Check Out The Best Los Angeles Things To Do In February

Sex and the City Zoo
Sex and the City Zoo. Photo by Charlie Morey.

From Mardi Gras celebrations, Chinese New Year celebrations and exciting photography exhibitions to world-class opera, theater and more; find the best Los Angeles things to do in February 2015 in our events roundup.

Edited by Christina Xenos

Art Los Angeles Contemporary
Jan. 30-Feb. 1. Contemporary art fair presents international blue-chip and emerging galleries, with a focus on L.A. galleries. Opening-night reception Jan. 29; Jan. 30-31 11 am-7 pm; Feb. 1 until 6 pm. See website for schedule and tickets. The Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica, 323.851.7530. artlosangelesfair.com

Masters of the American West Fine Art Exhibition and Sale (2015)
Jan. 31-Mar. 8. Each year, the Autry National Center hosts the country’s premier Western art show. More than 75 accomplished artists present their best works for Masters of the American West, ranging from contemporary takes on the genre to depictions of mythic Western experiences. The exhibition is open to all museum-goers, while art aficionados can attempt to claim a piece for themselves on opening day. 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park, L.A., 323.667.2000. theautry.org

dineL.A. Winter Restaurant Week
Jan. 19-Feb. 1. Discover more than 300 top Los Angeles restaurants (including newcomers Alimento, Butchers & Barbers, and Gracias Madre) during this biannual food event. This year expect a twist to the regular discounted three-course menus, in addition to $15, $20, or $25 lunch menus and $30, $40, or $50 dinner menus, participants have been challenged to either create an exclusive menu item or offer a menu that is 15% off the existing price. discoverlosangeles.com

 

SUPER BOWL
Preux & Proper
Feb. 1. Even though the Saints didn’t make it to the Super Bowl this year, you can still get a taste of NOLA in downtown L.A. Start your football revelry early at 1 p.m. with happy our pricing on bites like smoke shrimped beignets, crispy frog legs, wings, brisket dip and their signature Muffaletta board. Enjoy drink specials and an array of slushies as well.

Now Boarding
Feb. 1. West Hollywood’s hottest new cocktail lounge opens at 1 p.m. for the big game and will offer specials like $5 beers and $6 well drinks, $9 themed cocktail menu, post game music from Funktion, a 4 piece funk band. Also enjoy eats from the Los Lobos Food truck.

Magnolia House
Feb. 1. Pasadena’s craft cocktail hotspot is kicking things off in a big way with $6 well drinks, $5 draft beers and a special Magnolia House Party Punch for only $5. Magnolia House Specials will begin at kick-off 3:30 p.m. and run until the end of the game.

The Fat Dog
Feb. 1. Party all afternoon at the West Hollywood gastropub. Enjoy $3 draft beer, a menu of $5 surf and turf bites like their lobster roll, shrimp and grits, beef tenderloin on a stick, hot wings and more. You can even bring your favorite pooch for plenty of patio seating and game spectating.

Find more spots to watch the Super Bowl in Los Angeles

 

Happy Chinese New Year – Beijing Culture Month
Feb. 1. The Saban Theatre, Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau (BHCVB) will host its fourth annual Chinese New Year celebration, a one-night only event, featuring internationally-acclaimed entertainment from Beijing. Celebrate by watching Chinese acrobatics, musical and dance performances and more. 8-9:30 p.m. 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.248.1015. lovebeverlyhills.com

The Night Alive
Opening Feb. 3. Acclaimed Irish playwright—and three-time Tony nominee—Conor McPherson casts a beautiful spell with his new play about a group of down-on-their-luck lost souls, imbued with his signature humor and humanity. Gil Cates Theater, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood, 310.208.5454. geffenplayhouse.com

First Fridays
Feb. 6. Kick off a season of First Friday events the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum. Each night, the provocative series offers live music, discussions and curatorial tours. Drop by this month for cutting-edge science and a musical performances by Robert DeLong, Tom Vek, a special pop-up performance by Quitapenas and a DJ lounge with resident KCRW DJ Raul Campos featuring Mr. Pauer. 5-10 p.m. 900 Exposition Blvd., L.A., 213.763.DINO. nhm.org 

For the Record: John Hughes
Feb. 6-Apr. 4. The theatrical concert experience features world-class performers who bring the movies to life with signature songs and moments from John Hughes classics The Breakfast Club, Pretty In Pink, Sixteen Candles, Weird Science, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The all-star cast includes Evan Rachel Wood (Thirteen, Across The Universe), Rumer Willis (House Bunny, 90210), Tracie Thoms (Death Proof, Rent), Lindsey Gort (Carrie Diaries), among many other. DBA, 7969 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. ForTheRecordLive.com

Louis Vuitton Series 2—Past, Present and Future
Feb. 6-22. This unconventional exhibition from the luxury French fashion house is the first of its kind in the U.S. The modern interpretation of a fashion show will allow visitors to explore the creative process behind the spring/summer 2015 women’s ready-to-wear collection via a series of themed rooms like Backstage and an Accessories Gallery. Daily 10 am-6 pm. Free. 1135 N. Highland Ave., L.A., 866.884.8866.

Sex and the City Zoo
Feb. 7. In honor of Valentine’s Day, celebrate romance in the animal kingdom with a reception featuring tempting desserts, alluring wines and “animal walk-abouts,” which include chats with keepers and the chance to observe small animals up close. Also enjoy a provocative presentation about relationships in the animal kingdom by actress Joleen Lutz, known for her work as an interpretive naturalist of zoology. Lutz offers insights on animal mating, dating and cohabitating prior to an intimate three-course dinner (for an additional fee) at Reggie’s Bistro inside the Zoo. $30/pp, $65/pp dinner. 5333 Zoo Dr., L.A., 323.644.4200. lazoo.org

The Ghosts of Versailles
Feb. 7, 15, 18, 21, 26; Mar. 1. The adventures of Figaro, first told in three stage comedies by French playwright Beaumarchais, created a sensation in the late 18th century, as well as a lasting legacy. The Barber of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro are the popular operatic adaptations by Rossini and Mozart of the first two plays; major plot elements of the third play, The Guilty Mother, are incorporated into John Corigliano’s opera, The Ghosts of Versailles. As the centerpiece of its “Figaro Unbound” initiative, L.A. Opera presents the trilogy this season at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, kicking off with The Ghosts of Versailles Feb. 7-March 1 (Broadway legend Patti LuPone, above, plays Samira). Watch for complementary programming at other institutions citywide, including a James Conlon-led audio tour at the Norton Simon Museum. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.7211. laopera.com

The Art of Charcuterie: Duck Prosciutto and Duck Rillette
Feb. 7. Restaurants around Los Angeles have been beefing up their charcuterie selection as of late. Now, you can get a first-hand look at this nose-to-tail cooking trend with a one-of-a-kind educational experience on charcuterie at Cafe Pinot downtown. With years of crafting and perfecting the art, Executive Chef Joe Vasiloff shares his expertise and knowledge on the practice with detailed courses that delve into the time-honored method of curing and preserving meats. The new hands-on learning series that kicks off this month with a study of duck prosciutto and duck rillette. During the two-hour chef-guided lesson, see demonstrations before personally undertaking the crafting of the highlighted theme. End your afternoon with a celebratory featuring a sampling of the charcuterie, domestic cheese and wine. $75/pp. 700 W. 5th St., downtown, 213.239.6500. patinagroup.com

Lens Work: Celebrating LACMA’s Experimental Photography at 50
Feb. 7-Jul. 4. From works by the medium’s earliest practitioners to those by contemporary artists, celebrate 50 years of innovative photography at LACMA with this exhibition. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 323.857.6000. lacma.org

Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
Feb. 8. It’s a musical marriage of opposites when Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga perform jazz standards from their new album, Cheek to Cheek, at the Wiltern. 3790 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 213.388.1400. livenation.com

Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life—An All-Star Grammy Salute
Feb. 10. The primetime entertainment special that will celebrate the iconic songbook and remarkable legacy of the 25-time Grammy winner features performances from Willie Nelson, Janelle Monáe, Ed Sheeran, Usher, Chris Martin and more. Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, 777 Chick Hearn Court, downtown, 213.763.6020. nokiatheatrelalive.com

Enter Laughing—The Musical
Opening Feb. 10. Based on the semi-autobiographical novel by iconic writer-comedian Carl Reiner, this musical follows David Kolowitz, a boy from the Bronx. He hopes to make it as a Broadway star, against the wishes of his traditional Jewish parents, who encourage him to become a pharmacist. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.746.4000. thewallis.org

The Price
Opening Feb. 11. This American classic by quintessential American playright Arthur Miller is a penetrating family drama from 1968. When two estranged brothers must rifle through their deceased father’s belongings, they uncover family secrets and hidden motives responsible for the fracture in their relationship. Tony Award winner Garry Hynes directs this revival in celebration of Miller’s centennial. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org

Mardi Gras at Farmers Market
Feb. 14-15, 17. At the 26th anniversary of LA’s most colorful Mardi Gras event, celebrate with traditional New Orleans and Zydeco music, bead-throwing, strolling parade bands, arts and crafts and face painting for kids, authentic Cajun food, beer, and much more including the annual Mutti Gras Pet Parade & Mutti Gras King & Queen Contests (Saturday). Farmers Market, 6333 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.933.9211. farmersmarketla.com

Dancing With the Stars
Feb. 15. See your favorite stars—Alfonso Ribeiro, Kym Johnson, Witney Carson, Emma Slater, Valentin Chimerkovskiy, Mark Ballas, Keo Motsepe, Sasha Farber—from the hit ABC show frolic across the stage, live. Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, 777 Chick Hearn Court, downtown, 213.763.6020. nokiatheatrelalive.com

Fountain Coffee Room Pop-Up Dinners
Feb. 18-19. The legendary 19-seat Fountain Coffee Room inside the Beverly Hills Hotel transforms from casual cafe into chefs table for a new series of intimate dinners. Executive Chef Kaleo Adams serves up a four-course menu, highlighting the best of California’s fresh and seasonal ingredients that will be paired with Domaine Anderson wine selections. You can make reservations beginning Jan. 30. $149/pp with wine pairings. 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.281.2904. dorchestercollection.com

Northern Trust Open
Feb. 18-22. Enjoy world-class golf at one of the longest-running tournaments on the PGA Tour. Cancer center City of Hope is the tournament’s official charity. Visit website for tickets, schedule and general parking information. The Riviera Country Club, 1250 Capri Drive, Pacific Palisades, 800.752.6736. northerntrustopen.com

116th Annual Golden Dragon Parade & Chinese New Year Festival
Feb. 21. Golden Dragon Parade features floats, bands and grandstand seating for purchase. Festival offers live indie bands, cultural performances, a cooking competition with celebrity chef Jet Tila, a beer garden, food trucks, vendors and more. Parade 1-4 pm; festival noon-8 pm. Free. Parade: From Hill and Ord streets toward Bernard Street, then to Broadway and Cesar Chavez Avenue, Chinatown, 213.617.0396, lagoldendragonparade.com. Festival: Central and West plazas, 943-951 N. Broadway, Chinatown, 213.680.0243. chinatownla.com

Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show
Feb. 21-22. The largest travel show in the nation features rock climbing, bubble roller land orbs, exotic dishes at the Taste of Travel Stage, live music and tips from TV’s travel experts. 10 am-5 pm. $16, under 17 free. Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, 203.878.2577, ext. 100. travelshows.com/losangeles

Shooting Stars
Through Feb. 22. W magazine plumbs its archives to pay homage to the marriage of art and fashion. Among the photographs and videos curated by W Editor-in-Chief Stefano Tonchi for the exhibition are works by such renowned photographers as Mario Sorrenti and Juergen Teller, and portraits of celebrity subjects including Miley Cyrus, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Gwyneth Paltrow and George Clooney. M, T, Th 11 am-5 pm, F 11 am-8 pm, Sa-Su 10 am-7 pm (closing early Feb. 16-17). Free. Wilshire May Co. building, 6067 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. wmagazine.com

The Wicked Rocky Horror Show
Feb. 23. The National Touring Company of Wicked steps out of OZ and kicks up their (spiked) heels as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Riff Raff, Columbia, Magenta, Rocky, Janet and Brad in a staged concert performance of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show. Proceeds will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. $60+. The Fonda Theater, 6126 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., 888.929.7849. fondatheatre.com

Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience—A Parody by Dan and Jeff
Opening Feb. 25. Potter aficionados and the most mundane of muggles alike should enjoy this madcap marathon of all seven Harry Potter tales—complete with a game of Quidditch—condensed into one 70-minute play. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.746.4000. thewallis.org

Continuing
Hollywood Costume
Through Mar. 2. This multi-media exhibition includes more than 150 costumes from movies both classic and recent, including such favorites as The Hunger Games and The Wizard of Oz. Presented by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. M, T, Th 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; F 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sa-Su 10 a.m.-7 p.m.. $10–$20. (photo ©1939 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.) Wilshire May Company building, 6067 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 310.247.3049. oscars.org

Wicked
Through Mar. 15. The award-winning theater phenomenon returns to L.A. with three months of performances. Learn the untold story of the witches of Oz, the “wicked” Elphaba and good witch Glinda, in this smash-hit prequel to The Wizard of Oz. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com

Dame Edna’s Glorious Goodbye
Jan. 24-Mar. 15. Australian entertainer Barry Humphries takes his hilarious and satirical alter ego, Dame Edna, for one last spin—he created the character back in 1956—during this critically acclaimed farewell tour. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org

Smoke and Mirrors
Through Mar. 15. Get ready for a night of mind-blowing illusions and mystifying slight-of-hand; Smoke and Mirrors is the semi-autobiographical, fantastical story of Albie Selznick and his journey to become a Master Magician. After suffering a formidable tragedy, Albie uses magic to misdirect his grief but discovers himself by facing his fears with the aid of a life-sized white rabbit, The Oracle and Harry Houdini’s wife, Bess. Through a myriad of adventures, magic takes on a variety of meanings both in spirit and spectacle. $34. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A., 310.477.2055 ext. 2. smokeandmirrorsmagic.com

Chavez Ravine
Through Mar. 1. Theater troupe Culture Clash—Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza—revisits its beloved play, Chavez Ravine, 12 years after its world premiere in L.A., with new insights into the ever-changing landscape of the City of Angels. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org

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