Find the best Los Angeles things to do for Jan. 5-8
Edited by Christina Xenos
EVENTS
Santa Monica Restaurant Week
Jan. 9-15. Get a healthy start to 2017 by dining out at select restaurants in Santa Monica. This year 21 participating dining destinations like newly opened Maré Santa Monica, Obica Mozzarella Bar, FIG Restaurant, BOA Steakhouse and others, offer a dish highlighting the health benefits of Santa Monica Restaurant Week’s signature ingredient—the radish. santamonica.com/restaurantweek
Golden Globe Foreign-Language Film Series
Through Jan. 7. Leading up to the Golden Globes, you can discover the best of foreign cinema with special screenings of the nominated foreign-language films at the Egyptian and Aero theaters. On the final day of the series, join the filmmakers of the five nominated films for a panel discussion. Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., L.A.; Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica. americancinematheque.com
No Pants Subway Ride
Jan. 8. Going strong in its 16th year, ImprovEverywhere’s pants-less celebration unites people around the globe with one objective—to ride their local subway without pants. To participate in LA’s ride, just don your favorite pair of skivvies, purchase a TAP Card and head to Union Station. Think of it as a flash mob… almost literally. 1-3:30 p.m. (Photo by improveverywhere.com) improveverywhere.com
Pasadena Cheeseburger Week
Jan. 8-13. It is widely claimed that in 1924 Lionel Sternberger married cheese to burger at the Rite Spot in Pasadena and the first cheeseburger was born. To commemorate this genius idea, you can spend the week dining on signature cheeseburgers, and specials at 40 of Pasadena’s restaurants, lounges and burger joints like El Portal, Dog Haus, Slater’s 50/50 and Pie ‘n Burger. pasadenarestaurantweek.com
LA Chocolate Festival & Pastry Show
Jan. 8. Continue your holiday indulging at the food festival that features confections from the city’s top pastry chefs. In addition to pastries, get your fill of chocolate, wine, Champagne and other bites. $100-$150. 3-6 p.m. Omni Hotel Los Angeles, 251 S. Olive St., downtown. indulgela.net
All That Glitters: Winter Festivities at NHMLA
Jan. 7. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County shines the light on its glittering Diamonds: Rare Brilliance exhibit. Find design-your-own-bling activities with Barnsdall Arts, special tours of the Gem and Mineral Hall and live cabbing demonstrations by the Mineralogical Society, in which rough stone is transformed into sparkling gem. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 900 Exposition Blvd., Exposition Park, L.A., 213.763.3466. nhm.org
Satellite Nights: Purple Friday—Prince Dance Night
Jan. 6. Just one of the sad losses of 2016, music lovers had to say goodbye to Prince too soon. Kick off 2017 in tribute, dancing to all his hits at The Satellite in Silver Lake. 1717 Silver Lake Blvd., L.A., 323.661.4380. thesatellitela.com
Enchanted: Forest of Light
Through Jan. 8. Visit Descanso Gardens for the inaugural interactive, nighttime experience that features a one-mile walk through 10 festive lighting displays. Highlights include “Pool,” an interactive light sculpture by artist Jen Lewin in which people manipulate colors by walking over lighted pads, and “Symphony of Oaks” which invites visitors to control the sounds and lights in the Oak Grove. 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge, 818.949.4200. descansogardens.org
Chill at the Queen Mary
Through Jan. 8. The Queen Mary hosts this annual winter wonderland, which features outdoor ice skating, ice tubing and more. This year’s immersive Alice in Winterland experience reimagines Lewis Carroll’s classic story with color and light. Check website for hours. $29.99-$59.99. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0752. queenmary.com/chill
L.A. Zoo Lights
Through Jan. 8. The holiday light experience combines spectacular sets and lighting design with the enchanting environment of the L.A. Zoo. Stroll through areas of the zoo that are transformed into a fantastical wonderland populated by glowing light animals and gold touches in celebration of the zoo’s 50th anniversary. 5333 Zoo Drive, L.A., 323.644.4200. lazoolights.org
FOOD + DRINK
Oh Man! Ramen: Exclusive Restaurant Preview
Jan. 5-6. Join chefs Philip Frankland Lee and Luke Reyes as they debut the dinner menu for their newest concept, Oh Man! Ramen exclusively with Feastly—the chef-driven culinary incubator. The six-course menu includes dishes such as a winter vegetable tempura with bonito aioli; ahi crudo with charred ginger ponzu; and the restaurant’s signature 48-hour tonkotsu ramen with braised pork belly and sesame chili oil. $50. Address revealed with ticket purchase. eatfeastly.com
di Alba
Matt Kliegman, Carlos Quirarte and Melia Marden, of Manhattan’s popular The Smile, bring their stylish, community-driven breakfast and lunch restaurant to LA’s Arts District—their first outpost on the West Coast. Stop in for a variety of Roman-style focaccias with seasonal accompaniments inspired by those chef Nina Clemente grew up eating during childhood visits to Italy. Also dine on market-driven salads, along with pastries and desserts from sous chef Zena Scharf, such as rye brownies with smoked salt, gluten-free toffee chocolate chip cookies and vegan citrus bundt cake. Find the casual counter and takeaway spot in the same strip as Shinola and Salt & Straw. Tues.-Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Photo by Emily Hart Roth) 827 E. 3rd St., downtown, 213.620.6244. eatdialba.com
elysian
One of Frogtown’s best kept restaurant secrets reopens with a newly remodeled bar, expanded cocktail program, new hours and seasonal dinner menu. Find the oasis—which also boasts a perfect patio—hidden behind wooden gates and a garden of bamboo. Go there for cocktails like Winter in Oaxaca with mezcal, lime, Campari and kumquat. Stay to dine on Mediterranean-inspired dishes like hanger steak, ridgeback shrimp, kimchi with fried barley; and tagliatelle with duck ragout. Dinner Weds.-Sat 6:30-10:30 p.m., anti-#sad! time (aka happy hour) Fri.-Sat. 5-6:30 p.m. Hear Sunday live music series kicks off Jan. 15. 2806 Clearwater St., L.A. elysianla.com
THEATER
The Lion
Jan. 6-Feb. 19. The Drama Desk Award-winning piece written and performed by Benjamin Scheuer, has redefined the genre of musical theater. Scheuer tells, sings, and plays the turbulent story of his family and his own brush with mortality, with his supporting cast of six guitars. $60. (Photo by Matthew Murphy.) Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., L.A., 310.208.5454. geffenplayhouse.com
Bakersfield Mist
Jan. 6-30. Jenny O’Hara and Nick Ullett reprise the roles they created in Stephen Sachs’ hit comedy, which premiered at the Fountain Theatre and went to London’s West End and around the world. Maude Gutman, an unemployed, chain-smoking ex-bartender living in a run down California trailer park, believes the painting she bought in a thrift store for $3 is really an undiscovered masterpiece worth millions. When stuffy New York art expert Lionel Percy arrives to evaluate the work, the result is a fiery and often hilarious debate over class, truth, value and the meaning of art. Inspired by true events. $15–$35. (Photo by Ed Krieger.) The Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave., L.A., 323.663.1525. fountaintheatre.com
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I
Through Jan. 21. Set in 1860s Bangkok, this musical tells the story of the relationship between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher. It also features classic songs like “Getting to Know You” and “I Whistle a Happy Tune.” Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com
Amelie, A New Musical
Through Jan. 14. This mesmerizing new musical is based on the beloved Oscar-nominated French film of the same name. Hamilton’s Phillipa Soo stars as the quirky Amélie in this pre-Broadway production. Pre- or post-show, keep the Parisian theme by dining on French favorites from Kendall’s Brasserie and Bar, on-site at the Music Center. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
