Gamers head to Anaheim for a weekend of hacking and gaming. Juggalos take over Pershing Square for a weekend of music and beer. Two local restaurants put a German twist on Mardi Gras. Two shows pay tribute to the music of Ray Charles and Dolly Parton. And Craig Wedren (Shudder to Think) launches his new podcast with a soundbath.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23
DreamHack Anaheim
Anaheim Convention Center -- 800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim
In its 25th year, the gaming lifestyle fest makes its West Coast debut this weekend. Celebrate with other gamers IRL or online through the 24-hour-a-day LAN (Local Area Network) party or through e-sports gaming competitions. Appealing to the diverse interests of gamers, the weekend also features live concerts, film screenings, an escape room, panel discussions, speakers and workshops, and, of course, games. Lots and lots of games.
COST: Day passes start at $49; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22
German Karneval
Wirtsthaus in Hollywood and Rasselbock in Mar Vista
The biergartens host celebrations of German Mardi Gras on Friday and Saturday night beginning at 6 p.m. Listen to music both days and take advantage of food and drink specials. Guests are encouraged to arrive in costume and the best-costumed guest will get a free boot of their favorite beer (21+).
COST: Varies; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21; 7 - 9 P.M.
Enamel Pin Pop-up / Paper Pushers.
Gallery 1988 -- 7308 Melrose Ave., Fairfax
The pop culture gallery holds opening receptions for two shows. The first, Paper Pushers, features affordable works on paper that can be carried home that night. Each piece is priced under $200. The second show is the latest installment of the gallery's LApel Pins series, curated by Midnight Dogs. Purchase the enamel pins directly from some of the pinmakers at the reception for your collection.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 - SUNDAY, MARCH 1
Golden State Film Festival
TCL Chinese 6 Theatres -- 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
The third edition of the indie film festival showcases the film work of emerging filmmakers, competing for prizes and audience and industry exposure. Both feature and short-form films are included in the festival.
COST: Tickets and passes available, $15 - $200; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20 - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23; 12 - 7 A.M.
LA Opera: Eurydice
135 N Grand Avenue Los Angeles CA, 90012
LA Opera's Eurydice has kicked off a love-fest in the form of an entire parallel universe of related events. Through March, artists and scholars across the city will re-examine and re-imagine the ancient myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.
COST: Tickets start at $15; Learn More
SPONSORED
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Juggalo Weekend 2020
Pershing Square -- 532 S Olive St., downtown L.A.
The weekend features concerts headlined by ICP (Insane Clown Posse) on both nights with Powerman 5000 opening on Friday night and Powerflo and Kottonmouth Kings on Saturday. VIP packages and tickets for the 21+ Juggalo Weekend Beer Tasting (Clown Chuggery Beer Fest) are available. Doors at 5 p.m. on both days.
COST: Tickets start at $47.50; MORE INFO
Through SATURDAY, March 7
Magic in the Streets: The Black Arts Movement in Compton
Patria Coffee Shop -- 108 Alameda Street, Compton
View an exhibition of photos by Willie B. Ford Jr. from Cal State LA's Compton Communicative Arts Academy (CCAA) collection. The Black Arts Movement collective helped shape African American art and culture in L.A. through community-based art making, and art-based community making during the late 1960s and 1970s.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26
Il Cinema Ritrovato On Tour
Loyola Marymount University -- 1 Loyola Marymount University Dr., Westchester
LMU's School of Film and Television presents restored and preserved film works from the archives of Cineteca di Bologna. The mini-film festival offers audiences a chance to see works from Jane Campion, Djibril Diop Mambéty, Sergio Leone, Louis Malle and Agnès Varda on the big screen. The fest begins on Friday with Sergio Leone's Once Upon a Time in the West at 7:30 p.m. All films require an RSVP.
COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21; 7 - 9 P.M.
Una Cena Para Desmitificar La Guía de Electores / Demystify the Voter Guide Bilingual Dinner
ICA LA -- 1717 E. 7th St., downtown L.A.
The museum is a voting center for the 2020 Presidential Primary Election starting Saturday. On Friday night, there's a bilingual voter guide learning session and dinner. Bring a laptop if you have one. Prepárense para la Elección Primaria Presidencial en nuestra sesión abierta sobre candidatos y propuestas. Traiga su guía de electores y computadora portátil, y le proporcionáremos recursos, pizza y bebidas. (Si no tienen computadora portátil, algunas computadoras y iPads seran disponible.)
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22; 7:30 - 9:30 P.M.
Blue13 Dance Company
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts -- 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills
The company takes the audience on a journey through hip-hop, modern and traditional Indian dance, challenging cultural stereotypes through a program that includes both world and West Coast premieres. An artist talkback immediately follows Friday's show.
COST: $29 - $79; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23
4th annual Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market
Fairplex -- 1101 W. McKinley Av., Pomona
Shop and browse items from more than 100 curated vintage, antique and handmade vendors. The marketplace also features live music, food and drinks, and tons of design inspo throughout the weekend.
COST: $8 - $25 entry fee; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23
IDEALAB.4: RE/BIRTH
Hot Shot Muffler -- 5507 York Blvd., Highland Park
Girlschool -- the music community founded by musician Anna Bulbrook -- presents two evenings of interdisciplinary performance that explore the theme of change and new beginnings, through the works of Anna Wise. There are two one-hour-long performances each night by Wise, Jon Bap, LA Opera artists, and Pink Siifu, among others. Performances are at 6 and 8:30 p.m. and will start on time.
COST: $30 suggested donation; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 - FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
Ansel Adams: Beauty & Truth
Peter Fetterman Gallery at Bergamot Station -- 2525 Michigan Ave, Santa Monica
The gallery presents a show of seminal and rare works by the renowned master photographer and printmaker. The gelatin silver prints incuded in the exhibition span more than four decades from conception to the creation of the final master print. The opening reception takes place on Saturday from 4 - 7 p.m.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 - MONDAY, JULY 20
afroLAtinidad: mi casa, my city
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes -- 501 N. Main St., downtown L.A.
This major exhibition, which fittingly opens during Black History Month, explores the history and contemporary realities of the Afro-Latinx community in L.A. The exhibition includes art and personal objects from the Afro-Latinx community. afroLAtinidad is being presented concurrently with Sula Bermudez-Silverman: Neither Fish, Flesh, nor Fowl at the California African American Museum and both organizations will jointly present free, related public programs in connection with the two exhibitions.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11
Dehara Yukinori's Sofvi Dismantling II
GR2 Art Gallery -- 2062 Sawtelle Blvd., Sawtelle
Giant Robot 2 - GR2 Gallery presents a solo exhibition by the Japanese artist and illustrator. The show is a sequel to 2018's Sofvi Dismantling, which featured deconstructed, rearranged versions of his soft vinyl art toys. The opening reception with the artist takes place on Saturday from 6:30 - 10 p.m. and there's a workshop with Yukinori on Sunday from 3 - 4:30 p.m.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22; 2 - 4 P.M.
A Negro Leagues Centennial Presentation
La Pintoresca Branch Library -- 1355 N Raymond Ave., Pasadena
In honor of Black History Month and baseball's Negro Leagues centennial, the Baseball Reliquary, the Institute for Baseball Studies and the library welcome author and historian Phil S. Dixon for a discussion and book signing. Dixon discusses the 1934 "barnstorming tour" of Dizzy and Daffy Dean in which they played against Negro League teams. The media's biased coverage of the tour downplayed the contributions of Negro League players such as Satchel Paige, Chet Brewer, Josh Gibson and James "Cool Papa" Bell and perpetuated racism in American sports. Dixon signs copies of his books The Dizzy and Daffy Dean Barnstorming Tour: Race, Media, and America's National Pastime and Wilber "Bullet" Rogan and the Kansas City Monarchs, which will both be for sale at the event.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22; 3 - 4:30 P.M.
Backhausdance With(in) OCMA: Triptych
Orange County Museum of Art -- 1661 W. Sunflower Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92704, USA
The dance company performs an immersive program of original dance creations by artistic director and founder Jennifer Backhaus. The dance pieces respond to OCMA's exhibitions, and audiences are welcome to experience at their own pace.
COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23; 10:30 P.M. - 12 A.M.
Davy Rothbart's 'Found Magazine' Show
The Los Angeles Theatre Center -- 514 S. Spring St., downtown L.A.
IAMA Theatre Company presents the first of three late-night dates of Rothbart's show, in which he shares from his collection of discarded notes and letters including photos, love notes, grocery lists and other finds. Rothbart, who created the magazine in 2001, presents found items that provide a "glimpse into someone else's life" from contributors around the world. The two other shows take place Monday, March 2 at 10:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 21 at 10:30 p.m. Each of these shows follows a performance of Found: A New Musical, a new play based on Rothbart's story that stars Jonah Platt (Wicked).
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23; 11 A.M. - 5 P.M.
Afro Latinx Festival
Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) -- 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach
Celebrate the many cultures of Latin America and their African influences. The family festival showcases customs from African and Mestizo peoples through art workshops, food, face painting and live performances.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23; 3 - 5 P.M.
Drumfolk
Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts --18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge
In time for Black History Month, watch the West Coast premiere of Step Afrika's show chronicling and celebrating the African American experience through drumming, percussion and dance. The event also features guest DJ and producer Taylor McFerrin.
COST: $36 - $65; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23; 5:30 - 7:30 P.M.
'Sabbath Sessions' Sound Bath and Launch Party with Craig Wedren
Wanderlust Hollywood -- 1357 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood
Musician and composer Craig Wedren (Shudder to Think) launches his new podcast Sabbath Sessions, with a group sound bath using music from the podcast. Each episode of his show features original meditative music written and performed live in various locations around the globe. A reception follows. All ages.
COST: $15 - $20; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23; 7 - 9 P.M.
Georgia On My Mind: A Celebration of Ray Charles and His Music
Irvine Barclay Theatre -- 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine
The show pays tribute to one of the greatest musicians ever, who traversed the blues, gospel, R&B, rock, country music and jazz genres. Listen to hit after hit at this celebration, including "Hit the Road Jack," "Baby It's Cold Outside," "Alexander's Ragtime Band" and "Georgia On My Mind." Performers include Take 6; Nnenna Freelon, Clint Holmes and jazz saxophonist-songwriter Kirk Whalum.
COST: $45 - $75; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23; 9 A.M. - 3 P.M.
CicLAvia: South LA
Central Ave. in South L.A.
Get outside for the first CicLAvia of the year. Ride, walk, jog or skate the six-mile route that connects South Central, Florence-Firestone and Watts. (Check out the special rules for e-bikes.) People of all ages and abilities are welcome to participate and discover the neighborhood. There are several activity hubs along the route with restrooms, bike repair, water, first aid and activities.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23; 9 - 11 P.M.
The Sunday Night Revue: Celebrating The Music of Dolly Parton
Hotel Cafe -- 1623 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood
End the week on the right note, watching musicians play music of the great Dolly Parton on the Main Stage. The venue is 21+.
COST: $10; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23 - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24; 9 P.M. - 12 A.M.
Black History Month: Lonnie Liston Smith w/ The Katalyst
Lodge Room -- 104 N. Avenue 56, Highland Park
Jazz Is Dead presents a night of cosmic funk with Smith with The Katalyst -- who played with jazz greats including Pharoah Sanders and Miles Davis. Get there early for opening DJ sets by Cut Chemist and Garth Trinidad.
COST: $30; MORE INFO
