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

Broadway superstar Kelli O’Hara brings her big voice to the L.A. Opera stage, performing show tune standards and more with the L.A. Opera Orchestra for just one night. The eight-time Tony nominee won the award for her performance as Anna in the Broadway revival of the King and I in 2015.

It took the Edinburgh Fringe by storm but really, Gwyneth Goes Skiing is an L.A. story. The courtroom drama of Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski accident gets dramatized for real in this production at the Elysian Theater. We all need a laugh this month, maybe this is yours.

More than 30 vendors join an art bazaar to support fire relief efforts. If you’ve been eyeing a Guerilla Girls poster or a secret art zine, a cool shirt or a limited edition print, head to Beyond the Streets and get what you’re looking for — and give to a good cause at the same time.

The Long Beach Creative Group picked six curatorial proposals to show this year, including "No Parking Anytime," which explores Southern California’s car obsession and turns the average commute into a quirky art experience. It runs through Saturday and was conceived and curated by Natalie Veenstra, an interdisciplinary artist based in Long Beach.

It’s almost Mardi Gras time down in New Orleans, but first Mardi Gras is coming to us via New York with a special Jazz at Lincoln Center show at the Luckman, kicking off a month of Black History events at the Cal State venue. Led by pianist Luther S. Allison and vocalists Quiana Lynell and Milton Suggs, New Orleans Songbook brings the audience on a journey through the history of the unique sound of New Orleans jazz.

Making up half of the indie pop duo The Bird and the Bee, Inara George brings her soulful sound to the Largo. Proceeds from the show will benefit the California Community Fund.

A UCB comedy show for the whole family?! It’s true! The first Saturday of every month, UCB hosts "Wildly Appropriate" at a wholesome hour (5:30 p.m.) and with jokes and improv that are OK for all ages. Grab the best grilled cheese in L.A. at The Oaks before or after and make a fun family night out.

Benny Boy Brewing is celebrating Lunar New Year and welcoming the Year of the Snake with multilingual chanteuse, songwriter, and accordionist Jessica Fichot, who celebrates the swing-era sounds of her mother’s hometown of Shanghai. Her band will perform classic jazz tunes in Mandarin Chinese and will feature guests, including Annie Zhou (guzheng) and Ewan Chung (vocals). Plus Dumpling Dream and Zeff BBQ will be on hand for a delicious night.

Run, walk, bring your dog — the park is open and the Griffith Park Run Half Marathon & 5K is going ahead as planned! The event will benefit the Los Angeles Parks Foundation and Los Angeles City Parks and is open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, with a course that takes participants through the scenic trails of Griffith Park. Wind your way through the park’s iconic landmarks like the Old Pony Ride, Merry-Go-Round, Travel Town, the L.A. Zoo and the Autry Museum. All finishers will be awarded medals designed by Los Angeles-based artist Beatriz Mojarro.

The air quality is better but it's chilly out, so bring your favorite person to snuggle with to an early Valentine’s Day treat: 500 Days of Summer at Rooftop Cinema. The Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zoey Deschanel film is above all a love letter to L.A., making it something worth rewatching these days.

Hamilton Family Brewery in Rancho Cucamonga is hosting a benefit to support the victims of the recent Southern California wildfires. The afternoon will feature the release of the new Bear Hug Beer, and 100% of the profits from the sales of Bear Hug Beer servings, to-go beer 4-packs, and merchandise sales from the event will be donated to relief efforts for the wildfire victims. The day will also have food trucks and is family-friendly.

With Lunar New Year kicking off, ramen hot spot Ippudo is offering an all-day happy hour from January 27 to February 4 as part of a special Lunar New Year promo at their West Hollywood location.

Dahlia, the tearoom at Proper Hotel, is celebrating Lunar New Year with a special afternoon tea menu, including shrimp toast with scallions and lemongrass and fried purple sticky rice with Wagyu beef bacon from Executive Chef Tiffany dela Pena.

Pastry Chef Irene Widjaya shares chocolate praline tarts, pear pomegranate marshmallows, and more.

Teas available in partnership with TEALEAVES include Organic Jasmine Pearl white tea, Imperial Dragon Well black tea, Osmanthus Oolong, and a "Mocha Mousse" tea inspired by 2025's Pantone Color of the Year, with cocoa, cinnamon, dandelion root, and vanilla.