Best things to do in LA and SoCal: Nov. 11-17

A big thank you to all the service members who’ve served our country this Veterans Day. There’s lots going on to honor them, including a ceremony on the beach in Santa Monica, a celebration at the VA and more.

Elsewhere on LAist, you can learn about one couple who chose the LAUSD coffee cake for their wedding, come hang out with us at CicLAvia in Pasadena and grab tickets for FilmWeek’s screening of Sideways.

Music

Licorice Pizza has your music picks for the week ahead — it is Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction time, after all — including:

Wednesday 

• Bonobo begin their two-night run at the Wiltern
• Australian EDM star Ninajirachi begins her four-night run at the Fonda Theatre 

Thursday 

• The Smashing Pumpkins performing ‘Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness’ in full at the Forum
• Sparta at Sid The Cat

Friday 

• Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds at the Wiltern
• E-40 with Too $hort, Mack 10 & more at the YouTube Theater
• Band of Horses at Pacific Electric

Saturday 

• Darker Waves Festival in Huntington Beach with Morrissey, Simple Minds and many more
• Kate Nash at Sid The Cat
• Sugarhill Gang at Stage Red

Sunday 

• Milk Carton Kids at the Fonda
• Ghostface Killah with Raekwon and GZA at The Novo
• Lissie at Venice West

Monday

• Gary Numan at the Fonda
• The Aces with Gatlin at Pacific Electric

Tuesday

• The Damned at the Wiltern 
• First Ever Hologram Teen Concert (with Fred Armisen on Drums) at Zebulon

Events

International Churro Day

Wednesday, Nov. 11
El Moro 
Multiple locations (Echo Park, Costa Mesa, La Habra)
COST: $1; MORE INFO 

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Foodie Flavours

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What better way to get through the rest of the week than with $1 churros to celebrate International Churro Day? Mexico City institution El Moro now has three L.A. area locations where you can score a deal on the fried treat all day long, plus get a complimentary 12th churro when you purchase 11.

James Cahill: The Beverly Hills Housewife: Hockney’s Californian Muse and the World Beyond the Pool

Tuesday, Nov. 17, 7:15 p.m.
Book Soup
8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

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Courtesy EJS Media

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We lost the great Brit-turned-Angeleno artist David Hockney this year, but his legacy in L.A. is remembered in author James Cahill’s new book, The Beverly Hills Housewife: Hockney’s Californian Muse and the World Beyond the Pool. The book tells the story of David Hockney’s pivotal early years in Los Angeles, his unlikely friendship with a Beverly Hills collector named Betty Freeman, and the city itself — all through the lens of a single painting, Beverly Hills Housewife (1966-67). Cahill will be in conversation with writer David Ulin.

Cj Hendry: Flower Shop

Through Saturday, Nov. 21
6 Rose Ave., Venice
COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

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Kirsten Cox

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Australian artist Cj Hendry has taken over churches, swimming pools and more around the world with her bright creations. Her latest installation, Flower Shop, takes over the Rose Room in Venice, where you can purchase one of her felt flowers starting at $10 — the perfect headstart on unique holiday gifts.

The Who’s Tommy

Through Sunday, Nov. 15
Pantages Theatre
6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 
COST: FROM $45; MORE INFO 

Fun fact: The Who’s Tommy was the first show I saw on Broadway in 1995 (starring the great Michael Cerveris), and now I’m dating myself by saying the revival is on tour at the Pantages. The Who’s timeless 1969 soundtrack follows the story of Tommy, a child struck by tragedy who wins hearts with his pinball prowess. Pete Townshend and director Des McAnuff reunite to tell the story again for a new generation. Tommy, you’re a sensation.

National Theatre Live: The Importance of Being Earnest

Saturday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m.
The Wallis
9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills
COST: FROM $27.50; MORE INFO 

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Courtesy The Wallis

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I saw the live National Theatre production of The Importance of Being Earnest in London last year, and it’s laugh-out-loud funny, with great performances from Doctor Who himself (Ncuti Gatwa) and Sharon D. Clarke as Lady Bracknell. Directed by Max Webster, the Oscar Wilde classic mistaken-identity comedy took the West End by storm, so don’t miss a chance to catch the filmed-live version at the Wallis. If you just can’t get enough "Earnest" this week, the Bardfly Theatre Co. has their last live performance of the sendup of Victorian England at the L.A. Arboretum the same night.

Sheryl Crow at Live on Sunset

Saturday, Nov. 14, 4 p.m.
Sunset Strip
Sunset Blvd. between San Vicente Blvd./Clark Ave. and North Doheny Drive, West Hollywood
COST: FREE, RSVP REQUIRED; MORE INFO

Sheryl Crow will play a free show on Sunset.

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Erika Goldring

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Sheryl Crow will play 'til the sun comes up on Santa Monica Boulevard (well, more likely 'til just after it goes down) at the free concert on the Sunset Strip, Live on Sunset. The nine-time GRAMMY Award winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee joins a host of other performers, including Local Natives and Empress Of, at the block party show.

Meow Wolf: Desert Hearts and Justin Martin All Night Long

Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 p.m.
Academy L.A.
6021 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 
COST: $39.95; MORE INFO 

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Courtesy Meow Wolf

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Art collective Meow Wolf is opening soon in L.A., but you can catch the vibe early with this DJ set at Academy L.A. The music takeover will feature some of Meow Wolf's favorite characters and oddities from their unique multiverse, alongside DJ performances from Desert Hearts and house producer Justin Martin.

Second Saturday Art Walk and Film Festival

Saturday, Nov. 14, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Downtown San Pedro
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

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Courtesy San Pedro Film Festival

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The Second Saturday Art Walk takes over downtown San Pedro this weekend, with galleries, record stores and more opening their doors to celebrate independent artists in the harbor town. Plus, the San Pedro International Film Fest will present two ocean-themed documentary short series at the John Olguin Auditorium at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium.

Hello Again public exhibit opening 

Thursday, Nov. 12, tour at 11:30 a.m.
UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
3333 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa
COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

Henrietta Shore, Mount Wilson, 1927.

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Courtesy UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art

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The O.C. Museum of Art opens its fall exhibit, Hello Again, with a public celebration on Thursday featuring a tour with curators. The show leans on “thematic fluidity” in the curation rather than chronology, with a focus on California art of the 1960s and '70s as well as more contemporary work. The first exhibit from newly-appointed director Kathryn Kanjo, it “reveals how regional landscapes, domestic spaces, and urban culture remain fertile territory for material and conceptual experimentation.” The exhibition includes work from many artists you’ll be familiar with and some to discover, including Glenn Ligon, Suzanne Lacy, Robert Rauschenberg, Betye Saar, Ed Ruscha, Narsiso Martinez and more.

25th Annual Tree Lighting Celebration 

Monday, Nov. 16, 7 p.m. 
The Grove
189 The Grove Drive, Fairfax District 
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

The Grove's Christmas Tree in 2024.

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Jay L Clendenin

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It’s that time of year again. The annual Christmas Tree lighting at the Grove happens next Monday — just 39 days till Santa gets here, folks. This year’s party features performances from Nicole Scherzinger, Jason Mraz, Mark Ambor, Jamie Miller, “O” by Cirque du Soleil, American Authors, Kenedi Anderson, JYT and more.