Category: activities

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At Home Entertainment: Public Library Edition

What’s Online at the Public Library? Free Movies, Music and Books! 

Don’t close the book on Los Angeles area public libraries. Their doors may be shut due to the coronavirus, but online, their resources remain open. And that includes movies, audiobooks, ebooks, and music – all available for free when you sign up online. Just go to the website and click through for an ecard (at the L.A. Public Library) or 90-day digital library card (at the L.A. County Public Library). Here’s a rundown of some of the materials and apps you’ll discover:

MOVIES

With your card, you’re a member of Kanopy, an on-demand streaming video platform for public libraries and universities, boasting a catalog of more than 30,000 films. As you might expect, the selection should delight documentary-lovers, but they also have plenty of popular Hollywood fare on tap, ranging from Lady Bird and Moonlight to Memento and Donnie Darko. Members can also access Kanopy Kids, which features children’s programming. Hoopla is another service included with your card that allows you to stream entertainment content. Two things set Hoopla apart: you can temporarily download what you want and view it offline, and there are no waitlists as all their content is available 24/7. While their selection includes educational materials and documentaries, they also curate blockbusters like E.T. and Liar Liar.

AUDIOBOOKS AND EBOOKS

With the Overdrive app, you can download everything from bestsellers to graphic novels to YA fiction. One caveat: because copies are limited, you may have to place a hold on what you want and wait for your turn. But in the meantime, the app offers available alternatives to occupy you.

MUSIC

With a collection of more than 15 million songs, Freegal Music lets you download or stream music on any compatible device. They also have curated playlists to suit whatever mood you’re in. And once you download a song, it’s yours to keep and enjoy offline as you please.

HOMEWORK AND ONLINE LEARNING

Online research and homework tools for readers of all ages include searchable databases, live tutors, instructor-led courses and Lynda.com, which provides more than 3,000 courses as well as 150,000 video tutorials.

THE NEW YORK TIMES

A basic digital subscription to the Times costs about $10 a month, but with an L.A.-area library card, it’s free. Just go to the website and follow the instructions. But remember, the number of daily NYT access redemptions are limited, so it may take a little work to snag one. If the Times doesn’t appeal to you, there are dozens of other magazines and newspapers to sample as well.

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Home Tips: Safer at Home

Just because you’re home doesn’t mean the coronavirus can’t follow you inside. By now, we all know the basic steps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are urging people to follow in their daily lives:

    • Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds – or about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.
    • Keep your distance from people in general (a radius of six feet is suggested), but especially from those who are sick.
    • Cough or sneeze into a tissue and then dispose of it in the trash.
    • If you are sick, stay home.
    • If you have symptoms such as a dry cough or fever, seek medical advice.

Which, while providing necessary guidance, still leaves unanswered questions for people now sheltering in place. Among them:

WITH SCHOOLS CLOSED, IS IT SAFE TO HAVE GRANDPARENTS BABYSIT THE KIDS? 

In a word, no. Although recent data suggests younger adults and teenagers are not as immune to the effects of COVID-19 as first thought, the virus nevertheless presents the greatest risk to older adults and people already suffering from such chronic medical conditions as lung disease. For example, as of mid-March, when there were about 2,500 cases in the U.S., adults over the age of 65 accounted for roughly 80 percent of the reported deaths.

HOW CAN I HELP OLDER LOVED ONES FEEL LESS ISOLATED?

During this crisis, don’t overlook the mental wellness of your loved ones, particularly the elderly. If grandma and grandpa cannot see their grandchildren in person, arm them with digital devices, even if they aren’t terribly tech-savvy. The Apple iPad Pro 9.7, for example, is both high-end and user-friendly, bolstered by a brilliant display. For a device, even more, stripped down in its simplicity, there is the GrandPad for video chatting and photo swapping.  

HOW DO I STAY FIT AND HEALTHY IF I CAN’T EXERCISE?

With gyms shuttered and outdoor activities dramatically curtailed, fitness pros are turning online, offering live-streaming classes and free trial apps for anyone who wants to stay in shape. For a more challenging routine, Orangetheory offers a variety of at-home workouts daily. Boxing studio Rumble is hosting workouts on Instagram Live while CorePower Yoga is streaming free classes. Indoor cycling titan Peloton is also offering a free 90-day trial of their classes, which range from cycling and running to yoga and meditation. Lastly, for seniors, the AARP has several fitness videos posted on YouTube. But whatever you choose, don’t stress. Studies suggest a five-minute workout once a day is all you need to maintain your status quo.

I HAVE SANITIZING WIPES AND TOILET PAPER, WHAT AM I MISSING?

The coronavirus isn’t a cyber-attack, but what would happen if your phone or laptop broke and stores weren’t open to selling you a replacement and online delivery became so overwhelmed, it would take days or weeks to courier a new device to you? If you are now working remotely – or need to stay in contact with a family member digitally – you should consider spending on a back-up phone, batteries and any spare parts for the electronics you rely on.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CLEAN THE HOUSE – AND WHAT ARE THE HOTSPOTS?

Experts suggest you clean your home every few days – but pay special attention to the areas and objects that receive the most human contact: doorknobs, light switches, countertops, even TV remotes. As for dish and bath towels, wash them every day after you use them.

SHOULD I MAKE MY OWN HAND SANITIZER?

For all the talk about making your own hand sanitizer – and a lot of what is discussed online wouldn’t be effective, anyway – soap and water should always be your go-to. (Just like people have been doing to battle viruses for most of history; the first soap was manufactured by the Babylonians in 2800 B.C.) Only if the soap isn’t available should you consider a substitute. If you do have to do it yourself, it needs to be at least 60 percent alcohol. (Most online formulas combine rubbing alcohol, which is 99 percent alcohol, with aloe vera gel and lemon juice.)

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Out and About: Virtual Tourism

There’s never been a better time to explore the world. From the Louvre to the Smithsonian to the Guggenheim, the largest museums around the globe are now as close as your screen, thanks to the arrival of virtual tours designed to carry you through their corridors and exhibits. For a population increasingly isolated as current events unfold, this online arena offers a welcome reprieve from confinement and the chance to glimpse cultures, civilizations and works of art that might have otherwise gone ignored. From Manhattan and Paris to London and Sao Paulo, here are 10 museums to seek out – without ever having to step foot in an airport. 

British Museum: London

And now for something truly epic, this legendary museum’s interactive virtual tour of the world’s history spans roughly two million years. Along the way, you can explore the religions, conflicts, and triumphs of a multitude of civilizations that have dotted our planet through the ages. Additionally, the museum, which is closed due to the pandemic, allows virtual tourists to wander its halls and discover artifacts including the Rosetta Stone. If that still leaves you unsatisfied, supplement the virtual tours by listening to A History of the World in 100 Objects, a podcast narrated by the museum’s director Neil MacGregor.

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History: Washington, D.C.

Especially for kids, you can’t go wrong with dinosaurs, fossils and mysterious creatures from the depths. So take them along for this virtual tour and embrace the adventure.

The Louvre

The world’s largest art museum, this Paris landmark, located on the Right Bank of the Seine, measures more than 782,000 square feet and displays more than 38,000 artifacts and works from prehistory to the present – all of which can be appreciated from your home now.

African American History and Culture: Washington, D.C.

This museum and its 35,000 artifacts set out to do nothing less than telling the story of America. Although the virtual tour offers only a glimpse of all that the museum has to provide visitors, it’s impressive nonetheless.

Russia’s State Hermitage Museum: St. Petersburg, Russia

This stunning video – remarkably filmed in 4K in one continuous take on an iPhone 11 Pro – spans more than five hours as it carries you through this museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. All told, the tour covers 45 galleries and 588 artistic masterpieces.

Uffizi Gallery, Florence 

One of the most prestigious art museums in Italy and the world, the Uffizi Gallery sits adjacent to the Piazza Della Signoria in the Historic Centre of Florence in Tuscany, Italy. Built-in 1560, its treasures include works from the Italian Renaissance, all of which can be explored here.  

MASP, Sao Paulo 

Considered Brazil’s first modern museum, the Museu de Arte de São Paulo is a non-profit boasting a collection of more than 8,000 works, including sculptures, paintings, and photographs from across continents. 

Guggenheim Museum, New York 

As renowned for the skylight and spiral staircase at its center as its vast collection of art, now you can explore both, thanks to Google’s Street View feature. 

Musée d’Orsay, Paris

Located on the left bank of the Seine, this museum is housed in a former railway station and features mostly French works dating from 1848 to 1914. Take their virtual tour and browse masterpieces from the likes of Monet, Renoir, Seurat and Van Gogh.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Focused on Mexico’s pre-Hispanic civilizations and culture, this museum features more than 20 exhibit rooms, complete with Mayan artifacts. 

  

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Streaming: 10 “Grade A” Shows & Movies to Stream

Moviegoing, with its elbow-to-elbow maneuvering room, is not socially distant. Which, of course, is one of its great pleasures: watching a story unfold on a big screen in the dark, surrounded by strangers. So it’s no surprise the experience itself is changing in these difficult times, as cinemas are shuttered and studios scramble to adjust. Already NBCUniversal has announced movies still in release, including the hit The Invisible Man, will arrive this week on VOD platforms. Given this, here’s a rundown of what else is available to stream from home.

Frozen 2 (DisneyPlus)

When you have children with nowhere to go, you need a friend like Disney. In addition to a library that spans decades of animated and live-action family fare, this streamer released Frozen II this past weekend only a few weeks after it arrived on DVD and Blu-ray. The sequel picks up with Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Sven and Olaf on a journey to learn the origins of Elsa’s magical powers. FOR AGES: All ages.

I Am Not Okay With This (Netflix)

As it opens with a traumatized teenage girl with telekinetic powers wandering a small-town street, comparisons to Carrie are inevitable. But this new paranormal series isn’t Stephen King’s thriller about a prom queen with demons. And it’s not the X-Men either. Which explains why this clever, soulful spin on adolescent self-discovery has emerged a breakout hit. Sophia Lillis stars as Sydney, a high school student in rural Pennsylvania who realizes she has superpowers. It’s also a quick binge: each episode is a mere half-hour. FOR AGES: 16 and up.

One Strange Rock (DisneyPlus)

Think of this as Earth’s biography. Will Smith narrates as the series, propelled by the cinematic style of producer Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan), plunges across amazing terrestrial spots and to the heights of the International Space Station. The show lives up to its National Geographic pedigree, but with Aronofsky’s involvement, it also proves a stylish, at times troubling fever dream almost as volatile as the planet itself. FOR AGES: 10 and up.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon Prime)

If you haven’t had a chance to sample this Emmy-winning comedy, there’s no better time to catch up on its breezy first three seasons. Rachel Brosnahan stars as a 1950s housewife turned unlikely stand-up comic. Brosnahan radiates charm, but it’s the supporting cast – including Alex Borstein, Marin Hinkle, and Tony Shalhoub – who take the show to creative heights. FOR AGES: 18 and up.

Locke and Key (Netflix)

Based on the graphic novels from horror author Joe Hill (NOS 482), this supernatural series involves three siblings who discover their home is a portal to a universe of magic and mystery. Despite Hill’s involvement, the drama is less a fright fest than a teen-friendly fantasy. In other words, if you’re looking for a Stranger Things fix, this might suffice. FOR AGES: 13 and up.

Spenser Confidential (Netflix)

Beantown’s Mark Wahlberg – who once made an online video tutorial on Boston slang – goes home for this buddy comedy loosely inspired by the works of the late private eye author Robert B. Parker. He stars as Spenser, a disgraced ex-cop fresh out of prison who investigates a murder alongside a quietly-intense mixed martial arts fighter called Hawk (Winston Duke from Us and Black Panther). FOR AGES: 18 and up.

Bob’s Burgers (Hulu)

Neither as farcical as The Simpsons nor as nihilistic as Family Guy, this long-running animated comedy about an oft-beleaguered family man living his dream of operating his own burger joint has wit, heart and a deep, abiding affection for life’s oddballs. If you’ve somehow managed to miss it this past decade, or simply want to revisit favorite old episodes, Hulu has curated 10 seasons – or 188 episodes. FOR AGES: 13 and up. 

Hunters (Amazon Prime)

Al Pacino has embraced the new streaming reality lately – first, with a volcanic performance as Jimmy Hoffa in Netflix’s The Irishman and now with Hunters, his first regular series role as the leader of a band of Nazi hunters in the 1970s. If the subject matter sounds grim, the tone of the Jordan Peele-produced thriller is closer to Inglorious Basterds. FOR AGES: 18 and up. 

Love Is Blind (Netflix)

For fans of The Bachelor, this reality dating show follows 30 men and women who get to know each other from behind private pod walls before eventually coming face-to-face. As their relationship progresses, they need to decide if love is truly blind. FOR AGES: 16 and up. 

Stargirl (DisneyPlus)

Don’t mistake this for the superhero series coming soon to The CW as part of its DC Universe of shows. This Stargirl is a teen drama based on the 2000 bestselling novel by Jerry Spinelli about a free-spirited new girl in school who inspires other students to embrace their true selves and resist conformity. FOR AGES: 10 and up. 

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Games: Family Edition

Game night has evolved a lot since the days of checkers and Clue. Board games now range from intricate puzzles requiring the utmost strategic thinking to intense mythologies that draw in players for hours (and hours) to raucous adults-only laugh riots. So to say, in this era of social distancing, games are one way to pass the time is a disservice to their makers and the people who play, regardless of current events. Sit yourself and the kids down and break out any of the following 10 family-friendly games. You might end up having a great time, even stuck indoors.

Jax Sequence

As with life, all this takes to win is some luck and a little strategy. Participants play a card while at the same time placing a chip on the equivalent space on the board. The aim is to assemble five in a row: a winning sequence. Suggested for ages seven and up, the game is ideal for almost any setting since it can be played by as few as two people or as many as 12. 

Heist        

If you think spending a few days on a road trip with your family is a pressure cooker, what about trying to pull off a heist together? That’s the premise behind this game, which sets your team out to crack a safe. Expect as many twists, turns and close calls as an Ocean Eleven’s sequel as your team works to crack a safe. For ages seven and up.

Hasbro Gaming Monopoly

If you have several hours to wheel and deal, backstab and bankrupt, then the classic board game, which dates back to the Great Depression, offers all the pleasure and pain of Wall Street without leaving your living room. It’s recommended for ages eight and up, but honestly, you’re never too young to learn the value of money – or how to connive and claw to get some.

Not Parent Approved: A Card Game for Families            

If you’re in the mood for laughter without having to think about things, you’ll approve. A family-friendly variation on the adults-only Cards Against Humanity, this game challenges mischief makers to match a fill-in-the-blank question with a card from their hand. Silliness ensues.

Throw Throw Burrito Board Game                  


You don’t go into a game called “Throw Throw Burrito Board Game” expecting a master class in chess. The goal is simple enough: “collect cards and throw things at your friends.” Those things, as you might expect, are the ever-smiling burritos. And you lose points every time one strikes you. Recommended for ages seven and up.

Game Mashups – Candy Land Connect 4        

This mashup game takes the architecture of Connect 4 and adds some sweets straight out of Candy Land. Players try to line up plastic candies on the bottom row or vertically from the bottom. Recommended for children ages six and up.

Flying Sushi Kitchen Game    

For parents who find retrieving pieces of sushi with chopsticks a challenge, here’s a game to ensure their children develop vastly superior motor skills. The goal: snare levitating pieces of sushi out of the air and be the first player to assemble his or her platter. This one is recommended for children ages eight to 14.

Twister Scrabble Game

 

Another mashup of two classic games. In this one, for ages eight and up, the twister mat is actually a giant Scrabble board, with players forced to contort, twist and bend themselves into knots in order to spell out words.

Party Bowl Party Game

From What Do You Meme’s line of family-friendly games, this one is perfect for outgoing players who enjoy Charades-like guessing antics. Words and phrases are tossed into a bowl, then guessed upon by others. Since it allows players to decide how racy they want the game if at all, it’s suggested for ages 12 and up.

Family Feud Trivia Box Card Game 

No explanation required. This trivia-box version of the enduring game show brings the feud home. Just remember, after the game’s over, you’re still going to be stuck with these people for a while longer. For ages eight and up, so the whole family can get in on what the survey says.

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LA Events: March 13- March 15

From a Broadway sensation to film noir tough guys to the return of The Strokes, there’s a concert, event or conference for you in Los Angeles and the Westside this weekend – whether you’re in the mood for dark, catchy pop or a jazz phenom’s fairy tale.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

Hamilton

Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway hit almost immediately entered the pop culture lexicon. If you haven’t seen it, this is your chance to find out why. With hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and classic Broadway, Miranda tells the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary.  For details, go HERE.

VERITE with Arthur Moon

The Roxy Theatre, 9009 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, California 90069 

VERITE is California native Kelsey Byrne, whose style of catchy but moody pop first turned heads in the blogosphere. In 2017, she released her first full-length album, Somewhere in Between, on her own record label. For details on the show, go HERE.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020

22nd Annual Los Angeles Festival of Film Noir

The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood, 6712 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Dedicated to hard-bitten hustlers, sleek gangsters and vexing dames, the longest-running film noir festival in Los Angeles is casting its long shadow at the Egyptian Theatre with another sensational lineup of rare films. On Saturday, March 14, the festival unspools a five-film noir marathon: Out of the Past with Robert Mitchum and Kirk Douglas; The Guilty with Don Castle and Wally Cassel; High Tide with Lee Tracy; The Prowler with Van Heflin and Evelyn Keyes; and Try and Get Me, with Lloyd Bridges. For details, go HERE.

The Strokes

The Forum, 3900 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA

Indie princes The Strokes return to the City of Angels ahead of their first full-length album in seven years, The New Abnormal. Most recently, the group has been stirring interest with a stream of singles including Ode to the Mets and At the Door. Performing ahead of the group is rising rocker King Princess. For ticket information, go HERE.

SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020

Cecile McLorin Salvant

Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA

Jazz phenom Cecile McLorin Salvant blends bluegrass and jazz in the fairy tale Ogresse, about a human-eating monster who lives in the woods. And like all the best fairy tales, this one, told from the point of view of a young black woman, has a lot to say about the world today. For ticket information, go HERE.

Shordie Shordie

The Roxy Theatre, 9009 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, California 90069 

Once considered one of rap’s best-kept secrets, Shordie Shordie now appears on the cusp of big things. With his Baltimore trio Peso Da Mafia, he released projects such as What Matters Most (2017) and Never a Drought (2018). Their 2017 single Money Man became a sensation in their hometown. For details about this show, go HERE.

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Valley Eats: Iconic Side Dishes

You order the meal, but what you really came for is the side. It happens. Whether it’s the favorite hangout where the fries are the salty sensations you crave or the pub that serves mac n’ cheese that outpaces the rest of the menu, some side dishes transcend their class status as mere half-considered, disposable pleasures. They become the plates of calorie intake we truly, madly love. Around the Valley, here are a few sides so delicious and unforgettable they will have you coming back – but only for them.

Conejo Valley

Hummus

Hummus Bistro, 587 N Ventu Park Road Suite 587A, Newbury Park, CA 91320

Who says a side can’t be good for you? This Middle Eastern dish is a far healthier option than the other dips or sauces you might turn to. This eatery’s hummus consists of garbanzo beans blended with garlic, lemon juice and tahini sauce, topped with organic extra virgin olive oil. While it’s served with pita bread, remember hummus can be used as a dip for almost anything.

Chili Cheese Fries

Stacked Food Well Built, 446 W Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA

From the image above, can you tell which is the side and which is the main? These fries arrive buried under cheddar and jack cheeses, finished off with house-made beef and pork chili, sour cream and green onions.

Hot Homemade Soup

Chocolatine, 2955 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

This charming French-themed venue offers croissants, croque, quiche, pastries and salads, but the one side that cannot be missed is the home-made soup. Try the tomato and goat cheese or the zucchini-boursin. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a hint of France without leaving California.

San Fernando Valley

Vegan Nachos

SunCafe, 10820 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, CA 91604

If you’re a vegan, these nachos were engineered for you. If you’re not, you’ll be pleasantly shocked that you can’t tell the difference. Made from Mexican turnip and blue corn chips, they arrive under a blanket of cashew cheese, vegan sour cream, meatless chorizo, jalapenos and a smattering of other veggies. Now that we’ve settled the question of whether vegan nachos can be good, it’s time to ask: are nachos really a side or are they a meal? Discuss.

The Potato

Fresh Potato Factory, 9420 Reseda Boulevard, Northridge, CA, 91324

Whatever your potato preference you will likely find one to your liking at this counter-serve vegetarian spot. Whether mashed or baked (but never fried) or presented as wedges, paninis, burgers or fries, everything on the menu is carved with the potato in mind.

Chili and Cornbread

The David Brothers Chili Parlor, 1145 East Chevy Chase, Glendale, CA 91205

We will sidestep the question of whether chili is really a meal since, whether you’re having the house chili (angus beef, red peppers, onions, kidney beans and cilantro) or the veggie chili (fresh peppers, onions, beans, corn and cilantro), your choice of sides includes a cornbread bowl or a cornbread muffin. In other words, it is both the meal and the side. Don’t forget the toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, diced onions and jalapenos.

Santa Clarita

Southern Fried Dill Pickles

Lucielle’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, Westfield Valencia Town Center, 24201 West Valencia Boulevard, Valencia, CA 91355

Fried pickles first appeared on the culinary scene in the south in the 1960s, which begs the question: what did people do with pickles before that? For dipping, Lucielle’s serves ranch and Creole mustard alongside their Cajun fried pickle spears.

Chips and Guacamole

Rubio’s, 27055 McBean Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91355

If you’ve ever ordered a bowl of chips and guac to start and completely spoiled your meal, you know that sometimes the guac was all you really needed. This beach-themed eatery makes their guacamole fresh daily with Hass avocados, natural sea salt, garlic and lime juice.

Gyromania Fries

Gyromania, 20655 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351 

For evidence of the versatility of the fry, look no further than this Greek-inspired side – although it certainly looks like meal enough – which offers your choice of meat, buried under crumbled feta cheese and oregano flakes and served with tzatziki sauce. Opa!

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Valley Events: March 13 – March 15

Conejo Valley

Travel back in time to the reign of the original rock stars, catch up with an original Jersey Boy or spend time dueling the Red Baron. Whether you’re in the mood for comedy or music, there is plenty of entertainment to check out this weekend in the Conejo Valley.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

Fred Kavli Theater, Thousand Oaks Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks, CA

Frankie Valli was the original Jersey Boy. Decades before the smash Broadway musical, Valli was the lead singer of the Four Seasons in 1962. Their journey formed the basis of the show, which now ranks as the 12th longest-running production in Broadway history. The Four Seasons were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. For tickets, go HERE.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020

Rockin the Legends

Scherr Forum Theatre, Thousand Oaks Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks, CA

Academy Awards musical director Michael Anthony Perna takes audiences through the rock of ages, chronicling modern rock from the early classical composers through the blues – then into the modern era from Ray Charles to Led Zeppelin. With a live band, the show tours the lives and legends of performers including The Beatles, Chuck Berry, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, John Lennon and Elton John. For more information, go HERE.

Jim Jefferies

Fred Kavli Theater, Thousand Oaks Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks, CA

Jim Jefferies first got noticed by American audiences with his debut HBO special I Swear to God. Since then he’s established himself as one of the most popular comics working today – from his FX sitcom Legit to his late-night talk show The Jim Jefferies Show on Comedy Central. This latest tour was announced shortly after his fifth stand-up comedy special Freedumb debuted last summer on Netflix. For details about the show, go HERE.

SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020 

Karla Bonoff

Scherr Forum Theatre, Thousand Oaks Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks, CA

Singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff’s career spans four decades, during which time she’s written hits for Bonnie Raitt (Home), Wynonna Judd (Tell Me Why) and Linda Ronstadt, who recorded a number of Bonoff’s songs including Someone To Lay Down Beside Me and Lose Again for the 1976 album Hasten Down the Wind as well as the 1989 duet All My Life. For tickets, go HERE.

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown

The Actors’ Repertory Theatre of Simi adapts Clark Gesner’s classic musical, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, adapted from Charles Schulz’s legendary comic strip. All your favorites are here – from Lucy and Linus to Snoopy and Charlie Brown, who, in fine form, spends the show veering from defeat to indomitable hope. For more details, go HERE.

San Fernando Valley

From a rising singer-songwriter to a pair of Hollywood comedy veterans – they’re all part of what’s going on this weekend in the San Fernando Valley.

Friday, March 13, 2020 

Best in Show 20th Anniversary

Studio Movie Grill, 128 Artsakh Avenue, Glendale, CA 91206

The Shore to Shore Film Festival kicks off with a screening of Christopher Guest comedy Best in Show on its 20th anniversary. After the movie, stay for the Q and A with actors Jim Piddock and John Michael Higgins. If you arrive early, you can drop by the happy hour mixer at the bar. A portion of ticket sales will go to Dog Cafe LA, who will be on hand from 5 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. with some of the dogs up for adoption at the rescue organization. For details, go HERE.

Saturday, March 14, 2020 

Kendra and the Bunnies

Room 41, 4105 W Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505

“Kendra & the Bunnies” is actually singer, songwriter, poet, and author Kendra Muecke, whose first album, Of Vinyl, debuted last July. Her sound fuses singing, spoken word, guitar, percussion, medicine drum, and electronic samples. For more information, go HERE.

 

Dana Gould

Flappers Comedy Club Burbank – Main Room, 102 East Magnolia Burbank, CA 91502

A prolific comic, actor and writer, Dana Gould’s credits include The Late Show with David Letterman, Conan, Maron, Seinfeld and Parks, and Recreation. He even played a live-action version of himself on Family Guy. Behind the scenes, he has written for The Simpsons and The Ben Stiller Show, as well as created the series Stan Against Evil. You may also have come across his monthly podcast, The Dana Gould Hour. For tickets, go HERE.

 Sunday, March 15, 2020 

 

Jeremy Piven

Flappers Comedy Club Burbank, 102 East Magnolia Burbank, CA 91502 

Long before he nabbed what would become his signature, Emmy-winning role as uber-agent Ari Gold on HBO’s Entourage, Jeremy Piven had carved out a career for himself as a character actor known for such films as Grosse Pointe Blank and Family Man. Post-Ari, he followed Entourage with the critically acclaimed series Mr. Selfridge and then the CBS drama Wisdom of the Crowd. For information about his show, go HERE.

Atomic Roots Orchestra 

1901 W Burbank Boulevard, Burbank, CA

Hosted at the Burbank Moose Lodge, go swing dancing with the Atomic Roots Orchestra. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and there is a free dance lesson at 7 p.m. For details, go HERE.

Santa Clarita

Nancy Drew is without a clue and a pair of very different acts promise to transport audiences back to the 1980s. All this and more can be found going on this weekend in Santa Clarita.

Friday, March 13, 2020 

The Dickies and D.I.

The Canyon – Santa Clarita, 24201 Valencia Boulevard No. 1351, Santa Clarita, CA

From 1979’s Banana Splits to (I’m Stuck in a Pagoda with) Tricia Toyota, California punk pioneers The Dickies always infused their Los Angeles lifestyle into their lyrics. Toyota, for example, was about a local TV news personality. D.I. formed in 1983 in Fullerton in the wake of The Adolescents and Social Distortion. For information on this double-bill, go HERE.

Saturday, March 14, 2020 

FNR      

The Canyon – Santa Clarita, Westfield Valencia Town Center, 24201 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 1351, Santa Clarita, CA. 9135

If you want to know what love is or simply feel cold as ice or you’re into playing head games, FNR is the tribute band for you. Promising more than a simple rock show, they intend on transporting audiences to a time when Foreigner was at the peak of its popularity in the 1980s. For details and how to get tickets, go HERE.

NANCY WHO? The Girl Detective Without a Clue!

The MAIN, 24266 Main Street, Santa Clarita, CA

For all the attempts by film and TV adaptations to modernize her, Nancy Drew is still best enjoyed as a period piece, befitting her origins. And sure enough, that is exactly what Crowsnest Productions has done with Nancy Who? The Girl Detective Without A Clue! by Mary Main. Set in the 1930s, it follows Nancy as she tries to – what else? – solve a crime. For information, go HERE.

 Sunday, March 15, 2020 

40 Oz to Freedom

The Canyon – Santa Clarita, Westfield Valencia Town Center, 24201 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 1351, Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Taking its name from the debut album by rock supergroup Sublime (responsible for, among other singles, the Billboard hit What I Got), 40oz to Freedom has emerged as a tribute band with a worldwide fanbase. To see their mix of ska, reggae and punk, go HERE.

A Historic Evening with Anne Frank’s Stepsister: Mrs. Eva Schloss

College of the Canyons, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA

When she was eight years old, Eva Schloss became friends with Anne Frank.  In July of 1942, both of their families went into hiding before being captured and sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. Eva survived. This is the story of Anne Frank as told by Eva, who will be making her only appearance in L.A. County here. For more information, go HERE.

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Out & About: Carpinteria

When a town calls itself the “home of the world’s safest beach,” you expect it to be laidback. And yes, Carpinteria – even the name soothes – offers no shortage of calm waters and peaceful strides along sandy shores. But the town, roughly 12 miles southeast of Santa Barbara, is also home to much more – from the Santa Barbara Polo Club to the seals and sea lions found nearby Carpinteria Bluffs. And if you have always wanted to know what the world’s largest vat of guacamole looks like, the California Avocado Festival happens every October. If waiting until autumn for guacamole isn’t for you, here are some other suggestions for how to spend a day or weekend exploring the sights and surf of Carpinteria. Safety is almost certainly guaranteed.

MORNING

Carpinteria State Beach

Although an ideal spot for camping and swimming, the real draw of this mile-long state beach is the seafaring animals who call it home. In addition to the sea lions and seals – and possibly a passing whale – there are tidepools filled with starfish, crabs, snails, octopi and sea urchins, among others. One note if you’re thinking about tagging along with a four-legged friend: dogs are not allowed on the beach, but they are permitted in the picnic area.

Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve and Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary

While spotting birds and other wildlife, follow the hiking trails to the open park space with its stunning views north to the Santa Ynez Mountains and south to the Channel Islands. From here, you can look down on the Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary, the habitat for almost 100 adult seals who birth their pups on the shoreline. The sanctuary is a protected space and off-limits to people. But from above, you can quietly observe. Remember to bring binoculars.

Tar Pits Beach

Less than a mile from the seal sanctuary, you can find this aptly-named slice of shoreline. Once mined for the asphalt that drains out from a natural lake, this area of Carpinteria State Beach has been transformed into a destination for both hikers and surfers.

 

Shop in downtown Carpinteria 

After a morning wandering through nature, why not spend time exploring Linden Avenue, the shopping hub of downtown Carpinteria? Only a few blocks from the state beach, it’s lined with century-old palm trees and vintage shops. One tourist stop is Robitaille’s Candies, famed for its Presidential Mints (because they have been favorites of past American presidents). It also offers the opportunity to watch the candy makers at work thanks to a glassed-in kitchen.

AFTERNOON

Stop for a Bite

If you feel like having lunch after a morning spent hiking and shopping, Linden Avenue has plenty of options, including this 50-year-old hamburger stand. The Spot does serve a range of menu options – from a shrimp burrito to clam chowder – but really, it’s about the classic, no-frills burger, as simple as beef, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and Thousand Island dressing.

Carpinteria Valley Museum of History

For those interested in more than what Carpinteria looks like now, this historical museum offers a detailed gaze into its past. Exhibits deal the three significant cultures that have called the area home over the centuries: the Chumash Indians, the Mexican and Spanish settlers, and the immigrant and American pioneers. Exhibits are open every afternoon Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club

Located on Foothill Road in Carpinteria, the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club has been described as the town’s best-kept secret. Starting in April and running through December, the public is invited to attend the polo game that happens every Sunday afternoon. You don’t have to be a club member. On Fridays, spectators can partake in Happy Hour in the grandstands.

Whale Watching

Nearly 30 different species of whales and dolphins travel through the Santa Barbara Channel every year, meaning there is never a bad time to go spotting one of these gentle marine giants. Long-running area tour companies include The Condor Express which carries as many as 120 passengers on its catamaran, and Sunset Kidd, which takes visitors sailing on a 41-foot yacht.

Summerland Winery

It wouldn’t be a California sojourn without wine tasting. And Carpinteria and the surrounding area do not disappoint. Located in the seaside town that bears its name, Summerland Winery provides a tasting room where you can sample its Central Coast collection. For dog lovers, the winery encourages you to bring your furry companion along to join the pack.

EVENING

Little Dom’s Seafood

Carpinteria isn’t as far from Los Feliz as you might think. Warner Ebbink and chef Brandon Boudet, who own and run Little Dom’s in Los Angeles, opened Little Dom’s Seafood in Carpinteria earlier this year. As you’d expect, the menu offers Italian seafood along with the coastal culinary vibe that comes with being this close to the Pacific.

The Alcazar Theatre

While it maintains its movie house façade, the Alcazar Theatre, which opened in 1928, has emerged as much more than a venue for films (although there are those – from current releases to such Hollywood classics as Singing in the Rain). A center of performing arts for Carpinteria, also stages concerts, live comedy, and live theatre, depending on the day or evening.

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Valley Weekend Events: March 6 – 8

Conejo Valley

Travel to the chomping, stomping land before time, take in some sleight of hand or settle in for Springtime for Hitler. Whether you’re in the mood for classical music or a trip back in time to the Civil War, there’s no shortage of entertainment and events this weekend in the Conejo Valley.

Friday – March 6, 2020

Dinosaur World Live

Fred Kavli Theater, Thousand Oaks Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks, CA

While you wait for the next Jurassic Park sequel – or for scientists to actually breed dinosaurs – this interactive live show should more than satisfy your appetite for prehistoric lizards. Among the beasts audiences of this all-ages show will have the chance to get up and close with: the Triceratops, the Giraffatitan, the Microraptor, the Segnosaurus and, of course, the Tyrannosaurus Rex. For more details, go HERE.

Saturday – March 7, 2020

The Producers

Conejo Players Theatre, 351 S Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks, CA

The Conejo Players Theatre raises the curtain on The Producers, the Oscar-winning, Mel Brooks comedy about a broke, shady Broadway producer and his meek accountant who conspire to stage the biggest flop of all time – in the hopes of conning the show’s investors out of millions. The crux of their plan? A musical called Springtime for Hitler. For details, go HERE.

Eric Buss: Shenanigans

Scherr Forum Theatre, Thousand Oaks Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks, CA

Expect to be dazzled and delighted at this new show starring award-winning comedian and magician, Eric Buss, award-winning magician Stuart McDonald, Michael Rayner and vinyl spinster, DJ Nel. It promises surprises beyond simply making you marvel: how did they do that? For details, go HERE.

Sunday – March 8, 2020

Civil War Days

137 Strathearn Place, Simi Valley, CA

Saturday and Sunday with costumed civilians as well as soldiers relating tales from the conflict. Highlights will include President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and the re-enactment of the surrender at Appomattox. Learn about everything going on HERE.

Thousand Oaks Philharmonic Gala

The Gardens at Los Robles, 299 S Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA

Internationally-acclaimed pianist Peter Klimo’s recital is the centerpiece of this evening devoted to benefiting the young musicians of Ventura County. In addition to the performance, there will be cocktails and a gourmet dinner. For more information, go HERE.

San Fernando Valley

Dancing queens, comedians and esports players – they’re all on tap this weekend in the San Fernando Valley.

Friday – March 6, 2020

Friday Night at The Bunker

2200 W Burbank Boulevard, Suite B, Burbank, CA

Start the weekend off with laughter at this speakeasy setting featuring Gaina Rivina, Brooks Wheelan, who has been called a name to watch by the London Times, and Chase Bernstein, who has performed on A Little Late With Lilly Singh as well as written for shows on Netflix. The venue is BYOB. For tickets and details, go HERE.

Saturday – March 7, 2020

Brad Williams

Flappers Comedy Club and Restaurant, 102 E Magnolia Boulevard, Burbank, CA

After two highly-rated comedy specials on Showcase and appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the Tonight Show and Comedy Underground, Brad Williams has emerged as one of the most in-demand comics working today. In addition to his own podcast with Adam Ray, Williams has contributed to Adam Carolla’s podcast, The Adam Carolla Show. For details, go HERE.

From Keyboards to Dollars

Motion Picture and Television Fund, 23388 Mulholland Drive, Woodland Hills, CA

Getting published is one thing. Getting paid is something else altogether. Literary agent and attorney Paul S. Levine, writer of How Authors Go from Fingers to Keyboard to Dollars in Their Bank Accounts: Four Ways Book Authors Make Money from Publishers, promises to have plenty of advice for writers at this event, presented by the San Fernando Valley Chapter of the California Writers Club. For more information, go HERE.

Sunday – March 8, 2020

Blizzard Arena Esports Competitions

3000 W Alameda Avenue, Burbank, CA

The world’s top esports players are set to clash in such arenas as Overwatch, Starcraft II and Call of Duty. Along with the on-screen battles, attendees can expect free guest wi-fi and plenty of swag. For gamers and esports enthusiasts, this is ground zero. Get the details HERE.

ABBA Mania 2020

El Portal Theater, 5267 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA

Mamma Mia! It’s not much of a chance you’re taking on them. Abba Mania! returns you to the heyday of the Swedish supergroup beloved for such other hits as Dancing Queen and Winner Takes All. The U.S. cast of this show is comprised of performers from the U.S. and Australia who recreate the group’s last concert in 1979. For all the details, go HERE.

Santa Clarita Valley

Michael Bolton can’t live without his symphony and a pair of acts pay tribute to two of the most popular acts in modern music history. All this and more can be found going on this weekend in Santa Clarita.

Friday – March 6, 2020

Michael Bolton: The Symphony Sessions

Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA

The Grammy winner brings his hits to the Saban Theatre, complete with a symphony orchestra. That shouldn’t be a surprise, considering his latest album collected and arranged such favorites as How Am I Supposed to Live Without You with a full orchestra. For details, go HERE.

Saturday – March 7, 2020

Eagles Tribute by The Long Run

The Canyon – Santa Clarita, 24201 Valencia Boulevard No.1351, Santa Clarita, CA

For nearly two decades, The Long Run – Experience the Eagles has been one of the top tribute acts in North America. What better place to see them than the Hotel California itself? For tickets and information, go HERE.

Trace Adkins

The Forum, Santa Clarita, Santa Clarita, CA

Country star Trace Adkins, who has charted more than 20 singles on the Billboard country music charts, brings his distinctive voice and his decades of hits to the Forum in Santa Clarita. In addition to his music career, he was a finalist in 2008 on The All Star Celebrity Apprentice. He won the reality-TV competition in 2013. For tickets and details, go HERE.

Sunday – March 8, 2020

Santa Clarita Comic and Toy Expo 2020

College of the Canyons, E Road, Santa Clarita, CA

This one-day event will feature a variety of exhibitors from the comics and toys realm. Locally-owned comic shop Kimzar Kollectables is sponsoring the event, which will let enthusiasts interact with industry professionals as well as other liked-minded fans. For details, go HERE.

George Strait Tribute by The Troubadour Experience

The Canyon – Santa Clarita, 24201 Valencia Boulevard, No. 1351, Santa Clarita, CA

The Troubadour Experience bills itself as the greatest George Strait tribute band, promising all the hits of the “King of County,” who has sold more than 100 million records worldwide. For tickets and information, go HERE.

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