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Best things to do in Los Angeles and Southern California: January 20 - 23
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Courtesy Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
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Courtesy Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
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Things have been heavy recently, to say the least, and they only got heavier with the loss of a true L.A. ambassador, director David Lynch, late last week. This remembrance by KCRW’s Arianna Morgenstern celebrates a weird and wonderful Angeleno. His observations of the city are truer now than ever:
“I love Los Angeles. I know a lot of people go there and they see just a huge sprawl of sameness. But when you’re there for a while, you realize that each section has its own mood. The golden age of cinema is still alive there, in the smell of jasmine at night and the beautiful weather. And the light is inspiring and energizing. Even with smog, there’s something about that light that’s not harsh, but bright and smooth. It fills me with the feeling that all possibilities are available. …It was the light that brought everybody to L.A. to make films in the early days. It’s still a beautiful place.”
In town, there are many opportunities to support first responders and families impacted by the fire this week, and if you want to get out of town there are deals like $10 Amtrak fares on the Surfliner up and down California and free movies at the Ojai Playhouse.
For more to explore, visit LAist.com, where you can sign up for the public media wildfires newsletter, find resources for fire victims and keep up to date on all the latest coverage.
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Events
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Mon, Jan 20MLK Day Volunteer Festival 2025
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Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
3911 Figueroa St., Exposition Park
Join thousands of other volunteers at the L.A. Coliseum.
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Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
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Mon, Jan 20'Save the Robots'
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The Comedy Store
8433 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
They say laughter is the best medicine, right? So head to The Comedy Store’s monthly event.
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The Comedy Store
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Tue, Jan 21Andrés Jaramillo: 'A Journey of Immigrants'
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Thayer Hall at the Colburn School
200 S. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A.
Colombian-American pianist Andrés Jaramillo plays a selection of solo pieces by contemporary Latinx composers.
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Thayer Hall at the Colburn School
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Tue, Jan 21An Evening With Jill Sobule
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The Ebell Lounge
741 S. Lucerne Ave., Mid-Wilshire
Readers of a certain age will identify deeply with singer-songwriter Jill Sobule.
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The Ebell Lounge
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Wed, Jan 22Guided Meditation In a Himalayan Salt Room
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Fred Parker Wellness
12265 Ventura Blvd., Ste 100 , Studio City
Get your moment of zen in a guided meditation in the Himalayan Salt Room at Fred Parker Wellness
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Fred Parker Wellness
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Thu, Jan 23'Phones Down' Benefit Show
Comedy is on tap at the Phones Down benefit show, hosted by Reductress writer Sterling Mulbry and comedian Kelsey Harbor.
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Wed, Jan 22'For Los Angeles' Benefit
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Troubadour
9081 N. Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
Local Natives, Phantom Planet, Cannons, and more perform to support those impacted by the L.A. fires.
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Troubadour
Outdoor Pick
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Mon, Jan 20MLK Jr. Day of Service
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White Point Nature Preserve
1600 W. Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro
Join Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy for a day of volunteering to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.
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White Point Nature Preserve
Viewing Pick
Dine & Drink Deals
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Mon, Jan 20MLK Day Cookout 2025
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Black Lantern Books
6533 West Blvd., Inglewood
Black Lantern Books in Inglewood hosts an MLK Day cookout.
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Black Lantern Books
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Fri, Feb 14Restaurants supporting relief efforts
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Multiple Locations
See a map of restaurants supporting L.A. wildfire relief efforts.
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Multiple Locations
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Tue, Jan 28Long Beach Black Restaurant Week
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Multiple Locations
Celebrate a wide range of cuisine including African, Black American and Caribbean food.
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Multiple Locations
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Tue, Jan 21
Mutual Intentions: A Community Gathering
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Etra
737 N. Western Ave., Melrose Hill
La Morra, Cafe Telegrama, and Etra host a dinner benefitting fire relief.
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Etra
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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
