Weekend Events: Dec. 14th-16th

As we find ourselves in the midst of the holiday season, the bounty of festive events in LA is a plenty. From performances of the Nutcracker to a Winter Wonderland in South LA…

Discover your inner Angeleno!

With all the hustle and bustle of our weekday routine we bring you a curated list of the weekends top activities happening throughout the city of stars.

Limited engagements taking place this Dec. 14th-16th

Friday, Dec. 14th

Moscow Ballet: Great Russian Nutcracker
Moscow Ballet: The Great Russian Nutcracker

Location:  The Wiltern

Christmas is coming and so is the one and only Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker: Dove of Peace Tour! Presenting world class Russian artists, hand-painted sets, and a 2 dancer Dove of Peace with a 20 foot wingspan.  The Great Russian Nutcracker brings the Christmas spirit to life for all ages, “Kids wide-eyed with delight!” says the New York Times. Experience the Dove of Peace Tour, spreading goodwill in over 100 cities across North America in 2018. Get seats now for the whole family and make memories for a lifetime at Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker!  www.nutcracker.com

Barry Manilow- A Very Barry Christmas!
Barry Manilow: A Very Barry Christmas

Location: Microsoft Theater

iHeart Radio’s KOST 103.5 Presents: Barry Manilow – A Very Barry Christmas! Pop culture icon Barry Manilow performs his special holiday concert on Friday, December 14. With worldwide sales of more than 80 million records, Barry Manilow’s success is a benchmark in popular music. His concerts sell out instantly. He is ranked as the top Adult Contemporary chart artist of all time, according to R&R (Radio & Records) and Billboard Magazines. Click here to purchase tickets.

Artisanal LA Holiday City Market
LA Holiday City Market

Location: Bank of America Plaza, Downtown

Gear up for the holiday season at this holiday pop-up, boasting over 20 artisanal vendors including makers, crafters and chefs. Local makers and crafters will display one-of-a-kind, festive goods to toast the season of oversized sweaters and hot chocolate (if L.A. weather permits). Find the fair in the lobby of DTLA’s Bank of America Building.

Saturday, Dec. 15th

Winter Wonderland-South LA
Winter Wonderland-South LA

Location: Baldwin Hills, Crenshaw

On Saturday, December 15th, Council member Marqueece Harris-Dawson will be hosting the 4th Annual Winter Wonderland at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw from 12 pm-4 pm. Winter Wonderland will be filled with fun holiday activities. Winter Wonderland will have snow sledding, a toy giveaway, food trucks, and music.

Susan Feniger Book Signing
Susan Feniger Book Signing

Location: Huntington Library, Pasadena

Susan Feniger of Border Grill and the Food Network’s Too Hot Tamales will be at The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens in the 1919 Café signing copies of Cooking with Too Hot TamalesMesa MexicanaCity Cuisine, and Susan Feniger’s Street Food. Meet the TV personality, restaurateur, cookbook author, and chef known for her eclectic and adventurous globally-inspired cuisine. Purchase one of her cookbooks from the 1919 Café to meet Chef Feniger and receive a personalized message inscribed in your book!

Dianne Reeves: Christmas Time is here
Dianne Reeves: Christmas Time is Here

Location: The Soraya, Northridge 

Songbird Dianne Reeves rings in the holidays at The Soraya with timeless jewels from her album Christmas Time is Here. The reigning diva of jazz was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Juilliard, recognized for her “breathtaking virtuosity, improvisational prowess, and unique jazz and R&B style.” Join us for an evening with the four-time Grammy Award-winner for an unmatched holiday treat.

Sunday, Dec. 16th

Hammer Family Flicks: A Christmas Story
Hammer Museum Presents-A Christmas Story

Location: The Hammer Museum

Ralphie wants one thing for Christmas—a Red Ryder BB rifle—mounting a full-scale, hint-dropping, Santa-begging campaign in the face of a nasty bully, an overworked department-store Santa, and other wintry calamities in what the New York Times calls “maybe the best Christmas movie ever.” (1983, dir. Bob Clark, 94 min.) All ages are welcome. This free program is not ticketed.

An Afternoon of Poetry & Performance

 

An Afternoon of Poetry and Performance at The Broad

Location: The Broad Stage

Red Hen Press and the Broad Stage are proud to present An Afternoon of Poetry and Performance. The performance features California Poet Laureate Dana Gioia, contemporary poet Blas Falconer, and award-winning composer Morten Lauridsen with award-winning musicians Rod Gilfry and Carin Gilfry. The spiritual depth of Morten Lauridsen’s music will make for a thrilling venture into the radiant beauty of soul language.

Handels Messiah: Walt Disney Concert Hall
Handels Messiah-Walt Disney Concert Hall

Location: Walt Disney Concert Hall, DTLA

The perennially popular Handel’s Messiah jubilantly conducted by Artistic Director Grant Gershon and sung by the Los Angeles Master Chorale is a Christmastime concert experience not to be missed.

 

Tis the Season for…the Holidays in LA pt.2

Now that the holidays are in full swing, the bounty of festive events is upon us. While it’s never quite “Winter” in LA, we certainly know how to make the magic of the season happen. With that in mind, we say pause your Netflix night in and don your best seasonal attire, Tis’ the Season for the Holidays in LA Pt. 2!!

Winter Wonderland at The Grove

Nov. 19th-Dec. 25th

Location: The Grove

Celebrate the holidays at one of LA’s famed shopping destinations-The Grove. The month long celebration features a 100-foot Christmas Tree, the Santa House, and additional live music and entertainment. Snow falls every evening up until December 25th at 7pm and 8pm. Click here for more info.

Santa Con

Santa-Con

December 8th

Location: TBA

As the event sates, Santa Con is one of the few chances adults get to truly take part in the wonder of Christmas. It likely doesn’t hurt that adult beverages are involved. Part-takers are encouraged to dress in their Jolly best for this free angeleno event. Click here for more info.

Brew HoHo

December 8th

Location: The Phoenix Club, Anaheim

With over 100 craft beers to chose from, its no wonder Brew HoHo stays a hit year after year. Many of the city’s best beer is brewed in Anaheim, making the venue of choice that much more ideal for the beer fanatic in you. Click here for more info.

Santa Monica Pub Crawl

Santa Monica Pub Crawl

December 8th

Location: Santa Monica

What better way to jumpstart the holidays than jingling all the way to SMPC’s 10th annual holiday event. Ok, maybe no jingling but certainly a fair amount of festive fun. With over 6,000 patrons having crawled until their hearts content last year, this years event is sure to be just as memorable. The fee to take part is $15 and proceeds from the Pub Crawl will go towards the Westside Food Bank to aid those in need during the holiday season. Click here for more info.

Festival of Carols

December 8th & 15th

Location: Disney Hall, DTLA

Whether you love a classic holiday song or just the joy of the season, the Festival of Carols is sure to put you in the Christmas spirit. With over 100 classically trained carolers, this event is sure to warm the heart of even the most Grinch-iest of Grinches in your friend group. Click here for more info.

Snow Wonder

Marina Del Rey-Snow Wonder

Dec. 8th

Location: Burton Chase Park

Ring in the holidays at Marina Del Rey’s annual Holiday celebration-Snow Wonder. Enjoy art, crafts, music, food and even real snow as Burton Chase Park isn transformed into a Winter Wonderland. The event will also feature a fireworks display followed by the Marina’s Boat parade. Whether you chose to sled or sit in on the days fun, Snow Wonder is guaranteed to be a hit for the entire family. Click here for more info.

Stevie Wonder’s House Full of Toys

Stevie Wonder’s House Full of Toy’s benefit concert

December 9th

Location: Staples Center

Stevie Wonder’s House Full of Toys returns for its 22nd year at the Staples Center in Downtown L.A. The event is hosted by the musician himself along with other special guest in order to raise funds to provide toys for thousands of children in orphanages, hospitals, and shelters throughout LA. This year the show will also serve as a benefit concert for those affected by the recent California Wildfires. Concert-goers are encouraged to bring an unwrapped gift or toy. Click here for more  info.

Winter Wonderland End of Year Party

The Source OC- Winter Wonderland Year End Party

December 15th

Location: The Source, Buena Park

While there is still a couple weeks before you start planning your NYE celebrations, The Source’s Year-End party is the kickstarter. With a five-hour open bar, food samples, and a goodie bag valued at over $100 as well as top-notch DJ’s, you’ll leave having won the season! Click here for more info.

Newport Beach Boat Parade

December 19th-23rd

Location: Newport Beach

Celebrating its 110th annual year, the Newport Beach Boat Parade is a showcase of luxury.   From boats to yachts and even canoes donned in over $500,000 worth of Holiday decor, it is a spectacle worth viewing. Don’t miss out on on Bayside lit up in its festive splendor. Click here for more info.

LA County Holiday Celebration

LA County Holiday Celebration

December 24th

Location: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, DTLA

Celebrate the many cultures of the Holidays and LA at the LA County’s 59th Annual Holiday Celebration. This free event is fun for all ages with over three-hours of multicultural music, dancing, and performances. Many diverse L.A. – based artists and community groups showcase their talent, artistry and traditions on The Music Center’s iconic Dorothy Chandler Pavilion stage. The event is put on by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and will also be streamed on pbssocal.org.  Click here for more info.

The Holidays at Universal Studios

Now-January 6th

Location: Universal Studios, Universal City, LA

Let your inner “Who” or “Wizard” run free at Universal Studios annual Holiday celebration. Enjoy a “Grinchmas” with all of your Whoville favorites and Dec.8, 9 and 14 – 30 as you partake in Who-liday celebrations. Solemnly swear that your up to no good? Well you wont need a Marauders map for the Wizarding World pf Harry Potter’s Christmas celebration. Venture over to Hogsmeade and enjoy festive decor, and dazzling lights music cast against the backdrop of the Hogwarts Student Choir and accompanying throaty frogs. Plus what better time to enjoy a hot cup of Butterbeer (in our case all the time but especially during the holidays)? Click here for more info.

“Holiday Time in Paleyland”

Holiday Time in PaleyLand

Nov. 24th-Jan 6th

Location: The Paley Center, Beverly Hills

Celebrate the joy of the season with a family-friendly line-up of classic holiday features. Playing from noon-5pm will be festive favorites like Dr. Suess’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas, A Rugrats Kwanzaa, and Frosty the Snowman. Santa will also be there for the fun on the weekend and select weekdays from 11am-5pm. Enjoy the screenings while taking part in fun games and complimentary hot cocoa! Click here for more info.

Queen Mary Christmas

Dancers perfrom around the main Christmas tree at the Queen Mary’s Chill Ice Adventure Park in Long Beach on Wednesday, December 13, 2017. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

Now-Jan. 6th

Location: The Queen Mary, Long Beach

Step aboard Long Beach’s Queen Mary for a Holiday Extravaganza. A mix of new and old traditions, the holiday spectacular features beautiful decks of lights, carolers and musical performances. Enjoy the outdoor skating rink or visit with Santa. Walk through the Gingerbread Village or lounge in Santa’s Captains Quarters. There is festive fun for all to be had! For more info click here.

Holiday in the Park

Holiday in The Park at Six Flags Magic Mountain

Dec. 15th-30th

Location: Six Flags Magic Mountain, Los Angeles

The “Thrill Capital of the World” brings you all the holiday joy this season with their festive celebration. With over two million lights strewn about the park from Merry Lane to Santa’s Cottage, you will be in a world of holiday splendor. Entertainment will include the Holiday Square Carolers and music by the Mistletones and Kwerkmas. Jingle all the way through the day and don’t miss out on this family fun! Click here for more info.

 

No matter your plans this season, we at Rodeo Realty wish everyone a Happy Holidays!

 

 

 

Out and About: Abbot Kinney Edition

Everyone’s favorite hipster neighborhood is your new go to spot. Or at least it will be for delicious fare, specialized shops, and a proper daily dose of art after your read below. Spend your day in Abbot Kinney and…

Take some time to step outside your neck of the woods.

In the morning…

Gjelina

If you are lucky enough to snag a primetime reservation, we recommend starting your morning or early afternoon off at Gjelina. The Venice hotspot is constantly buzzing and the food is other worldly.

The Beach Life

Venice, CA

After you have fully food charged make your way over to the famed Venice Boardwalk. From colorful locals to unique speciality shops, and designer residences. You’ll find everything you need from sites, sounds, and a true feast for the senses.

Go Surf LA

Always wanted to try surfing? Go Surf LA provides year round lessons at the pier with wetsuit and board rental available starting at $80 per lesson.

During your afternoon…

“Shopper’s paradise”

Abbot Kinney Shops

Once you have filled up on seaside fun head back over to AK’s boutique paradise. Named by GQ’s “Style Bible” as “The Coolest Block in America”, Abbot Kinney Blvd is teaming with a vibrant collection of shops from vintage wear to modern designers. Stop at Tina Wakino’s Bazar, a mix of classic and expertly chosen pieces. The shop as been a Venice staple for more than 15 years with finds like Indigo-dyed textiles, furniture, jewelry, and other antique objets d’art.

Warby Parker

Need a new pair of shades? Warby Parker’s West Coast flagship store is a beachy eyewear haven. The interior of the boutique is the perfect coastal ambience you’d expect in a Venice shop with artwork by Geoff McFetridge. What’s better about this optical option over the rest is that with each purchase of eyewear , Warby Parker donates a pair of glasses to charity.

Midday cravings

Salt Air

Now that you’ve seen a little and shopped a little, it’s time for an afternoon bite! It wouldn’t quite be a day by the sea without some oceanic cuisine. Salt Air has you covered. With their Connecticut-style lobster roll or perfectly poached flaky salmon you’ll feel refined and refreshed at the same time. Pair these menu pick’s along with a serving of summery shelling beans and charred shisito peppers and we will need a new word to describe ourselves other than stuffed.

So much time for activities!…

With appetites accommodated and shopping goals met, it’s time for a midday stroll to work off that Lobster Roll. The Venice Canals serve as the quintessential afternoon reprieve.

Venice Canals

Built in 1905 by the Abbot Kinney himself as part of his “Venice of America” plan, once wondered all the way through Venice Blvd. Registered as a Historic landmark in 1982, the canals reach is a bit shorter but the journey through is just as wonderful. Stroll along visitor friendly pathways of the luxury homes that line this Venice staple.

Beyond Baroque

Before your evening begins, a trip to Beyond Baroque is almost entirely necessary. The Arts Center is considered one of the most famous literary incubators in the country. Founded by George Dury in 1968, the center is housed in the former Venice City Hall building. The nonprofit public space is used to cultivate  and expand the public’s knowledge of newfound literary art. They do so through poetry, fiction, literature and art through cultural events and community interaction.

As the sun sets…

Scopa

If your tuckered out on activities, consider your evening guide a much needed rest. Abbot Kinney is known for many things, and its cuisine truly pushes the threshold of being number one. From aforementioned go-to’s like Gjelina to celebrity hotspots like Scopa and The Butchers Daughter, your palette can do no wrong. We recommend stepping outside the norm and into the vegetable box to be exact.

Plant Food and Wine

Plant Food & Wine from Chef Matthew Kenney is a sleek vegan restaurant on the quit end of AK. And while you might say your no Vegan, to that we say it all depends on what you get. From the kimchi dumplings being almost too pretty to eat to the carrot soup being almost too good to not order three more rounds, you’ll leave plant-based satisfied.

Salt & Straw

Finish up on a sweet note at craft creamery Salt & Straw. The artisanal ice cream shop is a Portland transplant with an extensive menu boosting flavors both sinful and curious. Try the Almond brittle and Slated Ganache or go for true Cali style  with a scoop of Avocado Strawberry Sherbet. Can’t decide on just one? For $10 guest can have an ice cream flight of four flavors from the classic and seasonal menus.

Out and About: Brentwood Edition

Those most familiar with LA will know that there are few areas as affluent as Brentwood with it’s quaint shops and lush greenery, it’s no wonder it ranks as one of L.A.’s most idyllic neighborhoods. Amongst the perfectly tailored lawns and architectural masterpieces is a day full of art, culture, sites, and bites.

Take some time to step outside your neck of the woods…

In the morning hours…

Mornings are best spent starting off with a perfect caffe au lait, in Brentwood there is no shortage of options. Stop by Caffe Luxxe and get your morning pick-me up within the historic Brentwood Country Mart.

Caffe Luxxe

The eatery picks and roasts their own coffee giving new meaning to hand-crafted. Select from freshly baked delights courtesy of Red Rooster Bakery and be on your way.

After your AM charge, explore some of Brentwood’s architectural masterpieces for a light dose of dream home FOMO.

For afternoon reprieve…

George Sturges House

Between the Hunt, Sturges, and Nesbitt house, you’ll have quite the day exploring these post-war artfully designed properties.  A Paul R. Williams design, the Hunt Residence was built in 1921 with elements of the Regency Revival style. The George Sturges house, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1939 features Wrights Usonian style.

The Getty Center

After geeking out on home design of the retro times, venture off to see a different style of art at the Getty Center. A wonder on the scale of both culture, art, and design, the 24-acre Richard Meier designed campus boasts panoramic city views and renowned collections. Once you reach your afternoon craving stop point then have a seat in their lush garden for a midday picnic. The Getty Center boast exceptional dining options and a plethora of seating choices.

Farmshop

If one prefers to head back into town for their afternoon meal, the Farmshop is the perfect destination. Founded by Chef Jeff Cerciello, the eatery is a staple of the Brentwood Country Mart. With imaginative recipes and locally sourced ingredients, its the best afternoon pick me-up.

Your evening adventure…

Skirball Cultural Center

Once, day turns to night, a show at the Skirball Cultural Center is almost a given. Just north of the Getty, the center explores heritage, culture and ideals through permanent collections, rotating exhibits, film screenings and live performances.

Tavern

Finally, we recommend for your evening conclusion to dine as locals do, at Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne’s acclaimed Tavern. The destination restaurant features a tastefully prepared seasonal menu with a who’s who of patrons.