The UCLA women's basketball team in the Final Four, a Homeboy Industries musical, a White Lotus finale party, Shakespeare at a bar and more.
Our picks:
Watch Me! in Long Beach is the place to watch women’s sports in the area, so it’s no surprise they will be hosting a big party for the UCLA game against the UConn Huskies in the NCAA Women's Final Four. Go Bruins!
Not sure you can get more L.A. than this. Homeboy Industries, the iconic L.A. nonprofit founded by Father Greg Boyle, is now the subject of a new musical. Workshop performances of Homeboys are on this weekend through Sunday. The show celebrates the organization that began serving former gang members and at-risk youth in 1988.
Head to the West Hollywood Edition for a free drink and a screening of the season finale of The White Lotus. Wear your best tropical caftan and gasp as we all find out (finally, it’s been dragging, hasn’t it?) who fired the shots in the episode 1 opener.
I went to an inspiring lecture with Jane Goodall — who turns 91 this week — at Pasadena High School last Sunday. She shared stories from her life and the lives of the animals she’s spent her career studying. It was the perfect kickoff to Earth Month (and L.A.’s own upcoming Climate Week) and a reminder that, like nature, we are resilient.
One way to flex your green this month is by participating in CicLAvia — this weekend, it’s “Koreatown meets Hollywood” for the open streets event.
Friday, April 4, 6 p.m. NCAA Women’s Final Four: UCLA vs. UConn ESPN, Watch Me! Sports Bar and multiple other bars around the area COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
UCLA forward Timea Gardiner, #30, celebrates her basket with teammates UCLA forward Kendall Dudley, #22, and UCLA forward Angela Dugali, #32.
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Allen J. Schaben
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L.A. Times via Getty Images
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Watch Me! in Long Beach is the place for watching women’s sports in the area (we wrote this piece featuring them last year), so it’s no surprise they will be hosting a big party for the UCLA game against the UConn Huskies in the NCAA Women's Final Four. Of course, bars closer to campus will be rocking, and it’s on ESPN as well. Go Bruins!
Through Saturday, May 3 'Superradiance' CTRL Gallery 945 Chung King Road Chinatown COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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superradiance.net
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It’s hard to explain, but this very cool installation that first premiered at Tribeca Film Festival is a must-see while it’s here. “Superradiance” is a multiscreen video and sound installation that blends dance, poetry, music, generative visuals and artificial intelligence. Created by L.A.-based artists @memo_akten and @katiepeytonhofstadter, the piece explores the relationship between ourselves and AI using the concept of “embodied simulation — our brain's tendency to unconsciously mirror the movements and experiences of others.”
Saturday, April 5, 9:30 p.m. La Roux El Cid 4212 Sunset Blvd. Silver Lake COST: $34.25; MORE INFO
Grammy-winning British synthpop favorite La Roux (Elly Jackson) plays El Cid for the last night of a month-long L.A. residency that’s taken her to several L.A. venues since March. These shows are the first for La Roux in L.A. in a decade; the El Cid show is sold out, but there is a waiting list.
Through Sunday, April 6 Homeboys: A Musical Casa 0101 2102 1st St. Downtown L.A. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
I’m not sure you can get more L.A. than this. Homeboy Industries, the iconic L.A. nonprofit founded by Father Greg Boyle, is now the subject of a new musical. Workshop performances of Homeboys are on this weekend through Sunday, celebrating the organization that began serving former gang members and at-risk youth in 1988. The show “follows six homeboys and homegirls as they try to leave la vida, recounting the founding of Homeboy Industries by Father Greg Boyle and featuring pan-Latin musical styles from 1990s rap to reggaeton and cumbia.”
Following Sunday’s performance, a conversation featuring the creators of Homeboys and members of Homeboy Industries will be moderated by USC professor Robert Hernandez.
Friday, April 4, 8 p.m. Bardfly Theatre Co.presents Twelfth Night Boomtown Brewery 700 Jackson St. Arts District COST: $15; MORE INFO
A little Shakespeare with your pint? Don’t mind if I do. Bardfly Theatre Company only does site-specific shows, so this time they’ve adapted Shakepeare’s tale of love and mistaken identity to the brewery’s picnic tables. Tickets for the 90-minute retelling of Twelfth Night are general admission; seating is available on a first-come first-serve basis.
Saturday, April 5, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. DTLB Art + Design Walk: Celebrate Downtown Edition Multiple locations Long Beach COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Mike Zampelli
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Courtesy Downtown Long Beach Alliance
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Celebrate downtown Long Beach’s art scene during this free, walkable afternoon with open galleries, live bands and public art. There’s also a free shuttle and the presentation of the annual Spirit of Downtown Awards.
April 4-6 U.S. Hip Hop Dance Championship Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel 2500 N. Hollywood Way Burbank COST: FROM $45; MORE INFO
Dance crews from around the country face off at the Hip Hop Dance Championship. Who will rep the USA this summer at the World Hip Hop Dance Championship in Phoenix? The creators of America’s Best Dance Crew host the championships, plus there are dance workshops and competitions for all ages going on throughout the weekend. Check it out with the whole family!
Outdoor Pick
Sunday, April 6, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Composting Workshop Dirt Girls Ojai Address made available with RSVP COST: $75, FREE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS/DISPLACED FOLKS; MORE INFO
A compost pile.
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Jessica Langlois for LAist
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Kick off Earth Month with a drive up to Ojai for this unique composting workshop with the environmental collective Dirt Girls. You’ll learn to build usable, nutrient-dense compost using the “hot compost” method with Connor Jones, the founder of the Ojai permaculture site East End Eden. Plus, stick around after for a backyard grill at 5 p.m.
Viewing Pick
Saturday, April 5, 11 a.m. The Garage and The Battle of the Century Sierra Madre Playhouse 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra Madre COST: $12; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Sierra Madre Playhouse
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Sierra Madre Playhouse has teamed up with Retroformat Silent Films for a real treat. A double feature of silent film comedies – The Garage (1920) starring Buster Keaton and Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, and The Battle of the Century (1927) starring Laurel and Hardy. It’s a rare opportunity to see films like this on the big screen.
Dine & Drink Deals
Friday, April 4, 8 a.m. Levain opening in Venice Levain 1661 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice
Everyone in Venice has been walking by the Levain storefront for weeks now waiting for those cookies to be ready. I was walking down Abbot Kinney Boulevard yesterday and heard a woman stop a worker wearing a Levain apron to ask when it would be open. Friends, it’s here and if you’re one of the first 100 in line, score a free Levain swag bag. Those cookies the size of your head are baked daily in Venice from this Friday onward. Yum.
Saturday, April 5, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Yama Sushi x domi Yama Sushi Marketplace 911 W. Las Tunas Dr. San Gabriel COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Domi
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Beautiful little matcha cakes from dōmi are popping up at Yama’s San Gabriel location in all kinds of delightful flavors this weekend. Flavors include: Matcha Red Bean Cake, Blueberry Matcha Cake, a Mini Matcha Strawberry Tart, Yuzu Matcha-Misu, and Chocolate Salted Caramel Black Sesame Cake
Sunday, April 6, 5 p.m. The White Lotus Grand finale screening party EDITION 9040 W. Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Morgana O'Reilly, Arnas Fedaravičius, Christian Friedel, Dom Hetrakul and Lalisa Manobal play resort workers in Season 3 of 'The White Lotus.'
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Fabio Lovino
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HBO
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Don’t mix lorazepam with your martini, but do head to the West Hollywood Edition for a free drink and a screening of the season finale of White Lotus. Wear your best tropical caftan and gasp as we all find out (finally, it’s been dragging, hasn’t it?) who fired the shots in the episode 1 opener and what will become of the guests at Thailand’s most luxe resort.
Robert Garrova
explores the weird and secret bits of SoCal that would excite even the most jaded Angelenos. He also covers mental health.
Published December 13, 2025 5:00 AM
Interior of Healing Force of the Universe records in Pasadena, where a benefit concert is held on Sunday to help fire survivors build back their record collections.
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Erin Grace Kim
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LAist
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Topline:
This Sunday, a special donation concert at Pasadena's Healing Force of the Universe record store helps fire survivors get their vinyl record collections back.
The backstory: The record donation effort is the brainchild of musician Brandon Jay, who founded the nonprofit Altadena Musicians after losing his home and almost all of his family’s musical instruments in the Eaton Fire. Now, he has turned his efforts on rebuilding people's lost record collections.
Read on ... to find details of the show happening Sunday.
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena and Pasadena’s music community have really shown up to support fire survivors, especially fellow musicians who lost instruments and record collections.
That effort continues this weekend with a special donation concert at a Pasadena record store, with the aim of getting vinyl records back in the hands of survivors who lost their collections.
“You know, our name is Healing Force of the Universe, and I think that gives me a pretty clear direction… especially after the fires,” said Austin Manuel, founder of Pasadena record store, where Sunday’s show will be held.
The record donation effort is the brainchild of musician Brandon Jay, who founded the nonprofit Altadena Musicians after losing his home and almost all of his family’s instruments in the Eaton Fire. Through Altadena Musicians’s donation and registry platform, Jay said he and his partners have helped some 1,200 fire survivors get their music instruments back.
Brandon Jay.
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Robert Garrova
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LAist
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Now, that effort has fanned out to restoring vinyl record collections.
“All of that stuff evaporated for thousands of people,” Jay said. “Look at your own record collection and be like, ‘Wow, what if that whole thing disappeared?’”
You might know Jay from several bands over the years, including Lutefisk, a 1990s alt-rock band based in Los Angeles. He and his wife, Gwendolyn Sanford, composed music for TV shows, including Orange is the New Black and Weeds.
Jay plans to play some holiday tunes at Sunday's record donation show (which LAist is the media sponsor), along with fellow musician Daniel Brummel of Sanglorians. Brummel, who was also a founding member of Pasadena’s indie-rock sensation Ozma, said he was grateful to Jay for his fire recovery work and to Manuel for making Healing Force available for shows like this.
Brummel, who came close to losing his own home in the Eaton Fire, recalled a show he played at Healing Force back in March.
Ryen Slegr (left) and Daniel Brummel perform with their band, Ozma, on the 2014 Weezer Cruise.
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Even Keel Imagery
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“The trauma of the fires was still really fresh,” Brummel said. After playing a cover of Rufus Wainwright’s “Going to a Town,” that night — which includes the lyrics “I’m going to a town that has already been burnt down” — Brummel said his neighbors in the audience told him the rendition hit them hard. “It felt really powerful. And without that space, it just wouldn’t have occurred.”
Details
Healing Force of the Universe Record Donation Show Featuring: Quasar (aka Brandon Jay), Sanglorians (Daniel Brummel) and The Acrylic. Sunday, Dec. 14; 2 to 5 p.m. 1200 E. Walnut St., Pasadena Tickets are $15 or you can donate 5 or more records at the door. More info here.
Fire department honored with 'Award of Excellence'
Makenna Sievertson
covers the daily drumbeat of Southern California — events, processes and nuances making it a unique place to call home.
Published December 12, 2025 4:30 PM
The "Award of Excellence Star" honoring the Los Angeles Fire Department on Friday.
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Matt Winkelmeyer
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Getty Images
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Topline:
The Hollywood Walk of Fame has a new neighbor — a star dedicated to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Why it matters: The Fire Department has been honored with an “Award of Excellence Star” for its public service during the Palisades and Sunset fires, which burned in the Pacific Palisades and Hollywood Hills neighborhoods of L.A. in January.
Why now: The star was unveiled on Hollywood Boulevard on Friday at a ceremony hosted by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Hollywood Community Foundation.
Awards of Excellence celebrate organizations for their positive impacts on Hollywood and the entertainment industry, according to organizers. Fewer than 10 have been handed out so far, including to the LA Times, Dodgers and Disneyland.
The backstory: The idea of awarding a star to the Fire Department was prompted by an eighth-grade class essay from Eniola Taiwo, 14, from Connecticut. In an essay on personal heroes, Taiwo called for L.A. firefighters to be recognized. She sent the letter to the Chamber of Commerce.
“This star for first responders will reach the hearts of many first responders and let them know that what they do is recognized and appreciated,” Taiwo’s letter read. “It will also encourage young people like me to be a change in the world.”
LAFD Chief Jaime E. Moore, Eniola Taiwo and LAFD firefighters with the "Award of Excellence Star" Friday.
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Matt Winkelmeyer
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Getty Images North America
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The Award of Excellence Star is in front of the Ovation Entertainment Complex next to the Walk of Fame; however, it is separate from the official program.
What officials say: Steve Nissen, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement Taiwo’s letter was the inspiration for a monument that will “forever shine in Hollywood.”
“This recognition is not only about honoring the bravery of the Los Angeles Fire Department but also about celebrating the vision of a young student whose words reminded us all of the importance of gratitude and civic pride,” said Nissen, who’s also president and CEO of the Hollywood Community Foundation.
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L.A. City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto was accused of an ethics breach in a case the city settled for $18 million.
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Carlin Stiehl
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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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Topline:
Fallout from allegations of an ethics breach by Los Angeles’ elected city attorney has reached the City Council. Councilmember Ysabel Jurado introduced a motion Friday requesting a closed-session meeting about an allegation that City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto improperly contacted a witness days before her office entered into one of the city’s biggest settlements in recent years. The motion came a day after LAist reported about the allegation.
The case: In September, the city settled a lawsuit brought forward by two brothers in their 70s who said they suffered serious injuries after an LAPD officer crashed into their car. Days before the $18 million settlement was reached, lawyers for the brothers said Feldstein Soto called an expert witness testifying for the plaintiffs and “attempted to ingratiate herself with him and asked him to make a contribution to her political campaign,” according to a sworn declaration to the court by the plaintiffs’ attorney, Robert Glassman.
The response: Feldstein Soto did not respond to an interview request. Her spokesperson said the settlement “had nothing to do” with the expert witness. Her campaign manager told LAist the city attorney had been making a routine fundraising call and did not know the person had a role in the case, nor that there were pending requests for her office to pay him fees.
What Jurado says: In a statement to LAist, Jurado said she wants to “make sure that the city’s legal leadership is guided by integrity and accountability, especially when their choices affect public trust, civic rights and the city’s limited resources."
What’s next: The motion needs to go through a few committees before reaching the full City Council. If it passes, the motion calls for the city attorney to “report to council in closed session within 45 days regarding the ethics breach violation and give updates to the City Council."
Topline:
Fallout from allegations of an ethics breach by Los Angeles’ elected city attorney has reached the City Council. Councilmember Ysabel Jurado introduced a motion Friday requesting a closed-session meeting about an allegation that City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto improperly contacted a witness days before her office entered into one of the city’s biggest settlements in recent years. The motion came a day after LAist reported about the allegation.
The case: In September, the city settled a lawsuit brought forward by two brothers in their 70s who said they suffered serious injuries after an LAPD officer crashed into their car. Days before the $18 million settlement was reached, lawyers for the brothers said Feldstein Soto called an expert witness testifying for the plaintiffs and “attempted to ingratiate herself with him and asked him to make a contribution to her political campaign,” according to a sworn declaration to the court by the plaintiffs’ attorney, Robert Glassman.
The response: Feldstein Soto did not respond to an interview request. Her spokesperson said the settlement “had nothing to do” with the expert witness. Her campaign manager told LAist the city attorney had been making a routine fundraising call and did not know the person had a role in the case, nor that there were pending requests for her office to pay him fees.
What Jurado says: In a statement to LAist, Jurado said she wants to “make sure that the city’s legal leadership is guided by integrity and accountability, especially when their choices affect public trust, civic rights and the city’s limited resources."
What’s next: The motion needs to go through a few committees before reaching the full City Council. If it passes, the motion calls for the city attorney to “report to council in closed session within 45 days regarding the ethics breach violation and give updates to the City Council."
Destiny Torres
is LAist's general assignment and digital equity reporter.
Published December 12, 2025 3:38 PM
Luis Cantabrana turns the front of his Santa Ana home into an elaborate altar in honor of La Virgen de Guadalupe.
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Destiny Torres
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LAist
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Topline:
Today marks el Día de La Virgen de Guadalupe, or the day of the Virgen of Guadalupe, an important holiday for Catholics and those of Mexican descent. In Santa Ana, Luis Cantabrana builds an elaborate altar in her honor that draws hundreds of visitors.
What is the holiday celebrating? In 1513, the Virgin Mary appeared before St. Juan Diego, asking him to build a church in her honor. Her image — a brown-skinned woman, wearing a green veil with her hands clasped in prayer and an angel at her feet — miraculously appeared on his cloak. Every year on Dec. 12, worshippers of the saint celebrate the Guadalupita with prayer and song.
Read on … for how worshippers in Santa Ana celebrate.
Every year in Santa Ana, Luis Cantabrana turns the front of his home into an elaborate altar in honor of La Virgen de Guadalupe that draws hundreds of visitors.
Along the front of the house, the multi-colored altar is filled with lights, flowers and a stained-glass tapestry behind a sculpture of the Lady of Guadalupe. Cantabrana’s roof also is lit up with the green, white and red lights that spell out “Virgen de Guadalupe” and a cross.
Visitors are welcomed with music and the smell of roses as they celebrate the saint, but this year’s gathering comes after a dark year for immigrant communities.
Luis Cantabrana stands in front of the stunning altar he built in front of his home in honor of La Virgen de Guadalupe. Every year, his display draws hundreds of visitors.
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Destiny Torres
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LAist
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Why do they celebrate?
In 1513, the Virgin Mary appeared before St. Juan Diego between Dec. 9 and Dec. 12, asking him to build a church in her honor. Her image — a brown-skinned woman wearing a green veil with her hands together in prayer and an angel at her feet — miraculously appeared on his cloak.
To celebrate in Santa Ana, worshippers gathered late-night Wednesday and in the very early hours Dec. 12 to pray the rosary, sing hymns and celebrate the saint.
Cantabrana has hosted worshippers at his home for 27 years — 17 in Santa Ana.
The altar started out small, he said, and over the years, he added a fabric background, more lights and flowers (lots and lots of flowers).
“It started with me making a promise to la Virgen de Guadalupe that while I had life and a home to build an altar, that I would do it,” Cantabrana said. “Everything you see in photos and videos is pretty, but when you come and see it live, it's more than pretty. It's beautiful.”
The Santa Ana home's elaborate altar in honor of La Virgen de Guadalupe draws hundreds of visitors each year.
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Destiny Torres
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LAist
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Gathering in a time of turmoil
Many also look to the Lady of Guadalupe for protection, especially at a time when federal enforcement has rattled immigrant communities.
“People don’t want to go to work, they don’t want to take their kids to school, but the love we have for our Virgen de Guadalupe,” Cantabrana said. “We see that la Virgen de Guadalupe has a lot of power, and so we know immigration [enforcement] won’t come here.”
Margarita Lopez of Garden Grove has been visiting the altar for three years with her husband. She’s been celebrating the Virgencita since she was a young girl. Honoring the saint is as important now as ever, she said.
“We ask, and she performs miracles,” Lopez said.
Claudia Tapia, a lifelong Santa Ana resident, said the VirginMary represents strength.
“Right now, with everything going on, a lot of our families [have] turned and prayed to the Virgen for strength during these times,” Tapia said. “She's a very strong symbol of Mexican culture, of unity, of faith and of resilience.”
See it for yourself
The shrine will stay up into the new year on the corner of Broadway and Camile Street.
