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Best Things To Do This Week In Los Angeles and SoCal: Jan. 8 - 11

A giant puppet version of the Cat in the Hat character from Dr. Seuss books stands on a ball and holds a book in hand in a room full of streamers, boxes, with picture frames on the walls behind him. He is black with a white belly and is wearing a red and white-striped top hat.
The Cat in the Hat seen in the Dr. Seuss Experience at Santa Monica Place in 2023.
(
Courtesy Discover Los Angeles
)

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This week in Southern California, you can join an outdoor escape game, let your kids explore the worlds of Dr. Seuss come to life, and explore unique flavors of Los Angeles cuisine at a food truck festival.

EVENTS

  • Monday, January 8, 2024 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

    On the left is a black and white photo of artist Carole Frances Lung sewing something together in front of some kind of pressing machine. On the right is a portrait photo of artist Liz Collins with light blue hair in front of a pink and white zig-zag background.
    (
    Courtesy of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art
    )

    In conjunction with the Woven Histories art exhibition, hear artists Liz Collins and Carole Frances Lung talk at LACMA about their work in uniting feminist and queer visions in textile art.

  • Tuesday, January 9, 2024 from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM

    A poster for the play 'Mercury' with the letter 'R' trickling into blood on top of a black bear's nose. A bright, fiery sun sits at the top of the poster. The play was written by Steve Yockey and directed by Ann Hearn Tobolowsky.
    (
    Road Theatre
    /
    Instagram
    )

    Director Ann Hearn Tobolowsky gives her take on the Steve Yockey-written play, Mercury. Three stories cross outside of Portland, Oregon in a black comedy featuring an illicit affair, a couple hanging on by a thread, bears at the window, the worst curiosity shop on the West Coast, and a missing dog named Mr. Bundles.

  • Thursday, January 11, 2024 from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM

    A poster for an SOMOS exhibition artist talk at the venue Art Share L.A. Two art pieces sit on a brick wall of the front of lowrider cars. A green bicycle with white tires and high handlebars sits in-between them.
    (
    Courtesy of Art Share L.A.
    )

    In conjunction with its SOMOS exhibition, Art Share L.A. is hosting an artist talk this week. “SOMOS (We Are) originates from a declaration within the gang subculture — a call to stand firm with pride and dignity in our representation of communal identities and beliefs,” says curator Fabian Debora.

  • November 25, 2023 through January 21, 2024 at 10:00 AM

    A giant puppet version of the Cat in the Hat character from Dr. Seuss books stands on a ball and holds a book in hand in a room full of streamers, boxes, with picture frames on the walls behind him. He is black with a white belly and is wearing a red and white-striped top hat.
    The Cat in the Hat seen in the Dr. Seuss Experience at Santa Monica Place in 2023.
    (
    Courtesy Discover Los Angeles
    /
    )

    Oh, the places you’ll go this year! Where? There? Everywhere! Okay, you get it. The Dr. Seuss experience takes visitors into 9 different worlds inspired by Seussian books, including The Sneetches, The Lorax, The Cat in the Hat, Oh, The Places You'll Go, Horton Hears a Who and more.

  • December 20, 2023 through January 28, 2024

    Michael Jackson animation with a red background. The MJ figure wears black shoes, white socks, black pants, a white vest, black blazer, black top hat, and white gloves.
    (
    Courtesy Discover Los Angeles
    /
    )

    Michael Jackson is taking the stage! The award-winning musical is on tour and has stopped in Los Angeles until the end of the month. Will you be there?

  • January 8, 2024 through January 30, 2024 at 10:00 AM

    On the left of a frame a black asphalt bike path where a woman wearing a gray sweater and beanie rides her bike. Next to her is the LA River where a man sits on the slopping concrete that leads to the water. He wears a flannel shirt and white beanie as he looks out at the water. The river flows downstream and there are multiple trees in the middle of the brown, rushing water. The skies are gloomy.
    A biker rides along the L.A. River path in Frogtown as an onlooker stares at the rushing river after the storm on Thursday, January 5, 2023.
    (
    Samanta Helou Hernandez
    /
    LAist
    )

    Explore some of L.A.’s coolest neighborhoods in this 3-hour hike. The walking tour connects secret stairs, abandoned trolley paths, and hidden trails found in Frogtown, Echo Park, and Silver Lake.

  • Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 6:30 PM

    A black and white photo of religious leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr., standing arm in arm on the front line of a peaceful protest.
    (
    Courtesy of Holocaust Museum LA
    /
    )

    Listen to an insightful conversation that brings leaders together! In honor of MLK day, religious leaders who represent different faiths from across the City of Los Angeles will gather for a discussion about the key role they play during challenging times for communities.

LAST CHANCE

Don’t miss your last opportunity to go and skate at Ice at Santa Monica this week.

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  • November 1, 2023 through January 15, 2024

    Skaters skate at night at Ice at Santa Monica. Manufactured snow falls on the skaters.
    Ice at Santa Monica has returned for the season.
    (
    Joel Marasigan
    /
    Courtesy of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.
    )

    The winter adventure by the sea has returned for the season. Glide and skate across 8,000 square feet of pristine ice within four blocks of the Pacific Ocean. The rink, located on the corner of Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue, has been transformed for the holidays. Admission includes skate rental.

OUTDOOR PICK

  • Monday, January 8, 2024 at 12:00 PM

    A young man, Haden Mckenna, wears a black t-shirt, khaki pants, and black Nike sneakers as he touches the wheels of his board to the lip of a skate ramp. Below him is a man standing the skate bowl in a gray t-shirt, watching him board. Venice beach, palm trees, an American flag, and a small glimpse of the ocean are visible.
    Skater Haden Mckenna practices before the Harlem Globetrotters game in Venice Beach Skate Park "Bowl" at Venice Skate Park in February 2015.
    (
    Joe Kohen
    /
    Getty Images
    )

    Venice Beach is one of L.A.’s most popular tourist spots, and this tour will show you why. The route you’re going to follow in the city is sprinkled with unique places, fun clues and challenges, and incredible stories.

VIEWING PICK

  • Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 6:30 PM

    A white background with six different images from films. There is black text that says "unlock cinema" and under that "short films, infinite possibilities."
    Unlock cinema event flyer.
    (
    Courtesy Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia
    /
    )

    Academy Awards-eligible short films? A celebration of film and culture? We think yes! This screening will highlight six short films and celebrate the 5th anniversary of JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, and the 25th anniversary of the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF).

DINE & DRINK DEALS

Here are a few dining and drink options to indulge in this week.

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  • Wednesday, January 10, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

    A plate of ratatouille made up of various vegetables.
    (
    Marjan Sadeghi
    /
    Unsplash
    )

    Learn all about French cuisine! In this class, get to know the proper cooking techniques and bold flavors that make up stellar French dining. Plus, you can bring your own wine.

  • Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 4:00 PM

    A poster announcing the opening of Slater's 50/50 in Torrance. The grand opening includes a free burger for the first 100 customers on January 10, 2024.
    (
    Courtesy of Slater’s 50/50
    /
    Instagram
    )

    Slater's 50/50 is coming to Del Amo Fashion Center on Jan. 10! Be in line by 3 p.m. for your chance to win a free burger from the classics. Spin the prize wheel and score swag bags.

  • Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 6:00 PM

    A sage flyer for the Valley Food Truck Festival. There is a sage colored food truck with its large window open and "Valley Food Truck Festival" is in pink font.
    A flyer for the Valley Food Truck Festival.
    (
    Courtesy Topanga Social
    /
    )

    Enjoy an evening with lots of unique eats and live entertainment! There will be a diverse selection of food trucks to satisfy your taste buds. Admission is free, but of course, each truck will have its own menu and prices.

  • Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 2:00 PM

    A festive scene with a Christmas tree in the background; in the foreground there is a white plate with a painted Christmas tree and a gold fork placed on top. Next to it is a wine glass with yellowy white wine in it, surrounded by four bottles of wine, three red, one white
    Different holiday wines to choose from.
    (
    Susanne Whatley
    /
    LAist
    )

    Indulge in wines from a delicately curated by-the-glass list paired with house signature hummus. You can also learn about what you're sipping on and the fascinating stories that helped bring it to your cup from an expert sommelier. Cheers!

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