Best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California: March 9-12

When I first moved to L.A. many years ago, I had artist friends who lived in the Arts District when it was still full of unrenovated warehouses and art studios, and there wasn’t a Verve coffee or fancy sushi place in sight. So seeing inspired artist S.C. Mero’s new work — a theater inside a utility box at Third and Traction — brought me a hint of nostalgia for the old artsy downtown days. Mero’s work is always so clever, from resin-filled aquarium potholes to tiny cigarette coffins; her sense of whimsy is much needed lately!

If you lean more toward music than utility box theater, whimsy-wise, this week Lyndsey Parker at Licorice Pizza recommends the Fray in a Q&A and performance at the Grammy Museum on Monday, or indie royalty Neko Case at the Observatory in Santa Ana. Tuesday offers another compelling show to Orange County, when Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails bring their mind-blowing “Peel It Black” tour to the Honda Center. On Wednesday, dream-pop duo Phantogram start their three-night run at the Troubadour (they’ll also be there Thursday and Friday), and British soul singer-songwriter and producer KWN will play at the Belasco. Thursday is a big night, with Margo Price at the Fonda, Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles at Largo, Umphrey’s McGee at the Regent, plus Big Thief’s Buck Meek goes solo at the cool new Pasadena venue Sid the Cat Auditorium.

Elsewhere on LAist, you can read about the ever-expanding parrot population, brush up on the gubernatorial candidates and meet the woman who helped turn the Brady Bunch house into a landmark.

Events

Jonas Wood

Opening Thursday, March 12 (through April 25)
Gagosian Gallery 
456 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

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Jonas Wood

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Gagosian Gallery

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Whether you’re heading out to Indian Wells for the tennis or not, get in the courtside spirit at Gagosian, where painter Jonas Wood’s racquet-inspired work will have you ready to practice your backhand in no time. His bright, pop art colors and paintings of specific matches are bold, realistic and draw the viewer in; all of the works in this show are tennis-related — save for one that shows a video game the artist plays with his kids.

Star-Crossed Rendezvous

Tuesday, March 10, 8 p.m. 
MOCA Grand Ave. and Walt Disney Concert Hall 
Grand Ave., Downtown L.A. 
COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

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Courtesy MOCA

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After being blown away by South Korean artist Haegue Yang’s sculptures at Frieze L.A., I popped in last week to see her room-sized pieces that use soundscapes from the Korean composer Isang Yun, currently on display at MOCA Grand Ave. Get a completely immersive experience of her work by seeing the exhibit after hours (open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday), then hop across the street to see the L.A. Phil perform Yun’s musical composition, Double Concerto for oboe, harp and small orchestra. The L.A. Phil event is sold out, but a standby line will form in the Disney Hall lobby; the MOCA exhibit is on (and free for all) through Aug. 2.

OC Restaurant Week

Through Saturday, March 14
Various Orange County locations
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO

Get great deals at some Orange County favorites and newcomers, with prix-fixe lunches and dinners all across the area, from Anaheim to Newport Beach and everywhere in between.

Staying Sane in an Insane World through Meditation

Monday, March 9, 6 p.m.
Online
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

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Katerina May

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Unsplash

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Just the name of this meditation session had me stop to say, "Yes, yes, that sounds like a good idea for everyone." If it’s all been a lot lately, learn some key meditation skills at this free online class with Doug Frankel, run through the Westwood Brand library. Sign up and get the Zoom link by emailing here.

Annual Oscar Quiz

Wednesday, March 11, 8 p.m.
O’Brien's Pub
2226 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

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Courtesy O'Brien's

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You may think you know something about the Oscars, but I’d bone up on my trivia before going up against the movie know-it-alls (and many, many Jeopardy! champs) who head to the annual Oscars quiz at O’Brien’s. It's a popular trivia night, so get there early, pick your teammates (up to six on each team) wisely and watch some winners to prep (but maybe skip Crash).

Live Action Shorts

Monday, March 9, 7 p.m. 
Academy Museum 
6067 Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile
COST: $10; MORE INFO

"The Butcher's Stain" is nominated for Best Live Action Short.

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Meyer Levinson-Blount

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Sure, many of the shorts are now available on streaming services, but there’s joy in seeing these clever short films with an audience and supporting the indie filmmakers behind them. The Academy Museum, of course, is screening many of the harder-to-find nominated films this season; Monday is the live action shorts, but check the calendar for docs, animated shorts and more ahead of the weekend’s big ceremony.

The Art of the Album: The Photography of Danny Clinch

Through May 2026
Wrensilva
8625 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

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Danny Clinch

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Wrensilva

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It’s not often I recommend a brand experience here, but Wrensilva makes record players — by hand — and as someone with a small vinyl collection and a soft spot for local craftspeople and old things, this is just very cool. You can visit Wrensilva’s gallery and studio and listen to records at their space. Plus, they have an art show through May featuring the photography of Danny Clinch, who’s shot some of the rock world’s most recognizable album covers, including for Blind Melon, Johnny Cash, Tupac and the Foo Fighters.