Coronavirus is wreaking havoc on schools, stores, businesses and events. With in-person concerts, talks, comedy shows, food festivals and other gatherings cancelled, we have turned our events column into a "nonevents" column. It will remain this way as long as social distancing and stay-at-home orders are in effect.
During this difficult time, please consider contributing to your local arts organizations or to individual artists and performers.
Take a virtual tour of the Bradbury Building. Attend the bilingual Los Angeles Libros Festival. Play or watch the LGBT Center's The MisMatch Game ONLINE! Hear risky stories. And check out music performances online presented by L.A.'s notable venues including The Hollywood Bowl, The Ford and the Skirball Cultural Center.
Knott's Berry Farm: Taste of Fall-O-Ween
Knott's Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park
To celebrate the Halloween season, the amusement park offers a new family-friendly outdoor dining and shopping experience on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Dress up in costumes (though face coverings must be worn at all times). Taste themed food and treats, buy exclusive merchandise and items from local makers. A tasting card must be bought in advance at knotts.com and is required for entry.
COST: $35 for five tastes, $20 for three tastes for ages 11 and younger; MORE INFO
Public Enemy: What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down?
The veteran rappers release their first album for Def Jam Recordings in more than two decades on Friday. What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down? Features guest turns by Nas, YG, Rapsody, DJ Premier, Black Thought, Questlove, Cypress Hill, Run-DMC, Ice-T, PMD, George Clinton, Daddy-O, Jahi, The Impossebulls, Mark Jenkins, S1Ws Pop Diesel and James Bomb, and Beastie Boys' Mike D and Ad-Rock. The album's lead-off single is "Fight the Power: Remix 2020."
COST: Varies; MORE INFO
LA Times Food Bowl: Drive-in BBQ & Film
The Drive In at Hotel Figueroa
818 James M Wood Blvd., downtown L.A.
The Yeti Film Tour makes a stop at the hotel's parking lot, screening seven films of human grit and resilience. Tickets include a full BBQ meal. Proceeds will benefit the LA Regional Food Bank.
COST: $60; MORE INFO
Blood/Sugar
This solo show, created, co-written, directed and performed by Diana Wyenn, was originally conceived as a live stage show. Presented by Boston Court Pasadena, the now virtual show follows Wyenn's experience after being diagnosed with diabetes at age 20 in London. Combining the personal with the existential, the show highlights the daily choices that shape the lives of more than 422 million people worldwide. The performance is followed by a conversation with Wyenn, the audience and a local diabetes educator/nutritionist. The livestream link will be emailed after RSVP.
COST: FREE with registration, donations accepted; MORE INFO
Sound/Stage
The LA Phil releases an online collection of concert films and related interviews, essays and artwork. This weekend's program is Love in the Time of COVID, featuring the LA Phil conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, with guest mezzo-soprano J'Nai Bridges. The music includes Lyric for Strings (Walker); Neruda Songs: "Amor mio, si muero y tú no mueras" (Lieberson) and Mahler's Adagietto, from Symphony No. 5.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
PCH Movies and Moonlight
2nd & PCH Top Deck
6400 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach
The sunset movie drive-in series comes to a close this week with a screening of The Fast and the Furious (2001). The screening takes place on the top of the Whole Foods Market parking garage and that FM radio is required for audio. Vehicles required to enter and safety protocols will be enforced.
COST: FREE, standby available; MORE INFO
Home and Community: Musical Traditions with The Quetzal Family Trio
La Plaza de Cultura y Artes hosts an online conversation with and performance by the Quetzal Family Trio -- Martha Gonzalez, Quetzal Flores and their 15-year-old son Sandino Gonzalez-Flores. The ensemble was born during quarantine and they'll discuss new and old traditions as well as original music. Register to view on Zoomor watch on Facebook.
COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
Inside the Bradbury Building
While Esotouric's real-life tours are on hiatus, its new webinar series takes viewers on a 90-minute tour and Q&A of one of the city's best-known landmarks. The 19th century building in DTLA is best known for its closeups in Blade Runner and Double Indemnity. While the webinar airs live, it will be available online through Oct. 3.
COST: $10; MORE INFO
Trust at Home
Skid Row Housing Trust holds a virtual event that celebrates the Trusts' accomplishments in tackling homelessness in L.A. while doubling as a fundraiser for the organization's outreach efforts. Hosts Brooke Burke and Oliver Trevena guide an evening filled with inspiring resident stories and a few drop-in celeb appearances. Registered guests receive a custom four-course meal from husband-and-wife chef team, Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gerigs of Bestia and Bavel, with options for pick up or delivery through Postmates. Dinner also includes a batch cocktail and wine pairing.
COST: Tickets start at $125; MORE INFO
Democracy 2020: Craft and the Election
Craft in America Center
8415 W. Third St., Beverly Grove
The virtual exhibition features works made by 20 Americans artists who address themes key to the 2020 presidential election and the American political landscape. The artists use glass, fiber, ceramics, metal, wood and other common craft-based materials. The artists voice concerns through their work, examining injustice and inequity while potentially instilling hope. In addition to the online exhibition, select works will be safely viewable in the Center's public windows.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Ford Digital Festivals
As part of a new digital series, The Ford theater launches four programs that explore the intersection of music, art, dance and social justice in BIPOC communities. The first program in the series, Solidarity for Sanctuary, brings together Latinx artists including the world premiere of a collaboration between Omar Apollo and members of the LA Phil, performances by Las Cafeteras, Lido Pimienta, San Cha and La Doña and poet Yosimar Reyes. The festival celebrates the late Tejano artist Selena and stresses the importance of voting, immigrant rights, and Black and Brown solidarity. Festivals will be hosted on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and at www.theford.com.
COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
Romantics Anonymous
The Wallis presents the U.S. digital premiere of the musical, which is being performed live on stage at the Bristol Old Vic in Bristol, England. Adapted by Emma Rice from the French-Belgian film Les Émotifs Anonymes, the play follows chocolatier Angélique who infuses the candy with emotions from her daily life, and Jean-René whose chocolate factory is failing. Both turn to self-help tapes or support groups to survive the modern world--and modern love.
COST: $53.71 (£41); MORE INFO
Echo Park Rising
The neighborhood music festival celebrates its 10th anniversary, virtually. Music sets and other performances will be webcast at EPR.LA. Donations and direct support of Echo Park businesses through takeout and delivery is appreciated.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
RISK! Livestream
Listen to storytellers share stories they never thought they'd share in public, over the internet. Hosted by Kevin Allison (MTV's The State), the show features true tales from Angie Chatman, Liz Fisher, Seaton Smith and Nestor "the Boss" Gomez.
COST: $15; MORE INFO
The MisMatch Game ONLINE!
The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's long-running comedy makes its virtual return this weekend. The show is a parody of the 1970s game show The Match Game with producer Dennis "Gene Rayburn" Hensley serving as host. He'll be joined by panel of performers impersonating celebs, including Jackie Beat (Bea Arthur), Julie Brown (Melania Trump), Danny Casillas (Reba Areba), Maile Flanagan (Danny Bonaduce), Chris Pudlo (Peewee Herman), and Marc Samuel (Morgan Freeman) on Saturday night. On Sunday, the cast features Danté (Jack Nicholson), Danielle Gaither (Wendy Williams), Nadya Ginsburg (Cher), Rebekah Kochan (Pamela Anderson), Tom Lenk (Zooey Deschanel or Tilda Swinton) and Felix Pire (Ricardo Montalbán). There will be gift card prizes for winning contestants chosen from the audience via lottery.
COST: $15; MORE INFO
2nd Annual Los Angeles Libros Festival
The family-friendly bilingual book festival features programs live on Facebook and YouTube throughout the day. Watch Spanish and bilingual storytelling, performances, workshops and authors including Alisa Valdés-Rodríguez, Meg Medina and Juan Felipe Herrera.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Virtual Music Under the Stars
The Old Mill, El Molino Viejo in San Marino hosts its first-ever virtual concert on its website and YouTube channel featuring pianist Vanessa Fadial and violinist Cheryl Norman-Brick.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
A Night Out at Home
Kástra Elión vodka holds a virtual charity dinner event that raises funds for The Art of Elysium. Hosted by actor Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), the night features a cocktail demo from Matthew Biancaniello of Eat Your Drink, a performance by Kongos and a three-course paired meal by chef Jennifer Naylor. The meal is available in Los Angeles only and participants must be 21+. $23 of each ticket will be donated.
COST: $23 - $199; MORE INFO
Best of Pitchfork Music Festival Drive-In
The Drive In at Hotel Figueroa
818 James M Wood Blvd., downtown L.A.
Watch the premiere of a selection of the best acts from the Pitchfork Music Festival livestream from the past 15 years. The drive-in ticket price is per car with all ticket proceeds benefiting the Movement for Black Lives. A-Trak DJs live ahead of each of the two screenings. Limited concessions will be available, though BYO is allowed.
COST: $39; MORE INFO
Aditya Prakash Ensemble and Rini
The Skirball Stages virtual concert series continues with American music from the Indian diaspora. Listen to music from an ensemble that combines classical ragas, chants, with jazz and brass arrangements, and hip-hop beats. Composer and violinist Rini performs art rock with her band from her New York City studio especially for the Skirball. The concert will premiere on the Skirball's YouTube channel.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
The Moth International Virtual Mainstage
Listen to personal tales from four storytellers based in London, Nairobi, Johannesburg and Berlin around the theme of "breaking loose." The special international edition is hosted by Moth storyteller Sara Barron and features musical guests Stay Homas.
COST: £12; MORE INFO
Open Fist Theatre Company's 30th Anniversary Virtual Gala & Auction
Celebrate the company's three decades with an online celebration that features special guests including Shoshana Bean (Wicked, Hairspray, Waitress on Broadway), Jason Paige (original singer of the Pokémon theme song and former lead singer of Blood, Sweat and Tears) and Ty Taylor (lead singer of soul/rock band Vintage Trouble). The online auction will be open to allow guests to bid for prizes that include vacations, golf, Comic-Con passes and cooking classes.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Who doesn't miss going out to eat or stopping by a bar for a drink? Here are a few options from restaurants and bars as we work our way back toward normal.
