Best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California: March 2-5

My eyes hurt from all the art I saw this past week! Highlights for me from Frieze week include discovering new-to-me artists at the fair, like South Korean artist Haegue Yang and her mesmerizing jingle bell installation, local photographer Christina Fernandez (whose images about immigration are a stark reminder that what’s happening now is not new for many in our community) and Frieze Impact winner Napoles Marty’s drawings that reflect his Cuban heritage. I was also blown away by the use of old buildings across the city — from the abandoned 99 Cent Store project, to the old post office on Fifth Street in Santa Monica for the Post Fair, to a gathering outside Taix (RIP) in Silver Lake, to an opening at the old Spago space.

Looking ahead, Licorice Pizza’s music picks for the week include a Monday show from Sun Ra Arkestra at the Lodge Room; on Tuesday, Southern rock/punk duo Black Pistol Fire are at the Teragram, and English singer-songwriter Sienna Spiro is at the Troubadour. Plus, the long-running It’s A School Night! Residency, now at its new location at the Airliner, is free with RSVP. Wednesday, Swedish sensation Zara Larsson plays the first of her two nights at the Wiltern, or if you feel like getting some much-needed laughs and doing some good, there's the Saban Theatre’s “Stand Up for Equality” event, featuring Margaret Cho, Tig Notaro and more. On Thursday, Dutch DJ Afrojack takes over the decks at Hollywood’s Sound Nightclub, and Orange County hosts some old-school punk — the Descendents with Frank Turner will be at House of Blues Anaheim on Thursday and Friday.

Elsewhere on LAist, you can get the latest on the opening of Metro’s new D Line, cast your pick for the worst intersection in L.A. and visit a South Bay ice cream shop where the kids design the flavors.

Events

Maker Night: Build, Bend, and Snap!

Thursday, March 5, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 
Craft Contemporary 
5814 Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile
COST: $12; MORE INFO

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Courtesy Craft Contemporary

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Put down your phone and pick up clay and wire to make your own unique sculptural creation at Craft Contemporary’s Maker Night. Join artists Andres Payan Estrada and Greg Nasca to learn hand-building clay techniques that incorporate nichrome wire, a “hi-fire” wire that can be fired into clay. A perfect Thursday night grown-up play date!

Gorillaz: House of Kong 

Through Thursday, March 19
Rolling Greens 
1005 Mateo Street, Arts District 
COST: FROM $39.50; MORE INFO 

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Ben Bentley

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Gorillaz, the innovative animated band launched by Damon Albarn (Blur) and artist Jamie Hewlett in 1998, get the historical-slash-immersive treatment in this new downtown walk-through experience. Fans and newcomers alike will get a deeper look at the creative process behind Hewlett’s now-iconic characters, and can follow a mystery through the band’s “backstage” journey. Following the immersive experience, there’s a screening room and exhibit space where you can check out the band’s latest short music film (The Mountain), installations and more.

Tomorrow Begins Today: The Creative Legacy of Bonnie Cashin

Thursday, March 5, 6 p.m. 
UCLA
Charles E. Young Research Library, Main Conference Room 11360 
280 Charles E. Young Drive N., Westwood
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

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Bonnie Cashin

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Courtesy Charles E. Young Research Library

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If you’ve ever found yourself relieved to find pockets in that dress you’re trying on (pretty sure that’s everyone who’s ever worn a dress), you have Bonnie Cashin at least in part to thank. The innovative 20th-century designer made clothes for women that prioritized function, and her designs were embraced by the likes of Coach, Hermès, Calvin Klein and more. Mellissa Huber, Associate Curator in The Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and a fashion historian specializing in 20th-century dress, will speak about Cashin’s legacy as a designer and philanthropist.

Foursome 

Through Monday, March 23 
IAMA
3269 Casitas Ave., Atwater Village 
COST: $45 (“pay what you can” on March 2 and 9);  MORE INFO 

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Jill Petracek

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IAMA

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A queer millennial rom-com has taken over at IAMA, the intimate space in Atwater Village. Building off its success at last year’s IAMA New Works Festival, Foursome is now a fully staged production that follows four friends on a wine-fueled weekend getaway. Monday, March 2 is a “pay what you can” night, with a post-show talkback hosted by the L.A. LGBTQ+ Arts & Culture Coalition.

What a Wonderful World: An Audiovisual Poem 

Through March 20 
Variety Arts Theater
940 S. Figueroa Street, Downtown L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

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Marina Abramovic

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Courtesy Julia Stoschek Foundation

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Don’t miss this multistory art and poetry installation! It’s free, there’s popcorn, there’s art, there’s spontaneous performances, and it’s all in a very cool old L.A. theater that doesn't open its full space to exploration very often. It marks the first major presentation of works from the Julia Stoschek Foundation in the U.S., and it uses a combination of silent film and cinematic history to bring the space to life.

Laguna Beach First Thursdays Art Walk

Thursday, March 5, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 
Various Galleries
Laguna Beach
COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

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Courtesy Visit Laguna Beach

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If you’re not over-arted from all the gallery openings in L.A. last week, head south for a chill gallery walk in Laguna Beach. The long-standing tradition of Thursday art walk continues, with more than 30 art galleries opening their doors for special exhibitions and artist meet-and-greets. There’s also a free trolley service that runs along Coast Highway for easy access, plus the Laguna Art Museum offers free admission.

Women Wednesday: Night of Shorts 

Wednesday, March 4, 9:30 p.m. 
Los Feliz Theatre
1822 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz
COST: $15; MORE INFO 

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Courtesy American Cinematheque

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Check out a selection of short films from local up-and-coming women directors with American Cinematheque at the Los Feliz Theatre. The shorts are followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.

Soko sushi-making class

Tuesday to Thursday weekly
Fairmont Santa Monica 
101 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica
COST: $100.75; MORE INFO 

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Courtesy Bucket Listers

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Learn from the best as Chef Masa Shimakawa takes you behind his eight-person sushi bar at the Fairmont in Santa Monica for a masterclass. Learn to make a selection of classic rolls under Chef Masa’s supervision, and when you're finished, of course, you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor.