I hope you’re still weekend-ing as this reaches your inbox, whether that’s skiing at Big Bear or Mammoth (new snow!) or cramming a fresh read of Wuthering Heights in before you head to the movies (just me?).
Licorice Pizza has your music picks. On Monday, celebrate the one and only David Bowie with a concert featuring Devo’s Gerald Casale, Eagles of Death Metal’s Jesse Hughes and more at The Wiltern. Plus, the phenomenal Willow Smith plays the Blue Note. On Tuesday, indie chanteuse Cat Power celebrates the 20th anniversary of her landmark album The Greatest at the Orpheum Theatre; on Wednesday you could get a taste of Mardi Gras with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band at the Soraya — or, for a truly unique musical experience, Michael Shannon (yep, that Michael Shannon) and Jason Narducy are playing R.E.M.'s Lifes Rich Pageant, with opening act Bobcat Goldthwait at the Bellwether. Fresh off her cameo at the Benito Bowl, Lady Gaga will make a triumphant return to the Forum on Thursday and Sunday.
Elsewhere on LAist, you can dig the California country stylings of Dwight Yoakam; if you can’t adopt, plan your pup sleepover with Pasadena Humane; and that was our local Villa’s Tacos at the Super Bowl halftime show.
Events
The Mandy and Cliff Einstein Visiting Artist Series: Kelly Akashi
Thursday, February 19, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Otis College of Art and Design
9045 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
If you haven’t heard of Kelly Akashi, just wait until the end of 2026. The artist works in all kinds of media — from glass to metal to crystal to a sculpture of her body in shells — and she often uses larger-than-life sculptures to explore the human experience. She has a huge commission of public art that will be installed at JFK’s new Terminal One, and she was awarded the Hyundai Terrace commission for the Whitney Biennial, which opens in March. So be in the know and hear her speak at Otis in Westchester about her work; beforehand, check out the new exhibit of Otis alum Noah Humes with a free reception from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
God of Carnage / Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Through March 21
South Coast Repertory
655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
COST: FROM $47; MORE INFO
You could do a double feature and catch both Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage and Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf all in one day at South Coast Repertory, but that’s some heavy theater. Maybe make a weekend of it or space them out. However you get there, take advantage of seeing two of the best conversations ever set to dialogue all in one place — cleverly staged with overlapping casts by South Coast Rep. God of Carnage handles a Brooklyn playground dispute with rage and comedy in equal measure; Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf is Albee’s magnum opus on relationships, alcohol and academia.
Lofi Lunar New Year
Tuesday, February 17, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Panda Express Westwood
2011 Westwood Blvd., Westwood
COST: FREE WITH PURCHASE; MORE INFO
Orange chicken with a side of lofi tunes are on the menu for this special Panda Express Lunar New Year event, only at the Westwood location. The space will become a vibrant cultural hub, with a live performance by DJ and social media sensation @nickcheo, fresh off a sold-out tour with PinkPantheress. Guests who purchase a Panda Plate will receive complimentary access to the show and an exclusive merch goodie bag.
Orccon
Through Monday, February 16
Hilton LAX
5711 W Century Blvd., Westchester
COST: FROM $20; MORE INFO
The area’s biggest board game convention wraps up Monday of the long weekend; drop in for a day and find a table to play with fellow enthusiasts, or bring a game to sell or trade.
An Evening with L.A.’s Photojournalists
Tuesday, February 17, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
ASU California Center
1111 S. Broadway, Downtown L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
It’s been awe-inspiring seeing the images from immigration raids and protests over the past several months. Get the stories behind those moving photos when the Los Angeles Reporting Collective (LARC), the L.A. Press Photographer Association (PPAGLA) and the ASU Cronkite Journalism L.A. Campus host a free public panel featuring three photojournalists discussing and showing their work covering immigration stories over the past year.
Lunar New Year Party
Tuesday, February 17, 3 p.m to 7 p.m.
Club Joyful
2121 Lincoln Blvd., Venice
COST: $55 per family; MORE INFO
Club Joyful is one of my favorite new spaces on the West Side to bring friends with kids — it’s fun for everyone, with music, food, a play area and a great space for hanging out outside. This event for all ages is a collab with Lotusmoon Collective, and features dumpling making, lantern crafts, mahjong and a Lunar New Year sound bath to welcome the Year of the Fire Horse.
Kathleen Edwards
Tuesday and Wednesday, February 17-18, 8 p.m.
Troubadour
9081 N. Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
COST: $40.19; MORE INFO
LAist Underwriting Coordinator Roy Lenn is also a huge music fan, and he chimes in this week with a recommendation to head to the Troubadour to check out indie musician Kathleen Edwards. “I was in New Orleans last weekend and saw Kathleen Edwards perform at the venue Chickie Wah Wah — she and her band were fantastic!” The Florida songstress’s new album, Billionaire, is out now. Check out her interview with Tampa’s WMNF about her recent return to music after years away.
