Best things to do in Los Angeles and Southern California: December 16 - 19

Last week I checked out the new documentary Born Innocent, about the L.A. punk rock band Redd Kross. What stood out to me the most was that, more than anything, it’s a story about the history of Los Angeles from the 1970s to the 1990s, drawing a straight line from the building of the 105 Freeway in Hawthorne to the clubs and punk scene on the Sunset Strip through the eyes of Redd Kross band members Steve and Jeff McDonald. It made me think about the importance of seeing music, films and art that you love and even stuff you don’t. Doing so allows you to be a small part of the culture that builds around us, and what we go to see and listen to shapes our city in ways we can’t always identify in the moment.

And lest you get caught up in the nostalgia of the old days, well, don’t. I am inspired every day by the creativity of Los Angeles and try to think about what we’ll be seeing about the 2020s that we can look back on and say, "Hey, I was at that show!”

Food for thought as you head out to explore this week, whether you're seeing an art exhibit, catching a new movie, or tasting some unique eats.

For more to explore, visit LAist.com where you can learn about the history of the classic all-you-can-eat Korean buffet-style restaurant through Choeng Wun Buffet, which has served families in Melrose Hill since 1985. And speaking of food, outdoor dining is here to stay until the end of 2025 at least — one silver lining of the pandemic — and we have a list of where to find the best eggnog in Los Angeles, just in time for the holidays.

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