Find the best Los Angeles things to do for March 9-12

Edited by Christina Xenos

EVENTS
Remote L.A.
March 12-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 L.A. Check website for schedule. $39. 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org

 

 

Downtown Bookfest
March 11. Grand Park is the place to see, hear and read from Los Angeles-based authors and publishers. Downtown Bookfest will feature family-friendly performances, readings by local poets and spoken-word artists, a poetry workshop and individual poems written by audience members. Free. Noon-5 p.m. 200 N. Grand Ave., downtown. grandparkla.org

 

 

All-Star Chef Classic
Through March 11. This four-day culinary experience showcases some of the world’s best chefs, including Curtis Stone (Maude, Gwen), Ray Garcia (Broken Spanish, B.S. Taqueria) and Jon Shook, Vinny Dotolo and Ludo Lefebvre (Trois Mec, Petit Trois and Trois Familia). See them cook in the venue’s Restaurant Stadium, then taste the delicious results in the Chefs’ Tasting Arena. See website for event information and ticket prices. L.A. Live Event Deck, 1005 W. Chick Hearn Court, downtown. allstarchefclassic.com

 

 

Cochon555
March 12. The nose-to-tail competition returns to the Viceroy Santa Monica showcasing the talents of chefs Kyle Johnson (Bourbon Steak Los Angeles), Jonathan Granada (Otium), Dakota Weiss (Estrella), Bruce Kalman (Union) and Larry Monaco (Cast Restaurant & Lounge), along with winemakers, sommeliers and barkeeps. The five chefs each cook a whole, heritage breed pig with innovative techniques and bold flavors. Spectators will feast on everything from beef tartare and organic pate to farmhouse cheeses and ramen, while enjoying wines from Antica Napa Valley Wines. $125-$400. 4 p.m. VIP/5 p.m. GA. (Photo courtesy of Galdones Photography (galdones.com) for COCHON555.) 1819 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica. cochon555.com

 

 

Festival of the Kite
March 12. Bring your own kite to the 43rd annual festival where you can fly it next to a giant one from the city. Also find contests and activities throughout the day including a hot dog eating contest, live music, martial art demonstrations and dance performances. Noon-5 p.m. Redondo Beach Pier, 100 Fisherman’s Wharf, Redondo Beach. redondopier.com

 

 

ArtNnight Pasadena
March 10. During this free evening of art, music and entertainment, travel between 17 of Pasadena’s top cultural venues via shuttle. artnightpasadena.org

 

 

 

MUSIC + DANCE
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
March 8-12. The renowned dance company returns to Los Angeles to electrify the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The program will include the West Coast premieres of r-Evolution, Dream., Untitled America and Deep. All performances will also include Ailey’s masterpiece Revelations. (Photo by Paul Kolnik.) 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.0711. musiccenter.org

 

 

Red Hot Chili Peppers
March 10. The Los Angeles funk-rockers headline Staples Center for three nights promoting their latest album, The Getaway. (Photo by Steve Keros.) 1111 S. Figueroa St., downtown, 213.742.7100. staplescenter.com

 

 

MUSEUMS + GALLERIES
New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei
March 12-Aug. 20. The new exhibit at the Japanese American National Museum explores the life and career of pioneering actor, activist and social media icon George Takei. By examining Takei’s diverse experiences and achievements, this exhibition creates a portrait of a unique individual while offering ways to engage with the social history of America. New Frontiers is curated by noted author, journalist, and cultural critic Jeff Yang. (Artwork by Jamie Noguchi.) 100 N. Central Ave., downtown, 213.625.0414. janm.org

 

 

TheBlu: An Underwater VR Experience
Through April 28. Swim alongside manta rays, angler fish and a blue whale without leaving land. The Natural History Museum’s new virtual reality exhibit takes you on underwater journey to parts of the ocean few people get to see up close. The experience will take you through various environments like a sunken ship surrounded by sea life; coral reef where you can interact with sea anemones and jellyfish; and down to the ocean floor, where you check out a whale skeleton and bioluminescent fish. The six-minute adventure is the museum’s first. It was created by Wevr, a Venice, California-based VR studio in consultation with NHMLA scientists and directed by Jake Rowell (Call of Duty, Final Fantasy, Superman Returns). 900 Exposition Blvd., downtown, 213.763.3466. nhm.org

 

 

Picasso’s Women
March 11-May 5. Pablo Picasso was no stranger to innovation. He continued to develop new techniques throughout his career—especially in portraiture. Galerie Michael offers a new exhibition showcasing rare works that serves as key examples of Pablo Picasso’s artistic testament to the graphic medium and explores the role Picasso’s wives, lovers and mistresses played in the works he created as time and subject matter changed. 224 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310.273.3377. galeriemichael.com

 

 

NIGHTLIFE
Mezcal Bar
Opens March 10. The front room of Laurel Hardware has transformed into a plush speakeasy boasting a cocktail menu dedicated to mezcal. Grab a seat by the fire and sip cocktails like the Francisco Toledo with Casamigos reposado, fresh pineapple, aromatic bitters with a La Nina del Mezcal Primario Joven rinse. Chef Alison Trent has also created a menu of south of the border noshes to compliment the drinks like al pastor tacos and chilled lobster tostadas. If you’re a mezcal purest, you’ll also want to dive into two flights dedicated to the spirit. Laurel Hardware, 7984 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, 323.656.6070. laurelhardware.com

 

 

FOOD + DRINK
Bäcoshop
Opens March 9. Chef Josef Centeno pays homage to his signature sandwich with his new Culver City restaurant. Bäcoshop offers a variety of flatbread-based bäcos and bäcorritos and a daily rotation of seasonal salads and vegetables. Dine on everything from the grilled steak bäco with coffee rub, mild red chili, almonds, hummus and charred scallion crema; to the roasted eggplant bäco with fava hummus, spicy chili, red cabbage and cilantro. You can also get a bäco bowl with grains and a filling of your choice. 9552 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 424.258.6301. baco-shop.com

 

 

Tower 12
Opens March 9. Hermosa Beach’s newest restaurant overlooking the pier offers chef Brendan Collins’ California-inspired American fare, a wraparound balcony and throwback vibe. Highlights of the menu include wood-fired garlic blue shrimp, cheese steak poppers, 12-hour braised short ribs with brown butter mashed potatoes and a house-smoked pastrami sandwich. The restaurant also offers two bars with 30 local beers on tap along with craft cocktails and wine. 53 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach, 310.379.6400. tower12hb.com

 

 

SOCA
Short for “Sherman Oaks California”, veteran restaurateur and executive chef Aaron Robins offers globally inspired steak and seafood at the new Valley dining destination. The best place to start is at the raw bar, which features a variety of oysters and seafood towers. Highlights of the rest of the menu include Beef Tongue Salad with Basque-style pickled beef tongue; Butt, Belly & Bone, trio of char siu prepared Berkshire pork belly, butt, and chop, shishito peppers, for the table; as well as chili de arbol-spiced panna cotta. Cocktails lean to the light and aromatic end of the spectrum and include selections like Flowers in Florence with Bols Barrel-Aged Genever, lavender infused Aperol and Bonal Gentiane Quina. (Photo by Michele Gomez.) 14015 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, 818.301.4300. soca-la.com

 

 

Irish Coffee Master Class
March 12. St. Patrick’s Day is fast approaching and downtown restaurant and bar, Westbound wants to make sure you’re prepared. Acclaimed drinksmith and Westbound bar manager Niklas Morris will be leading the class, guiding you through the history of the Irish Coffee, how to make your own and most other things Irish Whiskey. 3-5 p.m. $25/pp. 300 South Santa Fe Ave., downtown. Tickets.

 

 

AR Cucina
Dine on an variety of Italian-inspired, housemade seasonal brunch specialties at AR Cucina’s new Sunday brunch. Highlights of the menu include everything from polenta cake and short rib ragu with poached eggs, to porchetta hash with a fried egg. The restaurant also offers baked goods like blueberry olive oil cake and bruschetta with almond ricotta and strawberry-rhubarb jam. Also enjoy daytime cocktails along with bottomless Bloody Marys and mimosas. 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 9531 Culver Blvd., Culver City, 310.558.8800. arcucina.com

 

 

Doheny Room
The West Hollywood hotspot rolls out their new Sunday brunch this weekend. Dine on a selections of offerings that include kimchi fried rice; vegetable shakshouka; and shrimp and grits with lobster gravy. The menu is accompanied by signature cocktails that includes the Freddie Mercury with Belvedere Orange vodka, Aperol, grapefruit and lemon juices, agave and prosecco. 9077 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, 424.777.0266. sbe.com