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By the time you read these words the weekend of rain ought to be winding down, and that’s good news because there are some excellent options to check out in Los Angeles over the next few days.
From January 22-26 in L.A., catch friend or flame speed dating at Good Clean Fun, a new talk at Zócalo Public Square, new exhibitions at the Torrance Museum of Art, a Sand Mandala made by Tibetan Monks at UPAM, DESIGN MUSUEM JAPAN at Japan House LA, Stand Up for Pups at PetSpace, and more. Enjoy your week!
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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
Drive-By Theatre Festival -> This Monday is the final day of Zombie Joe’s Underground’s 21st annual Drive-By Theatre Festival, which hosts 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 during the three-day run. Tickets are $20 in advance, or $25 at the door. Get more info here.
friend or flame @ Good Clean Fun – M > This Monday, Friend or Flame has teamed up with Good Clean Fun to present a night of conversation, cocktails, and connections. Whether one is on the lookout for a flirty new friend or a scorching hot flame, the singles speed dating event invites individuals to spark some sort of connection. This round of Friend or Flame is tailored for straight folks. The speed dating segment of the evening will last approximately 45 minutes with mingling and a dance party to follow. Tickets cost $25 a person. More info here.
Sketch Party LA – FA > Sketch Party’s twice-monthly drawing/drinking meet-up comes to Benny Boy Brewing this Tuesday. They’ll hook you up with sketch paper, pens, pencils, and markers, then it’s up to you to create, mingle, hang out, and enjoy BB’s solid lineup of craft beers and ciders. All artistic levels welcome. Free to attend. Runs 7 to 11 p.m. 21+ only. More info here.
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New Exhibitions at TAM – FA > Over this past weekend, two new exhibitions opened at the Torrance Museum of Art: WESTERN VALUES: Re-thinking the Old West in the main gallery and Brian Singer’s Everything you say can and will be held against you in gallery 2. The museum is free to visit, open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. More info here.
“What is a Good Job Now?” for the Formerly Incarcerated – M FA > Zócalo Public Square’s latest live event series is a set of discussions homing in on workers in the low-wage sectors of California’s economy. This Wednesday, an expert panel will delve into the landscape of challenges facing the formerly incarcerated as they search for employment. Attending will talk will be Amity Foundation president and CEO Doug Bond, Root & Rebound executive director Carmen Garcia, and Anti-Recidivism Coalition executive director Sam Lewis. Plus, stay after the talk for a reception featuring complimentary small bites by 2nd Chance Soul Food Fish Fry. Starts at 7 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Sacred Sand Mandala at UPAM – M TP > Tibetan monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery, in South India will be at the USC Pacific Asia Museum all this week to create a Sand Mandala, a Tibetan Buddhist tradition that involves the creation and destruction of paintings made using colored sand. Their will be an opening blessing ceremony on Wednesday at 2 p.m., and then museum visitors will be able to observe the creation of the mandala on 2 to 5 p.m. through Saturday, at which time the work will be dismantled as a symbol of the Buddhist belief in the transitory nature of material life. Access to view the Sand Mandala is included with UPAM admission, which starts at $10 for adults. More info here.
Bear City Comedy – FA > Every Wednesday, you can catch free comedy at Que Sera in Long Beach presented by Bear City, featuring a rotating lineup of up-and-comers from Netflix, Comedy Central, HBO, and beyond. This week’s lineup includes Megan Gailey (Conan, Fallon, Don’t Tell), Mike Eshaq (Comedy Central, Netflix), John Hastings (NBC, Comedy Central), Jeff Leach (Showtime, BBC), Maria Bruggere (Netflix), and Reid Clark (Laugh Factory). Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 7:30. Cash bar, but no drink minimum. More info here.
Dance Camera West Festival -> This Thursday to Sunday, celebrate the art form of dance at this annual film festival at Barnsdall Gallery Theatre featuring a packed schedule of free and ticketed screenings and programs. More info here.
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DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN – M FA TP > Beginning this Friday, the newest exhibition at Japan House Los Angeles feature’s six of Japan’s top creators, each selected to research and exemplify “design treasures” native to specific regions of their home country. The result of these investigations is at the heart of the exhibition, offering various display cubes, documentary videos, and an interactive “workshop” that encourages visitors to contribute to the gallery. DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN is free to attend during regular gallery hours. More info here.
Fourth Fridays in Long Beach – FA TP > Retro Row in Long Beach comes alive on the fourth Friday of the month with special pop-ups, live performances, and extended store hours from shops on 4th St between Temple and Cherry. The event runs 6 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Last Improv – M > This Friday at Dynasty Typewriter, The Last Improv gathers an A-list lineup of comedians to perform skits based on the stories of a guest monologist who offers impromptu diatribes inspired by audience suggestion. Dan Black hosts. GA tickets are $25 in advance, or $30 the day-of. Starts at 7:30 p.m., doors open at 6:30. More info here.
Stand Up for Pups -> On Friday, Wallis Annenberg PetSpace and Can’t Even Comedy present Stand Up for Pups, a dog-friendly comedy show to support animal rescue. Hosted by Caitlin Benson the evening includes a DJ set and a meet-and-greet with adoptable pups. Tickets start at $25. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
PLANTA Unlimited Make Nights -> After 5 p.m. on Mondays, plant-based restaurant PLANTA hosts unlimited maki rolls for $27 a person. The vegan sushi offerings include a baked crab roll made with heart of palm, ahi watermelon, crispy rice and torched avocado with a miso truffle glaze. There are two PLANTA locations one in Brentwood and the other in Marina del Rey, menus vary with the Brentwood location offering more maki options.
An Umami Restaurant Campaign in Los Angeles ->Japan’s JFOODO organization, which promotes Japanese specialty products, are collaborating with restaurants in Los Angeles, New York and Singapore to offer limited-time menus that use Japanese ingredients and Japanese fermented seasonings such as mirin, miso, rice vinegar and soy sauce. From now through early March the public can order these UMAMI-rich dishes at a number of participating restaurants including Izakya Osen in Silver Lake to Tensho in Little Tokyo and Wadatsumi in Torrance. More info here.
Kawafuku Sukiyaki at Azay -> This week, Azay in Little Tokyo is featuring a special sukiyaki menu inspired by the historic Kawafuku restaurant. Originally established in 1923 in Little Tokyo, Kawafuku was known for hosting large community events and weddings before undergoing a transition to booth seating. It also holds the distinction of being the first restaurant in the United States to serve sushi. In 1976, it was displaced to make way for the development of the Otani Hotel, but this week you can get a taste of the past from January 25-27, when the Azay team will be serving the famous sukiyaki from Kawafuku at $65 per person. The meal includes several courses: suimono soup, sunomono, Sukiyaki, rice, tea, and anmitsu dessert. Reservation times vary and start at 5:30pm. More info here.
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