PPLA Food Fare
March 2. Thirty-eighth annual food event—it started as a cooking demonstration with Julia Child—features tastings from more than 150 of the city’s best restaurants, caterers, wineries and breweries. Taste offerings from venues including 71Above, AR Cucina, Baldoria, Lucques and Miro. Clementine’s Annie Miler is being recognized as chef of the year. Proceeds benefit Planned Parenthood Los Angeles. Daytime session 11 am-2 pm; evening session 6:30-9:30 p.m. $150-$250. Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica, 213.284.3300. pplafoodfare.com
Cherry Blossom Festival
March 4-5, 11-12. Descanso Gardens welcomes spring with its annual celebration of the pretty pink Japanese blooms. The family-friendly fest features live music, origami and food. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, 818.949.4200. descansogardens.org
Helios Dance Theater
March 5. Laura Gorenstein Miller’s LA-based dance company presents the world premiere of Minor Obsessions at The Theatre at Ace Hotel. Minor Obsessions is made up of ten duets and an eight-piece finale performance that offer a voyeuristic peephole into the complexities of modern love in a time of compromised privacy from pervasive technology. 933 S Broadway, downtown. acehotel.com
Cassoulet Night at Lucques
March 5. Chef Suzanne Goin, Caroline Styne and chef de cuisine Javier Espinoza off their third annual cassoulet night at Lucques. Dine on a three-course menu that features a traditional cassoulet of duck confit, sausage and white beans as the star. If you’re craving the dish, but can’t attend the dinner they are also offering cassoulet to go for $38/pp. 5-9:30 p.m. $65/pp. 8474 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 323.655.6277. lucques.com
Red Hot Chili Peppers
March 7-8, 10. The Los Angeles funk-rockers headline Staples Center for three nights promoting their latest album, The Getaway. 1111 S. Figueroa St., downtown, 213.742.7100. staplescenter.com
All-Star Chef Classic
March 8-11. 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
Bon Jovi
March 8. The rock icon—whose new album debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart—takes the stage at the Forum in Inglewood. 3900 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, 310.330.7300. fabulousforum.com
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
March 8-12. The beloved dance company performs three electrifying programs at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.0711. musiccenter.org
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
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 LA 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
Remote L.A.
Opening March 12. 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
Twelfth Night
March 14-19. Two worlds collide in Filter Theatre’s infectiously funny and irreverent take on Shakespeare classic—a lyrical comedy of romance, satire and mistaken identity. $35-$85. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.746.4000. thewallis.org
Casey’s St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival
March 17. This annual all-day street festival enlivens downtown Los Angeles with Irish food, drink specials (green beer, anyone?) and sets by a live DJ. Headquartered at Casey’s Irish Pub, the street festival takes place in front of the pub. 6 a.m.-1 a.m.; festival 11 a.m. Free general admission before 3:30 p.m. 21+. 613 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.629.2353. caseysirishpub.com
Taste of the South Bay
March 17. Celebrate the South Bay food scene by noshing on tastes from restaurants like DOMA Kitchen, Petros, Con’iSeafood, The Strand House, among others. Also get your change to rub shoulders LA Kings players and alumni. $100/pp. 7-11 p.m. Shade Hotel Redondo Beach, 655 N. Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, 310.535.4467. lakings.com/taste
Paleyfest
March 17-26. The Paley Center for Media hosts this annual event with screenings and interactive panels featuring creators and stars from top TV shows. This year’s lineup includes The Walking Dead, This Is Us, The Late Late Show With James Corden, Bob’s Burgers and Westworld. Dolby Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 310.786.1000. paleyfest.org
Alton Brown Live
March 17-18. See the award-wining author and celebrity chef as you’ve never seen him before. The evening including songs, multimedia presentations, talk-show antics—not to mention potentially dangerous food demonstrations—showing off Brown’s knack for mixing together a perfect base of science, music and food. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com
L.A. Marathon
March 19. Established in 1986, the city’s famed marathon is still going strong, attracting thousands of runners from around the world who take on the “Stadium to the Sea” course. 6:30 a.m. Registration $205. Starting point: Dodger Stadium, 1000 Vin Scully Ave., L.A., 213.542.3000. lamarathon.com
Westweek 2017
March 22-23. The West Coast’s definitive showcase for global design debuts an array of luxury furnishings and interiors resources crafted by today’s foremost design innovators. A series of programs and events featuring the nation’s leading shelter publications, editors and tastemakers provide information and education about design. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 310.657.0800. pacificdesigncenter.com
Absinthe
Opening March 22. The wild Las Vegas show—in its sixth sold-out year at Caesars Palace—arrives in LA for a limited engagement. Inspired by the absinthe-drenched cabarets of late 19th-century Europe, this adult-themed cocktail of circus, burlesque and vaudeville stars performers who mix comedy with strength, balance and danger. Ages 18 and above. Check website for schedule. $49-$129. L.A. Live Event Deck, 1005 Chick Hearn Court, downtown. absinthela.com
An American in Paris
Opening March 22. Based on the 1951 Oscar-winning film of the same name, this Broadway musical earned four Tonys. Follow Jerry and Lise’s post-WWII love story, set to songs by George and Ira Gershwin. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com
Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience
March 23. The immersive music and visual experience will bring the Seven Kingdoms to life in LA. Using state-of-the-art technology, Game of Thrones composer Ramin Djawadi, along with a orchestra and choir, will take fans on a musical journey through the realm – from King’s Landing to Winterfell and beyond. The Forum, 3900 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, 310.330.7300. fabulousforum.com
Eric Clapton
March 25-26. The legendary singer/songwriter plays The Forum in celebration of 50 years of his music, joined by special guests Gary Clark Jr. and Jimmie Vaughan. 3900 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, 310.330.7300. fabulousforum.com
Tomatomania!
March 25-26. Indulge in all things tomato at the world’s largest tomato seedling sale. In addition to picking up plants for the season, get growing tips from experts, check out cooking demos and nosh on tomato dishes. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, 818.949.4200. descansogardens.org
Ciclavia—Culver City Meets Venice
March 26. Several miles of L.A.’s normally congested streets turn into a car-free park for a walk and bike tour of the city. For the first CicLAvia of 2017, the event returns to its fan-favorite route through Culver City, Mar Vista and Venice. See website for additional route details. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 213.355.8500. ciclavia.org
YoungArts Los Angeles
March 28-April 2. Enjoy multidisciplinary artistic performances by rising stars who were selected by the YoungArts Foundation to receive mentoring and national awards (Viola Davis, Nicki Minaj and director Jenji Kohan are among the program’s esteemed alumni). Performances are part of the 2017 YoungArts Los Angeles regional program. See website for public performance schedule, tickets and more information. UCLA, 405 Hilgard Ave., L.A., 800.970.2787. youngarts.org/youngarts-la
Continuing
Finding Neverland
Through March 12. This popular musical follows playwright J.M. Barrie as he is inspired by four young brothers and their mother to dream up the magical world of Peter Pan. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com
Fun Home
Through April 1. This groundbreaking Broadway show and Tony winner for best musical is based on cartoonist Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic novel about her childhood. (Photo by Joan Marcus.) Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
Zoot Suit
Through March 19. Demián Bichir (A Better Life, The Hateful Eight) stars in this much-anticipated revival of Luis Valdez’s landmark 1978 play. (Photo courtesy of Center Theatre Group.) Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
Long Day’s Journey Into Night
Through March 18. Eugene O’Neill’s semi-autobiographical masterpiece won the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1957. Jane Kaczmarek and Alfred Molina star in this powerful portrait of a single day. Gil Cates Theater, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood, 310.208.5454. geffenplayhouse.com
Plasticity
Through March 13. The multilayered, multimedia theatrical event aims to take audiences on an often comedic tour of the collective unconscious. Ovation Award-winning co-writers Alex Lyras and Robert McCaskill (The Common Air) team with Grammy Award-nominated composer Ken Rich, visual artist Corwin Evans and two-time Emmy Award-winning editor/producer Peter Chakos (The Big Bang Theory) to examine how the brain is able to rewire and heal itself. In it, a comatose man recreates his identity by delving deeply into his memories, while hovering family members and loved ones (all played by Lyras) divide into scheming camps over grave neurological decisions. Hudson Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., 323.960.7787. plasticitytheplay.com
The Found Dog Ribbon Dance
Through March 12. Professional cuddler Norma’s quest to return a lost dog to its rightful owner leads her to encounter a slew of oddballs, and maybe even discover a second chance at love. The world premiere of the bittersweet romantic comedy is about loneliness, oxytocin and the healing power of Whitney Houston. $30. The Echo Theater Company @ Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., L.A., 310.307.3753. echotheatercompany.com