The best things to do in Los Angeles this week
Find concerts, screenings, art exhibits and more of our critics’ picks with the best events and things to do in Los Angeles this week
If we could write the rules of living in Los Angeles this would be our No. 1, always at the top of our list: When you live in this city, there’s no excuse for boredom just because it’s a weeknight. There are hundreds of things to do in Los Angeles each week, including concerts, comedy shows, happy hour deals, free museum days—and that’s really only scratching the surface. Well, we don’t make the rules, but we will provide you with plenty of ideas for your next free weeknight right here. Now put down that TV remote. There you go. Now get out of the house and tackle these things to do in L.A. this week.
Time Out loves
Focus on Female Directors
American Cinematheque puts a spotlight on female filmmakers with an evening of directors panels and short films, many of which will make their L.A. premiere.
‘The West Wing Weekly’ podcast finale
You can witness the final recording of the world’s favorite West Wing-focused podcast here in L.A. when the recap show draws to a close with a live show at the Ace.
Whiskey Sour Radio Hour
Banjo-wielding comedian Ed Helms mounts the bluegrass-inflected Whiskey Sour Radio Hour, his own take on old-time, radio variety shows with guests Ben Harper, Willie Watson and more.
Freaked
Clearly a labor of love for co-writer, co-director and star Alex Winter (the other one in the Bill and Ted movies), this freewheeling, anarchic, gross-out comedy features the likes of Randy Quaid, Mr. T, Brooke Shields, William Sadler, Bobcat Goldthwait, Morgan Fairchild, Gibby Haynes and Keanu Reeves. See it at the Egyptian Theater, complete with occasional live accompaniment from Butthole Surfers’ Paul Leary and a post-screening discussion with Winter and co-writer-director Tom Stern, composer Kevin Kiner and others.
Women’s March Los Angeles
Get fired up and ready to go at the Women’s March Los Angeles. Part of a day of nationwide demonstrations to support social justice, this solidarity march starts at 10am in Pershing Square and concludes with a rally in front of City Hall.
Sounds of L.A.
Catch sets from up-and-coming performers and local legends during this free music series at the Getty, which kicks off in January with 3MA.
Dapper Day at LACMA
Get out a bow tie and suspenders, and pull together a parasol and pearls: Dapper Day is headed to LACMA. Like the biannual Disneyland meet-ups, attendees are encouraged to dress up in (mostly vintage-inspired) sophisticated digs. You can dance at the Swinging Soirée, a free, after-hours dance party with DJ sets and a cash bar. And you can visit the rest of the museum galleries prior to the event, though you’ll need a general admission ticket (you can upgrade to a Swinging Soirée Plus ticket to cover both).
iHeartRadio ALTer Ego
Billie Eilish, the Black Keys, blink-182, the Lumineers, Rex Orange County and SHAED top this radio-friendly fest at the Forum.
The Gold Rush
The 1925 Charlie Chaplin flick is famous for its imaginative sequences, like Chaplin eating a Thanksgiving meal of an old boot and laces or being imagined as a chicken by a starving and delirious prospector. See a restored 35mm print at the Hollywood American Legion Post 43, with a live score by Cliff Retallick and an intro by filmmaker Allison Anders.
Cirque du Soleil: ‘Volta’
In its newest show, the French Canadian megatroupe Cirque du Soleil once again delivers the spine-tingling spectacle (this time around, with BMX bikes) that is its raison d’être.
Popular
100th Anniversary Prohibition Party at the Rendition Room
Entering 2020 means we're probably in for a decade of Roaring '20s-themed parties, but for those who prefer the cocktail history of the era, it also means we're coming up on 100 years of the speakeasy. One of Studio City's own hidden bars is celebrating the anniversary of Prohibition this Friday, and you won't even have to brew your own hooch. The Rendition Room, tucked into Vitello's, is paying homage to a century of secret-bar history with a throwback party inspired by the kind of underground soirées caused by liquor's outlawing. On Friday—100 years to the day of Prohibition's start—this themed party will come complete with live music, liquor tastings and a special drink menu. If this sounds like berries to you, ankle it on over to the Rendition Room this weekend—and you can even secure your spot with a reservation.
‘The West Wing Weekly’ podcast finale
As a wise chief of staff once said, there’s two things in the world you never want to let people see how you make ’em: laws and sausages. Thankfully, podcasting is fine for the public to witness—and you can witness the final recording of the world’s favorite West Wing-focused podcast here in L.A. when the recap show draws to a close on January 17. Since 2016, The West Wing Weekly has broken down every episode of Aaron Sorkin’s cult-classic political drama, and all of the rapid-fire dialogue, information leaks, government espionage, campaigning and interpersonal (and sometimes interoffice) relationships therein. The podcast is a dive into the plot of each episode, sure, but when coupled with behind-the-scenes knowledge from the show’s hosts—composer Hrishikesh Hirway and The West Wing’s own Will Bailey, played by actor Joshua Malina—plus guest appearances from West Wing creators and real political pundits and officials, it’s an hour or so of insider insights not just into Sorkin’s White House, but our country’s actual innerworkings. Head to DTLA’s Theatre at Ace Hotel to see The West Wing Weekly off as it ends its final term, and witness a live recording of the last podcast episode with some seriously impressive guests: Martin Sheen, Bradley Whitford and Mary McCormack. The doors open at 7pm, while the show starts at 8; maybe give the podcast a salute at its end, or at least a firm handshake and a very President Bartlet-level “What’s next?”
Ed Helms
The one-time Daily Show correspondent’s singing voice isn’t much of a secret thanks to his parts in the pop culture domination of The Office and The Hangover (what do tigers dream of?). The banjo-wielding comedian occasionally mounts the bluegrass-inflected Whiskey Sour Radio Hour, his own take on old-time, radio variety shows with plenty of comedians in tow to up the chaos.
Freaked
Clearly a labor of love for co-writer, co-director and star Alex Winter (the other one in the Bill and Ted movies), this freewheeling, anarchic, gross-out comedy features the likes of Randy Quaid, Mr. T, Brooke Shields, William Sadler, Bobcat Goldthwait, Morgan Fairchild, Gibby Haynes and Keanu Reeves. See it at the Egyptian Theater, complete with occasional live accompaniment from Butthole Surfers’ Paul Leary and a post-screening discussion with Winter and co-writer-director Tom Stern, composer Kevin Kiner and others.
The Gold Rush
The Little Tramp here plays the poverty-stricken Lone Prospector during the Klondike gold rush of 1898. The 1925 Charlie Chaplin flick is famous for its imaginative sequences, like Chaplin eating a Thanksgiving meal of an old boot and laces or being imagined as a chicken by a starving and delirious prospector. See a restored 35mm print at the Hollywood American Legion Post 43, with a live score by Cliff Retallick and an intro by filmmaker Allison Anders.
Free
Dapper Day at LACMA
Get out a bow tie and suspenders, and pull together a parasol and pearls: Dapper Day is headed to LACMA. Like the biannual Disneyland meet-ups, attendees are encouraged to dress up in (mostly vintage-inspired) sophisticated digs. You can dance at the Swinging Soirée, a free, after-hours dance party with DJ sets and a cash bar. And you can visit the rest of the museum galleries prior to the event, though you’ll need a general admission ticket (you can upgrade to a Swinging Soirée Plus ticket to cover both).
Tokyo Pop Underground
For centuries, Japan didn’t even have a word for “fine art”; most of the country’s meticulously crafted items were primarily practical in purpose. But this exhibition explores the country’s unique narrative of “fine art” with works from 17 Japanese artists, from the 1960s through today.
Women’s March Los Angeles
Get fired up and ready to go at the Women’s March Los Angeles. Part of a day of nationwide demonstrations to support social justice, this solidarity march starts at 10am in Pershing Square and concludes with a rally in front of City Hall.
Chinese New Year in Beverly Hills
Mark the Lunar New Year without leaving the Westside for this annual Beverly Hills bash. This year’s celebration features a variety show, a “Jing-Jin-Ji” photo exhibition and a cultural heritage crafts display. RECOMMENDED: Chinese New Year in Los Angeles
“The Autograph Book of L.A.”
Dive into who leaves a mark on L.A. in this examanation of the Los Angeles Public Library’s 1,700-object autograph collection, on the occassion of a new book about it by Josh Kun. In 1906, librarian Charles Lummis started L.A.’s very own autograph collection, in which paintings, poems, speeches and music from the likes of L. Frank Baum, James Carroll Beckwith, Katherine Lee Bates, Langston Hughes, Isaac Asimov, Helen Keller and others were added to the Los Angeles Public Library’s permanent collection. Then in 2018, librarian John F. Szabo extended the collection to include all Angelenos who hoped to add something with a one-day event—which then brought along contributions from Roy Choi, Patt Morrison, Cheech Marin, Norman Lear and more.
Concerts
Homeward Bound
Jason Mraz, the Doors’ Robby Krieger and John Densmore, Fitz and the Tantrums, Ingrid Michaelson and more headline this acoustic concert to benefit L.A.’s own PATH (People Assisting the Homeless).
iHeartRadio ALTer Ego
Billie Eilish, the Black Keys, blink-182, the Lumineers, Rex Orange County and SHAED top this radio-friendly fest at the Forum.
4xFAR
It’s an experience-driven, genre-spanning music fest in a grassy field in the desert—but nope, it’s not Coachella. The inaugural 4xFAR is bringing the likes of Anderson .Paak & the Free Nationals, Kaytranada, Mark Ronson and Q-Tip, Sofi Tukker, Young The Giant, Kurt Vile and the Violators, Maya Janes Coles and others to the Empire Grand Oasis—as best as we can tell, a palm-tree–lined field and country club-esque freshwater lake oasis in Thermal—on January 18 and 19. Since the fest is presented by Land Rover, though, it also features a slew of outdoorsy elements, including fly-fishing demos (seriously), wilderness survival and outdoor photography workshops, mountain biking, slacklining, yoga, climbing and bouldering. Plus, you’ll find panels with athletes like surfer Laird Hamilton and volleyball player Gabby Reece, as well as plenty of food pop-ups and wine and spirit tastings.
Sounds of L.A.
Catch sets from up-and-coming performers and local legends during this free music series at the Getty, which features a pair of shows from a different band each weekend. The series kicks off in January with 3MA, plus Ruby Ibarra in February and Hamilton de Holanda in March.
King Princess
There’s something so joyful about King Princess (otherwise known as Mikaela Straus), even when she’s writing sad songs. You can feel creative excitement shining through everything she does, whether that’s the incredibly romantic but tongue-in-cheek “Pussy is God” or the elegant heartbreak of “Talia.”
Theater
Earthquakes in London
This story covers decades, or maybe even centuries, as three sisters live through societal discord and possibly an environmental apocalypse. That sounds like a convoluted plot, but it explores convoluted issues in convoluted times. Says the theater, “Strip shows, overpopulation, nihilism and climate change collide in a world that, faced with the end of everything, chooses to bury its head in the sand.” Yikes. But because John Perrin Flynn and Hollace Starr co-direct this West Coast premiere by Mike Bartlett (King Charles III), we’re betting it’ll also be a visual knockout (scenic design by the gifted David Mauer) and a visceral few hours.
Rock of Ages
The self-consciously campy jukebox musical filled with hits from the ’80s returns to its roots on Hollywood Boulevard with a permanent home at the Bourbon Room, a custom-built theater designed for this immersive theatrical and dining experience.
‘Frozen’
Do you want to build a... rainy day fund to save up for tickets to a smash hit Disney-inspired Broadway musical? Good, because Frozen is coming to L.A. The Broadway musical based on the 2013 animated Disney film, will kick off a national tour with a string of fall 2019 performances at Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre. Check out our review of the Broadway production in Time Out New York.
What the Constitution Means to Me
Heidi Schreck’s 2017 play, which hit Broadway in early 2019, features her present-day self and her 13-year-old self, debating such issues as immigration, domestic abuse and equal rights. Be prepared to think about, and ultimately decide along with your fellow audience members, a basic human right—whether or not it’s already granted by the Constitution—as you observe maturing in Schreck’s, and our own, understanding of the issues. Oliver Butler directs, Tony-nominated Maria Dizzia stars.
Cirque du Soleil: ‘Volta’
In its newest show, the French Canadian megatroupe Cirque du Soleil once again delivers the spine-tingling spectacle that is its raison d’être. Strung together by a gossamer-thin plot, Volta incorporates street-style sports like BMX riding and double dutch jump rope alongside traditional circus arts; its themes include smartphone addiction, reality shows and the search for belonging. Check out our full review of the touring show from when it was in Chicago.
Movies
Freaked
Clearly a labor of love for co-writer, co-director and star Alex Winter (the other one in the Bill and Ted movies), this freewheeling, anarchic, gross-out comedy features the likes of Randy Quaid, Mr. T, Brooke Shields, William Sadler, Bobcat Goldthwait, Morgan Fairchild, Gibby Haynes and Keanu Reeves. See it at the Egyptian Theater, complete with occasional live accompaniment from Butthole Surfers’ Paul Leary and a post-screening discussion with Winter and co-writer-director Tom Stern, composer Kevin Kiner and others.
The Gold Rush
The Little Tramp here plays the poverty-stricken Lone Prospector during the Klondike gold rush of 1898. The 1925 Charlie Chaplin flick is famous for its imaginative sequences, like Chaplin eating a Thanksgiving meal of an old boot and laces or being imagined as a chicken by a starving and delirious prospector. See a restored 35mm print at the Hollywood American Legion Post 43, with a live score by Cliff Retallick and an intro by filmmaker Allison Anders.
Focus on Female Directors
American Cinematheque puts a spotlight on female filmmakers with an evening of directors panels and short films, many of which will make their L.A. premiere.
Uncut Gems
Josh and Benny Safdie, the indie filmmaking brothers whose New York City movies shudder with attitude, tell fast, grubby stories that harken back to the 1970s, when Sidney Lumet ruled sets. Their vigor is an instant rush: Why creep a camera down a hallway when you can fling it behind equally unhinged characters? In Heaven Knows What, the Safdies turned uptown heroin junkies into wild, unkempt angels. Then, in Good Time, they gave Robert Pattinson all the confusion he could handle as a Pacino-like Queens hustler out of his depth. There’s no nostalgia to these films, no cuteness, only the mania of urban survival, improvised on the fly with a side of trash talk. Uncut Gems, the Safdies’ electrifying and abrasive latest drama, flirts with becoming a headache. (For some, it will feel like more than flirting.) But the film gets closer than the brothers ever have to developing a genuine affection for their various schemers, and that makes all the difference. Tenaciously, it follows a week in the 2012 life of a fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants Diamond District dealer, Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler, channeling his obnoxiousness into something magically right, even moving). You may be overwhelmed by the Safdies’ spiky sound design—filled with yelling, sports betting, the jewelry shop’s constantly buzzing security door and an overcaffeinated, Tangerine Dream–like synth score—but Howard thrives in this chaos. It’s his normal. Beyond his bling salesmanship, Howard dreams of a big score, which
1917
A pure adrenaline hit of a movie that takes place mostly in the lethal glare of daylight, Sam Mendes’s stunning, sorta-single-take 1917 hits its greatest heights when darkness falls. A single British soldier dusts himself off from a glancing wound, wanders to the window of a broken-down house and, in one invisible cut, emerges magically into the skeletal, hellish remains of a French town. The abandoned settlement glows with orange hues as Thomas Newman’s score hits a rare crescendo. It’s at once an epic piece of filmmaking, the launchpad for the second half of the movie, and possibly the greatest “person walks into a town” moment in cinema since Claudia Cardinale strolled into Once Upon a Time in the West. Needless to say, in a film that only stops to reload, the soldier is soon running like hell. Once Upon a Time on the Western Front—as you could subtitle Mendes’s nerve-fraying rollercoaster of a war movie—is a simple men-on-a-mission drama dressed up with all the technical bells and whistles at the director’s disposal. The men are Lance Cpls. Schofield (George MacKay) and Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman), who are summoned into the trenches for a hurried briefing with Colin Firth’s General Erinmore. The entire German army, it turns out, has hit reverse to the tune of about 8 miles, holing up behind the Hindenburg Line and waiting secretly for an unsuspecting British attack that will cost the lives of 1,600 men, including Blake’s brother. The mission? To deliver a message to sto