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Still a few weeks away from Thanksgiving, but the holiday offerings are starting to come into focus.
This November 10-14 in Los Angeles, a free tropical dance party, a Veteran’s Day commemoration at Forest Lawn, the Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration, Flux screenings at The Hammer, L.A. Zoo Lights, an Innovation Social at The Music Center, and more.
Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Silent Book Club at Common Space – FA > The Inglewood Chapter of the Silent Book Club brings their monthly meetup to Common Space Brewery this Monday. This is an evening for book lovers with no assigned reading and no forced discussion. Guests just need to bring whatever book they are currently enjoying, grab a fresh beer from the brewery, and settle in for a quiet, cozy couple of hours reading alongside fellow members of the community. Runs 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. More info here.
Recovecos: El After – M FA > This Tuesday, catch a free tropical dance party at downtown’s historic La Cita Bar following a Green Umbrella series concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The party, co-presented by Trópico Internacional, takes guests on a musical journey into Caribbean and Latin American dance music. The lineup features the Trópico DJs, Pachyman (DJ set), and special guest appearances by Angélica Negrón, Lido Pimienta, and Darian Donovan Thomas, among others. Plus: free tropical fruit will be available while supplies last! Runs 9 p.m. to 2 p.m. No cover. 21+ only. More info here.
Veteran’s Day at Forest Lawn -> On Tuesday, Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills hosts its 66th annual Veterans Day Celebration with a ceremony, held outside the Hall of Liberty. The event features a military flyover by the Condor Squadron, an Honor Guard salute by the LAPD, and a wreath laying. The program also includes a keynote speech by Captain LaStacia Neat of the California State Guard, remarks from Councilmember John Lee, music by the Los Angeles Police Concert Band, refreshments and giveaways. Event starts at 11 a.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Sketch Party at Benny Boy – FA > Sketch Party’s twice-monthly drawing/drinking meet-up comes to Benny Boy Brewing this Tuesday. They’ll hook you up with sketch paper, pens, pencils, and markers, then it’s up to you to create, mingle, hang out, and enjoy BB’s solid lineup of craft beers and ciders. All artistic levels welcome. Free to attend. Runs 7 to 11 p.m. 21+ only. More info here.
Let’s Glow Ice Skating! -> Lace up your skates for the Let’s Glow Ice Skating Gala at Ice at Santa Monica this Wednesday, which will be raising funds and awareness for Teen Cancer America. The night begins with a professional ice skating show featuring USA Olympian Polina Edmunds. Afterward, attendees can skate under neon lights, enjoy live music from a band and iHeart’s DJ Von Bellows, and participate in family activities like Sparkle & Glow Face Painting. Tickets range from $10 to $40 and include skate rentals and glow rings for this all-ages “Skate & Chill for Charity” event. Kicks off at 5:30 p.m. More info here.
NatGeo Live at BroadStage -> On Thursday, experience the thrill of science in the wild with National Geographic Explorer Gregg Treinish at BroadStage Santa Monica. In his talk, “Adventure for Change,” Treinish shares stories of his team’s mission to hike frozen peaks and kayak remote rivers, all to collect raw data for scientists. Follow their challenging, high-altitude adventures and discover how their work is changing our understanding of the planet. The 75–90 minute presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $60. More info here.
Flux, Fall 2025 at The Hammer – FA > The fall edition of the Hammer’s Flux screening series returns this Thursday celebrating the best in short films and music videos from around the globe, plus wildly inventive filmmaker presentations and performances. Following the program, enjoy a courtyard party with a DJ and cash bar. Admission is free, with seats assigned first come, first served. Parking is an $8 flat rate after 6 p.m. at the museum. Event starts at 7:30 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration -> The Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration returns to Beverly Hills to kick off the festive season this Thursday. This free event will illuminate the street under the theme “Enchanted Holiday Dreams,” inspired by The Nutcracker Ballet. The evening features live performances by artists including Billboard-charting singer Chris Mann, Australian star Hugh Sheridan, and “The Prince of Jazz” James Tormé. The street will be populated by costumed characters, stilt ballerinas, and carolers, concluding with the highly anticipated arrival of Santa Claus, all capped by a fireworks finale. Program runs 5 to 8 p.m. More info here.
Teedra Mosesa at Amoeba -> R&B singer-songwriter Teedra Moses pops up at Amoeba Hollywood this Thursday with a free, all-ages set to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her breakthrough album, Complex Simplicity, and the release of her new CD, Complex Simplicity (Reimagined). Following the performance, Teedra Moses will meet and sign for fans who purchase the Complex Simplicity vinyl or the new Complex Simplicity (Reimagined) CD in-store at Amoeba on the day of the event. Starts at 5 p.m. More info here.
Astra Lumina: An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst The Stars -> Continuing this Thursday to Sunday, the South Coast Botanic Garden’s Astra Lumina offers a multi-sensory celestial pathway where guests will walk amongst the stars thanks to brilliant lights, cosmic visions, and astral song. Expect nine immersive zones decked out with radiant light installations, 360º soundscapes, and cosmic narratives. Adult tickets start at $32.90 and there’s an additional fee for parking. More info here.
See NOW Festival -> REDCAT’s annual NOW Festival returns for its 2025 edition, spotlighting nine bold new works in dance, theater, and music from Los Angeles artists. Over three weeks, the festival brings together timely, risk-taking performances exploring themes from immigration to mental health through opera, movement, clowning, and more. Each weekend features three artists sharing the stage Thursday to Saturday at 8 p.m., with Saturday shows livestreamed. Get tickets and more info here.
L.A. Zoo Lights -> Starting this Thursday, the Los Angeles Zoo’s brightest annual tradition will transform the zoo grounds into a world of light and holiday magic. The after-hours event offers brightly lit displays and festive family-friendly experience every night throughout the entire holiday season. Adult tickets start at $19, depending on the desired date to attend. Runs on select dates through January 11. More info here.
The Music Center’s Innovation Social – M FA TP > Experience the future of storytelling at The Music Center’s Innovation Social this Friday These free, speakeasy-style gatherings (previously known as the Black Bar Social) feature reality-bending projects that merge performance and technology. The November “Connection Through Movement” iteration includes Aya Umoh’s Rhythmic Wave (Nigerian dance meets digital avatars), Ari Melenciano’s Cosmeage (Pan-African sound and identity), and a film showcasing the Black and Queer aspects of sign language. Event runs 6 to 9 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Bianca Sicilian Trattoria Brings a Taste of Palermo to the Arts District
Looking for your next great DTLA dinner spot? Add Bianca Sicilian Trattoria to the list. This charming Sicilian eatery opened in the Arts District in early fall and already feels like a neighborhood favorite. They’ve also launched lunch service, refreshed the dinner menu, and rolled out Sicilian wines, Italian beers, and Mediterranean-style cocktails.
Inside, it’s warm and stylish, with jewel-green décor and a lively bar. Prefer the breeze? The patio offers fountains, fresh air, and classic Italian pop instantly set the mood.
The menu blends Sicilian flavors with a California twist: handmade pastas, seafood-forward plates, wood-fired pizzas, and house-made panini. Chef-owner Michele Galifi, raised in Palermo, brings heart and home-style cooking to every dish.
Start with antipasti. The Fritto Misto with calamari and panelle (a chickpea fritter straight from Palermo’s street-food scene) is a must. The Arancine, stuffed with mozzarella, cotto, and béchamel, is rich and comforting, while the Burratina with pistachio and figs is a stunning seasonal treat.
Pizza follows, and it doesn’t miss. The classic Margherita is simple and flavorful, while the Mortadella pie with pistachio cream and lemon zest adds a fun twist. Both disappear fast.
Pasta rounds out the evening. The bright, citrusy Linguini Cozze loaded with PEI mussels and the bold Aglio e Olio with anchovies and breadcrumbs bring just the right Mediterranean-coast flavors, enough to make you forget you’re in L.A.
Bianca’s newer dinner dishes are worth returning for. Ricotta Gnocchi with butternut squash and prosciutto crisps, Baccalà Fritto with lemon-butter-thyme sauce, and a juicy 10oz grass-fed ribeye with marsala reduction and wild mushrooms all impress.
Lunch is now served Tuesday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., featuring fresh salads, panini, pastas, and pizzas. Highlights include the Pesce Spada Panino (swordfish sandwich), the classic Margherita, and a Hanger Steak with salad and chips.
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