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  • A festival of lights, celebrating hip-hop & more
    An abstract image of colorful holiday lights.
    The Bloc DTLA lights up the night at the debut of Sparkle DTLA.

    This week

    Attend a design fair. Listen to A Hip-Hop Origin Story with Chuck D. Watch a performance by Rhiannon Giddens and Silkroad ensemble.

    Our picks:

    • Can You Dig It?: A Hip-Hop Origin Story With Chuck D, downtown L.A. - This panel discussion focuses on an immersive audio docuseries on how the Bronx in the 1970s transitioned from "outlaw culture to hip-hop culture," with the turning point being the brutal murder of Black Benjie, a gang member-turned-peacemaker.
    • WestEdge Design Fair, Santa Monica - The WestEdge Design Fair returns to Santa Monica for the first time since 2019. Contemporary design professionals and enthusiasts can hear from more than 45 presenting speakers, 20 culinary and mixology demonstrations.
    • Sparkle Grand at the Bloc DTLA, downtown L.A. - Watch the debut of Sparkle DTLA as 18 million lights, synchronized to holiday tunes, illuminate the night. 

    Attend a design fair. Listen to A Hip-Hop Origin Story with Chuck D. Watch a performance by Rhiannon Giddens and Silkroad ensemble.

    Events

    • Monday, November 13, 2023 at 6:00 PM

      Rhiannon Giddens looks into the camera while her right hand holds the orange sleeve of her blouse. The background is a brown gradient pattern.
      Rhiannon Giddens and members of Silkroad ensemble perform at Union Station.
      (
      Ebru Yildiz
      /
      Courtesy of Silkroad
      )

      Members of Silkroad — the ensemble that fosters cultural collaboration — along with Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens, perform at Union Station in a night of stories and song. The ensemble has embarked on its American Railroad tour, stopping in locations with significant connections to the U.S. Transcontinental Railroad. The shows tell the stories of the immigrant laborers whose contributions have largely been erased from history. The night ends with a Q&A with Giddens and author Lisa See.

    • Monday, November 13, 2023 at 6:00 PM

      A  black and white image of Jeff Tweedy in a hat, glasses and button-down shirt leaning up against a truck with Mississippi plates.
      (
      Sammy Tweedy
      /
      Courtesy of the artist
      )

      Wilco frontman, Uncle Tupelo co-founder and author Jeff Tweedy discusses his latest book, World Within a Song: Music that Changed My Life and Changed My Music, with actor and author Nick Offerman. Tweedy discusses why people love and listen to music and how songs connect us to each other and ourselves. In the book, he talks about 50 songs that changed his life and influenced his music, including work by the Replacements, Mavis Staples, Joni Mitchell, Otis Redding and Billie Eilish.

    • November 13, 2023 through November 29, 2023

      A vintage photograph of film reels, tap recorders, and a vinyl album.
      (
      Noom Peerapong
      /
      Unsplash
      )

      Nov. 13, 15, 27 and 29 at 6 p.m.

      The neighborhood eatery hosts public screenings of eight short films entirely created by Messhall staff and regular patrons. Each short was shot within the walls of the restaurant this past summer.

    • Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 7:30 PM

      Chuck D of Public Enemy wears an all-black ensemble and cap while holding his hands toward the camera.
      Chuck D of Public Enemy, seen at the 2023 Grammy Awards, takes part in a panel discussion about the Audible Original, 'Can You Dig It?'
      (
      JN/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
      /
      Getty Images North America
      )

      This panel discussion, held in conjunction with the Grammy Museum's exhibit, Hip-Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit, focuses on an immersive audio docuseries on how the Bronx in the 1970s transitioned from "outlaw culture to hip-hop culture," with the turning point being the brutal murder of Black Benjie, a gang member-turned-peacemaker. Moderated by Vice Chair of Critical Dance Studies and an Associate Professor in the Department of Black Study at UC Riverside Imani Kai Johnson, the panel includes the executive producers and creators of the Audible Original: Chuck D, Lorrie Boula, Pete Chelala, Bryan Master and Julian Voloj.

    • Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 7:30 PM

      Chef Nancy Silverton wears an apron with open-face toasts spread out before her on a table.
      Nancy Silverton, seen earlier at another 2023 event in Hollywood, discusses her new baking book at Second Home Hollywood.
      (
      Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Polestar
      /
      Getty Images North America
      )

      In partnership with the bookstore Now Serving, Second Home Hollywood presents a conversation between award-winning chef, baker and author Nancy Silverton and LA Times cooking columnist Ben Mims. The two will discuss Silverton's new baking book The Cookie That Changed My Life: And More Than 100 Other Classic Cakes, Cookies, Muffins, and Pies That Will Change Yours. Silverton made her name first as pastry chef at Spago before creating her empire with Campanile, La Brea Bakery, Mozza and Chi Spacca.

    • Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 6:30 PM

      Musician Jenny Owen Youngs in a black coat looks to her left in a picture taken outdoors.
      Singer-songwriter Jenny Owen Youngs performs in L.A. this week.
      (
      Lisa Czech
      /
      Courtesy of Yep Roc Records
      )

      Singer-songwriter Jenny Owen Youngs is on tour to support the release of Avalanche — her first full-length solo album in more than a decade. Her self-released debut, Batten The Hatches, landed her a song on Showtime's Weeds, leading to a deal with Nettwerk Records, which re-released the album along with her 2009 work, Transmitter Failure. You may have also caught Youngs on her podcast Buffering The Vampire Slayer, covering each episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer and a new series with her podcasting partner/ex-wife called The eX-Files. John Mark Nelson opens. Ages 21+.

    • Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 7:00 PM

      A black-and-white photo of two hands in motion, sunlit from above.
      Attend an evening of witchy burlesque, Bell, Book & Candle, at El Cid.
      (
      I.am_nah
      /
      via Unsplash
      )

      Attend a night of witchy fun, featuring burlesque, go-go dancing, psychics and vendors. The performance lineup includes Lux La Croix, Ruby Champagne, Queenie Blonde, Queen Ruby, Princess Farhana and Charlotte La Belle Araignee. Mae Lust emcees the night, which also features Lizzie Sixx on the turntables and rituals by Intuitive Shana.

    • Thursday, November 16, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

      A blurry photo of a night market, strung with lights across the top.
      There's a night market in Tustin this week.
      (
      Meghna R
      /
      via Unsplash
      )

      Bring the kids and pets to the monthly night market (which takes place every third Thursday) featuring 35+ makers and live music. Enjoy glowing festivities including neon games and neon coloring, plus shopping, snacking and a beer garden. Free parking.

    • November 16, 2023 through November 18, 2023

      A crowd shot of the interior aisles of the WestEdge Design Fair, shot from above.
      The WestEdge Design Fair returns to Santa Monica's Barker Hangar for the first time since 2019.
      (
      Courtesy of the WestEdge Design Fair
      /
      )

      The WestEdge Design Fair returns to Santa Monica for the first time since 2019. Contemporary design professionals and enthusiasts can hear from more than 45 presenting speakers, 20 culinary and mixology demonstrations and engage with the industry’s leading established and emerging brands.

    • Thursday, November 16, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

      An abstract image of colorful holiday lights.
      The Bloc DTLA lights up the night at the debut of Sparkle DTLA.
      (
      Katya Ross
      /
      via Unsplash
      )

      Watch the debut of Sparkle DTLA as 18 million lights, synchronized to holiday tunes, illuminate the night. The opening festivities include hot cocoa, sweet treats, an ugly sweater competition, live ice sculpture carving, shopping and music from iHeart 102.7 KIIS-FM DJ Santana and host EJ.

    Viewing Pick

    • Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 8:15 PM

      John Carpenter, dressed in all black, is seen on stage with synths, a mic and a Marshall amp.
      Watch a surprise, secret film by master of horror and synths, John Carpenter, seen here performing at Auditorium Parco Della Musica in Rome in 2016.
      (
      Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images
      /
      Getty Images Europe
      )

      See It on 16mm presents a top-secret film from John Carpenter — of course, on a 16mm print. Though we don't know what you're going to see on the big screen, it's a safe bet that it'll involve horror, blood and a lot of synths. If you can't make it to the Frida, the film screens at the Art Theatre of Long Beach (11/16), Gardena Cinema (11/17), Philosophical Research Society (11/18 ) and Lumiere Cinema (11/19).

    Dine and Drink Deals

    • Monday, November 13, 2023 at 6:00 PM

      A plate of garlic noodles with green onions on a white plate on a green table.
      Badmaash offers the a Indo-Chinese cuisine on Monday, Nov. 13.
      (
      Courtesy of Badmaash
      /
      )

      Indian restaurant Badmaash, which continues to celebrate its 10th anniversary, offers a new Indo-Chinese dining concept, Hakka Hakka, at its DTLA location on Nov. 13. Indian-Chinese cuisine, known as “Hakka Chinese” or simply “Hakka,” is the style of Chinese cuisine found in India; menu highlights include chili chicken, crispy lamb and Hakka noodles. Hakka Hakka seatings are at 6 and 8 p.m.

    • Tuesday, November 14, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM

      A greenish pickle-flavor mochi ball.
      My/Mochi celebrates National Pickle Day with a limited-edition pickle flavor.
      (
      Courtesy of My/Mochi
      /
      )

      The Los Angeles-based My/Mochi takes over the Santa Monica Pickleball Center in honor of National Pickle Day. To celebrate the day, they're bringing a limited-edition Classic Pickle mochi ice cream for pickleball players and spectators. The flavor is only available at select L.A.-area Bristol Farms and at www.mymochi.com.

    • Wednesday, November 15, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM

      The cover the Nik Sharma's book Veg-table featuring a pair of hands holding a basket of vegetables.
      Caldo Verde holds a four-course dinner based on Nik Sharma's book, 'Veg-table.'
      (
      Courtesy of Chronicle Books
      /
      )

      Caldo Verde celebrates bestselling author Nik Sharma and his book VEG-TABLE with a four-course meal. Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne’s ground-floor restaurant at DTLA’s Proper Hotel offers vegetable-centered recipes from Sharma’s cookbook (which will be available for purchase on-site via Now Serving). Menu highlights include Broccoli Za’atar salad; crispy sunchokes + preserved lemon gremolata; masala veggie burger with golden za’atar onion rings and buttermilk caraway dipping sauce; and crispy salmon with green curry spinach, coconut rice and winter squash.

    • Wednesday, November 15, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM

      A big tubular pasta dish on an orange plate.
      Taste Molly Baz's recipes from her latest cookbook at Great White on Larchmont on Nov. 15.
      (
      Courtesy of Great White
      /
      )

      The Larchmont location of Great White, the Australian-owned all-day cafe, welcomes chef, recipe developer, and New York Times best-selling cookbook author Molly Baz, for an exclusive evening featuring recipes from her new cookbook, More is More. Baz collaborates with Great White’s executive chef Juan Ferreiro to offer snacks, entrees and sides such as mortadella-wrapped grissini and Mollz Ballz meatballs, alongside her takes on pasta and salad. After the event, Mollz Ballz will be on the menu across all three Great White locations (Venice, Larchmont and Melrose) for a limited time.

    • November 9, 2023 through December 30, 2023

      A bowl of pickled veggie Escabeche on a plate with dill, lettuce and radishes. The sunlight hits the bowl, which rests on a white plate on a blue table top.
      Tuk Tuk x Turntable kicked off new residency called PLAGE on Sawtelle.
      (
      Courtesy of Tuk Tuk x Turntable
      /
      )

      A new pop-up has taken over the Tuk Tuk x Turntable space on Sawtelle, offering a French coastal menu with a Thai twist. The Plage collaboration between chef Rupert Blease of Lord Stanley in San Francisco and chef Amanda Maneesilasan of Tuk Tuk Thai opened last week with menu offerings such as the salmon with beurre blanc, garlic chive oil, squid with a Thai seafood sauce and cioppino. As of Monday, Nov. 13, indoor dining at the communal table will be by reservation only, and outdoor dining will be for walk-ins. 

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