California Wine Festival, Women’s March, Chinese New Year Celebrations, dineL.A. and more … Check out the top Los Angeles weekend events for January 16-19.
Edited by Alicia Luchak.
EVENTS
California Wine Festival 
Jan. 18. Enjoy a day of wine tasting and world-class racing at Santa Anita Park. The yearly event’s general package includes clubhouse admission, six wine samplings, a complimentary $5 betting voucher, racing program, wagering tip sheet, grandstand seating and a souvenir acrylic wine glass. If you spring for VIP, you’ll be treating yourself to 2-ounce samplings from each participating winery, a complimentary food voucher and limited-edition event apparel. 10 a.m. $35; $75 VIP package. Santa Anita Park, 285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, 626.574.7223. Tickets
Women’s March L.A. 2020
Jan. 18. Support all the lovely ladies in your life by joining in on the fourth annual women-led movement. Now is the perfect time to speak up and march for what you believe in. Come with your own colorful signs and can-do attitude. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive St., downtown. womensmarch.com
Lunar New Year at The Americana at Brand
Jan. 19. For the 11th year, The Americana will be celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year with a parade, traditional Korean and Chinese dances, a magic show and holiday crafts and activities. Participating food vendors include Asian-inspired specialty businesses like Belly Bombz, Lee’Poof Cotton Candy, Seoul Street, Woo’s Crepe and more. While you’re there, look out for lucky red envelopes from the god of wealth, containing prizes from Nordstrom, Ray-Ban, Gorjana and other select retailers and restaurants at the Americana. 2-5 p.m. The Americana at Brand, 889 Americana Way, Glendale. americanaatbrand.com
The Bai Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square
Through Jan. 20. The Bai Holiday Ice Rink is about to take its final lap of the season. Skate among the skyscrapers at the Pershing Square ice-skating rink, which materializes every year during the holidays at Pershing Square. Be sure to get one last skate in before it’s gone! See website for full schedule of free community and special events, hours, skate-session schedule and prices. 532 S. Olive St., downtown. holidayicerinkdowntownla.com
ICE Presented by Plaza at Santa Monica
Through Jan. 20. The holidays are truly coming to a close. After a successful season of bringing holiday spirit to the beach, this 8,000-square-foot outdoor skating rink in downtown Santa Monica will be open for one final wintry weekend. Th 2-10 p.m.; F 2 p.m.-midnight; Sa 10 a.m.-midnight; Su 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Admission, including skate rental, $15. 1324 Fifth St., Santa Monica, 310.260.1199. downtownsm.com
FOOD + DRINK
Castaway New Cocktail Menu
Now Available. Castaway, Burbank’s scenic hideaway known for its luxe-contemporary feel and California-style cuisine, is unveiling a new lineup of cleverly named signature cocktails. Cozy up by a fire pit while you imbibe unique drinks like Hanky Panky (Boukman Botanical Haitian Rhum, Amaro Montenegro, Velvet Falernum, lime and orgeat with mint and powdered sugar), Gin Membership (Monkey 47 Gin and Fever Tree Tonic with juniper berries, dehydrated citrus, mint, sage, rosemary and prosecco) and No Handlebars (Boyd and Blair Vodka, Lillet Blanc, lemon and coquet water with dehydrated lemon). 1250 E. Harvard Road, Burbank, 818.848.6691. castawayburbank.com
Milky Way x Covenant Wines Dinner
Jan. 16. This weekend, Spielberg family-owned restaurant Milky Way will collaborate with California-based winery Covenant Wines for a completely dairy-kosher feast. Savor four courses from executive chef Phil Kastel’s brand-new winter menu, featuring a winter pear and roasted butternut squash salad, pan-crisped barramundi, Impossible meatballs and pasta and seasonal fruit crisp—all perfectly paired with Covenant’s kosher wines. 6 p.m. $70. 9108 W. Pico Blvd., Beverly Hills. Make a reservation
Gracias Madre x SAG Awards Bar Takeover
Jan. 16-19. In honor of the 26th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, Gracias Madre will be offering a limited-time specialty cocktail menu with drinks inspired by this year’s nominees. During the bar takeover, fun themed drinks are just $15 each. At the back patio bar, sip on beverages like “Leggo My Eggo,” inspired by the Netflix hit show Stranger Things and flavored with maple syrup and pecan bitters. 6-11 p.m. 8905 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 323.978.2170. graciasmadre.co
2020 Winter dineL.A.
Jan. 17-31. Over 400 of L.A.’s top restaurants offer specially priced prix fixe menus for lunch and dinner during this popular biannual dining event. See website for list of participating eateries, including Marco Polo at the newly opened Silver Lake Pool & Inn, vegan spot Nic’s on Beverly and Best Girl at Ace Hotel DTLA. Also on offer are a series of dinner-only tasting menus ($99+) from many of L.A.’s top Michelin-rated fine-dining chefs and restaurants. dinela.com
SPONSORED
Winter dineL.A. Restaurant Week is Back at Cattle & Claw
Jan. 17-31. Be sure to try Cattle & Claw’s new childhood-inspired delicious winter menu dishes as well as their famous beef and lobster best-sellers at a fraction of price. Meat lover? Get your craving fixed thanks to their hearty meatballs with creamy polenta and juicy 5oz burger. Lobster obsessed? Indulge in claw with a traditional lobster creole chowder, delicious lobster roll and fresh lobster tagliatelle. For reservations, call or visit OpenTable or the website. 8555 Beverly Blvd., Beverly Hills. 310.770.1654 cattleandclaw.com
ARTS + CULTURE
The Last Ship
Now Playing. Musical icon and multiple Grammy Award winner Sting stars in this heartfelt musical, which he also wrote the music and lyrics for. The story follows the tensions in a shipbuilding community when the local shipyard is closing. Ending February 16. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. Tickets
Cirque du Soleil: Volta
Starts Jan. 18. In a production that mixes awe-inspiring acrobatics and street sports with a story of self-discovery, Cirque du Soleil’s traveling show Volta is coming to Under the Big Top at Dodger Stadium through the end of March. Follow Waz, a young dreamer and game-show contestant who has lost sight of himself, as he meets colorful characters like free spirits and “greys” along his voyage to fame, love and acceptance. The show features performances like arial artists, BMX acrobatics, shape-diving, urban hip-hop rope skipping, a flatland and ballet duo and more. Dodger Stadium, 1000 Vin Scully Ave., L.A. Tickets
Happy Chinese New Year, Charming Jing-Jin-Ji
Jan. 18. Welcome the Year of the Rat at the city of Beverly Hills’ ninth annual Chinese New Year celebration. The performance will consist of a variety show, a “Jing-Jin-Ji” photo exhibition and a cultural heritage crafts display and demonstration at the Saban Theatre. Check website for schedule and tickets. 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 800.345.2210. lovebeverlyhills.com
Photos: Cirque du Soleil credit Matt Beard. California Wine Fest courtesy @calwinefest/Facebook. Women’s March LA 2020 courtesy @womensmarch/Instagram. Lunar New Year at The Americana courtesy The Americana. Bai Holiday Ice Rink at Pershing Square credit Red Apple Photography. Ice Presented by the Plaza at Santa Monica courtesy @DowntownSantaMonica/Facebook. Castaway New Cocktail Menu courtesy Castaway. Milky Way x Covenant Wines Dinner courtesy Milky Way. Gracias Madre x SAG-AFTRA Bar Takeover courtesy Gracias Madre. 2020 Winter DineL.A. courtesy DineL.A. The Last Ship courtesy Center Theatre Group. Happy Chinese New Year, Charming Jing-Jin-Ji courtesy@VisitBeverlyHills/Facebook.
