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Rain be gone! Looks like things are clearing just in time to set you up for another fun week in the city of angels.
This January 5-9 in Los Angeles, you can check out Death Cafe at Heavy Manners Library, Comedy Night at Common Space, an LA River Urban Ecology Walk, The Music Center’s Innovation Social, the LA Art Show, Animé Los Angeles, and more.
Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Death Cafe – FA > This Tuesday, Heavy Manners Library in Echo Park hosts a thoughtful evening of conversation with their latest installment of Death Cafe. Facilitated by Emily Yacina, this group-directed gathering invites strangers to discuss the nature of mortality over coffee and donuts. Rather than a grief support group or a counseling session, the goal is to foster an open, agenda-free dialogue that encourages participants to make the most of their finite lives. It’s a unique, community-focused space for those looking to explore a typically taboo subject in a relaxed, supportive environment. Admission is free, though an RSVP is encouraged. Runs 6 to 8 p.m. More info here.
Magic Night at Shadow Grove Brewing -> Add a dash of mystery to your Tuesday nights at Shadow Grove Brewing in Fernando. Starting at 8 p.m., the brewery hosts “The Magic of Michael Rangel,” a weekly series that alternates between an intimate, 75-minute seated show and interactive table-to-table sleight of hand. It’s a perfect, low-key spot to pair small-batch craft pours like their “It Hunts at Night” Black IPA with world-class illusions. While strolling magic nights are free, the seated performances are limited to the first 12 guests and cost $10 at the door. More info here.
LA Art Show – M > From Wednesday to Sunday, Los Angeles’ largest and longest-running art fair returns to the Convention Center’s West Hall this January for its 31st edition. Under the direction of Kassandra Voyagis, the 2026 fair showcases a massive global expansion, featuring over 100 exhibitors from 23 countries. High-profile highlights include a solo debut of abstract paintings by Sylvester Stallone and a strong international showing with first-time galleries from Ireland, Poland, and the U.K. This year also marks the premiere of the Latin American Pavilion, an invitation-only platform highlighting emerging artists from across the Americas. Whether you’re a serious collector or just looking for a deep dive into the contemporary scene, the show offers 200,000 square feet of art ranging from modern sculpture to celestial oil paintings by self-taught artist Chris Rivers. Tickets for the Wednesday opening party are $250. GA tickets for Thursday to Sunday are $40. Get more info here.
Comedy Night at Common Space -> Common Space Brewery keeps the midweek blues at bay this Wednesday with its popular monthly stand-up showcase in Hawthorne. Hosted by the comedic duo Dave Williamson and Sean McBride, the night features a rotating cast of professional comics performing in the brewery’s intimate private gallery. It’s a high-energy, community-driven event that pairs perfectly with a fresh pint from the taproom. Since there is no cover charge, seats in the gallery tend to fill up fast, so you’ll want to arrive when doors open at 7:30 p.m. to snag a prime spot before the first set starts at 8 p.m. Admission is free. More info here.
Benson Movie Interruption – M > What’s better than seeing a terrible/awesome movie with your friends and making fun of it while you watch it? How about live commentary from some of entertainment’s funniest movie lovers. This Monday at Dynasty Typewriter, Doug Benson hosts a “your choice” version of his Movie Interrupted series with special guests including Greg Proops and Jonah Ray. Attendees are invited to bring in a Blue Ray / DVD of their choice, and the audience will vote on what to watch before the show begins. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 the day-of. More info here.
First Wednesday Lecture at The AoP -> Every first Wednesday evening of the month, the Aquarium of the Pacific hosts a guest lecture and cocktail reception at the Pacific Visions Theater. For January 7, join them for a night focused on the theme “Whales of Hope: From Near Extinction to Climate Guardians.” Tickets are $6 in advance, or $10 the day of. More info here.
LA River Urban Ecology Walk – Lessons from LA River Floods to LA Fires -> On Wednesday, naturalist and environmental educated Jason Wise leads a timely sunset stroll along the Los Angeles River to explore how the city’s history of floods and fires can inform a more resilient future. The two-hour walk traverses the river’s greenway, offering a deep dive into local ecological history and a look at the “poor choices” of the past that led to our current concrete landscape. Depending on recent rains, the group may even venture onto the sandy soft-bottom sections of the river to see nature reclaiming the channel firsthand. It’s a great chance to “touch grass” and connect with fellow environmentalists while learning how to advocate for a more holistic, connected LA. Tickets are a $25 suggested donation, and the exact meeting location will be emailed to participants 24 hours before the 6 p.m. start. More info here.
Animé Los Angeles – M > This Thursday to Sunday, Animé Los Angeles brings a 4-day, fan-centric anime convention to the Long Beach Convention Center this January. Expect 200+ participant artists, cosplay contests, tabletop gaming, a Manga Lounge, karaoke, and more. Single-day tickets at $45. More info here.
Friend or Flame Lesbian Singles Mixer at the Thirsty Crow > Ditch the apps and head to Silver Lake this Thursday for a relaxed “Meetcute” social at the Thirsty Crow. Designed for lesbians, queer women, and non-binary folks, this self-guided mixer skips the pressure of speed dating in favor of organic mingling and icebreaker activations. The vibe is low-key and inclusive, held within the moody, whiskey-centric atmosphere of one of the neighborhood’s favorite local haunts. While the suggested age range is 21–40, it’s a soft guideline for anyone looking to spark a new connection or just expand their queer social circle. Tickets are $15, and the event runs from 7 to 10 p.m.. More info here.
The Music Center’s Innovation Social -> M FA TP > This Friday, experience the future of storytelling at The Music Center’s latest Innovation Social. These free, speakeasy-style gatherings (previously known as the Black Bar Social) feature reality-bending projects that merge performance and technology. The January “Reflections on Loss, Hope and Renewal” iteration will demonstrate how immersive tools such as AR and VR can help communities after collective events like the Los Angeles wildfires. Event runs 6 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Prometheus with Esa-Pekka Salonen – M > The LA Phil’s Conductor Laureate Esa-Pekka Salonen returns this weekend to launch the Body and Sound festival with a multisensory performance of Scriabin’s Prometheus: Poem of Fire, this Friday to Sunday. The visionary production features a massive lighting sculpture by artist Grimanesa Amorós, designed to translate the composer’s synesthetic visions into a literal “poem of light.” The eclectic program also includes Sibelius’s shimmering The Oceanides, Gabriella Smith’s climate-conscious Rewilding, and Debussy’s radiant La damoiselle élue. It’s a rare chance to see Salonen back on his home turf for a high-concept weekend that bridges classical mastery with cutting-edge visual art. Tickets start at $51, and Friday’s performance includes a complimentary pre-concert drink in the Blue Ribbon Garden. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Broken Spanish Comedor (Monday through Friday)-> Broken Spanish is back in a more relaxed form at Broken Spanish Comedor, Ray Garcia’s modern Mexican revival that keeps the soul of the original while leaning into approachability. Weeknights are the move thanks to a Monday to Friday happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m., where food and drinks land in the sweet spot between $5 and $15. Expect $10 draft margaritas and palomas, Baja Brewing Mexican lagers, wine, and the Desert Explorer, a crisp lager paired with a copita of sotol. On the food side, the lineup delivers big flavor in snackable form: pork chicharrones with yuzu avocado, melty quesadillas with quesillo, duck albóndigas with bacon and chipotle, smoked tuna flautas, and comforting chicken enchiladas finished with tomatillo salsa and homemade crema.
Yi Cha Happy Hour (Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays) -> Chef Debbie Lee’s Highland Park Korean gastropub is giving folks a laid-back window to eat and drink very well with the launch of happy hour. Catch it Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m. at the bar, where playful bar bites meet bold Korean flavors. Snack on king oyster mushroom chips with togarashi ranch, K-Town nachos stacked with crispy rice cakes and braised pork, and Korean fried chicken wings slicked in gochu buffalo sauce. Drinks keep things fun and fruity with soju spritzes, beer, wine, terra, straight soju, and the Jeju Sunrise, a bright mix of lychee vodka, Jeju mandarin, lemon, and pomegranate.
Qi Qi at Noun (January 9-10)-> Noun’s day-to-night coffee bar in Marina del Rey turns into a two-night dinner destination as Qi Qi pops up with a Cantonese-meets-Cuban menu that plays with bold, unexpected pairings. Expect dishes like char siu torchon with pineapple mojo and fish sauce–driven crudo, with more cross-cultural plates in the mix. To drink, Noun pours natural wines alongside matcha, beer, and coffee. The pop-up runs Friday and Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m., with RSVPs available now on Partiful.
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