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Best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California: December 2 - 5
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downtownla.com
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My family was in town this past week, so pre-Thanksgiving we headed up to the Getty to see the Lumen exhibit, part of the PST Art events happening at museums around L.A. all fall. The show features astronomical instruments and illuminated manuscripts hundreds of years old and asks you to think about the role of light across all aspects of art and science. It was with that in mind that we strolled across the museum’s plaza to see the spectacular view from the sculpture garden (my favorite spot at the Getty) that’s unrivaled on a sunny, crisp fall day, with those same rays from the manuscripts beaming down on us in real life.
I hope you also got the chance to explore a slightly quieter city over the holiday. As we all head back to work and school, and try to squeeze in one more thing before the inevitable “let’s circle back after the holidays” notes, this week has plenty in store to help shake off the slowness of the long weekend. Get your energy up with one of the incredible bands coming to town, including Social Distortion at House of Blues in Anaheim or Better Than Ezra or TV on the Radio, both at the El Rey. Or, try your hand at coffee roasting with a special class at O Coffee in Glendale.
For more to explore, visit LAist.com, where I’ve put together a list of the season’s best theater picks. There are some real local gems you won’t want to miss. Plus, we have picks for where to see the best holiday lights in the area, where to eat the most comforting soups from hot pot to chowder, and of course, where to pre-order your Christmas tamales before they sell out.
Events
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Wed, Dec 4The Dandy Warhols 30th Anniversary
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Moroccan Lounge
901 E. 1st St., Downtown L.A.
See the 30th-anniversary experience, plus songs from the band's most recent album, Rockmaker.
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Moroccan Lounge
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Wed, Dec 4'World Without End: The George Washington Carver Project'
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California African American Museum (CAAM)
600 State Dr., Exposition Park
A curatorial walkthrough of a new exhibit about the groundbreaking scientist who upended traditional ideas about agriculture and conservation.
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California African American Museum (CAAM)
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Mon, Dec 2An Evening with U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries
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Wilshire Ebell Theatre
4401 West 8th St., Mid-Wilshire
A conversation between popular political commentator and YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen and Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
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Wilshire Ebell Theatre
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Thu, Dec 5Alamo Drafthouse presents: 'Jeopardy!' Bar League
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Video Vortex
700 W. 7th St. , Downtown L.A.
A free collaboration between Sony Pictures Television, Geeks Who Drink, and Alamo Drafthouse.
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Video Vortex
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Wed, Dec 4'Grand Illuminations'
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The Yard at Cal Plaza
350 S. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A.
The large-scale kinetic sculptures feature “electric dandelions” and a 25-foot LED light tree
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The Yard at Cal Plaza
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Wed, Dec 4Long Beach’s 10th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
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Long Beach Terrace Theater
300 East Ocean Blvd., Long Beach
Long Beach is kicking off the season with its 10th annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, which has 500,000 lights.
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Long Beach Terrace Theater
Sponsored message
Viewing Pick
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Tue, Dec 3MoMA Contenders 2024: 'The Brutalist' with Felicity Jones
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Hammer Museum
10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood
The MoMA Contenders series is always a favorite way to catch movies with Oscar buzz.
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Hammer Museum
Dine & Drink Deals
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Wed, Dec 4The New York Times: Cookie Week First Taste Tour
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Fat + Flour
11739 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City
Trek to Fat & Flour for a demo, tasting, and preview of this year’s fresh batch with food writer Genevieve Ko.
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Fat + Flour
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Tue, Dec 3LA Times 101 Best Restaurants Reveal Party
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Hollywood Palladium
6215 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood
If you call yourself a foodie, the L.A. Times' 101 Best Restaurants Reveal Party is for you.
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Hollywood Palladium
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Thu, Dec 5Coffee Roasting 101 Class
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O Coffee
750 North Glendale Ave., Glendale
The folks at O Coffee have put together a series of intimate roasting workshops.
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O Coffee
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Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
