February 2016 Events Calendar - Best Activities To Do

There's no better time to fall in love with Los Angeles than February. With a month full of fun activities and interesting events, there's plenty to do for everyone and their individual interests. From romantic date ideas to outings with family and friends, this month brings a whole new meaning to the song, "I Love LA."

Cracked Actor: David Bowie on Film
The Silent Movie Theatre
611 N. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
www.cinefamily.org
Date: Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (7:30PM)
The Man Who Fell to Earth (10:45PM)

The life and career of David Bowie influenced many people across the world. Both Starman and movie star, in addition to being a revolutionary musician, Davie Bowie was also a brilliant actor. Join in celebrating this true icon with two special screenings from his movies. The evening begins with Bowie's haunting portrayal of a World War II prisoner in 1983's "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence." This movie night also concludes with Bowie's first starring role in the 1976 cult classic, "The Man Who Fell to Earth."

Sleepless: The Music Center After Hours
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
135 N. Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.musiccenter.org
Date: February 5, 2016 from 11pm - 3am

Ready to pull an all-nighter? Awaken your senses with an after-hours visit to The Music Center as the Downtown space transforms itself into an interactive unique space! This unique (and free) event, invites guests to join in on a night of live music, performances, and art installations – all until the wee small hours of the morning at Los Angeles' beautiful and historic Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Reservations are open on January 19th.

LA Cookie Con & Sweets Show
Los Angeles Convention Center
201 S. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(818) 495-5732
www.lacookiecon.com
Date: Saturday, February 6th, 2016 from 10am to 5pm & February 7th, 2016 from 10am to 4pm

If you've got a major sweet tooth, then LA's Cookie Convention & Sweets Show is perfect for you! Experience the West Coast's largest baking and sweets expo, which includes over 125 vendors from local bakeries. What does that mean? It means tons of free tasty and delicious samples! Meet Food Network star and celebrity baker Ron Ben-Israel, as well as participate in workshops, decorating competitions, live demos, and more. This event really does take the cake!

Mariah Carey. Justin Beiber. Rihanna. Megan Trainor. Usher. These chart-topping performers all have one thing in common: they've worked with the legendary L.A. Reid. The Epic Records CEO/Chairman and Grammy-winning producer will be participating in an intimate speaking event at the Grammy Museum's Clive Davis Theater today. Reid will be discussing his incredible life and successful career, which has spanned over 25 years. Guests in attendance will also have the opportunity to have their copy of Reid's new memoir, "Sing to Me: My Story of Making Music, Finding Magic, and Searching for Who's Next," signed by the man himself.

117th Annual Golden Dragon Parade & Chinese New Year Festival
New Chinatown
943-951 N. Broadway
Los Angeles, 90012
www.chinatownla.com
Date: February 13, 2016 from 12pm to 8pm

Ring in the 2016 Chinese New Year, better known as "The Year of the Monkey." A visit to Chinatown for this very special event will include the traditional Gold Dragon Parade, a premiere cultural event in Los Angeles featuring beautiful floats, performers, and of course, the massive dragon. Also included in the celebration is a festival, full of food trucks, craft beer, vendors, local artisans, and live music. Make sure to visit www.buzzbands.la for updates on the evening's awesome performance lineup!

Los Angeles Marathon
Dodger Stadium
1000 Elysian Park Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.lamarathon.com
Date: February 14, 2016 at 6:30am

Before you indulge in your Valentine's Day treats, why not participate in Los Angeles' annual LA marathon! The scenic course of 26.2 miles, which begins at Dodger Stadium and finishes at the Santa Monica Pier, will include participants from all over the world. If you'd rather be a spectator, join in on the fun and cheer on participants as they pass by! Enjoy the Finish Festival, with the Angel City Brewery beer garden, food, live entertainment and more. As a bonus for participants, you will get a free massage after you complete the course. After all, you've definitely earned it after 26 miles!

Sunset Walk & Talk
Griffith Park Observatory
2800 E. Observatory Rd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(213) 473-0800
www.griffithobservatory.org
Dates: February 16, 2016 from 5:25pm - 6:25pm

Become one with nature and explore Los Angeles' historic Griffith Park at this monthly event. Beginning at the Observatory's west terrace, enjoy a sunset hike, led by a park ranger and museum guide. This half-a-mile trek will include interesting facts about the park, as well as visible stars and constellations in the evening sky. The event is free to the public – just make sure to wear comfortable shoes!

Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival
Multiple Theatres
www.hollywoodreelindependentfilmfestival.com
Dates: February 18, 2016 - February 27, 2016

If it's one thing that Hollywood knows, it's movies. This annual film festival and competition celebrates the best in independent film, screening a wide variety of critically acclaimed works from well-known directors and rising stars, alike. The upcoming festival will include new projects from James Franco, Guy Pierce, Sandra Oh, documentary filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker, and many, many more. For a full schedule of events, showtimes, and participating theaters, visit the HRIFF website.

Air + Style
Exposition Park at the LA Coliseum
700 Exposition Park Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90037
www.airandstyle.com
Dates: February 20, 2016 & February 21, 2016

Olympic snowboarding champion Shaun White's festival returns to Los Angeles for a second year of live shredding – both guitar and snow! The two-day event features a massive setlist of musical performances, including J. Cole, Incubus, Kaskade, and Haim. Enjoy art, fashion, and tech exhibits that will make you feel totally hip, and witness an epic snowboarding competition on a 16-story high snowboard jump. Whoa, dude!

Long Beach Comic Expo
Long Beach Convention Center
300 E Ocean Blvd
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 436-3636
www.longbeachcomicexpo.com
Date: February 20, 2016 & February 21, 2016

Do you love comic books? Can you name all of Marvel's infinity stones? Did you see Star Wars more than once? Head on over to this local comic expo that's such to quench your nerd-thirst! This two-day event hosts tons of exhibitors and retailers, as well as a massive list of special guests, including your favorite artists, writers, actors, and cosplay icons. Any excuse to dress up in costume, right?

Family Flicks Film Series: Muppet Treasure Island
Billy Wilder Theater at Hammer Museum
10899 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 443-7000
hammer.ucla.edu
Date: February 21, 2016 at 11am

Looking for some family fun this February? Grab the kiddos, get ready to say, "Yo ho!" and check out a special matinee screening of the classic Kermit the Frog starring film, "Muppet Treasure Island." This event is free (although tickets are required) and geared to a kid-friendly audience, brought to you by the UCLA Film & Television Archive. After the film, check out the many interesting exhibits and collections that the Hammer Museum has to offer.

Culinary Workshop: A Taste For Luxury
Private Dining Room at Getty Center
1200 Getty Center Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
www.getty.edu/
Date: February 25, 2016 from 10:30am to 2:30pm

Eat like a King! Join chef Robin Trento as you are guided through the culinary world of the 17th century French court. This unique experience includes a visit to two of the Getty Museum's exhibits, Woven Gold: Tapestries of Louis XIV and The Edible Monument: The Art of Food for Festivals. After your educational tour, you and your group will prepare a meal as opulent as Versailles. Hungry? Get your tickets now!

LACMA's 'Rain Room'
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LAMCA)
5905 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 857-6000
www.lacma.org

Everyone's raving about LACMA's newest and hottest exhibit right now: 'Rain Room.' As the hottest ticket in town, this exhibit is immersive environment installed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) which runs through March 6th, and plays with everyone who dares to enter. Indoor rain in a hauntingly dark environment is constant, but the water stops for a moment when a human body is detected. A similar experience to dancing under a waterfall that stops when you move, the installation exhibit offers guests the illusion that they can literally control rain. The falling water is lit in such a way as to suggest shooting stars, it is altogether an other-worldly experience. It's something you won't want to miss out on!

Cirque du Soleil's KURIOS
Dodger Stadium
1000 Elysian Park Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.cirquedusoleil.com
Dates: January 19, 2016 - February 7, 2016

Get it while it's hot! What if by engaging our imagination and opening our minds we could unlock the door to a world of wonders? Cirque du Soleil's KURIOS is one of the hottest tickets in town right now. Like their other performances, Cirque du Soleil is one of those legendary companies that offers performances that will amaze you. KURIOS is no exception. In this 35th production from the company, a Seeker discovers a hidden world in his larger-than-life curio cabinet. A crazy collection of otherworldly characters enters his world and turns it upside down, igniting his imagination. The visually stunning performance is extremely entertaining. The show includes 46 artists from 15 different countries, and is a family friendly event.

Article by Caitlyn Trudnich.