Seth Kelley is Time Out's former Los Angeles Assistant Editor.
Articles (4)
The best dine-in movie theater options in Los Angeles
Movie theater snacks are great, but being able to order a full meal (plus alcohol!) certainly sweetens the deal. The dine-in movie theater concept has become the crème de la crème of movie-watching experiences, with servers at your beck and call so you don’t have to miss a scene. (The cushy reclining seats don’t hurt either.) As the film capital of the world, Los Angeles isn’t hurting for places to catch a movie—there are plenty of traditional theaters and outdoor movie options—but for a premium experience, dine-in movie theaters are the way to go. Make no mistake: This will be a spendy night out, with all of the picks on this listing starting around $20 for a ticket—and that’s, of course, before you add in dinner, drinks and tip. You get what you pay for, though. Dine-in theaters tend to be tidier (no more sticky floors!), and there are fewer people crammed into the auditorium and roaming the aisles (aside from your sever, of course). Next time you’re planning dinner out, enjoy it with a blockbuster film at one of L.A.’s best dine-in theater spots.
18 Los Angeles serial killers who terrorized the city
Throughout the years, some of the most horrific mass killings have centered around Los Angeles (lucky us). They each offer a different but equally upsetting look inside the twisted mind of a serial killer, including mass graves in the Hollywood Hills, and a man's proud first murder (of 33!) committed in Culver City. What defines a serial killer is up for debate. How many killings must one amass to be considered a “serial” murder as opposed to just an avid, excited one? Should the definition address the number of locations, or should there be a specified window of time in between events? Should the definition include a psychological motive? The most recent definition from the FBI is "the unlawful killing of two or more victims by the same offender(s), in separate events." But strict definitions can’t address the grey area—for example, Charles Manson, an undeniably evil and maniacal orchestrator, is not technically considered a serial killer (yikes). With semantics in mind, these are some of the most horrific murderers that have ever struck in Southern California. Sweet dreams tonight! RECOMMENDED: The 13 most haunted places in Los Angeles
5 LA Fashion Week events to attend
LA Fashion Week is notoriously hard to navigate. With multiple groups vying to be the "official" event, it makes for a lot of fashion (whether or not it's good is another topic)—and not for just a week, but the entire month of October. We've put together a list of the best events to attend for this fall's LA Fashion Week, whether you're in the fashion industry, want to stay up on the latest trends or are into pet fashion—yes, there's an event for that.
Listings and reviews (3)
AMC Dine-in Theatres Marina 6
Don’t let the fear of this being any old AMC theater deter you from paying a little extra for a luxury experience. This theater has been around for about a decade, so while it may not be quite as spiffy as its neighboring Cinemark spot, it is a tried and true location to dine and view. The reclining seats are comfortable, and their 21-plus age restriction keeps the theater adult-only.
Beauty is Skin Deep Sleepover
Attention nerds: all of your Night at the Museum fantasies are coming true (minus the part where the exhibits come to life… we think?). The Natural History Museum is hosting the next event in its 21-and-over sleepover series, this one called “Beauty is Skin Deep.” Tickets cost $135 for non-members, with add-ons available for purchase including a behind-the-scenes tour at night, a breakfast buffet in the morning and access to “Mummies: New Secrets from the Tombs”—you know, just in case spending the night with taxidermied animals isn't quite creepy enough for you. Even without purchasing access to the additional events, there will be beer and wine served until midnight, a buffet at night, a scavenger hunt in the galleries, a DJ to set the mood and get the party started, and even a talk with Tim Bovard, the museum’s head taxidermist. Here's to hoping he does the whole talk in the dark with a flashlight shining ominously under his chin.
The Art of Mounting Sleepover
Attention nerds: all of your Night at the Museum fantasies are coming true (minus the part where the exhibits come to life… we think?). The Natural History Museum is hosting a 21-and-over sleepover called “The Art of Mounting” on Halloween night. Truly spooky. Tickets cost $135 for non-members, with add-ons available for purchase including a behind-the-scenes tour at night, a breakfast buffet in the morning and access to the museum’s newest and seasonally appropriate exhibit “Mummies: New Secrets from the Tombs”—you know, just in case spending the night with taxidermied animals isn't quite creepy enough for you. Even without purchasing access to the additional events, there will be beer and wine served until midnight, a buffet at night, a scavenger hunt in the galleries, a DJ to set the mood and get the party started, and even a talk with Tim Bovard, the museum’s head taxidermist. Here's to hoping he does the whole talk in the dark with a flashlight shining ominously under his chin.
News (179)
The 'Murder House' from 'American Horror Story' is available to rent on Airbnb
Feeling brave? Fans of American Horror Story already know that the mansion used as the first season's Murder House is in Los Angeles. But thanks to a posting on Airbnb, you can sleep there—for a mere $1,450 a night. Although we're sad to report Evan Peters is not included, according to the listing the 9-bedroom, 4.5-bath house accommodates 16 guests. It was most recently bought in 2015 for $3.2 million, according to Curbed LA, but the asking price has stood as high as $17 million following its starring role on television. In addition to playing the Murder House, the mansion is a popular TV property and has appeared in shows including Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dexter, Dragnet, The Twilight Zone and The X-Files, according to Roadtrippers. The house has had a bevy of colorful occupants over the years, but there is no evidence that the mansion itself is haunted or has ghosts. However, if you're invested in American Horror Story mythology, you should know that the most recent season's Hotel has a much creepier backstory. The complete Airbnb listing goes like this: "One Of The Most Important Estates Ever Built in Los Angeles, The Alfred Rosenheim Mansion Was Declared A Historical Monument And Cultural Landmark. Built In 1908 This Stunning Architectural Masterpiece Boasts Original Features Throughout." So channel your inner Connie Britton, flip your shimmery, luscious head of hair and check out the house. Just don't go in the basement. Take a virtual tour
Adele announces 6 nights at Staples Center for her upcoming North America tour (UPDATED)
Update (7/25/2016): Due to overwhelming (if unsurprising) demand, beloved songbird Adele has decided to fly back to Los Angeles for two additional nights in August in addition to the six nights she instantly sold out. Tickets for August 20 and 21 at the Staples Center will go on sale this Friday, so be prepared for the internet to break from the demand of desperate ticket-buyers, much the way your heart breaks when you listen to Adele's songs. Adele's latest album, 25, has already made us cry, look longingly into the distance and yearn for long-lost loves that never existed. Now, the singer announced the dates for her North America tour, including six nights at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles. The dates listed on the tour's website are August 5, 6, 9, 10, 12 and 13. Tickets go on sale through the tour's website this Thursday, December 17, at 10am local time—and we recommend getting them as soon as possible. The singer is celebrating 25's record-breaking numbers, including selling 3 million copies in the first week and more than 1 million copies in the second week. So far the album has sold more than 5 million copies total. Adele's six nights will one-up Taylor Swift's recent 1989 world tour, which spent five nights at Staples Center and broke the record of most sold out shows at the venue (16 total). The North America tour starts on July 5 in Saint Paul and will wrap up on November 15 in Mexico City.
See 27 giant Lego statues on display in a botanic garden starting today
Call it a young child's wish fulfillment, but a 6-foot-tall hummingbird made of Lego bricks with its beak in a giant Lego flower, perched in the middle of a field of real-life flowers, is just freaking cool. Starting today (through May 8), you can see that hummingbird and 26 similar nature-themed sculptures at the South Coast Botanic Garden as part of the exhibition Nature Connects. All 27 sculptures are the work of artist Sean Kenney, who is based in New York—but we won't hold that against him. Along with his team, Kenney spent seven months piecing together the creations. In total, the project includes about 500,000 bricks—or to put it in Lego terms, 100 Ultimate Collector's Millennium Falcon sets. Although they are currently on a national tour, this particular exhibit, located in Palos Verdes Estates, is the first time these sculptures are in Southern California. In addition to viewing the sculptures in person, you can also build your own creations with the 30,000 Lego bricks on hand at the garden. You can buy tickets in person at the garden, or in advance online, for up to $9. Courtesy: South Coast Botanic Garden/Nature Connects Courtesy: South Coast Botanic Garden/Nature Connects Recommended feature See the best botanical gardens and hidden oases in Los Angeles
Adele pulled a hilarious prank at a Jamba Juice in LA
We've scarcely had time to wipe away the tears that impulsively sprung from our ducts upon hearing Adele's third studio album, 25, this past November. And now she's making us cry again—this time from laughter. It's all thanks to Ellen DeGeneres, who got the "Hello" singer to participate in a hidden camera prank at the Jamba Juice on the Warner Brother's lot in Burbank. Honestly, the employees had to have known that something was up, but even so, this bit really isn't about Jamba Juice workers—it's about Adele. Ellen has done a bunch of these hidden camera pranks on her show in the past. She feeds the celeb lines from an earpiece, launching them into a ridiculous scenario. This one starts when a woman, pretending to be Adele's assistant, enters the Jamba Juice and asks the employees to please treat Adele like a normal person. We've been especially big Adele fans this week after she tweeted about her technical difficulty-ridden Grammy performance and that she was treating herself "to an in n out." Amazing. Because of it though... I'm treating myself to an in n out. So maybe it was worth it. — Adele (@Adele) February 16, 2016 The video is a real treat, starting straight from the get go when Ellen makes her test the mic outside the Jamba Juice by saying "Hello from the outside," all the way until she's chomping on clumps of wheatgrass. Watch for yourself below: Recommended feature See the best live music venues for big-name bands
PETA is outraged over the LA Zoo's new 'Hippo Experience Tour'
"Hippos Are the Deadliest Mammals in Africa, and the Los Angeles Zoo Wants You to Pet Them." That's the headline of a statement issued by PETA, which expressed outrage over the "Hippo Experience Tour" at the LA Zoo, during which visitors can get up close and person with a mother hippo and her baby. The statement says that PETA has contacted the USDA and is calling for an investigation because it says the experience violates the Animal Welfare Act. "Depriving a mother of the opportunity to raise her baby in peace without the continuous stress of strangers approaching her, eager to touch her, is dangerous to visitors and animals alike," PETA writes. The Zoo is fighting back, saying the tour follows federal law. Spokeswoman April Spurlock told NBC4 in LA that there is a protective barrier in place and there's staff to monitor the experience. "Most importantly," she told the news outlet, "it is always the animal's choice to participate in the experience and to interact with guests." In the statement, PETA cites a number of examples to support their objection, starting with a human-wildlife conflict study conducted in Uganda which found that hippos are the deadliest mammals in Africa with a casualty rate of 86.7 percent. "Mother hippos," PETA writes, "are particularly dangerous, often attacking crocodiles, lions, or anyone they perceive as a threat to their calf." The zoo's "Hippo Experience Tour" costs $15 and lasts about 20 minutes. On the tour, visitors get the chance to touch
8 things you should know about rent control and LA's proposed registry to monitor it
There are two types of people in LA: those whose apartments are rent controlled and those who are perpetually jealous of the first group (because let's be honest—no one in this city—aside from the rich and famous—owns property, right?). But life in Rent Control Land isn't always sunshine and butterflies either. In fact, the city has received thousands of complaints from tenants claiming that their landlords raised their rent illegally. To help address the complaints, city officials want to create an additional level of transparency in the renting process. Here are a few things you should know: 1. Rent control, explained: Rent control refers to a collection of laws passed by the LA City Council in 1978 to keep landlords from evicting tenants and exorbitantly raising rent. 2. Number of rental units that have rent control: The laws apply to about 620,000 units around the city. 3. The standard legal rate: Currently, the most landlords are allowed to raise rent in rent-controlled units is 3 percent. 4. Getting around the law: Since the landlords don't have to report how much they're charging, the city just relies on complaints from tenants in order to monitor whether landlords are in fact abiding the law. 5. How to file a complaint: Follow this link. 6. The new proposal: City officials want to start a public registry where landlords would have to report how much they are charging their tenants each year. You, the renter, would be able to log in, type in your address and
Mount Baldy is closed and so are many other ski trails in the area
If you're sick of melting in California's winter heat wave, you might consider taking a trip to one of the area's ski resorts for a chilly getaway. Not so fast: all of Mount Baldy as well as many other trails around Southern California have shut down in the wake of high temperatures and little to no precipitation. Mount Baldy closed starting Tuesday, February 16, and hopes to reopen snow tubing and its restaurant, Top of the Notch, on Friday morning. But they are unsure if ski slopes will be open this week, according to an official statement on their website, and echoed in a phone message. The message also states that they "will be watching a moderately sized storm system move through the area this week," and are hoping for snow. But Mount Baldy isn't the only resort battling this unusual winter weather. Mountain High's West Resort only has a few open trails, but the East and North resorts were closed entirely at the time this post went live. At Snow Valley Mountain Resort, only four out of an available 12 lifts are open, with one on standby. About a third of their trails are closed. Mount Baldy, in particular, has had an especially tough battle against icy and generally poor conditions for most of February. On February 2, a 23-year-old fell to his death while reportedly trying to help a friend who had slipped. Then, less than a week later, the resort closed all hiking trails when a second person slipped and fell to his death. As recently as Valentine's Day, another hiker sli
Rain is coming to save us (temporarily) from this record-breaking heat wave
Sure, your friends on the East Coast probably haven't shut up about how California's recent heat wave is nothing compared to the fierce and freezing winter weather they've had to face. But who said it's a competition? Besides, this warm trend in California is worth talking about—especially since it's far from the rainy February we expected El Niño to bring. So while we're enduring the wacky, record-breaking winter heat streak, one question is on our hearts and minds: When will it end? Recent predictions from the National Weather Service say that rain could hit LA on Wednesday night and continue through Thursday afternoon. Another high pressure system will most likely bring temperatures back up into the 80s (and maybe even 90s) over the weekend and into next week, but for a few days we'll be looking forward to the perfect weather that brought most of us to Southern California in the first place. Though the heat wave doesn't compare to the triple digits from this past fall, LA has been watching the temperatures climb to record-breaking levels for this time of year. On February 8, the heat climbed to 89 degrees at LAX. The next day, Westwood topped out at 90 degrees. Today is also eyeing to break previous temperature records, so be safe and look for fun ways to keep cool, including our favorite ways to beat the heat: eat a delicious frozen treat, take a trip to the beach (but make sure to use sunscreen) or get more creative and go ice skating. Let us know how you're fighting to
Sunday is the last day to have fines waved on your overdue library books
Okay, you've put off returning your library books for long enough—Sunday is the last day for the Los Angeles Public Library's book return amnesty period. In case you missed it, the library has been waiving fines on overdue books since February 1, but their grace can only extend so far. If you have an overdue book (or many overdue books), just take it to one of the many library branches throughout the city. When you do, your fees will be waived, and you'll be able to use your library card again. If you lost a library book, you can replace it with the librarian's approval and the usual fees won't come into effect. However, if you try to return a damaged, or unusable book, you're out of luck. And no refunds for fines you've already paid in the past. This is, of course, really just a push to get people to go to the library. “We’re encouraging everyone–children, students and adults–to return their overdue materials so they can get back to discovering all that the library has to offer, and so others can enjoy these books,” city librarian John F. Szabo said in an official statement. But, hey, we're firm believers that the public library is a place that you should be visiting regularly anyway. If you need recommendations on what to read, we have some ideas here. If you've gotten this far in the article, it's confirmed, you can read, so you have no excuse. Go return your books, and then read many, many more. Recommended feature See the 15 essential museums to visit in Los Angeles
The Wag! app is delivering rescue puppies around LA as Valentine’s Day gifts
Valentine's Day or not, if you don't let out an "aww" at the prospect of cuddling with a rescue puppy, you are undeniably heartless (unless you're allergic, in which case you get a pass). This Friday, between 11am and 3pm, you can show someone you love them by having a rescue puppy delivered to their home or office for a 20-minute cuddle session. It's exclusively in LA and costs $30. The service is offered through an app called Wag!, which you can think of as the Uber for dog walking. Outside of this special promotion, you can use the app to hire vetted dog walkers in your area to take sparky out for a 30-minute or 60-minute stroll about town. Wag! is promoting these Valentine's puppies as a way to get them adopted, but also build the app's profile. The service comes with the incentive that if you adopt a dog, you get five free walks on the app. So go fetch, and find your new best friend! Recommended feature See the best dog-friendly restaurants and bars in LA
All the road closures and spots to avoid while President Obama is visiting LA
For anyone who claims that you will never see the 405 empty, here's a photo from when President Obama visited in June 2015: A view of the empty 405-N lanes, near Santa Monica Blvd, minutes before Pres Obama is expected on this side of town pic.twitter.com/2J38olC6nB — Khanh T.L. Tran (@KTLTran) June 18, 2015 Eerie, isn't it? Well, you have been warned: the President is back in Los Angeles today, and the city's insane traffic will become even more of a nightmare. He's here to tape an episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show and attend a couple of fundraisers. To avoid the madness, check out these closures and delays as reported by the LAPD: Thursday - The area around North Hollywood Way will be closed between North San Fernando Boulevard and Forest Lawn Drive from 3:15 to 4:45pm. - The area around North Hollywood Way will be closed between Forest Lawn Drive and North San Fernando Boulevard from 4:45 to 6:15pm. - The area around Rimpau Boulevard will be closed between West Pico Boulevard and West Sixth Street from 5:30 to 7pm. - The area around Wilshire Boulevard will be closed between South Hudson Avenue and South Arden Boulevard from 5:30 to 7pm. - The area around West Fourth Street will be closed between South Muirfield Road and Lorraine Boulevard from 7:15 to 8:45pm. - The area around Crenshaw Boulevard will be closed between Wilshire Boulevard and West Adams Boulevard from 8:45 to 10:30pm. - The area around Wilshire Boulevard will be closed between the San Diego (405) Freew
SoCal Gas says the massive Porter Ranch gas leak is finally plugged...for now
Almost four months after a massive natural gas leak was first reported in the Porter Ranch area on October 23, SoCal Gas officials announced today that the disaster is under control. "We have temporarily controlled the natural gas flow from the leaking well and begun the process of sealing the well and permanently stopping the leak," said Jimmie Cho, SoCal Gas senior vice president of gas operations and system integrity, and SoCalGas incident commander in an official release. The plug, as Cho said, is by no means permanent—the stoppage still needs to be approved by California state reguators and injected with cement. The California Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources will begin winding down the relocation of nearly 6,000 families who were uprooted because of the leak. The cementing process could take a few days to complete. The families who lived in the area around the Aliso Canyon facility in the San Fernando Valley, where the leak was fuming, reported health issues including nausea, nosebleeds and other symptoms. The impact on the climate was the equivalent of driving 7 million cars per day, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. The group's ticker shows that between October 23 and February 11, the leak released 96,000 metric tons of methane, which is the equivalent of releasing 8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, burning 900 million gallons of gasoline and wasting $15 million dollars worth of natural gas. In January, Governor Jerry Brown declared the l