Best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California: Nov. 18 - 21

Musician Phil Elverum, who currently performs under Mount Eerie, recently released Night Palace, his first in five years. The 81-minute opus represents a return to form for Elverum, especially to long-time fans of his earlier work The Microphones and his 2000 release The Glow Pt. 2, with collages of sounds that span a variety of genres, everything from indie folk pop orchestrations to black metal-tinged moments conjuring up moments screaming into the abyss. Whatever you make of it, one thing is sure: this is sonic world-building at its best. Get there early to catch local acts Deradoorian (formerly of Dirty Projectors and more recently Decisive Pink) and experimental metal act Agriculture. – Gab Chabrán

Take a weeknight jaunt up the PCH for Pepperdine’s first Arts After Dark celebration at the Weisman Museum and other locations across campus. Check out current exhibits like Cameron Harvey’s solo show, inspired by her walks in the Santa Monica Mountains. There will also be a chance to make your own mini-paintings and see works-in-progress by current students.

If you missed the opening of the new wing at the Natural History Museum this past weekend or if you didn’t get further than marveling at Gnatalie – have no fear, there’s plenty more to see. Head to the California Science Center next door for the free Wildlife in Focus exhibit, a photography show featuring 12 portraits of some of the animals who call the California Science Center their home. Did you know that more than 3000 species live just in the CSC area? The exhibit is part of photographer Joel Sartore’s Photo Ark project, dedicated to documenting every animal species before they disappear.

Support the Bruins and help address the national blood donation shortage by swinging by UCLA for the Abbott and the Big Ten Conference We Give Blood Drive. Also an excellent excuse to drink juice and eat cookies.

Somewhere in between the silent book club trend and your typical book club that turns into a wine night is Reading Rhythms, a chance to connect with fellow readers and chat about what’s on your bedside table or your Kindle. The evening includes time for reading, one-on-one chats, curated playlists and more.

NOVA's Building Stuff takes a look at how the world around us actually gets made, through the eyes of the world’s foremost engineers. Join former NASA engineer Dr. Nehemiah Mabry and experts from the PBS show for a chat and screening at USC. The free event includes a catered reception, panel discussion and preview of the latest three-part series, Boost It!

Great Scott! Perfect for visiting family, kids, and '80s-nostalgic adults alike, the Broadway tour of Back to the Future: The Musical is playing at the Pantages through Dec. 1 and then heads south to Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa from Dec. 26 through Jan, 5. I saw the show in London last fall and while it sticks mostly to the film’s story (and avid fans will definitely sit there and point out all the overlaps and differences for you), it thrives on its breaks from the movie with some truly out-there numbers that had me dancing in my seat. And I won’t spoil it, but the special effects rival a ride at Universal Studios.

This is SO COOL. Puppeteers extraordinaire Rogue Artists Ensemble are prototyping new concepts for their upcoming show that fuses Los Angeles history with Greek myth, and you can be the first to see them. Chat with the artists, take a look at the script for Cowboy Elektra, and enjoy the “drop-in puppet experience” at the Autry after-hours event.

Theatre Raymond Kabbaz is one of L.A.’s best-kept secrets. If you’re a fan of French cinema, it’s always worth checking out what they have going on. This week the French Animation Fest features several films that audience members can watch and vote on (in French, with English subtitles) — and debate the merits over a glass of wine and a cheese plate at intermission, bien sûr!

Queen of Cakes Christina Tosi (Bake Squad) joins Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) to talk about her new cookbook, Bake Club, which features over 100 sweet treat recipes, just in time for the holidays. The event includes bites from Bakers Bench and a complimentary drink. Tossi will sign copies of the book and meet and greet fans after the talk.

Head to City of Industry to score a free Thanksgiving turkey (first come, first served) at Raising Cane’s, and enjoy a set from popular TikTok DJ DJ Livia, who will also be on hand to help give out turkeys.

Chef José Andrés brings Spanish flavor to the holidays with this special event he's hosting in person at his San Laurel outpost in the Frank Gehry-designed Conrad. Guests will enjoy hand-carved jamón, curated cocktails, and a live paella station.

Michelin-starred Chef Joshua Gil curates a six-course wine dinner with Huneeus Vintners, pairing courses with wines that suggest “illumination, flowers and Faust.” The evening includes a welcome reception.