The American Cinematheque presents a number of film Q&As this week, including 'Dear Comrades!' directed by Andrei Konchalovsky. (Sasha Gusov, courtesy of Neon)
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Discover a short film directed by Maya Angelou. Check out tons of Q&As for new and notable films (it's awards season). Stuff your face at dineL.A.'s spring Restaurant Week. Take a chance and learn to dance like the pros. Learn about Shanghai's WWII community of Jewish refugees. Plus, vegan meatballs, a kid-friendly horror comedy, Biggie Smalls and Anne Lamott.
Monday, March 1 - Thursday, March 4
American Cinematheque's Q&As This week's lineup includes online Q&As with a slew of fascinating directors and actors. On Monday, check out a Q&A with director Andrei Konchalovsky (Dear Comrades!). On Tuesday, writer-director Fernando Frías chats about I'm No Longer Here. On Wednesday, director Lee Isaac Chung and producer Christina Oh discuss Minari. On Thursday, actors Daniel Kaluuya and Dominique Fishback join director Shaka King to explore Judas and the Black Messiah. Screeners are available for some of the titles. COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
Anne Lamott: Dusk Night Dawn: Notes on Courage Vroman's in Pasadena teams with several bookstores to present a discussion with author Anne Lamott, best known for her books Operating Instructions, Bird by Bird and Help, Thanks, Wow. Tickets include a hardcover copy of Dusk Night Dawn, which can be picked up or mailed after the event. The first 150 people to purchase a ticket will receive a signed copy. This event will be prerecorded and streamed on Vroman's Crowdcast. COST: $29; MORE INFO
The LA Public Library's ALOUD series presents a discussion on the 'Ongoing Challenges of Disability Discrimination in Law, Politics and Society.' (Courtesy of ALOUD)
Monday, March 1; 3 p.m.
Ongoing Challenges of Disability Discrimination in Law, Politics and Society The Library Foundation's ALOUD series welcomes leading activists and academics for a discussion of the intersection of gender, race and disability rights. Panelists include disability law expert Jasmine Harris from UC Davis and Ruth Colker, a scholar of constitutional law and disability discrimination. Michele Bratcher Goodwin of UC Irvine moderates. COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
Teacher Lily Gottlieb waits in a socially distanced standby line, hoping to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the Balboa Sports Complex on January 29, 2021 in Encino (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Tuesday, March 2; 5 p.m. PST
Back to School: Vaccinating Teachers How are educators being factored into the national COVID vaccination strategy? Although the White House designated teachers as essential workers last fall, only about half of states have made teachers eligible for vaccination. Should schools be pushed to open if their teachers and staff have not been vaccinated? COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
Inside the (Acid-Free) Box: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Charles Millett Collection The Holocaust Museum L.A. presents a virtual walkthrough of its archives to explore the little-known history of the Jewish community of Shanghai, where more than 17,000 Jews settled after fleeing the Nazis. Examine the photographs and documents of Charles Millett (née Karl Sinai) and his parents, Grete and Ernst, who originally lived in Vienna and fled after Kristallnacht. After the Japanese took over Shanghai in World War II, many of the Jewish refugees were forced into the Hongkew (Hongkou) Ghetto. COST: $12 suggested donation; MORE INFO
The Groundlings present an online solo show, ONE! With Edi Patterson. (Courtesy of The Groundlings)
Tuesday, March 2; 7 p.m. PST
ONE! With Edi Patterson The Groundlings' Edi Patterson (The Righteous Gemstones, Knives Out) performs an improvised solo show, taking her cues from audience suggestions. This is the first time the show is being performed online via Zoom. COST: $10; MORE INFO
The Music Center's Blue Ribbon Children's Festival offers students the opportunity to learn while having fun with members of Dorrance Dance. (Photo: Stephanie Berger, courtesy of Dorrance Dance )
Tuesday, March 2; 10 a.m. PST
The Blue Ribbon Children's Festival Students in grades three to 12 can take part in this online performing arts fest by watching the pros then trying the moves at home. Dorrance Dance, known for honoring and carrying on traditions of tap dance, returns again for this year's festival which began in 1970. The videos premiere online on March 2 and remain available to view through June 30. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Wednesday, March 3; 7 p.m. PST
Kishi Bashi & Davíd Garza Chapman University's Musco Center welcomes Japanese-American musician, composer and singer Bashi and Mexican American singer-songwriter Garza who'll discuss the artists' response to incarceration, a topic of interest to both of them. They'll also perform some of the songs they've been inspired to create. This event takes place online. COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
Actor Carey Mulligan, writer-director Emerald Fennell and actor Laverne Cox on the set of 'Promising Young Woman.' (Merie Weismiller Wallace / Focus Features)
Wednesday, March 3 - Wednesday, April 21
Directors Close-up Film Independent presents the popular Spirit Awards edition of its directors conversation series. Each week, tune into narrative, documentary and television directors discussing their projects and creative processes. The series opens this week with directors Lee Isaac Chung (writer/director, Minari), Emerald Fennell (writer/director, Promising Young Woman), Eliza Hittman (writer/director, Never Rarely Sometimes Always), Kelly Reichardt (writer/director, First Cow), Chloé Zhao (writer/director/editor, Nomadland). Moderated by Josh Welsh of Film Independent. COST: $49 - $99 for series pass; MORE INFO
Writer, director and comedian Fielding Edlow has written a new theatrical comedy, 'Giraffe.' (Karl Sonnenberg)
Thursday, March 4; 7 p.m. PST
Fielding Edlow: Giraffe In Edlow's latest theatrical work, the comedian explores the dynamics of a 25th high school reunion for the ultra-privileged class in NYC. The live cast reading features Eric Edelstein, Robyn Cohen, Larry Bates, Sari Lenick and Edlow. The presentation is free to stream on Facebook, Youtube and Twitch. COST: FREE, but donations accepted; MORE INFO
Thursdays, March 4, 11 and 18; 6 p.m. PST
Making Our Neighborhood: Redlining, Gentrification, and Housing in East Hollywood This panel series takes a look at the past, present and future of East Hollywood by bringing together residents, community groups, leaders and journalists. This week's discussion focuses on historic redlining policies, the internment of Japanese Americans and solidarity between Black and Japanese Americans in the area formerly called "J Flats." The discussion will be available in both English and Spanish. Audience questions are welcome. COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
In Conversation: Lynell George and adrienne maree brown Journalist and essayist Lynell George discusses her book, A Handful of Earth, A Handful of Sky: The World of Octavia E. Butler, and Butler's influences with writer, doula and pleasure activist adrienne maree brown, co-editor of Octavia's Brood: Science Fiction Stories from Social Justice Movements. RSVP for Zoom instructions. COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
Thursday, March 4; 7:30 p.m. PST
Willy's Wonderland + Psycho Goreman The Frida's Drive-In Mess Hall Market at Flight 1705 Flight Way, Tustin Grab dinner at the food hall then catch a horror-comedy double feature. In Willy's Wonderland (2021), Nic Cage stars as a loner stranded at an abandoned amusement park. Psycho Goreman (2021) follows two kids after they mistakenly release an ancient alien overlord who wants to destroy the universe. COST: $30 per car; MORE INFO
Maya Angelou directed a short film for the 'Visions' anthology series in 1976, which screens during a program of the UCLA Film & Television Archive. (Courtesy of the UCLA Film & Television Archive)
Thursday, March 4; 4 p.m. PST
Visions:The Tapestry March is Women's History Month, and UCLA's Film & Television Archive presents The Tapestry, one of two short films Maya Angelou directed in 1976 (the other was Circles) for the KCET/PBS anthology series Visions, which ran from 1976 to 1980. Join a post-screening conversation with archivist Maya Montañez Smukler and UCLA media studies professor Ellen Scott. COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
A window exhibit is now on view at the Museum of Neon Art in Glendale. (Courtesy of Shion Svenson and MONA)
Ongoing
Proof Through the Night Museum of Neon Art 216 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale The neon museum's latest window-based exhibition includes three distinct works by Kathie Foley-Meyer, William Shipman and Shion Svenson that explore the symbolism of the American flag. The exhibition's title comes from Francis Scott Key's 1814 poem, "Defence of Fort M'Henry," which became the national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner." The works face the Paseo walkway and are best seen from 6 p.m. to midnight. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Streaming Picks
Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry R.J. Cutler directs this music doc/coming-of-age story about how a 17-year-old navigated touring, family life and writing, recording and releasing her debut album, When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? The film follows Eilish over the course of three years, from her life as an L.A. teen to global stardom and Grammy Award-winner. Watch on Apple TV+ or at select drive-in theaters in Southern California.
Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell Netflix drops this music doc today to commemorate Christopher Wallace aka Notorious B.I.G.'s induction into the 2020 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and ahead of what would've been the late rapper's 50th birthday. Made in cooperation with his estate, the film was directed by Emmett Malloy and includes new interviews and rare footage filmed by friend Damion "D-Roc" Butler.
Dine & Drink Deals
Eataly L.A. is participating in dineL.A. this March 1-14, with outdoor dining at Terra and to-go options. (Courtesy of Eataly)
Who doesn't miss going out to eat or stopping by a bar for a drink? Here are a few options from restaurants and bars as we work our way back toward normal.
dineL.A.'s Spring Restaurant Week kicks off and extends to two weeks -- Monday, March 1 - Sunday, March 14 -- to support L.A.'s hard-hit restaurants by highlighting on-site, outdoor and takeout options. New additions to this year's lineup include Brooklyn Ave. Pizza Co., ADRIFT Burger Bar, OSPI, Caravan Swim Club, Poppy + Rose and Sushi Tsujita. Menu prices run $15-$35 for lunch with dinner menus priced $25-$65+.
Last summer, Tom Sopit and his team at Employees Only converted their space to Summer Social Club, hosting some of the city's best chefs and pop-ups. Starting on Monday, March 1, Rebecca King of The Bad Jew (named for her love of pork) launches her month-long dinner series at the Summer Social Club. Items include charred romanesco, smashed potatoes and the Porkstrami chop.
Brothers Meatballs, a 100% plant-based Italian bistro from Mauro and Sergio Corbia, opened in Hollywood on Friday. They've taken their family's recipes and put a modern, vegan twist on them. The menu's key item is its secret meatball recipe made from real, local ingredients. It can be ordered on homemade ciabatta bread or as a plate meal. Gluten-free options are also available.
Every two years, Desert X presents site-specific outdoor installations throughout the Coachella Valley. Two Los Angeles artists have new work on display.
