Tonight’s the opening night of John Gabriel Borkman, by Henrik Ibsen at CalArts in Valencia, directed by MFA directing candidate Maureen Huskey. The play’s story is still so familar: A turn-of-the-century family tries to forge a new path through the their past failures. “The clash between generations and the tenuous grip of family loyalty provide the backdrop for a beautifully grotesque dance between the forces of death and destruction and the life-giving impulse to move forward.” The play runs at 8 pm through March 14 (except for March 8) at the Walt Disney Modular Theatre at CalArts. Tickets are free, but reservations are required. more ›

Charles Darwin would have turned 200 this year. The Natural History Museum celebrates the scientist at its monthly First Friday event. At 5:30 pm take a tour of the Ornithology (bird) Collections with Kimball Garrett; then follow that up with the 6:30 pm book signing and discussion on “Darwin's Evolution” with writer Lyanda Lynn Haupt. If that’s not enough to entice you then stay for the music and (7-10 pm) by The Little Ones and Plants and Animals, and DJ sets by The Phatal DJ and DJ Kutmah. more ›