EVENTS
First Fridays
Jan. 6. 8th season of the provocative series in which live music, discussion and curatorial tours converge kicks off with a discussion of “The Believing Brain: From Ghosts and Gods to Politics and Conspiracies—How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them as Truths” with Dr. Michael Shermer. See performances by El-Haru Kuroi and Mariachi El Bronx. Resident FF DJ, Anthony Valadez spins with Travis Holcombe. 6:30-10 p.m. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., downtown, 213.763.DINO. www.nhm.org/firstfridays
Henry Rollins joins Jeff Garland in Conversation
Jan. 5. Known best for his role as Jeff Greene, partner in crime to Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm, comedian Jeff Garland joins outspoken musician, spoken word artist and overall Renaissance Man Henry Rollins in conversation. Rollins celebrates his new book Occupants which pairs his visceral full-color photographs taken all over the world with writings that not only provide context and magnify the impact of the images but also lift them to the level of political commentary. $30. 8 p.m. Largo at the Coronet, 366 N La Cienega Blvd., L.A., 310.855.0350. largo-la.com
All Space Considered
Jan. 6. Los Angeles astronomical beacon, the Griffith Observatory offers a public lecture where you can get news on developments in astronomy, space science and space exploration; see beautiful astronomical images, learn about hidden lakes on Europa and the Survivor Comet and get your January sky report. Seating is first-come, first-served, up to the capacity of the theater. Free. 7:30 p.m. Griffith Observatory, Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater, 2800 East Observatory Rd., 213.473.0800. www.GriffithObservatory.org
MUSIC
Thibaudet Plays Liszt
Jan. 5-8. Hailed as “one of the best pianists in the world,” Jean-Yves Thibaudet joins the Los Angeles Philharmonic to play Liszt’s Second Piano Concerto. Revised many times over the years, it is in one single, long movement, divided into six sections that are connected by transformations of several themes, showing a closer relationship to his symphonic work than his virtuosic First Concerto. Miguel Harth-Bedoya conducts. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 South Grand Ave., downtown, 323.850.2000. www.laphil.com
Doug MacLeod with Lawrence Lebo
Jan. 7. Legendary Doug MacLeod is one of the last remaining bluesmen who learned from the old masters, lived the music, survived the life, and now carries forward that valuable tradition. Within the blues world, he’s known for his superb songwriting, guitar wizardry, soulful voice, sharp wit, and unforgettable live performances. As if that weren’t enough for one night, Lawrence Lebo, a remarkable vocalist who straddles the boundaries of traditional American music, opens the show. McCabe’s Guitar Shop, 3101 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.828.4497. www.mccabes.com
EAT | DRINK
Black Truffle Dinners at Patina
Jan. 10-12. They’re the black diamonds of the culinary world, and who wouldn’t want to dine on a menu that exclusively showcases black truffles. Take part in Pantina’s annual Black Truffle Dinner and savor menus of three ($95), five ($135), or seven ($175) courses with available wine pairings. Menu highlights include butternut squash ravioli with truffle emulsion; milk-fed veal tenderloin, variation of celery, jus truffe; Dover sole au plat, potato, leeks, tuber melanosporum jus simple and more. Patina, Walt Disney Concert Hall, 414 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.3331. www.patinarestaurant.com
Common Grains
Check out the Japanese grains and culture program as they kick off their month-long series of culinary events Jan. 8, with and Onigiri Creation Contest at the Japanese American National Museum’s annual Oshogatsu Festival. Onigiri is a Japanese rice ball dish covered in nori and filled with a traditional savory ingredient. The contest is part of the museum’s New Year celebration of the Year of the Dragon featuring arts and crafts, food, and cultural activities. Common Grains events continue throughout the month eight a soba pop-up restaurant at Breadbar Century City and soba demonstration and tasting at Mitsua Marketplace in Torrance. Free. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Japanese American National Museum, 369 E. 1st St., downtown. www.facebook.com/commongrains
Weekend Brunch at M.B. Post
Vibrant South Bay social house curated by Chef and Co-owner David LeFevre, debuts their new brunch menu that will continue with regular service on the weekends. Dine on pecan sticky buns; truffle honey laced organic fried chicken; ricotta-stuffed French toast with star anise, macerated pears, chestnut honey butter; and the M.B. Post Benedict: an organic egg, La Quercia Prosciutto, rocket greens, bacon cheddar buttermilk biscuit (naturally!) and hollandaise. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 1142 Manhattan Avenue, Manhattan Beach, 310.545.5405. www.eatmbpost.com
THEATER
Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins
Jan. 3-Feb. 12. Two-time Tony and Oscar nominee Kathleen Turner sizzles as Molly Ivins, the brassy Texan reporter whose liberal journalism skyrocketed her to the national stage. This acclaimed show captures the redheaded reporter’s indomitable character by weaving personal anecdotes with her colorful take on national politics. Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., L.A., 310.208.5454. geffenplayhouse.com
Noises Off
Jan. 6-Jan 15. A Noise Within brings its hit production of Michael Frayn’s Noises Off to its new Pasadena theater. Reprising the comedy that played to sold-out houses at its former Glendale venue during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons. Featuring the original A Noise Within cast, Noises Off, directed by Julia Rodriguez-Elliott and Geoff Elliott, pays tribute to the art of theatre-making itself as chaos reigns onstage and off. 3352 East Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, 626.356.3100. www.ANoiseWithin.org
Clybourne Park
Opening Jan. 11. In this play inspired by A Raisin in the Sun, jokes fly and hidden agendas unfold as two vastly different generations of characters tip-toe the delicate dance of social politics, pitting race against real estate at the crux of two seminal events — 50 years apart — in the same north Chicago house. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. www.centertheatregroup.org
Cirque du Soleil: Iris
Continuing. Watch out, Vegas! L.A. has finally earned its own Cirque du Soleil spectacle, fittingly themed around the history of film. The long-anticipated Iris: A Journey Through the World of Cinema, written and directed by director-choreographer Philippe Decouflé, runs at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre; it will be the exclusive host to this production. Described as a “lyrical, fanciful, kinetic foray into the seventh art,” Iris uses dance, acrobatics, live video, filmed sequences and animation to tell the history of cinema and its genres. More than 70 performers don 200 costumes for the show, which is scored by Grammy and Emmy Award winner and L.A. native Danny Elfman. Performances Tu–Su. $43–$133; VIP Ticket $253. 877.943.4747. www.cirquedusoleil.com
Wicked
Through Jan 29. Back by popular demand! L.A.’s favorite musical flies back to the Pantages this holiday season after a record-breaking two-year run. Called “A phenomenon that keeps growing” by The Los Angeles Times and “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” by The New York Times, “Wicked” is the untold story of the witches of Oz and how they became known as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., 323.468.1770. www.broadwayla.org
Fela!
Through Jan 22. Legendary Nigerian Fela Kuti was a musical dynamo and a political powder keg who used his supercharged and sexy Afrobeat sound and charismatic spirit to ignite and inspire a generation to dare challenge a government of oppression. FELA! is both rave and theatrical wonder. Thanks to Fela’s captivating music and the visionary direction and choreography of Tony Award® winner Bill T. Jones, this tale of courage, passion and love will shake you: body and soul. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. www.centertheatregroup.org
