From St. Patrick’s Day festivities to new cocktail menus and restaurants, check out the top LA weekend events for March 15-18.

Edited by Christina Wiese.

EVENTS

Between River and Rim: Hiking the Grand Canyon
Mar. 15-16. The final event in the National Geographic Live series at The Broad Stage brings together photographer/filmmaker Pete McBride and writer Kevin Fedarko to share insights about the National Park as well as the myriad of threats it faces. 7:30 p.m. $65+. The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, 310.434.3200. thebroadstage.org

 

 

 

The Other Art Fair (TOAF) presented by Saatchi Art
Mar. 16-18. Meet over 100 independent artists when one of the U.K.’s leading art fairs makes its Los Angeles debut. Experiential program offerings include art talks, site-specific installations, an immersive Glitter Chamber and a pop-up bookshop, among others. F 3-10 p.m.; Sa 1-10 p.m.; Su 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $15 adults, $13.50 students and seniors. The Majestic, 540 S. Spring St., downtown. la.theotherartfair.com

 

 

 

 

PaleyFest 
Mar. 16-25. The Paley Center for Media hosts this annual event—celebrating its 35th anniversary this year—with screenings and panels featuring creators and stars from top TV shows. This year’s lineup includes The Handmaid’s Tale, Riverdale and Stranger Things, plus a conversation with PaleyFest’s 2018 Icon, Barbra Streisand. Visit website for schedule and tickets. Dolby Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 310.786.1000. paleyfest.org

 

 

 

L.A. Nature Fest at NHMLA
Mar. 17-18. Nature newbies and wildlife lovers are invited to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County to delve into L.A.’s wild side. Activities throughout the weekend include hands-on workshops, a “Nature Nook” to visit live animals, a LADWP Green House, nature crafts, tips on SoCal day hikes and presentations on local wildlife. Sa, Su 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Nature Festival admission included with Museum admission: $15 adults; $12 seniors and students with I.D.; $7 children 3-12. Nature Gardens at NHMLA, 900 Exposition Blvd., L.A. nhm.org

 

 

L.A. Marathon 
Mar. 18. Established in 1986, the city’s famed race is still going strong, attracting thousands of runners from around the world who take on the “Stadium to the Sea” course. 6:30 a.m. Registration $220. Starting point: Dodger Stadium, 1000 Vin Scully Ave., L.A., 213.542.3000. lamarathon.com

 

 

 

 

 

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

Casey’s St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival 
Mar. 17. This annual all-day street festival enlivens downtown L.A. with Irish food, drink specials (green beer, anyone?) and sets by live DJs. Headquartered at Casey’s Irish Pub, the street festival—now bigger and open later than ever before—takes place in front of the pub; enter at Wilshire Boulevard and Hope Street. 6 a.m.-2 a.m.; festival starts at 11 a.m. Free entry to festival before 1 p.m. 21+. 613 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.629.2353. caseysirishpub.com

 

 

 

Salt & Straw’s Pots of Gold & Rainbows
All Month. Throughout the month of March, the small-batch ice cream purveyor will be scooping flavors from its “Vote Back Your Favorites” series, including the Pots of Gold & Rainbows—a sweet treat perfect for St. Patrick’s Day. Available at all Los Angeles locations. saltandstraw.com

 

 

 

FOOD + DRINK

Garden Dinners
Mar. 17. Tucked away in the scenic Santa Monica Mountains, Saddlerock Gardens kicks off its annual Farm-to-Table Garden Dinner series with a five-course meal created by resident chef Alina Harden. Enjoy al fresco dining, wine pairings with appetizers, as well as a stroll through the organic garden to talk with gardeners and learn more about the produce featured on the menu. 18 Garden Dinners are set for 2018 and will run through October. 4:30 p.m. $130. 31727 Mulholland Hwy., Malibu. saddlerockgardens.org

 

 

 

Train Travel-Inspired Cocktail Menu
All Month. Nestled into downtown’s vibrant Arts District, Westbound invites locals and visitors alike to journey around the world through a new cocktail menu. Highlights include the Golden Spike—named after the ceremonial final spike that created the First Transcontinental Railroad—as well as the Left at Albuquerque, inspired by the Bugs Bunny line “I knew I shoulda taken that left turn at Albuquerque!”, among others. 300 S. Santa Fe Ave., downtown. westbounddtla.com

 

 

 

 

March Madness Menu
Through Apr. 2. The return of the annual spring basketball tournament brings a fresh, special menu at InterContinental Century City’s Copper Lounge. The lively hot-spot offers a themed menu of bites (think Alley-oop Chicken Wings and Slam Dunk Sliders) alongside Courtside Cocktails like the Heating Up Margarita and a Shot-Clock Scotch Pop. 2151 Avenue of the Stars, L.A. 310.284.6500. intercontinentallosangeles.com

 

 

 

The Guest House
Now Open. From the owners of local favorite Home Restaurant comes a new Los Feliz dining destination. The Hillhurst locale—formally home to H Coffee House—dishes up American modern cuisine from the creative mind of chef Ara and will feature a curated list of boutique California wines. 1750 Hillhurst Ave., L.A. theguesthousela.com

 

 

 

STYLE + BEAUTY

Beauty & Balance
Mar. 16-18. Westfield Century City shines a light on health, wellness and beauty this spring with a month-long program of events and special offers. Highlights for the weekend include fitness workouts with Orangetheory, mindful mixology with Javier’s and a sunset sound bath with Unplug Meditation. See website for full schedule; many events are free. 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. westfield.com

 

 

 

 

ARTS + CULTURE

Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop! Spring 2018
Mar. 14. The California African American Museum of Art hosts an evening celebration in honor of its upcoming March exhibitions: Shinique Smith: Refuge, Charting the Terrain: Eric Mack and Pamela Smith Hudson Nicole Miller: Athens, California. Artist walk-throughs, DJs and food trucks enliven the evening of art. 7-9 p.m. Free. California African American Museum, 600 State Dr., L.A. caamuseum.org

 

 

 

Film Series: Behind the Scenes
Mar. 16, 23, 30. Explore the world of dance performance through a trio of three documentaries helped by women filmmakers. In the Steps of Trisha Brown jumps starts screenings, with First Position and One Day Pina Asked… to follow. The series coincides with The Norton Simon Museum’s exhibition Taking Shape: Degas as Sculpture. Films start at 6 p.m. $15 adults; $12 seniors; Free for Museum members, students with I.D., 18 and under. Museum admission included. 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, 626.449.6840. nortonsimon.org

 

 

‘Swan Lake’
Through Mar. 17. Closing out the Los Angeles Ballet’s 12th season is a return of the critically acclaimed production with choreography by artistic directors Christensen and Neary. The performance makes three stops in the greater L.A. area: Glendale, Redondo Beach and Westwood. See website for showtimes, dates and ticket prices. losangelesballet.org

 

 

 

 

Quincy Jones Presents: Richard Bona & Mandekan Cubano
Mar. 17. Richard Bona, known as “The African Sting,” brings his sextet ensemble to L.A. for an energetic evening of African influenced Cuban rhythms. 7:30 p.m. $50+. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, 310.434.3200. thebroadstage.com

 

 

 

 

 

Wild Up: Future Folk
Mar. 17. Conducted by Christopher Rountree, this L.A.-based chamber orchestra explores intrinsic music from ancient India, modern California, post-war New York and American works rooted in folk ethos. 7:30 p.m. $25-$75. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Bram Goldsmith Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.746.4000. thewallis.org

 

 

 

 

‘Rembrandt and the Inspiration of India’
Through June 24. The Getty’s latest exhibition explores Rembrandt’s surviving drawings composed in the style of artists working for the Mughal court in the seventeenth century. Juxtaposing the exhibition will be Indian paintings and drawings as well as Mughal paintings featuring European rulers. See website for hours. Free. The J. Paul Getty Museum, 1200 Getty Center Dr., L.A. getty.edu

 

 

Grand Canyon photo by Pete McBride. Yosemite Valley, Storm Light (Neon Creamsicle) Painting by Kim West. Nature Fest photo courtesy of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Film Series: Behind the Scenes photo courtesy of Icarus Films. Richard Bona photo by Rebecca Meek. wild Up: Future Folk photo by ©Stephanie Berger.

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