Events
Virtual Bonsai-A-Thon
Feb. 27. If you’re a plant parent to this traditional miniature Japanese tree or have a fascination for it, don’t miss the Golden State Bonsai Federation’s annual Huntington Bonsai-A-Thon. Presented virtually this year, the event includes a lineup of guest speakers (such as The Huntington’s curator of the bonsai collection Ted Matson); video tours of the bonsai courts, the Ben Oki Bonsai Nursery and the Lifelines/Timelines bonsai exhibit; an introduction to the garden’s new penjing court; and more. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free with RSVP. huntington.org
Flour + Flower Bar Pop-Up
Through Feb. 28. DTLA’s historic Hotel Figueroa is in bloom this month with the ultimate flower—and flour—pop-up spotlighting local women-owned businesses! Flouring LA bakeshop is offering assorted dessert boxes and cake bar boxes, while DTLA-based Vases to Vases offers mixed bouquets and vase arrangements in small and large sizes. Preorder and pick-up available every Saturday and Sunday starting at 10 a.m.; email flouringla@gmail.com and vasesatthefig@gmail.com each Thursday before your desired weekend pick-up day. hotelfigueroa.com
Grand Park’s Lovers Rock
Through Feb. 28. With this “month of love” coming to an end, Grand Park’s Lovers Rock is finishing off this two-week digital festival with a special Instagram Live interview at 4 p.m. with Grammy-winning producer and bandleader of The Wailers, Aston Barrett Jr. Highlights from this fest that’s available to view online includes a vegan food tutorial from owner of Jackfruit Cafe, Angela Means Kaaya, and musical playlists from five different L.A.-based music influencers—including KCRW’s Novena Carmel (pictured). grandparkla.org
Historic Belmar Park Virtual Grand Opening
Opens Feb. 28. Ready to explore Santa Monica’s newest open space? The City of Santa Monica will host a virtual grand opening celebration to unveil Historic Belmar Park. This new space is for recreation and historical reflection on a site where some of Santa Monica’s earliest African American residents lived and contributed to making Santa Monica a vibrant and unique place from 1900 to the 1950s. The virtual event will also include a time capsule burial dedicated to a collection of this early history as well as remarks by project historian Dr. Jefferson and project artist April Banks. 3 p.m. santamonica.gov
Food + Drink
Brothers Meatballs
Opens Feb. 26. Mamma mia! Roll over to Hollywood to check out the new 100% plant-based Italian bistro. Created by Italian chef-brothers Mauro and Sergio Corbia, Brothers Meatballs highlights classic family recipes with a modern spin to create a plant-based menu inspired by the food their mama prepared for Sunday suppers. The menu is anchored by their secret meatball recipe. Offerings include plate or sandwich specials served with fresh homemade ciabatta bread with gluten-free options available for every dish on the menu. 6268 Sunset, Hollywood, 323.672.8011. brothersmeatballs.com
Eight Korean BBQ
Reopened. Tantalize your taste buds with the return of this notable Korean barbecue experience, which is now available for outdoor dining. Hungry patrons can once again enjoy Eight’s menu special of ‘eight’ different marinades of pork belly: wine, original, ginseng, garlic, herb, curry, miso paste and red pepper paste (gochujang). Aside from these marinades, the eatery also offer a traditional Korean a la carte menu and meal combos. Su, W-Th 5-10 p.m., F-Sa 5-11 p.m. 863 S. Western Ave., Koreatown, 213.365.1750. eightkoreanbbq.com
Gracias Madre WeHo
Reopens Mar. 1. Did you hear? The fan-favorite organic, plant-based Mexican eatery is reopening its doors for outdoor dining! In tandem with the official reopening, the restaurant will also be participating in dineL.A. Restaurant Week (Mar. 1-14) by offering lunch and dinner menus for dine-in only. Some menu highlights for dineL.A. include tacos arabe; potato pimento flautas; enchiladas verdes; and gluten-free chocolate brownie with caramelized plantains and coconut whipped cream. See website for hours, to make reservations or to order online. 8905 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 323.978.2170. graciasmadre.co
dineL.A. Spring Restaurant Week
Upcoming | Begins Mar. 1. Get ready for dineL.A. and its partners’ first spring season of Restaurant Week, taking place through March 14. The two-week dining event is dedicated to supporting L.A.’s hard-hit restaurant community by encouraging Angelenos to eat local, and will feature hundreds of restaurants that spotlight the city’s diverse cuisines and eating styles. This dineL.A. Restaurant Week builds upon the previous Fall 2020 program, highlighting on-site, alfresco dining, as well as exclusive takeout and delivery options. discoverlosangeles.com
Arts + Culture
The Gaze … No Homo
Begins Feb. 25. Center Theatre Group presents the digital premiere of Larry Powell’s The Gaze … No Homo. Available on-demand from Feb. 25 to Mar. 25, this satiric dramedy is about the decolonization of the Black imagination and examines the process of building culturally specific and queer works of color in historically white spaces. After the premiere, there will be a discussion with the cast and Powell, who’s both the creator and writer. Premieres at 5 p.m. Free to the public from Feb. 25-28; $20 for the remainder of the run. centertheatregroup.org
Getty Villa Museum’s Pandora Virtual Reading
Begins Feb. 26. Tune in to a virtual reading of award-winning writer and director Laurel Ollstein’s new play, presented by the Getty Villa Museum in partnership with TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Starring two-time NAACP Award winning actress Kacie Rogers (pictured) as the first human female to appear in Greek mythology, this theatrical retelling examines how hope and curiosity can change one woman’s fateful actions. Launches at 5 p.m.; available to view on the Getty’s website until Mar. 19 at 11:59 p.m. Free with advanced registration required. getty.edu
UCLA Asian American Studies Center Film Festival
Feb. 26-28. The UCLA Film & Television Archive and UCLA Asian American Studies Center present an online festival featuring powerful imagery and poignant commentary about meaningful issues facing Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Hear from filmmakers and actors on their creative journeys, as well as from scholars, artists and community leaders on themes that apply to today’s world. See website for programs and events. cinema.ucla.edu
Photo credits: Novena Carmel by Larry Hirschkowitz. Historic Belmar Park courtesy The ACE Agency. Brothers Meatballs courtesy Power Digital Marketing Inc. dineL.A.: Terra courtesy Eataly Los Angeles. All other images are courtesy of the businesses and venues.