Attend a conversation with Chuck D. Hear from Kristina Wong and the Auntie Sewing Squad. Learn about Black film history. Celebrate Valentine’s Day early with Lucha Va Voom.
The Auntie Sewing Squad Guide to Mask Making, Radical Care, and Racial Justice
Mark Taper Auditorium, Central Library
630 West 5th St., downtown L.A.
Performance artist, comedian, activist, and local politician Kristina Wong began sewing masks three days into the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020 and spread the word through her social media channels. Because she received an overwhelming response, she drafted friends and strangers to form the Auntie Sewing Squad to create personal protective equipment (PPE) and other relief for people all over the country. The ALOUD event with Wong and Aunties Jessica Arana, Māhealani Flournoy and Laura Karlin focuses on the mostly BIPOC folks who answered her call to fill the gaps in the U.S. government’s response. The event is being held in advance of the Los Angeles premiere of Wong’s Pulitzer Prize finalist solo play, Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord.
COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
A Conversation with Chuck D
Grammy Museum
800 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown L.A.
Hip hop pioneer, Public Enemy founder and political activist Chuck D celebrates the release of his fine art book, "Livin' Loud" (Genesis Publications), with a foreword by Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello. Attendees receive a signed copy of the book.
COST: $50; MORE INFO
Our Voices, Our Getty: Reflecting on Drawings
The J. Paul Getty Museum
1200 Getty Center Dr., Brentwood
This exhibition features personal and creative interpretations of drawings from the museum’s collection written by interns from the Getty Marrow Undergraduate Internship program. The group of 23 interns from SoCal colleges chose a work that resonated with them. In writing the label text, they were encouraged to share personal reflections on their selection.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
The Deck Investigates with Ashley Flowers
Orpheum Theatre
842 S. Broadway, downtown L.A.
Ashley Flowers, podcast producer and New York Times bestselling author, is on tour with her podcast The Deck Investigates. She brings news and information on cold case investigations from across the country to live audiences.
COST: $75 - $125; MORE INFO
Lucha VaVoom
The Mayan Theatre
1038 S. Hill St., downtown L.A.
Lucha VaVoom returns with its annual two-night Valentine’s glam/slam extravaganza dubbed Pasión de Fuego (Fire Passion). The Valentine's shows feature superstar wrestlers, aerialists and burlesque performers mixing Lucha VaVoom’s brand of sexo y violencia. Both nights will be hosted by comedian Blaine Capatch. 21+.
COST: $45 - $90; MORE INFO
Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Various locations in Santa Barbara
The 38th edition of the film festival includes 52 world premieres and 78 U.S. premieres from 43 countries, along with panel discussions, tributes and free community programs. The opening night film is the world premiere of Miranda’s Victim, a true crime drama directed by Michelle Danner and starring Abigail Breslin, Ryan Phillippe, Luke Wilson, Donald Sutherland, Mireille Enos and Andy Garcia.
COST: Individual events start at $15 - $20; MORE INFO
Black Silent Film History Program & Screening
Hollywood Heritage Museum
2100 Highland Ave., Hollywood
The museum teams with Norman Studios to present an Evening @ the Barn program focusing on the 1916 African American-run film studio in Jacksonville, Florida (nicknamed the “Winter Film Capital of the World”). The program features a lecture from historian Barbara C. Wingo, followed by a screening of the Norman Studios’ 1926 feature The Flying Ace. The studio was among the first to produce “race films,” which focused on black actors in positive, nonstereotypical roles.
COST: $10 - $20; MORE INFO
The Princess and the Frog
El Capitan Theatre
6838 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
Celebrate Valentine’s Day early during Disney+ Date Nite with a limited-time engagement of the 2009 animated feature, The Princess and the Frog. The dinner and a movie package option include a reserved ticket to the movie at the 7 p.m. screening and dinner at 5 p.m. or 9 p.m. at Miceli’s Italian Restaurant in Hollywood.
COST: $16 - $55; MORE INFO
A Grammy Salute To The Beach Boys
Dolby Theatre
6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
The live concert special includes an all-star lineup — Beck, Brandi Carlile, Fall Out Boy, Andy Grammer, Hanson, Norah Jones, Lady A, John Legend, Little Big Town, Michael McDonald, Mumford & Sons, My Morning Jacket, Pentatonix, Charlie Puth, LeAnn Rimes, St. Vincent, Take 6 and Weezer — who celebrate and honor the Beach Boys’ music.
COST: Tickets start at $75; MORE INFO
The Black Guy Dies First: Black Horror Cinema from Fodder to Oscar
Vroman’s Bookstore
695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
Author Mark Harris discusses his book, "The Black Guy Dies First: Black Horror Cinema from Fodder to Oscar," an exploration of the history of Black horror films. The book comes at the heels of the success of films and shows such as Get Out, Candyman and Lovecraft Country and examines themes, tropes and cultural history.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
What Is the Value of Art?
ASU California Center | Live on YouTube
1111 S. Broadway, downtown L.A.
Zócalo Public Square, KCRW, NeueHouse and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art present what promises to be a lively discussion and exploration around the question, "What Is the Value of Art?" Moderated by writer and curator Helen Molesworth, panelists include artist Andrea Bowers, co-founder of Meztli Projects Joel Garcia, and director and CEO of Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Sandra Jackson-Dumont. There’s an after-party at NeueHouse Bradbury (304 S. Broadway) with music by KCRW DJ Novena Carmel from 8:30-10:30 p.m.
COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
Patti LuPone: Don't Monkey with Broadway
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
The three-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone returns with her acclaimed one-woman show. LuPone explores and interprets in her own style Broadway show tunes from Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Jule Styne, Stephen Schwartz, Charles Strouse, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin. She also discusses her concern for what Broadway’s becoming today.
COST: Tickets start at $39; MORE INFO
CARUSO X STUDIO 526
The Grove, Grand Lobby
189 The Grove Dr., Fairfax
A new art exhibition is on view now at The Grove, developed in partnership with The People Concern, one of the largest housing and social service agencies in L.A. that supports survivors of domestic violence and those experiencing homelessness. See 10 works by nine artists from the Skid Row community. The art is available for purchase, with 100% of proceeds benefiting the artist and Studio 526, The People Concern’s art program.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Harlem Season 2
Prime Video released the second season of this under-the-radar series on Friday. Created by writer Tracy Oliver (Girls Trip), the comedy follows four ambitious and stylish friends Camille (Meagan Good), Tye (Jerrie Johnson), Quinn (Grace Byers) and Angie (Shoniqua Shandai) as they navigate life, love and friendship in their titular neighborhood. Picking up where the first season left off, the women face what we all do: break ups, self-discoveries and career choices. These characters aren’t perfect, which makes them totally relatable. Unlike season 1, two episodes drop on Fridays until the finale on Feb. 24.
Here are a few dine and drink deals to indulge in this week.
