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Home / Life! / Live / Fun things to do this week: Jan. 21-30

Fun things to do this week: Jan. 21-30

by F Diaz
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Perhaps you didn’t have time over the three-day weekend to find any fun events to add to your social calendar. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Read on to see what’s happening around LA County.

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.”

UFC Fan Experience

Honda Center Parking Lot 1 | 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92806 | Jan. 22 | hondacenter.com

This free experience from noon to 4 p.m., before UFC 270, unites fans with UFC athletes. Fans can take part in this interactive experience featuring UFC meet-and-greets and fan gear.

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.

LA Art Show

LA Convention Center | 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015 | Through Jan. 23 | laartshow.com

LA’s longest-running art show returns with a program examining just how the environment is represented in art, but how humanity’s place in the world is depicted.Visitors will confront the challenges of our global climate crisis. 

Cue & A With Robert Kraft Featuring Kris Bowers

The Broad Stage | 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, CA 90401 | Jan. 24 | thebroadstage.org

The Broad Stage presents the launch of a new live series Cue & A with Robert Kraft. This first evening features conversation, clips, commentary, live demonstrations and an audience Q & A with Emmy Award-winning composer and pianist Kris Bowers, whose recent credits include “Respect” and “King Richard.”  Bowers received Emmy nominations for Original Dramatic Score and Original Main Theme Music for his work on the Netflix series “Bridgerton”.

Third Eye Blind

The Troubadour | 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA, 90069 | Jan. 25 | troubadour.com

Celebrating their 25th anniversary, Third Eye Blind will take the stage at The Troubadour. The rock band is marking the occasion with this show, and one in NYC, where they “can wrangle with the songs that are making [them] feel most alive, and some of the songs that brought [them] here,” according to their website.

Brownish

Laugh Factory | 8001 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90046 | Jan. 26 | tixr.com

Brownish, hosted by Erik Rivera, brings together Latin comedian like Anna Valenzuela (Comedy Central’s “Roast Battle”) , Momo Rodriguez (FX’s “Mayans M.C.”), Carlos Santos (Netflix’s “Gentefied”), Nick Guerra (HBO’s “Entre Nos”) and Alexis Prigo.

Caltech Behind The Book: “Latinos in Pasadena” By Roberta H. Martínez

Virtual event | Jan. 26 | events.caltech.edu

Roberta H. Martínez will discuss her book with Dr. Tashiana Bryant-Myrick, who leads Caltech’s Center for Inclusion and Diversity. There will be a short period at the end of the presentation for audience members to ask questions. This virtual event is free and open to the public – registration is required to attend.

National Geographic Live: “How To Clone A Mammoth”

The Broad Stage | 1310 11th St., Santa Monica CA 90401 | Jan. 27 | hebroadstage.orgt

National Geographic Emerging Explorer Beth Shapiro is one of the scientists investigating if extinct species, like mammoths and passenger pigeons, could be brought back to life. An evolutionary biologist and pioneer in ancient DNA research, Shapiro travels extensively through the Arctic regions of Siberia and North America to collect the bones, teeth, and other remains of Ice Age giants like mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and giant camels. She extracts DNA from these remains and uses this information to understand how changing climates and increasing human activity have shaped the present-day distribution of species. Her goal is to use this information from the past and, increasingly, genomic tools developed in the present, to save living species from the same fate as so many ancient animals. Join Shapiro as she explores the technical challenges, ethical considerations, and potential benefits of the astonishing and controversial science of de-extinction.

Interpol & Paramore Tribute Night

The Mixx | 443 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101 | Jan. 28 | themixxclub.com

Maybe you can’t make it to the When We Were Young music festival but you can still satisfy that emo kid inside as Public Pervert and Misery Business pay tribute to Interpol and Paramore, respectively, with live performances. 

Parks And Rec Trivia Night

Horse Thief BBQ | 324 S. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90013 | Jan. 28 | eventbrite.com

“Parks and Recreation” fans can test their knowledge while enjoying some tasty BBQ with friends. Even if you lose the trivia contest, your stomach will win. 

72nd Grand National Roadster Show

Fairplex Parking Gate 17 | 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768 | Jan. 28-30 | fairplex.com

This is the longest running indoor car show in the world, according to event organizers. Over 500 show vehicles will take over seven expo halls to compete for awards. 

Uncorked: LA Wine Fest

Union Station | 800 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 | Jan. 29 | eventbrite.com

The sixth annual Uncorked: LA Wine Festival will feature 150 wines from around the world, gourmet local food trucks, live music and a DJ. Early admission includes an extra hour of tasting plus special pours from select wineries. 

Boogie Knights

The Canyon – Agoura Hills | 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 | Jan. 29 | wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com

The Boogie Knights brings the disco era to life complete with bell bottoms, platform shoes, polyester shirts and wigs.

Artists Inspired By Music: Interscope Reimagined

LACMA | 5905 Wilshire Blvd.., Los Angeles, CA 90036 | Jan. 30-Feb. 13 | lacma.org

Visual artists like Cecily Brown, Lauren Halsey, Rashid Johnson, Takashi Murakami, and Ed Ruscha were tasked with selecting albums and songs from Interscope Records to create over 50 paintings inspired by musicians like Dr. Dre, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, BLACKPINK, Olivia Rodrigo and more.

Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar

The Broad Stage | 1310 11th St., Santa Monica CA 90401 | Jan. 30 | thebroadstage.org

Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar have carved a unique place for themselves in the music industry through soul-stirring arrangements of contemporary gospel, musical theater, and rich original compositions. Hailing from Augusta, Ga., McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar are known for their opulent harmonies and beautiful blends, which are showcased throughout their 2012 album Limitless and their viral online covers

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.”

Mapping Fiction

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens | 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108 | Through May 2 | huntington.org

This new exhibit focuses on the ways authors and mapmakers have built compelling fictional worlds. The exhibit includes a first edition of James Joyce’s “Ulysses,” early editions of Lewis Carroll’s “The Hunting of the Snark, Robert Louis Stevenson’s maps from “Treasure Island” and “Kidnapped,” J. R. R. Tolkien’s map from the trilogy “The Lord of the Rings,” and science fiction writer Octavia E. Butler’s hand-drawn maps from notes for “Parable of the Talents” (1998) and her unpublished novel “Parable of the Trickster.”

“Full Circle: A Return To The Land” 

Descanso Gardens | 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91101 | Through March 13 | descansogardens.org 

This exhibition chronicles human interaction with the land in and around Descanso Gardens from the Tongva through various cultures, up to today.

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