Things To Do This Weekend in L.A. [1-20-2023 to 1-22-2023]

Lunar New Year 2022 at the Los Angeles Zoo. Photo by Jaime Pham

Well, the rain has stopped for the time being, but did anyone else have to swipe ice off their windshield this morning? Just us? Cool, cool…

Moving on! This weekend in Los Angeles, check out the Dance Camera West Festival, multiple Lunar New Year events (including at USC Pacific Asia Museum), a new art show at Brand Library, Zombie Joe’s Drive-By Theatre Festival, goat yoga in Burbank, an L.A. Made discussion at Central Library, and more. Grab a coat, find a to-do, and get to it.

advertisements

Things To Do This Weekend

Dance Camera West Festival -> This Thursday to Saturday, celebrate the art form of dance at this annual film festival at Barnsdall Gallery Theatre featuring a packed slate of free and ticketed screenings and programs. Opening night includes a free sunset screening of short films screened outdoors at Barnsdall Art Park. See the full schedule and get more info here.

The Lucky Lefty Tour at Ace -> Emmy-nominated writer/comedian Nimesh Patel (Saturday Night Live, A Little Late with Lilly Singh) brings an evening of standup to DTLA’s Ace Hotel Theatre this Friday, starting at 7:30 pf.m. Tickets start at $32. Get more info here.

Monterey Jazz Festival -> This Friday evening, the Walt Disney Concert Hall welcomes an iconic group of players from the Monterey Jazz Festival for a special one-night event. The touring ensemble features Grammy-winning vocalists Dee Dee Bridgewater and Kurt Elling along with star saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, pianist Christian Sands, bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Clarence Penn. Tickets start as low as $49. Concert begins at 8 p.m. More info here.

Simone Forti at MOCA -> Now at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Grand Ave, check out the first west coast exhibition documenting the career of artist, dancer, and choreographer Simone Forti. As part of the collection of works, visitors can experience “Dance Constructions” on select times on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays following the opening. The museum is normally open Tuesday to Sunday starting at 11 a.m. Admission is free. Get more info here.

L.A. Body Art Expo -> This Friday to Sunday, the L.A. Body Art Expo brings 250 of America’s best tattoo artists to the L.A. Convention Center for a three-day affair featuring music, beer, plus 22 tattoo contests, and more. Tickets start at $25 for single-day admission. Get more info here.

Lunar New Year Festival in Monterey Park -> This weekend, the city of Monterey Park welcomes the year of the rabbit with a two-day event featuring lion and dragon dancers (Saturday) as well as a carnival and various types of entertainment on both days. Food vendors, cultural experiences and unique gift booths will also be part of the festival. Free to attend. More info here.

Lunar New Year at 2nd & PCH -> Long Beach shopping destination 2nd & PCH hosts family-friendly Lunar New Year festivities this Saturday, including lion dance performances, complimentary airbrush tattoos and balloons courtesy of Karen’s Face Painting, and print-making craft hosted by Able ARTS Work. Runs from 3 to 5 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.

Nexus IV: Riaz -> This Saturday, Glendale’s Brand Library hosts an opening reception for Nexus IV: Riaz, a new group art show curated by Tlaloc Studios and Thinkspace Projects featuring some 60 artists. Nexus features solo exhibitions from Anthony Clarkson, Ken Flewellyn, Matthew Grabelsky, Anthony Hurd and Cody Jimenez; plus site-specific murals from Brek, Love Yo Dreams and Mr. B Baby. The opening reception takes place from 4 to 10 p.m., and will include food provided by Zavalas Pies, Sweet Life LA and Bad Jimmy’s, plus a cash bar and DJs. The exhibition runs through March 17. Get more info here.

Lunar New Year at the L.A. Zoo -> This Saturday and Sunday, the Los Angeles Zoo celebrates Lunar New Year with a full lineup of pop-up activities and evening performances. Offerings include a Wall of Well Wishes, a Zoo-diac Mask Making craft station, a Red Lantern Photo O, and a Zoo-diac Tour. All activities are included with zoo admission, which starts at $22 for adults. More info here.

“Let’s Play” at Brella -> Brella, a child care and early education center in Hollywood, is hosting an open house and family fun curriculum event this Saturday featuring a range of kid’s activities, including art, sensory play, musical instruments from HAMA, family yoga and more. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and is free to attend. Get more info and register here.

Drive-By Theatre Festival -> To kickoff the 2023 season at Zombie Joe’s Underground, the indie North Hollywood theater hosts their 20th annual Drive-By Theatre Festival, a brand new, fast-paced collection of mini-plays all written, produced, and performed in two days (or less). Shows take place nightly at 8:30 p.m. this Saturday through Monday. Tickets are $20 in advance, or $25 at the door. Get more info here.

Lunar New Year at Plaza West Covina -> This Saturday, Plaza West Covina celebrates Lunar New Year with a range of family friendly activities, including Dragon and Lion Dancing, Wushu acrobats, a Chinese Face Changer, Shaolin Warriors and more. Free to attend. Starts at 2 p.m. More info here.

advertisements

Lunar New Year at UPAM ->[UPDATE: This event has been cancelled in the wake of the mass shooting in Monterey Park] USC Pacific Asia Museum celebrate the year of the rabbit this Sunday with a day of family-friendly activities and performances, including a traditional lion dance, storytelling, calligraphy and crafts, and food trucks. Plus, admission to the museum is free for the day. Keep in mind, this weekend is also the last chance to see After Modernism: Through the Lens of Wayne Thom. Activities run 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Get more info here.

Goat Yoga + Hike -> This Sunday in Burbank, Hello Critter Yoga hosts an all-levels yoga session (with goats mingling among attendees), followed by a moderate hike (goats and all) through the nearby foothills. Tickets to attend are $40, and exact location will be provided upon purchase. Starts at 11 a.m. More info here.

L.A. Made: Gregory Bojorquez -> This Sunday, former Los Angeles Poet Laureate Luis J. Rodriguez joins L.A.-born photographer Gregory Bojorquez at Central Library’s Mark Taper Auditorium for a discussion about Bojorquez’s new book Eastsiders, which includes images spanning the artists 25-year career documenting scenes, stories and people of East Los Angeles. The discussion is free to attend, and there will also be a chance to win a free copy of Eastsiders. Starts at 2 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.

From the Danube to the Pacific, Reinventing Home: The Artwork of Dave Fox -> Starting this Sunday at 3 p.m., Holocaust Museum L.A. opens a new exhibit featuring paintings, drawings, silkscreens and sculpture by artist Dave Fox. Fox, a Holocaust survivor originally born in Vienna, draws inspiration from from his childhood along with images from his adopted home in Los Angeles. The pairing of the two locations connects a reality of trauma, displacement, and ultimately reclamation. Sunday’s opening includes a conversation with Rabbi Karen Fox (the artist’s daughter), Curator Georgia Freedman-Harvey and Holocaust Museum LA Vice President of Education and Exhibitions Jordanna Gessler. Holocaust Museum L.A. adult admission is normally $15, but entry is free with advanced reservation on Thursdays and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Get more info here.

Dining & Drinking

(picks by Christina Champlin)
The Waterfront Back Patio
The Waterfront Back Patio. Photo by Local LA.

The Waterfront Bottomless Brunch Buffet -> The Venice restaurant recently rolled out a brunch buffet every weekend where $35 gets you all-you-can-eat from different food stations set up in the back patio. Find Belgian waffles, an omelet station, breakfast burritos, smoothies and other treats at the buffet. Add on an all-you-can-drink option for $30. More info here.  

advertisements

Long Beach Black Restaurant Week -> This Sunday, the second annual Long Beach Black Restaurant Week returns (January 22-29) for eight days of celebrating African American, African and Caribbean cuisine. Black owned businesses around the city will offer a number of special deals that range from $5 to $30. Pop up events will take place next week at The Cove Hotel and Trademark Brewing with a handful of participants. More info here.   

Butcher’s Breakfast Club -> Trendy West Hollywood hotspot Butcher’s Daughter has launched an all-inclusive weekday breakfast bar from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. For $23 a guests a wide spread of morning treats will be offered including fresh pressed juices, fried chicken and waffles, vegan carrot lox and bagels, loads of pastries, parfaits, organic coffee and even zero proof espresso martinis ($9). Magazines and newspapers will also be offered to guests for a relaxing morning experience. Walk-in seats and reservations are both available. More info here

Pasadena Cheeseburger Week -> Did you know the cheeseburger was invented in Pasadena? Starting this Sunday, pay homage to the genius of Lionel Sternberger by visiting the city during Pasadena Cheeseburger Week. 40 restaurants, lounges and casual spots will offer signature burgers, special creations and deals just for the occasion. More info here.


Want to get the best things to do in L.A. sent straight to your inbox? Join over 60,000 Angelenos who subscribe to our twice weekly email newsletter!

Sign-Up for We Like L.A.’s Emails

* indicates required
Additional Newsletter Options
By subscribing, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy and consent to receive emails from We Like L.A. about news, events, offers, and partner promotions.

advertisements

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *