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Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: December 5-7
The American Contemporary Ballet will once again put on 'The Nutcracker.'
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Courtesy ACB
)
Our Picks
Continue the trend of shopping small ahead of the holidays by checking out the crafts and activities at the many markets springing up across the city. In West Hollywood, the weekend brings the Rainbow District Winter Market, which features local artisans and vendors, plus a “Drag on Ice” show at the skating rink on Sunday. A little further east, the Melrose Trading Post hosts Merry Melrose every Sunday this month, with visits from Santa and gift-making workshops. Saturday, the Natural History Museum hosts its annual L.A. Commons Cultural Treasures Marketplace, with vendors from South L.A. and beyond. Hollywood Park also opens for its Winterfest, with photo ops, farmer’s market goodies and more. So now you can’t blame us if you don’t find something cute for the toughest family members on your list!
Planning ahead, the Foo Fighters just announced that they’ll play a benefit show for homeless charities Hope the Mission and the L.A. Mission at the Kia Forum on Jan. 14, with tickets on sale this Sunday. But if you’re heading out to see some music this week, Licorice Pizza’s Lyndsey Parker recommends two solo spinoffs happening Friday — Scars On Broadway from System of a Down’s Daron Malakian at the Palladium and Flock of Dimes, from Wye Oak’s Jenn Wasner at Zebulon. KIIS FM’s annual Jingle Ball, featuring Conan Gray, Zara Larsson, the Kid Laroi, Jessie Murph, Alex Warren, Leon Thomas, Reneé Rapp, Audrey Hobert and more, takes over the Intuit Dome on Friday as well. Saturday, the Aces with Lydia Night will be at the Bellwether, and Plague Vendor with Strawberry Fuzz will play the Teragram. And on Sunday, Fletcher plays the United Theater, while Say Anything and Motion City Soundtrack are at the Wiltern.
Elsewhere on LAist.com, you can get your tickets to Saturday’s Go Fact Yourself with Al Madrigal and 24 star Mary Lynn Rajskub, search for the best bagels in O.C. and more.
Events
The Big Fat Christmas Show
Friday, December 5, 8 p.m.
El Portal Theatre
5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood
COST: FROM $15; MORE INFO
Sponsored message
(
Courtesy El Portal
)
Broadway performers from a variety of shows descend on North Hollywood for the annual Big Fat Christmas Show, a singing-and-dancing spectacular. The El Portal has hosted Grammy and Tony winners over the years and always puts on a great show, all benefitting Hope the Mission around the holidays.
Ruthie Rogers and Ed Ruscha in conversation with Laurene Powell Jobs
Sunday, December 7, 4 p.m.
Glorya Kaufman Performing Arts Center at Vista Del Mar
3200 Motor Ave., Mid-City
COST: $25-$65, MORE INFO
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Courtesy Live Talks Los Angeles
)
Would some lemons brighten up your winter? Chef Ruthie Rogers, cofounder of River Cafe in London, and iconic Los Angeles artist Ed Ruscha celebrate their favorite citrus, the simple lemon, in their book that combines art and cooking, Squeeze Me: Lemon Recipes & Art. They will discuss the 50 innovative recipes and Ruscha’s illustrations with Laurene Powell Jobs, founder of Emerson Collective.
Sponsored message
Brown Broadway
Saturday and Sunday, December 6-7
The Assistance League Theatre
1367 N St Andrews Place, East Hollywood
COST: FROM $44.52, MORE INFO
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Courtesy Anita Lee Publicity
)
This new musical from Billie King is a dinner-theater-style immersive evening that combines a Southern-food-themed meal with the story of the Black musicians and performers who migrated west to Los Angeles in the 1920s through the '40s, chasing their dreams and confronting racial barriers along the way. See Central Ave. in a way you never have before!
Folk Cancer: Hooray for Hollydays
Saturday, December 6, 7:30 p.m.
Saban Theatre
8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills
COST: FROM $92; MORE INFO
Sponsored message
Siblings and folk darlings Rufus and Martha Wainwright honor the memory of their mother, Kate McGarrigle, with Cancer Can Rock, an organization supporting musicians facing cancer. For their holiday concert and fundraiser, friends like Lucy Dacus and Beck join the pair for an evening of folk favorites. Check out Lyndsey Parker’s interview with Rufus Wainwright ahead of the show.
LA Public Library Creators in Residence open house
Sunday, December 7, 2 p.m.
Mark Taper Auditorium
L.A. Central Library
630 W. 5th Street, Downtown L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Courtesy LAPL
)
Fashion designer Ashley Walker and food writer Tien Nguyen have spent the past year as artists-in-residence at the L.A. Library. See the product of their work at an open house and presentation at the Mark Taper Auditorium. They will be joined by special guest restaurateur Monica Lee for a conversation about their work and to view project highlights on display.
Sponsored message
Venice’s Holiday Sign Lighting & Block Party and Palisades Village Lighting
Saturday, December 6
Pacific Ave. & Windward Ave., Venice
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Palisades Village lighting
15225 Palisades Village Lane, Pacific Palisades
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Venice Paparazzi
)
The West Side gets lit, with the annual tree lighting in Palisades Village — the first since the devastating fires — and the Venice sign lighting in Venice. Palisades will be more traditional, with hot drinks and kid-friendly activities; Venice features live music and a festive atmosphere by the beach at Windward.
The Nutcracker Suite
November 29 through December 24
American Contemporary Ballet
333 S. Hope Street, Downtown L.A.
COST: FROM $85, MORE INFO
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Courtesy ACB
)
Sugar plum fairies grace the stage once again at American Contemporary Ballet's The Nutcracker Suite, one of L.A.’s favorite renditions of the Tchaikovsky holiday classic since 2017.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Friday, December 5, 7 p.m.
Q&A with Director Rian Johnson
Landmark Sunset
8000 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
COST: $22.75; MORE INFO
(
Netflix
)
The latest installment of the popular whodunit Knives Out series recently hit theaters, and director Rian Johnson will be on hand for a Q&A following this screening at the Landmark Sunset (I typed Sunset 5 about four times there; old habits die hard!). Collider is hosting this one, moderated by Perri Nemeroff.
Nutcracker Holiday Brunch
Sunday, December 7
Four Seasons Los Angeles
300 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills
COST: $185; MORE INFO
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Courtesy the Four Seasons
)
The Four Seasons is joining forces with the Pasadena Civic Ballet and Storyland Productions for an immersive Nutcracker-themed lunch with elegant tea sandwiches, artisanal pastries and Chef Riccardo’s Nutcracker Wonderland dessert display.
Let Japanese Curry Melt Your Heart: A Month-Long Celebration of Japan’s Signature Dish in LA
Monday, December 1 through Wednesday, December 31
(Free tasting at Fatty Mart December 5 to 7)
Various locations
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
(
©All Japan Curry Manufacturers Association
)
Japanese curry in all its delicious forms is on offer at a number of restaurants in the area, and the month kicks off with favorites at Mar Vista's Fatty Mart deli.
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