Best Of LA - Week Of December 7
Angelenos have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to fun activities this week. A night of magic will transform any case of the Mondays you might be experiencing, and an anniversary party at a Hollywood throwback bar is sure to create a great start to the week. After a middle of the week visit to one of LA's newest and most unique dessert spots, it's all about embracing the holiday spirit the rest of the week. The LA Zoo amps up its Zoo Lights series with a special happy hour, and Los Angeles Master Chorale's Carol Bus will spread cheer as it makes its way through the city. A pub crawl through Santa Monica and a true snow day in the valley cap off a week that's sure to keep your social calendar full.
Magic Mondays
Odyssey Theatre
2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
310-450-2849
www.magicmondayla.com
Start the week with a little magic at Odyssey Theater's Magic Monday cabaret series. Each week, audience members can enjoy a cocktail during Academy of Magical Arts Strolling Magic Champion Jordan Gold's pre-show at 7:30pm, followed by a different line-up of some of the finest magicians, illusionists, and slight of hand performers in the world. Tonight the theater welcomes Naathan Phan, who has been featured on Tosh.0, America's Got Talent, and was a winner on Syfy's Wizard Wars. He'll be joined by television writer and magic effects creator David Regal, whose background in live comedy will leave the audience both mystified and cracking up. Tickets are $25, and all ages are welcome to this mind-bending show.
MiniBar 6-Month Anniversary Party
MiniBar
6141 Franklin Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 798-4939
www.minibarhollywood.com
MiniBar Hollywood is excited to mark their 6-month anniversary, and wants you to help them celebrate. Enjoy drink specials like their $10 Hibiki shots and "The Funny Bubble," a dry gin gimlet on ice topped with sparkling moscato and fernet float. Pair your bubbly with waffle brownies, mini cheeseburgers, turkey club bites, and more snacks from neighboring 101 Coffee Shop. No party would be complete without a little swag, so gifts and prizes will also be given out from Coronado Brewing Company and Little Dom's. Doors open at 5pm, and DJ Rezound starts spinning at 9pm to really get the party going.
Bo Nuage
9523 Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(424) 335 0491
www.bonuage.com
Recently opened Parisian-style pastry shop Bo Nuage is Beverly Hills' newest unique dessert hotspot, and should definitely be on your Must Try list. Each "cloud" cake, made of two layers of meringue, filled and covered with flavored whipped cream, and topped with shaved chocolate, is as beautiful as it is delicious. As a certified Kosher shop, Bo Nuage is a great option for those trying to keep or give Kosher during Hanukkah. It's also a nice, lighter break from the typically heavy desserts found during the holiday season. Several gluten-free and dairy-free options are available as well in the 15 flavors they handcraft daily.
L.A. Zoo Lights Holiday Happy Hour
Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 644-4200
www.lazoolights.org
Check out L.A. Zoo Lights in style tonight with a special Holiday Happy Hour ticket. Tonight only the zoo offers the option to the 21+ crowd that includes several great perks. Skip-the-line entry at 6pm will get you into the zoo straight away so you can head right to the heated private lounge, open from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. There you'll find complimentary hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer, and specialty holiday cocktails to enjoy. Once you've filled up on drinks and snacks, stroll through the expanded area of the zoo that has been transformed into a winter wonderland full of glowing light animals and displays. Real reindeer will be hanging out in an alpine village setting, and Santa Claus will be there to take pictures with zoo goers. A limited number of Holiday Happy Hour tickets are available, and must be purchased to enjoy the VIP entry and lounge.
Los Angeles Master Chorale Carol Bus
Pick-Up at West Hollywood Library
625 North San Vicente Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(213) 972-7282
www.lamc.org
Hop aboard Los Angeles Master Chorale's one-horse open sleigh (disguised as a red double-decker bus) for a musical trip around West Hollywood. Professional singers from the LA Master Chorale will lead riders through a souvenir songbook, full of the season's most popular carols. You'll be a part of a number of pop-up concerts, as the bus stops by the 3rd Street Farmers Market, The Grove, Santa Monica Boulevard, and Melrose Avenue to bring joy to bustling shoppers and sightseers. In addition to the songbook, the tour also includes hot chocolate, Christmas cookies, and a stop at a local pub for hot toddies or mulled wine to keep you going as you sing your way through the city. Advanced ticket purchase is required, and riders must be 21 and over.
Holiday Lights at the Getty
The Getty Museum
1200 Getty Center Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 440-7300
www.getty.edu
The already stunning grounds of the Getty are a little more magical this time of year. Every Saturday this month, the Getty will be open until 9pm, and will be decked out in festive holiday lighting. The illuminated grounds of the Getty and twinkling lights of the city are sure to fill you with the holiday spirit, as will the complimentary mulled cider. The festive atmosphere continues inside, with The Edible Monument: the Art of Food for Festivals, and Eat, Drink and Be Merry: Food in the Middle Ages and Renaissance currently on exhibit. A visit to the Getty is also the perfect excuse to visit the Getty Store and stock up on unique holiday gifts for friends and family. Admission is always free, and parking after 4pm is reduced to $10. With the extended hours, you can also take advantage of the Pay Once, Park Twice program, offering same-day parking at both the Getty Center and the Getty Villa for one $15 fee.
7th Annual SANTA Monica Pub Crawl
Santa Monica, CA
www.santamonicapubcrawl.com
Drinking is always more fun when it's for a good cause, so you can drink joyfully at the 7th Annual SANTA Monica Pub Crawl, with proceeds going to Westside Food Bank to help those in need during the holidays. Over 30 local bars and restaurants across the area will be participating in the event, with four different routes along Wilshire Blvd., Main Street, The Pier, and Third Street Promenade. Food and drink specials will be offered throughout the routes, including $3 beers and $5 shots and well drinks, $3 slices at Joe's Pizza, half price flatbreads at Del Frisco's Grille, and much more. Crawlers are encouraged to don their best Santa/holiday attire to fill the streets of Santa Monica with merry cheer, with an award going to the most impressively decked out drinker. Or sign up with at least four other friends to take part in the Santa Scavenger Challenge for more chances to win. An official after party will be held at WOKano, and is not included in the $12 ticket price.
5th Annual Winter Family Festival
Studio City Recreation Center (Beeman Park)
12621 Rye St.
Studio City, CA 91604
www.studiocityresidents.org
The last thing you'd expect to see in the valley is snow, but today 70 tons of the white stuff will cover the ground of Beeman Park for sledding and snowman building. Local schools, community groups, and professional musicians will entertain with live music, and lots of activities for the whole family will be available. Build a gingerbread house, get your face painted, sample eats from local restaurants, make a holiday card for the troops, and get your picture taken with Santa at this free event. Families are encouraged to donate items at the on-site Festival of Giving, and will be entered to win a prize, including a pass to Universal Studios Hollywood. The event runs from 1:00pm - 4:00pm, and parking is free at CBS Studio Center.
