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Best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California: November 17-20
Patrick Martinez brings his neon art to the Hammer Museum.
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Patrick Martinez
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Hammer Museum
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Our Picks
Next year is going to be a big one for new museum spaces in L.A. Just last week, the $1 billion spaceship that landed in Expo Park — the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art — announced an opening date: Sept. 22, 2026. And on the other side of downtown, Dataland from AI artist Refik Anadol is opening in the spring, plus the Geffen Galleries at LACMA will open in April. We have our weekends cut out for us in the months ahead!
As all those doors open, we’re also saying goodbye to some favorite places as the year speeds to a close. Hotel Cafe announced the venue will be closing and moving to a new location in 2027, so make sure to get those last shows in at their beloved original space on Cahuenga while you can, like their weekly Monday Monday showcase.
More music picks this week from Licorice Pizza include it-girl Sabrina Carpenter at Crypto.com Arena for five shows starting Monday, Tame Impala at the Forum Thursday, Sigur Rós at the Palladium on Wednesday, Burna Boy at the Intuit Dome Wednesday and indie pop’s Ginger Root at the Troubadour, also on Wednesday.
Also on LAist, you can read about Shohei Otani getting his fourth National League MVP award, and get ready to welcome our robot overlords — Waymos are now allowed on the freeway.
Events
Wednesday, November 19, 7:15 p.m.
Nth Power
The Mint
6010 W. Pico Blvd., Mid-City
COST: $24.72; MORE INFO
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Tim McG
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Nth Power
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Sponsored message
Ahh, to be a fly on the wall (or maybe just a guest with an Abita) at the Jazzfest jam that formed Nth Power… The trio hails from, of course, New Orleans, and brings together soul, funk, rock and R&B in their Grammy-nominated grooves. Drummer Nikki Glaspie (Beyoncé, Maceo Parker), guitarist/vocalist Nick Cassarino (Jennifer Hartswick, Big Daddy Kane) and bassist Nate Edgar (John Brown’s Body) are the cure for these early sunset days.
Through Sunday, December 7
Suffs
Pantages Theatre
6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
COST: FROM $49; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Broadway in Hollywood
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Suffs is more than a musical; it’s a story we all need to hear and take to heart. I left in tears after seeing it on Broadway last year, angry about how little I was taught about the women’s suffrage movement in school and moved by the incredible performances. Go see it and join the club of Great American B*tches.
Wednesday, November 19, 12:30 p.m.
Made in LA Talk on Patrick Martinez
Hammer Museum
10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Patrick Martinez
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Hammer Museum
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You can’t miss artist Patrick Martinez’s neon and neon-inspired signs that have been seen all over the city, from anti-ICE themed ones printed for protests to his work bridging signage and sculpture in the Hammer’s annual Made in LA group show. Martinez weaves social justice, clever phrases and eye-catching color into work that has both virality and deeper meaning. Catch this free lunchtime conversation about his work with Hammer curator Juan Manuel Silverio, then check out the exhibit.
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November 18 to April 12, 2026
How to Be a Guerrilla Girl
The Getty Center
1200 Getty Center Drive, Brentwood
COST: FREE, PARKING $25; MORE INFO
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Guerilla Girls
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J. Paul Getty Trust
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Do women have to be naked to get into the Met Museum? The Guerilla Girls’ iconic billboards pushing back against the male artist establishment became art in and of themselves in the 1980s. Now their archive is open to all in this show at the Getty Research Institute, which includes a look at how their work came to be and a new commission. The exhibit looks at data research, protest actions, culture jamming and distribution methods that the artists pursued to celebrate the collective’s 40th anniversary.
Wednesday, November 19, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Annual Pier Lighting and Holiday Open House
Manhattan Beach Pier + Roundhouse Aquarium, Manhattan Beach
COST: FREE, DONATIONS WELCOME; MORE INFO
I don’t know how it became holiday time already, but the lights are coming on. Nowhere is more festive this week than at the Manhattan Beach Pier, where the Annual Pier Lighting and Holiday Open House combines Christmas season lights and festivities with an open house at the Roundhouse Aquarium. Visitors enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, interactive touch tanks, marine exhibits and fun games for the whole family.
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Outdoor Pick
Tuesday, November 18, 9 a.m.
Community celebration
Will Rogers State Historic Park
1501 Will Rogers State Park Road, Pacific Palisades
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Ford
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Dareful Communications
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Ford’s outdoor stewardship program, the Bronco Wild Fund, is sponsoring a celebration for the community at the recently reopened Will Rogers State Historic Park. The event features a service project to help restore the park, and includes speakers from The National Forest Foundation, America’s State Parks and the Angeles District of California State Parks.
Viewing Pick
Tuesday, November 18, 7 p.m.
Heightened Scrutiny
The Renberg Theatre at the Center’s Village
1125 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Sponsored message
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Curtis Russell PR
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The L.A. LGBT Center is hosting this screening of Heightened Scrutiny, followed by a Q&A with director Sam Feder, moderated by artist/filmmaker/novelist Miranda July. The timely documentary follows civil rights lawyer Chase Strangio’s battles at the Supreme Court for transgender adolescents’ access to gender-affirming healthcare.
Dine & Drink Deals
Through Friday, November 21
National Pickle Day Collaboration: Mauna Loa x Chef David Kuo
FattyMart
12210 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
FattyMart in Mar Vista is going pickle mad for National Pickle Day (which we’ve deemed is worthy of a whole week) with a collaboration between Mauna Loa and Chef David Kuo. The event includes limited-time offerings like Dill Pickle Macadamia Crunch Ice Cream and the MacFatty Dill Pickle Macadamia Encrusted Fried Fish Sandwich.
Wednesday, November 19, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Meet Moe of Kimono Mom: Cooking Demo & Bottle Signing at Gelson's West LA
12121 W Olympic Blvd., West Los Angeles
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Chemistry PR
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Moe, founder of Umami Sauce, will be doing a cooking demo and sharing bites at the West L.A. Gelson’s. You can even meet Moe in person and get your Umami Sauce bottle signed. Moe is a former Geisha who shares her passion for authentic Japanese home cooking as host of Kimono Mom’s Kitchen and founder of Kimono Mom.
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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
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