Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: March 7 - 9
(
Marlyn Woo
/
Courtesy Barks & Brews
)
Our Picks
While we’re still mourning the closure of the Original Pantry over here (and the irony of it closing just before Pancake Day), at least there was some good news this week with the arrival of our newest SoCal residents, the eagle chicks born to Big Bear's famous couple, Jackie and Shadow.
Plus, I am excited about the opening of a new dessert spot in Koreatown from Catherine Zhang – Tucha L.A. The Australian chef made her name on a Netflix baking show called Zumbo’s Just Desserts (that I’m pretty sure I’m the only one who watched), but there’s sure to be some pastry magic in action when it opens on Sunday.
For more to explore, head to LAist.com where you can learn who is eligible for the new PCH pass and plan your weekend viewing with the full list of Oscar winners. Plus, our friends at KCRW are hosting their annual Family Day on Saturday.
Events
Sunday, March 9, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Nowruz celebration
UCLA
10745 Dickson Court
Westwood
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Support for LAist comes from
(
Courtesy Farhang Foundation
)
The Farhang Foundation is marking 15 years of celebrating the Iranian New Year, Nowruz, at UCLA with musical performances, children's activities, arts and crafts, dancers, traditional musicians, stilt walkers and more. There are also tickets available for the 6 p.m. concert featuring the Iranshahr Orchestra under the direction of Shahab Paranj, plus vocalist Mahdieh Mohammadkhani and countertenor Cameron Shahbazi.
Saturday, March 8, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Narcissus Quagliata
Forest Lawn Museum
1712 S. Glendale Ave.
Glendale
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
(
Courtesy Narcissus Quagliata via Forest Lawn Museum
)
Glass artist Narcissus Quagliata will be on hand for the closing reception of his show at Forest Lawn, Narcissus Quagliata: Archetypes and Visions in Light and Glass. It’s your last chance to check out the exhibit, which demonstrates how Quagliata’s technical advances in glass fusing and radical stylistic innovations helped move glass art into the contemporary public art world. Narcissus also has the unique moniker of the only living person to work on a Michelangelo building, with his massive "Divinity of Light" dome at Michelangelo's Roman Basilica.
Support for LAist comes from
March 7-9
54th Annual Dana Point Festival of Whales
Multiple locations in Dana Point
COST: VARIOUS FREE AND TICKETED EVENTS; MORE INFO
Humpback whale seen during Captain Dave's Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari in Dana Point.
(
Craig DeWitt
/
Capt. Dave's Dolphin & Whale Safari
)
See what inspired muralist Andrew Wyland’s paintings of humpbacks, catch a glimpse of the gentle giants from a whale watching cruise, party at the Festival of Whales carnival, or eat your way through the chowder cookoff as Dana Point hosts the 54th annual Festival of Whales.
Sunday, March 9, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Barks & Brews
Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
301 North Baldwin Ave.
Arcadia
COST: $15 PER PERSON, $10 PER DOG; MORE INFO
(
Marlyn Woo
/
Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
)
Say hi to all the cute pups and watch them bound through the agility course, plus wander the gardens and support L.A. wildfire relief efforts with Bark & Brews at the Arboretum. Proceeds benefit Pasadena Humane and the Arboretum Foundation. You can bring your own dog, too!
Support for LAist comes from
March 7-9
Tuna Canyon Detention Station Exhibit
Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Drive
La Cañada Flintridge
COST: INCLUDED IN $15 ADMISSION; MORE INFO
(
Courtesy Descanso Gardens
)
It’s hard to imagine that five miles from where Descasco Gardens now hosts joyous light and art shows and beautiful gardens, the Tuna Canyon Detention Station held more than 2,000 Japanese, German, Italian and Japanese Peruvian immigrants during World War II. The Tuna Canyon Detention Station Coalition hosts a powerful exhibit at the gardens this weekend, shedding light on this lesser-known chapter of history honoring the people who were unjustly detained in Los Angeles between 1941 and 1943.
March 9-10
L.A. County Science & Engineering Fair Public Viewing
Shrine Auditorium
665 W. Jefferson Blvd.
University Park
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Support for LAist comes from
Budding scientists take center stage at the 75th annual Los Angeles County Science & Engineering Fair’s public viewing. See the top student exhibits from middle and high school students around the county or sign up to volunteer.
Saturday, March 8, 2 p.m.
God of Carnage
Studio City Branch Library
12311 Moorpark St.
Studio City
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Yasmina Reza’s 2008 play about family politics, God of Carnage, takes over Studio City library for a staged reading with Interact Theater Company. This series is always so fun, great actors, a unique space, and a low-key way to experience a classic play.
Outdoor Pick
Sunday, March 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Volunteer training with Surfrider Foundation
Santa Monica Beach
Exact location given after RSVP
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
A ity of Los Angeles Sanitation worker walks past pulverized fire debris at Topanga State Beach in Malibu on February 21, 2025.
(
Christina House
/
L.A. Times via Getty Images
)
All that fire debris isn’t going to clean itself up. Lead the charge to get our beaches cleaned up for summer and train as a captain with Surfrider Foundation. They are leading weekly trainings. Make sure to wear sunscreen and closed-toe shoes!
Viewing Pick
March 9-30
Oscar winner screenings
Academy Museum
6067 Wilshire Blvd.
Miracle Mile
COST: $5 to $10; MORE INFO
Mark Eydelshteyn as Ivan and Mikey Madison as Ani in 'Anora.'
(
NEON
)
The Oscars may be over, but movies are forever. If you didn’t catch the winners on the big screen before the ceremony, head to the Academy Museum for their annual series of winning films at the David Geffen Theater. The Documentary Feature Film winner No Other Land screens on March 8, the International Feature Film winner from Brazil, I’m Still Here, screens on March 9, the Animated Feature Film winner, Latvia’s Flow, screens on March 15, and Best Picture winner Anora from director Sean Baker screens on March 16. Plus, a surprise wildcard selection will screen on March 30.
Dine & Drink Deals
Saturday, March 8, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Baja Cantina's 50th Anniversary
Baja Cantina
311 Washington Blvd.
Marina del Rey
COST: VARIES, MORE INFO
Live music, tequila tastings, food and drink specials and more are on tap to celebrate 50 years of Baja Cantina on the Venice-Marina border. Olé!
Saturday, March 8, 6 p.m.
Latte art competition
Menotti’s
12430 Washington Blvd.
Culver City
COST: $15; MORE INFO
(
Sutthiwat Srikhrueadam / EyeEm
/
Getty Images
)
Think you’ve got what it takes to make the perfect tulip out of foam like your local coffee hop? Take your skills to the test at Menotti’s in Culver City for the ultimate latte art competition.
Saturday, March 8, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Pouring for a Purpose
Wally’s Santa Monica
214 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica
COST: $500; MORE INFO
(
Kelsey Knight
/
Unsplash
)
It’s a steep ticket, but it’s for a good cause — and good wine! Wally’s in Santa Monica hosts Pouring for a Purpose: California Wineries Silent Auction + Tasting for Fire Relief to bring together top wineries and spirits brands for a curated tasting experience, all in support of the California Fire Foundation.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Heavy rain is expected to fall in the L.A. area between tonight and Thursday. So take your poncho if you're headed to Dodger Stadium. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings.
-
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
-
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority.
-
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
-
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist