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Archive for the ‘Just for FUN’ Category
Comedy Birth – No Pushing Required
January 19th, 8:00 p.m. (and every other Thursday after that) at the Comedy Central Stage in Santa Monica see Jill Solloway and her crazy friends, frenemies and complete strangers bring to the stage brand new, untried and untested, raw comedy. It is a Frankenstein’s laboratory of funniness and you get to see it being created. And best of all — it’s FREE!
Comedy Central Stage
6539 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
323-960-5519
The Genius of James Brown
The Grammy Museum, downtown at L.A. Live, has dozens of objects on display belonging to the Godfather of Soul in an exhibit entitled “Say It Loud: The Genius of James Brown.” Housed in downtown’s upscale L.A Live mall, this multistory museum doesn’t appear to be very rock & roll on the surface, but it does boast an interesting variety of permanent and traveling exhibits. While the focus is largely on mainstream figures in rock, pop, R&B, country and jazz, the venue also hosts regular performances in which celebrity musicians perform a few tunes and discuss their craft with an audience Q&A. The museum is suitable for all ages. Make a visit to the Grammy Museum a part of your “things to do in Los Angeles” checklist.
Grammy Museum
800 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
213-765-6800
The Straight on Skinny’s
Skinny’s Lounge is everything you’d want in a NoHo nightspot — equal parts cool, slick, comfortable and dark, like, say, a Hollywood bar/lounge, except, being over the hill, just a bit more laid-back. There’s comfortably plush seating; dark, earthy, off-reddish tones in the décor; and an interesting L-shaped configuration with an ample curved bar and an outstanding, classic-lounge-y recessed and curtained stage area where live acts include Metalachi (heavy metal/mariachi fusion), Polesque (artistic pole-dancing revue) and Lookin’ for Trouble (classic blues). The dance floor gets pumpin’, especially on weekend DJ nights, when dance-oriented disc spinners take over, and midweek nights have witnessed live rock & roll karaoke, with a crack cover band accompanying daring would-be lead vocalists. Drinks are praised and reasonably priced, special group reservations (parties/events) are welcome, and food trucks often park outside. Oh, and they feature “reverse happy hours” with $2 off drinks from midnight until close! What better way to finish a busy day visiting Los Angeles and taking a Hollywood tour.
4923 Lankershim Boulevard, N. Hollywood
(818) 763-6581
skinnyslounge.com
Angels Flight Out of Commission
The historic Angels Flight railway, “the shortest railway in the world,” in downtown Los Angeles is grounded for several weeks for routine maintenance and will likely reopen with a slightly higher ticket fare.
Starting Tuesday, January 10th, the railway was closed to replace worn rails and complete some carpentry and paint work on the 110-year-old rail cars, authorities said.
After the improvements, the fare likely will rise from a quarter to 50 cents.
Metro pass holders will receive a half-off discount if the nonprofit increases the cost for the one-minute trip up and down Bunker Hill, Angels Flight Railway President John Welborne told City News Service.
Angels Flight, dubbed “the shortest railway in the world,”‘ was closed in 2001 following an accident that killed one person and seriously injured seven. It reopened in 2010. When you are on one of the fantastic sightseeing tours of Los Angeles be sure to have your guide take you for a ride on Angels Flight (when it reopens, of course).
World's Shortest Railway
Wicked in Los Angeles only until 1-29-12 !
Through Jan 29. Back by popular demand! L.A.’s favorite musical flies back to the Pantages this holiday season after a record-breaking two-year run. Called “A phenomenon that keeps growing” by The Los Angeles Times and “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” by The New York Times, “Wicked” is the untold story of the witches of Oz and how they became known as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. This is the perfect thing to see for the first time or again and again; also complements the day after enjoying one of the many Private Los Angeles tours. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., 323.468.1770
Bid Adieu to Drago Santa Monica
As much as Los Angeles diners are mourning the impending loss of Drago Santa Monica—Chef Celestino Drago’s 21-year-old modern Italian institution—at the end of January, Drago softens the blow by offering “throwback” dishes from the original 1991 menu, in addition to their featured winter menu items. Dine on seven dishes from the original Drago Santa Monica menu, which includes polenta sandwich, wild mushrooms, fontina cheese, truffle fondue; sautéed duck liver, aged balsamic glace, grilled Belgium endive; baked ziti, meat and cheese sauce, wrapped with eggplant; spaghetti with pressed dried tuna caviar, garlic and chile; Sausage-filled quail, grilled polenta, saltimbocca sauce; and Pan roasted lamb loin, potato tart, grilled mushrooms, sweet & sour. The amazing dishes are only going to be found here while taking a tour of Los Angeles.
You can also bid adieu with an array of creative Itialian comfort food by Chef de Cucina Evan Gotanda on Drago’s winter menu, which we recently had the pleasure of experiencing:
Ricotta e pere: Ricotta, pear, red wine, arugula, hazelnut salt:
Agnolotti di zucca: Butternut squash, ricotta, butter glaze:
Risotto alla barbabietola: Beet risotto, shaved candy beets, puffed risotto:
Pappardelle al fagiano: Pappardelle, roasted pheasant, morel mushrooms (Photographed with hand rolled cecaluccoli instead of pappardelle):
Trota salmonata: Arctic char, carrot, rapini, oregano, balsamic:
Costata di manzo: New York steak, soft polenta, bacon, Brussels sprouts, red wine (Photographed as a duo of beef with braised short rib):
Brioche al mirtillo: Orange espuma, orange dust, cranberry granola:
Crostata al cioccolato: Dates, brown sugar gelato, walnuts:
Drago Santa Monica, 2628 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, 310.828.1585.
Hyde Lounge Reopens in Hollywood
In L.A., it seems as though a new nightclub opens up once a week, instantly becoming the hottest spot in town, and fizzling out not long after. Hyde, a nightlife institution that garnered celebrity and media attention in its heyday in 2006, is getting a rare second chance as entertainment aficionado SBE reopens the spot. Tableside mixology is a prominent feature of the redesigned venue, featuring fresh cocktails created at the sunken bar in the back of the narrow space. DJs spin alternative tracks instead of the usual Top 40, helping the venue further distance itself from more cookie-cutter clubs. Always the best places to be while taking a private tour of LA. SBE selected lauded chef Daniel Elmaleh, of Katsuya Hollywood and the Redbury hotel’s Cleo, to create a menu of small bites with a global influence. Look for additional Hyde nightclubs in South Beach, Florida and in Las Vegas’ Bellagio hotel, opening soon.
8029 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 323.525.2444. www.sbe.com/hyde