Best Activities This Week In Los Angeles - December 12
The Contenders 2016 Screening: "Moonlight"
The Hammer Museum
10899 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 443-7000
hammer.ucla.edu
There are just a few more days left in the Hammer Museum/Museum of Modern Art's Contenders Screening series, giving audiences the chance to see recently released films that are bound for awards glory. Tonight's film, "Moonlight," follows the journey of an African American boy who moves from childhood to adolescence to manhood, and the range of experiences and emotions that follow. A Q&A with writer/director Barry Jenkins follows the screening, and a limited number of tickets are available at the box office tonight only.
Stay Classy Pop Up Bar
TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
6925 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
www.theatricum.com
If the holidays make you feel like you're trapped in a glass case of emotion, head to Hollywood & Highland's TCL Chinese Theatres for a special Will Ferrell-inspired pop up. New York based bar Stay Classy is taking over the third floor VIP Lounge with movie props and original art pieces from film some of Ferrell's most popular films, including "Elf," "Anchorman," "Talladega Nights," and more. You can also pay homage to the comedian with film-inspired drinks like 'Milk was a Bad Choice.' The pop-up runs through Thursday.
Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"
Rubicon Theatre Company
1006 E. Main St.
Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 667-2900
www.rubicontheatre.org
The Rubicon Theatre Company is being joined by Broadway veteran Peter Van Norden and Emmy Award-winner Joe Spano for this year's production of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." The holiday classic is told in an innovative, yet faithful way, earning rave reviews in its premiere last year. With the theater's multi-level set, highly theatrical elements, and musical incorporation, the play is uniquely set in the style of the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby." Tonight's performance includes a talk back with the cast at 7:00pm.
Santa-Thon 2016
ACME Comedy Theatre Hollywood
135 N. La Brea Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90036
www.santa-thon.com
This year, Santa has outsourced all the toy making to China and is now in desperate need of money to pay them off. Enter Emmy Award winning comedian Fred Willard and his Celebrity Santa-thon! The parody telethon has Willard inviting his showbiz buddies to join him in a night of sketches, musical numbers, and comedy performances. It'll be down to the wire to see if Willard and his friends can raise the funds to save Christmas. The show runs Wednesday and Thursday, and you can save $5 by getting your ticket online.
Debbie Allen's "The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker"
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
135 N Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 972-8550
www.thehotchocolatenutcracker.com
Los Angeles boasts an array of options to see "The Nutcracker," but none are as different and unique as Debbie Allen's "The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker." Now in its 7th year, Allen's quirky riff on the holiday ballet classic is going strong. The show is written, directed, and choreographed by Allen, and tells the story of Kara, a little girl who falls asleep after receiving a Nutcracker filled with hot chocolate, and the magical journey that ensues. Three performances take place over today and tomorrow, and 100% of the proceeds will benefit arts education for L.A.'s youth.
L.A. LIVE's Holly Jolly Day
JW Marriott Los Angeles
900 West Olympic Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 216-3390
www.eventbrite.com
The Mixing Room at the JW Marriott is hosting an afternoon of exclusive ice skating on the L.A. Kings outdoor rink. The annual Holly Jolly Day will also offer treat stations with cupcake decorating, a chocolate fountain, and endless holiday sweets. Adults can enjoy festive cocktails and spiked hot chocolate, while kids go crazy for a visit from Santa at Mrs. Claus' life-size gingerbread kitchen. Various session times are available.
Related: Where To Go Ice Skating During The Holidays
The Long Beach Ballet's "The Nutcracker"
Long Beach Terrace Theater
300 East Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 436-3636
www.longbeachnutcracker.com
For a more traditional, but still unique performance of "The Nutcracker," the Long Beach Ballet offers an incredible show. They are once again pulling out all the stops for this 34th production of the classic, with a full symphony orchestra, flying sleigh, live horse, and on-stage pyrotechnics. The cast of the family-friendly event employs over 200 dancers, including principal dancers from the San Francisco Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet.
