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Wait, so there’s a portion of the 10 Freeway out of commission indefinitely? Definitely not the alert you want to receive at the crack of dawn before beginning your early bird commute. And even if you’re not a regular driver of L.A’s main east-west artery, you’d best be aware of the closure if you’re planning on driving anywhere for to-dos around the city in the coming days (weeks? months?). And there is a lot to do…
From November 13-17 in Los Angeles, catch Railroad Roots at Union Station, Chuck D at The GRAMMY Museum, the Manhattan Beach Pier Lighting, All Space Considered at Griffith Observatory, SPARKLE DTLA at The Bloc, LA Zoo Lights, the LA Auto Show, Lightscape at L.A. Arboretum, and much more. Get into our full list below.
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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
Railroad Roots at Union Station – M FA TP > Metro Art and the touring Silkroad Ensemble team up on Monday for a free performance at Union Station featuring musical performances by Silkroad Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens, Silkroad artists Wu Man and Haruka Fujii, and guest artist Pura Fé, as well as a discussion about the railroad, the communities who built it, and the people who were displaced and most affected by it. The event runs 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Ticket Concourse. More info here.
The Grove Tree Lighting – M FA> This Monday The Grove’s annual Tree Lighting Celebration will kick off the holiday season with special musical performances, an epic Christmas tree lighting, snowfall, a fireworks spectacular and the arrival of Santa. Show runs from 7 to 8 p.m. and is free to attend. More info here.
LAist + KCET ARTBOUND Screening Series: Angel City Press: L.A. through the Pages – FA TP > On Tuesday, LAist and KCET ARTBOUND screen Angel City Press: L.A. through the Pages at The Crawford in Pasadena. The documentary explores the legacy and impact of Angel City Press and founders Paddy Calistro and Scott McAuley, who are preparing to retire. Hosted by Antonia Cereijido from the Imperfect Paradise podcast, the event will feature discussions with individuals from the film. Come early at 6 p.m. to enjoy delicious, eco-friendly Taiwanese eats by Bling Bling Dumpling. Free, pay-what-you-can seating is first-come, first-served, while reserved seating costs $15. More info here.
Can You Dig It?: A Hip-Hop Origin Story With Chuck D – M > In conjunction with the GRAMMY Museum’s new exhibit, Hip-Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit, creators Chuck D, Lorrie Boula, Pete Chelala, Bryan Master, and Julian Voloj will have a special panel on Tuesday discussing the Audible Original docuseries Can You Dig It?: A Hip-Hop Origin Story. Tickets coast $20 a person. More info here.
California Festival at Walt Disney Concert Hall – M > This month’s California Festival is a statewide showcase of new works featuring 100 participating organizations and ensembles, including symphony orchestras, chamber music groups, jazz ensembles, opera companies and choirs, all performing compositions created in the past five years. This week as part of the series, catch Alisa Weilerstein’s FRAGMENTS 2 on Wednesday, followed by Dudamel and the Music of Tango and Ballet from Thursday to Sunday. Get more info here.
Are You Still Listening? – M FA > Are You Still Listening? is a free monthly stand-up showcase at Dynasty Typewriter. Presented by Netflix is a Joke Radio the show is this Tuesday with seating and entry on a first-come, first-served basis. This week’s lineup includes Cameron Keys, Ketra Long, Lydia Robinson, Maxx Eddy, Meredith Casey, Rene Vaca, and Sara Weinshenk. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Get more info here.
Ice Santa Monica – M > Ice Santa Monica is back with an 8,000 square-foot ice rink pop-up at the intersection of Arizona Ave and 5th St in Downtown Santa Monica. Skate rental and admission is $22. The rink is open daily through January 15. More info here.
Wellness Wednesday at Self Help Graphics – M FA > Self Help Graphics Wellness Wednesdays are back at Latinx Plants in Boyle Heights, featuring an ancestor portrait workshop led by artist Dalila Paola Méndez this week. The workshop runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Get more info here.
34th Annual Manhattan Beach Pier Lighting – FA > Manhattan Beach kicks off the holiday season this Wednesday with a night on the pier featuring live community performances, carolers, and holiday activities including photo ops with live reindeer. Additionally, Roundhouse Aquarium will host an extended hours open house event with a complimentary hot chocolate and cookie station, games, and interactive touch tanks and marine exhibits. Event runs 6 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Fowler Out Loud – M FA> This Wednesday, the Fowler Out Loud live performance series presents a concert with South African voice and sound artist Zama Dube at the Fowler Museum on the campus of UCLA. The show runs from 7 to 8 p.m. and is free to attend. More info here.
All Space Considered – FA > On Thursday the November edition of All Space Considered brings Griffith Observatory curatorial staff together for a discussion/presentation on the most-talked-about subjects in astronomy and space science. This month includes an appearance by Dr. Joshua Winn, professor of astrophysics at Princeton University and the author of The Little Book of Exoplanets. Free to attend in-person, but seating is first-come, first-served. The program begins at 7 p.m. Get more info here.
City of Santa Monica Holiday Tree Lighting – M FA >The City of Santa Monica hosts their Official Holiday Tree Lighting Party this Thursday, featuring live musical entertainment and a visit from Santa. The event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and is free to attend. More info here.
SPARKLE DTLA Debut – M FA > The 2023 edition of the holiday lights installation SPARKLE DTLA at The Bloc kicks off this Thursday with a special live performance, ugly sweater competition, ice sculpture carving, and complimentary holiday treats (hot cocoa!). Opening night runs 5 to 7 p.m., and the lights show will reoccur nightly through December 31. More info here.
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Pershing Square Holiday Ice – M > On Thursday, the 7,200 square foot skating rink in the heart of DTLA returns for the holiday season. GA tickets, including skate rental, cost $20 for adults. The rink runs daily through January 7, 2024.. More info here.
Astra Lumina: An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst The Stars – > Every Thursday through Sunday evening, the South Coast Botanic Garden morphs into a multi-sensory celestial pathway where guests will walk amongst the stars thanks to brilliant lights, cosmic visions, and astral song. The seasonal attraction runs on select evenings through December 31. Adult tickets start at $35 and there’s an additional fee for parking. More info here.
Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration – FA TP > On Thursday the Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration will take place along the streets of Beverly Hill ushering in the holidays with headliner Emmy Award-winning actress and singer Sheryl Lee Ralph of Abbott Elementary, along with food trucks, a Wine Garden, Santa on a firetruck and fireworks.
LA Auto Show – M TP> This Friday the nation’s top auto show returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center for a ten-day affair featuring a who’s who of automotive exhibitors, plus vehicle test drives, activations, and family-friendly entertainment. The LA Auto Show runs November 17-26, with single day tickets starting at $24 for adults. Get more info here.
L.A. Zoo Lights –M> 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. L.A. Zoo Lights kicks off this Friday, November 17 and will run through January 7, 2023. Adult tickets range from $29-$35, depending on the desired date to attend. More info here.
Lightscape at The L.A. Arboretum -> The L.A. Arboretum lights up the holiday season with a one-mile trail of installations and twinkling displays, taking place at the garden after-hours on select dates. Lightscape returns this Friday, November 17, 2023 and will run through January 2, 2024. GA adult tickets range $29-$35, depending on the date selected for purchase. Get more info here.
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Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
A Swiss Chalet Dining Experience -> This week, the Fairmont Century Plaza rekindles the Swiss Alps’ charm with the return of the Swiss Chalet “après-ski” dining experience on its outdoor patio. Each evening, five whimsical, custom-built wood chalets await, offering a cozy and festive ambiance for dining with friends and family. Priced at $105 per person, the reservation includes a three-course meal featuring Braised Beef Cheek with roasted sunchokes, Brie and Pear Soup, and indulgent Cheese and Chocolate Fondue, accompanied by a welcome glass of Glühwein. Embrace the holiday spirit with festive cocktails such as the spiked Eggnog of the Century and the Espress-ski Martini. Seating is available for 2-8 guests, and the Swiss Chalet experience runs nightly from November 15 through December 31, 2023, starting at 5 p.m. More info here.
Gone Bananas Bread -> , Gone Bananas Bread, a dedicated vendor specializing in banana bread, has recently opened its doors at the bustling Original Farmers Market on 3rd and Fairfax. Founded during the height of the pandemic by interior designer Estee Stanley and wardrobe stylist Leah Smith, Gone Bananas is gaining recognition for its classic and heart-shaped banana bread loaves, available in various flavors, including original (Big Banana), chocolate (OG Chocolate Chip), pecans (Nucking Futs), and blueberries (Bluenana). Additionally, a portion of Gone Bananas’ profits is committed to supporting charitable organizations like Baby2Baby and A Sense of Home.
Sweetfin & Fly By Jing Collab Bowl -> Sweetfin’s latest collaboration with everyones favorite chili crisp brand, Fly By Jing is a grilled chicken “Chengdu Crunch Bowl” creation that’s sure to set your taste buds on fire. The bowl comes with chicken, garlic lemongrass ponzu, carrots, sliced jalapeño, mint and forbidden rice. Topped off with Fly By Jing’s brand-new deliciously crunchy Chengdu Crunch the condiment is packed full of protein and healthy fats. The Chengdu Crunch Bowl is available for $15 at Sweetfin from November 13 to December 30.
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