All Space Considered at Griffith Observatory. Photo by Brian Champlin
Theater, panels, dance, jazz, comedy and more, all on tap for this holiday shortened week in Los Angeles.
From February 17-20 in L.A., you’ll find ICE In Focus: at the ASU California Center, Fat Tuesday at The Obscure Distillery, the Golden State Comedy Show at the Last Bookstore’s Studio City outpost, Locals’ Night at the Santa Monica Pier, All Space Considered at Griffith Observatory, New Orleans Groove Masters at BroadStage, and more.
advertisements
Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
ICE In Focus: Visual Reporting on Immigration Enforcement – FA TP > On Tuesday, join the ASU California Center for a timely panel discussion hosted by the LA Reporting Collective and PPAGLA. Documentary producers and photojournalists Carrie Schreck, Zaydee Sanchez, and Blake Fagan will unpack the decisions, ethical conditions, and personal risks involved in visually documenting immigration enforcement. The evening offers a rare look behind the lens of creators whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Time, and The Atlantic. Admission is free, though space is limited and an RSVP is required. Starts at 6:30 p.m. More info here.
Fat Tuesday the Original Farmers Market – FA > Fat Tuesday at the Original Farmers Market features a performance by The Nervis Bros on the West Patio. Grab a seat early to enjoy authentic Cajun staples like gumbo, jambalaya, and po’boys from local favorite The Gumbo Pot, or satisfy your sweet tooth at the beignet pop-up tent. The atmosphere is family-friendly and free to attend, offering one last chance to “let the good times roll” with live NOLA-style music. Runs 6 to 8:30 p.m. More info here.
Fat Tuesday at The Obscure Distillery -> Get a dose of Big Nola energy on the Arts District as The Obscure Distillery opens its typically members-only doors for a public Fat Tuesday bash. Revel in live jazz and NOLA second-line vibes from the Beaucoup Brass Band while sipping themed cocktails like King Cake Highballs and Bananas Foster Coconut Milk Punch. The kitchen will serve up Creole-inspired favorites, including blackened catfish, dirty rice, and fresh, house-made beignets. Purple, green, and gold attire is highly encouraged for this vibrant evening of beads and rebellion. Party runs 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $10 via SevenRooms. More info here.
advertisements
In Conversation: Knowing Octavia E. Butler – M FA > On Wednesday, delve into the intentional life and “self-making” process of the legendary Afro-Futurist writer at the California African American Museum (CAAM). This discussion features Sara “Sue” Hodson, the former Huntington Library curator who befriended Butler and secured her massive 8,000-item archive, and Lynell George, whose award-winning book A Handful of Earth, A Handful of Sky grew from years of researching those very papers. Together, they offer an intimate look at how Butler navigated financial hardship and self-doubt to shape her iconic speculative worlds. Admission is free. Starts at 7 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 > 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.
Golden State Comedy Show – FA > Catch a night of free stand-up at The Last Bookstore’s Studio City location this Thursday. This all-ages showcase features sets from Jason Horton, Julie Golden, and Stephen Cha, alongside a fun lineup of comics seen on Netflix and Comedy Central. Guests can enjoy free drinks and snacks while browsing the shelves at this iconic location. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. for an 8 p.m. start. While admission is free, reserving a spot online is recommended to secure entry. More info here.
Locals’ Night at the Santa Monica Pier – FA > Celebrate Black History Month with a soulful evening at the Santa Monica Pier for February’s Locals’ Night this Thursday. This free, family-friendly event features BroadStage’s Jazz Night with performances by Sam Smylie & Friends, The Ideal Foray, Lunch Crew, and the SAMOHI Jazz Combo. Beyond the music, attendees can explore a classic car show, enjoy vinyl sets from local DJs, and sip selections from Offhand Wine Bar, while children enjoy musical storytime with Books & Cookies at the Merry Go-Round. Runs 3:30 to 9:30 p.m. More info here.
advertisements
All Space Considered at Griffith Observatory – FA > On Thursday, join Griffith Observatory’s curatorial staff for their monthly deep dive into the latest astronomical discoveries and space mission updates. The February edition of ASC features Dr. Raja GuhaThakurta from UC Santa Cruz, who will discuss “The Cosmos Is My Canvas,” exploring the fascinating parallels between astrophysical research on galaxies and the art of realistic portraiture. Admission is free in-person at the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater (priority seating for Foundation members). Runs 7 to 8:30 p.m. More info here.
New Orleans Groove Masters – > This Friday, experience an electrifying night of rhythm as the New Orleans Groove Masters make their BroadStage Santa Monica debut. Led by world-class percussionists Herlin Riley, Weedie Braimah, and Jason Marsalis, this ensemble celebrates the vibrant jazz and drumming traditions of the Crescent City. Arrive 45 minutes early for a free pre-show performance by the Sam Smylie Trio on the Plaza. Tickets start at $56. Show kicks off at 7:30 p.m. More info here.
The Solitude of Memory / Songs My Brothers Taught Me – FA > Explore the emotional landscapes of memory and resilience at the Billy Wilder Theater with a double feature from the UCLA Film & Television Archive. this Friday. The evening begins with the short film The Solitude of Memory, an intimate excavation of grief, followed by an in-person Q&A with director Juan Pablo González. The program concludes with Chloé Zhao’s lyrical debut, Songs My Brothers Taught Me, which captures the quiet beauty and hardship of life on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Admission is free, with tickets assigned at the box office starting one hour before the show. Starts at 7:30 p.m. More info here.
Compagnie Hervé Koubi: Sol Invictus -> This Friday to Sunday, witness “fierce and weightless” dancers at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts as choreographer Hervé Koubi presents Sol Invictus. Drawing on his French-Algerian roots, Koubi fuses classical dance with capoeira, hip-hop, and martial arts to create a breathtaking Mediterranean dreamscape. The performance features a driving score by Mikael Karlsson and Steve Reich, celebrating human resilience through raw, muscular movement. Tickets start at $42.90. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Miao sour soup with fish, lobster, Chinese celtuce and sliced pork belly. Photo by Christina Champlin.
Lunar New Year at Hengry (February 17 to 22, 2026) -> For a truly distinctive Lunar New Year feast, head to Hengry in Alhambra, the only West Coast restaurant dedicated to the vibrant, deeply rooted cuisine of China’s Guizhou Province. From February 17 to 22, 2026, Hengry serves a special family-style menu at lunch and dinner with two celebratory tiers. The $300 menu (serves 4 to 6) delivers smashed cucumbers, salted duck, crispy potato pancakes, Miao sour soup with fish, typhoon shelter Dungeness crab, Guizhou spicy chicken, charred chili pork belly, beef tenderloin with silken tofu, and traditional sweets. The $500 menu (serves 6 to 8) builds on that spread with lobster Miao sour soup, steamed live red grouper, assorted seafood in house sauce, dragon-style chili oil bullfrogs, and additional seasonal greens. Each guest receives a traditional red envelope filled with gifts and raffle surprises, adding a festive final touch. Reservations are available on OpenTable. More info here.
advertisements
A MìLà Schmear for PopUp Bagels (February 19) -> MìLà, the modern Chinese food brand stocked in grocery aisles nationwide, teams up with Not Famous but Known® PopUp Bagels® to debut a butter-based Caramelized Scallion Schmear starting February 19, available at all PopUp Bagels locations while supplies last. Inspired by MìLà’s best-selling Caramelized Scallion Noodles, the limited-edition spread blends savory soy sauce, aromatic fried shallots, and fragrant green onion-infused oil with fresh scallions for a rich, umami-packed swipe that melts into warm, fresh-from-the-oven bagels. More info here.
929 NYC Taking Over Steep After Dark (February 18) -> New York’s 929 NYC brings its high-energy Cantonese and Mandarin pop cocktail concept to Chinatown’s Steep for a one-night takeover on Wednesday, February 18. The team serves up its signature Mando Pop and Canto Pop inspired drinks, blending bold flavors with a soundtrack steeped in nostalgia. Expect a lively, music-driven evening that celebrates community and ushers in Lunar New Year week in style. More info here.
Want to get the best things to do in L.A. sent straight to your inbox? Join over 60,000 Angelenos who subscribe to our twice weekly email newsletter!
By subscribing, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy and consent to receive emails from We Like L.A. about news, events, offers, and partner promotions.
advertisements