPROV FT. ERIK GRIFFIN, FINESSE MITCHELL, CHRIS SPENCER Late night comedy showcase with established headliners at HOLLYWOOD IMPROV
• 9:30PM 🎤 LIVE FROM THE BELLY ROOM FT. CHAUNTE WAYANS, KERRYN FEENEY Intimate comedy showcase in The Comedy Store's smallest room at THE COMEDY STORE

🤲 SUNDAY'S EVENTS

• 7:00PM 🎤 KNOCKOUT COMEDY WITH ALEX PHILLIPS FT. ERIK GRIFFIN, DREW LYNCH High-energy comedy showcase featuring established and rising performers at THE COMEDY STORE
• 7:00PM 🎸 UPCHUCK WITH PSYCHIC DEATH & CISSI TV Garage punk trio with experimental support acts at THE ECHO
• 8:00PM 🎤 BRUCE DICKINSON - THE MANDRAKE PROJECT Iron Maiden frontman's solo theatrical rock performance at THE WILTERN 🔥
• 8:00PM 🎭 TAMMY JO'S BATTLE FOR HER BUTT Charity comedy show featuring Margaret Cho, Bill Burr, Tiffany Haddish at THE COMEDY STORE 🔥

🔮 FIVE FUTURES

• MONDAY, OCT 7TH 🎭 LES MISÉRABLES (OPENING NIGHT) The world's longest-running musical returns with acclaimed new staging and dramatic projections for a limited two-week engagement at HOLLYWOOD PANTAGES THEATRE
• THURSDAY, OCT 10TH 🌈 CHAPPELL ROAN: VISIONS OF DAMSELS & OTHER DANGEROUS THINGS Pop sensation brings her sold-out tour finale to outdoor setting with special transgender youth charity support at BROOKSIDE AT THE ROSE BOWL
• SUNDAY, OCT 12TH 🚴 CICLAVIA—HEART OF LA PRESENTED BY METRO Car-free streets celebration connecting seven LA neighborhoods along 7.15-mile route from Westlake to Boyle Heights at DOWNTOWN LA 💸
• TUESDAY, OCT 15TH 🌙 HALSEY: BACK TO BADLANDS - THE ANNIVERSARY TOUR 10th anniversary celebration of breakthrough album in intimate cemetery setting with special Halloween atmosphere at HOLLYWOOD FOREVER CEMETERY
• SATURDAY, OCT 19TH 🎸 THE B-52S & DEVO: COSMIC DE-EVOLUTION TOUR Legendary new wave icons unite for nostalgic double-bill celebrating 40+ years of quirky hits and underground influence at HOLLYWOOD BOWL

🔗 ACTIVITIES + GUIDES

• 🍁 WEEKEND: Things to do in Los Angeles this weekend: October 3rd - October 5th 2025, via TimeOut LA.
• 🌴 LA X SOCAL: Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: October 3rd - October 5th 2025, via LAist.
• 🤙 LOS ANGELES: Things to do this weekend in Los Angeles, October 3rd - October 5th 2025, via We Like L.A.

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FORECAST 🍁 FALL WEATHER

Cooler-than-normal temps stick around LA through the weekend with most zones topping out in the 70s, while gusty northerly winds hit pockets of Santa Barbara, Ventura, and LA Counties with advisories in effect for the I-5 corridor and Santa Ynez Mountains as gusts reach up to 50 mph. The marine layer remains spotty but filling in, bringing that classic early October LA experience of gray mornings and afternoon breezes with minimal day-to-day changes expected until late next week. Weather models hint at a more active pattern ahead as a potential Baja tropical system could interact with a colder coastal trough, bringing subtropical moisture. But for now, enjoy the perfect sweater weather and slight inland warmup. It's quintessential fall in the City of Angels.

DTLA 🚲 CICLAVIA

CicLAvia: Heart of LA rolls out next Sunday, turning over seven car-free miles from Westlake to Boyle Heights into a vibrant corridor for walking, biking, and skating between Downtown, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, and the Arts District. Four event hubs promise activities, water stations, and free bike repairs, plus Metro Bike Share pop-ups and discounted bike rentals at the Chinatown Hub. Local businesses along the route offer exclusive deals and sidewalk culture, giving Angelenos of every stride a chance to experience LA’s city core without traffic and with plenty of ways to play.

🔗 COMMUNITY LINKS

• 🏡 DOWNEY AREA: Pathway Home houses 45 people from Los Angeles River encampments, via County of Los Angeles Homeless Initiative.

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SANTA MONICA 🎡 APT COMPLEX

An eight-story apartment complex is in the works for 1723 Cloverfield Boulevard, Santa Monica, replacing an office building and parking lot with 330 new homes and extensive amenities. The development, led by Orr Partners and designed by Tighe Architecture, includes a mix of studios and two-bedroom units, a landscaped paseo connecting to Bergamot Station, and dedicated affordable housing for very low- to moderate-income residents. Just steps from arts and transit hubs, the project features a modern facade with green spaces and rooftop terraces, emphasizing walkability and transit-oriented living.

CONVENTION CENTER 🏅 LA28

LA broke ground on a $2.6BN expansion of the L.A. Convention Center in Downtown yesterday. The expansion is set to add 190,000 square feet of exhibit space and a rooftop ballroom. The ambitious project aims to make L.A. competitive for major events and is projected to create 15,000 jobs and boost local tax revenue, though construction will pause for the 2028 Olympics. The expansion is expected to catalyze investment and draw significant visitor spending to DTLA.

🔗 DEVELOPMENT LINKS

• 🚢 PORT OF LA: Port of Los Angeles plans first new container terminal in decades, via Maritime Executive.

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LOS ANGELES 🚕 FLYING TAXI PORTS

Flying taxis could soon zip across Los Angeles, dodging gridlocked streets and landing atop airports, universities, and even downtown parking garages. With FAA approval anticipated as early as next year, VertiPorts by Atlantic is actively scouting locations to build the city’s first aerial taxi hubs and infrastructure, potentially transforming urban transit and giving locals an exciting new way to beat LA traffic.

CAMPAIGN 🍔 SUPPORTING LOCAL

LA County is rolling out new billboards as part of the 'Shop Local. Dine Local. Recover Local.' campaign, encouraging Angelenos to support small businesses and restaurants still recovering from this year’s wildfires and storms. With 23 billboards featuring this message across high-traffic areas, the initiative highlights how every local purchase directly helps communities and business owners rebuild. Supported by Clear Channel Outdoor and the county’s Department of Economic Opportunity, the campaign connects residents to resources and ways to pledge their support.

TAYLOR 💃 LA EVENTS

Taylor Swift’s twelfth studio album, 'The Life of a Showgirl,' dropped with a bang, sweeping Los Angeles into its global release party frenzy, featuring exclusive pop-up experiences and midnight vinyl sales. Swift’s energetic new tracks, powered by 'Swiftonomics,' are already topping Spotify and promise more local fan excitement as AMC Theatres screens her celebratory film in LA. 

🔗 BUSINESS LINKS

• 👻 CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL: Children's Hospital Los Angeles kicks off annual Halloween Greeting Card Drive, via Children's Hospital LA.
• 🚀 SMALL BIZ: The Los Angeles Small Business Expo arrives next week, October 8th, at Pasadena Convention Center, via Small Business Expo.

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NETFLIX 🧌 FRANKENSTEIN TRAILER

Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ official trailer dropped on Netflix, featuring Jacob Elordi as an almost unrecognizable Creature and Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein. Del Toro dials into Mary Shelley’s themes of grief and abandonment, focusing on the monster’s intellect and tragic plight. Expect powerful visuals, icy landscapes, and a fresh, emotionally charged retelling. The film hits select theaters October 17th, streaming globally November 7th.

TAYLOR SWIFT 💃 CONCERT FILM

Taylor Swift is changing the theater game, launching 'The Official Release Party of a Showgirl' concert film for just three days in AMC, Cinemark, and Regal cinemas with her new album release. The ultra-limited run mirrors Swift’s urgency-driven marketing and lets major theaters cut studios out of the equation. Experts dub it 'the Taylor Swift effect,' where big brands jumped in with pop-up events and orange-themed merchandise. Analysts predict a business model that works only for pop superstars at Swift’s level.

🔗 ENTERTAINMENT LINKS

• 🍿 BOX OFFICE PREVIEW: PREDATOR: BADLANDS brings the iconic horror franchise back the big screen, via Boxoffice PRO.

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RAMS 🐏 OT LOSS TO 49ERS

The Rams fell just short in a dramatic, back-and-forth battle against the San Francisco 49ers, dropping their Week 5 matchup 26-23 in overtime at SoFi Stadium last night. Despite missing key starters, the 49ers leaned on surprise heroes and a gutsy defensive stand to clinch the win, while Rams QB Matthew Stafford put up an impressive 389 yards and three touchdowns. Top LA wideout Puka Nacua continued his scorching start with 10 catches, breaking an NFL record for receptions in the first five games of a season. The loss leaves the Rams 3-2 on the year as they look to regroup for a tough divisional race.

DODGERS 🧢 NLDS

The Dodgers and Phillies square off in the NLDS, with both teams boasting explosive offenses led by stars like Shohei Ohtani for LA and Kyle Schwarber for Philly. LA has a slight edge in starting pitching but their unreliable bullpen, which struggled against the Phillies in September, remains a concern—even with rookie Roki Sasaki stepping up. The Dodgers' five-day layoff before the series and their poor track record at Citizens Bank Park add to the challenge, as the Phillies hold home-field advantage.

• GAME 1: Dodgers at Phillies, Saturday at 3:38pm [TV: TBS]
• GAME 2: Dodgers at Phillies, Monday at 3:08pm [TV: TBS]
• GAME 3: Phillies at Dodgers, Wednesday, TBA [TV: TBS]
• GAME 4: Phillies at Dodgers, Thursday, TBA [TV: TBS] *
• GAME 5: Dodgers at Phillies, Saturday (11th), TBA [TV:TBS] *
  • *if needed

CHARGERS ⚡ VS. WASHINGTON

The Chargers are gearing up for a pivotal matchup against the Washington Commanders, who boast the NFL’s second-ranked rushing attack thanks to dynamic quarterback play and a revitalized offensive line. Washington starter Jayden Daniels is set to return, adding a dangerous dual-threat dimension, while running back depth and creative coaching have fueled their ground game. Both teams aim to bounce back from tough losses, with injuries on each side shaping a high-stakes contest at SoFi Stadium. Look for LA to exploit defensive mismatches as the Bolts fight to keep pace in the competitive AFC West.

UCLA 🎓 VS. 7 PENN STATE

UCLA football faces a major test Saturday at the Rose Bowl against No. 7 Penn State, as the Bruins seek their first win of the season after an 0-4 start. Interim coach Tim Skipper and new offensive play-caller Jerry Neuheisel hope to spark a turnaround against Penn State’s stout defense and explosive run game. With inconsistent offense and a struggling run defense, UCLA will need a big step up in execution to hang tough in this David-versus-Goliath matchup. Local fans are watching for signs of progress, and a potential upset, against one of the nation’s top teams.

🔗 SPORTS LINKS

• 🎒 TROJANS: October 11th Michigan vs. USC Trojans tickets, game time, TV channel, via Trojans Wire.
• 🏒 LA KINGS: The LA Kings kick off their 2025-26 season next week, October 7th, at home against the Colorado Avalanche, via NHL.

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SEE YOU ON WEDNESDAY, LA
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND 🤙

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