Oscar Parties
March 2. Television icon Ellen DeGeneres returns to host the Academy Awards for a second time this year when the The 86th Oscars®, held at the Dolby Theater at Hollywood & Highland are presented Sunday afternoon. Celebrate Hollywood’s biggest night with champagne and red carpet photo opps at these Oscar Parties around town at the bar at Wolfgang Puck at Hotel-Bel Air (where you can also dine on a menu inspired by Puck’s Governors Ball menu); Windows Lounge at the Four Seasons Los Angeles, The Beverly Wilshire, Whiskey Blue at the W Los Angeles-Westwood, W Hollywood Hotel and Public Kitchen & Bar at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
Mardi Gras at The Farmers Market
March 1-2, 4. At the 25th anniversary of LA’s most colorful Mardi Gras event, celebrate with traditional New Orleans and Zydeco music, bead-throwing, strolling parade bands, arts and crafts and face painting for kids, authentic Cajun food, beer, and much more. The event kicks off on Saturday with the annual “Mutti Gras” pet parade and costume contest. Farmers Market, 6333 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.933.9211. farmersmarketla.com
Cronuts at The Grove
March 1. You don’t have to jet to New York and brave the Polar Vortex to wait in line for hours for chef Dominique Ansel’s coveted croissant-donut hybrid confections—he will be baking and serving them fresh at The Grove on Saturday. This is the first time the real deal has been served up outside of NYC, and they will only be available from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., or while supplies last (limit two per customer). Barneys New York, The Grove, 3rd Street and Fairfax Avenue, L.A., 888.315.8883. thegrovela.com
Billy Budd
March 2, 5, 8, 13, 16. Herman Melville’s tragic tale returns to Dorothy Chandler Pavilion downtown through March 16. Commemorating the 100th birthday of Benjamin Britten (Death of Venice, The Rape of Lucretia), James Conlon conducts the Los Angeles Opera in a grand production of Billy Budd. Set post-French Revolution, good and evil and innocence and immorality play out aboard the HMS Indomitable, where a pure-hearted sailor endures persecution. The all-male cast includes Liam Bonner making his role debut as Billy and Richard Croft as Captain Vere. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.8001. laopera.com
Pearl’s Mardi Gras Masquerade Party
March 4. Take a trip to Bourbon Street without leaving West Hollywood at Pearl’s Masquerade Party. Revel on the bar’s two-story deck overlooking the Sunset Strip and celebrate with Bayou-inspired food and drink specials complete with a seafood boil, gumbo and their Pearl’s Hurricane (dark rum, light rum, passion fruit puree, orange juice, lime and grenadine topped with Lillet Blanc and pineapple foam). Masks will be provided and you’re more than welcome to bring your own. 8909 W. Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood, 310.360.6800. pearlsliquorbar.com
Harmony
Opening March 4. With legendary songwriter and entertainer Barry Manilow behind the music and his frequent collaborator, Bruce Sussman, penning the book and lyrics, the new musical Harmony is sure to get toes tapping. The musical tells the true story of the Comedian Harmonists, a vaudevillian, six-man singing group from Germany that rose from unemployment to international fame in the 1920s. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
The Birthday Party
Through March 16. Harold Pinter’s most famous work is about two strangers who arrive at an English boardinghouse to find Stanley, an out-of-work pianist who is celebrating his birthday. Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood, 310.208.5454. geffenplayhouse.com
PPLA Food Fare
March 6. Thirty-fifth annual food event features nearly 100 of the city’s best restaurants, including AOC, Drago Centro and the Tripel, plus caterers, wineries, florists, vendors and entertainers. Day session 10:30 am-2 pm; evening session 6:30-9:30 pm. $150-$250. Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica, 213.284.3200. pplafoodfare.com
L.A. Marathon
March 9. Twenty-ninth annual footrace begins at Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine and travels 26.2 miles to Santa Monica with entertainment and cheer stations along the way. Finish line at Ocean and California avenues, Santa Monica, 213.542.3000. lamarathon.com
Paleyfest
March 13-28. The Paley Center for Media hosts this annual event with panels from top TV shows including Orange is the New Black, Parks and Recreation and Mad Men. All panels start at 7 pm except for Pretty Little Liars and Marvels Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (1 pm); visit paleycenter.org for schedule. $15-$75. Dolby Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 800.745.3000. media.paleycenter.org
LA Heat: Taste Changing Condiments
Opening March 13. Sriracha and Tapatio hot sauces are two examples of the recent homegrown all-American condiments that have dramatically impacted American cuisine. In a new exhibit, artists pay tribute to Sriracha and TapatÃo hot sauces in a new exhibition at the Chinese American Museum downtown. 425 North Los Angeles St., downtown, 213.485.8567. camla.org
St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival
March 17. All- day street festival enlivens downtown Los Angeles with 20,000 anticipated guests, more than 300 kegs of beer and 100 cases of whiskey. Headquartered at Casey’s Irish Pub. 613 S. Grand Ave., downtown. 213nightlife.com
Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Minimalist Jukebox Festival
March 18-May 4. As part of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Minimalist Jukebox Festival, electro-pioneers Kraftwerk perform eight 3-D concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall downtown (March 18-21); each performance is a perfectly synchronized audio-visual spectacle, complete with new improvisations, pristine digital sound, 3-D projections and animation. The festival continues in April and May with additional performances. 111 S Grand Ave., downtown. laphil.com/MinimalistJukebox
All Star Chef Classic
March 21-23. The three-day foodie event brings together 25 highly acclaimed chefs from around the country to cook in a “Restaurant Stadium” and “Chefs Tasting Arena” in downtown Los Angeles. Dazzle your taste buds during the French Masters Dinner, All-Star Lunch, Grill & Chill and Savor The Season events. LA Live, 800 W Olympic Blvd., downtown. allstarchefclassic.com
Shen Yun
March 22-23. Five thousand years of Chinese history come alive when performers from Shen Yun (below) take the stage at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live downtown. 800 W Olympic Blvd., downtown. shenyun.com
Journey of a Dress
Continuing. Designer Diane von Furstenberg celebrates the 40th anniversary of her iconic wrap dress with an exhibit in the historic May Co. Building in the Miracle Mile District. 6067 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. dvf.com