Happening Friday

COMEDY

Love Bites: A Banned Erotica Showcase Jerry Stahl, Leslie Schott, La Cholita and many other writers and burlesque performers read from a bodice-ripping catalog of once-outlawed sexy fiction. “The Story of O,” “Tropic of Cancer,” “Lolita” and others get their most eyebrow-raising passages highlighted. The Comedy Store, 8433 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. $10. https://www.thecomedystore.com.

MUSIC

Esperanza Spalding The jazz bassist and vocalist was this year’s unexpected Grammy winner for new artist and shocked lots of odds-makers with the triumph of her technically precise but modern and accessible playing. She’s got a pop star’s charisma, though, and looks to be drawing a crossover audience. The Orpheum, 842 S. Broadway Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. $27.50-$60. laorpheum.com.

MOVIES

Big Bear Horro-Fi Film Festival Get a jump-start on Halloween with three days of big-screen chills and thrills that draw inspiration from the horror and science-fiction genres. Catch feature, short and animated films, plus seminars, workshops, panels, celebrity appearances and a pumpkin patch. Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center, 39707 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake. 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. One-day pass $40, two-day pass $70, all-access pass $130. (909) 866-4970. https://www.bigbearhorrorfilmfest.com.

EVENTS

AltCar Expo The coolest green cars since Steve McQueen’s Mustang will be on display at the sixth annual expo, where attendees can ride in, test-drive and purchase alternative-fuel vehicles. Highlights include the Nissan Leaf, Toyota’s plug-in Prius, the Chevy Volt and the Mercedes B-Class F-Cell. Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St., Santa Monica. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Free. (310) 390-2930. https://www.altcarexpo.com.