The Votes Are In!
2023 Readers' Choice is back, bigger and better than ever!
View Winners → 
Home / Life! / Entertainment /
Things to do this week: Nov. 5-11
Entertainment Nov 03, 2021
| Photo courtesy of Circus Vargas
by
share with
Halloween may be over but that doesn’t mean the train of events has stopped or slowed down. Our list of things to do this week includes a cannabis tour, the beginning of Christmas festivities, the opening of an art exhibit exploring Black American portraits and some acrobatics for you to see.
Circus Vargas: Mr. V’s Big Top Dream!
Westfield Santa Anita | 400 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007 | Nov. 5-15 | circusvargas.com
Circus Vargas’s 2021 production, Mr. V’s Big Top Dream, promises “more sparkle, more sequins, and more amazing feats of daring artistry.” The production is a semi-biographical show honoring the eccentric circus impresario, Clifford E. Vargas. The cast includes acrobats, daredevils and aerialists.
Hollywood Cannabis Tour
| 6633 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028 | Nov. 5 | eventbrite.com
Explore Hollywood’s cannabis culture in this two-and-a-half-hour, narrated tour. The tour will stop at a high-end dispensary and one of Southern California’s only licensed cannabis grow facilities.
The Elf On The Shelf Magical Holiday Journey
Fairplex | 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768 | Nov. 5 – Jan. 2 | elfontheshelfjourney.com
Returning for the second year in a row, The Elf on the Shelf’s Magical Holiday Journey is an outdoor experience featuring dazzling scenery, lights, ice skating, trolleys, walking paths, treats and a Christmas village.
El Velorio Día De Muertos
Pico Rivera Sports Arena | 1103 Rooks Road, Whittier, CA 90601 | Nov. 6-7 | lanoria.tv
Hosted by Alysha del Valle and Danny Trejo, this special event for Dia de los Muertos will be headlined by Latin Grammy Award-nominee El Dasa. Pelenke Soultribe, La Junta, Twixxy, Amoraa, Tarah New and Angel NG will also perform. The event will also feature an art exhibition, food and altars.
The Office: Fan Favorites
LA State Historic Park | 1245 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 | Nov. 6 | streetfoodcinema.com
Three episodes — “Office Olympics,” “Trivia Contest,” and “Photo Opp” — will be shown and attendees are encouraged to wear their best Office-themed costumes to participate in games and maybe win a Dundie Award. There will also be an on-site bar and food trucks. General admission is $20.
Ramon Ayala, Grupo La Kaña & Los Pikadientes de Caborca
Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet | 13963 Alondra Blvd., Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 | Nov. 6 | eventbrite.com
Modelo presents this musical event featuring Mexican singer Ramon Ayala, Grupo La Kaña and Los Pikadientes de Caborca. Tickets are $65.
Dia De Los Muertos Downtown Festival
Downtown La Puente | Main Street | Nov. 6 | lapuente.org
The City of La Puente’s Dia de los Muertos Downtown Festival will feature live performances from Little Willie G, Adelaide Pilar and Mariachi Divas.
Dia De Los Muertos Chalk Festival
Deane Dana Friendship Park Nature Center | 1805 W. 9th St., San Pedro, CA | Nov. 6 | instagram.com/lacountyparks
The sidewalks will be turned into works of art honoring the dead. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. check out local artisan vendors, classic cars, live music, chalk murals and more.
ComplexCon
Long Beach Convention Center | 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802 | Nov. 6 & 7 | instagram.com/ComplexCon
ComplexCon is a two-day festival hosted by J Balvin and Kristen Noel Crawley featuring live performances from A$AP Rocky and Turnstile, exclusive product drops, panels, immersive art and more of the latest in pop culture.
The Obama Portraits Tour & Black American Portraits
LACMA | 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036 | Nov. 7 – Jan. 2 | lacma.org
Kehinde Wiley’s portrait of President Barack Obama and Amy Sherald’s portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama have become iconic since being unveiled at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in 2018. As part of the five-city tour of the portraits, LACMA will present Black American Portraits in conjunction at an adjacent gallery. The tour will feature teacher workshops, tours and an illustrated book.
If you can’t wait, The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens recently unveiled Wiley’s “A Portrait of a Gentleman,” a modern-day interpretation of Thomas Gainsborough’s 18th century masterpiece, “The Blue Boy.”
Still
The Silverlake Lounge | 2906 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026 | Nov. 7 | dice.fm
Still, the ethereal post-punk band, will hit the stage alongside Soul Dwellers, Shadows, and Lucius Arthur. Tickets are available for $11.30.
Laughs & Libations Pop-Up Comedy Show
Heroic Italian | 516 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401 | Nov. 8 | eventbrite.com
Laughs & Libations is a pop-up comedy show hosted by actor and comedian Curtis D. Davis featuring comics from all around. This is the second of three shows held at Heroic Italian.
La Muerte Comedy Show
Tellefson Park | 11057 Washington Place, Culver City, CA 90232 | Nov. 9 | eventbrite.com
The bimonthly standup show brings together LA’s up-and-coming comedians. Tickets are free with RSVP.
Head Over Heels
Pasadena Playhouse | 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101 | Nov. 9 – Dec. 12 | pasadenaplayhouse.org
“Head Over Heels,” fueled by music from The Go-Go’s, is finally premiering at the Pasadena Playhouse. The show follows a royal family searching for purpose, lovers in search of each other and a “kingdom in search of a beat.” The Playhouse is also transforming to create an experimental production allowing audience members to get in on the dancing as actors perform all over the theater.
Candlelight: Romantic Jazz Featuring Frank Sinatra & Nat King Cole
Candela La Brea | 831 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036 | Nov. 10 | feverup.com
Add a little romance to your midweek as this intimate venue is bathed in candlelight and PureSoul Los Angeles perform Nat King Cole’s “Unforgettable,” Frank Sinatra’s “Come Fly With Me” and Duke Ellington’s “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” among many other hits. There are two showtimes to choose from and food is available for purchase onsite.
An Evening With David Sedaris
The Soraya | 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91330 | Nov. 10 | thesoraya.org
With essays in The New Yorker, bestselling books like “Calypso,” tours and readings on NPR, Sedaris is one of the most recognizable humorists in America today. He returns to The Soraya for one night to read from his latest book, “The Best of Me,” a collection of 42 previously published stories and essays. There will also be a book signing before and after the show. Tickets are $41 to $109.
Grease: Sing-Along
Drive-up at Santa Monica Airport | 3233 Donald Douglas Loop S, Santa Monica Interim Open Space Santa Monica, CA 90405 | Nov. 10 | rooftopcinemaclub.com
Why restrict yourself to watching “Grease” when you can sing along to “Summer Nights,” “You’re the One That I Want” and “Beauty School Drop-out” just about 30 miles south of Leo Carillo Beach, where the film’s opening was filmed. The hybrid cinema at the airport lets you choose from a drive-in or lawn box viewing experience.
Mystic Universe: Immersive Art & Meditation Experience
Wisdome LA | 1147 Palmetto St., Los Angeles, CA 90013 | Nov. 10 & 11 | wisdom.la/gomystic
Step into the ether and find your true reality with immersive art installments influenced by Julius Horstuis, Luminokaya and Igor Baranko at the Mystic Universe in the DTLA Arts District
Happy Hour Paint Class
Wingwalker Brewery | 235 W. Maple Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016 | Nov. 11 | eventbrite.com
Enjoy an evening of painting while sipping on craft beers with friends. The first beer is included in the $45 ticket and you can pack your own food to the class. All supplies are provided.
City of Angels/Wings of Desire
The Lair of the Rose | 35 N. Raymond, #203, Pasadena, CA 91103 | Nov. 11 | eventbrite.com
Acrobatic performers execute difficult dances using the pole, trapeze skills, hammocks, chains and the Lyra to depict tales of wishes, faith and desire.With only 40 seats per show, audience members watch the show feet from performers.
LA Hidden Bars & Speakeasy Tour
Te’Kila | 6541 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028 | Nov. 11 | eventbrite.com
Hit up LA like a local and used hidden entrances to track down elusive elixirs at three to four exclusive speakeasy bars. The first stop of the night elicits the sophistication of 1920s Hollywood. The second stop is an underground cocktail den where you can play carnival games. The final speakeasy features Latin dancing, burlesque shows and live music.
Gasolina Party
Avalon Hollywood & Bardot | 1735 Vine St., Los Angeles, CA 90028 | Nov. 12 | eventbrite.com
Dance into the weekend with raggaeton, guaracha, dembow and EDM in the main room or hip hop and top 40 hits in the Bardot room.
Lunar Bloom
Oracle Tavern | 1640 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 | Nov. 13 | eventbrite.com
Coconut Spaceship, the indie record label and the creators of June Gloom, is creating a music festival out of this world. Billed as a “tropical lunar oasis” featuring live music, visuals and art, to support local musicians, artists and businesses.
African Marketplace & Drum Circle
4395 Leimert Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90008 | Nov. 14 | leimertparkafricanmarketplace.com
Every Sunday, the African Marketplace & Drum Circle Certified Farmers Market celebrates culture and creativity. The market serves as an incubator for Black entrepreneurs and brings fresh food from Black farmers to the South LA community.
More from Entertainment
