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Arts & Entertainment

Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: January 31 - February 2

Laura Hertzfeld
Laura Hertzfeld
Published Jan 30, 2025 5:00 AM
Jessica Finchot and her backing band all jump together outdoors while posing mid-air for the camera, holding their instruments. Jessica is at the center of the photo wearing red pants and holding a red accordion.
(
Diego Ruvalcaba
)

With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.

Happy Lunar New Year! With the fires and generally unsettled state of the region, the annual Golden Dragon Parade has been pushed to March. But have no fear, there are still plenty of great events (and dumplings) on offer to celebrate the Year of the Snake this week. It’s also Grammys weekend, so keep your eyes peeled for your favorite music stars and avoid the street closings by Crypto.com Arena.

For more to explore, visit LAist.com where you can read about the economist taking on the insurance industry after surviving a wildfire, learn more about matcha (which is getting so popular one local shop sold out of the green powder last week), and make sure to spot those planets as Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars make their appearance in the winter night sky.

And for wildfire recovery updates, sign up for the public media wildfires newsletter.

Events

  • Singer Kelli O'Hara, a blonde woman light-toned skin, stands on stage holding a microphone, wearing a black, long-sleeved shirt and a black skirt with pink and blue flowers on it.
    Sat, Feb 1

    Kelli O’Hara in concert

    • Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
      135 N. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A.

    Broadway superstar Kelli O’Hara brings her big voice to the L.A. Opera stage.
  • A digital poster for the stage show, "Gwyneth Goes Skiing." It features one actor with long blonde hair, a pink ski jacket, and pink goggles portraying Gwyneth Paltrow to the left. To the right is an actor with short, salt-pepper hair and wearing a suit. He's portraying the other party involved in Paltrow's skiing incident and subsequent lawsuit. The background is a snowy mountain.
    Sun, Feb 2

    'Gwyneth Goes Skiing'

    • The Elysian Theater
      1944 Riverside Drive, Echo Park

    The courtroom drama of Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski accident gets dramatized for real in this production.
  • An illustration of a figure peering over a red fence. The words "Art Bazaar" are written above the figure's heard in yellow and red letters.
    Sun, Feb 2

    Art Bazaar

    • Beyond the Streets
      434 N. La Brea, Hancock Park

    More than 30 vendors join an art bazaar to support fire relief efforts.

  • A digital banner promoting the "No Parking Anytime" exhibit at the Rod Briggs Gallery, curated by Natalie Veenstra. It's mostly test with tire tracks decorating the margins.
    Sat, Feb 1

    'No Parking Anytime'

    • Rod Briggs Gallery
      2221 E. Broadway, Long Beach

    This exhibition explores Southern California’s car obsession and turns the average commute into a quirky art experience.
  • A collage of three black musicians, one woman and two men. The background is an overhead view of a water fountain in the courtyard at the Lincoln Center in New York.
    Sat, Feb 1

    Jazz at Lincoln Center: 'New Orleans Songbook'

    • Luckman Fine Arts Complex
      5151 State University Dr., Cal State L.A.

    Mardi Gras is coming to L.A. via New York with a special Jazz at Lincoln Center show
  • Inara George, a woman with brown hair and a light skin tone, smiles as she stands behind a microphone during an onstage performance.
    Sat, Feb 1

    Inara George

    • Largo at the Coronet
      366 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Grove

     Inara George brings her soulful sound to the Largo.
  • An illustration of a blue backpack sitting on a tiled floor. The Upright Citizens Brigade logo in on the front pocket of the backpack. The test around the backpack promotes "Wildly Appropriate," an all-ages comedy improv show.
    Sat, Feb 1

    'Wildly Appropriate'

    • Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
      5919 Franklin Ave., Hollywood

    A UCB comedy show for the whole family?! It’s true!
  • Jessica Finchot and her backing band all jump together outdoors while posing mid-air for the camera, holding their instruments. Jessica is at the center of the photo wearing red pants and holding a red accordion.
    Sat, Feb 1

    Shanghai Nights: A Lunar New Year Celebration

    • Benny Boy Brewing
      1821 Daly St., Lincoln Heights

    Benny Boy Brewing is celebrating Lunar New Year with multilingual chanteuse, songwriter, and accordionist Jessica Fichot.

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Outdoor Pick

Viewing Pick

  • Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zoey Deschanel in character in the film "500 Days of Summer." They're looking at each other while browsing a display of vinyl albums for sale.
    Fri, Jan 31

    '500 Days of Summer'

    • Rooftop Cinema Club - DTLA
      888 S Olive St., Downtown L.A.

    Bring your favorite person to snuggle with to an early Valentine’s Day treat: 500 Days of Summer at Rooftop Cinema.

Dine & Drink Deals

  • A digital banner advertising the "Bear Hug for LA Wildfires" benefit at Hamilton Family Brewery. It features art of a brown bear wearing a fireman's helmet and holding the California state flag.
    Sat, Feb 1

    Hamilton Family Brewery Benefit

    • Hamilton Family Brewery
      9757 7th St., #802

    Hamilton Family Brewery in Rancho Cucamonga is hosting a benefit to support the victims of the recent Southern California wildfires.
  • A bartender pours a shot into a cocktail glass. His arm is visible but not his face, and the scene is bathed in purple light.
    Tue, Feb 4

    Ippudo Lunar New Year Happy Hour

    • Ippudo
      8352 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood

    With Lunar New Year kicking off, ramen hot spot Ippudo is offering an all-day happy hour.
  • An afternoon tea spread including a tiered tray with sandwiches and pastries on small round table inside a restaurant with pink walls and pink art. A black teapot, two mugs, and a cocktail are also on the table.
    Sat, Feb 8

    Lunar New Year Tea at Dahlia

    • Proper Hotel
      1100 S. Broadway, Downtown L.A.

    Dahlia, the tearoom at Proper Hotel, is celebrating Lunar New Year with a special afternoon tea menu.

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