Lovers Bench at Vista Hermosa Park. Photo by Brian Champlin
Need a few fun to-dos as we run the calendar up to Valentine’s Day? We’re were to help.
In the queue for this February 9-13 in Los Angeles, you’ll find a new installment of OXY LIVE!, the first full week of What A Wonderful World: An Audiovisual Poem, a Wine & Chocolate Affair at LA Cocina, a Valentine’s Edition of Goth Night at ACB, Mardis Gras Night Market at Ivy Station, the Los Angeles A Cappella Festival, and more.
Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Zootopia 2: Live Read -> This Monday, experience Film Independent’s first-ever animated Live Read at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Directed by Academy Award winners Jared Bush and Byron Howard, this one-night-only event features Ginnifer Goodwin reprising her role as Judy Hopps, alongside a star-studded cast including Yvette Nicole Brown, Alan Tudyk, and Patrick Warburton. Watch as they bring the metropolitan mystery of Zootopia 2 to life on stage at the Bram Goldsmith Theater. Tickets are $35 for the general public and $30 for Film Independent Members. Starts at 7:30 p.m. More info here.
OXY LIVE! with Robin Coste Lewis in Conversation – FA > On Tuesday, join National Book Award winner and former Poet Laureate of Los Angeles, Robin Coste Lewis, for a reading and thought-provoking dialogue at Occidental College. In conversation with visual artist Alexandra Grant, Lewis will discuss her work at the intersection of literature and critical inquiry. Following the talk, Octavia’s Bookshelf will host a book signing with copies of Voyage of the Sable Venus and Archive of Desire available for purchase. While admission is free, registration is highly recommended to secure your spot in Thorne Hall. Talk runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m. More info here.
Death Cafe at Heavy Manners Library – FA > Join a community conversation at Heavy Manners Library on Tuesday designed to normalize the topic of mortality in a relaxed setting. Facilitated by Emily Yacina, this session offers a group-directed discussion where participants can share thoughts on death over coffee and donuts. The goal is to foster awareness and help individuals appreciate their finite lives through open, agenda-free dialogue. Runs 6 to 8 p.m. More info here.
Move, Groove, and Connect at MOLAA -> Shake up your Wednesday night at the Museum of Latin American Art with a high-energy Merengue class. Led by professionals from Cielo Dance Events, this session is part of a monthly series designed to help you master one style at a time. The atmosphere is social and supportive, featuring a cash bar to keep the vibes lively as you connect with others through rhythm. Tickets are $20 per individual class or $60 for a four-class monthly pass. Starts at 7 p.m. More info here.
What A Wonderful World: An Audiovisual Poem – FA TP > The Julia Stoschek Foundation has taken over all six floors of the Variety Arts Theater with What A Wonderful World: An Audiovisual Poem, marking the first U.S. presentation of the renowned collection. The immersive exhibition blurs the boundaries between art and cinema, pairing major video works by artists like Marina Abramović, Doug Aitken, Paul McCarthy, and Wolfgang Tillmans with silent and classic films by pioneers including Alice Guy-Blaché, Georges Méliès, Luis Buñuel, and Walt Disney, turning viewers into active participants in a sensory journey. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to midnight, it’s free to attend—with complimentary popcorn. Runs through March 20. More info here.
Wine & Chocolate Affair – M FA > Savor a guided tasting of Mexican wines and artisanal chocolates at LA Cocina de Gloria Molina this Thursday. Hosted by Gil and Eloisa of Vinos Los Angeles, this session explores the history of winemaking in Valle de Guadalupe and the impact of terroir on different vintages. You’ll pair these selections with cacao, the “food of the Gods,” while learning about the region’s unique climate. This 21+ Tickets are $45. Starts at 7 p.m. More info here
The Willows -> From the creators behind Creep JFI Productions, The Willows is an immersive, two-hour theatrical experience that fuses dinner theater with psychological horror. Set inside the historic Beckett Mansion near West Adams, the show welcomes just 25 guests into an intimate (and increasingly unsettling) family gathering. Forget jump scares—this is slow-burn tension at its finest, driven by surreal moments, creeping dread, and performances so convincing you’ll feel pulled straight into the story. Actors stay fully in character and engage directly with guests, making participation part of the thrill. Tickets are $250 per person and routinely sell out. Hosted drinks and hors d’oeuvres are included. Engagements run through March 29. More info here.
Chaotic Singles Valentine’s Day Party -> This Friday, lean into the “chaos” at The Waterfront Venice with a 21+ Valentine’s celebration designed for the single and the brave. Inspired by a viral TikTok trend, this 4th-anniversary bash encourages you to invite dating app matches for a night of Sweethearts Bingo, a “chaotic” rose ceremony, and special drink deals. GA tickets start at $18.10. Event beings at 8 p.m. More info here.
Goth Night: Valentine’s Edition at Angel City Brewery – FA > Break out your black eyeliner and boots for a dark-hearted celebration at Angel City Brewery. This special Valentine’s edition of Goth Night features a DJ spinning dark wave and goth anthems throughout the evening. Dress in your best black attire and enjoy the craft beer and atmosphere of the Arts District. Runs 8 to 11 p.m. Free to attend. 21+ only. More info here.
Mardis Gras Night Market at Ivy Station – FA > The spirit of New Orleans comes to Culver City this Friday at the Ivy Station Night Market. Expect a festive Mardi Gras celebration featuring a live brass band, themed crafts, and a massive vendor lineup. Family and pe-friendly. Admission and parking are free. Runs 5 to 10 p.m. More info here.
Emo Valentine’s Eve Night – FA > For all those anti-Valentine’s peeps out there, drown your sorrows in sad songs and fresh craft beer at Common Space Brewery this Friday. This Valentine’s Eve event features a DJ spinning heart-wrenching anthems for anyone embracing the bittersweet vibes of the holiday. Free to attend. Runs 7 to 11 p.m. More info here.
Night Dive at AoP -> This Friday, the Aquarium of the Pacific’s signature adults-only, after-hours series returns with a Valentines Day edition featuring food trucks, cash bars, DJs throughout the Aquarium galleries, art, and a live band playing in the Great Hall of the Pacific. GA tickets are $49.95 per person. Runs 7:30 to 11 p.m. More info here. More info here.
Los Angeles A Cappella Festival -> The South Bay becomes the epicenter of vocal music as the Los Angeles A Cappella Festival (LAAF) takes over the Hermosa Beach Community Theatre this Friday to Sunday.. This three-day immersion features a high-stakes scholastic competition, professional masterclasses, and a community showcase. Whether you’re a student singer or a vocal music enthusiast, it’s a premier weekend for networking and advancing the art of a cappella. Individual event tickets start at $22, while full weekend all-access passes are available for $85. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Trout Tartare at Firstborn. Photo credit Kenzo Han.
Firstborn Switches to a $68 Prix Fixe Menu -> Chef Anthony Wang’s Chinatown standout, Firstborn, is trading à la carte for a $68 prix fixe that lets diners build their own four-course experience from a curated menu of seasonal dishes. The shift encourages exploration and delivers deeper value, with highlights like duck sausage en crépinette with apple condiment and red-braised daikon, roast local fish with preserved mustard and green Sichuan, and vanilla sponge with red bean paste, oolong cream, and berries. Optional add-ons raise the indulgence factor—think housemade sesame oat bread with cult-favorite Le Beurre Bordier, mapo tofu with sweetbreads, and a new take on the beloved Chongqing fried chicken. The menu will evolve with the seasons, while the bar remains flexible, offering dishes à la carte or as a full meal, alongside thoughtful wine pairings from GM Lisa Witkowski and inventive cocktails by Bar Director Kenzo Han.
Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Bar Lands in L.A. (February 12) -> Magnolia Bakery brings its fan-favorite Banana Pudding Bar to Los Angeles this Thursday, serving up four made-to-order pudding creations layered with toppings and sealed in dome-lid cups for $10.95. Choose from indulgent builds like Red Velvet banana pudding with red velvet cake pieces and mini chocolate chips, or a Cookies & Cream version topped with Oreo cookie pieces and more mini chips. Can’t make it to West Hollywood? The Banana Pudding Bar is also available via DoorDash, so you can get your fix delivered.
Valentine’s Day Specials at Yama Sushi (February 12–15) -> Yama Sushi Marketplace rolls out two swoon-worthy, limited-time boxes for Valentine’s Day, perfect for partners, besties, or a well-deserved self-treat. The Rose Gold Sushi Box ($29.95) features premium tuna, salmon, and yellowtail sashimi sculpted into rose blooms with ikura centers and gold accents, while the Heart-Shaped Sushi Box ($24.95) delivers a shareable spread of a sashimi rose bloom with ikura, assorted rolls, and nigiri. Preorders for the Rose Gold Sushi Box are open now, with pickup February 12–15, and the Heart-Shaped Sushi Box will be available at all Yama locations during the same dates.
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