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Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: February 28 - March 2
UCLA and USC match up in Westwood on Saturday.
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Our Picks
If last week was art week, this week is film week. I went over to the Felix Art Fair at the Roosevelt last weekend, and you can’t miss the city getting ready for the Academy Awards on Hollywood Boulevard (and the headache of trying to park amid the street closures). I have always loved the Oscars, and this year we cord-cutters can stream the show on Hulu — regular Hulu!
If you’re one of the fancy industry folks among us, have fun at the Dolby and please invite me as your plus-one next year. For the rest of us, there are viewing parties galore, plenty of alternative programming (I hear it’s a great time to get into tough restaurants!), and a women’s basketball crosstown showdown.
For more to explore, visit LAist.com, where you can read about a musician in Altadena who is helping artists replace instruments lost in the fires, get the full rundown of SAG Award winners ahead of the Oscars, and grab your tickets for next week’s Nobody Knows Anything taping on March 6 at the Crawford Family Forum.
Events
Saturday, March 1, 6 p.m.
USC vs UCLA women’s basketball
Pauley Pavilion at UCLA
301 Westwood Plaza
Westwood
COST: SOLD OUT, RESALE SEATS AVAILABLE; MORE INFO
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It's a No. 2 vs. No. 4 matchup when the UCLA women and USC women meet this weekend.
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Thearon W. Henderson
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Getty Images
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The UCLA women have had a phenomenal season. They are ranked No. 2 heading into March Madness and have sold out — yes, that’s a SOLD-OUT women’s game — their upcoming match against crosstown rivals USC, who’ve also had a very strong year and have been on a winning streak these past few weeks, ranked No. 4. Tickets were starting around $100 on SeatGeek at last check.
Friday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m.
Pop Singalong Night: '90s Divas
The Pop Hop Bookshop
5002 York Blvd.
Highland Park
COST: FROM $10 SUGGESTED DONATION; MORE INFO
I will always love ... singing along to '90s hits. Local musicians will play everything “from Britney to Whitney,” so warm up your pipes on the ride over and get ready to belt out your favorites at Highland Park’s quirky, neighborhood-y Pop Hop Book Shop.
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Saturday, March 1, 1 to 11 p.m.
PST Art Open House
The Ebell of Los Angeles
743 S. Lucerne Blvd.
Koreatown
COST: FREE WITH RSVP; MORE INFO
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Getty
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LAist is a media sponsor of this free special event, the culmination of many art shows we’ve profiled in this column since the opening of PST last fall. This all-day extravaganza features a pop-up art book fair, a look back with many of the artists involved in PST shows across L.A. this year and an opportunity to see Lightscape at the Marciano Art Foundation just across the street. Plus, music performances, a live taping of a new Radiolab show, and food, coffee and wine from local vendors.
March 1-2
L.A. Zine Fest
The Broad Plaza
221 S. Grand Ave.
Downtown L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Who says print is dead? Certainly not this bunch of super creatives whose zines celebrate art, independent publishing and a punk rock spirit. The L.A. Zine Fest outside the Broad features workshops, discussions and an opportunity to see the Broad’s latest exhibit, Joseph Beuys: In Defense of Nature.
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March 1-2
The Magic City
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa
COST: FROM $28.05; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Manual Cinema
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A fun opportunity to take the whole family to the theater, "The Magic City" is based on Edith Nesbit’s 1910 novel of the same name and adopted by Manual Cinema, which uses overhead projectors, paper shadow puppets, actors on camera and live music to bring stories to life. "The Magic City" tells the story of nine-year-old Philomena, who must learn to build a new life alongside some unexpected characters.
March 1-2
The Camp: An Opera in Two Acts
Aratani Theatre
244 S. San Pedro St.
Little Tokyo
COST: FROM $20, MORE INFO
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Courtesy Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
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Don’t let me lose you at opera. This important new work is about a wrongfully imprisoned American family held in the Japanese incarceration camps in the U.S. in 1942. Created by librettist Lionelle Hamanaka, a descendant of camp survivors, and composer Daniel Kessner, the show tells the story of the Shimono family, who were forcibly removed from their suburban home in Southern California.
This weekend’s performances also feature two special talk-back events, one on Saturday with Kiyomi Emi, granddaughter of Frank Emi, Kathy Masaoka, co-chair of the Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress, and moderator Traci Kato-Kiriyama, focusing on resistance and social justice. And on Sunday, composer Kessner, associate director John Miyasaki, members of the cast, and moderator, Diana Wyenn (director of "The Camp") share their experiences working on the show.
Saturday, March 1, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Square Dance with L.A. Squares
Mayflower Club
11110 Victory Blvd.
North Hollywood
COST: $20 PER PERSON IN ADVANCE, $25 AT THE DOOR; MORE INFO
Before the COVID-19 pandemic started, some of the organizers involved with this event used to put on a monthly square dance at the American Legion in Highland Park. Now, as the site says, "Square dancing is back and it’s fun!" Grab your favorite dance partner or head out alone. Plus, there's no experience necessary! They'll be teaching attendees live, so even if you're just square-curious, this is the time to get involved.
Outdoor Pick
Sunday, March 2, 9 a.m.
Screenland 5K
Ivy Station
8840 National Blvd.
Culver City
COST: $49 TO RUN, FREE TO CHEER; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Screenland 5K
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Before you sit and eat Oscar-themed snacks all afternoon, run the Screenland 5K in Culver City. Held every Oscar weekend, the 5K is run on Sunday, but there’s also a bike and health expo on Saturday. Sunday’s run starts at 9 a.m., so follow the Yellow Brick Road to downtown Culver City (but I can’t advise running in ruby slippers).
Viewing Pick
Saturday, March 1, 7 p.m.
10 Things I Hate About You
Vidiots
4484 Eagle Rock Blvd.
Eagle Rock
COST: $11, MORE INFO
Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger and Larisa Oleynik in 1999's '10 Things I Hate About You.'
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Courtesy Touchstone Pictures
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Heath Ledger’s been gone for more than 15 years, but we still fall in love with him every single time we watch "10 Things I Hate About You." I know it’s not just me. Actress and comedian Jessica Williams hosts this screening of the 1999 spin on "The Taming of the Shrew" at Vidiots.
Dine & Drink Deals
Friday, Feb. 28, 9 p.m.-midnight
Notte Italiana: That’s Amore
Eataly
Westfield Century City
Century City
COST: FROM $85, MORE INFO
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Courtesy Eataly
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Late-night Italian eats, photo booths, wine — what more could you want? Sneak in one more movie screening before the Oscars at the mall, then eat your heart out at Eataly’s after-hours experience, Notte Italiana: That’s Amore. The night features a live DJ and 20 food, wine and cocktail stations, all included with your ticket.
Sunday, March 2, 3:30-7:30 p.m.
Oscars watch party at 33 Taps
33 Taps WeHo, 8941 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
33 Taps DTLA, 1240 S. Figueroa St., Downtown L.A.
COST: FREE ENTRY; MORE INFO
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Courtesy 33 Taps
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Get red carpet-ready for this Oscars watch party in WeHo! Guests are encouraged to dress up for the occasion, with plenty of photo ops and a stylish backdrop on hand, plus food and drink and 360 views of the TVs. Their downtown location is hosting a joint party with Film Girlz Brunch, where you could win a $50 gift card if you get your ballot done early (and correctly!).
Sunday, March 2, 4 p.m.
Truly L.A.'s Oscars watch party
Truly L.A.
216 South Alameda St.
Downtown L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Food and drink specials, plus of course TVs with the Oscars, take over Truly’s space downtown for the big day. Try a few Truly-based cocktails, plus nosh on tacos, carne asada fries and more.
March 2-8
Orange County Restaurant Week
Various Locations in OC
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
Sunday kicks off Orange County Restaurant Week with a huge selection of lunch and dinner prix fixe menus around the area, so you can try some new spots or revisit old favorites. From Vietnamese in Tustin to Cuban in Irvine, Italian in Laguna Niguel or Spanish in Costa Mesa, you can travel the world through food right in Orange County this week.
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