Weekend Roundup
Find the best Los Angeles things to do for the weekend of 05.17.13
EVENTS
Venice Artwalk and Auctions
May 19. Tour the studios of some of Venice’s most exciting artists and take home a piece of their work during this 35th annual art event. Google headquarters in Venice hosts the silent auction and a fun- and food-packed community celebration. Studio tours begin at 11 am; art walk and auctions, 12:30 pm at Google Los Angeles (340 Main St., Venice). $50–$150. theveniceartwalk.org
Fusion Fridays at Pacific Asia Museum
May 17. The summer-long series features a dynamic mix of art, interactive experiences and live performances, all within the museum’s iconic building. The 2013 premiere offers an Indonesian shadow puppet performance plus peeks behind the scenes, live gamelan music, and DJ Arshia’s special Bollywood dance mix. Future dates are Jun. 21, July 19 and Aug. 16. 7:30-10:30 p.m. 46 North Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, 626.449.2742. pacificasiamuseum.org
Bike Night at The Hammer
May 17. Celebrate all things bicyclistic at the Hammer Museum. Free festivities include bicycle portraits, a screening of the 1983 Australian action movie BMX Bandits (starring a young, not-yet-famous Nicole Kidman), bicycle-centric crafts, and free admission to Llyn Foulkes. Guest hosted by artist and bicycle enthusiast/activist Lisa Anne Auerbach. 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood, 310.443.7000. hammer.ucla.edu
#CarFreeLA Photo Tour of LA Music
May 19. Instagram your finds while you explore LA’s famous musical past on foot and using Metro. Highlights of the car free photo tour include drinks at the Andaz West Hollywood along the Sunset Strip; a visit to Amoeba Music, the world’s largest independent record store; Michael Jackson’s star along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and much more. This is just one of seven “car free” vacation itineraries offered by the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board which gives locals and travelers a new way to experience the hidden gems of L.A. via foot, bike and metro; you can view the rest HERE. 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. View the full itinerary and sign up to attend: discoverlosangeles.com
Bug Fair
May 18-19. Cradle a bug or two in your palms and learn about the homes and habits of a wide variety of roaming insects from Entomology Curator Dr. Brian Brown. Experts will also be on hand to answer bug-related questions. Also find live animal presentations, citizen science projects, crafts, live music, and some of the greatest bug chefs in the world. 900 Exposition Blvd., downtown, 213.763.3466. nhm.org
Pride Dance Party
May 18. Celebrate Long Beach Gay Pride while dancing the night away on the open-air sports deck aboard the Queen Mary. Internationally acclaimed DJs Manny Lehman and Ryan Kenney will set the floor on fire with party anthems and the latest club hits as guests celebrate under the stars with world class dancers, a dazzling laser show and drink specials all night long. Don your nautical-inspired costume and compete in Poseidon’s Hunky Sailor Contest for a chance to win a piece of the $1,000 prize booty. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $29 online, $40 at the door. The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 800.437.2834. queenmary.com
SHOP
Celebrate 25 Years with Ted Baker
May 16. Stop by the Robertson and Santa Monica Place Ted Baker boutiques for a 25% off styles all day long, in addition to in-store celebratory activities, including sweet treats and other specials from 6-9 p.m. RSVP HERE. 131 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.550.7855; Santa Monica Place, 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica. tedbaker-london.com
OPERA
Tosca
May 18, 26, 30; Jun. 2, 5, 8. A fiery prima donna is forced to play a role she never imagined when she becomes trapped between her allegiance to her rebel lover and the scheming of a treacherous police chief who will stop at nothing in his lust for her. The explosive triangle comes to a hair-raising conclusion in one of opera’s bloodiest, most intense dramas. 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.7211. laopera.com
The Marriage of Figaro
May 17, 19, 23, 25. Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic join forces with architect Jean Nouvel, couturier Azzedine Alaïa and director Christopher Alden for this fully staged opera production at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Soloists include Christopher Maltman and Dorothea Röschmann. 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 323.850.2000. laphil.com
Designing the Marriage of Figaro
May 18. In conjunction with Pacific Standard Time Presents, the LA Phil will host a discussion with architect Jean Nouvel and designer Azzedine Alaïa, who created the sets and costumes for this year’s production of The Marriage of Figaro. Taking place on the Figaro set at Walt Disney Concert Hall, and moderated by LA Phil President & CEO Deborah Borda, this talk explores the set’s relationship to the Hall and the unique nature of this collaborative, interdisciplinary series. 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 323.850.2000. laphil.com
EAT | DRINK
Dine Poolside at Altitude
Opens May 19. Normally reserved for hotel guests only, everyone can now snag a spot poolside at Altitude, on the sixth floor of the SLS Hotel. Dine on a weekday breakfast and lunch menu by Culinary Director José Andrés while enjoying the sweeping views from Beverly Hills to the Hollywood Hills. Signature fare includes the Croissantini, a pressed croissant sandwich with eggs, chicken sausage and herbed cream cheese; Beverly Hills ‘Bikini’ grilled cheese with mozzarella, sharp cheddar and truffles; and the SLS Seafood Bowl with king crab, lobster, sea urchin, shrimp, scallops and oysters. Also enjoy poolside cocktails and more. Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Cabana reservations are available Saturdays and Sundays. 465 S. La Cienega Blvd., L.A., 310.246.5552. slsbeverlyhills.com
Chi Lin
West Hollywood’s newest hotspot for Hong Kong-inspired cuisine from chef Cecile Tang (JOSS) has just opened its doors on Sunset Blvd. Dine on signature dishes like Maine Lobster Cantoness Xiong-Tong with ginger and scallion over house-made noodles; Hong Kong Pin Pei Chicken carved and served with hand-made porbien crêpes, plum sauce, and julienned cucumbers and scallions; Seared A-5 Japanese Wagyu New York served with chef’s special Xo sauce and coarse sea salt; among others. Open daily for dinner. 9201 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.278.2068. innovativedining.com
Badmaash
At downtown’s newest Indian gastropub mashup, you can dine on Bombay street cart favorites fused with classic pub fare. Take a seat in the dining room where a two-story feature wall composed of boldly-colored steel and wood stripes (celebrating color found in traditional elements like saris, spices and mandalas) serves as your backdrop on one side and a wall of Bollywood movie posters dons another, and dig into dishes like chicken tikka masala poutine, spicy lamb burger, tandoori spiced chicken wings, among others. Badmaash (which actually means “badass” in Hindi) is open for dinner daily with lunch arriving soon. 108 West 2nd St., downtown, 213.221.7466. BadmaashLA.com
Dominick’s Crawfish Boil
May 18, 25. Celebrated West Hollywood Italian eatery Dominick’s brings back a festive local favorite: its annual crawfish boils. Drawing upon his New Orleans heritage, chef Brandon Boudet takes over the eatery’s patio to boil 300 pounds of Louisiana crawfish. In addition to the crawfish, available for $11.99 per pound, diners can enjoy a selection of Boudet’s Big Easy-inspired dishes, including Po’ Boy sub sandwiches, Creole boiled artichokes with remoulade and Dominick’s Dago red, white and prosecco wines by the bottle and beer. For dessert, the chef offers New Orleans Sno Balls—snow cones drizzled with house-made syrups—in multiple flavors, served with an optional shot of Old New Orleans spiced rum. Space is limited; reservations recommended. Noon to 4 p.m. 8715 Beverly Blvd., L.A., 310.652.2335. dominicksrestaurant.com
THEATER
The Scottsboro Boys
May 21-Jun. 30. Musical based on a true story about nine African American men accused of a violent crime they didn’t commit. Five-time Tony Award®-winner Susan Stroman (The Producers) directs and choreographs with a book by David Thompson (Chicago revival) and music and lyrics by John Kander & Fred Ebb. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
The Royale
Through Jun. 2. Discover six intense rounds of riveting storytelling punctuated by syncopated dialogue at the world premiere of Marco Ramirez’s The Royale. Jay “The Sport” Jackson wants a shot at the world title in a time when black and white boxers did not face off. And he’s out to win at ANY cost. No matter the consequences. The Center Theatre Group claims that you’ve never seen, heard or felt a play like this. Wells Fargo is a proud supporter of the Center Theatre Group. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Through Jun. 9. In this historic drama by playwright August Wilson, The Great Migration brings a revolving band of strangers to Seth and Berta Holly’s Pittsburgh boarding house. They are migrating to the industrial North in search of work, a new life, somewhere to belong. Phylicia Rashad directs. Wells Fargo is a proud supporter of the Center Theatre Group. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
Agony and The Ecstasy of Steve Jobs
May 15, 29; Jun. 5. Los Angeles audiences finally get the chance to see Mike Daisey’s highly controversial show that examines globalization through the rise and fall and rise of Apple, and the price we pay for our technology. Daisey has now revised the original piece (that ran at New York City’s Public Theater), after his performance of it on This American Life (one of the most downloaded of all time) was retracted for facts being embellished. Daisey made the new script public with this caveat: “The transcript is a theatrical blueprint which can amended or changed as you see fit.” Now, Ovation Award-winning actor Alex Lyras puts his own spin on the work in his first return to the Los Angeles stage since his award-winning play The Common Air debuted in 2008. $20. 8 p.m. Theatre Asylum, 1076 Lillian Way, L.A., 800.838.3006. brownpapertickets.com
