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Life! Mar 30, 2022
Fires of Varanasi at Harris Theater. | Photo by Kyle Flubacker
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Events are cropping up around LA County like flowers in spring and they are just as diverse. Get out there and read new books, explore new music and vegan food options, attend a festival (there’s one for beer and rosé lovers, TV enthusiasts, Renaissance cosplayers, lovers of dance, foodies) or unwind with some laughs, art or yoga. If you’re looking for a way to help people from Ukraine, there is also event to help you do that.
Book Signing With Gina Schock And Kathy Valentine Of The Go-Go’s
The Last Bookstore | 453 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013 | April 1 | eventbrite.com
In “Made In Hollywood,” The Go-Go’s drummer Gina Schock pays photographic tribute to the group. Kathy Valentine, author of “All I Ever Wanted,” will join Schock in a conversation mediated by Spectrum News journalist Alison Martino. Actress Beverly D’Angelo will read from both books. Start out by enjoying some refreshments and then get a photo with both authors and get your books signed.
Dinner & Drag Race
Detroit Vesey’s | 2028 E. 7th St., Los Angeles, CA 90021 | April 1 | eventbrite.com
Enjoy dinner and watch “Ru Paul’s Drag Race” with this week’s Queen, Pandora Boxx.
Kiki Funny Mama’s Night Out
Lyd & Mo | 27 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106 | April 1 | eventbrite.com
Leave the kids at home and laugh the night away with this all female lineup featuring Kiki Yeung (Crazy Woke Asians founder), Sarah Fatemi (winner of the 2021 Crazy Woke Asians Comedy Festival), Veronica Brown (New York Comedy Festival), Nina Gosiengfia (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “This is Us” and “Silicon Valley”), Sayaka Miyatani (Comedy Chateau and producer of Dysfunctional Divas), Lynn Dilmani (Dat Phan & Friends), Sandy Velasco (actor, writer, comedian), and host Alix Brown (The Comedy Store).
Spring Break Fest Picolandia
Pico Rivera Sports Arena | 11003 Rooks Road, Pico Rivera, CA, 90601 | April 1 | ticketon.com
Kick off your Spring Break with this coleadero baile featuring five bandas, four tamborazos and four norteño groups.
The Hustle: 70s Classic Disco Party
Hotel Figueroa | 939 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015 | April 1-2 | eventbrite.com
Boogie and hustle at this 70s disco dance party inspired by the music of ABBA, Bee Gees, Blondie, Donna Summer and many other greats.
“America’s Got Talent” Season 17
Pasadena Civic Auditorium | 300 E. Green St., Pasadena, CA 91101 | April 1-10 | visitpasadena.com
Be part of the audience and join the celebrity judges for the filming of the 17th season of “America’s Got Talent.”
2022 LA Beer Fest
Los Angeles Center Studios | 1201 W. 5th St., #T-110, Los Angeles, CA 90017 | April 2 | labeerfest.la
The 14th annual LA Beer Festival will feature over 80 breweries, 200 beers, LA’s top food trucks, live music and more.
PaleyFest LA
Dolby Theatre | 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028 | April 2-10 | paleycenter.org
Watch preview screenings and enjoy conversations during Q-and-As with the cast and crew of your favorite TV shows. This year’s fest includes cast and crew from “This is Us,” “Superman & Lois,” Black-ish,” “Ghosts,” “The Neighborhood,” “Hacks,” “Cobra Kai,” “Riverdale” “Better Call Saul,” “NCIS,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “NCIS: Hawai’i,” and “Emily in Paris.”
Silkroad Ensemble’s “Home Within”
The Soraya | 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330 | April 2 | thesoraya.org
Grammy-winning Silkroad Ensemble’s “Home Within,” a visual and lyrical tribute to those impacted by the Syrian tragedy, is an emotional accounting of home in a time of conflict. An audio-visual performance conceived by Syrian composer and clarinetist Kinan Azmeh and Syrian Armenian visual artist Kevork Mourad, the result is an impressionistic reflection on the unity of loss, longing, and the impact of tragedy on our sense of ‘home.’
Los Angeles Dance Festival
Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA | 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032 | April 2 | eventbrite.com
The evening kicks off with a performance from Dance & Dialogue youth participants at 6 p.m. and is followed by Los Angeles Dance Festival performances from top talent recognized locally, nationally and internationally at 7:30 p.m. The festival gives community members access to free programming in both showcases and classes.
Radiohead & Smashing Pumpkins Tribute Night
The Mixx | 443 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101 | April 2 | themixxclub.com
It’s a battle of the bands featuring two live tribute bands. Body Snatchers pays tribute to Radiohead as Infinite Sadness does their best Smashing Pumpkins imitation to defeat their rivals for the night. Dance, sing and rock on!
Emo Nite
The Glass House | 200 W. 2nd St., Pomona, CA 91766 | April 2 | eventbrite.com
According to Emo Nite’s website, “Top-tier emo artists, old and new, curate playlists and perform, with guest lists boasting members of blink-182, All Time Low, Dashboard Confessional, The Maine, and Good Charlotte.” There may be surprise acoustic sets or full performances but the goal is to reclaim the spirit of the emo scene.
Jew-ish Comedy Show
The Pasadena Comedy | 1194 E. Walnut St., Pasadena, CA 91106 | April 2 | eventbrite.com
Laugh away the week’s worries with some of LA’s funniest Jewish comedians: Josh Edelman, Eli Leonard, Jack Skolnick, Allison Goldberg, Gordon Jackson, Hannah Rose, Menachem Silverstein, and Taylor Miller.
The 99 & 2000s Party
Treehouse Rooftop Lounge | 686 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 | April 2 | eventbrite.com
The 99 & 2000s Party is back with the best hip hop and R&B from the ‘90s, 2000s and today to get you dancing.
Bach to Nature At Eaton Canyon
Eaton Canyon Nature Center | 1750 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena, CA 91107 | April 2 | eventbrite.com
Spice up your Saturday morning hike with some solar-powered piano music.
La Sonora Dinamita
Sage Restaurant & Lounge | 6511 Greenleaf Ave., Whittier, CA 90601 | April 2 | eventbrite.com
La Sonora Dinamita performs with the full band from Colombia. Dress up and be ready to dance in one of Sage’s three rooms, each featuring a full bar, dance floor and VIP sections.
Jazz Under The Stars
Rancho Duarte Golf Course | 1000 Las Lomas Road, Duarte, CA 91010 | April 2 | eventbrite.com
The Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association hosts a night of jazz and food under the stars.
The Jive Aces
Cicada Restaurants & Lounge | 617 S. Olive St., Los Angeles, CA 90014 | April 2 | cicadaclub.com
With over 300 high-energy shows a year in 25 different countries, The Jive Aces are billed as Great Britain’s “top jive and swing band.” Dance all night long to a repertoire that includes swing, jive, rhythm and blues, and classics from the Rat Pack.
9021FLOAT
Caffe Roma | 350 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | April 2-9 | whatthefloat.com
What the Float kicks off spring by spreading dancing and joy in Beverly Hills. Event organizers promise “two hearty helpings of high octane dance power courtesy of two of our favorite DJs, PENNYWILD and Nick Ley.” The afterparty continues at home base.
Masters Of Taste 2022
Rose Bowl Stadium | 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103 | April 3 | mastersoftastela.com
Eat for a good cause! Masters of Taste is a top notch food and beverage festival with 100% of the proceeds going to Union Station Homeless Services. Read more about what you can expect at this year’s event and how to save $10 off your ticket by using code BRIANNA22 at heysocal.com/2022/03/16/masters-of-taste-returns-in-2022/.
April Foos Comedy Show
Godtti’s Night Club | 7931 Firestone Blvd., Downey, CA 90241 | April 3 | eventbrite.com
This lineup stars Jerry Garcia, Phil Medina, Stephanie Tejada, Big Critic and David Jasso on the stage.
Chatterbox Comedy Night
Chatterbox | 943 N. Citrus Ave., Covina, CA 91722 | April 3 | eventbrite.com
According to event organizers, “For over 10 years, Chatterbox Comedy Night has been a nationally renowned, independently run stand up institution, beloved for it’s diverse and exciting line ups featuring the hottest up and comers and comedians you’ve seen on Comedy Central, HBO, Showtime and more. Previous performers include: Hasan Minhaj, Kyle Kinane, Beth Stelling, Tim Dillon, Melissa Villasenor, and Jo Koy.”
Concert For Ukraine
BL Dancehall and Saloon | 29020 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 | April 4 | eventbrite.com
Presented by Ken Greene and the Get Together Foundation, artists and musicians are coming together to raise money for Ukrainian refugees. Proceeds from the night will go to Save the Children’s “Children Emergency Fund.”
Illustrative Design/Illustrative Portraiture Drawing Work Shop
Paint Lab | 1453 14th St., Santa Monica, CA 90404 | April 4 | eventbrite.com
Doesn’t what skill level you’re at, discover basic techniques of illustrative design and portraiture drawing.
KCRW Presents The Moth Mainstage In LA
Palace Theatre | 630 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014 | April 5 | eventbrite.com
Somewhere between scripted theater and live documentary, “Watch wildly divergent storytellers merge entertainment and enlightenment on the 111-year-old stage that still holds Harry Houdini’s magical trap door.”
Yoga In The Garden
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden | 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007 | April 5, 12, 19, 26 | arboretum.org
Register for a strengthening and tension-releasing evening of yoga in a lush garden sanctuary..
Vegan Playground LA Arts District
Boomtown Brewery | 700 Jackson St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 | April 6 | eventbrite.com
This weekly night market brings together over 25 rotating vegan vendors, music, giveaways, pinball, pool, darts, beer and an all-around fun time.
Family Paint Party
El Torito | 3333 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107 | April 6 | eventbrite.com
A local artist takes you through the steps to creating a scenic masterpiece.
LA Noir Movie & Cabaret Night
The Mixx | 443 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101 | April 7 | themixxclub.com
Spice up an humdrum Thursday night with a showing of the vintage noir film “Double Indemnity,” swing dance lessons before the film, an intermission including a cabaret performance, tunes by DJ Dr. Nate, a photo booth (appropriate attire is encouraged) and cocktails.
Lucius
Troubadour | 9081 N. Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069 | April 7 | troubadour.com
Lucius brings their brand of indie pop to the Troubadour ahead of the release of their new album “Second Nature” on April 8.
The Secret “Wonderland” Circus
3443 E. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90023 | April 8 | eventbrite.com
Dress up in your best “Alice in Wonderland” themed clothes to enjoy a night at this circus featuring burlesque, an aerial hoop performance, pole dancing, a fire juggler, contortion painting, fire dancing, music, tarot, and multiple vendors.
Paint & Sip
San Antonio Winery | 737 Lamar St., Los Angeles, CA 90031 | April 8 | eventbrite.com
Unwind at LA’s urban winery painting sunflowers while enjoying some wine and small bites of tasty food.
Torched Experience
SLS Hotel | 465 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048 | April 8-9 | eventbrite.com
Gastro Garage returns to prepare an eight-course “Mechanics Menu” at your tableside using tools such as torches, drills and more. This is a treat for your eyes and palette.
Renaissance Pleasure Faire
Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area | 15501 E. Arrow Highway, Irwindale, CA 91706 | April 9 – May 22 | renfair.com/socal/
Huzzah! The Renaissance Pleasure Faire is back this year with its infamous lineup of bawdy and traditional songs, comedy shows (some rated NC-17 just for adults), jousting tournaments, aerial performances, magic shows and actors on different stages, ax throwing, archery, turkey legs, hand pies and more beer than you could ever imagine.
Rosé Bowl: A Wine Tasting Experience
Rose Bowl Stadium | 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103 | April 9 | feverup.com
Sample over 30 types of rosé wines, enjoy live music and eat gourmet food at the Rose Bowl.
Fires of Varanasi: Dance of the Eternal Pilgrim
The Soraya | 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91330 | April 9 | thesoraya.org
Rooted in the expansive South Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam, Ragamala Dance Company manifests a kindred relationship between the ancient and the contemporary. Award-winning creators Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy imagine a metaphorical bridge to a ritualistic world of immortality, evoking the Hindu belief of birth-death-rebirth continuum to honor immigrant experiences of life and death in the diaspora.
The Great Egg Scramble
Robinson Park 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103 | Victory Park 2575 Paloma St., Pasadena, CA 91107 | April 9 | cityofpasadena.net
Pasadena’s free citywide egg hunt is for children up to 12 years old. There will be multiple egg hunts at each park. Registration is required and open to Pasadena residents and PUSD students only.
Diversi-TEA
Heritage Square Museum | 3800 Homer St., Los Angeles, CA 90031 | April 9 | eventbrite.com
Sit down down for Victorian tea and a vintage fashion show highlighting fashions from the diverse cultures living in 19th century Los Angeles.
Bubble Run 5k
Fairplex Gate 17 | 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768 | April 9 | fairplex.com
Clad in white t-shirts, adults, kids and strollers run, walk, dance and play across 3 miles. At every kilometer, runners will pass through the “Foam Bogs” full of colored foam to cover everyone from head to toe.
Martha Redbone Roots Project
The Broad Stage | 1310 11th St., Santa Monica CA 90401 | April 9 | thebroadstage.org
With songs and storytelling that share her life experience as a Native and Black woman and mother in the new millennium, Martha Redbone gives voice to issues of social justice, bridging traditions from past to present, connecting cultures and celebrating the human spirit. She is known for her unique gumbo of folk, blues and gospel from her childhood in Harlan County, Kentucky infused with the eclectic grit of pre-gentrified Brooklyn. Inheriting the powerful vocal range of her gospel-singing African American father and the resilient spirit of her mother’s Cherokee/Shawnee/Choctaw culture, Redbone broadens the boundaries of American Roots music.
626 Night Market Mini
Lot 27 | 1324 5th St., Santa Monica, CA 90401 | April 9-10 | 626nightmarket.com
Starting a new series of events in Downtown Santa Monica from 1-10 p.m., 626 Night Market Mini will have food vendors like Shake Ramen, Tao’s Bao, Chick N’ Skin, Ghostix and Rockin’ Gyoza.
Rose Bowl Flea Market
Rose Bowl Stadium | 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103 | April 10 | rgcshows.com
Known for its wide array of antiques, vintage clothes, and local art, the Rose Bowl Flea Market has been the flea market to visit for over 50 years.
Served! A Drag Brunch
Redline DTLA – Gay Bar and Lounge | 131 E. 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90014 | April 10 | eventbrite.com
Sunday brunch levels up with drag show serving looks, stunts and breakfast.
Readings At Sunset: A Queer Poetry Night
Switterbeat Collective | 1114 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90026 | April 10 | eventbrite.com
Spend an evening with 20 local LGBTQIA poets showcasing their work.
In Conversation: Cecile Richards & Holland Taylor
Pasadena Playhouse | 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101 | April 10 | pasadenaplayhouse.org
Cecile Richards (daughter of Texas Governor Ann Richards) and Holland Taylor (writer and star on “Ann” currently on stage at the Pasadena Playhouse) will come together for a dynamic, free-flowing conversation about leadership, legacy and creating change in these times… or anything else that enters the minds of the two cultural trailblazers.
Enrique Martinez Celaya “SEA SKY LAND: towards a map of everything”
USC Fisher Museum of Arts | 823 W. Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90089 | Through April 9 | fisher.usc.edu
This exhibit brings together 30 large-format paintings and sculptures created by Enrique Martinez Celaya. Each of the three galleries at the Fisher Museum will present the artist’s writings alongside paintings and sculptures dedicated to one of three motifs—sea, sky, and land.
Knott’s Boysenberry Festival
Knott’s Berry Farm | 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA 90620 | Through April 24 | knotts.com
Knott’s “food-inspired” festival features a lineup of dishes with a boysenberry twist, and desserts and drinks only available during this limited time. The festival also features local crafters, live music, stage shows and fun activities.
“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.”
Tupac Shakur. Wake Me When I’m Free
The Canvas at L.A. Live | 944 Georgia St.,Los Angeles CA 90015 | Through May 1 | 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.
“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.”
“Archival Intimacies: Queering South/East Asian Diasporas”
ONE Archives at the USC Libraries | 909 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007
| Through May 29 | one.usc.edu
Three artists-in-residence at ONE Archives at USC Libraries, Prima Jalichandra-Sakuntabhai, Vinhay Keo, and Pamila Matharu were invited to develop new works in response to the archive. Jalichandra-Sakuntabhai and Keo’s work investigates the remnants of embodied history, migration, exile, and queerness. Accompanying these works is “Satrang at 25: Queer South Asian Diaspora(s) in Context,” on view at ONE, examining the history of Satrang, an organization supporting queer South Asian communities in Southern California and placing its evolution in the context of broader queer diasporic histories.
