THIS WEEKEND: Tons of Fun with Fairs and Festivals All Over Los Angeles This Weekend -- My Daily Find

BY KAREN YOUNG

Fairs and festivals for all ages.

FRIDAY

OPENING! House of Finnegan at The El Portal: The House of Finnegan is a new musical about ex-Broadway star Jerry Finnegan and his dysfunctional family. A family that will surprise you, make you laugh, sometimes shock you, but will always try to warm your heart. It’s a family you can sing along with. The production plays through October 28. Tickets available at El Portal Box Office and online now! Or call 818.508.4200 or 866-811-4111

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

Calabasas Pumpkin Festival: Get into to spooky spirit with inflatable rides and giant slide, live bands, pumpkin pie eating contest, mummy wrap contest, pumpkin seed spitting contest, reptile and nature shows, carnival games, business vendors, car show, food and beer, jewelry and craft marketplace, kid zone with children’s craft projects, balloons and face painting. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Juan Bautista De Anza Park, 3701 Lost Hills Road, Calabasas $5, free parking and shuttles.

Beverly Hills Art Show – Affaire In The Gardens: Spanning four blocks, this free public art event onSaturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. features 250 artists from around the United States that will showcase an upscale, yet affordable, array of paintings, sculptures, photographs, and prints. The event features art tours, a dance performance, the artists’ award ceremony, in-booth artist demonstrations, special exhibit curated by Los Angeles Art Association, wine garden and delicious food. (Beverly Gardens) 241 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills.

Vintage Fashion Expo: The Santa Monica Civic Auditorium is the place this Saturday and Sunday to find vintage clothing, accessories and textiles. Over 85 dealers will be showing a wide range of periods (1850-1980) and price levels, every style imaginable, from belle epoque finery to bell bottom jeans, european classics from Chanel, Schiaparelli, and Lanvin, timeless American designs by Bill Blass, Bonnie Cashin, Halston & Claire McCardell and more. Early Buy Admission is $20. Regular Admission is $10 .Early Buy 9 a.m. -10:30 a.m. Regular Admission 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sun. Regular Admission 11 a.m.-5 p.m. FREE entrance on Sun. with Sat. ticket purchase. Students free on Sun. with student ID.

The Brewery ArtWalk : It’s the 30th anniversary of this twice annual open studio weekend in Downtown LA with over 100 participating resident artists. See new works, discover new favorites, speak with the artists and purchase artwork directly from the artists’ studios.. Come by this Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm. Admission is free and so is parking. Support the arts, take home some great works and dine at the on-site restaurant.

Farmers Market at The Grove Fall Festival: Come join the festival that’s been happening since 1934 on October 20 and 21 from 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Festivities include a petting zoo, Agventure Land featuring agricultural activities for kids, carnival games, live country and western music, a gun slinger show, craft demonstrations, and their world-famous pie-eating contest! The Farmers Market is also showcasing the world’s largest potato (28′ long, 12′ wide, 11′ tall and over 6 tons!) this year.

Botanicum Seedlings: Theatricum Botanicum’s new play development program, celebrates its 10th Anniversary with SeedlingsFest 2012, offering Theatricum audiences and company members an opportunity to sample fresh new works, plus seasonal gourmet treats and live music. Subtitled a “Festival of (short) Playreadings,” SeedlingsFest features two days of plays from emerging and award-winning playwrights interpreting this year’s theme, “Hybrids & Heirlooms” — a nod to Seedlings’ ten years of supporting plays of varying styles and forms, from traditional to wildly experimental and everything in between. SeedlingsFest 2012 takes place Saturday and Sunday, October 20 and 21, at 2 pm. Admission is free; donations will be gratefully accepted.

SATURDAY

Earthquake Preparedness at Universal: NBCUniversal and NBC4 Southern California are partnering with American Red Cross’ “PrepareSoCal” initiative on Saturday, October 20 form 8 a.m. -10:30 a.m. to help educate our community on earthquake preparedness. NBCUniversal’s nationally recognized Emergency Services department and the company’s Community Outreach team will hold a free, family-friendly open house for community members to learn the latest ways on how to prepare their home and family (including pets) for the “big one.” The informative morning will include: trainings and demonstrations, briefings from experts in the field, opportunities to purchase discounted earthquake kits and ride Universal Studios Hollywood’s realistic Earthquake attraction, as well as have the chance to win prizes. RSVP Link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DLWLXSJ. For questions, please call (818) 777-0376.

New Horizons Holiday Boutique: Find your gifts early and give back to a great cause. on Saturday from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Vendors include: Gold Party Girls (sell you gold for cash), Stella Dot Jewelry, Avon, My Fair Lady, Selma’s Handbags & Accessories, an array of handmade jewelry, a arts & crafts, clothing, cookies,toffee & coffee, orchids, handmade scarves & hats, soaps &c osmetics and more. New Horizons empowers individuals with developmental disabilities to fulfill their dreams through partnerships, community education, and advocacy. 15725 Parthenia St. North Hills.

SUNDAY

Sherman Oaks Street Fair: It is the largest community event held in the San Fernando Valley, attended by 100,000 people, and benefiting the residents, local businesses, and schools. For one full day, a half-mile of Ventura Boulevard (between Van Nuys Boulevard and Kester Avenue) is transformed into a pedestrian mall filled with vendors, foods from around the world, a unique car show, kids attractions, and two stages providing a wide variety of live entertainment. Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Ventura Blvd.  (between Van Nuys and Kester). Free admission.

Jewish County Fair: It’s an outdoor community celebration with food, music and fun activities. Musical performances include Idan Raichel, Joshua Nelson, Josh Neslon, Michelle Citrin, Moshe Hecht, Yael Meyer, SoulAviv, Ari Herstand, Elana Jagoda, Saul Kaye, Iliana Rose, Robbo, and more. Carnival games and rides, bungee trampoline, moonbounces, hatchet throwing, outdoor cooking, nature crafts, arts and crafts, pita making, tree planting,”Jamba Jews” bike blender, zipline, nature hikes, dunk tank, face painting, ultimate GaGa tournament, animal education with The Reptile Family and more! Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sholem Institute 34342 Mulholland Highway,  Malibu. For more info or to purchase tickets $6 advance/$9 at the door, visit www.jewishcountyfair.com.