Best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California: February 2-5

We all need some fun things to look forward to, and even though it’s only February, it’s not too early to start planning a Rose Bowl float for next year’s parade. If you have an idea for a float, you can pitch it to a team of Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo students by Feb. 5; they'll help bring one big creative idea to life for the 2027 event.

Licorice Pizza’s music picks for the week include starting your week with former Little Mix star Jade and her That’s Showbiz, Baby revue at the Hollywood Palladium, or Midwife (aka multi-instrumentalist Madeline Johnston) at Highland Park’s Lodge Room, both on Monday. Tuesday, Andrew Bird is at the Largo, and Wednesday is a big night for hip-hop icons with pioneering Bronx rapper, producer and DJ Pete Rock at the Lodge Room. Meanwhile, Wu-Tang Clan founder GZA and his live band play the first of two nights at the Blue Note. Thursday, you could see Latin legend, bombshell and guitar great Charo, in all her sequined glory, as she brings her flamenco fabulousness to the Smothers Theatre at Pepperdine University.

Elsewhere on LAist, you can get the lowdown on L.A.’s World Cup fan festival, visit Porkchop at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s sea turtle restoration project and mark off how many of the best L.A. films you’ve seen with this definitive list.

Events

American Icon: A Ford Mustang Immersive Experience

Through Sunday, February 8 (closed Tuesdays)
Ace Mission Studios
516 S. Mission Road, Arts District
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO 

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Sean Wehrli

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American Icon: A Ford Mustang Immersive Experience is billed as “a multisensory journey through six decades of Mustang legacy,” taking you through American car history from Motor City to Sunset Boulevard with rare Mustangs from films like Gone in 60 Seconds. It’s closing soon, so don’t miss your last chance to bask in some true American muscle car history. There’s an interactive gallery, 360 projections and a 4D sequence featuring the Mustang GTD. Vrrrrooom! For its final weeks, the exhibit is offering a 2-for-1 promotion on adult tickets, but if you drive a Ford, just show your key and you’ll get a free ticket; kids 12 and under go free as well.

Sweeney Todd

Through Sunday, February 22
La Mirada Theatre 
14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada 
COST: FROM $19.80; MORE INFO

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Courtesy La Mirada Theatre

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Attend Sondheim’s tale of the demon barber of Fleet Street with a star-studded Broadway vet cast (including Will Swenson from A Beautiful Noise and Rock of Ages) and a big-name director (Jason Alexander of The Producers and Seinfeld fame). The La Mirada Theatre is an underrated gem for theater lovers, especially those in the Anaheim area, but it's worth the trek for anyone who wants to check out their consistently great performances and ability to attract high-level talent. Swenson plays Todd as more sexy and brooding than Johnny Depp’s oddball outcast in the film version, and Lesli Margherita shines as an over-the-top Mrs. Lovett.

Queer Mountain

Thursday, February 5, 7:30 p.m. 
Lyric Hyperion Theater & Cafe
2106 Hyperion Ave., Silverlake
COST: $15 Pre-sale // $20 Day of; MORE INFO

Already through your second viewing of Heated Rivalry? Head to this queer storytelling show for more funny and heartwarming stories at Greetings, from Queer Mountain. The evening already has sister shows in New Orleans and Austin, but this is the inaugural L.A. event.

Taschen Art Book Sale 

Through Sunday, February 8, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily 
Beverly Hills and Hollywood locations 
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

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Courtesy Taschen

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I aspire to a living room that looks like the lobby of a hip hotel, and the next step after a fancy candle is a stack of Taschen art books. For the next week, you can score titles on Virgil Abloh, NASA, Atlantic Records and more for as much as 75% off at Taschen's biannual sale at their Hollywood and Beverly Hills stores.

Chamber Music Palisades

Wednesday February 4, 7:30 p.m.
Brentwood Presbyterian Church
12000 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood
COST: $35; MORE INFO

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Courtesy Chamber Music Palisades

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Chamber Music Palisades (CMP) will perform a world premiere of Due Voci for flute and cello, composed by Lolita Ritmanis, a Grammy, Emmy and SCL Award-winning composer and faculty member at the USC Thornton School of Music. Ritmanis will also speak at the concert about her new work, and KUSC host Alan Chapman will be on hand with his informative in-person program notes.

USC Visions and Voices Presents MAJOR by Ogemdi Ude

Wednesday, February 4, 7 p.m.
Bovard Auditorium at USC
3551 Trousdale Pkwy., University Park
COST: FREE, RSVP REQUIRED; MORE INFO

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Courtesy USC Visions and Voices

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MAJOR, a dance theater performance exploring the history and legacy of majorette dance by Brooklyn-based dance, theatre and interdisciplinary artist and educator Ogemdi Ude, will premiere at USC. Featuring a score that blends Southern rap, blues and R&B, the show also includes a digital archive of interviews with HBCU majorettes over the years, furthering the “love letter” to Black majorette culture. A conversation with Ude and the performers follows.

Dr. Strangelove Screening

Tuesday, February 3, 7 p.m. 
National Theatre at the Wallis 
The Wallis 
9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills 
COST: FROM $27.50; MORE INFO 

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National Theatre Live

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The Wallis

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London’s National Theatre production of the stage adaptation of Dr. Strangelove comes to the Wallis with this special screening. Steve Coogan (The Trip) is a national treasure in the UK and stars as the zany Dr. Strangelove — as well as 11 other characters — in the stage version of Peter Sellers’ classic satire. I saw the stage production in London last year, and what Coogan pulls off is a feat, not to mention the way the design of the infamous plane works on stage, smoke effects and all. The National always does a great job of filming these to feel like you’re at the live show, so I’m sure the effects will come through on screen.

Kristen Schaal: The Legend of Crystal Shell 

February 4 and 6, 7:30 p.m.
Dynasty Typewriter 
2511 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire 
COST: $30; MORE INFO

Hot off two premiere performances at the SF Sketchfest, comedian Kristen Schaal (Last Man on Earth) brings her new stage show to Dynasty Typewriter. Her out-there comedy is sure to shine through in this one-hour production that co-stars John Roberts (Bob's Burgers), with music by Schaal and Big Black Delta.

Desert Night in Venice 

Thursday, February 5, 7 p.m.
Saba Surf
12912 Venice Blvd., Venice
COST: FROM $15.71; MORE INFO 

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Courtesy Saba Surf

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Celebrate a new poetry release, meet other artists, listen to live music and maybe even get a custom flash tattoo at the super chill Saba Surf space in Venice. They have a great garden and space to dance, plus there will be drinks (and great NA options, too, if you’re keeping dry January going a little longer).