Art Los Angeles Contemporary returns this week to the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica. (Photo: Michael Underwood)
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Celebrate your singlehood with a Shred Your Ex Party or dance your cares away with The Fabulous Ladies of Fitness. For those in lurrve, there's Harold and Maude, picnicking in Grand Park and a doggy speed dating night so you can find your one true Fido. Art Los Angeles Contemporary opens and so does the Newport Beach Jazz Party.
THROUGH WEDNESDAY, FEB. 20 Red Bull Music Festival: Center Channel Film Series Ukrainian Culture Center -- 4315 Melrose Ave., East Hollywood RBMF's film programming explores the intersection of sound, music and film. On Monday, Feb. 11, there are screenings of Sydney Pollack's Aretha Franklin documentary, Amazing Grace, and Wattstax, a live concert film of the 1972 Stax festival at the L.A. Coliseum. Other screenings include Ava Duvernay's first film, This is the Life (Feb. 12) and Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song by Melvin Van Peebles (Feb. 13). COST: Tickets start at $10; MORE INFO
MONDAY, FEB. 11; 7:30 p.m. Artists Talk: Artists, Activism, Agency The Broad Stage -- 1310 11th St., Santa Monica Listen to what promises to be a lively conversation with Nadya Tolokonnikova, founder of the art-music collective Pussy Riot; artists Shepard Fairey, Catherine Opie and Tavares Strachan; and moderated by Jonathan T.D. Neil of Sotheby's Institute of Art. At 9 p.m., Pussy Riot takes to the stage for a live performance. (A friendly reminder: This event is in Santa Monica, not the museum in downtown L.A.) COST: $59 - $89; MORE INFO
MONDAY, FEB. 11; 7 p.m. Write Club Los Angeles Chapter 83 Bootleg Theater, Bar Stage -- 2220 Beverly Blvd., Westlake Three rounds. Two writers with two opposing ideas. Seven minutes to sway the crowd. With the theme "write in the feels," the competitors are: Joshua Silverstein (AGONY) v. Wade Gasque (ECSTASY); Cat Crow (CUTTHROAT) v. Serita Robinson (HONORABLE); and Alex Stein (CAUTIOUS) v. Jane Morris (RECKLESS). The audience picks the winners and the prize money goes to the winners' favorite charities. COST: $8 - $20; MORE INFO
TUESDAY, FEB. 12; 8 p.m. Kodo: Evolution Walt Disney Concert Hall -- 111 South Grand Ave., downtown L.A. The Japanese ensemble returns to L.A. with a new production that blends lyrical rhythms and the ancient art form of taiko drumming. COST: $47 - $107; MORE INFO
TUESDAY, FEB. 12; 8 and 10 p.m. Dave Ross Records an Album The Echo -- 1822 W. Sunset Blvd., Echo Park The L.A. comedian records his first comedy album at his favorite music venue on Earth. Where will he rate on the laugh-o-meter? There's only one way to find out. COST: $5 - $7; MORE INFO
TUESDAY, FEB. 12; 7:30 PM NEW YORK TIMES OP-ED LIVE The Orpheum Theatre -- 842 S. Broadway, Los Angeles Step into the Orpheum Theatre on February 12th for an evening of stand-up comedy, a political PowerPoint, a live advice column - and plenty of opinion. Hosted by Rachel Dry, the New York Times Op-Ed Live will offer an in-person experience with Opinion contributors Roxane Gay, Guy Branum, and Lindy West.. COST: $25 - $50; MORE INFO
SPONSORED WEDNESDAY, FEB. 13; 9 p.m. Plan C The York -- 5018 York Blvd., Highland Park This new comedy show, hosted by Jamie Loftus, Ever Mainard, Maggie Maye, Atsuko Okatsuka and Irene Tu, takes place the second Wednesday of the month. The February lineup includes Eric André, Matt Rogers, Frankie Quinones and Rosebud Baker. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 13; 5 p.m. Unheard LA Salon: West Hollywood Library West Hollywood Library -- 625 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood Everybody has a story. What's yours? Let KPCC help you figure it out. Our Unheard LA series explores the nuances and complexities of Southern California through first-person experiences. Spoken word? Music? Poetry? Magic? That's up to you. Before Unheard LA's third season kicks off, join past participants Janine Bailey, Cheryl Farrell and Glenn Fernandez as they discuss the submission and editing process, answer your questions and listen to your story ideas. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 13; 8 p.m. Valentine's Eve -- Hosted by Ben Lee & Ione Skye Largo at the Coronet -- 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Grove The husband and wife team up to host a night of music and comedy with a lineup that includes The Sklar Brothers, Susanna Hoffs, Josh Radnor, Neil Strauss, Jenny O, Rachel Ramras, Hugh Davidson, Pete Yorn and Jill Sobule. COST: $30; MORE INFO
Lucha VaVoom's Valentine's Day shows are at the Mayan for two nights of Mexican wrestling, burlesque and comedy. (Photo: Hon Hoang)
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 13 - THURSDAY, FEB. 14; 8:15 p.m. Lucha VaVoom The Mayan Theater -- 1038 S. Hill St., downtown L.A. L.A.'s long-running Mexican wrestling, comedy and burlesque show entertains lovers, friends and frenemies for two Valentine's-themed shows. "Amor Prohibido" includes lucha libre-style wrestling as well as live music, comedians, mini aerialists, lowriders and hula hoopers. Special appearances by gender-bending multimedia artist Christeene, alternative model and burlesque performer Mosh and pole artist Brynn Route. Comic and host Jeff Davis delivers fly-by-night commentary. These shows are 21+. COST: $40; MORE INFO
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 13; 3 - 7 p.m. Decorate Sweets for Valentine's Day Glass Lounge at the InterContinental Los Angeles Century City -- 2151 Avenue of the Stars, Century City The hotel holds a sweets-decorating event with pastry chef Gail Romulo. She'll prepare several cookies and confections for attendees to adorn. Keep the treats for yourself or give them to your Valentine. Champagne will be available for purchase for those 21+. COST: $20; MORE INFO
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 13 - SUNDAY, FEB. 17 Art Los Angeles Contemporary The Barker Hangar at Santa Monica Airport -- 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica The international contemporary art fair showcases both next generation and established art galleries and artists. New this year at ALAC are two new sections: Moveable Types, which houses a number of independent publishers, and The Academy, which focuses on artworks from emerging galleries in a salon-style exhibition. Wednesday's opening reception runs from 6 to 9 p.m. COST: $75 for opening night, $25 - $45; MORE INFO
NKLA holds a doggy speed dating night on Valentine's Day. (Photo: NKLA.org)
THURSDAY, FEB. 14; 5 - 7 p.m. NKLA Doggy Speed Dating Event NKLA Pet Adoption Center -- 1845 Pontius Ave., Sawtelle Meet your canine soulmate on Valentine's Day at this speed-dating event. Once you've found "the one," take a pic in a photo booth, courtesy of Pet Portraits by Danielle Spires. All dogs (and cats) are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and ready for their forever (or foster) home. Preview the available pets at NKLA.org.COST: $14 adoptions for select pets; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, FEB. 14; 5:30 p.m. (doors) La La Land Palace Theatre -- 630 S., Broadway, downtown L.A. Street Food Cinema screens the cinematic love letter to L.A. in one of downtown's historic theaters for Valentine's Day. The venue features Seb's jazz bar with specialty cocktails, a sweethearts photo booth and music by DJ Ivy. Food trucks and vendors will be onsite. COST: $23 - $30; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, FEB. 14; 9 p.m. St. Valentine's Day ASSacre Second City Hollywood -- 6560 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood Victress, an all-female comedy burlesque troupe, presents a night of comedy monologues and dance numbers for your Valentine's/Galentine's Day. Directed by Thea Lux and hosted by Katherine Biskupic, performers include Mel Forrest, Leah Frires, Joy Haven, Saliha Muttalib and Sarah O'Dwyer. COST: $10; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, FEB. 14; 8 p.m. - 2 a.m. Love is a Battlefield: Valentine's Day Edition The Friend Bar -- 2611 Hyperion Ave., Los Feliz The Fabulous Ladies of Fitness (FLOF) hold a Valentine's Day dance party for those who are looking for love, recovering from it or running far away from the whole thing. The night kicks off with a Heartbreak Happy Hour at 8 p.m. featuring drinks and a soft rock soundtrack. Then, the dancing begins. There are lite rock, '80s/'90s hip-hop/R&B, singalong anthems and dance tunes of the last decade. Each song will address themes of love and heartbreak. Wear your best '80s workout fashion, jumpsuits, leotards, leather or animal prints. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, FEB. 14 Shred Your Ex Party Ever Bar -- 1800 Argyle Ave., Hollywood If you're flying solo for the time being or are #single4evah, the bar offers a "singles" cocktail menu for (anti)Valentine's Day. The menu includes drink offerings like single malt scotch, single barrel bourbon and single vintage mescal. The party includes live music and a paper shredder -- so bring along those old photos, letters and mementos that you've been hanging onto for way too long. COST: Varies; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, FEB. 14; 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Harold and Maude The Frida Cinema -- 305 E. 4th St., Santa Ana Hal Ashby's 1971 classic black comedy stars Bud Cort as Harold, a depressed teenager who's obsessed with death. At one of the many funerals he crashes, he meets Maud, a 79-year-old woman with a zest for life. Their unlikely cinematic love story has endured for nearly 50 years -- and is set to a great Cat Stevens soundtrack. COST: $7 - $10; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, FEB. 14; 6 - 11 p.m. Grand Park's Lovers Rock Grand Park's Olive Court and Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain -- 200 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. Skip the overpriced prix fixe offerings for Valentine's Day and pack a picnic for a night under the stars in the park. The night includes Dub Club DJs spinning mellow reggae tracks, a complimentary photo booth and family-friendly craft activities (for a small fee). Various food trucks will be onsite to sell sweets, desserts and treats. COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, FEB. 14 - SUNDAY, FEB. 17 Newport Beach Jazz Party Newport Beach Hotel & Spa -- 900 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach Now in its 19th year, the jazz festival opens with Jack Jones and drummer Jeff Hamilton's trio. Other artists and performers throughout the weekend include Tierney Sutton, Akiko Tsuruga, Arturo Sandoval and the Tom Scott Quintet. COST: Daily tickets start at $58; MORE INFO
Every two years, Desert X presents site-specific outdoor installations throughout the Coachella Valley. Two Los Angeles artists have new work on display.
