Find the best Los Angeles things to do for March 30-April 2
Edited by Christina Xenos
EVENTS
Artisanal LA Spring Marketplace
April 1-2. This seasonal event draws vendors and aficionados of SoCal’s local, sustainable and handmade edibles. Shop and taste offerings from over 150 food and beverage artisans, then make your own creations during hands-on workshops and chef-led demos. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $10-$15, under 13 free. California Market Center Penthouse, 110 E. 9th St., downtown. artisanalla.com
Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour
April 1-2. Explore the lush and beautiful side of Los Angeles County during this weekend of self-guided tours of more than 30 inspiring home landscapes. Each garden contains at least 50 percent native plants. Visit the website to plan your excursion. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $30-$35, two tickets for $50-$60. 818.768.1802. nativeplantgardentour.org
Remote LA
Through April 2. In celebration of the Center Theatre Group’s 50th anniversary season, this guided audio tour reveals a “secret Los Angeles” as you travel through the city in a group of 50 people. Headphones provide a soundtrack to the streets, sights and rooftops of LA. Check website for schedule. $39. 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
Absinthe
Through April 23. The wild Las Vegas show—in its sixth sold-out year at Caesars Palace—arrives in LA for a limited engagement. Inspired by the absinthe-drenched cabarets of late 19th-century Europe, this adult-themed cocktail of circus, burlesque and vaudeville stars performers who mix comedy with strength, balance and danger. Ages 18 and above. Check website for schedule. $49-$129. LA Live Event Deck, 1005 Chick Hearn Court, downtown. absinthela.com
ARTS + CULTURE
Reykjavik Festival
April 1-17. The Los Angeles Philharmonic’s music festival, curated by Esa-Pekka Salonen and Daníel Bjarnason, spotlights the dynamic music scene in Iceland’s capital. Expect a wide range of performances from classical to rock and electronic. The festival kicks off Saturday with a youth concert from Maximus Musicus, which promises to take listeners on a journey exploring the music and the great outdoors of Iceland. 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 323.850.2000. laphil.com
An Evening With Dawes
April 1. The Los Angeles folk-rock band returns home on their 50-city tour for a performance at the Theatre at Ace Hotel. The evening features two sets of new songs and fan favorites. Dawes released their streaming-only live album, We’re All Gonna Live last month. The band recorded the 15-song release during the first four shows on their current tour. The album title plays off their critically acclaimed 2016 studio album, We’re All Gonna Die. The album’s cover features a phone number that fans can call to leave a message for the band while they are on the road. (Photo by Matt Jacoby.) 929 S. Broadway, downtown, 213.623.3233. dawestheband.com
YoungArts Los Angeles
Through April 2. Enjoy multidisciplinary artistic performances by rising stars who were selected by the YoungArts Foundation to receive mentoring and national awards (Viola Davis, Nicki Minaj and director Jenji Kohan are among the program’s esteemed alumni). Performances are part of the 2017 YoungArts Los Angeles regional program. See website for public performance schedule, tickets and more information. UCLA, 405 Hilgard Ave., L.A., 800.970.2787. youngarts.org/youngarts-la
SPORTS
Los Angeles Dodgers
April 1; 3-6. The Boys in Blue are getting ready to kick off the 2017 baseball season this weekend with one last preseason game against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday; followed by their official opening day series against the San Diego Padres on Monday. (Photo by Juan Ocampo LA Dodgers.) 1000 Vin Scully Ave., L.A., 323.224.1507. dodgers.mlb.com
MUSEUMS
Jim Marshall’s 1967
Through May 14. The Grammy Museum’s Jim Marshall’s 1967 takes a look at one of the most pivotal years in music through the lens of one of rock ’n’ roll’s most iconic photographers (he was backstage at the Beatles’ final paid concert in 1966 and was chief photographer at Woodstock). In celebration of the 50th anniversary of San Francisco’s Summer of Love, 60 of Marshall’s images of the scene in Haight-Ashbury will be on display, including the photo of Jimi Hendrix’s historic free concert in the Panhandle park above, as well as snapshots of the Monterey Pop Festival, Jefferson Airplane and Grateful Dead. (Photo courtesy of Jim Marshall Photography LLC.) 800 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown, 213.763.5483. grammymuseum.org
FOOD + DRINK
Beauty & Essex
The hotly anticipated 10,000 square-foot TAO Group concept is now open in the Dream Hotel complex in Hollywood. This is the third outpost of the restaurant that has other locations in New York and Las Vegas. Celebrity chef Chris Santos is behind the menu that features signature international dishes like grilled cheese and tomato soup dumplings, tuna poke wonton tacos, oven-braised chicken meatballs and tomato tartare. The venue offers outdoor seating for the first time in the concept’s history with ground floor courtyard and second floor patios. Like the other concepts, you enter through a working pawn shop off the alley on Selma. (Photo courtesy of Warren Jagger/Beauty & Essex.) 1615 Cahuenga Blvd., L.A., 323.676.8880. beautyandessexla.com
Prank
Opens April 1. Despite what its name suggests and its opening date, downtown’s newest cocktail bar is for real. Stop by for crafted tacos and burgers from executive chef Ricardo Sanchez paired with beverage whisperer Dave Whitton’s cannabis terpene cocktails, wine and beer. Prank is the first LA bar to offer the cocktails, which contain no THC or CBD and are thought to have health benefits—including curing hangovers. The striking Ricki Kline-designed bi-level space seamlessly blends the indoors with sidewalk and sky. 1100 S Hope St., downtown, 213.493.4786. prankbar.com
Barbara Jean Boozy Brunch with Guest Chef Mark Peel
April 2. The chef behind storied Los Angeles restaurant Campanile who currently operates Bombo in Grand Central Market, takes on brunch at Barbara Jean with chef Jason Fullilove. The four-course menu includes dishes like chicken liver butter sourdough toast; sour cream waffle; Mark’s wheat berry risotto; and corn sorbet. Noon-3 p.m. $45/pp. Barbara Jean, 7274 Melrose Ave., L.A., 310.876.1194. Tickets.
The Strand House Culinary Masters Series
April 3. The Manhattan Beach dining destination brings back one of its own for the first dinner in the Culinary Master Series this year. Opening consulting chef Neal Fraser (Redbird) mans the stoves along with the Strand House’s recently appointed executive chef Austin Cobb (pictured) and chef/partner Greg Hozinsky. Dine on a six-course dinner that includes dishes like sautéed Monterey Bay abalone; duck breast with black rice; and grilled lamb belly. The courses are accompanied by wine pairings from Challen Winery in Santa Barbara County; proprietor and actress Challen Cates will introduce each pairing throughout the evening. $150/pp. 6:30 p.m. cocktail reception, 7 p.m. dinner. 117 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, 310.545.7470. thestrandhousemb.com
THEATER
An American in Paris
Through April 9. Based on the 1951 Oscar-winning film of the same name, this Broadway musical earned four Tonys. Follow Jerry and Lise’s post-WWII love story, set to songs by George and Ira Gershwin. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com
Plasticity
Through April 10. 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
Fun Home
Through April 1. This groundbreaking Broadway show and Tony winner for best musical is based on cartoonist Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic novel about her childhood. (Photo by Joan Marcus.) Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
Zoot Suit
Through April 2. Demián Bichir (A Better Life, The Hateful Eight) stars in this much-anticipated revival of Luis Valdez’s landmark 1978 play. (Photo courtesy of Center Theatre Group.) Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
