Best Of LA - Week Of February 8
There's a lot to celebrate this week, kicking off with a play honoring Black History Month by reimagining the night before Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s unfortunate assassination. As the week continues, so do the festivities, as the city holds both Mardi Gras and Lunar New Year activities. With the week's culmination in Valentine's Day, there are lots of fun ways to celebrate the day of love all week long. From a stage production of the classic romantic "Dirty Dancing," to special hotel and restaurant deals, to a show that combines hot burlesque and Mexican wrestling, love is in the air this week for Valentine's Day. On the flipside, singles will also have plenty to do on the day that has also been dubbed Singles Awareness Day, with brunches, specialty cocktails, and even a Tinder Ball. Whatever your status, be sure to end the week and spend the day of love doing something you love.
The Mountaintop
The Matrix Theatre
7657 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 852-1445
www.matrixtheatre.com
February is Black History Month, and The Matrix Theatre Company is honoring it with the Los Angeles premiere of Katori Hall's "The Mountaintop." A reimagining of the events leading up to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the play is both gripping and surprisingly humorous at times. As King retires to his room after delivering his now famous "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech, a maid bringing him coffee prompts him to consider his life. Demonstrating a more vulnerable side of the civil rights leader, King must work through his past, his legacy, and the future of the American people. The Olivier Award winning show is directed by Roger Guenveur Smith, and tickets are Pay-What-You-Can every Monday night.
Celebrate Mardi Gras
Various Locations
Nearly 2,000 miles away, New Orleanians will be celebrating the Mardi Gras season, but there are plenty of ways to celebrate closer to home. To start, visit our list of the Best Mardi Gras Celebrations in Los Angeles. Also, Messhall's Executive Chef and New Orleans native Shane Pritchett will be bringing the party to L.A. with a Mardi Gras feast that includes an authentic Shrimp Boil served on newspaper in a tin can lid, Cinnamon Raisin Bread, and $1 oysters and tacos. He'll also be helping you "'laissez les bons temps rouler" ("let the good times roll") with a riff on the Hurricane called the El Nino. Another New Orleans native is bringing the flavor of Mardi Gras to the city, as Chef Brandon Boudet of Little Dom's celebrates Fat Tuesday with jambalaya, po boys, beignets, King Cake, and other Creole favorites. On the non-food front, Amoeba record store will celebrate the musical culture and heritage of New Orleans with a BYOI (Bring Your Own Instrument) parade including beads, floats, and musicians, while The Farmers Market will celebrate its 27th year of entertaining guests with New Orleans and Zydeco music, strolling parade bands, activities for kids, bead-throwing, and more.
Celebrate GRAMMY Week with Mele Mei In L.A.
GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE
800 West Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 765-6800
www.grammymuseum.org
In anticipation of next week's GRAMMY Awards, the GRAMMY Museum will present a slate of programs honoring music history, education, and a multitude of musical genres. Tonight, "Mele Mei In L.A." celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Hawaiian music and slack key guitar. GRAMMY winning Hawaiian artist Charles Brotman, along with several GRAMMY nominees, will put on an intimate concert in the Clive Davis Theater. The event occurs just as the museum's latest exhibit Kī Hōʻalu: honoring the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Tradition opens. While you're there, be sure to check out Sinatra: An American Icon exhibit, closing next Monday. Tickets are $35 and the show starts at 8:30pm.
Lucha VaVOOM's "Crazy in Love"
The Mayan
1038 South Hill St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 746-4674
www.luchavavoom.com
If you've ever wondered what it would be like if Mexican wrestling collided with burlesque and comedy, now's your chance to find out. Celebrated as one of Los Angeles' best variety shows, Lucha VaVOOM is an exhibition of good vs. evil in one-fall Lucha Libre matches. Between matches, hot burlesque acts ranging from aerial acts to hula-hoopers entertain crowds with their unique skills. This special Valentine's Day installment unleashes the famously hot-blooded luchadors in a show that demonstrates what it's really like to be "Crazy in Love." Tonight Mexico City luchador Dragon Lee will debut his spectacular high-flying moves, along with trapeze daredevils, singers, dancers, Guinness World Record holders, and many more jaw-dropping acts.
"Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage"
Pantages Theater
6233 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(800) 982-2787
www.HollywoodPantages.com
Warm up for Valentine's Day weekend with a hot stage production of the classic love story "Dirty Dancing." Seventeen year old Frances "Baby" Houseman heads to New York's Catskill Mountains with her older sister and parents for a vacation during the summer of '63. When she discovers the staff partying with racy dance moves, especially the resort's attractive resident dance instructor, she can't wait to join in on the fun. Little does she know the passion she finds in the music, and her personal dance lessons, will change the course of her life forever. With heart-pounding music provided by an eight piece onstage band, and timeless hit songs like "Hungry Eyes," you're guaranteed to have the time of your life.
Celebrate Lunar New Year at Universal Studios
Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
(800) 864-8377
www.universalstudioshollywood.com
Universal Studios Hollywood is helping ring in the Lunar New Year with special performances, food, and decor throughout the park. Entering Universal Plaza, guests will be greeted by customary red Chinese lanterns, stunning plum blossom arch, and dozens of lampposts featuring banners of zodiac animal signs. Asian-inspired treats and customary music will fill the Plaza as well, creating an all-senses celebration. A Mandarin-speaking MEGATRON will be on hand to converse with guests, while Curious George helps ring in the "Year of the Monkey" with festive attire and photo ops in front of a traditional Chinese gong. New to this year, and today only, an exciting Shenzhen performance will take place throughout the afternoon.
Celebrate Valentine's Day!
Various Locations
A box of chocolates and a bouquet of flowers is so last year. This year, we've put together a list of the best activities to make Valentine's Day extra special all over the LA basin. From a wine safari in Malibu to a special event at the LA Zoo, a gondola ride, and horseback riding, we've got you covered in our list of the Best Valentine's Day Activities In Los Angeles
Valentine's Day Dinner
Various Locations
Some may consider the pomp and circumstance surrounding Valentine's Day a bit much, but to many, Valentine's Day is a great excuse to wine and dine your loved one. So, we've put together a special list of the best spots around town to go for dinner. Make sure not to miss our list of the Best Places For Valentine's Day Dinner In LA.
Spend a Romantic Getaway at The Redbury
The Redbury Hollywood
1717 Vine St.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 962-1717
www.theredbury.com
Hollywood luxury hotel The Redbury is your one-stop-shop for Valentine's Day this year. The hotel's elegant restaurant Cleo is offering a specialty four-course prix-fixe menu served with their signature Mediterranean twist where you'll get to enjoy a shared mezze board, soup or salad, entree, and dessert platter, which will be curated by award-winning Chef Danny Elmaleh. After you've indulged in some seriously good eats and drinks, why not make a night of it and book the Roses are Red package the hotel is offering throughout the month of February. Enjoy a signature Redbury-scented candle and bottle of sparkling wine in your apartment style guest room overlooking the Hollywood skyline.
Celebrate Singles Awareness Day
Various Locations
No date for Valentine's Day? No problem, that's what Singles Awareness Day is all about! There's still plenty to do from morning to night today for the couple-less crowd. Grab your squad and head to Studio City in the morning where The Bellwether will be celebrating the day by serving up $5 Mimosas and $8 Mama Betty's Bloody Marys (house-infused habanero vodka, house bloody mary mix, and a bacon salt rim garnished with a mini BLT) from 10:30am - 2:30pm. Tom Bergin's Public House will once again celebrate the V-Day alternative from 5pm - 11pm with plenty of unromantic tunes and specialty cocktails. The restaurant is even encouraging guests to bring items from their exes to burn in the Irish pub's fireplace. Or head to the Tinder Ball Beelman's Pub is putting on downtown, complete with Tinder-themed kissing booth, live date auction, and $6 DTF Punch 8pm - 2am.
Want more ideas for singles on Valentine's Day? Check out our list of The Best Things To Do For Singles On Valentine's Day.