Best Things To Do This Week In Los Angeles and Southern California: April 15 - 18

Every third Tuesday, comics and other bold-faced names hop on stage at the Lyric Hyperion to share their wildest and most embarrassing stories, taking inspiration from the digital airwaves of the popular RISK! podcast. This month, four brave souls will boldly share 15 minutes each of their deepest and darkest.

Where the Wild Things Are author Maurice Sendak is the focus of a new family-friendly exhibit at the Skirball, comprising over 150 artifacts, from original paintings and drawings to videos from the beloved children’s author. The show will be on view until Sept. 1.

Pop up the 405 Monday night, flash your college ID and enjoy a special night just for students at the Getty Center. The evening includes access to the current exhibits – including the new Camille Claudel exhibit – as well as music, food, magic lantern animations by Melissa Ferrari, and a performance "blending Cherokee and Mvskoke (Muscogee) languages with electronic music by Elisa Harkins." And the best part? Parking is free (carpools encouraged!).

Get a poetry “treatment” at the WeHo Reads Poetry Spa, where the Aquatics Center (of course, where else) plays host to readings, poemaroma (yes, aromatherapy + poetry), Feng Shui poetry, poetry bingo, and more. WeHo’s Poet Laureate 2020-23 Brian Sonia-Wallace developed the concept under his term. This year’s event has been curated by current West Hollywood City Poet Laureate Jen Cheng.

Mavis Staples — civil rights activist, gospel and soul singer, and all-around national treasure — turns 85 this year and is celebrating her big day in style. Superstar friends like Hozier, Robert Randolph, Jackson Brown, the Black Pumas, Grace Potter, Norah Jones, and more will hit the stage with the "I’ll Take You There" singer.

National Geographic Explorer Dr. Jess Cramp will take us on an adventure to the South Pacific to learn about sharks’ breeding grounds and the work communities in those parts of the world are doing on conservation. Cramp will also talk about the pioneering work of women in shark science and her work as founder and executive director of the nonprofit Sharks Pacific.

We loooooove a true crime podcast, a true crime drama, a true crime movie over here. The annual Turner Classic Movies Film Fest is making our dreams come true with the theme of this year’s series. Most Wanted: Crime and Justice in Film curates the best of the best, from lighthearted capers like Clue to serious political dramas like All the King’s Men to noir classics like The Big Heat to L.A. must-sees like Chinatown. And all of them are on the big screen this week for your enjoyment.

If you know a mom, you know she probably needs a little wine. Join Little Ripper owner Lorena Juardo and learn about her favorite wines while snacking on cheese and charcuterie. Girl dinner, yes!

Learn how to make a proper pour-over from the experts at local chain Go Get Em Tiger during this special coffee event. Head to the wine bar inside the West L.A. Gelson’s. The event goes until 1:30 so swing by and you’ll be hopped up for whatever your afternoon brings.

Passover begins on Monday, April 21, and if cooking all week isn’t on your agenda, get your order in for the holiday necessities this week. Superba is offering pickup starting next week at all their locations (Venice, North Hollywood, Pasadena, and Hollywood) for matzo ball soup and roast chicken. The actual pick-up reservations begin April 22 and run through April 30. If a full seder plate is what you need, Santa Monica’s Huckleberry is taking catering orders through April 16.