Best Of LA - Week Of January 25
As January winds down, events in Los Angeles are heating up. Everyday storytellers battle it out with words as their weapons as a radio show favorite hits the stage, and while one Los Angeles restaurant celebrates their anniversary with an amazing drink special, another opens its doors for the first time, offering a new spot to enjoy upscale California cuisine. Several different arts events, ranging from an alternative comedy festival to an evening celebrating Broadway, will have you trekking around different parts of the city, as well as around the floor of the Los Angeles Convention Center. There's a lot to see and eat this week, so get out and enjoy the best of what L.A. has to offer.
The Moth GrandSLAM
The Echoplex
1154 Glendale Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 413-8200
www.theecho.com
If you've only heard The Moth as a Podcast or radio show, now's your chance to see a unique live presentation of the Peabody-winning show. The Moth's usual dedication to finding intriguing people to tell inspired stories is turned upside down during its StorySLAM series, in which the people come to them. With no notes and no scripts, storytellers weave true tales that range from hilarious to heartbreaking. Tonight the winners of the past ten Moth StorySLAMs come together for a battle of wits and words in The Moth's GrandSLAM. The theme of the night is "Now or Never: Stories of no turning back!" and features stories of seizing the day. The 18 and over evening is hosted by Brian Babylon, and will be held at The Echoplex (located just below The Echo). General admission tickets are $25, and doors open at 7pm, with storytelling starting at 8pm.
Celebrate Little Dom's Anniversary with 8-Cent Martinis
Little Dom's
2128 Hillhurst Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 661-0055
www.littledoms.com
Italian eatery Little Dom's is celebrating its 8th anniversary, and wants you to join in on the fun. Located in the heart of Los Feliz, the neighborhood hotspot will be offering 8-cent martinis made with Ventura Spirits Vodka tonight beginning at 5:30pm. Enjoy your martini with their famous rice balls, a customizable margherita pizza, or go straight to dessert with a warm peach tart or peanut butter panna cotta. The bargain drinks will be served up until they run out, so come early and come thirsty.
New Restaurant Opening: Kali
5722 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 871-4160
www.kalirestaurant.com
Long-time friends and professional colleagues Chef Kevin Meehan and Drew Langley are opening the doors of their new restaurant Kali tonight. Located near Paramount Picture Studios, the restaurant will offer Michelin Star experience in a more casual, accessible setting. Meehan's twist on contemporary California cuisine and ingredient-focused cocktails will be accompanied by a curated wine program from Langley. The pair is hoping to create a new space that is the perfect spot for every occasion, from casual post-work drinks, to business dinners, to romantic date nights. Starting tonight, Kali will be open for dinner from 6pm - 10pm, Monday through Saturday.
LA Art Show
Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 South Figueroa St., West Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(561) 822-5440
www.laartshow.com
The most internationally diverse art platform in the Western world is back for another long weekend of amazing art. A once small regional event, the LA Art Show has become the largest and longest running platform for fine art, welcoming over 120 galleries from 22 countries in 150,000 square feet of exhibition space. Included in the lineup is the largest grouping of Korean, Chinese, and Japanese galleries outside of Asia. This year the show launches a newly curated show at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and continues its tradition of sparking global trends from both established and emerging artists. The show opens to the public today, and runs through Sunday. One day or four day ticketing options are available.
Riot LA
Downtown Los Angeles
www.riotla.com
Taking place in eight different downtown venues, Riot LA is Los Angeles' premiere alternative comedy festival. It's a virtual comedy smorgasbourg as the top stand-up comedians in the country are joined by panels, shows, popular podcasts, and more for three days of hilarity. Along with the performances, an area dubbed The Lot will offer a spot to hang out before and after shows. Grab a drink, play games in the PBRcade, dine at local food trucks, and get the most out of your Riot LA experience. The festival opens today and runs through Sunday, and a full schedule can be found here. Both individual and multi-day passes can be purchased for the three-day event.
Museums Free-for-All
Various Museums Around Los Angeles
www.socalmuseums.org
There's no doubt that Los Angeles is home to a lot of great art. Today, over 20 museums will open their doors and invite the public to visit it for free. Museums of art, cultural heritage, natural history, science, and more will be participating in today's event. It's a great time to check out the Natural History Museum, LACMA, Descanso Gardens, or one of the many other great museums Los Angeles has to offer. Check the website for a full list of participating museums, and know before you go that this event does not apply to specially ticketed exhibitions or parking. Also, note that some museums that are normally closed on Saturdays will be offering free admission Sunday.
Night on Broadway
South Broadway between 3rd St. & Olympic Blvd.
www.nightonbroadway.la
Eight years ago L.A. City Councilmember Jose Huizar vowed to "Bring Back Broadway" with an ambitious 10-year plan for Broadway's revitalization. Tonight's Night on Broadway celebrates his initiative with free innovative, multicultural entertainment along South Broadway in Downtown L.A. Seven historic theaters will screen films, as well as feature live performances, interactive art installations, fashion presentations, and more. Outside the theaters, a massive block party will also be taking place during the evening, filling the streets with booths and pop-up shops from local DTLA businesses. A main stage with live musical performances, and a family-friendly kids area will offer entertainment for visitors of all ages. The event is free and takes place from 5pm - 11pm.
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan Presents: Rice
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
135 N. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 972-0711
www.musiccenter.org
Asia's most renowned contemporary dance company, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, is bringing a blend of Asian mythology, folklore, and a modern sensibility to Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center with their performance of Rice. Drawing from Tai Chi, meditation, martial arts, modern dance, and classical ballet, the visually stunning show portrays the unassumingly dramatic life cycle of rice cultivation. From death to rebirth, devastation to resurrection, Rice is truly a story that calls attention to the need to protect the Earth. As an added bonus, ticket holders can get a behind-the-scenes perspective with a short interactive Tai Chi demonstration by Lightning Tai Chi, Inc. as part of the DANCETALKS series, held one hour prior to curtain call.
