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Things always look better in Los Angeles after a spot of rain, don’t they? No week was that truer than this one.
In view for this January 27-31 in L.A., you’ll find free programs at the GRAMMY Museum, a Sweet Relief concert at Pico Union Project, Dance Camera West at Barnsdall Theatre, Emotionally Available Improv, The Autry After Hours, Shark Lagoon Nights at the Aquarium of the Pacific, and more.
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Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Free Programs at the GRAMMY Museum – M FA > The GRAMMY Museum is hosting multiple free community programs this week including a Women Behind The Music Panel featuring Annie Schindel, KOLE, Yang Tan, and Yuli (Monday), a Artist Session with Mustard (Monday), a Screen Scoring Curated by Musicians at Play Foundation (Wednesday), and an Artist Session with Keyon Harrold (Wednesday). Get more info on all the upcoming programs here.
Free Screenings at Vidiots – FA > This week, Vidiots and NEON continue their collaboration offering free movie screenings at Vidiots Eagle Theatre. The upcoming lineup includes Robot Dreams (Monday), Disney’s animated version of Robin Hood (Tuesday), Clue (Wednesday), Hollywood Shuffle (Thursday), and L.A. Story (Friday). Get more info and reserve tickets here.
Sweet Relief: a night of music & community -> This Tuesday, Pico Union Project will host a benefit concert for the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, a non-profit organization providing immediate financial assistance to music industry professionals impacted by the LA fires. Expect performances by Annika Bennett, Olivia Barton, Rett Madison, Tommy Siegel, Rae Isla, and many others. Tickets start at $30 per person. Doors open at 7 p.m. More info here.
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Fire Kinship at the Fowler Museum – FA TP > The Fowler’s second PST Art exhibition, Fire Kinship, could not arrive at a more timely and dramatic moment in Los Angeles history. The exhibition posits a counter-narrative around the use of fire that seeks a return to Native practices in which fire is regarded as a vital aspect of land stewardship, community well-being, and tribal sovereignty. Fire Kinship includes installations, objects, videos, documents and multimedia works that explore Native communities’ ongoing partnership with the land, and inspire visitors to rethink attitudes of fear and illegality around fire. The exhibition opened this week and remains on view through July 13, 2025 and is free to visit. The Fowler Museum is free to visit Wednesday to Sunday. Get more info here.
Morning Meditation at The Wende – FA > The Wende Museum hosts weekly morning meditation sessions inside their A-Frame Theater on Wednesdays starting at 9 a.m. Instructor Christiane Wolf leads a one-hour mindfulness program perfect for both newbies and experienced meditators. Get more info here.
Dance Camera West Festival -> Starting this Wednesday, celebrate the art form of dance at this annual Dance Camera West film festival at Barnsdall Gallery Theatre. The five-day program features a packed schedule including a tribute to dance Icon David Roussève, a World Premiere by Benjamin Millepied’s Paris Dance Project, Wim Wender’s PINA in 3D, LA POPS UP films by LA influential choreographers, 50+ International films, and a Co-Creation Lab for dancers and filmmakers. Get tickets and more info here.
The Autry After Hours -> The Autry continues its ongoing series after-hours cultural events this Thursday with a special workshop led by Tongva artist River Garza. Guests will learn the art of linoleum block printing and try their hand at carving their own unique rubber stamp. Admission is $18 for adults. Runs 6 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Demo Festival 2025 – M FA > On Thursday, the largest motion design festival in the world comes to Downtown Los Angeles for one day only, presented alongside LACMA’s Digital Witness: Revolutions in Design, Photography, and Film. For 24 hours, screens in 16 cities across Europe and North America—including one at the intersection of Olympic Blvd. and Francisco St.—will showcase a selection of the best motion works from around the globe. Free and open to the public. More info here.
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Shark Lagoon Nights – FA TP > Free Shark Lagoon Nights are back at the Aquarium of the Pacific for 2025 starting this Friday, offering guests the chance to get up close and personal with the Aquarium’s shark roster, including the opportunity to touch smaller sharks such as bamboo sharks. You will also see rays and large sharks in the Aquarium’s Shark Lagoon. Free to to attend and no RSVP required. Runs 6 to 9 p.m. More info here.
The NDA Show – M > This Friday at The Crow, enjoy a night of comedy exploring the trials and torments of working in film and tv production. Contractually, the slated comedians probably aren’t supposed to tell these stories… but they will anyway! Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $22.85 More info here.
Emotionally Available Improv – M FA > Is part of your 2025 plan to become a bit more in touch with your emotions. Launch that journey with a few laughs via a free performance of Emotionally Available Improv, popping up at Lawless Brewing on the last final Friday of January. Starts at 7 p.m. in the Game Room. Free to attend. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
San Laurel by José Andrés Group Launches Lunch Service -> Downtown L.A.’s San Laurel, the Spanish-Californian hotspot from the José Andrés Group, now offers lunch. Dine from the a la carte menu or go for the $45 two-course pre-fixe featuring shareable starters like Peruvian Scallop Crudo, Hiramasa Crudo, and Heirloom Tomato Salad. For the main course, savor standout dishes such as tender Octopus with olive oil cargado, pee wee potatoes, and sea lettuce garlic aioli; crispy Pollo Frito with guindilla peppers, cucumber sunomono, and goji berries; or the Grilled Lubina Donostiarra a Basque style fish drizzled in herb oil. Lunch is served daily from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., making it the ideal mid-day escape to catch up with friends, impress a client, or simply treat yourself. More info here.
jilli Lunar New Year Dinner → This Friday, jilli in Koreatown is celebrating the Lunar New Year with a special five-course tasting menu featuring comforting dishes and creative tea-based cocktails in collaboration with modern Taiwanese tea brand, Kace. Expect indulgent bites like stir-fried Wagyu dumplings, pork jowl tangsooyuk in sweet and sour sauce, beef fried rice, and deep-fried cream prawn. The dinner is priced at $55 and reservations can be made through Resy. Cocktails, available for $16 each, include the Green Tea Fizz, Boba Milk Tea-ni, and the Kace Study. More info here.
Lunar New Year Specials at Steep LA -> Steep LA in Chinatown is ringing in the Lunar New Year with two festive rice cake specials, available all week for dine-in or takeout. On the savory side, there’s Migao—sticky rice loaded with dried shrimp and pork, topped with a sweet-and-spicy glaze. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, try the Niangao, a crispy-yet-chewy treat featuring sticky rice cake wrapped in wonton skin, fried to perfection, and drizzled with creamy condensed milk. In Lunar New Year tradition, rice cakes symbolize luck and prosperity for the year ahead. More info here.
Fire Relief Fundraiser for The Little Red Hen Coffee Shop -> Chef Jamie Lauren is hosting a special pop-up fundraiser to support The Little Red Hen Coffee Shop, which was recently destroyed in the Eaton Fires in Altadena. This Tuesday, from noon to 9 p.m. (or until sold out), she’ll be serving up comforting Jewish classics at Flavors From Afar. Expect dishes like matzoh ball soup, pastrami melts on Bub & Grandma’s bread, deviled eggs with caviar, and smoked trout mousse on Belles Bagels. All proceeds will go toward helping the beloved coffee shop rebuild. More info here.
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