Photo L.A., Pan African Film + Arts Festival, 31st Annual mardi Gras Celebration and more! Here are the 25+ top Los Angeles things to do in February.
Edited by Alicia Luchak.
The 121st Annual Golden Dragon Parade and Chinese New Year Festival
Feb. 1. Head to Chinatown and welcome the year of the rat with a parade of floats and marching bands, followed by a festival with workshops, cultural performances, food trucks, a film screening and more. Parade 1-3 pm; festival noon-8 pm. Free. Parade grandstand tickets $45. Festival: Chinatown Central Plaza (943 N. Broadway), West Plaza (949 N. Hill St.), Blossom Plaza (900 N. Broadway), downtown, 213.680.0243 Parade: From Hill and Temple streets toward Bernard Street, then to Broadway and Temple Street, downtown, 213.617.0396, lagoldendragonparade.com
Astaire Dances III
Feb. 1-16. Love is just a few steps away at American Contemporary Ballet’s tribute to the films of Fred Astaire and his fancy footwork with Ginger Rogers, held at Metropolis Los Angeles. Metropolis Los Angeles, 877 S. Francisco St., Upper Level, downtown, 213.304.3408 Tickets
Eurydice
Feb. 1-23. This LA Opera world premiere reimagines ancient mythology from the heroine’s POV at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.7211 Tickets
Disney’s Frozen
Feb. 2. The Tony-nominated Broadway musical based on the wintry Disney favorite arrives in Hollywood. Expect to hear the film’s catchy songs, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers. Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770 Tickets
Photo L.A.
Feb. 2. This internationally recognized-yet-accessible photography exposition—the longest-running international photographic art fair on the West Coast—features a roster of over 65 local and international galleries and dealers, collectives, leading not-for-profits, art schools and global booksellers. Sa 11 am-8 pm; Su 11 am-5 pm. See website for tickets. Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica, 323.965.1000, photola.com
28th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design
Opening Feb. 4. See intricate costumes from this year’s Oscar-nominated films in person at the FIDM Museum. The exhibition goes through late March. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Free to the public. Call to schedule a tour. 919 South Grand Ave., Suite 250, downtown. 213.623.5821 fidmmuseum.org
Revenge Song
Opening Feb. 4. In this world premiere Geffen Playhouse commission, the Vampire Cowboys lend their superhero style and punk rock attitude to the real life of Julie d’Aubigny, a queer 17th century French swords-woman and opera singer. Gil Cates Theater, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., L.A., 310.208.5454 Tickets
The Father
Opening Feb. 5. Acclaimed actor and three-time Tony Award nominee Alfred Molina stars as André—a retired dancer living in Paris with early onset Alzheimer’s—in Florian Zeller’s Broadway play, which is currently also being turned into a film. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, 626.356.7529 Tickets
L.A. Art Show Modern + Contemporary
Feb. 5-9. Touted as the most comprehensive international contemporary art show in America, the L.A. Art Show is marking its 25th year of celebrating the city’s diversity with border-transcending art, innovative programming and one-of-a-kind experiences. Over 120 galleries from 18 countries exhibit painting, sculpture, works on paper, installation, photography, design, video and performance. Opening-night premiere party W 6-11 pm; Th-Sa 11 am-7 pm; Su 11 am-5 pm. One-day pass $40; fourday pass $80; opening night $200-$300. Los Angeles Convention Center, South Hall, 1201 S. Figueroa St., downtown, 310.822.9145, laartshow.com
Pop-Up Magazine: Winter 2020 Issue
Feb. 8. The one-of-a-kind magazine performed live is coming to downtown Los Angeles. Enjoy an eclectic evening of stories, music, art, performances, soap operas, and more live onstage at the Theatre at Ace Hotel. Ages 4+ 7:30 p.m. $40-50. 929 S. Broadway, downtown, 213.623.3233 Tickets
Pan African Film + Arts Festival
Feb.11-23. Billed as the largest black film festival in the United States, this showcase, now in its 28th year, is dedicated to racial tolerance through the exhibition of film, art and creative expression. PAFF showcases over 150 quality new films and over 100 fine artists from all over the world. Check website for movie showtimes, ArtFest hours and ticket information. Cinemark 15 BHC, 4020 Marlton Ave., L.A.; Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 3650 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., L.A., paff.org
Art Los Angeles Contemporary
Feb. 13-16 This progressive contemporary-art fair returns to Hollywood for its 11th edition, filling the historic Hollywood Athletic Club’s two floors with a new boutique-style art fair, featuring 45 galleries in an open-format floor plan. See website for hours and tickets. Hollywood Athletic Club, 6525 Sunset Blvd., L.A., 323.851.7530, artlosangelesfair.com
Frieze
Feb. 14-16. Frieze Los Angeles is returning to take over Paramount Pictures Studios and shine a light on the city’s art institutions, emerging galleries and groundbreaking artists. Visit the website for participating galleries, prices, tickets and times. +1.844.584.0653 Tickets
stARTup Art Fair
Feb. 14-16. The unique stARTup Art Fair returns for its fifth fair with over 70 artists, programming and events. The newfangled art exposition connects art buyers directly to up-and-coming artists at the Kinney Venice Beach hotel. Friday’s Opening Night Party is open to the public at the price of a General Admission ticket and includes, music, performances, food, and drink. The Kinney Venice Beach, 737 W Washington Blvd., Venice. startupartfair.com
Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show
Feb. 15-16. Spark your wanderlust with live music, scuba lessons and talks by TV travel experts at the Los Angeles Convention Center. p. 61 At the largest travel show in the nation, discover over 350 global destinations; plan your next trip with thousands of travel experts; immerse yourself in faraway cultures on the Global Beats Stage; meet travel celebrities Samantha Brown, Rick Steves, Peter Greenberg and Pauline Frommer; and even take a camel ride. 10 am-5 pm. One-day ticket $11-$15; two-day ticket $18-$22, under 17 free. Los Angeles Convention Center, West Hall, 1201 S. Figueroa St., downtown, 203.878.2577, Tickets
ScotsFestival & International Highland Games XXVII
Feb. 15-16. Celebrate the annual games with professional and amateur competitions in darts, piping, drumming, massed bands, Highland dancing and Highland athletics. Festivities include border collie sheep-herding, firing demonstrations and historic reenactments. Whiskey tasting sessions with aged malt experts are available for adult festival-goers. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. GA: $25 adults, $15 kids ages 4-11; VIP: $45 adults, $35 kids ages 4-11. The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0738. queenmary.com
The Last Ship
Through Feb. 16. 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. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772 Tickets
The Book of Mormon
Opening Feb. 18. The nine-time Tony Award-winning best musical from the creators of South Park returns to Los Angeles. The hilarious production follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of Mormon missionaries. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772 Tickets
Escape to Margaritaville
Opening Feb. 18. Get away from it all in Margaritaville, where you’ll hear both original songs and beloved Jimmy Buffett classics —including “Fins“ and “Cheeseburger in Paradise“—throughout this musical comedy. Dolby Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.308.6300 Tickets
Yuja Wang
Feb. 18. The piano phenomenon returns to the Walt Disney Concert Hall for an intimate recital. 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 323.850.2000 Tickets
The Simon & Garfunkel Story
Feb. 21-23 This immersive concert-style theater show chronicles the careers of folk-rock duo Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel using state-of-the-art projection and original film footage. A full band will perform their hits, including “Mrs. Robinson,“ “Bridge Over Troubled Water“ and many more. Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770 Tickets
31st Annual mardi Gras Celebration
Feb. 22-23, 25. Party New Orleans-style at the Original Farmers Market with bead throwing, beignets, face painting, live music and Cajun gumbo and jambalaya from vendor the Gumbo Pot. 6333 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.933.9211 farmersmarketla.com
Ciclavia— South L.A.
Feb. 23. Six miles of L.A.’s normally congested streets turn into a car-free park for a walk and bike tour through South Central, Florence-Firestone and Watts during this South L.A. iteration of the beloved open-streets event. See website for route details. 9 am-3 pm. Free. 213.355.8500, ciclavia.org
Until the Flood
Through Feb. 23. In this stunning theatrical experience, Pulitzer Prize finalist and celebrated performer Dael Orlandersmith pulls from her extensive interviews with Missouri residents to explore the social uprising in Ferguson, Missouri, following the shooting of teenager Michael Brown. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 213.628.2772 Tickets
What the Constitution Means to Me
Through Feb. 28. Heidi Schreck’s boundary-breaking play, a 2019 Tony nominee for best play and Pulitzer Prize finalist, breathes new life into our Constitution and imagines how it will affect the next generation of Americans. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772 Tickets
Oprah’s 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus
Feb. 29. Make the most of the leap day by spending it with Oprah and special guests including Jennifer Lopez at the Forum. 3900 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, 310.330.7300 Tickets
Cirque du Soleil: Volta
All Month. This critically acclaimed production from the famed circus troupe celebrates differences and is inspired by the adventurous spirit that fuels the culture of street sports. Check website for schedule. Tickets start at $56. Under the Big Top, Dodger Stadium, 1000 Vin Scully Ave., L.A., 877.924.7783, Tickets
Photos: stARTup Art Fair courtesy stARTup Art Fair. Photo LA courtesy Photo L.A. Frieze/Intervention courtesy of the artist, Bortolami Gallery, New York, and Hannah Hoffman Gallery, Los Angeles – Photo: David T Kindler. Until the Flood credit Craig Schwartz. Cirque Du Soleil credit Matt Beard.
