Ice At Santa Monica
Nov. 1-Jan. 20. A Downtown Santa Monica turns winter wonderland with the arrival of the popular Santa Monica skating rink, back for its seventh year. The outdoor venue offers skate rentals, a snack bar and even a minirink for children younger than 7. M–Th 2–10 pm; F 2 pm–midnight; Sa 10 am–midnight; Su 10 am–10 pm. Admission, skate rental $12. 1324 5th St., Santa Monica, 310.461.8333. downtownsm.com/ice
Arts Restore LA: Westwood
Nov. 1–24. The Hammer Museum aims to re-energize Westwood Village with the creative force of local Angeleno artisans and craftspeople by filling storefronts in Westwood with wares from local artisans and craftspeople. Participants include Iko Iko, Homeboy Industries, Unique LA, Heather Levine Ceramics and Iron Curtain Press. Th–Sa 11 am–8 pm, Su 11 am–5 pm. Admission free. artsrestore.la
David Hockney: Seven Yorkshire Landscape Videos, 2011
Nov. 3-Jan 22. British-born L.A. resident Hockney shows his latest video installation, Seven Yorkshire Landscape Videos (2011) at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The artist affixed 18 cameras to his car to capture his journeys through the landscape of Yorkshire, England. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 323.857.6000. lacma.org
AFI Fest
Nov. 7-14. The stars align at the annual AFI Fest, held at multiple venues in the heart of Hollywood, which brings together filmmakers from around the world to present their work to movie-loving audiences and the entertainment community. Attendees might glimpse celebrities as they unveil their latest films, many of which end up earning awards-season recognition. The North American premiere of Saving Mr. Banks, starring Tom Hanks as Walt Disney and Emma Thompson as Mary Poppins scribe P.L. Travers, opens the festival. Ethan and Joel Coen’s Inside Llewyn Davis is the closing-night flick. Other selections include The Secret Life of Walter Mitty with director/star Ben Stiller. Screenings are free. Tickets via webiste or box office. Free. Hollywood & Highland Center, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. afi.com/afifest
Totem
Through Nov. 10. With acrobatics and stunning visuals, Cirque du Soleil interprets the journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. The characters evolve on a stage evoking a giant turtle, the symbol of origin for many ancient civilizations. $60–$495. Showtimes vary. Port of Los Angeles, 239 N. Avalon Blvd., San Pedro, 800.450.1480. cirquedusoleil.com
Invisible Cities
Through Nov. 8. Downtown’s bustling Union Station serves as stage and backdrop in this innovative, participatory opera from the Industry and the L.A. Dance Project. As a score by Christopher Cerrone plays wirelessly through their headphones, spectators wend through the station, discovering vocalists and dancers among the passersby. Performances at 7:30 and 10 pm nightly except for Oct. 19 opening (7 pm only). $25–$75. Union Station, 800 N. Alameda Ave., downtown. invisiblecitiesopera.com
Martha Graham Dance Company
Nov. 8-9. The curtains are up at long-awaited Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, which debuts its inaugural season this month. Named for the L.A.-based philanthropist, the cultural destination comprises two distinct structures: the 1933 Italianate-style Beverly Hills Post Office, which holds the 150-seat Lovelace Studio Theater, a cafe, gift shop and forthcoming theater school; and the contemporary, 500-seat Goldsmith Theater. Programming kicks off Nov. 8 with the Martha Graham Dance Company, performing Prelude and Revolt, Lamentation and Chronicle. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.746.4000. thewallis.org
Macallan Whiskey Tastings at Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air
Nov. 7. Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air and Macallan are introducing insightful whiskey tasting classes. Macallan Brand Ambassador, Kieron Elliot, will share a brief history of Scotch whiskey production and characteristics of the various regions. Discover and appreciate various whiskeys and also learn about distillation, maturation, blending and other secrets behind each whiskey. Highlights will include Macallan 12yr, 15yr, 17yr, 18yr and 21yr. Additional class on Dec. 12. 6:30-8 p.m. $85/pp. 310.909.1644. dorchestercollection.com
Wine Riot
Nov. 9. Second Glass presents a raucous wine-tasting event at Majestic Halls downtown. Choose from among 250 wines from all over the globe, talk to vino pros, strike a pose in the photo booth, and dance to beats from the DJ. Sip away, and remember to record your favorite wines via the free mobile app, which indicates where you can buy them later. Select 1–5 pm or 7–11 pm. $60. Majestic Halls, 650 S. Spring St., downtown. secondglass.com/wineriot
Stella Barra Hollywood Craft Beer Event
Nov. 12. Chef Jeff Mahin debuts the first ever beer tasting event at Stella Barra Hollywood. Each of the five participating craft beer vendors will be serving unlimited tastings of five of their signature brews which will be accompanied by savory and sweet small bites prepared by Chef Mahin. $25 per person, not including tax and gratuity. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Space is limited and payment is due beforehand. Please call Stella Barra at 323.301.4001 to reserve a spot. 6372 W Sunset Blvd., L.A., 323.301.4001. stellabarra.com
White Truffle Dinner Series at SAAM
Through Nov. 23. It’s that decadent time of year again when white truffles are in season. SAAM, the chef’s tasting room at The Bazaar by Jose Andres, celebrates truffle season with a 16-course tasting menu that showcases with each course Italian white truffles hunted by the Truffle Brothers. Savor selections like the Truffle Mist cocktail with rum, pomegranate, mescal, lime and truffle syrup that is paired with a cotton candy truffle dumpling with brioche air; Iberico pork cheeks with Iberico pork fat and white truffles; chicken skin with cured chicken, black garlic and white truffles; and for dessert the White and White, white truffles and white chocolate cremosa with freeze dried cherry meringue, roasted lemon, vanilla and caramelized cashew. Thurs.-Sat. evenings. $325 per guest with wine pairing options available for both $150 and $300. Reservations required. 310.246.5555. thebazaar.com
LA Auto Show
Opening Nov. 22. Automakers rev up car buyers with their latest and greatest offerings at this annual show, held at the L.A. Convention Center. Ticketholders can check out more than 1,000 car makes and models, including more than 50 debuts, plus cutting-edge race cars and alternative fuel vehicles. $6–$12, under 13 free. Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., downtown, 828.333.9403. laautoshow.com
CHILL
Opening Nov. 22. The Queen Mary ocean liner is filled with 2 million pounds of ice for skating, tubing and a “Holiday Village.” Daily 10 am–11 pm. $19.95–$34.95. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0742. queenmary.com/chill
The Magic Flute
Nov. 23, 30. LA Opera premieres a production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute that created a sensation at Berlin’s Komische Oper last season. Developed by British theater company 1927, the concept mixes live performance and music with elaborate pre-recorded animation and film projection at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion downtown. 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.7211. laopera.com
Justin Timberlake
Nov. 26. He’s bringing sexy back … all over again. JT takes to the Staples Center on the heels of the release of The 20/20 Experience—2 of 2, the second volume of his first record in six years. Timberlake recently passed through Pasadena on his tour with Jay-Z. L.A. Live, 1111 S. Figueroa St., downtown, 800.745.3000. StaplesCenter.com