Now that this year has also been the last for Carrie Fisher, George Michael and the astronomer who discovered dark matter, it really does feel like time to remove 2016 by force. Since we unfortunately have no control over the Gregorian calendar, we've rounded up some activities to keep you occupied until the ball drops. Kwanzaa has arrived, Upright Citizens Brigade is throwing a very curious Gene Wilder and Fidel Castro special and Miyazaki’s beloved Totoro is gracing the silver screen. Still have no idea what to do on NYE? Well, we’ve got some last minute ideas for you, as well as some sage advice on how to best recover the next day. It’s all happening, Los Angeles. See you on the other side!
Wednesday, December 28 - Sunday, January 1
Mickalene Thomas: Do I Look Like a Lady?
Celebrate the powerhouse women in your life and get down to MOCA for New York–based artist Mickalene Thomas’ newest exhibit “Do I Look Like a Lady?”. The installation is comprised of silkscreen portraits and a two-channel video celebrating black female “identity, presentation, and representation through a queer lens.” The video is a smorgasburg of comedic insight from comedians like Jackie “Moms” Mabley, Wanda Sykes, Eartha Kitt and Whitney Houston.
Image courtesy of MOCA
Lula Washington's Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
Christmas is behind us, we’re halfway through Hanukkah and Kwanzaa is knocking on our front door. No, that doesn’t mean you need to stuff your face with more holiday treats. Instead, recognize the seven day celebration honoring African heritage with the famed Lula Washington Dance Theatre annual Kwanzaa celebration right here in LA. African drumming and the beloved Ted Lange (Isaac Washington in The Love Boat) will get the party going.
Deets: Dec 28 - 30, 7 p.m.; Dec 31, 3 p.m.; Lula Washington Dance Theatre; Tickets and more info HERE
Image courtesy of Lula Washington Dance Theatre
Wednesday, December 28
Battle of the Cocktails
Looking for a dramatic cocktail experience? On Wednesday, Baldoria's beverage director Matt Bostick takes on Big Bar's Cari Hah to see who can pull off the city's superior Nikka Japanese Whisky cocktail. You (yes, you!) will consume the concoctions and determine a lucky winner, because there's a dignified cocktail specialist inside us all. There will also be complimentary delicious bites on hand to line your stomach. Have you ever tried Baldoria’s Pistachio Crusted Grapes with gorgonzola cheese? Bless up.
Image courtesy of Baldoria DTLA
Thursday, December 29
NoHo Food Truck Collective
Whether you’re back at work this week or wearing a spa robe in a ski lodge somewhere snowy, you’re probably not in the mood to cook. If you’re in town, head to NoHo’s weekly Thursday evening Food Truck Collective and get taken care of for yet another day. From cuban and cajun to chinese and fruit of the sea, you can graze your way through cuisines of your wildest dreams. Don’t forget your blanket, chair and second stomach.
Image courtesy of @thefoodtruckcollective
Friday, December 30
Gene Wilder & Fidel Castro's New Year's Rockin' Eve (in Limbo)
We are just as intrigued and confused about this event as you are, but we can’t wait to join Fiedel and Gene in everyone’s favorite afterlife hangout spot … Limbo! Leave it to the Upright Citizen’s Brigade to bring us a theater experience entitled Gene Wilder & Fidel Castro's New Year's Rockin' Eve (in Limbo). This event is part comedy show, part scavenger hunt with themed-rooms like “A Facebook Echo Chamber”, a “Westworld World”, and more. Plus, partygoers lucky enough to receive a golden ticket from Gene will win a prize both wonderful and terrible beyond imagination. Let’s get weird.
Image courtesy of Upright Citizens Brigade
My Neighbor Totoro midnight screening
The Nuart is ringing in the new year on Friday with a 11:59 p.m. screening of My Neighbor Totoro, the film that put Hayao Miyazaki on the map. Today, his character Totoro is as big as Hello Kitty, just less cutesy. The film about two little girls who discover magical spirits in their new country home in post-war rural Japan will be screened lovingly in its most natural state — in Japanese with English subtitles.
Ah and here she is, the belle of the ball herself. It’s New Year’s Eve, people ... that time of year when you frantically try to get last minute tickets to “sweet gigs” after realizing that your plan to “just do nothing” this year is actually incredibly depressing. But fear not, we’ve found you plenty of last minute options. Auld Lang Shine 2017 Aboard still has tickets for $99 HERE; Grand Park and The Music Centerr are celebrating with a 3-D digital video-integrated light show at a FREE outdoor event HERE and Tres by José Andrés is balling out with a $85 prix fixe menu featuring all sorts of epicurean delights that you can drool over HERE.
NYE at your Local Bar
And finally, here are some other bars around town with no cover charge: Stop by in black tie attire to Seven Grand Whiskey Bar, Las Perlas Mezcal Bar, and Caña Rum Bar. Score a complimentary midnight champagne toast at Cole's French Dip, Casey's Irish Pub, Tony's Saloon, Golden Gopher or 4100 Bar. Head to Arts District Brewing Co. to ring in the New Year with 20+ craft brews, skeeball, and a beer toast when that ball drops.
Or check out Citizine’s official guide to NYE in Los Angeles HERE ...
Image courtesy of The Queen Mary
Sunday, January 1
Cafe Birdie Brunch
Is there a day of the year that desperately requires brunch more than New Year’s Day? Now that you’ve undone yourself, the only solution is some greasy bacon and/or a tall stack of pancakes. Thankfully, Cafe Birdie is serving up some of its famed Moroccan Spiced Fried Chicken, as well as French Toast, Crab Cake Eggs Benedict with a dungeness crab hollandaise, or just go “hair of the dog” and have one more flute of champagne to pair with their American Caviar served with buckwheat blinis.
Deets: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m; Cafe Birdie;
Image courtesy of @cafebirdiela
To further assist your hangover cure, you can also check out Citizine’s guide to LA’s best hangover brunches HERE
New Year’s Recovery Lounge at Beaming
New Year’s Recovery Lounge at Beaming
This superfood chain is offering up a NYD recovery lounge with a vitality shot to alkalize, a “hangover cure” to neutralize, a superfood porridge bar, a buddha Bowl or a holiday salad. They’re then partnering with their friends so you can also receive special perks on cryotherapy (hardcore frozen therapy), workout passes and more. Everything you could possible need to start the new year in prime condition.
Deets: Beaming Weho and others; $20; Purchase tickets at any Beaming Café; Pick-up on NYD; More info HERE
Image courtesy of Beaming Organic Superfood Cafe
All (New Year’s) Day I Dream
Your options are pretty much this on any given New Year’s Day: You can drown yourself in hearty, heavy brunches or you can just keep partying. This legendary New Year’s Day event returns to Chinatown with a lineup that features Lee Burridge, Hoj, Gorje Hewek and Izhevski. There’s always tomorrow for recovery time ...
Image courtesy of All Day I Dream
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