The Votes Are In!
2023 Readers' Choice is back, bigger and better than ever!
View Winners → 
Live Jan 12, 2022
Yamato playing Japan’s traditional Wadaiko drums. | Photo courtesy of Yamato and The Soraya
by
share with
You needn’t wait for the upcoming three-day weekend to get out and have some fun. We’ve got something for you to check out every day of the week.
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.
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”
Arcadia Performing Arts Center | 188 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007 | Jan. 15-16 | eventbrite.com
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is a reimagining of the Biblical story of Joseph, his father, Jacob, 11 brothers and the coat of many colors. Crescendo Theatrical Productions is bringing this show from Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber to Arcadia’s stage on Saturday and Sunday from 2-4 p.m.
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.
Big Band Nights Hosted By The BABAorchestra
The Mint | 6010 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90035 | Jan. 17 | themintla.com
You’ve survived Monday! Kick off the week the right way with an evening of original music from the finest big band composers and musicians in Los Angeles played by the 17-piece big band, theBABAorchestra.
All-French
Walt Disney Concert Hall | 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012 | Jan. 18 | laphil.com
Members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic will play compositions from Tailleferre, Debussy and Fauré.
Personal Connections
Zoom | Jan. 18 | lacma.org
In partnership with Alzheimer’s LA, LACMA teaching artist Elonda Norris will guide care partners and persons living with dementia or Alzheimer’s to look at and discuss works of art from the museum’s collection. The virtual session will start at 1 p.m.
Punch Brothers
Ace Hotel Los Angeles | 929 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015 | Jan. 19 | acehotel.com
The Punch Brothers — made up of mandolinist Chris Thile, guitarist Chris Eldridge, bassist Paul Kowert, banjoist Noam Pikelny, and violinist Gabe Witcher — are best known for their 2018 Grammy-winning folk album “All Ashore.” In 2020, they recorded their newest album “Hell on Church Street,” which has been described as “a reimagining of Bluegrass great Tony Rice’s landmark album, ‘Church Street Blues.’”
An Intimate Evening With David Foster
Fred Kavli Theatre | 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 | Jan. 19 | bapacthousandoaks.com
Spend an evening with 16-time Grammy award-winning writer-producer David Foster as he performs songs he wrote or produced in four decades of hits. Foster will also share stories behind the songs, artists and his life.
The Warning
The Troubadour | 9081 N. Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA, 90069 | Jan. 20 | troubadour.com
This Mexican trio of sisters “[charges] forward with head-spinning riffs, unpredictable rhythms, stadium-size beats, and skyscraping vocals,” according to concert promoters. The trio of sisters will have you headbanging in no time.
“Cry-Baby” Burlesque Movie & Music Show
The Mixx | 443 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101 | Jan. 20 | themixxclub.com
If you’re into rockabilly, you won’t want to miss this. John Waters’ 1990 cult classic, “Cry-Baby,” will be screened and aerial performances and sensual dances from the Vintage Los Angels Club will escort the movie’s musical scenes with live burlesque. It will all be followed by DJ Hunny Rose playing rockabilly records.
Tupac Shakur. Wake Me When I’m Free
The Canvas at L.A. Live | 944 Georgia St.,Los Angeles CA 90015 | Jan. 21 | wakemewhenimfree
Created in collaboration with the Shakur Estate, this exhibit delves into Tupac’s activism, music and revolutionary art through technology, art and artifacts from the rapper’s personal archives.
Étienne Gara & Delirium Musicum
The Soraya | 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91330 | Jan. 21 | thesoraya.org
Current artist-in-residence, violinist Étienne Gara and Delirium Musicum, an ensemble known for its fearless interpretations of classical and new music, will perform a program featuring the rare opportunity for audience members to experience the works of two contemporary composers — Philip Glass and Max Richter — each creating a musical response to Vivaldi’s beloved “Four Seasons: Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi—The Four Seasons” and “Philip Glass: Violin Concerto No. 2—American Four Seasons.”
Pasadena Symphony and Pops’ “Baroque: Brandenburg 5”
Ambassador Auditorium | 131 S St. John Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105 | Jan. 22 | pasadenasymphony-pops.org
Eighteenth century performance expert Nicholas McGegan returns to conduct Gabriella Smith’s Brandenburg Interstices, a contemporary companion piece to Bach’s Brandenburg, which weaves baroque with blues and folk music.
Alan Cumming & Ari Shapiro “Och and Oy! A Considered Cabaret”
The Broad Stage | 1310 11th St., Santa Monica CA 90401 | Jan. 22 | thebroadstage.org
Tony Award-winning actor Alan Cumming and NPR’s Ari Shapiro star in the Los Angeles premiere of “Och & Oy! A Considered Cabaret.” Speaking of how the show was born from collaboration between the two, Cumming said, “It’s a collection of songs and stories compiled from our seemingly very disparate lives and personalities, but in the course of the show we find out that we aren’t so different after all.” Shapiro added, “We’re both storytellers who try to help audiences better understand themselves and the world around them. This show lets us explore those shared ideals on stage together, through stories and songs.”
Pasadena Comic Con
Pasadena Convention Center | 300 E. Green St., Pasadena, CA 91101 | Jan. 23 | pasadenacomiccon.com
Pasadena Comic Con will feature panels, toys, celebrity guests and featured artists. This year’s guest of honor is Sid Kroft, half of the duo behind the live-action fantasy show “H.R. Pufnstuf” along with “Lidsville” and “Land of the Lost.” Rock fans will be treated to a conversation with Richie Ramone, who was the drummer for the Ramoes from 1983-87. “Seinfeld” fans will also get the chance to hear from Award-winning actor and Broadway star John O’Hurley.
Colburn Orchestra
The Broad Stage | 1310 11th St., Santa Monica CA 90401 | Jan. 23 | thebroadstage.org
The concert’s centerpiece is a dazzling Brahms double concerto featuring soloists violinist Charlotte Marckx and cellist Olivia Marckx on cello that perfectly marries the violin and cello’s lush tones. Rounding out the program is an energetic early work Ballade in A Minor by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Shostakovich’s demure ninth symphony.
Yamato – The Drummers of Japan
The Soraya | 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91330 | Jan. 23 | thesoraya.org
Yamato travels all over the world with Japan’s traditional Wadaiko drums, putting its very souls into the unusual instruments. Yamato based their new production on the concept of 天命 or “Tenmei,” a word first described by Confucius in an expression that translates as, “at fifty I knew the will of heaven.”
Hello Critter Goat Yoga
Pasadena | Jan. 23 | eventbrite.com
This non-traditional, all-levels yoga class taught by a certified instructor features friendly, adorable goats that will put a smile on your face while you challenge yourself. This outdoor class will take place in the backyard of a private home near the Rose Bowl.
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.”
“Full Circle: A Return To The Land”
Descanso Gardens | 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91101 | Through March 13 | descansogardens.org
This exhibition, which opened Monday, chronicles human interaction with the land in and around Descanso Gardens from the Tongva through various cultures, up to today.
More from Live
