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Kinda feeling like December, isn’t it? 40-degree mornings with a half-gloomy sky that lingers through the afternoon. No worries though. We don’t need 70 and sunny to carve ourselves a fantastic to-do list.
This December 16-18 in L.A., catch The Nutcracker in Long Beach, Festival of Carols at Disney Concert Hall, The Last Unicorn Art Show, a Shogun Santa in Little Tokyo, a toy giveaway in Chinatown, Holiday Open House at Lantern House, a Kwanzaa celebration at CAAM, a Hanukkah Festival at Skirball, and more.
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Things To Do This Weekend
The Nutcracker -> Long Beach Ballet’s dazzling production of The Nutcracker comes to the Terrace Theater at the Long Beach Convention Center this weekend with a live orchestra, real horse, flying sleigh, pyrotechnics, and a cast of over 200. Catch performances this Friday to Sunday, plus December 22-23. Tickets range from $25-$129. Get more info here.
Debut at UTA Artist Space -> Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland (aka the voice of Rick Sanchez) has a new art show now on view at the UTA Artist Space in Beverly Hills. Roiland’s Debut features a collection of never-before seen acrylic-on-canvas paintings from the self-taught artist, whose painterly style borrows much from his animation technique: colorful, vibrant, idiosyncratic, and sometimes just plain weird. UTA Artist Space is open to visit Tuesday to Saturday. Get more info here.
Ugly Sweater Holiday Karaoke -> As part of Grand Central Market’s Holiday Wonderland programming, the DTLA destination hosts an evening of karaoke this Friday. Attendees are encouraged to wear their most obnoxious colorful seasonal garb and sing their way through a holiday songbook. The event takes place in the lower level from 7 to 9 p.m. Get more info and sign up here.
Invincible at The Wallis -> The latest production at The Wallis is Invincible, a fresh take on Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, powered by the music of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. This weekend will be the final chance to catch a show, with performances running Thursday to Sunday. Tickets range from $29-$105. Get more info here.
Inspiring Walt Disney at The Huntington -> An international traveling exhibition has just arrived at The Huntington which explores Walt Disney’s fascination with European art and the use of French motifs in Disney films and theme parks. Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts includes 50 works of 18th-century European decorative art and design showcased alongside hand-drawn works from the Disney archive. Access is included with general admission, which starts at $29 for adults on weekends and $25 on weekdays. The exhibition runs through March 27, The Huntington is weekly from Wednesday to Monday. Get more info here.
Beastie Boys EXHIBIT at Beyond the Streets -> Beyond the Streets and CONTROL Gallery have teamed up to create the most comprehensive Beastie Boys exhibition ever assembled in Los Angeles, which includes never-before-seen historical artifacts, ephemera, and photographs. EXHIBIT opened this past Saturday at the BTS flagship location on La Brea Ave and will run through January 13. This week, the exhibition is open Wednesday to Sunday. Reserve free advance tickets here.
LA Master Chorale Holiday Programs -> The Walt Disney Concert Hall’s choir-in-residence has a pair of holiday events this weekend, including the family friendly Festival of Carols on Saturday, followed up by the a dramatic performance of Handel’s Messiah on Sunday.
The Last Unicorn 40th Anniversary Art Show -> This Saturday, a new group art show pops up at Corey Helford Gallery featuring dozens of artist works inspired by the 1982 fantasy classic The Last Unicorn. In addition to contributions from some 70 contemporary artists, guests can scope out a selection of never-before-seen art from the film’s production, including restored animation frames. Saturday’s reception runs 7 to 11 p.m., and is free to attend. The exhibition remains on view through January 21. Get more info on the show here.
CAAM Kuumba Kwanzaa Celebration -> Celebrate Kuumba, the Kwanzaa principle of creativity, with a special afternoon of storytelling and zine making at the California African American Museum this Saturday. The afternoon event features songs, puppetry, and interactive programs. All ages. Free to attend. Runs 1 to 3 p.m. More info here.
Open Stage at The Elysian -> This Saturday, The Elysian Theater in Frogtown offers an open invite for performers looking to workshop their ensemble (meaning two or more people) material to a live audience. And even if you’re not a performer, you can attend for free to see what weird/inventive/hilarious stuff locals have been working on. Plus, there will be free pizza for all who perform/attend for an hour before the show begins. Doors open at 1:30 p.m, performances start at 2:30 p.m. Get more info here.
Drop-In Workshop at LACMA -> Bring your little one’s to LACMA’s Boone Children’s Art Gallery this Saturday for a fun workshop focused on the art of brush painting. No materials or experience necessary. Free to attend. Get more info and RSVP for tickets here.
Hanukkah Festival at Skirball -> On Sunday, the Skirball Cultural Center celebrates Hanukkah with klezmer rockers Mostly Kosher supported by Dublab DJ Callie Ryan and dance leaders Bruce Bierman and Gilberto Melendez. Plus, the Skirball Storytellers bring the Hanukkah story to life with a theatrical performance featuring puppetry, and a community candle lighting at sunset. GA tickets are $18. Get more info here.
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Shogun Santa in Little Tokyo -> Shogun Santa is back for his annual appearances in Little Tokyo this weekend, including stops at Japanese Village Plaza on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., as well as the Little Tokyo Galleria on Saturday and Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. Stop by for a photo op! More info here.
Holiday Open House at Lanterman House -> La Cañada Flintridge’s historic Lanterman House is hosting a festive open house this Sunday that features live performances, a special display made by The Glendale Model Railroad Society, crafting activities, refreshments, and tours of the historic home. Free to attend. Runs 1 to 4 p.m. More info here.
Toy Giveaway in Chinatown -> MásForMore and Production Club are hosting their 3rd Annual Charitable Toy Giveaway this Sunday in Chinatown. There will be two thousand high quality toys for underserved kids ages 3-months to 16-years old. Expect everything from. The day’s festivities also include DJ spun tunes, plant-based food options, a snow machine and Santa Claus photo ops. Free to attend. Activities run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Get more info here.
Cooking Classes with IMPASTIAMO -> This Sunday, IMPASTIAMO hosts two culinary classes to help Angelenos prepare for the upcoming holidays. The Charcuterie Board workshop will teach guests to build a board for four to six people. Tickets cost $85 and include all ingredients plus a glass of wine. You can also BYOW to the event. A Tamale workshop will teach guests how to make traditional tamales from start to finish. Tickets cost $100 and include a drink after class and fresh tamales to take home. More info here.
Dining & Drikning
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Holiday High Tea at Lilly Rose -> The Wayfarer’s whimsical basement bar Lilly Rose currently offers a Holiday High Tea & Highball experience every Wednesday through Sunday this month. For $60 you’ll get a selection of holiday teas and a festive tower of savory and sweet bites. 24-hour advance reservations are required and can be made on OpenTable. More info here.
Bar Moruno’s Sunday Roast Series -> The Spanish dining concept in Silver Lake now offers Sunday Roasts, available for dine-in only. The rotating menu includes one main protein and three side dishes that serve two for $75. On the menu this week is Santa Maria Style Rotisserie Beef Ribs with Hot Sauce, Beef Bread, Shaved Fennel Salad and Campfire Beans. More info here.
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Dollar Pizza Slices for Grandmaster Recorders Birthday -> After several reschedules (due to the rain) Grandmaster Recorders finally celebrates their one-year anniversary this Sunday with a rooftop pizza party from noon to 3 p.m. Stop by for $1 slices of Schiacciata style Italian pizza and $5 spritzes.
Holiday Pancake Art Breakfast with Get Caked -> One-of-a-kind pancake art company Get Caked hosts a pancake breakfast at Grand Central Market this Sunday featuring festival holiday designs on everyone’s favorite breakfast item. More info here.
Dear Bella Creamery Buche de Noel -> This holiday season, Dear Bella Creamery offers an ice cream version of the Buche de Noel. The yule log treat is made with a brownie sponge cake rolled up and filled with peppermint ice cream, then frosted with a chocolate ganache, peppered with snow-like shredded coconut and finished with all natural maraschino cherries. The Buche de Noel cost $45, pre-order cut off is December 21 with pick up now till December 23.
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