Find the best Los Angeles things to do for Jan. 26-29
Edited by Christina Xenos
EVENTS
Night On Broadway
Jan. 28. The massive downtown festival is taking over seven city blocks of historic Broadway with hundreds of performers, artists, vendors and over 10 stages of programming. Highlights of the night include performances from Mayer Hawthorne and Las Cafeteras, an Oingo Boingo dance party, comedy acts, a 12-story violin and more. The fest is in celebration of Councilmember José Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway economic development initiative. 4-11 p.m. Free. Broadway between 3rd Street and Olympic Boulevard. nightonbroadway.la
Museums Free-for-All
Jan. 29. Over 30 SoCal museums—presenting art, cultural heritage, natural history and science—will open their doors and invite visitors to attend their museums free of charge. A short list of participating Los Angeles museums include the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Broad, Petersen Automotive Museum, Museum of Tolerance, California African American Museum, Autry Museum of the American West and many others. View website for full list. socalmuseums.org
Art Los Angeles Contemporary
Jan. 26-29. In Santa Monica, the “International Contemporary Art Fair of the West Coast,” returns in its eighth iteration at the soaring Barker Hangar—an art piece in itself. This year’s fair lists newcomers including 313 Art Project (Seoul, South Korea) and Henrique Faria (Buenos Aires, Argentina/New York), as well as repeat performers such as 1301PE (L.A.) and Peres Projects (Berlin). Rounding out this global forum are talks and lectures, site-specific collaborations of local artists’ works and a new issue of the biannual Art Los Angeles Reader, which gathers prominent local writers and critics to consider the cultural and curatorial issues shaping L.A. One-day pass $25; three-day $30. (Photo Courtesy of the artist and STANDARD (OSLO), Oslo.) Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica, 323.851.7530. artlosangelesfair.com
Emotional Wellness Retreat at The Ritz-Carlton Spa
Jan. 29. Start the new year by cleansing your mind, body and spirit with a wellness retreat led by Clio Manuelian. The healing experience begins at 9:30 a.m. on the morning of the new moon with poolside yoga on the hotel’s rooftop. A nutritious bento box lunch prepared by WP24 by Wolfgang Puck follows, and the day continues with a half-hour guided meditation to balance mind and body. The mental and physical recharge is complete with a choice of a 50-minute spa service, relaxation treatment, or holistic therapy. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. $295/pp. The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles, 900 West Olympic Blvd., downtown, 213.763.4400. ritzcarlton.com
Yoga With a View at Andaz West Hollywood
Jan. 29. Personal trainer and yoga instructor Jake Feree pops-up at the Andaz West Hollywood for his monthly hour-long yoga class in the rooftop Panorama Lounge. Experience a fun, flowing, inspirational workout with extraordinary views of the LA skyline. Also enjoy shopping at pop-ups from Brothee broth company and Havok Nation activewear, along with complimentary Zico Coconut Water beverages and 20 percent off of brunch at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Riot House Restaurant. 9:30-10:30 a.m. $20/pp. Make reservations at http://www.jakeferree.com/ 8401 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood. andazwesthollywood.com
They Played For Their Lives
Jan. 26. The Museum of Tolerance offers a special movie screening in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. They Played for Their Lives follows eight young musicians through intimate interviews and live performances, and artfully portrays how music saved their lives. 9786 W. Pico Blvd., L.A., 310.772.2505. museumoftolerance.com
FOOD + DRINK
The Venue
Opens Jan. 26. Koreatown’s hottest new destination features an eclectic menu by executive chef Kayson Chong, inventive cocktails by mixologist Devon Espinosa and 13 private karaoke rooms in a subterranean location just off Wilshire Blvd. Highlights of Chong’s menu include yellowtail crudo; bone-in short rib and towers of appetizers like fried mac ’n’ cheese, spicy wings and fried calamari. Espinosa’s cocktail menu gets the party started with selections like the Seana with Absolut Elyx, yellow chartreuse, eucalyptus, lemon, passion fruit and bitters, served in an icy copper pineapple. For your karaoke experience, you can enjoy cocktails from the bar, or opt for the location’s take on bottle service: DIY bar carts in the private rooms, where you can create your own drinks based off of provided recipes. 6 p.m.-2 a.m. nightly. (Photo by Jakob Layman.) 3470 Wilshire Blvd #B1, L.A., 213.221.1251. thevenuela.com
Farida
Opens Jan. 26. The new Middle Eastern dining destination in Hollywood is the latest from veteran restaurateur George Abou-Daoud (Bowery, Delancey, Bowery Bungalow). He named it after his grandmother and draws inspiration for the menu from dishes he grew up eating at home utilizing centuries-old preparation techniques and transcending some of the everyday dishes synonymous with the region. Highlights of the menu include Lavender Baghrir Crepes with honey brown butter and sel gris to start; Mountain Prep Lamb Awarma, which follows a traditional mountain-side preparation process and is served alongside hummus bi tahini, a nut and fig medley, lamb cracklins and a soft egg; and stuffed squash, a whole gourd filled with basmati rice and le puy lentils with pistachio butter. Also find cocktails created to compliment the menu, incorporating ingredients like rosewater, mint, orange blossom, pomegranate and fig. And with kitchen hours extending until 2 a.m., Farida is also poised to be one of Hollywood’s best late-night dining options. Mon.-Fri. noon-2 p.m., Sat.-Sum. 4 p.m.-2 a.m. (Photo by Bowery St. Enterprises.) 6266 Sunset Blvd., L.A. faridarestaurant.com
A Mano, Amaro-The Dumpling Edition
Jan. 27. Join chef Elizabeth McCoy (pastaiolo for Faith & Flower) and mixologist Jonathan Joy (The Wallace) for a one-night immersive dining experience centered on handmade Italian dumplings (gnocchi, cavatelli, etc.) paired with custom amaro-based cocktails. The four-course menu includes dishes such as squid ink cavatelli with ridgeback prawns and Calabrian chili butter or Pici D’Abruzzo with 8-hour lamb ragu and housemade minted ricotta. The duo is throwing the pop-up at Feastly, the chef-driven culinary incubator in the Arts District. 7:30-10:30 p.m. $60/pp, tickets are available through the website and the address is revealed with purchase. eatfeastly.com
Black Truffle Dinner Series at SAAM
Jan. 26-Feb. 25. The annual dinner series celebrates the opulence of truffle season through the imagination and gastronomic vision of renowned chef José Andrés’ culinary team, led by SAAM’s Aitor Lozano Zabala. Dine on a 16- to 18-course+ tasting menu in honor of the black truffle, featuring bites such as the mini airbread “escalivada” made with puffed bread, roasted eggplant, onion, red bell pepper and topped with Spanish anchovy and black truffle. The series features avant-garde techniques, while honoring the playful spirit of José Andrés’ cooking. Thurs.-Sat., and Valentine’s Day. $250/pp. SLS Beverly Hills, 465 S La Cienega Blvd., L.A., 310.246.5545. sbe.com
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Opens Jan. 26. Columbus, Ohio-based artisanal ice cream pioneer Jeni Britton Bauer opens her second LA outpost in Venice. For the last year and a half, sweet seekers have been flocking to Jeni’s Los Feliz for her from-scratch scoops. Now, flavors like Gooey Butter Cake and Juniper and Lemon Curd will delight diners closer to the beach. Also, put their Feb. 9 party in your calendar; you can stop by for a fee scoop and swag bag (for the first 50 in line) starting at 7 p.m. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. 540 Rose Ave., Venice, 310.314.2024. jenis.com
Gastro Garage
Through Feb. 11. The fully immersive, interactive dining experience, where unique chef meets mechanic, lights up LA with a pop-up in Hollywood. Gastro Garage deconstructs classic dishes and reconstructs them into signature “tanks” made from savory brioche donuts that are filled with nitrous foam in a variety of flavors and then torched with gourmet toppings, finishing oils, purees and spices. The chef’s four-course Torch Me menu starts at $50; you can also order any three tanks for $12 at the grab-and-go Gastro Counter and lounge in the garage in a more casual setting. Thurs.-Sat. 7065 1/2 Sunset Blvd., L.A., 310.993.3979. thegastrogarage.com
NIGHTLIFE
Birds & Bees
Opens Jan. 28. Downtown’s newest hidden cocktail den is tucked into the basement of a high-rise office building on Broadway. Enter through a hidden alley that leads to a bright yellow door and find setting that’s a mid-century “living room” throwback to the 1950s. You’ll feel like you’re at a cocktail party with your closest friends as you sip on drinks inspired by musicians of the ‘50s and classics created in the ’50s like the Cloak & Dagger, with Blackstrap rum, aged rum, overproof rum, lime and falernum. Mon.-Sat. (Photo by Acuna Hansen.) 207 South Broadway, downtown, 213.537.0510. birdsandbeesla.com
Sassafras Saloon
The NoLa inspired drinking destination has an agenda for 2017. Find happy hour every day from 5-8 p.m. along with special themed nights. Tuesdays will thus be known as Fat Tuesdays, recreating Mardi Gras every week with Bourbon Street cocktails live music and more. Red Light District Wednesdays bring a sultry evening of burlesque and blues (from 10 p.m.). Friday Jr. sets the stage for a weekly rock ’n’ roll karaoke competition alone with specials on whiskey shots and draft beers (from 10 p.m.). Stop by on Fridays and Saturdays for DJs, bands and a dance party and enjoy tasty new cocktails all along the way like the Vine Street Shandy with Kin white whiskey, Amaro Montenegro, ginger, lemon and egg white. 1233 Vine St., L.A., 323.467.2800. sassafrashollywood.com
SPORTS
2017 NHL All-Star Weekend
Jan. 28-29. The Los Angeles Kings celebrate 50 years in the NHL this year and host the 2017 NHL All-Star Weekend. It’s the Kings’ third time hosting the event, which includes an NHL All-Star Skills competition on Saturday, followed by the All-Star Game on Sunday. Those lucky enough to score tickets are in for a weekend of action as the league’s star players show off their moves and battle it out on the ice. staplescenter.com
THEATER
Plasticity
Jan. 28-March 13. The multilayered, multimedia theatrical event aims to take audiences on an often comedic tour of the collective unconscious. Ovation Award-winning co-writers Alex Lyras and Robert McCaskill (The Common Air) team with Grammy Award-nominated composer Ken Rich, visual artist Corwin Evans and two-time Emmy Award-winning editor/producer Peter Chakos (The Big Bang Theory) to examine how the brain is able to rewire and heal itself. In it, a comatose man recreates his identity by delving deeply into his memories, while hovering family members and loved ones (all played by Lyras) divide into scheming camps over grave neurological decisions. Hudson Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., 323.960.7787. plasticitytheplay.com
The Found Dog Ribbon Dance
Through Feb. 26. Professional cuddler Norma’s quest to return a lost dog to its rightful owner leads her to encounter a slew of oddballs, and maybe even discover a second chance at love. The world premiere of the bittersweet romantic comedy is about loneliness, oxytocin and the healing power of Whitney Houston. $30. The Echo Theater Company @ Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., L.A., 310.307.3753. echotheatercompany.com
Bakersfield Mist
Through Feb. 26. 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
