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First full week of 2025? Let’s do this!
Kicking things off for this January 6-10 in Los Angeles, you’ll find Evading Capture: Black Women in Cinema at The Academy, A Complete Unknown Costume Exhibition at ASU FIDM Museum, First Wednesdays at he Aquarium of the Pacific, an opening reception for Alex Israel’s Noir at Gagosian, Animé Los Angeles, and more.
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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
Evading Capture: Black Women in Cinema – FA > In celebration of the LACMA’s exhibition Simone Leigh, filmmaker and Leigh’s collaborator Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich is curating Evading Capture: Black Women in Cinema, a film series screened at The Academy Museum that explores what happens after refusal. As part of the series, this Monday you can catch a screening of Diva, the story of a singer who chooses to keep her art on her own terms. The evening also includes a pre-show performance by classical singer Abiodun Koya and a post-screening conversation between Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich and scholar, curator, and critic Tiffany Barber. Free to attend, but you must RVSP in advance. Starts at 6:30 p.m. More info here.
Synth Club at Common Space – FA > Every first Monday of the month, the LA Synth Club hosts a monthly meet-up and jam session at Common Space Brewery in Hawthorne. Musicians are invited to bring their favorite synthesizers, drum machines, or any other electronic instruments to experiment / jam with. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. More info here.
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A Complete Unknown Costume Exhibition – M FA TP > Starting this Tuesday, ASU FIDM welcomes visitors to check out the costumes from the 2024 Searchlight Pictures film A Complete Unknown, directed by James Mangold and starring Timothée Chalamet, Monica Barbaro, Edward Norton and Elle Fanning. The exhibition displays hand-crafted costumes created by costume designer Arianne Phillips, as well as several props from the film, led by production designer François Audouy. It all remains on view through January 18. More info here.
Benson Movie Interruption – M > What’s better than seeing a terrible/awesome movie with your friends and making fun of it while you watch it? How about live commentary from some of entertainment’s funniest movie lovers. This Tuesday at Dynasty Typewriter, Doug Benson hosts a “your choice” version of his Movie Interrupted series with special guests including Paul Scheer and Roz Hernandez. Attendees are invited to bring in a Blue Ray / DVD of their choice, and the audience will vote on what to watch before the show begins. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7. Tickets are $20 in advance, or $25 the day-of. More info here.
First Wednesday Lecture at The AoP -> Every first Wednesday evening of the month, the Aquarium of the Pacific hosts a guest lecture and cocktail reception at the Pacific Visions Theater. For January 8, join them for a night focused on theme “Living With the “Wild” Wolves in California”. Tickets are $5 in advance, or $10 the day of. More info here.
Small Batch Trivia at Truly LA -> Every Wednesday at the Truly LA taproom, Geeks Who Drink host a free edition of Small Batch Trivia from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. There will be prizes too! Get more info here.
Pinball tournament at Trademark Brewing – M > Fancy yourself a pinball wizard? Each Thursday at Trademark Brewing in Long Beach put on by Long Beach Pinball. There will be 4 rounds of 1 game each for qualifying rounds, then top 4 scorers will compete in a one round game to determine the winner. Entry is $6 plus coin drop. Starts at 7:30 p.m. More info here.
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Opening Reception for Alex Israel’s Noir at Gagosian – FA > This Thursday evening at Gagosian gallery in Beverly Hills, catch the opening reception for Noir, an exhibition of new paintings by LA-based multimedia artist Alex Israel. Thursday’s opening runs from 6 to 8 p.m., and regular gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. More info here.
Animé Los Angeles – M > This Thursday to Sunday, Animé Los Angeles brings a 4-day, fan-centric anime convention to the Long Beach Convention Center this January. Expect 200+ participant artists, cosplay contests, tabletop gaming, a Manga Lounge, karaoke, and more. Single-day tickets range from $40-$60. More info here.
Read The Room Tarot & Comedy Show – M TP > Read The Room is back at The The Crow this Friday night. At this recurring show, professional tarot reader Jovan Illa teams up with comedian Orion Levine to read and interpret the tarot cards of audience members. To get a chance for a reading, you can drop your name in The Crow’s Mystical Chalice. Just don’t be shocked if your predicted future makes you laugh! Tickets are $23.88. Show starts at 8 p.m. More info here.
Drunk Theatre at Santa Monica Playhouse -> Bay Area import Drunk Theatre is exactly what it sounds like: A comedian downs five quick shots of whiskey and then sees if he/she/they can make through an improvised set with five (sober) counterparts. Pre-sale tickets are $22 online, or $25 at the door. You can also get a 2-for-1 deal online via Eventbrite. Show begins at 9 p.m. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Happy Hour at Highly Likely -> Head to Highly Likely in West Adams and enjoy their wallet-friendly “7 Under 7 Highly Hour,” where every item on the menu costs $7 or less. Stop by Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. to snack on delicious bites like mini chicken sliders, crispy artichoke fritto, yuzu deviled eggs, and gooey cheese fries. Sip on natural red, white, or rosé wines for just $6.99, or grab a Rancho West beer for only $5. If you’re craving something sweet, treat yourself to a granola cookie or a miso chocolate chip cookie for just $3.75 each. More info here.
Happy Hour at Dear Jane’s -> Marina del Rey’s Dear Jane’s—the seafood-forward sibling to steakhouse Dear John’s—welcomes you to cozy up at the bar and enjoy an irresistible happy hour lineup. Visit Wednesday through Sunday, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and savor expertly crafted drinks and bites created by chef Josiah Citrin’s talented team. Sip on $13 craft cocktails, $12 highballs, $8 wines, and $7 beers while you dig into wallet-friendly eats. Start with shareable favorites like fried calamari or truffle fries for just $9. Satisfy bigger cravings with a plate of Steak Frites at $17.95, or bite into the Fried Cod Sandwich or juicy Burger, both priced at $13.95. More info here.
Happy Hour at Pez Coastal -> Pasadena’s Pez Coastal, led by Chef Bret Thompson, delivers a seafood-centric happy hour worth savoring. Drop by Tuesday through Friday, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., for $12 cocktails made with Don Fulano Tequila or Sagamore Rye, paired with a menu of elevated bites. Indulge in dishes like the Ceviche Tostada, Steelhead Trout Rillette with forbidden rice cake, or Lamb Pistachio Meatballs, all priced between $8 and $15. For something extra special, dive into combos like Oysters and Bubbles for $19 (three oysters) or The Perfect Pair—featuring two shrimp cocktails, two oysters, and two ahi tuna gazpachos—for $24. More info here.
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