Whether you like it or not, this is the festive week to rule them all. If you need to force frivolity upon yourself, why not binge eat some of the best holiday treats in LA, or if all else fails, you might refer to our
Grinch Guide. Across our great city, all kinds of holiday, seasonal and secular fun await: classic films, bizarre musicals, the most famous pizza in the country, an amazing piece of vintage Japanese animation and much, much more. Oh, and if you haven’t fallen prey to cuffing season yet, there’s still hope for you at the MatzoBall on Christmas Eve. It’s all happening, Los Angeles.
Thursday, December 22
One Deeper ft. DJ Hanzel
Start your weekend early with DJ Hanzel, Dillon Francis’ house snob parody of himself/ alter ego that has gained such a social following that Hanzel now headlines his own shows. Get “vun deeper” with Hanzel and special guest Phantoms at Exchange LA. Who’s ready to Berlin two-step into the wee hours? Oonst oonst.
Deets: 10 p.m.;
Exchange LA; Tickets $65
HERE; Dress code strictly enforced.
Image courtesy of DJ Hanzel
Thursday, December 22 - Friday, December 23
A Noise Within’s A Christmas Carol
After the LA Times said: “Only a die-hard humbug could remain unmoved by so charming a yuletide treat”, we’re thinking A Christmas Carol might be the perfect way to kick off your Christmas vacay. A Noise Within is renowned for nailing the classics (expect King Lear and Man of La Mancha in the new year), so the Christmas classic is definitely worth your while.
Deets: Thursday 7:30 p.m. and Friday 8 p.m.;
A Noise Within Theatre; Tickets $25- $59; More info
HERE
Image courtesy of A Noise Within
It’s a Wonderful Life and The Princess Bride
Why choose between these two classics when you can watch them both on back-to-back evenings at The Egyptian? Come Thursday for The Princess Bride with Cary Elwes himself who will be signing his book, As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales From the Making of The Princess Bride, after the screening and Q&A. Then return on Friday to warm your heart with It’s a Wonderful Life. As you wish …
Deets: Thursday: The Princess Bride, 7:30 p.m.; Friday: It’s a Wonderful Life, 7:30 p.m; Both $11;
The Egyptian Theatre; More info and tickets
HERE
Image courtesy of 20th Century Fox
Thursday, December 22 - Sunday, December 25
The MeshugaNutcracker: A Chanukah Musical
The perfect holiday musical for Los Angeles, The MeshugaNutcracker takes
Tchaikovsky's beloved Nutcracker and sets it to a klezmer soundtrack complete with dancing dreidels, leaping latkes and a story set around the fictional people of Chelm who tell eight stories that pay tribute to the holiday. There’s also a Hanukkah sing-along and a human menorah. This one sounds like crazy fun no matter your religious persuasions.
Deets: Playing until January 1st;
American Jewish University; Tickets $72; More info
HERE
Image courtesy of The Meshuga Nutcracker
Roberta’s Pizza at Platform
Brooklyn’s world renowned pizzeria with the cult like following, Roberta’s has just opened a residency at Culver City’s Platform until the end of January 2017. With beer or wine also on hand, there’s no better time for a pizza party than this holiday week. Some call it the country’s best pizza. So go see if it’s worth the hype for yourself.
Deets: Every Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. till 9 p.m.;
The Platform; More info
HERE
UCB’s Very Nostalgic Xmas Special
There’s no better way to put a laugh in your annual festive angst than at one of Upright Citizen Brigade’s holiday shows. In this seasonal special, groups will perform scenes from iconic Christmas movies, and if you don’t like it you get to boo them off the stage. Christmas nostalgia at its most hilarious.
Deets: 10:30 p.m.;
Upright Citizens Brigade Sunset; Tickets $5; More info
HERE
Upright Citizens Brigade Sunset, image courtesy of Alethea Cho
Saturday, December 24
30th Annual MatzoBall
If you’re Jewish, single and looking for a NJB or NJG to bring home for Hannukah, skip out on the movies and Chinese take-out this year and hit up the Jew-ciest singles event in town, the MatzoBall holiday party on Christmas Eve. Matzoball promises plenty of matchmaking throughout the evening for Jewish singles ages 21-49.
Deets: 9 p.m.; The Association; Tickets $30
HERE
Image courtesy of MatzoBall
Christmas Eve Wine Tasting
Heritage Fine Wines is celebrating Christmas Eve with Santa Claus’ Selections, a tasting of fine French wines at their Beverly Hills wine store. Your ticket will get you a flight of six magnifique “vins de France”, a 10 percent discount on featured wines to purchase (hello, desperate last minute Christmas gifts) as well as a cheese plate with French Poilâne bread, a golden crusted sourdough specialty.
Deets: 3 - 6 p.m.;
Heritage Fine Wines of Beverly Hills; Advance tickets: $20, at the door: $25; More info
HERE
Image courtesy of Heritage Fine Wines
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians Screening
If
It’s a Wonderful Life is too saccharine for your taste, here’s the perfect alternative: a wacky 1960s cult classic about kids bringing holiday cheer to another planet after martians kidnap ol’ Saint Nick. Aliens, Santa, and super suspect costume design … do you need more convincing? Tickets are only six bucks! Check out the insane trailer
HERE
Deets: 2 p.m.; The
New Beverly Cinema; Tickets $6
HERE
Image courtesy of The New Beverly Cinema
Sunday, December 25
Belladonna of Sadness
A perfectly un-festive way to celebrate Christmas Day, Belladonna of Sadness is a breathtakingly beautiful Japanese animation masterpiece. It recently got its second wind after
Cinelicious restored it to its prime 1973 glory. L.A. Weekly film critic April Wolfe has described Belladonna of Sadness as a “transgressive, Medievalist circus of pleasures ... For fans of bizarre cinema and groundbreaking animation.”
Deets: Sunday 10:15 p.m.; Runs until December 28th;
Cinefamily at Silent Movie Theatre; Tickets $12; More info and tickets
HERE
Image courtesy of Belladonna of Sadness
Christmas Day at Ivory on Sunset
Looking for a traditional Christmas morning with a cozy, chic backdrop? Then head to Ivory on Sunset for a real Christmas feast on one of LA’s lovliest patios. Some highlights from the menu to tantalize the tastebuds: Foie Gras with house made biscuits, duck confit and plum sauce; Australian rack of lamb with roasted turnips, rainbow chard, lemon curd and red wine sauce or prime rib with pommes Dauphinoise, creamed kale and au jus. Oh, good lord indeed!
Deets: Ivory on Sunset; $32 - $54 mains; For more info and to reserve your place, visit their website
HERE
Image courtesy of Ivory on Sunset
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