La Jolla’s Best Bets for Events, Oct. 27

Rare Footage of China

Paul Pickowicz, UCSD Distinguished Professor of History and Chinese Studies, presents a rare, short film about the university’s first visit to China in 1979, just months after the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the United States and the People’s Republic of China. See it 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1 in the Seuss Room of UCSD’s Geisel Library, 9500 Gilman Drive (off Library Walk). Free, but RSVP requested: ucsdchina.eventbrite.com More information at library.ucsd.edu/blogs/events/ucsdchina

Let’s All Pillage the Village

For the annual trick-or-treating event sponsored by La Jolla Village Merchants Association, Girard Avenue businesses with posters in their windows will give out candy or treats, 3-6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31. “Beggars” with particularly good costumes may be approached by a witch or a fairy, who will direct them to the costume contest! lajollabythesea.com

There’s Music in the Air!

La Jolla Symphony & Chorus opens its new season, themed “Music from the Middle of Life,” 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 with Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony contrasting sharply with the steamy sensuality of Alexander Scriabin’s Poem of Ecstasy, and in between Anna Thorvaldsdottir’s Aeriality, and Bryce Dessner’s Lachrymae, performed in Mandeville Auditorium, UCSD, 9500 Gilman Drive. Tickets $15-$29. (858) 534-4637 lajollasymphony.com

The fourth annual La Jolla Symphony & Chorus Young People’s Concert will feature musical excerpts from the opening concert weekend (details above), 7-8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 28 in Mandeville Auditorium, UCSD campus. Conductor Steven Schick will provide commentary from the stage. Free, but reservations required through eventbrite.com by searching for “Young People’s Concert.” (858) 534-4637. lajollasymphony.com

Just in time for Halloween, La Jolla Community Center presents “Night of the Singing Dead,” an evening of opera, musical theater and Spanish songs (with wine tasting), 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. Music starts at 7 p.m. Tickets: $30. (858) 459-0831. ljcommunitycenter.org

Diverting from the usual day for the Fourth Friday Jazz Series, La Jolla Community Center will host Peter Sprague, Leonard Patton and Tripp Sprague for an 8 p.m. concert, Thursday, Oct. 27, at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. Tickets $18-$23 in advance, $20-$25 at the door. The concert will include contrasting jazz stylings “executed with the spirit of joy in music.” (858) 459-0831. ljcommunitycenter.org

Kicking off Athenaeum Music & Arts Library’s lecture series, “The Great American Songbook: A Celebration,” Jacquelyne Silver will present, “In the Beginning: A Style is Born,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3 at 1008 Wall St. From Tin Pan Alley to the Jazz Age, from Broadway to Hollywood, from the originals (Frank Sinatra) to the relative newcomers (Ira Gershwin) — the music was supreme! Series: $45-$60, single lectures: $17-$22. (858) 454-5872. ljathenaeum.org/music-lectures

Beth El Men’s Club hosts the San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir performing “Jewbilation” 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 at Congregational Beth El, 8660 Gilman Drive. Program includes Yiddish, Hebrew and Ladino melodies and a selection of songs from the group’s Billboard chart and multi-award winning CDs “Heritage” and “Kochi.” Tickets: $15-$20 in advance, $20-$25 at the door. (858) 452-1734. sdjmc.eventbrite.com

Hear the San Diego Symphony orchestra perform the scores from Tim Burton films such as: “Beetlejuice,” “Edward Scissorhands,” “Batman,” “BigFish,” “Corpse Bride” and more during “Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton,” 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at Symphony Hall, 750 B St., downtown San Diego. The magic of each film will be brought to life onstage by visuals of Burton’s original film sketches, drawings and storyboards. Tickets from $20. (619) 235-0804 or (619) 235-0800. sandiegosymphony.org

Celebrate Day of the Dead with the San Diego Symphony during another seasonal concert, “Día De Los Muertos,” 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 at Symphony Hall, 750 B St., downtown San Diego. The celebration features the joyous sounds of Mariachi Champaña Nevin along with dancers, singer Aida Cuevas (“The Queen of Ranchera Music”) and special alters for the community. Tickets from $20. (619) 235-0804 or (619) 235-0800. sandiegosymphony.org

Time to Eat!

The Lodge at Torrey Pines will host its 14th annual Celebrate the Craft, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 at 11480 North Torrey Pines Road. It’s a premier food festival tradition benefiting the Slow Food Movement. Tickets: $135 per person, each all-inclusive ticket grants access to an extensive variety of food tastings, wine, craft beer and complimentary valet parking. (858) 777-6607. celebratethecraft.com

Authors on Parade

The 22nd annual San Diego Jewish Book Fair runs Oct. 29 to Nov. 6, and includes book talks, a family book-a-palooza and a children’s concert with headliners covering contemporary topics. The fair is open to all at the Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive. (858) 457-3030 (front desk). (858) 362-1348 (box office). List of programs and prices at sdjbf.org

The Old Station Wagon

The San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park presents “Wagons: Weekend Warrior” through Jan. 29, 2017. The exhibit highlights the development of station wagons from the early days of the huge passenger vehicles of the 1960s and ’70s, vintage advertising, videos, and a chance to “vote” if the Pacer is a station wagon or not. Tickets: $9. 2080 Pan American Plaza, San Diego. (619) 231-2886. sdautomuseum.org

Halloween Happenings

The free Balboa Park Halloween Family Day gives families a safe, fun, and culturally inspired way to kick off their Halloween activities. Two dozen museums and cultural attractions will present craft projects for kids, costume parades and contests, and other fun surprises from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. Participating museums are offering free admission to ages 12 and under with paying adult. Highlights include mini-carnival games and costume contests for prizes hosted by San Diego Park and Rec., a doggie costume contest in the Spanish Village, the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s annual rooftop pumpkin drop, live animals from the San Diego Zoo, food trucks, and free activity and prize-drawing booths on the Prado and in the Plaza de Panama. balboapark.org

Off the Wall invites writers and actors to an open mic “Night of Dark Tales,” 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27 at Hennessey’s Tavern, 7811 Herschel Ave. Writers are encouraged to bring their scariest original story, actors to bring a frightening scene or monologue, or just come on in and sit and be entertained. Readers will be limited to three minutes. Costumes welcome. Tickets $5. Food and drinks available for purchase. (858) 551-8772.

It’s time again for all aspiring ghosts, goblins, pirates and princesses to gather on the Star of India for lantern-led tours around the ship and eerie legends from its past, 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. Tickets $8-$16 for admission and lantern tours. The museum is on The Embarcadero in downtown San Diego at 1492 North Harbor Drive. (619) 234-9153. sdmaritime.org

Boomont (aka Belmont) Park in Mission Beach transforms into a Halloween-themed amusement park with family-friendly activities, 5 p.m. to close on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 31. Free trick-or-treating will be 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Oct. 31. Attractions with an additional fee include: Zombie Laser Tag, Zip Line & Rock Wall, and the Giant Dipper coaster. Free admission. 3146 Mission Blvd. (858) 228-9283. belmontpark.com