​​Now that you’ve, hopefully, recovered from the holiday festivities, it’s time to get back out there and start having fun, as safely as possible (COVID-19 cases are spiking everywhere).

Candi Pop (Taylor’s Version) Los Angeles

The Teragram Ballroom | 1324 W. 7th St., Los Angeles, CA 90017 | Jan. 7 | facebook.com/events/882586129114702

Calling all Swifties! This dance party promises to be littered with glitter, lollipops,rainbows and unicorns. 

Orianthi

The Venice West | 1717 Lincoln Blvd., Venice, CA 90291 | Jan. 7 | ticketweb.com

Influenced by Carlos Santana, guitarist and singer-songwriter Orianthi began wowing audiences with her guitar prowess at the age of 15. Best known for the hit “According to You,” Orianthi has worked with the likes of Alice Cooper, Michael Jackson, Carrie Underwood, Richie Sambora and even performed with Santana on stage.

Skate Into The New Year

Huntington Park City Hall | 6550 Miles Ave., Huntington Park, CA 90255 | Jan. 7-9 | hpca.gov

A skating rink is going up in front of Huntington Park City Hall to celebrate the start of 2022. For just $1 for children and $3 for adults, spend a few hours perfecting your triple axel triple toe loop combo.

The Next Stage Immersive Summit & Mini-Festival

Pasadena Playhouse | 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101 | Jan. 7-9 | immersiveexperience.org 

This three-day gathering draws together the fields of immersive & experiential arts from across creative and technical disciplines. In addition to talks, panels, and participatory salons, attendees will be treated to immersive performances and experiences.

“The Outsiders”

Autry Museum of the American West | 4700 W. Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027 | Jan. 8 | eventbrite.com

Part of The Autry Museum’s “What is a Western?” film series, this special screening of Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Outsiders” will be introduced by the Autry’s vice president of research and interpretation, Amy Scott. “Set in 1960s Tulsa, Coppola’s coming-of-age classic speaks to the struggles and limitations of working class youth within a newly urban West,” explain event organizers.

Ave 26 Night Market

Pico Rivera Sports Arena | 11003 Sports Arena Drive, Pico Rivera, CA 90601 | Jan. 8 | instagram.com/ave26familynightmarket 

Following a brief holiday hiatus, Ave 26 Night Market returns with a special event for the new year in addition to its food and retail vendors and music.

International Make-Up Artist Trade Show LA

Pasadena Convention Center | 300 E. Green St., Pasadena, CA 91101 | Jan. 8-9 | imats.net

The International Make-Up Artist Trade Show is the world’s largest celebration of makeup artistry. Pro leaders from fashion and film (including Oscar, BAFTA and Saturn award winners) provide education and demonstrations at IMATS, and new products often debut there.

Candlelight: Aretha, Nina, And The Divas Of Soul

Candela La Brea | 831 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036 | Jan. 9 | feverup.com

A Jazz ensemble will perform jazz covers of beloved classic songs like “Say a Little Prayer,” “At Last,” and “Respect.” 

Smorgasburg LA Grand Reopening

Row DTLA | 777 S. Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA 90021 | Jan. 9 | la.smorgasburg.com

Smorgasburg LA reopens Sunday with the addition of five new food vendors added to the weekly roster. Don’t forget to stop by the beer garden. 

Kate Grahn

The Moroccan Lounge | 901 E. First St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 | Jan. 10 | ticketmaster.com

Kick off your week with live musical performances from Kate Grahn, Holden McRae and Jac Romero. Grahn, an LA-born-and-raised singer-songwriter, is known for pop-rock and indie-alternative performances. McRae and Romero’s music also has a pop-rock sound. 

Rethinking Conquest | Diana Magaloni: The Florentine Codex

Zoom  | Jan. 11 | lacma.org

Presented in conjunction with LACMA’s  “Mixpantli: Space, Time, and the Indigenous Origins of Mexico,” this is part of a  four-part lecture series providing an in-depth look at the Florentine Codex and Indigenous histories of the conquest. 

Family Paint Party

El Torito | 3333 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107 | Jan. 12 | eventbrite.com

Paint, sip, laugh, paint and dance in one evening out. Artist Elizabeth Grebler will guide you through all steps of the painting process.

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

The Soraya | 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91330 | Jan. 13 | thesoraya.org

Britain’s world-famous orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic, returns under the baton of new Music Director Vasily Petrenko on Jan. 13 at 8 p.m. with a program of romantic compositions, including Sir Edward Elgar’s glorious Enigma Variations and selections from Benjamin Britten’s soaring opera “Peter Grimes.” 

Still

The Silverlake Lounge | 2906 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026 | Jan. 13 | dice.fm

Start your weekend early with live music from Ambeurie, Lucius Arther, Shadows and Still headlining the show. 

Please Stop Crying

Dynasty Typewriter at The Hayworth | 2511 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90057 | Jan. 14 | eventbrite.com

Comedians Colin, Rourke, Maggie Winters, and Garrett Williams join for one night of comedy, sketch, song, dance and videos.

80s & 90s Flashback Party

The Mixx | 443 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena CA 91101 | Jan. 14 | themixxclub.com

Past Action Heroes deliver a fun, high-energy show recreating the best hits from the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Asian American Expo

Fairplex | 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768 | Jan. 15-16 | fairplex.com

In celebration of the coming Lunar New Year, the Asian American Expo features seven exhibition halls, over 1,000 vendors, nine performance stages and three food courts. “Food, shopping, entertainment and fun – these are all annual staples that can be found at each year’s event,” according to event hosts.

Lola Boutée’s Cabaret

Muddle & Twist | 10863 W. Magnolia Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 91601 | Jan. 15 | eventbrite.com

Enjoy an amazing night of burlesque, comedy, fire and more at this openair cocktail bar in North Hollywood. Tickets traditionally sell out so plan ahead. 

Tango Argentina

Segerstrom Center for the Arts | 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 | Jan. 16 | scfta.org

Tango Argentina continues the Estrellas series with 12 of Argentina’s best tango dancers and musicians as part of its inaugural tour of the United States. This thrilling program features star dancers Ivana Ayala and Pedro Sanchiz and combines tango traditions with contemporary stories to show how the art form has evolved throughout its history.

Corner Garden

Museum of Latin American Art | 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802 | Jan. 16 | molaa.org

MOLAA will be hosting a Corner Garden Plein Air Workshop on pen and ink. Materials will be provided with the $5 fee.

Sammy Rae & The Friends

City National Grove of Anaheim | 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92806 | Jan. 16 | nederlanderconcerts.com

This collective of eight musicians is fronted by singer-songwriter Sammy Rae. Featuring a rhythm section, horn section, keyboards, and two backup singers, their sound is a combination of Rae’s influences from classic rock, folk, and funk and sprinkled with soul and jazz. 

Enchanted Forest Of Light

Descanso Gardens | 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011 | Through 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. 

Winter Frolic

Kidspace | 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91103 | Through 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.

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.

GLOW

South Coast Botanic Garden | 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274 | Through 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. 

Mixpantli: Space, Time, and the Indigenous Origins of Mexico

LACMA | 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036 | Through May 1 | lacma.org

LACMA is marking the 500th anniversary of the fall of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital and site of Mexico City. According to LACMA, the exhibition “subverts the traditional narrative of conquest by centering the creative resilience of Indigenous artists, mapmakers, and storytellers who forged new futures and made their world anew through artistic practice.”

More from Life!