Friday
Help welcome the young and highly-talented alto saxophonist Josh Johnson to the City of Angels at the Blue Whale Jazz+Art Space in Little Tokyo. Johnson recently moved to L.A. from Chicago following an invitation to join UCLA’s prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. His quintet plays from 9 p.m. to midnight and admission is just $10. Helpful hint: the Blue Whale does not take reservations, so arrive early to ensure you get tickets and a seat! (Metro Gold Line to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station)
If rock and roll is more your style, From Pop to the Pit, a new photo exhibit celebrating L.A.’s 80s music scene, opens today at the Central Library. Vintage prints of Mötley Crüe, The Go-Gos, X, Minutemen, Social Distortion, The Runaways, Red Hot Chili Peppers and more will be on display in the History & Genealogy Department until June 28. Library hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays; admission is free. (Metro Red/Purple Line to Pershing Square Station, Metro Rapid 720 to 5th/Grand.)
Seems Legit gathers a revolving cast of guest comics at Meltdown Comics’ NerdMelt Showroom for a side-splitting game of “true or false?” See if you can tell which outrageous yarn is pure… fiction. The show runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m.; tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. And if you decide to do a little shopping, your TAP card will save you 10% on Meltdown purchases. (Metro Bus 2/302 to Sunset/Gardner or Metro Red Line to Hollywood/Highland Station, then walk approximately 20 minutes south on Highland, west on Sunset to Meltdown Comics.)
Saturday
Want to know the story behind your favorite mural in Downtown L.A.? Join Hector H. Calderon, founder of the LA Bomb Squad and internationally-recognized street art pioneer for a tour of some of the greatest street art in the neighborhood. The two-mile tour takes place from 11 a.m. to noon and begins at the corner of Garey and 2nd Street in the Arts District. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased here. (Metro Gold Line to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station.)
Calling all fans of foreign flicks: From 1 to 3 p.m., the Egyptian Theatre is hosting a panel dedicated to this year’s Golden Globe Foreign-Language Nominees. Get acquainted with the films and hear from their directors in person! The event is free but RSVPs are required. (Metro Red Line to Hollywood/Highland Station, Metro Rapid 780 or Bus 156/656 to Hollywood/Highland, or Bus 212/312, 217, or 222 to Hollywood/Las Palmas.)
Sunday
If you’re asking yourself why the Annenberg Beach House cares so much about Marion Davies b-day, well, the house (pictured above) originally belonged to Ms. Davies.
The Annenberg Community Beach House is throwing a belated birthday party for Golden-Age movie starlet Marion Davies. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. step back in time with photos and stories highlighting the life and personality of Davies, a screening of Show People, and live tunes from the 20s and 30s. Guests of all ages are welcome and encouraged to don their favorite Gold Coast era attire. Make a reservation for this free event online or call 310-458-4904, as space is limited. (Big Blue Bus 4 to 4th/Marguerita then walk west on Marguerita Avenue, or Metro Rapid 720 to Ocean/Wilshire then walk north on Ocean Avenue.)
Did you know the origins of the cheeseburger can be traced back to a Pasadena diner in 1924? Starting today through Friday, Jan 16, Pasadena restaurants will be honoring the eternal genius of cheese + meat with Cheeseburger Week, where special burgers and deals abound. Hungry yet? For more info, click here. (Metro Gold Line to Lake, Memorial Park or Del Mar Station.)
All weekend
Whether you’re a basketball or hockey fan, there’s a game for you at the Staples Center this weekend! On Friday, the Lakers take on Orlando at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday it’s the Clippers vs. Dallas at 12:30 p.m.; and Sunday the Kings skate against Winnipeg at 7 p.m. Bonus for Kings and Clippers fans: your TAP card saves you 10% on official merchandise at the team store–score! (Metro Blue/Expo Line to Pico Station or Metro Red Line to 7th Street/Metro Center, then walk 10 minutes southwest on Figueroa Street.)
Categories: Go Metro