Page Turner

Dark Delicacies, 3725 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, (818) 556-6660, has been named the “premiere horror/vampire-oriented bookstore” in America by J. Gordon Melton in his “The Vampire Book,” a 900-plus page encyclopedia of all and everything concerning the undead. Melton is a professor at UC Santa Barbara and the head of the Transylvania Society of Dracula’s American chapter. Dark Delicacies, owned and operated by Del and Sue Howison since 1995, serves an international clientele hungry for horror books, jewelry and paraphernalia.

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Sonoma Blue Cafe, 10962 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, (818) 769-0232, is holding its first annual Valentine’s Day Romantic Poetry Contest. If your heart is aching, give it free rein and enter free of charge. On Feb. 14, 10 finalists will read their poems and the winners will be announced. First prize is $500; second prize, $250; and third prize, $125. Deadline for submissions is Jan. 31.

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The London Stage Production Company will perform Jean Paul Sartre’s drama, “No Exit,” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Borders Books and Music, 9301 Tampa Ave., Northridge, (818) 886-5443. At 7:30 p.m. Monday, a party will celebrate the release of Neil Gaiman’s “Stardust,” featuring a video screening of BBC’s production based on Gaiman’s previous novel, and signed first editions of “Stardust.”

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Once Upon A Time bookshop, 2284 Honolulu Ave., Montrose, (818) 248-9668, hosts its monthly book discussion group for adults at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. This month’s selection is “The Weight of Water” by Anita Shreve.