Things To Do in Los Angeles This Week [1-30-2023 to 2-3-2023]

Alright. New week. New month. New to-dos.

These next five days in Los Angeles, from January 30 to February 3, catch Designing with Disaster at Japan House LA, new exhibitions at Hauser & Wirth, Try/Step/Trip at The Wallis, First Thursdays in Westwood, First Fridays at Natural History Museum, the San Pedro Film Festival, and more. Enjoy your week to come!

Things To Do This Week

Designing with Disaster -> Designing with Disaster: Stories from Seven Regenerative Cities is the latest exhibition at Japan House LA. Inspired by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, the exhibit introduces the concept of “Regenerative Urbanism” through interactive illuminated wells that envisioning seven hypothetical regenerative cities. Designing with Disaster runs through April 2. Free to visit. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. More info here.

How Has Computer Code Shaped Humanity? -> This Tuesday, Zócalo Public Square’s latest discussion event takes aim at the computing age, both in how the digital revolution has shaped day-to-day activities, and on a deeper level how it has redefined what it means to be human. The panel includes Tech entrepreneur Nonny de la Peña, author Charlton McIlwain, and internet activist Ethan Zuckerman. Audience members are invited to stick around post-discussion for snacks and refreshments. Happening this Tuesday. Free to attend. Starts at 7 p.m. More info here.

Whitney Houston Hotel -> The Estate of Whitney Houston and Primary Wave will honor the late singer’s career and life with a space inside the W Hollywood featuring a Sony 360 Reality Audio Immersive Listening Lounge, a memorabilia exhibit featuring personal photos and iconic gowns worn by Houston as well as a pop-up shop with exclusive merch. The official unveiling of the WH-Whitney Houston Hotel takes place Wednesday, and the public is welcome to check out the “hotel” through Sunday. More info here.

Hot Tub With Kurt And Kristen -> This Wednesday the hilarious weekly variety show Hot Tub hosted by Kurt Braunohler and Kristen Schaal stops by Permanent Records Roadhouse with a new group of comedians for a night of laughs, music and sketch comedy. Tickets cost $8 online in advance and $12 at the door. More info here.

Astra Lumina: An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst The Stars -> ​​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. Astra Lumina is the 17th experience in the Lumina Night Walk series created by Moment Factory. Adult tickets start at $34 and there’s an additional fee for parking. Open on select dates through February 19. More info here. 

Cirque FLIP Fabrique: Muse -> On Wednesday, the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts at Pepperdine University welcomes Québec-based Cirque FLIP Fabrique for an evening of contemporary circus performances that include acrobats, trapeze artists, aerialists and other engaging performers. Tickets range $10 – $50. More info here.

New Exhibitions at Hauser & Wirth -> Hauser & Wirth’s Arts District location welcomes two new exhibitions starting this Thursday. Chinese artist Zeng Fanzh presents his first Los Angeles solo exhibition, featuring a series of large-scale, abstract landscapes in the South Gallery. Also debuting at the H&W will be Rita Ackermann Vertical Vanish, which will be on view in the North Gallery. Both exhibitions run through April 30. Get more info here.

First Thursdays in Westwood -> UCLA First Thursdays come in two parts: First there’s the Westwood Village Farmers Market from noon to 4 p.m., then an evening block party from 7 to 10 p.m. This month, the nighttime portion includes Cosmos-themed activities including meteorites on display, telescopes to view the Moon and Mars, a photo booth, and more. Free to attend. More info here.

First Thursday Artwalk in San Pedro -> The San Pedro Artwalk celebrates its 25th year this Thursday with open houses at studios and galleries on 6th and 7th street and live music on the corner of 6th and Mesa. The artwalk takes place from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.

Try/Step/Trip at The Wallis -> In Try/Step/Trip, Writer/Composer Dahlak Brathwaite takes inspiration from his own personal experience as a Black man exposed to the American criminal justice system to create a powerful and poetic spoken-word, musical told through the language of step dance. Part hip-hop and part dramatic performance, the show runs this Thursday through Sunday at The Wallis. Tickets start at $40. More info here.

Pop Cultured at The Lyric Hyperion -> Jimmy Pardo (Never Not Funny, Conan) hosts and judges three celebrity guests who compete to see who has the most pop-culture knowledge. Thursday’s lineup features Todd Glass (Netflix), Justine Marino (Comedy Central), and Daniel Van Kirk (Bob’s Burgers). Show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. More info here.

11th Annual San Pedro Film Festival -> This Thursday to Sunday, screen a number of diverse films that celebrate the culture and community of San Pedro. Artist MOBY will also make his directorial debut during this time with Punk Rock Vegan. Free to attend. All tickets can be reserved online. More info here.

First Fridays at NHM -> Natural History Museum’s signature monthly series returns for 2023 on February 3 with Dragons, Lore, and More, a discussion between Dr. Yewande Pearse and Rebecca C. Thompson, author of Fire, Ice, and Physics; The Science of Game of Thrones. The pair dissect the fantasy world’s made-up science and see how it matches up to the real-world. The evening also includes live music by Black Belt Eagle Scout and Ari Rivera, DJ sets in the nature garden, and pop-up experiences throughout the museum. Runs 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $20. Cosplay definitely encouraged! More info here.

“We The People” Billboard Exhibition -> Starting Friday, February 3, The Billboard Creative opens a new exhibition curated by Mona Kuhn that turns billboard advertising spaces into an open-air art for all to enjoy. The project features the work of 30 emerging and established artists working in a broad range of media – photography, painting, drawing, mixed media, and collage. We The People runs February 3­–28. More info here.

Abruzzo Wine Tasting with Ciavolich Winery -> Stop by Eataly this Friday for an Abruzzo Wine Tasting with Ciavolich Winery. Tickets cost $65 a person and include the wine tasting, food pairings and a discount to the wines featured. More info here.

Grand National Roadster Show -> The O’Reilly Auto Parts Grand National Roadster Show is the longest-running indoor car show in the world, and this Friday to Sunday the event returns to the Fairplex in Pomona for its 73rd season of showcasing the country’s top custom cars. Expect over 1,000 of the best hot rods, customs, low riders, muscle cars, trucks and motorcycles from across the nation on display. Tickets start at $30 for a one-day pass. More info here.

First Fridays in Bixby Knolls -> First Fridays along Atlantic Ave in Long Beach have returned, featuring an evening of pop-up activities, and a celebration of Black History Month with the “Strength Behind us, Greatness Ahead of Us” exhibit at Expo Arts Center plus live live music, art and special promotions at breweries and restaurants. More info here.

Dining & Drinking

Last August, Palm Springs-based and James Beard Award-winner Workshop Kitchen & Bar expanded to Los Angeles, and has since made some exciting changes. After debuting with a single tasting menu, Chef Michael Beckman recently converted offerings to entirely a la carte dishes, allowing diners to create their own version of the perfect meal.

Beckman’s approach to California cuisine puts an experimental spin on some familiar dishes. Think Duck Confit paired with green kimchi lentils; whole oyster mushrooms fried southern style and served with a side of B&B pickles, buttermilk sauce and local spiced honey; a refreshing salad tossed with pomegranates in a salted plum furikake vinaigrette. It feels like Beckman’s ingredient choices are a nod to the diversity of Los Angeles.

Also, the place has a definite vibe. The futuristic space awes with 20-foot ceilings and mysterious egg shaped cocoons flanking both sides of the room. The “pods” are fitted with their own seating, and add some privacy to the dinner service. I think it’s the perfect setting for a date night, and it’s clear the restaurant was designed to impress. Most importantly, the food is superb. 

Workshop Kitchen & Bar is located at 127 S. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles CA, 90036. They are open Tuesday-Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

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