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Life! Nov 17, 2021
Descanso Gardens. | Photo by Pinguino Kolb via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
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Maybe you’re planning your weekend, or maybe you’re stressing about how you’ll entertain family from out of town while they’re here for the Thanksgiving holiday. Well, take a deep breath and read on. We have you covered with all you need to know for your social calendar.
Winter Frolic
Kidspace | 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91103 | Nov. 19-Jan. 9 | kidspacemuseum.org
Winter has arrived in Pasadena as Kispace transforms into a space where children and families can share the magic of the season. Winter Frolic features a no-ice sock skating rink, “ice fishing” in the Kispace Arroy Stream, and snowflake decorating.
Indie Tribute Night
The Mixx | 443 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101 | Nov. 19 | eventbrite.com
Not the Killers, a Killers tribute band, and Public Pervert, an Interpol tribute band, will get you dancing to hits from these indie rock legends.
‘Beauty And The Beast: The Broadway Musical’
IFGF Church | 147 W. Palm Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016 | Nov. 19-20 | centrestageinc.com
Step into the world of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” presented by Monrovia’s Centre Stage Inc at the IFGF Church in the heart of Old Town Monrovia.This is your last chance to catch this show.
Lionel Bart’s ‘Oliver!’
The Louise K. Taylor Performing Arts Center | 845 W. Colorado Blvd., Monrovia, CA 91016 | Nov. 20-21 | brownpapertickets.com
Oliver! The Musical is Monrovia High School’s 16th professional production for the community. The performance will take place alfresco (with heat lamps provided) in Friendship Circle, right outside of the Louise K Taylor Performing Arts Center. There will only be two performances.
Adaptive Sports Festival
Brookside Park | 360 N. Arroy Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91103 | Nov. 20 | triumph-foundation.org/ASF
The City of Pasadena and Triumph Foundation are hosting this free day of sports and fitness activities for all ages and abilities. Activities will include beep baseball, handcycling, wheelchair rugby, tennis, power soccer, art workshops and many more. Don’t worry about equipment, that and instructions will be provided.
GLOW
South Coast Botanic Garden | 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274 | Nov. 20-Jan. 17 | southcoastbotanicgarden.org
The Garden Lights & Ocean Waters (GLOW) exhibit has been reimagined. Event organizers say visitors can expect a “better and brighter experience.” Grab a bite to eat, maybe a drink, and walk through thousands of lights as music plays throughout. This year’s exhibit also features interactive experiences and themed nights.
Enanitos Verdes Tribute Night
The Mixx | 443 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101 | Nov. 20 | eventbrite.com
Luz de Noche takes the stage to pay tribute to Enanitos Verdes, one of Argentina’s biggest rock bands behind hits like “Lamento Boliviano” and “La Muralla Verde.”
Bangsgiving
Los Globos | 3040 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026 | Nov. 20 | eventbrite.com
Bangsgiving is a massive LGBTQIA+ dance party with a holiday twist featuring house, top 40s, mashups, hip hop, EDM and more.
Zoot Suit Riots Bus Tour
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes | 501 N. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 | Nov. 21 | eventbrite.com
Meet in front of the “La Tienda” bookshop and head on a tour that explores the subculture behind zoot suits and how it all exploded in the so-called Zoot Suit Riots, which was a storm of violence perpetrated by US Navy servicemen on the streets of LA against these young people, predominantly Mexican American youth that adopted the pachuco style.
Enchanted Forest Of Light
Descanso Gardens | 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011 | Nov. 21-Jan. 9 | descansogardens.org
Live your fairytale dreams and enter the Enchanted Forest of Light, a one-mile walk featuring interactive light displays. New this year, Descanso Gardens has added an entire town of stained glass creations from sculptor Tom Fruin.
Karaoke Night at Station1640
Station1640 | 1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028 | Nov. 22 | station1640.com
Station1640 invites you to warm up those vocals and sing the night away at their karaoke night.
Stand Up Comedy And Storytelling: BYO Friendsgiving Dinner
The Silverlake Lounge | 2906 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026 | Nov. 23 | dice.fm
Spend your friendsgiving at The Silverlake Lounge. Take your own food, get your friends to tag along and enjoy The Saucy Show, a monthly stand up comedy show. This show’s theme is F—sgiving.
Essential Oils Class
The Oil Connection | 1200 E. Route 66 #104, Glendora, CA 91740 l Nov. 23 l eventbrite.com
Join your host Yvonne Nanos and learn what essential oils are, how to use them, and how to take care of yourself with natural options.With the purchase of a ticket, you will receive a custom essential oil roller blend created specifically for
Pre-Thanksgiving Fest
Pico Rivera Sports Arena | 11003 Sports Arena Drive, Pico Rivera, CA 90601 | Nov. 24 | lanoria.tv
Before you get bogged down in cooking and dirty dishes, check out this pre-Thanksgiving show featuring Banda los Recoditos, Lenin Ramirez, Panchito Arredondo, Lupillo Rivera, T3r Elemento and many more acts.
Lola Boutée Presents TRiPTease Burlesque
TRIP Santa Monica | 2101 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405 l Nov. 24 l eventbrite.com
Lower your inhibitions and see what’s hot at LA’s longest running weekly burlesque and variety show. Every Wednesday features a fresh new lineup of talent hosted by the original dame herself, Lola Boutée.
Good Times DTLA
The Falls | 626 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90014 | Nov. 25 | eventbrite.com
Kick off your weekend early with some throwback tunes and simultaneously do some good. DJ Prophet provides the soundtrack of your favorite classics and proceeds from donation go to local charities that benefit local youth and the homeless.
Riddim & Booze
The Room Hollywood | 1626 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028 | Nov. 25 | eventbrite.com
Dance off those turkey pounds at The Room as The Party Minister provides the tunes.
Dean Mora’s Latinaires
Cicada Restaurant & Lounge | 617 S. Olive St., Los Angeles, CA 90014 | Nov. 26 | cicadaclub.com
Dine and dance to Latin tunes — such as mambo, rumba and swing — from the ‘30s and ‘40s made famous by stars like Desi Arnaz and Xavier Cugat.
4U By US Pop-Up
801 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105 l Nov. 26 l eventbrite.com
This is a pop-up series based in Pasadena that provides opportunities to black business vendors. Go out and support.
Fang & Claw: A ‘Highly’ Magical Dinner Experience
Sacred Gardens | 2016 Fremont Ave.,Pasadena, CA 91030 l Nov. 27 l eventbrite.com
Join Chef Victor Aguiler, winner of Chopped 420, for a “highly” magical evening filled with a four-course meal, live music, art, comedy, and magic.
The Artwalk
Leimert Park Village | 4343 Leimert Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90008 l Nov. 28 l eventbrite.com
Cruise down to Leimert Park for The Artwalk, a celebration of afro-centric to afro-futurism, youth, art and technology.
Happy Hour Paint Class
Wingwalker Brewery | 235 W. Maple Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016 | Nov. 28 | eventbrite.com
Unwind and relax before the hectic work week starts by sipping on some crafted beers and painting a holiday-themed masterpiece. Led by Taci Loving, paint a canvas of cheery snowmen you can display at home.
The Elf On The Shelf Magical Holiday Journey
Fairplex | 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768 | Through 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.
Reindeer Road
Santa Anita Park | 285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007 | Through Jan. 2 | worldofillumination.com
Santa will have no problem finding this light display that puts even Rudolph’s nose to shame. From World of Illumination, producer of the world’s largest drive-thru animated light show, this display brings families face to face with elves, reindeer, the world’s largest animated toyshop and Santa himself.
The Obama Portraits Tour & Black American Portraits
LACMA | 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036 | Through 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.
Lightscape
LA Arboretum | 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007 | Through Jan. 16 | arboretum.org
Following a sold-out run in London, Lightscape will transform the LA Arboretum with a one-mile illuminated trail featuring thousands of lights in various attractions like the Cathedral of Light, the Star Tunnel and the Fire Garden.
