By John Hobbs

Thursday,Oct. 19

On the prowl for some toe-curling aural pleasure tonight? You probably won’t get it from the dusty Wurlitzer at your local dive bar. Instead, head down to the Orange County Performing Arts Center for the Pops Grand Opening featuring Orange County’s Pacific Symphony, which, along with a quartet of vocalists, will cover everything from Broadway to opera to music from motion pictures. $30-150. Oct. 19-21: 8 p.m. 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. For tickets, go to www.ocpac.org.

Let’s get dirty at Akbar when resident DJ Tony Powell spins this week along with Chicago’s own DJ Gene Hunt as Dirty Dirty House gears up for its three-year anniversary. $4. Akbar, 4356 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake. For more information, see www.akbarsilverlake.com.

Thursday nights rock at Ultra Suede as the trendy dancery debuts its new club night, Rock ‘n’ Roll Fag Bar. For just two bones, you can throw down rock-star drink specials and rock out to some kick-ass mixes of electronica, modern rock and alternative by DJ Kathy Valenti. Party on! $2. 9 p.m. 661 N. Robertson Blvd., W. Hlywd. For more information, see www.factorynightclub.com.

Gulp, don’t sip the cocktails served up tall, cold and free for just five minutes each hour at Smack, the world’s fastest open bar. Every Thursday. Smack with DJ Josh Peace. 9 p.m. O-Bar, 8279 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Hlywd. For more information, call (323) 822-330 or see www.obarrestaurant.com.

High above Los Angeles, the Gay Asian Pacific Support Network will hold its 22nd annual Pacific Bridge Awards at Windows restaurant. $50. 6-8 p.m. 1150 Olive St., 32nd floor, L.A. To purchase your tickets or for more information, shoot an email over to info@gapsn.org.

Friday, Oct. 20

Weekly Bible study, it is not—join Tom Whitman for Drunk and Horny, West Hollywood’s hot new Friday night debuting tonight at i-candy. 7929 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Hlywd. For more information, check out www.icandylounge.com.

Strapping male physiques prancing about the stage in those revealing and oh-so-form-fitting leotards—need we say anymore? Check out the Lyon Opera Ballet at UCLA’s Royce Hall for an entertaining showcase featuring works by three innovative European choreographers. $26-48. Oct. 20-21, 8 p.m. UCLA Campus, L.A. For tickets, go to www.uclalive.org.

You won’t find any 18-wheelers, blue-plate specials or squawking CB radios at this Truck Stop—just a bunch of hotties dancing on the bar to the tunes of DJ Josh Peace. Every Friday. here lounge, 696 N. Robertson Blvd., W. Hlywd. For more information, see www.herelounge.com.

If you think Friday night at Oasis Nightclub is a meat market, you’re wrong. It’s a Meat Locker. Join the Upland hangout for its brand-new Friday night lineup, bringing together some of the hottest dancers Southern California has to offer. 1386 E. Foothill Blvd., Upland. For more information, go to www.oasis-nightclub.com.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a hairspray-shellacked bouffant or a sassy bob, just grab a wig and get over to Wig Out! this Friday night. $8 with a wig, $10 otherwise. Doors open at 10:30 p.m. M Bar, 1253 Vine St., Hlywd. For more information, call (323) 856-0036.

Looking for something cheap and tawdry? Be a Whore! every Friday night with go-go boys and $1 shots. $5 cover. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Club Fuel, 11608 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. For more information, visit www.tattletalepromotions.com.

Feeling frisky this Friday night? Head over to Miss Kitty’s Parlour at the Dragonfly where DJ Paul V. will rock Miss Kitty’s dance floor with a claws-out mix of electro, saucy mash-ups and cheesy ‘80s. Me-ow! $13. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. 6510 Santa Monica Blvd., Hlywd. Go to www.misskittysparlour.com for more information.

Seriously folks, is this thing on? Check out the comedic stylings of Jason Stuart, who has been featured in Will & Grace and Fat Actress, at the Hollywood Improv tonight and tomorrow night. Friday, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, 8 & 10 p.m. 8162 Melrose Ave., L.A. For more information, see www.improv.com.

Get cerebral at the Los Angeles Queer Studies Conference taking place Oct. 20-21 at UCLA’s School of Law. During the conference, UCLA fellows will present their research during the panel discussion entitled Recent Scholarship on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy. 1-2:30 p.m. UCLA Royce Hall, L.A. Call (310) 206-0516 for further information.

Meet Matty Lee, the author of 35 cents, the coming-of-age story of a straight, young, white man hustling his way through the gay community, at A Different Light Bookstore tonight as the scribe makes his way to the West Hollywood bookstore for a reading. 7:30 p.m. 8853 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Hlywd. For more information, go to www.adlbooks.com. If you miss him tonight, you can catch him at Skylight Books on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A.

Saturday, Oct. 21

All revved up with no place to go? Check out Machine at the Faultline, where DJ Paul V. will rock the well-oiled club night full of dirty electro beats, media manipulation and sex-club stimulation. Don’t miss the giveaways, including CDs from Lady Sovereign, Under the Influence of Giants and Teddybears. Vroom! $5. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. 4216 Melrose Ave., Silver Lake. Check out www.spitclub.com for more information.

The show must go on at Casa 0101. Help make sure it does by attending the Welcome Back, Josefina Lopez! Fundraiser, Auction and Dinner Gala tonight at the International Institute of Los Angeles. Join Lupe Ontiveros and Councilman José Huizar for an evening dedicated to raising funds for the expansion of the community arts center. $35-100. 4:30-7 p.m. 435 S. Boyle Ave., L.A. For more information or to make a donation, go to www.casa0101.org.

Lookin’ for love in all the wrong places? Well, look no further—check out Being Alive’s Direct Connect, a single’s mingle for HIV-positive men looking for Mr. Right. 7-9 p.m. Fiesta Hall at Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Hlywd. Space is limited. For reservations, call (310) 289-2551.

Who needs Tennessee Williams? Join Morgan Fairchild, Chad Allen, Bruce Vilanch and many other stars for GLASS Menagerie, a philanthropic fête featuring live entertainment and auctions on interior design acoutrements and classic cars. Proceeds benefit L.A.’s Gay and Lesbian Adolescent Social Services. $150. 7:30 p.m. Phyllis Morris Originals, 655 N. Robertson Blvd., W. Hlywd. For tickets, go to www.glassla.org.

Have you been to The Edge of gay nightlife? Voyage into the unknown as the Factory presents its avant-garde club night featuring an open bar from 9-11 p.m. and DJs De León and Mike Bryant, who will keep the Factory rockin’ into the wee hours of the morning. $10. 652 N. La Peer Dr., W. Hlywd. For more information, check out www.factorynightclub.com.

Sunday, Oct. 22

You no doubt saw Lisa Lampanelli in the Comedy Central Roasts of both Pamela Anderson and William Shatner. She was the loud, funny broad who stole the show with her snarky wisecracks. Now you can enjoy comedy’s lovable “Queen of Mean” without the embarrassing drug-induced interruptions of Courtney Love or Andy Dick as the comedienne makes her way to the Grove of Anaheim. $25. 8 p.m. 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim. For tickets, go to www.grove-of-anaheim.com.

Whoever said size doesn’t matter hasn’t been to here lounge on Sunday nights for the big DJs, big drinks and bigger fun at Size. Join DJ Kimberly S at this week’s Size. Get there early for half-price cocktails, from 4-7 p.m. 696 N. Robertson Blvd., W. Hlywd. For more information, go to www.herelounge.com.

You can dial M for murder, but for the 20 Most Horrifying Hollywood Murders, it’s all about E! Microwave some popcorn and cozy up to the television for a morbid marathon as Scott Michaels presents some of Tinseltown’s most grisly homicides. See local listings for program specifics. For more information on Scott Michaels, see this issue’s feature called “Death: It’s a Living.” For information on the E! broadcast, go to www.eonline.com.

Monday, Oct. 23

If you love numbers, check this one out—1/2, as in half-price dinner deals at Numbers every Monday night. 8741 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Hlywd. For more information, go to www.numbersrestaurant.com or call (310) 652-7700 to make reservations.

The cool cats will be heading to Catalina Jazz Club tonight for its 20th anniversary celebration. In the last 20 years, the jazz lounge has hosted an amazing collection of jazz legends including Dizzy Gillepsie, Art Blakey and McCoy Tyner. Buddy Collette will serve as the honorary master of ceremonies at tonight’s shindig. Stay hep. 6275 Sunset Blvd., Hlywd. For reservations, call (323) 466-2210.

Get involved! Take a stand! And meet others! The Latino Men’s Group meets every Monday at 7:30 p.m. The Wall Las Memorias, 111 N. Ave. 56, L.A. Call (323) 257-1056 for more information.

Get a jump on Oscar season with Reel Talk with Stephen Farber. The film critic and historian hosts a 12-week film series and discussion, featuring a wealth of Oscar-worthy movies. Tonight’s film is Babel, starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett and Gael García Bernal. $20. Each Monday through Dec. 11. 7 p.m. Wadsworth Theatre, 11301 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. For more information, call (310) 479-3003.

Tuesday, Oct. 24

No, Tea Bag is not an unfortunately named Starbucks competitor chock full of scones, finger sandwiches and techie types tapping away on their laptops. It’s actually a new balls-out dance party with thumping music provided by DJ Howie Pyro. Club 7969, 7969 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Hlywd. For more information, call (323) 654-0280.

Looking to get your party on in the 818? Check out Club Fuel with its Twisted Tuesdays, Re-Fuel Thursdays and Beer Bust Sundays. 11608 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. For more information, call (818) 506-0404.

Rimjob—the name says it all, huh? Get there early to avoid the line. $6. MJ’s, 2810 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake. For information, see www.mjsbar.com.

Kol Ami is holding an emergency town meeting for Israeli gays displaced by the war with Hezbollah. Join Mike Hamel as he analyzes the Middle East conflict from an LGBT point-of-view. 7:30 p.m. Workmen’s Circle, 1525 S. Robertson., L.A. For more information, email gerashlaw@aol.com.

Wednesday, Oct. 25

Instead of riding the sofa all night long, why not head over to the Faultine for some serious TV watching? At TVOD, you can enjoy twisted comedy clips and music videos while imbibing an endless supply of brew during the beer bust. Every Wednesday. 4216 Melrose Ave., L.A. For more information, call (323) 660-0889.

Whether you’re looking fierce or fiercely looking, Club Girl Talk at Encounters in Pasadena offers transgenders, cross dressers and their admirers a night to mingle while DJ Tony spins top 40 and dance hits into the night. $5. 203 Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena. For more information, go to www.encountersnightclub.com.

Have a wicked good time at Club Metro’s Wicked Wednesdays, featuring live hip-hop, reggaeton and R&B performances with some of L.A.’s sexiest go-go dancers. Free with guest list before 10 p.m. $5 otherwise. Ultra Suede, 661 N. Robertson Blvd., W. Hlywd. For guest list and information, call (323) 769-6333.

What better way to get over the mid-week hump than guzzling two-for-one drinks at Fiesta Cantina and captivating your friends with your own renditions of old karaoke standards? Karaoke with Kenny, 10:30 p.m.-1:45 a.m. 8851 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Hlywd. For more information, see www.karaokewithkenny.com.

Thursday, Oct. 26

Nothing to do this Thursday night? Rubbish! Head over to Club Trash at The Derby, where the party is jumping with DJs spinning rock, indie, electronic and new wave. 4500 Los Feliz Blvd., L.A. For more information, see www.clubtrashsilverlake.com.

Get an eyeful at Thursday night’s Wet-and-Wild Shorts Contest. Winner takes home $100 and most likely a few phone numbers. Eagle L.A., 4219 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. For more information, call (323) 669-9472 or visit www.eaglela.com.

The Arena is ground zero for the 18-and-over pulsating pop party Tiger Heat with DJ Ray Rhodes. $8 cover. Every Thursday, 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Hollywood Arena, 6655 Santa Monica Blvd., Hlywd. For more information, visit www.arenanightclub.com.

Don’t stay in tonight. Go Out on the Town, where you can sip your way through a slew of wines and sample mouthwatering delectables along with special guests Wilson Cruz and Taylor Negron. The event, a fundraiser for the Lesbian and Gay Community Fund of the Liberty Hill Foundation, will have you feeling so giddy you won’t know if it’s your charitable action or the vino. $40. 7-9 p.m. Marvimon, 1411 N. Broadway, L.A.

Friday, Oct. 27

Love hurts. Just ask Diamanda Galás, the avant-garde songstress whose operatic voice, virtuosic piano skills and de-rigeuer shrieks and howls have cast a spell on audiences across the nation. Tonight, the dark diva will perform Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, an enchanting night of tragic and homicidal love songs at UCLA’s Royce Hall. $25-45. 8 p.m. UCLA Campus, L.A. For tickets, go to www.uclalive.org.

You’ve slaved over that Halloween costume for months. You’ve worked your way through several yards of lycra, a few pounds of feathers and a container-and-a-half of crazy glue. Now is the time to unveil your ghastly get-up at Encounters for its Halloween Party featuring drink specials, go-go boys and a costume contest. $5. Oct. 27 & 28. 203 N. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena. For more information, go to www.encountersnightclub.com.

Need a vacation? How about setting sail for the warm, sunny shores of Hades (they say it’s beautiful this time of year) on The Discount Cruise to Hell. Join Ian McKinnon’s macabre musical performance troupe for Trick or Trick, a two-night performance/party featuring live entertainment, costume contests and zombie go-go dancers. $15-20. Oct. 27-28, 8:30 p.m. Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica. For tickets, go to www.highwaysperformance.org.

Get your jazz on tonight at The Ten20 Café, where you can Bop Til You Drop with the CJS Quintet, who will be performing another of its eight scheduled shows at the Bel Age Hotel eatery. Two drink minimum. 8 p.m.-midnight. 1020 San Vicente Blvd., W. Hlywd. For reservations, call (310) 854-1111.

Saturday, Oct. 28

It’s all about John Rechy tonight at ONE Archives as the iconic author of seminal novels like City of Night is honored with the ONE Culture Hero Award for his writing, teaching and activism. $100. 5-8 p.m. 909 W. Adams Blvd., L.A. For ticket information, go to www.onearchives.org.

You could travel to the other side of the globe for Venice’s Carnevale, but why bother? Instead, hop on the ever-inefficient 405 and, in nearly the same amount of time it would take you to get to Italy, you could be at Venice Beach for its fifth annual seaside soiree, featuring thousands of costumed revelers, live entertainment and a variety of arts and crafts vendors. Noon-10 p.m. Venice Beach, junction of Main and Windward streets, Venice. For more information, go to www.carnevale.us.

Get your boogie on with things that go bump in the night at DJ Manny Lehman’s Resolution, a Halloween after-hours party taking place at the Mayan Theatre. $35 advance. 2-9 a.m. 1038 S. Hill St., L.A. For tickets, go to www.ticketmaster.com.

The graveyard will be a-rockin’ tonight as Hollywood Forever Cemetery hosts its seventh annual Día de los Muertos festivities. The nation’s largest and most authentic festivities, taking place from 4-11 p.m., will feature a vibrant traditional procession with regional dance dedications, arts and crafts expositions and over 100 community altars honoring those that have slipped away into oblivion. 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hlywd. For more information, check out www.ladayofthedead.com.

Embrace your inner master or dominatrix at Screw—and then quickly force it back into submission. The Purveyors of Perversion return to once again transform Eagle L.A. into a den of debauchery with nasty go-go sluts, S&M shows and DJ Tom Walker spinning cock rock, electronic and funk. $6. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Fourth Saturday each month. 4219 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. For more information, call (323) 669-9472 or visit www.eaglela.com.

Anybody who’s anybody will be at Popular on Saturdays dancing to the pop music and ogling the cute go-go boys and girls. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Every Saturday. here lounge, 696 N. Robertson Blvd., W. Hlywd. Visit www.tomwhitmanpresents.com for more information.

Head over to Club 7969 for Jumbo Hot Dog, which is plumper, juicier and meatier than ever—and you won’t even have to worry about all those nasty nitrates. Every Saturday. 9 p.m. 7969 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Hlywd. For more information, call (323) 654-0280.

So the night is starting to wind down, but you aren’t ready to turn in yet—what do you do? Head over to Ultra Suede as Reflex keeps the party going into the wee hours of the morning. $15-25. 2:30-8 a.m. 661 N. Robertson Blvd., W. Hlywd. For tickets, go to www.groovetickets.com.

Sunday, Oct. 29

It’s been 30 years since the pig blood-splattered Sissy Spacek stood on that stage exacting revenge on her cruel classmates for their prank. Join Gina Lotrimin and Paul V. at The Echo for a HALSA (HIV/AIDS Legal Services Association) benefit, featuring an interactive screening of the 1976 horror classic Carrie, costume contests and special surprise guests. $25-50. 5:30-10 p.m. 1151 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park. For more information, check out www.dragstrip66.com.

Sidle up to the stage and get ready for the sequins and double-sided tape to fly as your favorite drag queens battle it out, Halloween style, at Oasis’ spooky Halloween Drag Idol featuring drag diva Cassandra as Elvira, your hostess with the mostest. $6-10. Every Sunday. 8 p.m. 1386 E. Foothill Blvd., Upland. For more information, see www.oasis-nightclub.com.

When these two impresarios put their heads together, it’s pure magic. The newest offspring of David Cooley and Jeffrey Sanker is Sundays at Area, a monthly masquerade dance party featuring music by Josh Peace. Sundays have never looked so good. 8 p.m. 664 N. La Cienega Blvd., L.A. For more information, see www.jeffreysanker.com.

Grab a cocktail and listen to Rudy de la Mar warble tunes at The Other Side on Sunday evenings. 2538 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake. For more information, see www.flyingleapcafe.com.

Nothing says Sunday like kicking back and drinking your weight in tequila at Margarita Sundays with DJ Nicholas. $2 margaritas and domestic beer from 3-7 p.m. MJ’s, 2810 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake. For more information, call (323) 660-1503 or see www.mjsbar.com.

Monday, Oct. 30

Mondays don’t have to be a drag—that is, unless you’re at here! lounge for its new Monday show, Here’s Jackie!, featuring that sharp-tongued chanteuse Jackie Beat, who will have you rolling with her sassy shenanigans. Tonight, Jackie will be joined by Lady Bunny, Edie and DJ Paul V. 696 N. Robertson Blvd., W. Hlywd. For more information, go to www.herelounge.com.

See the world through the artsy eyes of gay lensman Wolfgang Tillmans as he brings his first U.S. exhibition to UCLA’s Hammer Museum. $5. Through Jan. 7. 10889 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. For more information, see www.hammer.ucla.edu.

Everyone’s got a headshot in L.A. Even Lester Glassner’s private collection of antique dolls and figurines from the early 20th century. Check out Kelly Smith’s exhibit at the Perfect Exposure Gallery, featuring headshots of the the dolls and figurines from days gone by. Oct. 19-Nov. 9. 3513 W. Sixth St., L.A. For more information, go to www.theperfectexposuregallery.com.

It’s not cabaret. Don’t call it a comedy show. And it’s definitely not drag. So what is Nikki Collins’ unique gender-bending musical and comedy act taking place at the Gardenia for the next four Mondays? A must-see. 9 p.m. 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Hlywd. For more information, call (323) 467-7444 or go to www.geocities.com/nikkicabaret.

Tuesday, Oct. 31

The place to see and be seen on Halloween in L.A. is West Hollywood’s annual Carnaval. For one night only, the gridlocked car traffic on Santa Monica Boulevard will be replaced with gridlocked foot traffic as hundreds of thousands of revelers, many wearing some of the most outrageous and inspired costumes, make their way down the boulevard. Santa Monica Boulevard, between La Cienega and Doheny. For more information, go to www.weho.org/halloween.

Eat, drink and be scary tonight at O-Bar as the West Hollywood hangout transforms itself into a Haunted Brothel. Come dressed as a dead whore or a decomposing bar fly, throw back some drink specials and wile away the haunting hours of All Hallow’s Eve. 8279 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Hlywd. For more information, see www.obarrestaurant.com.

Before walking down the boulevard for West Hollywood’s Carnaval, get well lubricated at the Abbey as Halloween’s creepy club serves up its world-famous flavored mojitos all night long. 692 Robertson Blvd., W. Hlywd. For more information, check out www.abbeyfoodandbar.com.

If your bar crawl finds you at Ultra Suede, make sure to grab a fistful of $3 Bacardi-flavored rum drinks as the West Hollywood dance club opens its doors to the spooky set for a Halloween extravaganza with Heather Vaughn and Mike Bryant churning out the tunes into the dead of the night. Free. 661 Robertson Blvd., W. Hlywd. For more information, go to www.factornightclub.com.