{"id":433345,"date":"2025-12-08T13:43:27","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T13:43:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/433345\/"},"modified":"2025-12-08T13:43:27","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T13:43:27","slug":"best-things-to-do-this-week-in-la-and-socal-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/433345\/","title":{"rendered":"Best things to do this week in LA and SoCal"},"content":{"rendered":"

We lost a titan of the Los Angeles architecture world this week with Frank Gehry\u2019s death<\/a>, but fortunately, he left this city with several indelible marks. To honor his memory, I\u2019d suggest heading to Walt Disney Concert Hall and taking the self-guided audio tour<\/a> of the incredible space that he designed; the tour takes you through the gardens, the auditorium itself and all kinds of nooks that you wouldn\u2019t find on your own. It\u2019s free and available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.<\/p>\n

In music this week, Licorice Pizza<\/a> recommends modern rock gods the Struts doing a special acoustic performance and Q&A at the Grammy Museum on Monday night. On Wednesday, Postmodern Jukebox plays the Grove of Anaheim, and Danity Kane are at the El Rey; Thursday, breakout UK pop star Luvcat is at the El Rey, while Ben Folds plays the Blue Note. And Tom Petty & Heartbreakers guitar legend Mike Campbell plays with his band, the Dirty Knobs, at the United Theater.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere on LAist.com, you can get the skinny on Metro\u2019s water taxi plan for the 2028 Olympics<\/a>, learn the secrets behind Stranger Things’ special effects<\/a> and food and culture writer Gab Chabr\u00e1n eats L.A.\u2019s most expensive tamale<\/a> so you don\u2019t have to.<\/p>\n

Events<\/p>\n

Will Butler & the Stereophonic cast<\/b><\/p>\n

Thursday, December 11, 4:30 p.m.\u00a0<\/b>
Amoeba Music<\/b>
6200 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood\u00a0<\/b>
COST: FREE; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

(<\/p>\n

Julieta Cervantes<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Courtesy Broadway in Hollywood<\/p>\n

)<\/p>\n

I recently saw the Tony-winning play for 2024, Stereophonic, in London and loved it. The story of the making of a record by a Fleetwood Mac-esque band in Northern California in the ’70s is imaginative and transportive. Lucky for us, it\u2019s coming to L.A. this week. To celebrate the opening, the show\u2019s composer, Will Butler (Arcade Fire), and members of the cast will be performing a free in-store show at Amoeba in Hollywood. Don\u2019t miss it \u2014 or the show, which is at the Pantages through Jan. 2<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jonathan Richman<\/b><\/p>\n

Monday, December 8, 7 p.m.\u00a0<\/b>
Sid the Cat Auditorium<\/b>
022 El Centro St., South Pasadena<\/b>
COST: $39.25; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Halfcourt<\/p>\n

The Sid the Cat team said they long dreamed of a basketball court with their logo in the middle, but due to space issues they settled on a pickleball court.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the most anticipated new venue amongst the indie music set, Sid the Cat Auditorium just opened in South Pasadena with a great lineup of artists headlining throughout the next few weeks. Check out singer-songwriter Jonathan Richman, cofounder of influential punk band Modern Lovers, with Tommy Larkins on the drums. Read more about the spot\u2019s history \u2014 and future \u2014 here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hot Chocolate Nutcracker<\/b><\/p>\n

Through Sunday, December 14<\/b>
Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center<\/b>
1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach<\/b>
COST: $54.59; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Debbie Allen dance academy EB RECITAL 2024 <\/p>\n

There are so many Nutcrackers to choose from in the next few weeks, but it\u2019s always a great time and a fun twist on the original to see Debbie Allen’s version, Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, which is celebrating its 15th year on stage. Really want to splash out? There\u2019s also a special star-studded performance and gala<\/a> on Dec. 11.<\/p>\n

PlutoTV: Holidays are Brutal Rage Room<\/b><\/p>\n

Thursday, December 11, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.<\/b>
Rage Ground<\/b>
120 E. 11th St., Downtown L.A.<\/b>
COST: FREE WITH RSVP; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

I am always hesitant to share marketing activations, but this one is too clever (and fun) not to include. If you\u2019ve never been to a rage room, they are expensive but cathartic ways to get your pent-up frustration out via smashing glass, car windows, throwing hammers \u2014 you name it. The holidays can definitely spark anger, so put your holiday stress to bed before seeing your family by signing up for a free rage room session, thanks to PlutoTV\u2019s \u201cThe Holidays are Brutal\u201d collection of shows.<\/p>\n

A Christmas Carol<\/b><\/p>\n

Through Monday, December 22<\/b>
Independent Shakespeare Company\u00a0<\/b>
ISC Studio\u00a0<\/b>
3191 Casitas Ave., #130, Pasadena<\/b>
COST: $33.50; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

(<\/p>\n

Grettel Cortes<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Courtesy Independent Shakespeare Co. <\/p>\n

)<\/p>\n

Another Christmas Carol? Well, yes, but this one is told from the author\u2019s perspective. Your dear narrator is Charles Dickens himself, played by Independent Shakespeare Company actor David Melville. It’s the show’s 20th time being performed at the Independent Shakespeare Company.<\/p>\n

Robert Rauschenberg at Gemini G.E.L.: Celebrating Four Decades of Innovation and Collaboration<\/b><\/p>\n

Through Friday, December 19\u00a0<\/b>
Gemini G.E.L.<\/b>
8365 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood<\/b>
COST: FREE; MORE INFO\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

(<\/p>\n

Courtesy Gemini G.E.L. <\/p>\n

)<\/p>\n

As a titan of American art and precursor to the pop art movement, Robert Rauschenberg often collaborated with art publisher Gemini to create unique works and oversized prints. In this new show celebrating 40 years of projects, you can see prints like “Booster,” a six-foot, scanned X-ray image of the artist himself.<\/p>\n

Guest chef dinner with Chef Joe Hou<\/b><\/p>\n

Monday, December 8\u00a0<\/b>
Charcoal Venice\u00a0<\/b>
425 Washington Blvd., Venice<\/b>
COST: $125; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

Chef Josiah Citrin\u2019s Charcoal celebrates its 10th anniversary with a one-night-only guest chef dinner featuring Chef Joe Hou, Chef de Cuisine at the Michelin-starred Angler in San Francisco. The menu includes highlights from both chefs, including grilled meats and seafood that honor Charcoal\u2019s adherence to cooking over a live fire.<\/p>\n

8 Nights at Birdie G\u2019s\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

December 8 to 11<\/b>
Birdie G’s<\/b>
2421 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica<\/b>
COST: $125; MORE INFO\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Santa Monica favorite Birdie G\u2019s has its final flutter on Dec. 20, but before then, you can get your fill of Hanukkah specials during their “8 Nights at Birdie G\u2019s” promotion. This week features a variety of guest chefs, including Jordan Kahn (Destroyer) and Chris Cosentino (Koast Maui).<\/p>\n

Happy hour at Broken Spanish Comedor<\/b><\/p>\n

Every Tuesday through Saturday, 5 to 6 p.m.\u00a0<\/b>
Broken Spanish Comedor<\/b>
12565 Washington Blvd., Culver City<\/b>
COST: VARIES, MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

(<\/p>\n

Courtesy Peridot Photos<\/p>\n

)<\/p>\n

Just in time for post-work happy hour before the holidays, Ray Garcia\u2019s Broken Spanish Comedor has launched a new happy hour from 5 to 6 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday, featuring a curated selection of food and drinks ranging from $5 to $15, including $10 craft draft margaritas, palomas and wine.<\/p>\n