Things to do in Los Angeles today
Looking for last minute plans tonight? Figuring out how to impress a date? Find out the best things to do today in Los Angeles with picks for our favorite concerts, screenings, comedy shows and more. Sometimes, you make plans to go out months in advance. Other times, you’re left scrambling for plans a few hours from now—consider this your social emergency savior for those situations. Whether you’re looking for last-minute ideas with out-of-town friends or trying to mix up your routine, get out there and explore the city with these things to do in Los Angeles today.
Time Out loves
Bach in the Subways
As far as obscure holidays go, this one is arguably the most sophisticated. Founded by cellist Dale Henderson under the streets of New York City, Bach in the Subways takes place annually on the birthday of German composer, Johann Sebastian Bach, to bring public enthusiam to the beautiful and increasingly forgotten art of classical music. Soundtrack your commute with free performances throughout Union Station, train platforms and other public spaces with everything from an organ recital to a flute choir. Check the full schedule for performance details and locations.
Mr. Sparkle Art Show
Celebrate one of the most beloved Simpsons episodes of all time at this Mr. Sparkle-inspired art show, presented by episoder writer and Musack founder, Donick Cary. Swing by Subliminal Projects on March 23 at 8pm for a pop-up party, featuring a mystery Simpsons DJ, a celebrity script reading and Simpsons-themed drinks, including Fall Brewing’s Mr. Sparkle beer. Prints and one-of-a-kind pieces for sale come from the likes of Tim Armstrong, Brian Butler, Nan Coffey and more, with proceeds going toward Musack’s music charity.
PaleyFest
Geek out with fellow TV nerds at PaleyFest, the annual weeklong festival of exclusive episodes, clips and panel discussions with the cast and creators of the hottest TV shows. Now in its 36th year, the Paley Center for Media-hosted festival is held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood from March 15 to 24. The Paley Center has announced its full lineup for shows for 2019, including a Parks and Recreation 10-year reunion. Showrunner Mike Schur and the beloved comedy’s creative team will join the full cast for a panel event. In addition to the first batch of shows, which includes Pose and This Is Us, Paleyfest has added The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Grace and Frankie, an evening with Stephen Colbert, RuPaul’s Drag Race, 9-1-1, The Walking Dead, Stak Trek: Discovery, The Twilight Zone, farewell celebrations for Jane the Virgin and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, plus a joint panel with Hawaii Five-0, MacGyver and Magnum P.I. Multiple member presales begin on January 15 and 17, followed by general sale on January 18 at 9am.
“3D: Double Vision”
See how three-dimensional technology has transcended View-Masters and 19th-century stereoscopes and worked its way into cutting-edge digital art.
For the Record: The Brat Pack at Break Room 86
Theatrical production company For the Record is back, and this time, it's bringing its soundtrack-inspired live show to Break Room 86—and it's bringing you back to the '80s (no hot tub time machine required). "The Brat Pack" show zaps you back to the era of acid-washed jeans with renditions of hit songs from cult-classic soundtracks like Sixteen Candles, Fast Times At Ridgemont High and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, all interspliced with moments and tropes from these and other '80s films. Each ticket includes entry to the 90-minute show, plus an '80s-themed pre-party and, of course, Break Room 86's own after-party. A handful of "hall pass" tickets are available for each performance, meaning you can snag a standing-room spot for $19.86—otherwise, GA seating will run you $86. Note that there's a two-drink minimum, but the already '80s-themed Break Room 86 is going all-out with a special menu for the show that includes concoctions like the Pretty in Pink Grapefruit (vodka, pink grapefruit, apricot and Peychaud’s bitters) and the Banana in the Tailpipe (scotch whiskey, solera rum, banana passion fruit and chocolate bitters). Doors open at 6:30pm, and the show starts at 7:30pm—be there or be square.
“Annie Leibovitz: The Early Years, 1970-1983”
When you set foot inside Hauser & Wirth’s north gallery, you’re greeted with a wall-filling timeline of the 1970s that’s comically meticulous in its detail. But once you round the corner of the wall, it’s clear why: Annie Leibovitz was there for seemingly all of it. The artist dug through her archives to handpick this early-career collection of works that meant the most to her, arranged chronologically and thematically in the Arts District gallery. “I lived with my camera, I never went home,” said Leibovitz during an exhibition walkthrough, and the photos prove it. Her Rolling Stone cover photos from the ’70s are indelible parts of pop culture history, and those instantly recognizable shots are certainly on display (think David Cassidy nude, a fiery Patti Smith, and a naked John Lennon embracing Yoko Ono shot hours before he was murdered). But the most remarkable parts of this early-career retrospective are the moments in between, all captured with fly-on-the-wall candor (“No one paid me any bit of attention because I was a woman,” she says). Candid shots of Jerry Garcia and Dennis Hopper occupy the same space as behind-the-scenes photos of an always-smoking Hunter S. Thompson, with whom Leibovitz worked extensively. There’s Richard Nixon’s fall, Jerry Brown’s rise and the surge of cults. And then there’s her documentation of a 1975 Rolling Stones tour, with no drug-addled details spared. (“It took me a while to get off the tour,” remarked Leibovitz about the experience).
Zuma Sushi Residency at Inko Nito
Inko Nito is a already draw—after all, the robatayaki grills meats and seasonal veggies over an open flame at the heart of the restaurant, and sitting at the counter is almost like getting dinner and a show. But throw in a new sushi menu? Well now you've really got a reason to head to this Arts District spot. Inko Nito's sibling concept, Zuma Restaurant, is heading to us for a three-week residency, so you can sample the seafood that London, New York, Rome, Hong Kong and other cities get to enjoy. In addition to Inko Nito's regular menu, there'll be Zuma's signature sushi and sashimi on offer, plus sake and dishes such as wagyu sushi with black truffle and daikon; toro-and-caviar maki; and Santa Barbara uni miso buns. Zuma's head sushi chef Yoshiaki Muranaka is relocating to L.A. for the run, so you can also expect daily sushi specials, but not one to be outdone, Inko Nito's executive chef Hamish Brown will be whipping up his own daily robata specials (think: lamb chops with Korean chili and sesame cucumber, or sea bream with saikyo miso and pickled red onion). Finish—or punctuate—the Inko/Zuma battle with cocktails from each restaurant, naturally.
“Rauschenberg: The 1/4 Mile”
See Robert Rauschenberg’s magnum opus, a nearly quarter-mile display of 190 painted panels, on display at LACMA. The piece was completed over the span of 17 years and signified the distance between his studio and home on Capitiva Island in Florida. LACMA’s exhibition marks the first time that all of the panels have been displayed together, and it’s easy to see why: the piece takes practically every surface of the museum’s third-floor gallery. A self-contained retrospective of sorts, the installation is displayed chronologically, but there’s no wrong way to navigate it. Fans of Rauschenberg will find something familiar in its mix of paint, photographs, mass media images, textiles, paint, cardboard boxes and found objects like chairs and traffic lights.
Dogs! A Science Tail
We love their adorable faces, quirky behavior and unwavering loyalty. We bring them everywhere—particularly here in L.A. And they may very well make us better people. It’s no surprise then that dogs would get an entire exhibition dedicated to their canine skills and unqiue relationship with humans. “Dogs! A Science Tail” takes a colorful, hands-on approach to its subject and mainly targets kids. But dog lovers of all ages will delight in the displays at the California Science Center: You can squeeze between two pointed ears to listen to how dogs perceive the sounds of a street scene different than humans; you can put your face up against a dog-shaped viewfinder that simulates canine vision; and you can test your knowledge in a game of Jeopawdy! Kids will particularly love seeing how fast they are compared to dogs and sniffing scents that a dog might encounter—from coffee and bubblegum to, yes, poop and farts. The exhibition also includes a selection of dog-featuring works of art, mostly Norman Rockwell paintings and Charles Schulz Peanuts strips, on loan from the upcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Make sure to catch daily live demonstrations of dogs’ rescue, agility, sensory and service skills (i.e. a guide dog walking a sightless trainer through an obstacle course). You’ll find the demo area near the exhibition’s exit, just before the gift shop.
Popular
PaleyFest
Geek out with fellow TV nerds at PaleyFest, the annual weeklong festival of exclusive episodes, clips and panel discussions with the cast and creators of the hottest TV shows. Now in its 36th year, the Paley Center for Media-hosted festival is held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood from March 15 to 24. The Paley Center has announced its full lineup for shows for 2019, including a Parks and Recreation 10-year reunion. Showrunner Mike Schur and the beloved comedy’s creative team will join the full cast for a panel event. In addition to the first batch of shows, which includes Pose and This Is Us, Paleyfest has added The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Grace and Frankie, an evening with Stephen Colbert, RuPaul’s Drag Race, 9-1-1, The Walking Dead, Stak Trek: Discovery, The Twilight Zone, farewell celebrations for Jane the Virgin and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, plus a joint panel with Hawaii Five-0, MacGyver and Magnum P.I. Multiple member presales begin on January 15 and 17, followed by general sale on January 18 at 9am.
Salute the Troops Music and Comedy Festival
Snoop Dogg, Cold War Kids, Dashboard Confessional, Capital Cities and a slew of Wu-Tang Clain members (including Method Man, Redman and Ghostface Killah) top this fund-raiser aimed at raising awareness for post-traumatic stress. Adam Carolla and Rob Riggle lead the comedy side of the lineup at the March Field Air Museum in Riverside. For each ticket sold, a free ticket will be provided to active service men and women.
Mushroom Rally
Dress up as your favorite video game character and kart around a track while running over question mark block stickers in this Mario Kart-inspired (but totally not Nintendo sanctioned) race. True to its name, the rally is hosting a series of races in 16 cities around the country; the top 20 spots (selected by having the fastest lap time, collecting the most stars or winning a lottery) will make it to a final in Las Vegas later this year. Sadly, Mushroom Rally won’t take over city streets a la Toad’s Turnpike. Instead, the race will head to K1 Speed’s indoor go kart track in Gardena. Reservations are extremely limited; only a few open slots remain, so grab a mega mushroom and boost your way into the starting lineup pronto.
For the Record: The Brat Pack at Break Room 86
Theatrical production company For the Record is back, and this time, it's bringing its soundtrack-inspired live show to Break Room 86—and it's bringing you back to the '80s (no hot tub time machine required). "The Brat Pack" show zaps you back to the era of acid-washed jeans with renditions of hit songs from cult-classic soundtracks like Sixteen Candles, Fast Times At Ridgemont High and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, all interspliced with moments and tropes from these and other '80s films. Each ticket includes entry to the 90-minute show, plus an '80s-themed pre-party and, of course, Break Room 86's own after-party. A handful of "hall pass" tickets are available for each performance, meaning you can snag a standing-room spot for $19.86—otherwise, GA seating will run you $86. Note that there's a two-drink minimum, but the already '80s-themed Break Room 86 is going all-out with a special menu for the show that includes concoctions like the Pretty in Pink Grapefruit (vodka, pink grapefruit, apricot and Peychaud’s bitters) and the Banana in the Tailpipe (scotch whiskey, solera rum, banana passion fruit and chocolate bitters). Doors open at 6:30pm, and the show starts at 7:30pm—be there or be square.
Othello
Noted director Jessica Kubzansky places Shakespeare’s play in a present-day military-political setting. Betrayal continues to abound.
Free
Bach in the Subways
As far as obscure holidays go, this one is arguably the most sophisticated. Founded by cellist Dale Henderson under the streets of New York City, Bach in the Subways takes place annually on the birthday of German composer, Johann Sebastian Bach, to bring public enthusiam to the beautiful and increasingly forgotten art of classical music. Soundtrack your commute with free performances throughout Union Station, train platforms and other public spaces with everything from an organ recital to a flute choir. Check the full schedule for performance details and locations.
Mr. Sparkle Art Show
Celebrate one of the most beloved Simpsons episodes of all time at this Mr. Sparkle-inspired art show, presented by episoder writer and Musack founder, Donick Cary. Swing by Subliminal Projects on March 23 at 8pm for a pop-up party, featuring a mystery Simpsons DJ, a celebrity script reading and Simpsons-themed drinks, including Fall Brewing’s Mr. Sparkle beer. Prints and one-of-a-kind pieces for sale come from the likes of Tim Armstrong, Brian Butler, Nan Coffey and more, with proceeds going toward Musack’s music charity.
Telestron
“Immersive installations” are a dime a dozen in Los Angeles lately, but a pair of polyhedron-twirling robot arms that bathe a raw space in haunting light patterns? Well, we’ve never seen anything remotely like that before. Telestron, a futuristic light show from design firm and technology studio VT Pro Design and director GMUNK, will come to ROW DTLA this winter for a monthlong run. The installation is entirely free to visit and is open Wednesday through Friday from 4 to 10pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 10pm. VT Pro Design describes Telestron as—deep breath—a light and shadow installation, inspired by an ancient Greek ritual, that recreates the Earth’s rotation from day to night and draws upon the movement of the sun, the change of seasons and climate change. Translation: A pair of robot arms project light patterns onto each other and all surfaces of the room during a seven-minute show. TELESTRON from VTProDesign on Vimeo.
Laluzapalooza
Scope out 140 pieces from 70 artists at this annual juried group exhibition housed inside of the Soap Plant/Wacko complex. You can pick up works from some familiar names as well as largely undiscovered, emerging talent including commercial illustrators, graphic designers, tattooists, scenics, students, street taggers, animators and working gallery artists.
Sound by SoulCycle
A sweaty SoulCycle ride meets an intimate performance from Ciara during the fitness studio’s Sound by SoulCycle series. Here’s the gist: Show up at Hollywood’s Milk Studios (enter at 844 Cole Avenue) on March 22 and claim a spot in the audience for the concert—free entry to the 21+ event is first come, first served. SoulCycle master instructor Angela Davis will lead the ride—though the 40-bike ride is already filled—with Ciara providing the live tunes. If you can’t make it in person, Ciara will release a curated playlist on Apple Music following the event.
Movies
Rooftop Cinema Club
The masters of alfresco rooftop movie viewing have returned for another season of screenings in Hollywood and Downtown L.A. Known for excellent film choices and a steady supply of snacks and booze, Rooftop Cinema Club is your snazzy, comfortable and less stressful alternative to other outdoor movie screenings. You don’t even need to bring your own blanket or camping chair—Rooftop Cinema Club provides you with your very own comfy lawn chair, as well as blankets on request for the ultimate cozy experience. And instead of listening to the movie over loudspeakers, you’ll get a set of wireless headphones so you never have to miss a word.
Under the Skin
E.T. landed in the cozy suburbs and wanted to go home. Now Scarlett Johansson—or something that looks like her—has landed in modern Glasgow and is thinking about sticking around. (One can only guess that the weather is worse on her side of the galaxy.) Jonathan Glazer’s creepy, mysterious and bold Under the Skin is an adaptation of Michel Faber’s 2000 novel and the first feature in nearly a decade from the director of Sexy Beast and Birth. It’s an intoxicating marvel, strange and sublime, combining sci-fi ideas, gloriously unusual special effects and a sharp atmosphere of horror with the mundanity of a woman driving around rainy Scotland in a battered van. Dressed in fake fur and what looks like a dark wig, our female visitor scans the locals from a distance, her eyes kindly but free of emotion. Is she curious? Hungry? Horny? It feels like a serial-killer tale as she lures men into her proximity from the side of the street or from the dance floor of a nightclub, always making sure that they’re alone. Occasionally we enter another world entirely: the final moments of the victims, naked men walking into oil slicks in a mysterious black room and drowning. But then something changes, as Johansson’s stranger in a strange land reacts with compassion to a disfigured man and responds well to the kindness of another. There’s a suggestion that this Achilles’ heel is her undoing. All of this is delivered at a leisurely—some will say frustrating—pace. The look of the film moves between
Apollo 11
Film review by Joshua Rothkopf The most perfect movie that will ever be made about its subject, Apollo 11 takes the purest documentary idea imaginable—telling the story of the first journey to the moon and back using only the footage captured in the moment—and rides it all the way home. Conceptually, it’s a masterstroke: Other films have leaned into narration or interviews, while Damien Chazelle’s brooding First Man took a somewhat incidental leap into personal grief. But by mining a trove of archival NASA footage (much of it unseen since 1969, or ever), disciplined filmmaker Todd Douglas Miller places an unmistakable emphasis on the thousands of people who toiled in modest synchronicity, pulling off America’s greatest mission without a hitch. Apollo 11 will bring you to tears: It’s a reminder of national functionality, of making the big dream happen without ego or divisiveness. Miller’s exhilarating first act supplies an emotional catharsis that’s rare in nonfiction (or, frankly, movies in general). Quietly, the rocket is rolled out on a massive tractor platform. Crickets chirp on a hot July night. In the astronauts’ blindingly white dressing room, the three-man crew—Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin—suit up. Their personal backstories receive flurries of silent images: wedding photos, military service, children. These flashes play like insistent memories; it’s the kind of subliminal device a dramatic director might use to reveal a character’s psychology. A
Stan & Ollie
Not since Martin Scorsese followed up the mob mayhem of Casino with two hours of Buddhist asceticism in Kundun has a director made such a pronounced movie-to-movie gear shift as Jon S. Baird does with his gentle follow-up to his 2013 Irvine Welsh adaptation, Filth. Cocaine squalor gives way to Stan & Ollie, a wistful, heartfelt celebration of the friendship between comedy giants Stan Laurel (Steve Coogan) and Oliver Hardy (John C. Reilly), which contains plenty of cozy movie-biz nostalgia and some mishaps with hats. It’s a love song played in a minor key, and it leaves an unexpectedly lingering impression. It’s also suitable for grandmas, if you need an option. Scripted by Philomena’s Jeff Pope (working closely from a book by Laurel and Hardy historian A.J. Marriot), the story charts the duo’s final years as they embark on a grueling tour of British theaters while trying to get a new Robin Hood picture off the ground. It’s 1953, and the world has long since moved on from their brand of slapstick to new talents like Abbot and Costello. The crowds are thin and their prospects look thinner. Imagine This Is Spinal Tap with extra pratfalls. The two leads are terrific: Reilly defies a slightly iffy fat suit to give us an avuncular but creaky Hardy, bemused by his friend’s work ethic and obsessed with the finer things in life. Coogan, in particular, is a revelation as Laurel, dialing down the trademark head-scratching mannerisms and unpeeling layers of disappointment and melanchol
The Favourite
We’re watching an extremely luxe pocket of 18th-century life in The Favourite, which means the bewigged fops are scheming, the ducks are running (these people don’t lack for strange competitive sports) and the offscreen organist is going for baroque. Even Stanley Kubrick knew to lay off his fish-eye lens once in a while. But Greek-born director Yorgos Lanthimos can’t say no: He warps his period chamber piece—loosely based on the highly competitive court of the unstable Queen Anne—into a Lewis Carroll comic nightmare, piling cattiness upon cattiness. And what’s not to love about that? The constant visual and verbal bitchery feels like a pent-up release of something churning just under the surface. If this is your first Lanthimos movie, welcome. Know that you’re a little late to the party: Two of his prior films—the psychosexual Dogtooth, about a family that has never allowed its grown-up kids to leave the house, and the equally vicious The Lobster—went darker and deeper than The Favourite, the first that Lanthimos hasn’t personally written. But like its predecessors, the new one has an empathy that sneaks in amid all the bad behavior. What makes The Favourite work are its women, who rule, both literally within the movie and outwardly, commanding our enjoyment. Unlike the similarly set Barry Lyndon or Dangerous Liaisons, which both had strong female characters toppled by the whims of strutting cocks, Lanthimos’s latest makes the men extraneous, building a potent hothouse atmo
