Best Activities To Do This Week In L.A. - April 18

Whether you're coming from Coachella, or still suffering from FOMO from not going, there's lots to keep you occupied this week. On Monday, a seasonally-based, four course winemaker dinner will perfectly pair some great California wines with food sourced from the Santa Monica Farmers Market. A play taking place during the Civil War offers you the chance to see some of your favorite television actors on stage, while the newly instituted "Eat. Drink. Be an Angel Day" gives you the opportunity to dine out for a good cause. Famed cellist Joshua Roman stops by Zipper Hall downtown to both host and perform an evening of Bach suites, and an Earth Day celebration on Friday will have you seeing, and feeling green. This weekend, you won't want to miss a special brunch with cooking demo on Saturday in Manhattan Beach, or the last chance to see Shen Yun in its Los Angeles run.

Winemaker Dinner
aestus
507 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(424) 268-4433
www.aestusrestaurant.com

Wine and dine yourself this Monday with an intimate, four course dinner at aestus. Sourced directly from the Santa Monica Farmers Market, the menu includes house-cured charcuterie, lobster risotto, seared duck breast, and wood-fire grilled ribeye. Owner Kevin O'Conner will be pairing the seasonally-based dishes with wines from his Santa Rosa-based winery LIOCO. Both O'Conner and co-founder Matt Licklider will hand-select wines from their current releases, as well as special selections from their library and magnum to delight your tastebuds.

Father Comes Home From The Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3)
Mark Taper Forum
135 N Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 628-2772
www.centertheatregroup.org

The Mark Taper Forum is proud to welcome Pulitzer Prize winner, and MacArthur "Genius" Award recipient, Suzan-Lori Parks' newest play to its stage. Packed with actors from of some of television's best, the show is lead by Sterling K. Brown (The People vs. O.J. Simpson) and Michael McKean (Better Call Saul, This is Spinal Tap), and is set against the backdrop of the Civil War. The play tells the powerful story of a slave named Hero, who must choose whether or not to join his master in the ranks of the Confederacy for the chance to gain his freedom. Will he leave behind those he loves to fight a nation at war with itself, for what could be an empty promise? Tonight's performance is followed by a Stage Talk, where artistic staff give audience members a chance to hear directly from the play's creators and actors.

"Eat. Drink. Be an Angel Day."
Various Locations
www.angelfood.org

Restaurants around the city are helping you dine out for a good cause today, as they celebrate "Eat. Drink. Be an Angel Day." Eateries ranging from Pick Up Stix to The Abbey to Craft will be participating in this one-day event benefitting Project Angel Food. Committed to helping provide nutritious meals for homebound individuals suffering from life threatening illnesses, the organization serves and delivers more than 10,000 free meals every week throughout Los Angeles County. Can't make it out? No problem, Postmates will contribute 10% of all sales from participating restaurants in the "Eat. Drink. Be An Angel Day" store in the app. So leave it to the professionals and have a meal out - you didn't want to cook dinner tonight anyway.

Baroque Conversations
Zipper Concert Hall at The Colburn School
200 South Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.laco.org

Host and cellist Joshua Roman welcomes you to another installment of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's Baroque Conversations. As part of his two-week guest artist residency, the talented cellist will perform three of Bach's landmark suites for unaccompanied cello: Suite No. 3 in C major, Suite No. 2 in D minor, and Suite No. 6 in D major. The suites are considered some of Bach's greatest works, and are among the most widely performed cello works ever written. Roman will introduce the music to the audience, and will hold a Q&A at the conclusion of the concert. Arrive early for a complimentary wine reception in the lobby at 6:00pm.

Earth Day LA
Grand Park
200 N Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.grandparkla.org

Show Mother Earth some love today and celebrate Earth Day downtown at Grand Park from 9am - 2pm. This year, the Music Center, Grand Park, and LADWP are collaborating to show Angelenos how to live clean and go green. The event will offer the opportunity for you to dump any of that old e-waste you have lying around the house, and will have energy efficiency and water conservation displays. While you're there, grab some lunch and check out a special tour of the park's sustainable landscaping, as well as artwork by Calder Greenwood. You can also burn a little energy yourself and take part in yoga and boot camp classes throughout the morning. Leave with a sweet door prize of a free tree if you live or own property within the city of Los Angeles (while supplies last).

Visit our list of the Best Earth Day Specials In L.A.

Cooking Demo + Brunch
Love & Salt
317 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 545-5252
www.priceless.com

It's the ultimate chance to see where your food comes from this morning at Love & Salt. Chef Michael Fiorelli will teach you the secret to making the perfect English muffin in a hands-on demonstration. The hour-long demo will give you the chance to get your hands dirty, and knead the dough before the muffins are finished in the kitchen. After the demo, enjoy a mimosa and brunch in the restaurant's private dining room. Along with the English muffins, warm Italian donuts, Nutella toast, and a variety of brunch entrees like ricotta pancakes and chicken parmesan sandwiches will be available to eat. All that for just $65 makes it a perfect way to start your weekend.

Shen Yun
Microsoft Theater
777 Chick Hearn Ct.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(800) 880-0188
www.shenyun.com

For almost ten years Shen Yun has been enjoyed by millions around the world, and tonight is the last chance to see it during its Los Angeles run. Each year a new production is created, with this year's including 60 authentically costumed dancers and a 40-piece orchestra. Performed in front of a 30-foot interactive video screen, the show will transform you to imperial courts, the mountains of Tibet, the shores of a Dai village, and the sprawling plains of Mongolia. Over 20 Chinese tales are told in this year's iteration of Shen Yun, and will be performed twice today at 1pm and 6pm.