MUSIC + DANCE
Jingle Ball
Dec. 3. Local radio station KIIS FM takes over Nokia Theatre L.A. Live downtown for its annual holiday showcase of pop and hip-hop heavy hitters. Rock out to performers Lady Gaga, David Guetta, Flo Rida, Sean Paul, Gym Class Heroes, Taio Cruz and Big Time Rush. Nokia Theatre, 777 Chick Hearn Court, downtown, 213.763.6020. nokiatheatrelalive.com
World City at the Music Center
Dec. 3. The world comes to the Music Center with free performances and art-making workshops that celebrate artistic traditions from around the globe. Performing Wintersongs, Kitka’s pure, unaccompanied voices draws from many lands with melodies, rhythms and harmonies. In addition, Vít Hořejš of Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre performs Winter Tales, replete with mountain wizards, clever village maidens, witches and spirits in his show of Czech fairy tales with a cast of century-old marionettes. Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.4396. musiccenter.org/worldcity
The Joffrey Ballet – Nutcracker
Dec. 1-4. To celebrate the holidays, The Joffrey Ballet will bring the magic of the season with its stunning production of the Nutcracker. In Robert Joffrey’s rendition of the classic story, dazzling costumes, contemporary choreography and imaginative sets will delight generations of dance lovers. Revel in the beauty of this holiday tradition with live performances by the LA Opera Orchestra, the National Children’s Chorus, led by Artistic Director Luke McEndarfer and over 60 local children. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.0711. musiccenter.org
Salonen Conducts Shostakovich’s Orango
Dec. 2-4. Los Angeles Philharmonic Conductor Laureate Esa-Pekka Salonen leads the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Master Chorale and soloists in the world premiere of the Prologue to Orango, Shostakovich’s unfinished opera. The satirical opera about a half-man, half-ape, was sketched in 1932, and discovered in 2006, at Moscow’s Glinka Museum by Russian musicologist Olga Digonskaya. At the request of Shostakovich’s widow and Digonskaya, British composer Gerard McBurney developed the orchestration of Orango in 2009. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S Grand Ave., downtown, 980.575.7099. www.laphil.com
HOLIDAY
Unique LA Holiday Show
Dec. 3–4. Shop for wares from more than 300 designers and artists at the Largest indie design show in the country. Unique LA also features workshops, access to Amoeba Records rockin’ downtown pop-up shop, an ecolounge and cafés, in addition food trucks on site. 11 am–6 pm daily. $10. California Market Center, 110 E. 9th St., downtown. uniquela.com
Malibu Country Mart Winter Wonderland
Dec. 3. Kick off the holiday season this weekend steps from the beach at the Malibu Country Mart, which features a complementary cookie decorating party for kids (1-4 p.m.) and tree lighting ceremony beginning at 5 p.m. The fun continues throughout the month with photos with santa, strolling carolers, stocking and dreidel decorating party, and a visit from Santa’s reindeer. Malibu County Mart, 3835 Cross Creek Rd., Malibu, 310.456.7300. www.malibucountrymart.com
Castle Green Holiday Tour
Dec. 4. Historic Pasadena hotel decorates 20 apartments with different themes. Holiday sweets and drinks served. 1 and 5 pm tours. $20, under 13 free. 99 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, 626.577.6765. www.castlegreen.com
Los Feliz Village Holiday Festival
Dec. 3. Celebrate the season with a tree lighting ceremony, tastes from local restaurants, holiday sing alongs with carolers, special children’s entertainment, photos with Santa and more. 6-10 p.m. Los Feliz Village; Hillhurst Ave., Hollywood Blvd. and Vermont Ave. www.losfeliz.biz
Chill at W Hotel Los Angeles
Through Jan. 1. Hit the pool deck at the W Hotel Los Angeles Hotel and find it transformed into a winter wonderland complete with skating rink, cocktails from its Ice Bar, comfort food, specially outfitted cabanas and more, including children’s activities. W Hotel Los Angeles, 930 Hilgard Ave, Westwood, 310.208.8765. www.wlosangeles.com/chill
LA Downtown On Ice
Through Jan. 16. Skate on LA’s largest outdoor ice skating rink under the sun and stars at festive Pershing Square downtown. Info + detailed session schedule www.laparks.org. Pershing Square, 532 South Olive St., downtown, 213.847.4970.
Ice at Santa Monica
The mild seaside temperatures in Santa Monica don’t prohibit one of the season’s coolest cold-weather pasttimes. Downtown Santa Monica adds an 8,000-square-foot outdoor ice-skating rink to the corner of 5th Street and Arizona Avenue—for “a little taste of winter without the bite.” M–Th 2–10 pm, F 2 pm–midnight, Sa 10 am–midnight, Su 10 am–10 pm. Admission, skate rental $12. 1324 5th St., Santa Monica, 805.701.7248. iceatsantamonica.com
EAT | DRINK
Champagne and Oysters at Public Kitchen & Bar
Dec. 1-31. Celebrate the holidays over a wide selection of champagne and oysters at Public Kitchen & Bar at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Nosh on a nightly menu of Belon, Coromandel, Fanny Bay, Hood Canal, Kumamoto, Malpeque, Phantom Creek, Raspberry Point, Well Fleet, Salt Pond, and Kusshi oysters for $14 for a half dozen, $20 for nine oysters, or $28 for a dozen. Sip a selection of top tier champagne and sparkling wine ranging from from $10 to $29 per glass, or $35 to $140 per bottle; varieties include Bollinger “Special Cuvée” Brut NV, Milan Brut “Cuvée Millenaire” NV, Chartogne-Taillet Brut “Cuvée St. Anne” NV, and more. Public Kitchen & Bar, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.769.8888. More Info.
“Extra Virginity” Tasting & Dinner
Dec. 5. Taste and explore the various nuances of olive oil at Fig and Olive Melrose Place with The New Yorker contributor and olive oil authority, Tom Mueller alongside the restaurant’s owner Laurent Halasz. Stop by for the complimentary olive oil tasting and cocktails on the 50-foot marble communal table during a signing of Tom’s new novel, “Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil;” stay for the four-course olive oil tasting and wine pairing dinner ($85/pp, rsvp required), which includes zucchini carpaccio, striped bass papillote, rosemary lamb chops and more. 6-7 p.m., tasting and book signing; 7-9 p.m., dinner. Fig & Olive Melrose Place, 8490 Melrose Place, West Hollywood, 310.360.9100. www.figandolive.com
Darker Side of Beer and Dessert
Dec. 5. Winter semester is in session at Public School 612. At the newest restaurant/bar concept focusing on “An Education in the Art of Food and Beer,” bring your study buddy with you to join Norm Stackhouse from Stone Brewing Co. as he explores the Darker Side of Beer and Dessert, and experience the odd combination of sweet and bold flavors that might surprise you. $25/pp. 7:30 p.m. Public School 612, 612 S. Flower St., downtown. www.publicschool612.com
Designer Drinks at Locanda del Lago
Through Dec. 31. For the holiday shopping season, Locanda del Lago offers Third Street Promenade’s holiday shoppers relief and relaxation after a long day of gift hunting with a new selection of Italian fashion designer-themed cocktails such as the Armani (Meyer lemon, Açai Berry Veev Liqueur, and Prosecco), the Gucci (White grapes, White Meritage, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, and organic Tru Vodka), the Prada (Pumpkin purée, organic Tru Vanilla Vodka, and whipped cream) and more. Cocktails are available at happy hour prices to those who show their same-day receipt from any Santa Monica retail store. Locanda del Lago, 231 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, 310.451.3525. www.lagosantamonica.com
Venison Fair
Through Dec. 11. Chaya Venice pays homage to game season with a two-week limited-engagement Venison Fair menu. Dine on succulent venison dinner fare, paired with sweet and spicy ingredients and flavors. The dinner menu showcases dishes such as venison chile con carne, venison burger, venison meatballs and more. Mon.-Thurs. Chaya Venice, 110 Navy St., Venice, 310.396.1179. www.thechaya.com/venice
THEATER
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
David J: Silver for Gold (The Odyssey of Edie Sedgwick)
Through Dec. 4. Part delirious one-woman show, part avant-garde rock concert replete with eerie video imagery, this production written and directed by David J—co-founder of the influential British bands Bauhaus and Love & Rockets—finds new mythic dimensions in the rise and eventual drugs and alcohol-fueled crash of Andy Warhol muse Edie Sedgwick. This mesmerizing performance considers the charismatic and misunderstood 1960s icon as a modern-day Persephone: Queen of the underworld to Warhol’s Hades. RECAT, 631 West 2nd St., downtown, 213.237.2800. www.redcat.org
Bring It On—The Musical
Through Dec. 10. An esteemed team of Tony Award winners backs the musical comedy loosely based on the 2000 teen film starring Kiersten Dunst about rival cheerleading squads competing for glory. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772.
Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie
Through Dec. 11. This world premiere play, written by acclaimed actor and writer Alan Alda and Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan, analyzes the groundbreaking Curie. A two-time Nobel Prize winner in multiple sciences whose record is still unmatched, Curie is portrayed as a woman with a passion for science as well as love. The Geffen Playhouse in Westwood presents this winning experiment. Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood, 310.208.5454. GeffenPlayhouse.com
Vigil
Through Dec. 18. A man travels across the country to visit his estranged and dying aunt Grace (Olympia Dukakis), but he finds she’s not dying as quickly as he expected. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772.
The Night Watcher
Opening Nov. 17. Tony Award nominee Charlayne Woodard’s one-woman show tackles the subject of motherhood. A surprise call from Alfre Woodard with a last-minute adoption opportunity sends this self-described “blue collar actor” into a hilarious litany on the joys of second-hand parenthood. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 213.628.2772.