EVENTS
Edwardian Ball
Feb. 19. Take a magnificent excursion back to the turn of the 19th century, to the era when the ladies dressed in petticoats and corsets and the gentlemen donned top hats while wearing cravats–think Downton Abbey with a unearthly edge. At the Edwardian Ball, cabaret meets carnival, the magical frolics side by side with the macabre and you are in the middle (in costume) of where music, fashion, art, circus and dance converge in unprecedented expression, honoring the eccentric author/illustrator Edward Gorey. Belasco Theater, 1050 South Hill St., downtown. www.edwardianball.com
Cirque du Soleil’s Ovo
Through Mar. 11. A blue-and-yellow “grand chapiteau” adjacent to Santa Monica Pier hosts Ovo. Meaning “egg” in Portuguese, Ovo delves into the insect ecosystem with 55 performers and a riot of colorful, evocative costumes. The main act, a trapeze stunt, features six “flyers,” and the finale features “20 artists running, jumping and leaping up against a 24-foot vertical wall.” Santa Monica Pier, 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica. cirquedusoleil.com/ovo
MUSIC
Ryan Adams
Feb. 17-18. Alt-country’s one-time enfant terrible isn’t so terrible anymore, and the legendarily prolific artist is back after a two-year pause with Ashes & Fire, which was released in the fall. Walt Disney Concert Hall breaks up its classical-music schedule with an acoustic show from the Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter. 111 South Grand Ave., downtown, 323.850.2000. LAPhil.com
Under The Cover Sessions with Queen Caveat
Feb. 16. The Roxy & Andaz West Hollywood go Under The Covers with LA indie-rick band Queen Caveat through cover songs and storytelling. The series features a new theme each month, a new band, and an intimate Q&A session with them in the rooms of the former Riot House on The Sunset Strip that housed all the music greats of our time. The Andaz West Hollywood, 8401 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. underthecoversqc-eorg.eventbrite.com
MARDI GRAS
Dominick’s Mardi Gras Celebration
Feb. 18-21. NOLA native Chef Brandon Boudet prepares a festive feast for Mardi Gras, including muffaletta sandwiches, jambalaya, crayfish pie, beignets and of course, the much loved king cake. Menu is also available at Little Dom’s in Los Feliz and dinner only in both locations. 8715 Beverly Blvd., L.A., 310.652.2335. www.dominicksrestaurant.com
Mardi Gras at Farmers Market
Feb. 18, 19, 21. At LA’s most colorful Mardi Gras event, celebrate with traditional New Orleans and Zydeco music, bead-throwing, strolling parade bands, arts and crafts and face painting for kids, authentic Cajun food, beer, and much more. Grammy-nominated Lisa Haley & The Zydekats return along with favorites including, T-Lou & His Super Hot Zydeco Band, Eddie Baytos & The Nervis Bros and Lula Afro Brazil. Event kicks off with the annual Mutti Gras Pet Parade & Costume Contest! Dress up your pooch for a chance to win great prizes and treats. Farmers Market, 6333 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.933.9211. farmersmarketla.com
Mardi Gras at Glow Lounge
Feb. 18. Party like you’re in the French Quarter at Glow Lounge. Evening features DJ sets by DJ Scotty Boy, Charles Feelgood and Mason Rothert, dine on New Orleans-style food and drinks all night long and earn as many beads as you can to win the $500 prize. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. $20. Marriott Marina del Rey, 4100 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, 310.448.4815. www.glow-bar.com
Mardi Gras & Carnevale
Feb. 18. You don’t have to go to New Orleans or Italy to celebrate Mardi Gras and Carnevale—Shoreline Village in Long Beach is hosting a great day of music, art, festivities and more. Dance to samba, calypso and swing music, enjoy gondola rides and watch the parade of performers and colorful characters make its way from Rainbow Harbor to Shoreline Village. Festivities begin at 1:00 pm at Rainbow Harbor. 429 Shoreline Village Dr., Long Beach, 323.428.7411. rainbowharbormardigras.com
NIGHTLIFE
Rush Street’s Video Voyeur Weekend
Feb. 18-20. Three-week Video Party kicks off this Friday with DJ Backdraft spinning upstairs and his entire set synced with music videos on the five wide-screens at first-floor video bar. Saturday, you’re the star in Rush Street’s Video Voyeur Booth, which allows you to create a digital flipbook (20 pictures taken in 20 seconds while you rock out under strobe light). On Monday, root for Team Adam, Christina, Cee Lo or Blake at “The Voice” Monday viewing parties, starting at 8pm. Enjoy “Voice”-themed VIP drinks, and then show off your own vocal chops afterward during Black Belt Karaoke. 9546 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 310.837.9546. www.rushstreetculvercity.com
SPORTS
Clippers vs. Spurs
Feb. 18. For the first time in years, tickets for Los Angeles Clippers games are selling out. Audiences are packing into Staples Center to see how new acquisition Chris Paul performs after a long-delayed NBA season. The Clippers’ face-off with the San Antonio Spurs should be one of the month’s most exciting. 1111 S. Figueroa St., downtown, 800.745.3000. www.nba.com/clippers
EAT | DRINK
Oyster Fair at Chaya Venice
Feb. 16-Mar. 3. Located just steps from the California coast, Chays Venice debuts its Oyster Fair menu and ode to the sea. The menu features hot and cold dishes, highlights of which include Angus beef tartare with fried oyster and sweet potato chips; oyster and citrus-cured salmon chowder with Tokyo winter Japanese leeks; striped bass and oyster papillote, leeks, shitake mushroom, black truffle, and vin blanc sauce. Oyster Fair menu is served during dinner, along with the regular menu. Chaya Venice, 110 Navy St., Venice, 310.396.1179. www.thechaya.com/venice
Pacific Standard Time: Art as an Appetizer
Through March 31. Dubbed the only event where you can literally eat Pacific Standard Time, Art as an Appetizer is a collaboration with chef John Sedlar, artist Ron Cooper, and mixologist Julian Cox who worked together to create a one-of-a-kind menu inspired by Pacific Standard Time works of art (the food is served on a plate showing the image of the art that inspired it). Ask for it at Playa and Rivera by showing Pacific Standard Time museum proof of admission or mentioning the “Pacific Standard Time Secret Menu”. Playa Restaurant, 7360 Beverly Blvd., L.A., playarivera.com; Rivera Restaurant, 1050 South Flower St., downtown, riverarestaurant.com
Common Grains Soba Pop-Up
Through Feb. 21. In a rare event, Artisan soba makers Sonoko Sakai and Mutsuko Soma bring the skill of housemade soba noodles to Los Angeles.. At the Common Grains soba pop-up (that coincides with the grand opening of Soba-Ya), you have the chance to dine on freshly stoned-milled and handcrafted soba prepared with a choice of traditional or modern ingredients and garnishes and specialty onigiri (rice balls wrapped in seaweed). Soba-Ya, 1757 W. Carson Street, Suite R & S, Torrance. commongrains.com
Fe-Bruery at Mezze
Feb. 22. Ben Weiss of The Bruery and Chef Micah Wexler of Mezze team up to host an evening of fine beer and food. Friends since childhood, Ben leads a tasting of four of the most exclusive Bruery beers alongside Micah Wexler’s singular tasting menu, highlights of which include house-smoked salmon, baby yellowtail crudo, duck gallant, Tunisian fish stew, pomegranate braised brisket and more. $85. 401 North La Cienega Blvd., L.A., 310.657.4103. mezzela.com
MUSEUMS
Art of Motion Picture Costume Design
Feb. 14-Apr. 28. The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising downtown offers its fascinating annual exhibition that looks at 100 diverse, sumptuous costumes from 20 films released in 2011. Classic film costumes from the archives are also included in this show in the FIDM Museum & Galleries. 919 South Grand Ave., downtown, 213.623.5821. Fidmmuseum.org
OPERA
Simon Boccanegra
Feb. 19, 21, 26. Giuseppe Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra has long fascinated Plácido Domingo, who has often performed its tenor role of Gabriele Adorno. He now performs the role for his “home” company in the work’s L.A. Opera premiere. James Conlon conducts; Elijah Moshinsky directs. Soprano Ana María Martínez, last here for La Bohème in 2004, returns as Boccanegra’s long-lost daughter, Amelia, and bass Vitalij Kowaljow, in his second appearance this season, returns as Fiesco. Italian tenor Stefano Secco makes his company debut as Gabriele, and Italian baritone Paolo Gavanelli returns as Paolo Albiani. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.7211. LAOpera.com
THEATER
The Jacksonian
Through Mar. 25. This eerie offering by Pulitzer Prize winner Beth Henley and directed by Tony Award winner Robert Falls transports us to a seedy motel in Jackson, Mississippi circa 1964. You go to The Jacksonian Cottages to bury your secrets, making the motel an unsettling world where the subversive becomes commonplace and the passage of time becomes hauntingly unpredictable. Revolving around the night of a murder, The Jacksonian is a surreal trip that is rife with disturbingly dark humor. Cast features Ed Harris, Glenne Headly, Amy Madigan and Bill Pullman. Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., L.A., 310.208.5454. geffenplayhouse.com
Art
Through Feb. 19. What is more valuable – good art or good friends? Serge, Marc and Yvan are about to find out. When Serge drops a small fortune on a controversial painting, sparks (and words) fly as each experience the dire consequences of adhering to one’s taste in art. Written by Yasmina Reza (God of Carnage), this acclaimed international hit is also directed by nine-time Emmy Award-winner David Lee. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, 626.356.7529. www.pasadenaplayhouse.org
A Raisin in the Sun
Through Feb. 19. Phylicia Rashad makes her L.A. directorial debut with this 50-year-old classic about an African American family’s dream of a better life amid racial tension and betrayal. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 213.628.2772. www.centertheatregroup.org
Our Town
Through Feb. 20. Oscar, Emmy, and Golden Globe-winner Helen Hunt stars in this groundbreaking new version of Thornton Wilder’s iconic American play. Our Town tells the story of young lovers George and Emily, whose life in a small New England town becomes a microcosm of every day life. The wisdom of the play, rendered through a deceptively simple story, makes Our Town an enduring treasure of the American theater. This electrifying new production is directed by Broadway director and MacArthur Fellow David Cromer in his LA debut. Most of the seating for this production will be on stage with the actors. Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica 310.434.3200. thebroadstage.com
Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins
Through Feb. 19. 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
Clybourne Park
Through Feb. 26. 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