Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: January 23-25

I have been LOVING how green everything is. The regrowth post-fires is nothing short of inspiring, and you can check out some of these hikes over the weekend to see for yourself. Another way to take advantage of the outdoors is by booking a free guided tour of the new 101 Wildlife Crossing. They’re coming up throughout the spring, so check the site for available dates to book.

But I know, I know, there are football playoffs to watch, too. So FINE: Here’s your watch party rundown for the Rams, who are one win away from the Super Bowl. What a year for L.A. sports…

If music is more your thing, Licorice Pizza has your listings for the weekend. It’s National Association of Music Merchants week down in Anaheim, and one of the coolest annual NAMM events is always the She Rocks Awards on Friday, hosted this year by the Bangles’ Vicki Peterson and Stitched Up Heart frontwoman Mixi Demner. Also on Friday, 112 is at the YouTube Theater, Dan Deacon plays the Teragram, Aaron Lee Tasjan is at McCabe’s in Santa Monica and Living Colour with John 5 is at the Observatory. And right at Licorice Pizza, Tenacious D’s one and only Kyle Gass performs with his band on Friday to celebrate the release of their new concert album, Live in Palmdale.

Finally, on Saturday, you can check out Ground Control Touring’s 4th Annual Abortion Access Benefit Series at the Lodge Room. Seahaven is performing Winter Forever in full at the Teragram, and Grammy-winner Arooj Aftab is at the Bram Goldsmith Theater.

Keep up with LAist.

If you're enjoying this article, you'll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less.

Subscribe

Elsewhere on LAist, you can weigh in on whether it’s “South Central” or “South L.A.” and learn about the guerrilla campaign for more public benches. Also, be careful next time you kick a ball in the park — you could be breaking an archaic L.A. law.

Events

Olive & June x Frankie's on the Park Galentine’s Mani Party

Saturday, January 24, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
712 Montana Ave., Santa Monica
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

(

Courtesy The Juliette Group

)

It’s almost Galentine’s Day, so get primped at a family-friendly manicure party hosted by Olive & June and Frankie's on the Park on Montana Ave in Santa Monica. Moms, kids and tweens will enjoy complimentary polish changes, playful press-on customization and exclusive giveaways from the hip polish brand.

Eddie Izzard in Shakespeare’s Hamlet

Through Saturday, January 31
The Montalban Theatre
1615 Vine Street, Hollywood
COST: FROM $97; MORE INFO

Eddie Izzard is truly a one-of-a-kind performer. From her comedy roots to taking on Shakespeare, Izzard has always been ahead of the curve. This version of Hamlet is here at the Montalban following runs in New York and London; it received a New York Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Outstanding Solo Performance, as well as a nomination for the New York Drama League’s Distinguished Performance Award. Izzard says, “I have always gravitated towards playing complex and challenging characters and Hamlet is the ultimate. This is a production for everyone, a timeless drama with an accidental hero. Selina, Mark and I want audiences to see and hear an accessible, touching, tragic and dramatic Hamlet.”

Altadena + Leimert Park Art Walk 

Threads of Unity: Celebrating Creative Kinship in the Spirit of George Washington Carver
Sunday, January 25, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. 
In front of KAOS
4343 Leimert Blvd., Leimert Park
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

(

Courtesy LA Commons

)

Explore the links between Altadena and Leimert Park’s Black communities with this celebration of art and ecology. Featuring rhythmic drumming and movement, a rootspeak workshop, and an interactive art activity by an Altadena-based artist, the event will highlight Altadena’s recovery from the Eaton Fire. There will also be a panel featuring Black Altadena community leaders.

DineLA at Grand Central Market

Through February 6
317 S. Broadway, Downtown L.A. 
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO 

(

Courtesy DineLA

)

Just as you’re winding down dry January and doubling down on those fitness New Year’s resolutions, it’s time again for DineLA. Over the next few weeks, we’ll feature some of our favorite deals happening, starting with Grand Central Market’s offerings, which include $15 menu items at favorites like Lucky Bird, Maple Block, Moon Rabbit and Mizon.

Brains On! LIVE

Saturday, January 24, 12:30 p.m.
House of Blues
400 Disney Way #337, Anaheim
COST: LAist 15% discount with Code BRAINS; MORE INFO 

(

Courtesy Brains On!

)

Popular kids’ podcast Brains On! brings their show on the road for a live all-ages event at the House of Blues in Anaheim. The afternoon is full of magic tricks, dance moves, out-of-body experiences, mystery sounds and even a game show, making learning about science interactive and fun. LAist readers get a 15% discount with the code BRAINS; to "unlock" the discount, you need to click on the lock button at the top of the screen, which will open a window to put in the code.

earth dwell/ers school

Saturday, January 24, 12 p.m.
Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve
6350 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

The Sepulveda Basin.

(

Robert Gauthier

/

Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

)

The Sepulveda Basin is home to many native bird and plant species that we often just pass by in our daily city lives. Earth dwell/ers school exists to teach about the unique environment of the L.A. River by combining the social and political history of the area with nature talks, food and birdwatching. With all the greenery out now, it’s a great time to join this exciting event, which includes a talk on oak tree decomposition and leaf decay, a sound guide and “ecopoetic snacks inspired by the winter landscape and the animals that live within it.”

Happy Birthday, Marion!

Sunday, January 25, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Annenberg Community Beach House 
415 Pacific Coast Hwy., Santa Monica 
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

Marion Davies lived a life of scandal and intrigue, starred in silent films and was a legendary figure in Old Hollywood. Channel a little of your own Marion energy at her annual birthday party, hosted at the Annenberg Community Beach House. The festivities include live music with Janet Klein and her Parlor Boys, a chance to learn some 1920s dance steps and a chat with Lara Gabrielle, author of Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies. You can also tour the Marion Davies Guest House and time-travel to the glam Hollywood beach escape of the 1930s.

Margaret Cho: Choligarchy

Friday, January 23, 7 p.m.
The Wallis 
9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills
COST: FROM $10 (SOLD OUT, WAITLIST AVAILABLE); MORE INFO

(

Courtesy The Wallis

)

Margaret Cho has always had a take-no-prisoners approach to her comedy shows, and this night at the Wallis will be no different. "This will be my most blistering and brutally honest show yet! Let’s tear down racism, homophobia and sexism with all that we have. We have to fight for what we have now, because if we wait any longer, it might be too late to save ourselves,” says Cho. Laugh, cry, get it all out with one of the original groundbreaking women in the comedy scene.

Echoes of History: Inspiring Civic Action and Building Democracy

Friday, January 23, 9 a.m/ to 6 p.m. 
Japanese American National Museum
100 N. Central Ave., Arts District
COST: FROM $50; MORE INFO

(

John Rudoff

/

Japanese American National Museum

)

If we don’t study history, we’re bound to repeat it. The Daniel K. Inouye National Center for the Preservation of Democracy (Democracy Center) at the Japanese American National Museum presents the symposium, Echoes of History: Inspiring Civic Action and Building Democracy. Hear from experts speaking about how we can create a lasting democracy, including Agnès Callamard of Amnesty International, Robert Evans of the Behind the Bastards and It Could Happen Here podcasts, contemporary artist Glenn Kaino and Pulitzer Prize–winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen at the day-long symposium. The event also includes complimentary admission to the exhibition MONUMENTS at MOCA, a mobile “banned bookmobile” presented by Bloom Wild Bookshop and a participatory musical performance by Great Leap featuring artist-activist Nobuko Miyamoto. The talks will also be live-streamed virtually for $25.