We hope you’re having a great week so far, because with all the holiday fun time activities we have for you and the fam this week it’s only going to get better. The LA Phil will be playing the score to Home Alone live to picture at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Craft Contemporary’s Holiday Marketplace will be happening with local artisan vendors, the American Contemporary Ballet will be performing their version of The Nutcracker, and so much more. You also have a Bee Gees documentary screening at the Grammy Museum, and Art + Meditation at LACMA to work into your schedule. Hope you can make the time!
Arts & Culture
Join the Academy Museum on Saturday, December 4 at 2 p.m. for Animating Realities: Social Impact Documentary Shorts. Each film in this series demonstrates innovations in the field of animation and shows how a film’s impression on an audience can create real change in the world, even if it’s only minutes long. A discussion will follow the screening. The cost is $10 for Adults, $7 for seniors, and $5 for students and kids.
Or enjoy a delightful afternoon at the Hollywood Heritage Museum at a free in-person event on Saturday, December 4 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The 10th Annual Afternoon with the Authors will take place at the Barn and feature over 12 well-known authors including Julie Anderson, Piper Cochran, Manny Pacheco, and William Wellman, Jr. For the past 10 years, the museum has been proud to present free programs highlighting new and classic Hollywood books and the authors who wrote them. Last year was all virtual, but this year will be in-person and online so even more people can participate.
And on Tuesday, December 7, the Grammy Museum will present Reel to Reel: The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, a special screening of the Emmy-winning documentary film from 7-9 p.m. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Frank Marshall, the film is an intimate exploration of the Gibb story, featuring revealing interviews with oldest brother Barry and archival interviews with the late twin brothers Robin and Maurice. The film features a wealth of never-before-seen archival footage as well as interviews with musicians Eric Clapton, Chris Martin, Justin Timberlake and many others. A panel discussion will follow. Tickets are $15 and still available, but hurry!
If you’re looking for more art and meditation in your life, RSVP for Art + Meditation at LACMA on Thursday, December 9. It’s not surprising that ink calligraphy and painting have a long tradition rooted in meditation. For this event, you’ll be engaging in a slow art-looking exercise in conjunction with the exhibition Ink Dreams: Selections from the Fondation INK Collection, followed by meditation. No meditation experience necessary; instruction will be given. This free in-person event will take place on the Smidt Welcome Plaza from 10-11 a.m. An RSVP is required. There’s a bunch of other great workshops, screenings, and programs on the calendar as well, so be sure to click on the link and look it over.
Christmas and Hanukkah and Holiday Cheer
The American Contemporary Ballet will be presenting an enchanting, immersive version of the Tchaikovsky classic The Nutcracker from now until December 24. Their production, The Nutcracker Suite, promises a “sumptuous experience for all five senses” and shouldn’t be missed! Tickets are $25-$100. ACB is located on Sycamore Ave. in Hollywood.
And Christmastime just isn’t the same without watching everyone’s favorite, Home Alone, one or two times, so why not let one of those times be at the historic Hollywood Legion Theater or Drive-In! This Saturday, December 4, the theater will have an indoor showing at 3 p.m. for a family matinee and the Drive-In show will start at 7 p.m. Tickets for the indoor theater are $15 for adults and $13 for military, students, and children. Drive-in tickets are $30 per car and include soda, candy, and unlimited popcorn.
Next up is shopping, I really do love it, even around this time of year, so it’s always exciting to announce a shopping event. This year’s Holiday Marketplace at Craft Contemporary will be happening on Saturday, December 4 from 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, December 5 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. There’s also a preview brunch on Saturday from 10- 11:30 a.m., which includes a light breakfast, festive refreshments, early access to the market, and first dibs on a curated selection of holiday crafts and local artisan delights. All visitors will enjoy music and complimentary refreshments while they shop. The cost for the Saturday preview is $40 ($35 for members), and $9 at the door after 11:30 a.m. And Sunday is pay-what-you-can day, yay!
LA County Parks and Recreation’s program Parks After Dark returns for the winter season with free activities at more than 30 LA County parks. Bring your family and friends to one of these park locations for a snow day with more than 40 TONS of snow! Enjoy a sled hill and snow play area, Santa visit, holiday crafts, a filled holiday stocking for every child (while supplies last), hot chocolate station, food giveaway and more. Snow days will take place on the following weekends: December 3-4, 10-11, and 17-18.
And for some family Chanukah cheer, get the kids ready and make your way over to the Original Farmers Market on Sunday, December 5 from 1-3:30 p.m. Join children’s entertainer and music educator Doda Mollie at 1 p.m. on the Market Plaza for the Chanukah Pajamikah! Show and enjoy hands-on Chanukah activities with PJ Library and The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles from 1:30-3:30 p.m. P.S. PJ Library is an organization that partners with communities around the world to provide families raising Jewish children with free, high-quality children’s books, music, and resources that celebrate Jewish values.
Another artisan marketplace is coming together at The Ebell of Los Angeles on Wednesday, December 8 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Ebell’s 2021 Holiday Boutique and Luncheon is happening this week, and the boutique is free and open to all! The Luncheon, however, is open to members and their guests only at the cost of $750 per table of 10 or $75 a person, and includes a 3 course meal and wine service. Luncheon tickets must be purchased in advance. For all the non-mems, outdoor seating in the garden will be available from 12-5 p.m. The cost is $30 for a Boxed Lunch, which includes an artisan sandwich, individual champagne and charcuterie plate (gluten free option is also available). Submitted proof of full vaccination is required, please check website for further details.
On the Boulevard this week, Chevalier’s Books in partnership with Wilshire Boulevard Temple is bringing it home for Christmas with jazz singer Jan Daley, as she remembers Bob Hope on Friday, December 10 at 5 p.m. Come to Chevalier’s for an autograph and listening party with Jan Daley as the music from her Christmas album, Home for Christmas, plays throughout the store. This event is free, but don’t forget to RSVP.
As noted above, Home Alone will always hold a special place in my holiday heart, and here’s yet another chance to see this American gem outside of your home this week. The LA Phil, conducted by David Newman, will perform John Williams’ score live to picture at three special screenings of the holiday classic at Walt Disney Concert Hall, starting next Friday, December 10 at 8 p.m. With a concert on Saturday, December 11 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 12 at 2 p.m. Tickets are still available and range from $60-$200. And be sure to arrive early for pre-concert drinks and merriment.
History & Community
Inspired by the ciclovía events that started 45 years ago in Bogotá, Columbia, more than 5 miles of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in South LA will be closed to car traffic this Sunday, and open to bikes, skateboards, skates, scooters (the non-motorized kind), or pedestrians during CicLAvia – South LA. Come celebrate 10 years of open streets on Sunday, December 5 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., where you can breathe fresher air and feel the love of community. There is no starting point or finish line, so feel free to go at your own pace and explore the area (see this guide to local gems and rules of the route). This is a free event for people of all ages and abilities, with only people-powered vehicles allowed (motorized wheelchairs are the exception).
St. Brendan School will be hosting a Children’s Hospital Los Angeles blood drive on Thursday, December 9 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Every month, CHLA has to collect 2,000 units of blood to meet the needs of its patients. Please schedule an appointment for next week where each donation (1 pint) can help save two children’s lives. Donor Requirements are as follows: at least 17 yrs old and weigh at least 110 lbs., have a valid driver’s license (or photo ID), and be well-hydrated and in good health. The school is located at 238 S Manhattan Place.
Local Government
The Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council will convene three times this week, beginning on Saturday, December 4 from 9:30-11 a.m. with the Outreach Committee (click here for details and supporting documents). Then, the Sustainability Committee meets on Tuesday, December 7 from 7-9 p.m. (click here for details and supporting documents) and lastly, the General Board meeting happens on Wednesday, December 8 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. (click here for details and supporting documents).
The Mid City West Neighborhood Council has just one gathering of neighbors this week for the HRRRTS (Homelessness, Refugees and Renters’ Rights) Committee meeting on Monday, December 6 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Click here for details and meeting agenda.
