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# LAArtsOnline.com: LAArtsOnline.com is a digital hub that connects and highlights the thriving art community in Los Angeles. The site serves as a comprehensive resource for discovering the latest exhibitions, events, and cultural happenings across the city's diverse galleries, museums, and creative spaces. With a focus on local artists, curators, and art initiatives, LAArtsonline.com offers a platform about the artists shaping the future of contemporary art in LA. Whether you're an art lover, a curator, or an artist yourself, LAArtsonline.com keeps you informed and inspired by the pulse of the LA art world.

## Sitemaps
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## Arts
- [Shakespeare in Griffith Park](https://laartsonline.com/arts/shakespeare-in-griffith-park/): Every summer since 2010, Indie Shakes has been making magic for Angelenos with the Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival. And what a beautiful spot: a stage built in the gently sloping natural amphitheater of the Old Zoo and the cool night air enveloping the audience and performers alike. Performances are FREE, reflecting the company’s belief that classical theater should be accessible to everyone.
- [Madonna: The Rise of the Material Girl](https://laartsonline.com/arts/madonna-the-rise-of-the-material-girl/): There are at least ten hit reasons Madonna is the Queen of Pop - namely “Borderline, Holiday, Like a Virgin, Holiday, Lucky Star, Material Girl” and “Crazy for You,” which were all written and recorded between 1980 and 1985. This period of Madonna's life was prolific, created and produced with her vision; she was not a product of a slick record company - she is and always has been her own creation. 
- [DATALAND](https://laartsonline.com/arts/dataland-2/): LA’s newest museum, DATALAND, is also the world’s first AI museum, showcasing the “art” in artificial intelligence. The brainchild of Refik Anadol (spotted during our visit), an internationally acclaimed pioneering media artist and artist/entrepreneur Efsun Erkiliç, the inaugural exhibition at the space inside Frank Gehry’s Grand LA complex across from Disney Hall is an immersive, multisensory journey called “Machine Dreams: Rainforest.” Timed entries assure small group experiences which begin by equipping visitors with a personal biometric wristband and a device worn around the neck to introduce a series of scents (in partnership with L’Oreal Luxe) i.e. the forest, flowers as you go along. Immersion truly begins when you descend by escalator into an enormous space completely – floor, ceiling, walls – and somewhat dizzily covered by lighted imagery, both abstract and real, ever changing and completely dazzling. Wow. The journey continues, allowing one to glimpse some of the 500 million nature images, representing 2.2 million biological species that have been gathered from major international science institutions as well as by the DATALAND team over years of specialized field exhibitions to sites around the globe, including 16 rainforests. The highlight for us was The Infinity Room where a virtual hummingbird flies through the black box LED cube, taking visitors through an incredibly realized rainforest to a sacred “wisdom tree”. The specially designed soundscape adds magic for your ears and there’s even a chocolate tasting available to engage one’s taste. A very unique journey for all your senses.
- [Pageant of the Masters Brings Art to Life](https://laartsonline.com/arts/pageant-of-the-masters-brings-art-to-life/): Each summer since 1933, Laguna Beach has been home to a very unique event combining fine art and theater: Pageant of the Masters. The signature event for the annual Festival of Arts, the pageant is renowned for its tableaux vivants, or “living pictures,” in which real people pose inside elaborate sets to recreate paintings, sculptures and other masterpieces with startling precision. This summer’s theme for the tableaux is “The Greatest of All Time” and features the works of Michelangelo, Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, Velázquez, Norman Rockwell and more. Masterpieces come alive in a breathtaking blend of art, music, and theatrical wonder.
- [HOSPITAL OF EMOTIONS](https://laartsonline.com/arts/hospital-of-emotions/): Resilience, joy, sadness, gratitude, hope, compassion, anger and love are emotions we have all experienced at one time or another. But here’s something I have never experienced: a series of immersive art installations exploring the full spectrum of human emotion. Welcome to the Hospital Of Emotions where four floors of a historic Los Angeles medical campus have been transformed into a walkable landscape of human emotion featuring more than 80 immersive rooms created by 70 artists and designers from around the world.
- [PASADENA POPS](https://laartsonline.com/arts/pasadena-pops-2/): Set against the lush, garden backdrop of the Los Angeles County Arboretum, Pasadena Summer POPS offers one of Southern California’s loveliest outdoor concert settings.
- [Mummies of the World](https://laartsonline.com/arts/mummies-of-the-world/): The largest traveling collection of real mummies and artifacts ever assembled is concluding its final tour stop at the California Science Center on September 7th. The exhibition first debuted in Los Angeles in 2010 and returns for one final opportunity to see this show before it closes forever.
- [Life, Liberty, and Los Angeles](https://laartsonline.com/arts/life-liberty-and-los-angeles/): As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Autry Museum of the American West invites visitors to explore the American experiment through a distinctly Los Angeles lens. "Life, Liberty, and Los Angeles," now on view in the Marilyn and Calvin Gross Gallery, examines how generations of Angelenos have interpreted and pursued the ideals of life, liberty, and happiness in one of the country’s most dynamic and complex cities. Drawing from historical artifacts, contemporary art, multimedia installations, and community collaborations, the exhibition traces the stories of diverse communities whose experiences have shaped Los Angeles from its earliest days to the present. The exhibition highlights both the opportunities and contradictions embedded within the nation’s founding principles, revealing how those ideals continue to influence civic life, identity, and belonging. Visitors will encounter personal narratives that span generations, including stories of migration, activism, cultural expression, and community-building. By placing Los Angeles at the center of a larger national conversation, the exhibition encourages reflection on how the pursuit of freedom and opportunity continues to evolve across the region. Presented through the Autry’s signature “The View From Here” perspective, "Life, Liberty, and Los Angeles" offers a timely exploration of the people, histories, and ideas that have shaped the city for more than two centuries. Whether longtime Angelenos or first-time visitors, audiences are invited to consider Los Angeles not only as a place but also as a living reflection of America’s past, present, and future.
- [SUMMER AT THEATRICUM BOTANICUM](https://laartsonline.com/arts/summer-at-theatricum-botanicum/): One of Southern California’s most distinctive cultural landmarks for more than 50 years, the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is an open-air theater tucked into the lush, oak-lined hills of Topanga Canyon. Founded in 1973 by actor and activist Will Geer, the company grew out of an earlier artistic refuge he created during the blacklist era, when he welcomed fellow performers and folk singers to his property for informal performances and community gatherings.
- [Spectacular Balanchine!](https://laartsonline.com/arts/spectacular-balanchine/): American Contemporary Ballet (ACB) invites audiences to Spectacular Balanchine!, an evening of dance from June 4–20 honoring George Balanchine, one of the most celebrated and defining figures of 20th-century dance.
- [DATALAND](https://laartsonline.com/arts/dataland/): Los Angeles has been a city of many firsts. Two examples are the nation’s first freeway, Arroyo Seco Parkway (also known as Interstate 110, connecting downtown Los Angeles to Pasadena), and in 1927 the production of the first ‘talkie,’ The Jazz Singer, which changed the entire film industry forever. This month, another first — Dataland, the world’s first museum for AI arts, opens on June 20. Dataland is dedicated to art designed solely by data visualization and AI-based creation methods.  
- [NEW YORK CITY BALLET](https://laartsonline.com/arts/new-york-city-ballet/): For the first time in 20 years, the New York City Ballet, one of the country’s most renowned ballet companies, will perform as part of the Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center program from June 24-28. The weeklong residency showcases the company’s remarkable 75-plus year legacy—its visionary choreographers and its ongoing commitment to showcasing contemporary voices.
- [SKIRBALL NEW EXHIBITIONS](https://laartsonline.com/arts/skirball-new-exhibitions/): Two exhibitions offer juxtaposing artistic views of the Jewish experience in modern culture.
- [Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon](https://laartsonline.com/arts/marilyn-monroe-hollywood-icon/): The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will proudly present the exhibition of Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon beginning May 31. Running through February 28, 2027, the exhibition celebrates the legendary Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson, as a visionary actor and image-maker, examining the many facets of how she created and shaped her public image in the context of the classical Hollywood studio system.
- [Dancing with Bob](https://laartsonline.com/arts/dancing-with-bob/): A landmark collaboration in modern dance takes the stage this spring as “Dancing with Bob: Rauschenberg, Brown & Cunningham Onstage” arrives at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts from May 7 through May 9. The limited run, presented in the Bram Goldsmith Theater, brings together two influential dance institutions to celebrate the centennial of artist Robert Rauschenberg and his profound impact on contemporary dance.
- [Primary Trust](https://laartsonline.com/arts/primary-trust/): Winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Primary Trust by Eboni Booth will be presented at the Mark Taper Forum May 20–June 28. Directed by Knud Adams, thisNew York Times Critic’s Pick is a simple and elegantly crafted story of an emotionally damaged man who finds a new job, new friends, and a new sense of worth, illustrating how small acts of kindness can change a person’s life and enrich an entire community.
- [Mountain Spirits](https://laartsonline.com/arts/mountain-spirits/): Amongst the wonderful cultural institutions accessible to the public at UCLA is The Fowler Museum, with a mission to explore global arts and cultures, emphasizing Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and the Indigenous Americas—past and present. One of three public art spaces (also CAP UCLA and Hammer Museum) of the School of the Arts and Architecture at UCLA, the museum is open Wednesday through Sunday and admission is free. Opening April 12 through January 2027, Mountain Spirits: Rice and Indigeneity in the Northern Luzon Highlands, Philippines, immerses visitors in the stunning world created over generations by the Ifugao of northern Luzon in the Philippines, where they have transformed steep mountainsides into rice terraces—astonishing feats of engineering that are also sacred landscapes shaped by ritual, community, and a profound connection to land.  Works of art including carved guardians, ritual bowls, woven blankets, farming tools, reveal how sustenance and spirituality are entwined, and how generosity, labor, and environmental care nurture Ifugao life. Recognized by UNESCO for embodying ancestral knowledge and sustainable practices, the terraces remain enduring testaments to human ingenuity and ecological balance. They are not monuments to the past, but living sites where memory, work, and spirit continue to converge. The exhibit comes alive further through evocative soundscapes and video installations. Visitors to the Fowler should also check out Cosmic Provenance, a commissioned installation by artist Isabella Kelly-Ramirez to commemorate the Fowler’s 60th Anniversary in 2023. This radiant image features over 100 artworks from the Fowler’s permanent collection, each piece digitally photographed, hand-cut and placed into the collage before it was blown up to its monumental size.
- [Parson’s Dance](https://laartsonline.com/arts/parsons-dance/): As part of its 40th anniversary season, the Parson’s Dance Project arrives at BroadStage in Santa Monica April 18 and 19. Founded in 1985 by artistic director and choreographer David Parsons, the Parson’s Dance Project has become known for its energized, athletic, and joyous style. During its engagement at BroadStage, the celebrated contemporary dance company presents a program that includes three pieces from the company’s extensive repertoire.
- [Giselle](https://laartsonline.com/arts/giselle-2/): Drama. The supernatural. Vengeance, forgiveness, and love. Thematically, Giselle has it all. In a city that thrives on extreme entertainment, it is fitting that LA Ballet (LAB), under the direction of Artistic Director Melissa Barak, closes out the 2025-2026 season with four performances of this ultra-classic, timeless ballet. 
- [Bruce Weber: Try A Little Tenderness ](https://laartsonline.com/arts/bruce-weber-try-a-little-tenderness/): Bruce Weber defined fashion imagery in the 1970s and 1980s, creating photo campaigns for magazines and for lifestyle brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren. His style has been known for its "All American" aesthetic employing vitality, rugged nature and soft lighting. He features everyday people and snapshots of life, and evokes sensuality and emotion. 
- [Keeping Score](https://laartsonline.com/arts/keeping-score/): BroadStage will present the world premiere of Keeping Score, a trilogy from celebrated dance company Jacob Jonas The Company (JJTC),  
- [DREAMS GATHER HERE](https://laartsonline.com/arts/dreams-gather-here/): ReflectSpace at the Glendale Central Library opened in 2017 as an exhibition space designed to explore and reflect on genocides, human and civil rights violations. Inclusive and immersive, ReflectSpace exhibits contemporary art as well as archives, and employs technology and interactive media to engage and reflect the past and present of Glendale’s communal fabric and present-day global human rights issues. The current solo exhibition by Rachel Hakimian Emenaker, Dreams Gather Here, on view through April 26, explores how cultural memories are preserved in material objects. Moving across Armenia, Syria, Russia, South America and the U.S., Emenaker’s work reflects on how people, objects, and gestures carry memory through time, forming the foundations of new futures and new cities. “For communities shaped by migration, grief, and rupture, dreaming can be a way of re-remembering and reimagining,” says Emenaker. “Dreams often become portable homes, a place to rest when permanence is impossible.”  With an American father and a Syrian Armenian mother, the artist’s childhood was spent in Suriname (South America) and Russia. She grew up multilingual and multicultural immersed in Dutch, Russian, Armenian, American and Surinamese cultures. Moving to the U.S. as an adult, Emenaker’s formal art education led her to batik (wax and dye), sculpture, tile and other media. She describes her work as a meditation on diasporic architecture that uses fragments, inherited gestures, and well-traveled materials in sculptural and installation-based pieces that speak to cities like LA, Moscow, Kessab and Van that witness and hold countless migratory stories and dreams.
- [Fashioning Architecture](https://laartsonline.com/arts/fashioning-architecture/): Palm Springs and “other desert cities” just two hours’ drive from LA are a great destination for a long weekend, especially before the summer heat arrives. But beating the heat is easy any time of the year inside the fabulous Palm Springs Art Museum. Two exhibitions currently on show are particularly appealing: Reflections of Glamour: Bob Mackie offers an intimate look at one of the most influential designers in American entertainment - in the main museum - and Fashioning Architecture: What the Runway Borrows from Architecture - at the Architecture and Design Center located in an historic midcentury building a few blocks away. Fashioning Architecture explores the connections between architecture, design, and fashion during a focal moment in the fashion world: the fashion show. Through videos, photographs and archival materials from major fashion houses, the exhibition traces the evolution of the fashion show and considers how designers use architecture – think the Palace of Versailles, the Great Wall of China, the Empire State Building and the iconic John Lautner-designed Bob Hope home in Palm Springs – as an integral element in showcasing their collections. A unique and dramatic setting can significantly impact how a collection is perceived by the critics and public. The exhibition features nearly a century of designs, showcasing how architects like Zaha Hadid and Rem Koolhaas blend the hard surfaces of the built environment with the soft artistry of textiles. Visit both museum buildings for one admission price, with late hours every Thursday and no charge from 5 to 8 pm.
- [Paul Taylor](https://laartsonline.com/arts/paul-taylor/): The Paul Taylor Dance Company brings its celebrated repertory to the Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University on March 18, 2026, offering audiences an opportunity to experience one of the most influential ensembles in American modern dance.
- [Martha Graham Dance Company](https://laartsonline.com/arts/martha-graham-dance-company/): The Martha Graham Dance Company arrives at Musco Center for the Arts on February 11 as part of its national tour celebrating the enduring legacy of one of modern dance’s most influential figures. Founded in 1926, the company continues to honor Martha Graham’s revolutionary movement language while bringing her work into conversation with contemporary audiences.
- [Fútbol Is Life](https://laartsonline.com/arts/futbol-is-life/): Expect to see some interesting cultural offerings surrounding the arrival of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in LA this summer, with LACMA leading the way. Fútbol Is Life: Animated Sportraits by Lyndon J. Barrois, Sr. spotlights “sportraits” by the award‑winning animator and visual effects artist, many of which have never been shown publicly. Highlighting the global culture of soccer through the uniquely personal perspective of an artist who has been modeling figures since childhood, Barrois materializes unforgettable moments from soccer history using one-inch-high sculptures made primarily from chewing gum wrappers, strengthened with glue and meticulously painted in detail. The tiny figures, arranged in vignettes, are extraordinarily expressive, magnifying the game’s physical grace, emotional power, and cultural impact. In many cases, Barrois also brings the figures to life with stop-motion animation, to recreate their particular moments in time, which he shoots and edits on iPhones. Fútbol Is Life brings together 60 of Barrois’s works including his 2018 sculptural installation and accompanying short film, Fútballet, which unites 21 iconic scenes on a 50-inch soccer pitch. On view at LACMA for the first time since its recent acquisition, Fútballet is presented alongside photographs by Harold Edgerton and Eadweard Muybridge from the museum’s permanent collection that contextualize the history of motion studies and time-lapse photography. Fútbol Is Life also features life-size sculptures of Marta and Lionel Messi, behind-the-scenes footage from Barrois’s studio, and examples of the artist’s earlier projects exploring horse racing and American football. For fans of the “Beautiful Game,” this is a can’t miss exhibition. 
- [Compagnie Hervé Koubi](https://laartsonline.com/arts/compagnie-herve-koubi/): The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is welcoming the Los Angeles premiere of the Compagnie Hervé Koubi and their show Sol Invictus for an exclusive four show run this February.
- [Steve Schapiro: Being Everywhere](https://laartsonline.com/arts/steve-schapiro-being-everywhere/): American photojournalist extraordinaire Steve Schapiro captured images of the nation’s political risings and culture over a career of more than six decades. A brilliant celebration of his work - Steve Schapiro: Being Everywhere - is now on display at the Fahey / Klein Gallery through March 21. Beginning as a freelance photographer in the early 1960’s for the likes of Life, Time and Newsweek, Schapiro documented voter registration drives in the South, the March on Washington, and the Selma to Montgomery march, creating some of the most enduring photographs of the Civil Rights era. In the 1970s and 1980s, Schapiro extended his “fly-on-the-wall” approach to Hollywood, capturing behind-the-scenes photographs on the sets of iconic films including The Godfather, Taxi Driver, Midnight Cowboy, and Chinatown. The exhibition title, Being Everywhere takes its name from an acclaimed 2025 documentary directed by Maura Smith that chronicles Schapiro’s life and work, a phrase that perfectly encapsulates both the scope of his archive and the ethos that guided his practice. The photographs in the exhibition reveal an artist who was not merely present at history’s pivotal moments, but deeply engaged in them, seemingly understanding that bearing witness is both a responsibility and an act of love. Steve Schapiro’s (1934–2022), work is held in numerous private and public collections, including The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), The Art Institute of Chicago, the Smithsonian Institution, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the J. Paul Getty Museum.
- [Los Angeles Ballet at The Wallis](https://laartsonline.com/arts/los-angeles-ballet-at-the-wallis/): Los Angeles Ballet (LAB) and The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts will co-present Rubies, Frank Bridge Variations, and a world premiere by LAB Artistic Director Melissa Barak. The triple bill running Jan. 29-31, 2026, at The Wallis, celebrates the company’s 20th year performing diverse repertoires to Los Angeles audiences.
- [Hyper SoCal](https://laartsonline.com/arts/hyper-socal/): Glendale’s Brand Library & Art Center opens 2026 with an impressive new initiative that will help culture lovers identify and experience the art that is all around us in Southern California. Hyper SoCal, as it is known, was conceived by the library’s own exhibition coordinator and an artist herself, Stephanie Sherwood. The program spotlights exhibitions and programs at over 40 community arts spaces across five counties in a partnership of nonprofit and municipal art venues supporting local working artists. Launching this month, exhibitions run the gamut from Phoenix Rising at the Adams Square Mini Park Gas Station to Window Dressing at Cerritos College Art Gallery in Norwalk to Mixed Feelings: Existing in the Space Between at the Brea Gallery.  In later months look for Reservoir: Photography, Loneliness & Well Being at the Los Angeles Center of Photography, Vehicles of Expression: The Craft of Skateboarding at the Craft In America Center and Walls That Speak: A History of Chicana/o Mural Art in the Pomona Valley at the Chaffey Community Museum of Art in Pomona- and so many more. Ever helpful, the Hyper SoCal webpage features an interactive map, list of partner spaces, with highlights and updates of programs throughout the year ahead. Hyper SoCal’s “parent institution” is the Brand Library & Art Center, which features a gallery space connected to a library focused on art and music collections, and is a branch of the City of Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Department.
- [Hamlet](https://laartsonline.com/arts/hamlet-2/): There are few actors, comedians, and storytellers as talented as the Tony-nominated and Emmy®-winning Eddie Izzard. Recognized as one of the most unique voices in contemporary performance, Izzard’s work is known for being smart, historical, and deeply human, often jumping across centuries, cultures, and ideas in a single breath. She is celebrated for her ability to blend stand-up comedy, classical theater, film, activism (LGBTQ+ and human rights, social justice, equality, and refugee causes), and endurance athletics (completing over 60 marathons). 
- [MARGARET CHO](https://laartsonline.com/arts/margaret-cho/): Stand-up icon Margaret Cho returns to the stage with Choligarchy, her latest comedy show, coming to The Wallis. Known for her fearless humor and sharp social commentary, Cho takes aim at the current political climate, unpacking power, hypocrisy, and cultural absurdities with the candor that has defined her career.
- [Monuments AT MOCA](https://laartsonline.com/arts/monuments-at-moca/): The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) has introduced a provocative new exhibit called Monuments, running through May 3, 2026 that challenges the narratives and promotes deeper analysis around themes of race, history, and white supremacy in America.
- [THE NUTCRACKER](https://laartsonline.com/arts/the-nutcracker-4/): As holiday traditions go, you can’t get more classic than a production of The Nutcracker.
- [ASTRA LUNA](https://laartsonline.com/arts/astra-luna/): Nature blends with art in a lush botanical garden through this immersive holiday experience and enchanting night walk under the stars. Visitors explore mysterious grounds to find a celestial trail of shimmering light, cosmic visions, and astral melodies. Located in the scenic South Coast Botanic Garden (Palos Verdes Peninsula), Astra Lumina offers a magical evening escape where nature intersects with light, sound, and storytelling. 
- [American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker](https://laartsonline.com/arts/american-ballet-theatres-the-nutcracker/): Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa is presenting American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker on December 11-21, a production that critics have hailed as a standout of the season in Southern California. The magnificent production, celebrating 10 years with the Pacific Symphony performing Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, enchants audiences with the story of Clara and her prince as they traverse a dreamlike kingdom inhabited by a vivid cast of characters and beautiful dancing including cultural variations and of course, the Sugarplum Fairy.
- [Tavares Strachan: The Day Tomorrow Began](https://laartsonline.com/arts/tavares-strachan-the-day-tomorrow-began/): Tavares Strachan is one of the most innovative and experimental modern artists, and LACMA presents his first major museum exhibition in Los Angeles, “Tavares Strachan: The Day Tomorrow Began.” This impactful collection reexamines how institutions engage with Black histories, introducing new ideas and perspectives, and expanding the stories they highlight.
- [Herb Ritts: Allies & Icons](https://laartsonline.com/arts/herb-ritts-allies-icons/): Herb Ritts: Allies & Icons (November 13-December 21, 2025) at ONE Gallery in West Hollywood is an absolute must-see. Walking through the show feels like stepping back into an era that shaped so many of us — the ‘80s and ‘90s — when Herb Ritts’ images were everywhere, defining beauty, celebrity, and emotion in a way that nobody else could. His clean, modern lines and bold contrasts made everyone he photographed look timeless — and somehow even more human.
- [LA Opera’s Hildegard](https://laartsonline.com/arts/la-operas-hildegard/): LA Opera ushers in its 2025-26 season on November 5 with the world premiere of the evocative new opera Hildegard, an immersive and intimate tale of two brilliant women finding their voices by composer and librettist Sarah Kirkland Snider.
- [Takács Quartet](https://laartsonline.com/arts/takacs-quartet/): This November, BroadStage in Santa Monica offers a trio of performances that span comedy, exploration, and classical music — each one showcasing the venue’s commitment to presenting artists who entertain, challenge, and inspire.
- [Draw Them In, Paint Them Out: Trenton Doyle Hancock Confronts Philip Guston](https://laartsonline.com/arts/draw-them-in-paint-them-out-trenton-doyle-hancock-confronts-philip-guston/): The Skirball Cultural Center is one of my favorite cultural destinations in Greater L.A. - a warm, welcoming and always stimulating place to visit. Draw Them In, Paint Them Out especially exemplifies the latter, exploring resonant connections between the work of painters Philip Guston and Trenton Doyle Hancock and the role that artists play in the pursuit of social justice. Philip Guston (American, b. Canada 1913–1980) was the child of Jewish immigrants from Odessa (present-day Ukraine), raised in L.A., with early social realist and abstract work that evolved into a form of social satire, later becoming one of the most revered painters of the 20th century. Guston’s buffoonish Klansmen paintings and drawings – used to defy the Klan’s bigotry - from the late 1960s / early 1970s, were selected by Hancock as a centerpiece of the exhibition. For the prominent Texas-based Black contemporary artist, cartoonist, and illustrator Trenton Doyle Hancock (American, b. 1974), Guston’s work has been a source of inspiration for nearly thirty years. Hancock’s brightly colored canvases also drew on the language of comics to challenge and comment upon the American condition. The exhibition features key works by Guston in “dialogue” with major works Hancock created in response to his inspirational mentor, highlighting their parallel explorations of the nature of evil, self-representation and art activism. Despite the difficult subject matter and at times violent imagery in their work, both Hancock and Guston share an ability to conquer the pain and emotion of their art through humor that is dark and undeniable. To more fully explore this exhibition, look for docent-led public tours, offered frequently and available to anyone with a General Admission ticket, as space allows. 
- [SURF ART](https://laartsonline.com/arts/surf-art/): The dual exhibition Surf Art: Exploring California's Coastal Culture, presented at the California Surf Museum and Oceanside Museum of Art, showcases nearly 50 influential artists shaped by California's legendary surf culture, including Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Julian Schnabel and iconic graphic designer John Van Hamersveld.
- [LOOKS DELICIOUS!](https://laartsonline.com/arts/looks-delicious/): If you’ve encountered the astonishingly realistic food replicas displayed in restaurant windows throughout Japan, you know how powerfully they can whet an appetite. Looks Delicious! | Exploring Japan’s Food Replica Culture is the first U.S. exhibition dedicated to the extraordinary craft of shokuhin sampuru or “food-samples.”  Now on display at JAPAN HOUSE at Ovation Hollywood, this exhibition is a visual knockout, both fascinating and mouthwatering. The art of food replicas began in the early 1900s and flourished when less familiar “western food” options joined the menus in Japanese department store dining rooms. A model maker named Iwasaki Takizō turned his youthful play with wax modelling into one of the largest producers of food replicas: Iwasaki Co, Ltd in Tokyo and Osaka. Today,  hyper-realistic models are crafted from durable synthetic resins, with specific molds made to order for an enormous variety of foods. Through video and physical displays, the exhibition shows how the art has continued to innovate, refine and evolve as a uniquely Japanese form of cultural expression. Visitors see how craftspeople carefully compose and hand-color each model, replicating both the visual appearance and the sensory qualities of food: the crisp, delicate nature of onion skin or the glisten of fresh fish or fried eggs. This fusion of science, technology and artistic imagination is wondrous, with the exhibition also showing how food replicas are used in nutritional education, medicine and quality control for food industry workers. Visitors to JAPAN HOUSE can enjoy hands on opportunities to craft their own food replica bentō, snap photos of incredible displays and shop for fun food sample goods in the elegant Waza Shop. If you don’t come hungry, you’ll definitely depart hungry!
- [ART & DINING AT THE HAMMER](https://laartsonline.com/arts/art-dining-at-the-hammer/): October is a great time to visit the fabulous Hammer Museum in Westwood, with the opening of two new exhibitions on October 5. Made in L.A. 2025 is the seventh iteration of the Hammer’s signature biennial exhibition that showcases artists practicing throughout the greater Los Angeles area. The 28 participants in the exhibition – representing film, painting, theater, choreography, photography, sculpture, sound and video - present work conceived or made in the city but also grounded in its complex and unfolding terrain. On the other end of the spectrum, Alake Shilling: Buggy Bear Crashes Made in L.A. is a monumental inflatable depicting one of her signature characters—a stern-eyed bear in a hot-pink convertible—atop a colossal strawberry-studded shaped hilltop with daisies. Installed outdoors, the sculpture reflects Shilling’s long-standing interest in scale, whimsy, and surrealism. Along with two other exhibitions continuing into November, Rising Sun, Falling Rain: Japanese Woodblock Prints from the Grunwald Center for the Graphic Arts and Lawrence Lek: NOX High-Rise, an immersive installation of sound, video and scenography intersect to evoke a virtual world in which AI systems dominate the lives of humans and machines, a person could work up an appetite. Thank goodness for Lulu, the Hammer’s acclaimed restaurant led by chef, writer, and cookbook author David Tanis and conceived with legendary chef and food activist Alice Waters. The setting is beautiful, with indoor and outdoor seating throughout the four seasons in the covered dining room and heated outdoor courtyard. Surrounded by art and nature, Lulu offers a daily changing 3-course market-driven menu and lovely bar service, as well as an ala carte selection of salads, soups, sandwiches, for an intimate meal and memorable dining experience.
- [Fiddler on the Roof](https://laartsonline.com/arts/fiddler-on-the-roof/): When Fiddler on the Roof arrives at The Soraya in September, audiences will rediscover the beloved musical transformed by language and history. Directed by Academy Award-winner Joel Grey, this new adaptation is performed in Yiddish, a language spoken for centuries by Jewish communities in Central and Eastern Europe.
- [GO PLAY!](https://laartsonline.com/arts/go-play/): “GO PLAY!” is a poignant new comedy having its world premiere at the Odyssey Theatre September 13 through November 2, 2025.
- [WEST SIDE STORY](https://laartsonline.com/arts/west-side-story/): The streets are in turmoil with rampant violence and a battle for power and control. Rival gangs are divided by prejudice and hate. No, not LA or DC, it’s LA Opera’s new staging of West Side Story by Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, and Jerome Robbins. LA Opera celebrates their 40th Anniversary with West Side Story directed by James Conlon as its season opener.
- [OEDIPUS THE KING, MAMA! ](https://laartsonline.com/arts/oedipus-the-king-mama/): Are you lonesome tonight? No need - LA’s beloved Troubadour Theater Company has just the fix with their unique and hilarious musical take on Sophocles’ Oedipus with Oedipus The King, Mama at the beautiful (and recently re-opened) Getty Villa amphitheater. That’s right, the only LA theater company older than the Getty antiquities—the Troubies - celebrates 30 years of entertaining audiences with Sophocles's ancient tragedy of incest and patricide, running September 4-27. Oedipus gets all shook up in this production featuring the music of the King of Rock and Roll. Previously part of Getty Villa Theater Lab series in 2009, the show introduces us to Oedipus, King of Malibu, who is surrounded by “Suspicious Minds” and realizes “It’s Now or Never” to find old King Laius’s murderer and end the plague. The Oracle brands Oedipus as “Trouble”, a “Hound Dog” and “Roustabout.” I think you know where this is going, but I’ll continue. Oedipus tells the Oracle to “Return to Sender” and Queen Jocasta reminds her husband that he’s a “Teddy Bear.” Alas, Oedipus is heading to “Heartbreak Hotel” when he learns the truth of his mysterious past and “That’s (not) Alright Mama.” Whew! A live band accompanies the salacious story which will make for a memorable evening amidst the splendor of the Getty Villa and its outdoor amphitheater. The show runs 90 minutes with no intermission, so arrive early and take advantage of the delicious dining options at the Getty. It’s one of my favorite summer theatre destinations and I know it will become one of yours!
- [FIERCE! The Story of Cats](https://laartsonline.com/arts/fierce-the-story-of-cats/): The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County has unleashed something extraordinary with FIERCE! The Story of Cats, running through February 18, 2026. Kids can step into a sabretooth tiger's world, hearing bone-chilling roars while parents marvel at how these 400-pound prehistoric predators used their massive fangs for precision kills, not slashing.
- [FOG](https://laartsonline.com/arts/fog/): Two celebrated contemporary dance companies who share Los Angeles DNA, ate9 and Jacob Jonas The Company, will collaborate for an unprecedented evening of world premiere dance and live music called FOG. 

## Cover Stories
- [Little House on the Prairie](https://laartsonline.com/cover/little-house-on-the-prairie/): There are very few television series that deserve a second life, but it turns out that Little House on the Prairie is one of them. This new adaptation doesn’t try to replace the beloved classic that so many of us grew up watching. Instead, it respectfully tips its hat to the original while boldly creating something all its own. What struck me immediately was how cinematic it feels. This isn’t the polished, picture-perfect prairie of decades ago. Life on the frontier is messy, beautiful, dangerous, and emotional. The landscapes are just breathtaking and the costumes feel so authentic.
- [YOKO ONO: MUSIC OF THE MIND](https://laartsonline.com/cover/yoko-ono-music-of-the-mind/): The Broad landed an artistic coup with Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind, the artist's first solo museum exhibition in Southern California. Organized in collaboration with Tate Modern, London, this celebration of the visionary artist, musician and activist and her contemporary culture-shaping work over seven decades runs through October 11.
- [OPENING NIGHT AT THE BOWL](https://laartsonline.com/cover/opening-night-at-the-bowl/): Another summer has officially begun! The Hollywood Bowl kicks off their programming on June 20 with Opening Night at the Bowl: The Best of Broadway. 
- [THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2](https://laartsonline.com/cover/the-devil-wears-prada-2/): The devil is always in the details, which 20th Century Studios is banking on as it prepares to release The Devil Wears Prada 2. It has been 20 years since Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) met her match in Andy (Anne Hathaway) after a long streak of emotional and psychological abuse of her many personal assistants. The Devil Wears Prada (2006), based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Lauren Weisberger, is a fictionalized account based on Weisberger's own experiences working as an assistant to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, though Weisberger swears Priestly is not based on Wintour. That film had a budget of $35 million and grossed over $300 million while bringing in Best Actress Academy Award nominations for Streep and Best Costume Design for Patricia Field. Streep won the Golden Globe for Best Actress with the film also securing nominations for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress (Emily Blunt). While Streep’s performance as Hermes scarf-clad Priestly may have been leading lady-worthy, we would be remiss if we didn’t give credit to the fashion. After all, Prada is right there in the title! 
- [David Geffen Galleries at LACMA](https://laartsonline.com/cover/david-geffen-galleries-at-lacma/): The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) opens the David Geffen Galleries this month. Designed by the celebrated Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, the striking 900-foot-long elevated building spans Wilshire Boulevard becoming an instant landmark in the heart of the museum district.
- [THE BRIDE](https://laartsonline.com/cover/the-bride/): Guillermo del Toro recently created the latest version of Frankenstein for Netflix. Warner Bros. Pictures and Actress and Director Maggie Gyllenhaal are offering a new take on the myth. But this time the focus is on the monster’s bride played by Jessie Buckley (Hamnet). The Bride is a romantic horror film reminiscent of the tragic love story of Bonnie and Clyde. Early reviews by critics are mixed which is a sure sign that audiences are sure to love it. Pop -Culture won’t easily be dissuaded by occasional “Meh” reviews by critics.
- [JAZZ AT NAZ](https://laartsonline.com/cover/jazz-at-naz-2/): CSUN Jazz Studies was already a national standard bearer—winning awards and training the next generation of artists - when The Soraya opened its doors as LA's newest performing arts center in January 2011. This month, we celebrate the 5th year of Jazz at Naz, recognized as one of the best winter jazz festivals on West Coast. The festival has showcased major debuts for emerging artists such as two-time GRAMMY winner Samara Joy, created a home for jazz legends including John Pizzarelli, Branford Marsalis, Dianne Reeves and Chucho Valdés, and highlighted influential crossover artists such as Bobby and Taylor McFerrin, Diana Krall, Jon Batiste, Gregory Porter, Herb Alpert and Lani Hall.
- [LA ART SHOW 2026](https://laartsonline.com/cover/la-art-show-2026/): Every year, the Los Angeles Convention Center hosts the LA Art Show, where around 90 galleries display their top works to over 70,000 attendees in a 5-day event. Hosting artists from 23 countries and showing roughly 20,000 works of art, there’s something for everyone’s taste, and you just might go home with your new favorite piece.
- [BEN PLATT: LIVE AT THE AHMANSON](https://laartsonline.com/cover/ben-platt-live-at-the-ahmanson/): I first encountered Ben Platt in 2003 at the Ahmanson Theatre. I was working in the press office, and he played the role of Noah Gelman in Caroline, or Change opposite Tony Award-winner Tonya Pinkins. He was 10 years old, and he gave a truly astounding performance. I said then, and repeatedly told anyone who would listen, that he was going to be a star. In 2005, he was back at the Ahmanson in Dead End. And now, 20 years later, a Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award-winning star, he returns to the Ahmanson with a two-week residency (December 12–21). This show is an encore of his critically acclaimed 2024 Broadway triumph at the Palace Theatre and will feature a star-studded set of special guests (one at each show, not announced in advance). In New York, his guests were a veritable who’s who of Broadway and pop music royalty including Cynthia Erivo, Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Hudson, Kacey Musgraves, Sam Smith, Micaela Diamond, and Shoshana Bean, among many others. 
- [WICKED: FOR GOOD](https://laartsonline.com/cover/wicked-for-good/): Director Jon M. Chu’s big screen adaptation of Broadway’s hit musical Wicked (which is based on Gregory McGuire’s best-selling novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West) “defied gravity” at box offices all over the world. By the end of 2024, Wicked had brought in over $756 million making it the highest-grossing musical film adaptation ever. Pre-sale tickets for part two of the saga, Wicked: For Good (opening in wide release on Friday, November 21), have positioned it as a top performer, setting records for the biggest first-day-pre-seller of 2025 and landing it in the top 10 of all time, according to Fandango. 
- [NICOLE SCHERZINGER](https://laartsonline.com/cover/nicole-scherzinger/): Tony Award winner Nicole Scherzinger is headlining the Walt Disney Concert Hall on October 30! The multihyphenate, versatile singer will take the stage to perform a variety of songs from throughout her career as part of the “Gracias Dudamel” season of the LA Phil.
- [JAWS: THE EXHIBITION](https://laartsonline.com/cover/jaws-the-exhibition/): “There is a creature alive today who has survived millions of years of evolution, without change, without passion, and without logic. It lives to kill — a mindless eating machine. It will attack and devour anything. It is as if God created the Devil and gave him Jaws.”
- [FREAKIER FRIDAY](https://laartsonline.com/cover/freakier-friday/): Summer just got a whole lot freakier (again)! If you loved Freaky Friday the first time around, buckle up. The magic is back, and it’s even better than before. Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan return to their iconic roles in Freakier Friday, and let me tell you, they don't miss a beat. Their chemistry is still lightning in a bottle, and the updated story brings fresh laughs, big heart, and some wild surprises.
- [SUPERMAN](https://laartsonline.com/cover/superman/): Faster than a speeding bullet, Superman once againflies into theatres in a single bound! Development on a sequel to DC’s Extended Universe film Man of Steel (2013) had begun in 2014 with Henry Cavil set to reprise his role as Superman. When the Man of Steel sequel stalled, James Gunn began work on a new version. He later became co-CEO of DC Studios with producer Peter Safran, and they began work on an entirely new DC Universe. It was soon revealed that Gunn was writing and directing the film with the working title Superman: Legacy. David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan were cast as Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane. Corenswet had recently starred in The Politician (2019) and Hollywood (2020)forNetflix and the feature films Look Both Ways (2022)and Twisters (2022). Rachel Brosnahan had charmed audiences in the breakout hit The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel for Netflix(2017–2023).
- [An Evening with Hugh Jackman](https://laartsonline.com/cover/an-evening-with-hugh-jackman/): The opening night at the Hollywood Bowl is always incredible, and with Hugh Jackman as the headliner, it promises to be nothing short of spectacular. The award-winning, multi-talented actor, singer, and storyteller will perform songs from both stage and screen, including some from his most beloved roles. He will be accompanied by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) for what is sure to be a very special night.
- [Skirball Cultural Center](https://laartsonline.com/cover/skirball-cultural-center/): This summer is going to be hot at the Skirball Cultural Center with two new exhibitions. The first will feature the works of Jack Kirby and his six-decade career of legendary comics, illustrations, and fine art. Many of the works will be on display for the first time. Jack Kirby: Heroes and Humanity traces his experiences as a soldier fighting on the beaches of Normandy to becoming a successful commercial artist and mentor to a generation of younger comic creators. Kirby left high school at age 16 and worked on Betty Boop and Popeye cartoons in Max Fleischer’s animation studio before teaming up with fellow artist Joe Simon in 1941. Working for Timely (later Marvel) Comics, the pair created Captain America, a star-spangled super-soldier who quickly became the publisher’s most popular character. 
- [HACKS SEASON 4](https://laartsonline.com/cover/hacks-season-4/): Max is riding high with critically acclaimed dramas like The White Lotus, but its comedy slate is just as strong. Hacks has somehow flown under the radar of mainstream audiences while still winning praise and awards for its first three seasons, including Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Comedy Series, Lead Actress (three times), and Writing and Directing, and a Golden Globe for Best TV Series Musical or Comedy. Season four may finally thrust it into the spotlight the show deserves. Hacks centers around the professional relationship between a young comedy writer and a legendary stand-up comedian, two women in distinct stages of life desperately trying to hold on to their careers. While Joan Rivers is rumored to be the main inspiration, the creatives behind Hacks based the character of Deborah Vance on a wealth of trailblazing female comedians such as Elaine May, Lucille Ball, Phyllis Diller, and Paula Poundstone. 
- [TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS](https://laartsonline.com/cover/tournament-of-champions/): I’m very excited about the return of Tournament of Champions (season six) this month on the Food Network. I must admit I’ve become a bit obsessed with cooking competition shows and I can’t seem to get enough. I watch the Food Network all day long, enjoying episodes I’ve already seen, so I guess I’m the only one who could write this story with the enthusiasm it deserves.
- [LA ART SHOW 2025](https://laartsonline.com/cover/la-art-show-2025/): Despite the tragic fires that recently raged across Los Angeles, our community’s art thrives on. The LA Art Show will be celebrating its 30th anniversary from February 19 to 23 at the downtown Los Angeles Convention Center. And this isn’t your typical pricey, exclusive art show: over 100 galleries with origins across the globe will participate in this historic event, with a range of price points and mediums that guarantee accessibility to all. The event features artists from Switzerland, London, Ukraine, South Korea, Slovakia, and right here in LA herself.
- [MARIA](https://laartsonline.com/cover/maria/): In new biopic Maria, Angelina Jolie takes the stage as Maria Callas.
- [ONCE UPON A MATTRESS](https://laartsonline.com/cover/once-upon-a-mattress/): Looking for your happily, happily, happily ever after? Look no further. Sutton Foster, the darling of Broadway, silver screen, and television, dons her crown once again as Princess Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress at the Ahmanson Theatre. This triple threat performer has won two Best Actress Tony Awards — for Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002) and Anything Goes (2011) and she has been nominated for several others in between. She has appeared in films and on television in such series as Younger, Psych, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. At the age of 15, Foster was a contestant on the reality competition show Star Search. After studying theatre at Carnegie Mellon University, she settled in New York to further her career on and off Broadway in shows such as Grease, Annie, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Les Misérables, Little Women, The Drowsy Chaperone, Young Frankenstein, Shrek the Musical, Violet, The Music Man, and Sweeney Todd.
- [WICKED](https://laartsonline.com/cover/wicked-part-1/): Wicked, based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 best-selling novel of the same name that became a beloved Broadway musical, finally gets its big screen debut. Wicked is the revisionist exploration of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful World of Oz (1900) which became the legendary film The Wizard of Oz (1939). Maguire shows the traditionally villainous character of the Wicked Witch in a sympathetic light, using her journey to explore the paradigms of good vs. evil. Itfollows Elphaba’s life from her birth through social ostracism, radicalization, and finally death at the hands of Dorothy Gale. Maguire expertly intertwines themes of groupthink, terrorism, propaganda, and life purpose. The monumental task of adapting the 153,353-word novel for the stage was taken on by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman. Wicked the musical premiered on Broadway in 2003, was nominated for 10 Tony Awards, and won three. It is still running today.
- [Joker: Folie à Deux](https://laartsonline.com/cover/joker-folie-a-deux/): Audiences are preparing to return to Gotham City this month with Joker: Folie à Deux. This highly anticipated sequel to 2019’s Joker, finds Arthur Fleck institutionalized at Arkham State Hospital two years after the events of the first movie. Joaquin Phoenix (Gladiator) reprises his Oscar-winning role as the troubled clown-turned-villain, delivering another powerful performance that embodies the Joker's eccentricities and descent into madness.
- [Randy Newman’s FAUST: The Concert](https://laartsonline.com/cover/randy-newmans-faust-the-concert/): Los Angeles is in for an incredible treat with a very special theatrical event. Last performed in New York in 2014, Randy Newman’s FAUST: The Concert comes to The Soraya on September 28 and 29, 2024, for two performances only.
- [SAN DIEGO ZOO](https://laartsonline.com/cover/san-diego-zoo/): Historic pandas debut at the San Diego Zoo. The wait is finally over! This month, visitors to the San Diego Zoo can meet the long-anticipated giant pandas. Xin Bao and Yun Chuan are the first pandas to enter the U.S. in more than twenty years, and San Diego is one of only two U.S. cities where visitors can see these adorable, playful animals. The giant pandas will make their home in Panda Ridge, a multidimensional habitat with lush landscapes of grasses, tree logs, boulders, and other elements familiar to their native environment.                                              
- [HOLLYWOOD BOWL 2024](https://laartsonline.com/cover/hollywood-bowl-2024/): Ask any Angeleno to name the quintessential evening in Los Angeles and they will respond: “The Hollywood Bowl.”  Since 1922 the open-air amphitheatre with its classic band shell structure has been the premier destination for live music and events and this year is no exception. The July calendar is packed- simply overflowing with more than seventeen performances and events celebrating every genre of music and song.
- [The Bear Returns](https://laartsonline.com/cover/the-bear-returns/): The Bear, at its core, is a workplace comedy dialed up to eleven. It follows a charmingly ragtag crew of chefs, kitchen staff, and one very memorable handyman as they attempt to save, and later build a name for, their Chicago restaurant. The story begins with Carmy Berzatto, played by Jeremy Allan White (Shameless), as he returns home to his family restaurant after years of working in Michelin-star kitchens. The restaurant as he comes into it is no different than countless other family-owned fast-casual delis across America – which is to say, not great but not terrible, and able to keep its head just barely above water. For Carmy, though, who’s used to the high-stakes, high-reward kitchens of Noma and Eleven Madison Park, among other real high-end restaurants name-dropped as his former employers, it’s almost painful to watch his coworkers operate in this casual way. He creates a true kitchen atmosphere to the derision of his employees, and ultimately forms a well-oiled team alongside his sous chef Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) and co-owner and combative cousin Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). Rounding out the cast are chefs Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas), Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson), and Marcus (Lionel Boyce), and handyman Fak (ironically real-life chef Matty Matheson); the show has also enjoyed appearances from Academy Award winner Jamie Lee Curtis, Molly Ringwald, and Oliver Platt, among others. Though it’s not without its struggles, setbacks, and twists–no spoilers, but there have been several moments throughout the show where I have outright yelled at my television–the show is charming, heartfelt, and gives every single employee of The Beef room to tell their story.
- [ED RUSCHA](https://laartsonline.com/cover/ed-ruscha/): ED RUSCHA / NOW THEN at The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is the artists first retrospective in over 20 years. This remarkable retrospective chronicles Ruscha’s remarkable career and extensive exploration of all media, including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and artist’s books. With over 250 works, the exhibition will feature his most acclaimed works alongside lesser-known aspects of his more than 60-year practice. This includes his early works on paper, his installations—such as the Chocolate Room and the Course of Empire series, as well as his photographic documentation of the streets of Los Angeles beginning in 1965. Ruscha has consistently held up a mirror to American society by transforming some of its defining attributes—from consumer culture and popular entertainment to the ever changing urban landscape—into the very subject of his art. In 1956, at the age of 18, Ruscha drove west from his hometown of Oklahoma City to Los Angeles to study commercial art at the Chouinard Art Institute (now CalArts). There, his graphic design courses focused on precision and balance, while his fine art classes emphasized spontaneity and gesture. Ruscha would ultimately merge these two approaches in his own work by neatly ordering text and images within painted compositions.
- [FUNNY GIRL](https://laartsonline.com/cover/funny-girl/): For the uninitiated (or more likely, those that are too young to know) Funny Girl is a musical comedy about the life and career of Ziegfeld Follies star Fanny Brice. The action takes place shortly before and after World War I in various theatres, onstage and backstage, on New York’s lower East Side, in Baltimore, and on Long Island. With music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Bob Merrill, book by Isobel Lennart, directed by Garson Kanin, and starring a then little know Barbra Streisand, the original Broadway production opened on March 26, 1964 at the Winter Garden Theatre, subsequently moving to the Majestic Theatre and finally the Broadway Theatre for a total run of 1,348 performances. The show was nominated for eight Tony Awards but didn’t win any (not even for Streisand — Carol Channing won for Hello, Dolly! that year). The Funny Girl company also featured Sydney Chaplin, Kay Medford, Jean Stapleton, and Lainie Kazan, who stood by for Streisand. Beginning on December 27, 1965, Mimi Hines took over the role of Fanny for the remainder of the run. Streisand reprised the role in the London production in 1966.
- [THE REGIME](https://laartsonline.com/cover/the-regime/): Deception, political intrigue, and illicit affairs. No, not in Washington, DC — in HBO’s latest original limited series The Regime. The show depicts a year within the palace of a crumbling authoritarian regime. The location is a play on a lot of countries, be it Russia, North Korea, of maybe even the United States. Viewers can decide for themselves.
- [THE FALL GUY](https://laartsonline.com/cover/the-fall-guy/): The 1970s and 1980s were an era of great television. I remember gathering around the TV with my family to watch whichever show was airing that evening on one of the seven channels we got. In the 70s I loved Lee Majors as The Six Million Dollar Man and in the 80s I followed Majors onto The Fall Guy. I was excited to learn that Universal, 87North Productions, and Entertainment 360 (Ryan Gosling’s production company) would be bringing an action-comedy version of The Fall Guy to the big screen with Gosling starring. 
- [LA Art Show 2024](https://laartsonline.com/cover/la-art-show-2024/): The LA Art Show arrives this month with a spectacular line-up of more than 100 international exhibitor’s galleries and institutions displaying the finest works of art and imagination for five days at the LA Convention Center February 4-18, 2024. With the many multi-cultural influences in the city, Los Angeles has emerged as the epicenter for new artists, collectors, and galleries and the art show continues to offer a one-of-a-kind experience for art enthusiasts. 
- [Jazz at Naz](https://laartsonline.com/cover/jazz-at-naz/): The Soraya’s third-annual “Jazz at Naz” festival arrives at the end of the month and features some of the great musical talents spanning generations, genres, and geography. Distinct regional sounds of jazz will be represented from New Orleans, Cuba, New York, the Carolinas, Memphis and yes Los Angeles too. A highlight of the festival is to pair artists of different generations on the game evening. For example, Booker T. Jones and Matthew Whitaker are separated by six decades but they share a musical lineage and a love of the Hammond organ.
- [MAESTRO](https://laartsonline.com/cover/maestro/): A star is born, and that star is Maestro, a cinematic masterpiece from the mind and body of Bradley Cooper (Nightmare Alley, A Star is Born). As director, co-writer, and star, Cooper masks his signature looks behind glasses and a prosthetic nose to embody Leonard Bernstein in one of the most transformative performances of his career. In record time, Bernstein would go from an assistant conductor, asked to step in to conduct the New York Philharmonic, to by the end of that performance a beloved American genius on his way to becoming an international icon. And it all started with the son of Jewish immigrants and an aunt who dumped her dusty old piano at their home. That small boy would discover his ear for piano and a big dream to rule the world. And that was the world of music.
- [Napoleon ](https://laartsonline.com/cover/napoleon/): Director Sir Ridley Scott began his film career in 1977 with The Duelists, a historical drama set in the Napoleonic Wars starring Harvey Keitel. Four decades and 26 movies later, Scott has returned to tell the notorious French leader’s story once again in Napoleon, with Joaquin Phoenix playing the titular lead this time around. 
- [The Bride of Frankenstein](https://laartsonline.com/cover/the-bride-of-frankenstein/): Sweet love and terrifying love are both on the menu at the LA Opera this month when it presents The Bride of Frankenstein and The Barber of Seville. Thrills, chills, camp, and terror collide in one of the greatest film sequels ever made. LA Opera’s hugely popular annual celebration of Halloween and horror with live music this year presents the 1935 classic, The Bride of Frankenstein at the breathtaking gothic Theatre at Ace Hotel on October 27-28, 2023.  
- [The Morning Show](https://laartsonline.com/cover/the-morning-show/): “The show is much juicier and sexier than it’s ever been,” promises executive producer and director Mimi Leder, talking about season three of The Morning Show on Apple TV+. The premiere is set for Wednesday, September 13. From the start, the series (which helped make Apple TV+’s reputation as a streamer back in 2019) has captivated audiences with the sometimes insane, sometimes lurid tales of Alex Levy (Jennifer Aniston) and Bradley Jackson (Reese Witherspoon), the anchors of a national rise-and-shine broadcast news program on the fictional UBA network based in Manhattan. Known as Morning Wars in Australia and Indonesia (I was not aware of that!), the series is inspired by the book Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TVby Brian Stelter (2013). It examines the characters and culture behind a network morning news program known as — that’s right, you guessed it — The Morning Show. After allegations of sexual misconduct, the male co-anchor of the program (Steve Carrell) is forced off the show. Most of the first season examined aspects of the #MeToo movement from multiple perspectives. The second season premiered on September 17, 2021. The storylines were big on the covid pandemic and continued to feature the personal dramas of pretty much everyone that walked into view. (Is Bradley gay??) 
- [Taylor Swift](https://laartsonline.com/cover/taylor-swift-2/): If you haven’t heard about Taylor Swift’s world tour, I’m sorry to inform you, but you might need to check your Internet connection.
- [BARBIE](https://laartsonline.com/cover/barbie/): Be a “Barbie girl in a Barbie World ... Life in plastic, It’s fantastic.” Mattel’s iconic doll is thinking outside the box and stepping out of the Dreamhouse and onto the big screen for her first live-action movie, being released exclusively in theatres. Once the theatrical window has ended it will become available to stream on Warner Bros.’ newly branded streaming service Max. How exciting!
- [Tim Walker: Wonderful Things](https://laartsonline.com/cover/tim-walker-wonderful-things/): The Tim Walker: Wonderful Things exhibit at the Getty Museum is a must-see for anyone who appreciates the art of photography. Walker is known for his unique and surreal portraits, and this exhibition showcases some of his most iconic works as well as a new series inspired by the Getty and V&A collections.
- [The Diplomat](https://laartsonline.com/cover/the-diplomat/): Are you looking for your new TV obsession? I highly recommend The Diplomat for its plot, writing and character development. Part The West Wing, part Madame Secretary, 100% full of talent. Keri Russell (The Americans) plays a career mid-level diplomat thrust into a global predicament when she is sent to London as the new Ambassador to the Court of St James. Her complicated marriage to a former diplomat brings her challenges. Her husband Hal (Rufus Sewell, A Knight’s Tale), who slays in this part, finds it hard to break the habit of being overly involved in her job. She is a modern woman navigating an outdated paradigm of international affairs in her new role.
- [AVA: THE SECRET CONVERSATIONS](https://laartsonline.com/cover/ava-the-secret-conversations/): “I either write the book or sell the jewels,” Gardner told her ghostwriter and journalist, Peter Evans, “and I’m kinda sentimental about the jewels.” Together, they wrote her tell-all memoir, The Secret Conversations, a book that Gardner didn’t want to be published during her lifetime for fear it was too racy.
- [Corteo by Cirque du Soleil](https://laartsonline.com/cover/corteo/): Cirque du Soleil is back in Los Angeles with its enchanting, high-acrobatic production of Corteo. The world-renowned theatrical entertainment company will perform 42 shows at the Microsoft Theater from March 23 through April 30, 2023. 
- [LA Art Show](https://laartsonline.com/cover/la-art-show-4/): The LA Art Show returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center with a sensational Opening Night Premiere benefiting St Jude Children’s Hospital on February15. This is one of the “don’t miss” parties of the year. Guests will get a first look at art presented by 120 galleries, museums and nonprofit arts organizations, sample complementary treats and beverages from top LA restaurants, mingle with artists, gallery owners and other art aficionados.
- [Mean Girls](https://laartsonline.com/cover/mean-girls/): Mean Girls the musical makes its long-awaited arrival at Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre this month. Writer-comedian-actress Tina Fey wrote the book for the show and her composer husband Jeff Richmond wrote the music (lyrics by Nell Benjamin). Directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, Mean Girls opened at the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway on April 18, 2018, and the US National Tour began in September 2019. It shut down on March 11, 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic forced theatres across the nation to close. During its Broadway run (804 performances), the show amassed 11 Tony Award and nine Drama Desk Award nominations, winning the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical. 
- [DECK THE HALL](https://laartsonline.com/cover/deck-the-hall/): Make the Disney Concert Hall your headquarters for holiday music. The Los Angeles Philharmonic’s 2022 Deck the Hall holiday concerts will feature 15 performances from December 3-31. The blockbuster lineup includes star-studded vocalists, blockbuster movie screenings performed with a live orchestra, notable conductors and family friendly fun all in celebration of the winter holiday season.
- [INVINCIBLE](https://laartsonline.com/cover/invincible/): “Romeo and Juliet reimagined through the music of Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo.” Now there’s a sentence you don’t read every day! But with preview performances beginning November 22, opening on November 30, and running through December 18, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is presenting the world premiere production of Invincible – The Musical. This new re-telling of the classic Shakespeare play weaves the music of Benatar and Giraldo throughouta Romeo and Juliet for the 21st Century. The show will utilize the four-time Grammy Award-winner Benatar’s legendary catalogue and inspired new songs. Invincible – The Musical is set in the modern, war-torn metropolis of Verona where the newly elected Chancellor Paris vows to destroy the progressive resistance and return the city to its traditional roots. The star-crossed lovers’ story, exploring how love and equality battle for survival in times of great transformation, envisions peace in a divided world. The cast will feature Khamary Rose as Romeo and Kay Sibal as Juliet and will also include (in alphabetical order) Steven Agdeppa, Aaron Alcaraz, Gillian Bozajian, Cameron Field, Dionne Gipson, Sophia Hall, Julia Harriman, Nadja Hayes, Brennin Hunt, Sharon Leal, Eric Myrick,Ari Notartomaso, Ian Joseph Paget, Lyric Rachae, Krystle Simmons, Kelsey Lee Smith, Josh Strobl, Jon Patrick Walker, Ian Ward,and Kendyl Yokoyama. With a book by Bradley Bredeweg (The Fosters), music direction and vocal arrangements by Giraldo and Jesse Vargas, choreography by Galen Hooks, and directed by Tiffany Nichole Greene (resident director of the Hamilton tour), Invincible – The Musical promises to be a theatrical experience like none other.
- [Bruce Springsteen Live!](https://laartsonline.com/cover/bruce-springsteen-live/): Attention all Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band fans!  Circle October 15 on your calendars. No, it is not the date of his next concert in LA and not the release of his newest album. It’s the day the Bruce Springsteen Live! exhibit opens at the GRAMMY Museum showcasing nearly five decades of The Boss and his music.
- [Oedipus](https://laartsonline.com/cover/oedipus/): The classic Greek play Sophocles’ Oedipus will be presented this month at the Getty Villa in their remarkable outdoor theater – the perfect setting! The story of course is well known – Oedipus fulfills the Oracle of Delphi’s prophecy by killing his father the King and marring his mother Jocesta. But there is so much more to the story that relevant to today’s political and social climate.   In this innovative reimaging of the play, you’ll discover a story filled with contemporary angst and issues:  part murder mystery, part political thriller, a psychological whodunit and of course plenty of family angst.  Thousands of years later we are still struggling with controlling our destiny and discovering who we really are. Every Netflix and Amazon dramatic series clearly has their roots in Oedipus.
- [The Prom](https://laartsonline.com/cover/the-prom/): Two years ago, Ryan Murphy turned the Broadway show The Prom into a Netflix movie event with big name stars.  It was ideal feel good viewing for all of us stuck in our homes during the pandemic.  The original hit Broadway show is now coming to the Ahmanson Theatre and it’s a not-to-be-missed larger than life musical comedy. The storyline is the same and more relevant than ever here – centering on the troubles in a small-town where Emma a high school student wants to bring her girlfriend to the prom.  The town is in an uproar and parents threaten to organize a secret prom. The situation hilariously escalates when four fading Broadway stars – desperate for some positive publicity – become involved on a mission to change the world uniting under a banner of love for all. 

## Dining
- [HAMASAKU](https://laartsonline.com/dining/hamasaku/): From the outside, Hamasaku plays it coy. Just another unassuming strip mall storefront, easy to miss if you're not watching for the oversized wooden door marking the entrance. Step inside, though, and the illusion breaks completely: you could swear you'd been transported straight to Japan. Co-owned by Michael Ovitz, the man who co-founded CAA and reshaped how Hollywood does business.  The space carries his personal art collection on the walls, blending seamlessly with blonde wood and imported curtains. Running day-to-day operations is partner and general manager Jesse Duron, whose steady hand has kept this Westside fixture humming for years.
- [Bengara](https://laartsonline.com/dining/bengara/): In the Arts District, Chef Tyler Burges is quietly running one of the most technically obsessive kitchens in LA. An Angler alum turned genshiyaki pioneer, he's built Bengara around a grilling technique so rare that even in Japan, it's barely done: proteins positioned away from binchōtan charcoal, cooked slowly through radiant heat rather than direct flame. "I've never seen anyone do that in the United States," Burges says, and honestly, once you taste it, you believe him.
- [ROSSOBLU](https://laartsonline.com/dining/rossoblu-2/): The downtown LA dining scene has some rock stars that are worth fighting traffic to reach and Rossoblu is at the top of that list for me. With a menu that draws on chef/owner Steve Samson’s Bolognese heritage, Rossoblu turns an industrial pocket of the Fashion District into a destination for handmade pasta, wood-fired cooking and warm Italian hospitality. The restaurant space is dramatic and inviting, with high ceilings, bold artwork and a lively dining room, patio and bar. On a recent visit, our foursome started by sharing three of the standout pastas: the Lasagna al Forno - made with mushrooms, Gruyere and Parmigiano Reggiano - beautifully tender, rich and creamy, the Gnocchi Pomodoro brought delicious acidity with tomato, garlic and pesto and the classic Tagliatelle with beef and pork ragù delivered deep, slow-cooked comfort. We then feasted on an unforgettable 20 oz wood grilled Tomahawk pork chop with house made sausage and braised cabbage complemented by a side order of gorgeous roasted carrots with pesto and whipped ricotta. The menu also features lovely seasonal salads, house salumi, seafood and desserts such as tiramisu – many delicious options for building a shared meal. The wine list was thoughtful and well-priced and we found the perfect bottle for our menu selections. If we lived closer, we’d be at Rossoblu at least monthly to sample everything on the menu. For now, our visits are a special night out.
- [Joey Manhattan Beach](https://laartsonline.com/dining/joey-manhattan-beach/): Some restaurants just get everything right, and for me, Joey in Manhattan Beach is one of them. Every time I walk through the doors, I’m reminded why it has become one of my favorite restaurants in California. It’s not just about the food—although that’s reason enough to go back again and again—it’s the entire experience.
- [San Laurel](https://laartsonline.com/dining/san-laurel-2/): San Laurel gives Downtown Los Angeles a restaurant with a sense of occasion before the first plate arrives. Set on the 10th floor of the Conrad Los Angeles, it looks directly toward Walt Disney Concert Hall, making it an ideal dinner before a performance, or a destination when you simply want the city to show off. The room feels polished with warm earth tones, greenery, a lively bar, and a terrace-facing openness that lets the skyline become part of the meal.
- [Hama Sushi](https://laartsonline.com/dining/hama-sushi/): For more than three decades, Hama Sushi has been a true Venice institution, serving locals, visitors, surfers, artists, and food lovers just steps from the beach. With its laid-back atmosphere, long history, and consistently excellent food, it’s easy to see why this iconic spot continues to thrive in one of Los Angeles’ most eclectic neighborhoods.
- [Marmalade Café Malibu](https://laartsonline.com/dining/marmalade-cafe-malibu/): There’s something comforting about walking into a restaurant where the staff genuinely seem happy to see you. That was exactly the experience I had this morning at the Malibu Marmalade Café. From the moment we walked through the door, everyone—from the hosts to the coffee pourers and the team working hard in the kitchen—made us feel welcome. It’s that kind of hospitality that keeps people coming back year after year.
- [Laurel Hardware](https://laartsonline.com/dining/laurel-hardware-2/): Sexy dining, served with a side of sass!
- [BOTTEGA LOUIE](https://laartsonline.com/dining/bottega-louie-2/): Saturday night at Bottega Louie in Downtown Los Angeles felt like stepping into a glamorous European café mixed with the energy of old New York dining culture. The entire restaurant was buzzing from the moment we walked in. Every table was full, the beautiful bar was packed with people sipping cocktails, and the open kitchen with the massive wood-fired pizza oven glowing in the center of the room created such an exciting atmosphere. Between the soaring ceilings, white marble counters, elegant bakery displays, and endless movement of servers carrying pizzas and pasta through the dining room, the whole experience felt vibrant, stylish, and alive.
- [MONTY PRIME STEAKHOUSE](https://laartsonline.com/dining/monty-prime-steakhouse/): Monty Prime Steakhouse is where carnivorous dreams are luxuriously realized. Hidden beneath a modest exterior lies a sophisticated sanctuary that elevates the steakhouse experience to pure indulgence.
- [Mardi Gras Tuesdays](https://laartsonline.com/dining/mardi-gras-tuesdays/): Mardi Gras Tuesday is pure Southern Magic! tThe moment you walk in, you've stepped straight into the Big Easy. And honestly? That was exactly the sign I needed to finally go.
- [Mercedes’ Grille](https://laartsonline.com/dining/mercedes-grille/): For 29 years, Mercedes Bar & Grille has been one of Marina del Rey’s beloved gathering spots, serving great food, cold drinks, and a welcoming atmosphere just moments from the beach. On a recent visit, I was reminded exactly why this local favorite has stood the test of time.
- [THE HIDEAWAY](https://laartsonline.com/dining/the-hideaway-2/): The Hideaway in Beverly Hills is the kind of place you'd never find unless someone spilled the secret, and that's the whole vibe. Tucked away in an unsuspecting shopping plaza near Rodeo Drive, this Mexican steakhouse feels like stepping into a vintage Cuban garden escape, complete with dim lighting, flickering candles, and an intimate glow that screams "romantic night out."
- [UMIAI HAND ROLL & SAKE BAR](https://laartsonline.com/dining/umiai-hand-roll-sake-bar/): Umiai (OO-ME-I), located in North Hollywood, is a truly singular sushi experience. The name translates to 'ocean love' and that shines through in every piece of nori, every tender slice of fish, and every embellishment on the crudo plate. 
- [Pancho’s](https://laartsonline.com/dining/panchos/): Pancho’s Restaurant is a truly legendary Mexican restaurant just steps from the ocean in Manhattan Beach, and delivers the ultimate California Baja experience every single time.
- [LIELLE](https://laartsonline.com/dining/lielle/): Michelin starred Swedish chef Marcus Jernmark finally decided Los Angeles was cool enough for his first stateside restaurant, and honestly? We're not mad about it. Lielle, named after his daughter, is an intimate 42-seat gem that caps nightly guests at 80. Exclusive? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. The $150 four-course seasonal tasting menu is crafted by Jernmark and chef de cuisine Matthew Bowden, a Providence veteran who clearly knows his way around a kitchen. This is California finest with a Nordic twist, fancy food without the stuffy vibes. Think family-style service from a three-Michelin-star chef who will take you on a foodie journey.
- [SALTIE GIRL](https://laartsonline.com/dining/saltie-girl-2/): Saltie Girl on the Sunset Strip is giving Cape Cod realness! This upscale seafood spot delivers where it counts, starting with their famous lobster roll that is tender, succulent meat piled high on a toasted butter-infused Rockenwagner roll with homemade chips. Beyond delectable doesn't even begin to cover it.
- [CULINA AT FOUR SEASONS](https://laartsonline.com/dining/culina-at-four-seasons/): Nestled within the Four Seasons Beverly Hills, Culina Ristorante transforms holiday brunch into an unforgettable culinary affair. Yes, it's a splurge, but for the best brunch in town, it's worth every penny.
- [King’s Hawaiian Bakery & Restaurant](https://laartsonline.com/dining/kings-hawaiian-bakery-restaurant/): Sometimes the best way to travel is simply to drive across Los Angeles. On a recent morning I headed to the legendary King’s Hawaiian Bakery & Restaurant, and within minutes of walking through the door it genuinely felt like stepping into Hawaii. The first thing you see is a giant welcoming pineapple sculpture and a glowing neon sign that reads “You had me at Aloha.” It immediately sets the tone for what this place does so well — hospitality, warmth, and unforgettable food.
- [BUON GUSTO](https://laartsonline.com/dining/buon-gusto/): Buon Gusto is the kind of hidden gem that makes you want to tell everyone you know in the Valley area of Granada HIlls. This cozy Italian spot delivers authentic, homemade cuisine with large, flavorful portions that'll have you planning your return before you've even finished your first bite.
- [San Laurel](https://laartsonline.com/dining/san-laurel/): Some days in Los Angeles just feel charmed. Before heading to a matinee of Beethoven at Walt Disney Concert Hall, I met some friends for brunch at San Laurel, and it turned out to be the perfect beginning to an already beautiful afternoon.
- [STEVIE’S CREOLE CAFÉ](https://laartsonline.com/dining/stevies-creole-cafe/): Did somebody say catfish and grits? Stevie's Creole Cafe on Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles brings authentic New Orleans flavor right to the City of Angels. From the moment you walk in, the southern charm is there! We were greeted warmly at the door and seated within five minutes. Stevie himself stopped by our table, charming and genuine, thanking us for coming. That personal touch set the tone for the entire meal.
- [FIXINS](https://laartsonline.com/dining/fixins/): Honey, you better go on down to Fixins Soul Kitchen at LA Live in Downtown LA serves soul food with actual soul in it. Soul Food at its finest! The atmosphere is lively and energetic, filled with positive vibes from both staff and customers. Soulful music welcomes you the moment you walk through the door.
- [Saint and Second](https://laartsonline.com/dining/saint-and-sinner/): Located in The Village at Woodland Hills, Saint and Second is a beautifully decorated restaurant that offers a modern, upscale dining experience with indoor and outdoor seating plus a stylish bar area. The interior is aesthetically pleasing, making it perfect for brunch or casual celebrations.
- [FISHBAR](https://laartsonline.com/dining/fishbar/): For my aunt's birthday, we headed toFishBar in Manhattan Beach, a spot she'd been eager to try. So, I made reservations for our party of three, which turned out to be a smart move as the place steadily filled up throughout the evening. Our server was knowledgeable and attentive, guiding us through the menu. We started with grilled oysters and tuna bits, both excellent choices, followed by a rich and flavorful lobster bisque that my aunt and uncle thoroughly enjoyed.
- [ZARAPÉ](https://laartsonline.com/dining/zarape/): After a long day with my hair colorist, we wanted something casual and relaxed, no fancy dress code required. He suggested Zarapé, and I was immediately on board. Margaritas? Yes, please.
- [QUIADAIYN](https://laartsonline.com/dining/quiadaiyn/): Some restaurants sit on your mental list for years, quietly waiting for the right moment. Quiadaiyn has been one of those places for me. It had been on my radar for years, one of those places I kept meaning to try.  That changed when my sister came into town craving something authentic. Not trendy. Not reinterpreted. Mexican food rooted in Oaxacan tradition. Quiadaiyn immediately came to mind.
- [Rosetta](https://laartsonline.com/dining/rosetta/): Rosetta Osteria and Crudo Bar, on Ventura in the former The Village location, is the latest from Frank Leon, owner of nearby Michelin Plate-awarded sushi bar Leona's. It is a departure from the typical coastal Italian trend that has taken over LA.  I was there last week with friends, a great way to enjoy the menu, which focuses on crudo and pasta. It helps that Leon owns a sushi bar, because the quality of the crudo at Rosetta is stellar. Beautiful cuts of Hamachi, Tuna, Branzino, and Hokkaido Scallops are embellished with chili oil crunch, shaved truffles, wasabi vinaigrette, and special olive oils. Pastas are fresh and familiar, yet elevated. Take the Spaghetti alla Vongole, where the Little Neck clams are bumped up with bottarga and saffron. The steak cuts are served with bone marrow and chimichurri, and the lamb chops are grilled perfectly in the wood-fired oven. Often in the city, I'm disappointed in the limited wines-by-the-glass list. At Rosetta, I found beautiful (and hard to find) wines like Arneis, Falanghina, Verdicchio, Barbera and Etna Rosso - all of which are meant to pair beautifully with the menu. Equally impressive is the re-design, which brought together the outside patio and inside bar and restaurant into a sleek and romantically-lit, inviting space. I'm looking forward to going back for a glass of Alto Adige Pinot Grigio and the Orata crudo. 
- [VESPAIO](https://laartsonline.com/dining/vespaio-2/): In Italian, the word means wasp's nest, but in this case it’s the name of a beloved downtown LA restaurant, Vespaio – one that’s always “buzzing.”  It’s great for lunch when you’re going to the Broad Museum or MOCA Grand Avenue, but it’s also my #1 “go to” for a pre-theatre dinner when I’ve got tickets to a show at the Music Center – an easy walk door to door. With a diverse menu of both seasonal dishes and family staples that infuse classic Italian tastes with Mediterranean influence, Vespaio serves beautifully plated meals, sommelier-selected wines, and handcrafted specialty cocktails in lovely indoor dining areas or on a lively patio that’s enclosed and very cozy during the cooler months. My favorites from Chef Agostino Sciandri’s kitchen are the fabulous house made pastas from pappardelle to penne and pizzas with that just right crust and terrific toppings. 
- [Louká Beverly Hills](https://laartsonline.com/dining/louka-beverly-hills/): Louká in Beverly Hills is a culinary gem that instantly transports you to the sun-drenched shores of Greece. Located at 340 N Canon Drive, this upscale dining destination beautifully celebrates Greek culture, hospitality, and flavor. Rooted in the philosophy of Meraki — putting soul, creativity, and love into food — every detail here feels intentional and inspired.
- [LAKI RAMEN](https://laartsonline.com/dining/laki-ramen/): Rainy day cravings led me straight into a ramen love story at Laki Ramen, and I’m sorry I didn’t find it sooner. Tucked right near LACMA and the Petersen, this sleek, modern spot feels calm, polished, and intentional. I was the first customer of the day, which made it impossible not to notice how thoughtfully everything was set — menus fanned perfectly, tables pristine, vibes immaculate. I ordered the lunch special, choosing the Dan Dan Ramen with a side of curry. Both were outstanding. The broth was rich but refined, the noodles springy and satisfying, and the curry packed just the right amount of comfort. This isn’t heavy, greasy ramen ... it’s elegant and leaves you feeling clean and happy. Every style here screams quality, whether it’s the signature bai tang broth, vegetarian base, or the incredible clam chowder ramen. Yes, clam chowder ramen! Creamy, briny, soulful, and downright comforting, with scallops that melt right into the broth. The karaage comes cutlet-style in tender strips with two perfectly balanced dipping sauces. And dessert? The matcha tiramisu is brilliant. Dig deep and you’ll hit an intense, dreamy core of frothy matcha goodness. Parking is easy, the food is next-level, and the vibe is totally refined. Laki Ramen is officially my new favorite ramen spot, rain or shine. 
- [VIBRATO GRILL JAZZ](https://laartsonline.com/dining/vibrato-grill-jazz/): Vibrato Grill Jazz isn’t just dinner — It’s a full-on performance, and every night feels like a front-row seat. Founded by legendary musician Herb Alpert, this Bel Air gem masterfully blends fine dining with live jazz, creating a space where music and cuisine play in perfect harmony. The vibe is polished, intimate, and unmistakably cool ... think upscale concert hall meets sophisticated supper club.
- [BOUL’ANGE BAKERY](https://laartsonline.com/dining/boulange-bakery/): Hot Spot Alert! Boul’ange just opened on Fairfax, taking over the old Genghis Cohen spot, and it’s already stealing hearts and taste buds) You might miss it at first since there’s no sign yet, but trust me — this bakery is worth seeking out. The moment you step in, you’re greeted by a gorgeous, spacious cafe with warm, inviting vibes, perfect for brunch meetups, casual work sessions, or just admiring the pastries. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, free WiFi, and a chill, welcoming atmosphere make it a true neighborhood gem.
- [THE LANDING](https://laartsonline.com/dining/the-landing/): You absolutely must head to The Landing Grill and Sushi Bar in Westlake Village. My biggest regret is knowing they’ve been here all these years and not visiting sooner. The restaurant is primarily outdoors, with a covered patio overlooking a serene lake, offering a romantic and peaceful escape. The water reflects the changing skies while the Santa Monica Mountains form a stunning backdrop, making every meal feel special. Kids can play along the grassy areas, while adults enjoy cocktails, wine, or sushi in a beautifully designed space meant for savoring every bite.
- [BIANCA SICILIAN TRATTORIA](https://laartsonline.com/dining/bianca-sicilian-trattoria/): Bianca Sicilian Trattoria is a true hidden gem in the Arts District, offering a cozy escape from the usual LA chaos. Opened just a few weeks ago in October, this new spot immediately impresses with its outdoor patio, complete with string lights and subtle Italian music, creating a warm and inviting ambiance. The marble-style tables paired with comfortable chairs make for an elegant yet relaxed dining experience, with a convenient parking lot next door.
- [SAKE HOUSE](https://laartsonline.com/dining/sake-house/): Sake House in Culver City is fresh, tasty, and one of those sushi spots you walk into and immediately wonder why you haven’t been going for years. The fish quality is the star here — salmon, maguro, and yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño were unbelievably fresh and practically melted the moment they hit my tongue. Simple, clean, and beautifully sliced, each dish reminded me why sashimi done right needs no bells and whistles.
- [HOUSTON’S FRENCH DIP](https://laartsonline.com/dining/houstons/): With its origins in Los Angeles, the French Dip is a classic sandwich with a universal appeal, beloved by sandwich lovers everywhere. At Houston’s (in Pasadena), the French Dip sandwich has become a regional favorite for its careful preparation and thoughtful attention to the balance between meat, bread, and jus. The thin, tender slices of slow roasted prime rib beef, are piled high atop a fresh sturdy roll, lightly toasted to form a crackling crust that mingles perfectly with au jus. The bread texture is crucial: under the crusty exterior is a soft crumb that holds up to dipping without getting immediately mushy. The jus—a savory beef stock enriched with onions, garlic, and a touch of herbs—is served as a sauce on the side (horseradish optional). This satisfying dish is served with French fries or coleslaw to balance the richness. 
- [UNIDOS RESTAURANT](https://laartsonline.com/dining/unidos-restaurant/): Studio City just got a new hotspot with the opening of Unidos Restaurantand Wine Bar, brought to life by Che Peña, former GM of Laurel Canyon’s Pace, and his wife Nancilee. Developed in partnership with chef Rafael Torres, the menu is inspired by Peña’s time living in Spain, showcasing regional flavors from Barcelona, Sevilla, Valencia, San Sebastián, and beyond. Dishes range from tapas to family-style plates, blending tradition with creativity.
- [STEAK 48](https://laartsonline.com/dining/steak-48-2/): We celebrated my grandmother’s 99th birthday at Steak 48 in Beverly Hills and from the moment we arrived to the final bite the entire evening was perfect. The service was warm and professional, the energy of the dining room was vibrant and elegant, and every detail made us feel special. Our server greeted us with a handwritten birthday note for my grandmother, a thoughtful gesture that immediately set the tone for the night.
- [PALOMA](https://laartsonline.com/dining/paloma-2/): Paloma brings a touch of Mediterranean charm to Venice with its bright patio and coastal vibe. Just off Abbot Kinney, the space feels like a lively garden filled with sunlight, laughter, and a steady soundtrack that keeps the energy high. It’s the kind of place that feels social and spontaneous, perfectly suited for a weekend brunch.
- [OFF THE HOOK](https://laartsonline.com/dining/off-the-hook/): The 7th Annual OFF THE HOOK Santa Monica Seafood Festival is making a splash on the iconic Santa Monica Pier to celebrate the sea AND the City of Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary! A (sea) foodie’s dream, this beloved fundraising festival features the city’s best chefs and restaurants showcasing their favorite under-water ingredients.
- [J NICHOLS](https://laartsonline.com/dining/j-nichols/): I don’t usually share my favorite local spots online — what becomes trendy can fade fast — but I have to make an exception for one of my absolute favorites on the west side: J Nichols Kitchen in Marina del Rey. Tucked into a humble strip mall, this place is a true neighborhood gem that’s been serving the community since 1974, with a beautiful renovation in the 2010s that gave it a fresh, modern feel while keeping its classic charm.
- [LUCIA](https://laartsonline.com/dining/lucia/): Wow — Lucia LA is giving us Afro-Caribbean flavors meeting Los Angeles flair! Inspired by his travels through the islands, founder/owner Sam Jordan has delivered a thoughtful and soulful menu that captures the diversity of Caribbean cuisine.
- [DARROW’S](https://laartsonline.com/dining/darrows/): If you haven’t been to Darrow’s New Orleans Grill, you’re missing out on a full-on flavor explosion. Sure, they nail fried catfish, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and po’ boys. But the gumbo steals the show! Thick, gravy-like, and loaded with Louisiana Blue Crab, chicken sausage, and andouille, each bite is a perfectly seasoned.
- [PLANTA COCINA MDR](https://laartsonline.com/dining/planta-cocina-3/): When I walked into Marina del Rey’s Planta Cocina, I was expecting bright, plant-based energy—and I was not disappointed. The dining room invites you in with its sleek, ‘70s-inspired design — graceful arches, warm tones, moody lighting, and the incredible bar glowing in a golden haze. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in marina views, boats bobbing gently outside, making the indoor-outdoor setup perfect for groups, parties, or just a stylish night out. Easy parking, too!
- [MARIA’S ITALIAN KITCHEN](https://laartsonline.com/dining/marias-italian-kitchen-pronto/): Maria’s Italian Kitchen has recently opened PRONTO (meaning “fast”) at The Colony in Venice Beach. Exciting news for me — this nice Italian girl loves her pizza and pasta and Maria’s makes it just like home! I grew in Queens, New York and good pizza was available on every corner. Instead of cookies and milk after school, we had a slice! 
- [DA BARBARA](https://laartsonline.com/dining/da-barbara/): Da Barbara in Hollywood feels less like a restaurant and more like being welcomed into the home of Chef Barbara Pollastrini. We stepped through a glass facade and into a townhouse-style space painted in soft olive-grove green, where the scent of freshly baked bread filled the air. The dining room is intimate — just five small tables on the first floor, and two larger family-style tables upstairs overlooking the open kitchen. Pollastrini, known for her television appearances in both Italy and the US, runs Da Barbara like a true one-woman show. There’s no sous chef ... just Barbara and a single server, moving seamlessly from appetizers to dessert. The result is a dining experience that feels less like a night out and more like an exclusive Roman dinner party.
- [SELENE](https://laartsonline.com/dining/selene/): Seline is not just dinner. It is performance art, a 38-seat fine dining restaurant in Santa Monica where the open kitchen seems to melt seamlessly into the dining room. From the moment you enter, you feel like a part of the choreography—servers glide, courses arrive in rhythm, and every detail has been orchestrated for maximum impact. Chef Dave’s 15–18 course tasting menu unfolds like chapters of a memoir, deeply personal yet wildly inventive. Familiar ingredients appear first—scallops and apples, for instance —before morphing into daring expressions with bitter chocolate, crispy skin with hazelnut, beef tendon with preserved yuzu. Textures and flavors collide in surprising harmony with frozen mustard against passion fruit and caviar balanced by coffee. Each dish is small but memorable, an edible painting served on handcrafted artworks.
- [AJ’s TEX-MEX](https://laartsonline.com/dining/ajs-tex-mex-2/): To satisfy a barbeque craving in the Valley, look no further than AJ’S Tex-Mex Barbecue Restaurant on Riverside Drive. Like most great barbecue joints, it’s not fancy and you’ll need lots of napkins to keep clean. My husband and I wanted to try a variety of meats, so we selected the platter with juicy pork spare ribs, tender and flavorful pulled pork and asked for our brisket to be on the fatty side. Speaking of sides, we went traditional with crispy tater tots (I double dipped in spicy ketchup and creamy horseradish sauces), yummy barbecue beans and cool, crunchy coleslaw. We devoured the melty tender brisket first, and it needed no salting or saucing – divine just as it was. We drizzled some of the delicious and slightly spicy house barbecue sauce on one of the 3 large spare ribs and sighed as the moist and meaty mouthful hit our taste buds. The pulled pork was very tasty especially when we topped a forkful with pink pickled onions as a counterpoint to the richness. AJ’s does great take out and catering business, but dining onsite offers only outside seating – which we found to be pleasant with lots of regulars hanging with us and praising this 7-year-old establishment. Pat’s Off Laurel is right next door should you want to order an adult beverage or even take your AJ’s tray inside and belly up to the bar there. Open 7 days a week, there’s easy free parking along Riverside Drive or in the back. Come hungry – and often!!
- [Laurel Grill](https://laartsonline.com/dining/laurel-grill/): Tucked away atop The Block in Culver City, Laurel Grill is a refined yet approachable gem that delivers on ambience, service, and exceptional food. Whether you're there for a leisurely lunch or a special evening out, this place makes a lasting impression. The ambiance strikes a perfect balance between sophisticated and cozy. Inside, low-slung black leather banquettes and a full grand piano set an elegant tone. Outdoors, the heated patio is surrounded by lush greenery and overlooks the city, creating a peaceful oasis right in the heart of LA. From the moment we were seated, the service was friendly, attentive, and professional. 

## Event Photos
- [THE BEACH BOYS / FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR – JULY 2, 2026](https://laartsonline.com/events/the-beach-boys-fourth-of-july-fireworks-spectacular-july-2-2026/)
- [MAMMA MIA! OPENING NIGHT / PREMIERE PASS – JUNE 24, 2026](https://laartsonline.com/events/mamma-mia-opening-night-premiere-pass-june-24-2026/)
- [OUTDOOR MOVIES AT THE SKIRBALL / THE PUNK SINGER – FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2026](https://laartsonline.com/events/outdoor-movies-at-the-skirball-the-punk-singer-friday-june-12-2026/)
- [GEFFEN GALLERIES RIBBON CUTTING / OPENING DAY – APRIL 19, 2026](https://laartsonline.com/events/geffen-galleries-ribbon-cutting-opening-day-april-19-2026/)
- [TEEN BEAT LIVE / OPENING NIGHT – APRIL 12, 2026](https://laartsonline.com/events/teen-beat-live-opening-night-april-12-2026/)
- [ENGLISH / OPENING NIGHT – APRIL 11, 2026](https://laartsonline.com/events/english-opening-night-april-11-2026/)
- [KIM’S CONVENIENCE / CANADIAN COMMUNITY NIGHT – MARCH 22, 2026](https://laartsonline.com/events/kims-convenience-canadian-community-night-march-22-2026/)
- [LA ART SHOW 2026 / OPENING NIGHT – JANUARY 7, 2026](https://laartsonline.com/events/la-art-show-2026-opening-night-january-7-2026/)
- [HOORAY FOR HOLLYDAYS! – DECEMBER 6, 2025](https://laartsonline.com/events/hooray-for-hollydays-december-6-2025/)
- [SAN DIEGO FOOD + WINE FESTIVAL / GRAND TASTING – NOVEMBER 8, 2025](https://laartsonline.com/events/san-diego-food-wine-festival-grand-tasting-november-8-2025/)
- [LA OPERA’S HILDEGARD / OPENING NIGHT – NOVEMBER 5, 2025](https://laartsonline.com/events/la-operas-hildegard-opening-night-november-5-2025/)
- [PERFECT WORLD / OPENING NIGHT – NOVEMBER 2, 2025](https://laartsonline.com/events/perfect-world-opening-night-november-2-2025/)
- [GO PLAY! / OPENING NIGHT – SEPT 20, 2025](https://laartsonline.com/events/go-play-opening-night-sept-20-2025/)
- [ANNUAL HOLLYWOOD BOWL PICNIC – JULY 10, 2025](https://laartsonline.com/events/annual-hollywood-bowl-picnic-july-10-2025/)
- [EARTH, WIND & FIRE / FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR – JULY 2, 2025](https://laartsonline.com/events/earth-wind-fire-fourth-of-july-fireworks-spectacular-july-2-2025/)
- [OUTDOOR MOVIES AT THE SKIRBALL / CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER – JUNE 27, 2025](https://laartsonline.com/events/outdoor-movies-at-the-skirball-captain-america-the-first-avenger-june-27-2025/)
- [PARADE / SHABBAT CELEBRATION – JUNE 27, 2025](https://laartsonline.com/events/parade-shabbat-celebration-june-27-2025/)
- [OUTDOOR MOVIES AT THE SKIRBALL – BLACK PANTHER – JUNE 13, 2025](https://laartsonline.com/events/outdoor-movies-at-the-skirball-black-panther-june-13-2025/)
- [A DOLL’S HOUSE,  PART 2 / ARROYO VISTA INN RECEPTION – MAY 15, 2025](https://laartsonline.com/events/a-dolls-house-part-2-arroyo-vista-inn-reception-may-15-2025/)
- [SD ZOO FOOD WINE & BREW – MAY 3, 2025](https://laartsonline.com/events/sd-zoo-food-wine-brew-may-3-2025/)
- [DEBATE / OPENING NIGHT – MAY 2, 2025](https://laartsonline.com/events/debate-opening-night-may-2-2025/)
- [HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES OPENING NIGHT – MARCH 14, 2025](https://laartsonline.com/events/here-there-are-blueberries-opening-night-march-14-2025/)
- [LA Art Show / Opening Night – February 19, 2025](https://laartsonline.com/events/la-art-show-opening-night-february-19-2025-2/)
- [THE GREAT YES, THE GREAT NO / OPENING NIGHT – FEBRUARY 5, 2025](https://laartsonline.com/events/the-great-yes-the-great-no-opening-night-february-5-2025/)
- [LIFE & TIMES OF MICHAEL K / OPENING NIGHT – NOV 21, 2024](https://laartsonline.com/events/life-times-of-michael-k-opening-night-nov-21-2024/)
- [SAN DIEGO FOOD + WINE FESTIVAL / GRAND TASTING – NOVEMBER 9, 2024](https://laartsonline.com/events/san-diego-food-wine-festival-grand-tasting-november-9-2024/)
- [SAN DIEGO FOOD + WINE FESTIVAL / OPENING NIGHT/ GRAND DECANT – NOVEMBER 8, 2024](https://laartsonline.com/events/san-diego-food-wine-festival-opening-night-grand-decant-november-8-2024/)
- [San Diego Food + Wine Festival – November 8, 2024](https://laartsonline.com/events/san-diego-food-wine-festival-november-8-2024/)
- [SUGAR DADDY / OPENING NIGHT – SEPT 29, 2024](https://laartsonline.com/events/sugar-daddy-opening-night-sept-29-2024/)
- [CAN YOU HERE THE PEOPLE SING / BROADWAY NIGHT – JULY 28, 2024](https://laartsonline.com/events/can-you-here-the-people-sing-broadway-night-july-28-2024/)
- [Chaka Khan / LAAO Night – July 26, 2024](https://laartsonline.com/events/chaka-khan-laao-night-july-26-2024/)
- [HOLLYWOOD BOWL ANNUAL PICNIC – JULY 11, 2024](https://laartsonline.com/events/hollywood-bowl-annual-picnic-july-11-2024/)
- [TINY FATHER / FIRST PREVIEW – JUNE 12, 2024](https://laartsonline.com/events/tiny-father-first-preview-june-12-2024/)
- [VENICE PRIDE BLOCK PARTY – MAY 31, 2024](https://laartsonline.com/events/venice-pride-block-party-may-31-2024/)
- [DINNER WITH FRIENDS / OPENING NIGHT – APRIL 5, 2024](https://laartsonline.com/events/dinner-with-friends-opening-night-april-5-2024/)
- [FUNNY GIRL / OPENING NIGHT / PREMIERE PASS – April 3, 2024](https://laartsonline.com/events/funny-girl-opening-night-premiere-pass-april-3-2024/)
- [FAT HAM / WORLD THEATRE DAY – MARCH 27, 2024](https://laartsonline.com/events/fat-ham-world-theatre-day-march-27-2028/)
- [FAT HAM / FIRST PREVIEW – MARCH 27, 2024](https://laartsonline.com/events/fat-ham-first-preview-march-27-2024/)
- [STEW / OPENING NIGHT – MARCH 9, 2024](https://laartsonline.com/events/stew-opening-night-march-9-2024/)
- [Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival – March 2, 2024](https://laartsonline.com/events/la-wine-food-festival-saturday-march-2-2024/)
- [LOS ANGELES WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL / FRIDAY – MARCH 1, 2024](https://laartsonline.com/events/los-angeles-wine-food-festival-friday-march-1-2024/)
- [LA ART SHOW / OPENING NIGHT – FEBRUARY 14, 2024](https://laartsonline.com/events/la-art-show-opening-night-february-14-2024-2/)
- [LA ART SHOW / OPENING NIGHT – FEBRUARY 14, 2024](https://laartsonline.com/events/la-art-show-opening-night-february-14-2024/)
- [BOTH AND / OPENING NIGHT – JANUARY 13, 2024](https://laartsonline.com/events/both-and-opening-night-january-13-2024/)
- [LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE FIRST PREVIEW – NOVEMBER 22, 2023](https://laartsonline.com/events/love-actually-live-first-preview-november-22-2023/)
- [THE JEWISH DOG / OPENING NIGHT – NOVEMBER 11, 2023](https://laartsonline.com/events/the-jewish-dog-opening-night-november-11-2023/)
- [FNAM ANNUAL BENEFIT – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023](https://laartsonline.com/events/fnam-annual-benefit-sunday-october-15-2023/)
- [THE LOS ANGELES ITALIAN FESTIVAL – OCTOBER 7, 2023](https://laartsonline.com/events/the-los-angeles-italian-festival-october-7-2023/)
- [HOLLYWOOD BOWL ANNUAL PICNIC – JULY 13, 2023](https://laartsonline.com/events/hollywood-bowl-annual-picnic-july-13-2023/)
- [AVA: THE SECRET CONVERSATIONS / FIRST PREVIEW – APRIL 4, 2023](https://laartsonline.com/events/ava-the-secret-conversations-first-preview-april-4-2023/)

## Extra
- [LATE FAME](https://laartsonline.com/extra/late-fame/): Willem Dafoe has spent four decades showing us unforgettable, craggy faces: the menacing sergeant in Platoon, the tormented Christ in The Last Temptation of Christ, a vampire playing a vampire in Shadow of the Vampire. Now, in Magnolia Pictures’ Late Fame, he adds a softer-lined one.
- [THE END OF OAK STREET](https://laartsonline.com/extra/the-end-of-oak-street/): Anne Hathaway (The Devil Wears Prada 2) is having a challenging summer. She stars as the long-suffering and stressed Penelope in The Odyssey, and now J.J. Abrams has her trying to survive time travel and dinosaurs in The End of Oak Street. Hathaway, Ewan McGregor (Star Wars Franchise, Moulin Rouge), Maisy Stella (Nashville) and Christian Convery (Sweet Tooth) are a family in this science-fiction survival thriller - a genre specialty of Bad Robot, Abrams' production company. 
- [Cookie Queens](https://laartsonline.com/extra/cookie-queens/): Before I became a Girl Scout mom, I thought cookie season was simply about selling boxes of Thin Mints and Samoas. I quickly discovered it was so much more. From the time my daughter was a shy kindergartner carrying her first order card, to becoming a confident high school senior who was leading booth sales, Girl Scout cookies have been part of some of our most treasured memories. Together we've knocked on doors, worked countless booth shifts rain or shine, organized mountains of cookie cases, and celebrated every goal she achieved. Along the way, she learned confidence, perseverance, responsibility, and how to graciously hear both “yes” and no”.
- [The Last Sunrise ](https://laartsonline.com/extra/the-last-sunrise/): Fans of heartfelt romance and emotional coming-of-age stories have a new adaptation to look forward to when "The Last Sunrise" premieres on Prime Video on August 29 from Amazon MGM Studios.
- [SILO](https://laartsonline.com/extra/silo/): Get ready to delve back underground with the third season of Apple TV’s hit series Silo!
- [DANCING WITH THE STARS: THE NEXT PRO](https://laartsonline.com/extra/dancing-with-the-stars-the-next-pro/): Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro"returns the spotlight to the next generation of ballroom talent in a high-stakes new competition premiering July 13 on ABC and streaming the next day on Hulu and Disney+. Hosted by wildlife conservationist and Season 34 Mirrorball Champion Robert Irwin, the series transforms the Dancing with the Stars universe into a proving ground where raw ambition meets elite technique.
- [Thursday Night Concerts](https://laartsonline.com/extra/thursday-night-concerts/): On summer Thursday nights, the Original Farmers Market becomes more than a historic place to eat, shop, and stroll—it turns into an open-air neighborhood concert venue. The Market’s Summer Music Series has returned, bringing live performances to the Plaza from 7 to 9 pm now through September 2.
- [Minions & Monsters](https://laartsonline.com/extra/minions-monsters/): The Minions are back, and they’ve somehow wandered into monster territory. Minions & Monsters from Universal Pictures leans into exactly what this franchise does best: fast-moving slapstick, visual comedy, and situations that spiral out of control almost immediately.
- [Remarkably Bright Creatures](https://laartsonline.com/extra/remarkably-bright-creatures/): Having read Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt twice, I had high expectations for the film adaptation. The heartwarming story is told from three perspectives: Tova, a 70-year-old widow; Marcellus, the highly intelligent giant Pacific octopus she befriends while working at an aquarium; and Cameron, a directionless 30-year-old man searching for his father. The depth of character development in the book is a challenge for a two-hour film, so the screenwriters adapted elements that stray from the novel but keep the essence of the story intact. Those new to the story will enjoy the warm connection between Tova, Marcellus, Cameron and the supporting cast.
- [SCARY MOVIE](https://laartsonline.com/extra/scary-movie/): The Scary Movie franchise returns with another star-studded parody film!
- [Lucky Strike](https://laartsonline.com/extra/lucky-strike/): This summer brings an exceptional slate of historical and biographical topics to the big screen, offering a span from the American Revolution to the Civil Rights era. Lucky Strike, inspired by true events, is amongst those historical films, telling the story of one American soldier trapped behind enemy lines during the last major German offensive in World War II, also known as The Battle of the Bulge.  
- [TOY STORY 5](https://laartsonline.com/extra/toy-story-5/): Favorite characters, Woody, Bo Peep, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, are back for Toy Story 5, the fifth installment of this beloved series, and will have its world premiere theatrical release June 9 in Los Angeles.  This animated adventure comedy-drama continues to tackle timely subjects that deal with the relationships between children and their toys.  
- [Searching for France](https://laartsonline.com/extra/searching-for-france/): Eva Longoria, widely recognized as an actor and activist, is also a devoted Francophile whose career has taken her to France countless times. So, it’s appropriate that her newest series for CNN is "Searching for France."  Longoria’s infectious curiosity and charisma – and the spectacular locations - serve up a fresh perspective on what makes France so unique. Like her previous series on Mexico and Spain, "Searching for France" blends travel, history, and gastronomy in a flavorful journey, this time to uncover the historical roots of the country’s culinary leadership and explore how it became the global standard for fine dining.
- [IN THE GREY](https://laartsonline.com/extra/in-the-grey/): Guy Ritchie’s In the Grey had been trapped in release purgatory. From early buzz to crickets. Some thought it would never see the dim light of a theater or the hum of a streamer. Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal, Eiza González wrapped in summer 2023 and were pinned by Lionsgate for January 2025, then erased. Reshoots required, scheduling conflicts. When would it come out? Whatever. But more interesting than the “when” is the “why.” The blow‑’em‑up action picture pre‑sells itself on Ritchie’s game and three names. We line up, again, for men and women who never eat, sleep, shave, shower, use the bathroom, reapply lipstick, fix mascara, or sweat through their shirts. Hair holds in a sandstorm. Stubble is calibrated to the millimeter. Eyeliner survives a high‑rise window jump. They strut away from helicopter crashes with a wry smile and a successful mission accomplished. 
- [24 in 24: Last Chef Standing](https://laartsonline.com/extra/24-in-24-last-chef-standing/): 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing follows a group of chefs who will undergo the ultimate test of endurance: cooking for 24 hours straight.
- [ESCAPE by DIAVOLO](https://laartsonline.com/extra/escape-by-diavolo/): You may have seen DIAVOLO on America’s Got Talent Season 12. You may have seen them at the 2024 Grammy Awards. You may have even seen them live on the road. But this experience offers something entirely different: an encounter that unfolds just five feet from the action.
- [Flower Drum Song](https://laartsonline.com/extra/flower-drum-song/): This month, East West Players (EWP) brings to Los Angeles the highly anticipated world premiere of Tony-winner David Henry Hwang’s newly updated 2026 book of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song. Directed by Lily Tung Crystal, EWP’s Artistic Director, and with an all-star cast of EWP veterans including Grace Yoo, Emily Kuroda, Marc Oka, Gedde Watanabe, Krista Marie Yu, Kenton Chen and Cooper Bennett, this production will be presented at the iconic Aratani Theatre at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center from April 16 to May 31, 2026. 
- [TINA – The Tina Turner Musical](https://laartsonline.com/extra/tina-the-tina-turner-musical/): Anna Mae Bullock was born in Nutbush, Tennessee, a land of cotton fields about 50 miles outside of Memphis. She would grow up to become Tina Turner, one of the world’s most electrifying performers. TINA - The Tina Turner Musical, tells her story with ferociousness and an unexpected tenderness, tracing a life shaped by poverty, abandonment, and abuse.
- [BACK TO OZ](https://laartsonline.com/extra/back-to-oz/): Discover your connection to the land and stories of Oz through MUSI/QUE’s presentation of Back to Oz – From the Wonderful Wizard, To the Wiz, to Wicked – An American Fairytale, led by Artistic Director Rachael Worby with Carmen Cusack, LaVance Colley, Nathan Granner, and the DC6 Singers Collective. There are seven performances presented in partnership with Center Theatre Group between April 18 and 26, 2026 at the Mark Taper Forum. This journey to Oz is an American classic that has been reimagined time and time again, representing the underdog, radical hope in the face of fear. 
- [HARDLOVE](https://laartsonline.com/extra/hardlove/): It’s not all that common for a small theatrical production to make its way from the US to Scotland and then back to America, but this month that’s exactly what’s happening! Following critically acclaimed, sold out runs at Soho Playhouse in New York City and in the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the raw and unflinching dark comedy HardLove by Anıl Can Beydilli arrives at the Broadwater Blackbox in Hollywood on April 8 for a limited run of only six performances. Adapted by Esin İleri and Miray Beşli from the original Turkish play, translated by İleri, and directed by Jee Duman, the show will feature Miray Beşli and Chandler Stephenson. This gripping two-character play plunges audiences into a volatile late-night encounter where magnetic attraction forces two strangers to confront their fears, desires, and the fragile lines between connection and destruction.
- [The Forsytes ](https://laartsonline.com/extra/the-forsytes/): The Forsytes is a lavish, period drama that reimagines the classic three-novel drama. Set against the backdrop of late-Victorian London, the six-part series immerses us in the tangled lives of the affluent Forsyte dynasty, where duty, ambition, and forbidden desire collide across three generations.
- [GUILTY PLEASURES](https://laartsonline.com/extra/guilty-pleasures/): Ken Levine, the Emmy-winning writer behind Cheers, Frasier, and M*A*S*H, has done something remarkable with his play Guilty Pleasures: written Noël Coward meets Neil Simon comedy so universally human that it has been running for two years in Prague. In Czech. To sold-out houses. Levine, who speaks exactly zero words of Czech, burned his frequent flyer miles to fly over and watch an audience laugh at jokes he wrote in English about American marriage. They laughed in all the right places. Turns out, sex is funny in any language.
- [Song of the North ](https://laartsonline.com/extra/song-of-the-north/): Step into a world of myth, magic, and shadow with Hamid Rahmanian’s Song of the North, coming to Pasadena Playhouse March 21–29, 2026. This stunning multimedia production reimagines the Persian epic Shahnameh, bringing its legendary tales to life through shadow puppetry, projected animation, and live performance. At the heart of the story is Manijeh, a fearless heroine navigating a world of mythical beasts, whose courage and cleverness are put to the ultimate test as she seeks to rescue her beloved, Bijan, from grave danger.
- [THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO](https://laartsonline.com/extra/the-count-of-monte-cristo/): To Hunger Games fans, Sam Claflin will always be the handsome and charming Finnick Odair, but Claflin is taking a darker turn in his newest endeavor on PBS’ Masterpiece in The Count of Monte Cristo. The story is a classic adventure novel by Alexandre Dumas, co-written with Auguste Maquet, about Edmond Dantès, a sailor who is falsely imprisoned, escapes, finds treasure, and returns as the wealthy Count to exact revenge on those who betrayed him. Set in France and Italy from 1815–1839, it explores themes of justice, betrayal, redemption, and vengeance, and is one of Dumas's most popular works, alongside The Three Musketeers. 
- [DRACULA](https://laartsonline.com/extra/dracula/): Fresh off the 2025 release in France, Dracula is heading for a theater near you. Arriving February 6, 2026. just in time for Valentine’s Day, this is a love story you can really sink your teeth into. Director Luc Besson promises a dark, operatic take on one of cinema’s most enduring legends.
- [Crime 101](https://laartsonline.com/extra/crime-101/): Crime 101 is a high-stakes heist film that speeds into theaters nationwide February 13.
- [Cinderella: A Salsa Fairy Tale](https://laartsonline.com/extra/cinderella-a-salsa-fairy-tale/): Get ready to cheer, dance, and fall in love with a fairy tale that’s vibrant, bilingual, and bursting with rhythm! South Coast Repertory’s Cinderella: A Salsa Fairy Tale flips the classic story on its head and invites families to the Julianne Argyros Stage for a musical celebration where salsa meets hip-hop from Feb. 20–Mar. 8, 2026.
- [THE BLUFF](https://laartsonline.com/extra/the-bluff/): Pirates are always in style, and so we are excited for the new period piece The Bluff. Set in the late 1800s, when piracy was well on the wane, any pirates left were likely quite desperate to maintain their livelihoods.
- [Marty Supreme](https://laartsonline.com/extra/marty-supreme/): The much-ballyhooed film Marty Supreme directed by Josh Safdie and starring Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), landed in theaters December 25, 2025.
- [THE RIP](https://laartsonline.com/extra/the-rip/): Amid the horror genre's immense popularity, Netflix is (taking a risk?) investing in a traditional crime film with The Rip, a thriller that marks the first cop-drama collaboration between Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Set to premiere on January 16, 2026, director Joe Carnahan (Narc, The Grey) captures the gritty intensity of 70s classics such as Heat, Serpico, and Prince of the City.
- [MERCY](https://laartsonline.com/extra/mercy/): With his latest flick, director Timur Bekmambetov (V2. Escape From Hell) shows no mercy when tackling the moral conundrums the human race may soon face in a not-so-distant dystopia where artificial intelligence will be the sole entity that ultimately seals our fate. It all starts in a future society so poisoned by corruption, control, and crime that there aren’t enough surveillance drones, body cams, or CCTV to save you from this broken system. The solution was to create a judicial system governed by an omniscient AI with access to any image captured by any device or database, essentially removing the threat of human error in gathering evidence and serving justice. The film follows Detective Christopher Raven, once a champion of this seemingly infallible technology who is now standing trial for the murder of his wife. He only has ninety minutes to prove his innocence to an AI judge that already knows and sees all, or else he faces immediate execution. What follows is both a thrill ride and a cautionary tale for when AI finally takes over. With a stellar cast that features Chris Pratt (The Electric State), Rebecca Ferguson (Silo), Michael C. Mahon (Aftershock), Renata Ribeiro (Simon), Kenneth Choi (9-1-1), Annabelle Wallis (Vanished Into The Night), and Kylie Rogers (Yellowstone), Mercy holds up quite the black mirror.
- [ANACONDA](https://laartsonline.com/extra/anaconda/): Looking for an action-packed comedy? Check out Anaconda, in theaters now!
- [JAY KELLY](https://laartsonline.com/extra/jay-kelly/): Now streaming on Netflix, Jay Kelly is a warm, funny, and thoughtful film. Directed by Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story, The Squid and the Whale), it stars George Clooney (Ocean's Eleven) as the title character, a self-absorbed movie megastar. This could be the vehicle that gets Clooney his third Oscar. The supporting cast features brilliant turns from Adam Sandler (Happy Gilmore, Just Go With It) as Jay’s long-time manager, Laura Dern (Big Little Lies, Jurassic Park) as Jay’s publicist, and Stacy Keach (Mike Hammer), as his bitter, mean old father. 
- [MERV](https://laartsonline.com/extra/merv/): Fans of holiday films have it so much better than in the past. As children we had to wait for the few live action and animated holiday classics to air on one of the few network channels that existed. If you miss it, it could be another year before you got another chance. Now in addition to Hallmark’s holiday movies that basically run from Christmas in July into the new year, streaming services have gotten on board the Holiday Express.
- [LA ZOO LIGHTS](https://laartsonline.com/extra/la-zoo-lights/): Looking to add something a little wild to your 2025 holiday activities? L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow is just the thing! Guests can immerse themselves in a dazzling world of lantern sculptures and lights, with exciting new elements that are sure to entertain little ones and adults alike. This season’s event is now underway through January 11, bringing guests through a holiday themed wonderland; the weird and wonderful world of plants and pollinators featuring larger than life birds, butterflies, insects and flowers; glowing lanterns depicting wildlife of Southeast Asia; and an African landscape that includes representation of the continent’s iconic regions and wildlife, all illuminated by spectacular sculptural lights. In addition to the all-new lanterns and light displays, the Zoo is returning some of last year’s fan favorites including the interactive displays, a giant walk-in kaleidoscope, photo-ops through the park and even a visit with Santa Claus! All guests can ride the carousel and enjoy warming treats like churros, smores, and hot cocoa while those 21 and older can enjoy beer, wine, and spiked hot cocoa with credit card bars open Friday through Sunday. Each ticket purchased to L.A. Zoo Lights supports the Zoo’s mission to save wildlife, enrich communities, and create connections to nature. An affordable, welcoming, and inclusive celebration, there are special themed nights scheduled to reflect our diverse community, including Sensory-Inclusive Zoo Lights on December 9 and LA Pride Night on January 8. It’s wild AND wonderful seasonal fun!
- [HAMNET](https://laartsonline.com/extra/hamnet/): At first glance, you may think it’s misspelling of William Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy Hamlet, but the new Chloe Zhao film is anything but.
- [JOHN CANDY: I LIKE ME](https://laartsonline.com/extra/john-candy-i-like-me/): John Candy: I Like Me is a deeply personal documentary celebrating the life and legacy of beloved actor/comedian John Candy. Directed by Colin Hanks and produced by fellow Canadian Ryan Reynolds, the film offers an intimate art piece of one of comedy's most cherished figures, whose warmth and humor touched millions, while bringing to vivid life his ability to profoundly affect us emotionally.
- [SENTIMENTAL VALUE](https://laartsonline.com/extra/sentimental-value/): Directed by Joachim Trier and set to open on November 7, 2025, Sentimental Value is a comedy-drama starring Stellan Skarsgård, Renate Reinsve, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and Elle Fanning. The film centers around a fractured relationship between a once-renowned director and his two estranged daughters, which becomes even more complicated when he decides to make a personal film about their family history. Sisters Nora and Agnes reunite with their estranged father, Gustav, who offers his actress daughter, Nora, a role in what he hopes will be his comeback film. However, she turns him down, and he gives her part to an eager young Hollywood star.
- [THE BEAST IN ME](https://laartsonline.com/extra/the-beast-in-me/): Claire Danes stars in new psychological thriller miniseries The Beast in Me, coming soon to Netflix. Danes (Romeo + Juliet, My So-Called Life, Homeland) plays Aggie Wiggs, a reclusive author who has disappeared from her former life after the untimely demise of her young son. When Aggie realizes that the house next door has been bought by Nile Jarvis, a rich businessman who was once the primary suspect in his wife’s disappearance, she becomes fascinated with him. While we won’t know much else about the plot until the show drops, preview pictures include a blood-covered Danes, so it’s safe to say that Aggie takes some kind of action in her paranoia.
- [THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10](https://laartsonline.com/extra/the-woman-in-cabin-10/): Kudos to Netflix for its acquisition of this month's enthralling drama, The Woman in Cabin 10. Based on best-selling British author Ruth Ware's book of the same name, the film features a solid cast and top-notch production values, and reinforces Netflix's status as the 800-pound content gorilla of streaming services. Powerfully directed by Simon Stone and effectively aided by composer Benjamin Wallfisch's nuanced score and actors who seamlessly inhabit their characters makes for a 95-minute rollercoaster ride of thrills, chills, and nerve-wracking action. Top of the performance crop is Keira Knightley's all-in portrayal of Laura Blacklock, a respected journalist who receives an invitation to cover an event in Norway honoring a revered philanthropist who is dying of cancer. Laura is delighted to be asked to join the honoree and her husband, along with a group of their friends for the three-day journey to their destination aboard the honoree's ultra luxurious super yacht. Upon boarding she is shown to her cabin (#8 next to #10), freshens up, and joins the hosts and their other guests for a somewhat awkward dinner. She retires to her cabin and goes to sleep only to be awakened by thuds and raised voices coming from cabin #10. And here, dear reader, is where the plot takes a deadly turn. To reveal more would deny you the pleasures of what ensues. This 10 is a watch-worthy winner! Enjoy!
- [ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING](https://laartsonline.com/extra/only-murders-in-the-building/): One of the mysteries surrounding season 5 of Only Murders in the Building is whether this season will be the show’s demise. In interviews, showrunner John Hoffman, has stated that he wants the show to run 5-6 seasons. But has the team finally exhausted the storylines?
- [REGRETTING YOU](https://laartsonline.com/extra/regretting-you/): Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel Regretting You will be getting the big screen treatment. Paramount Pictures and Director Josh Boone bring the #1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller to theaters October 24, 2025. Boone has had other successful book-to-screen adaptations with the 2014 teen romance The Fault In Our Stars.
- [AFTER THE HUNT](https://laartsonline.com/extra/after-the-hunt/): Yale University serves as the setting for Julia Roberts’ latest film, After The Hunt. This psychological drama presents a thought-provoking examination of institutional power, gender, race, and the ambiguity often surrounding allegations of misconduct.
- [ANNIVERSARY](https://laartsonline.com/extra/anniversary/): Lionsgate has set October 29, 2025, for the release of Anniversary, a psychological thriller headlined by two powerhouse actors: Diane Lane and Kyle Chandler. The film follows Catherine and David Morgan, a couple preparing to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary in their seemingly picture-perfect small town. But as friends and family gather to toast their love, cracks begin to show. Buried secrets resurface, old rivalries ignite, and what should have been a night of champagne and nostalgia spirals into a chilling fight for survival.
- [THE LOWDOWN](https://laartsonline.com/extra/the-lowdown/): In The Lowdown, Ethan Hawke goes rogue. When a powerful member of a local family dies, Lee Raybon (Hawke (Before Sunrise, Training Day)) uses his self-assigned position as a citizen journalist to stage an investigation into the crime. Unassuming bookstore owner by day, as Raybon grows more and more deeply involved in uncovering what’s going on in his small town, he and his family grow less and less safe. The show features a stacked cast, including Ryan Kiera Armstrong (It: Chapter Two, Firestarter, Black Widow), Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks, Dune 1984, Blink Twice), and Jeannie Tripplehorn (Waterworld, Basic Instinct).
- [FLY ME TO THE SUN](https://laartsonline.com/extra/fly-me-to-the-sun/): Fly Me To The Sun centers around a semi-autobiographical retelling of Brian Quijada’s life framed as a talk show produced in a young boy’s basement. Quijada plays himself as a child, hosting The BQ Show and speaking to special guest Abuelita Julia and DJ Marvin Quijada. With a mix of puppetry, live DJing, and special camera effects, the show is brought to life as effervescently as it must have been in 7-year-old Quijada’s imagination. As it progresses, it asks the hard questions about the American dream that many of us have taken for granted, examined through the eyes of a young Latinx man and his Salvadorean grandmother’s perspective.
- [BLACK RABBIT](https://laartsonline.com/extra/black-rabbit/): Jude Law (The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Holiday, The Grand Budapest Hotel) and Jason Bateman (Arrested Development, Ozark, Juno) play feuding brothers in the new Netflix miniseries Black Rabbit. When Jake Friedken (Law), the owner of a wildly successful New York restaurant, allows his unpredictable brother Vince (Bateman) to become involved in his personal and professional life, he threatens to bring down the whole establishment and Jake alongside it.
- [Spinal Tap II: The End Continues](https://laartsonline.com/extra/spinal-tap-ii-the-end-continues/): It’s hard to believe it’s been over 40 years since This Is Spinal Tap first turned the volume up to 11. Now, the legends are back. Director Rob Reiner once again steps behind the camera—and back into his role as Marty Di Bergi—to catch up with the loudest, most outrageous band in rock history. Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer are reunited, slipping back into their iconic alter egos Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins, and Derek Smalls, like no time has passed at all.
- [The Pick Up](https://laartsonline.com/extra/the-pick-up/): The Pick Up, starring Eddie Murphy (Shrek) and Eva Longoria (Land of Women), is a fast-paced action-comedy premiering on Prime Video August 6, 2025.
- [One Night in Idaho: The College Murders](https://laartsonline.com/extra/one-night-in-idaho-the-college-murders/): In the early morning of November 13, 2022, four University of Idaho students were brutally stabbed to death in their off-campus house in the quiet college town of Moscow, Idaho. The unimaginable tragedy has gripped the nation for years, following the hunt for their killer and his subsequent arrest and criminal trial.

## Film
- [One Night Only](https://laartsonline.com/film/one-night-only/): Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner headline One Night Only, a romantic comedy from Universal Pictures that puts a clever spin on the search for love. Written and directed by Will Gluck (Anyone But You, Easy A), the film imagines a world where premarital sex is legally prohibited—except for one night each year.
- [THE WRONG GIRLS](https://laartsonline.com/film/the-wrong-girls/): Director Dylan Meyer makes her feature debut with The Wrong Girls, releasing August 14, 2026. Yeah, it's a female buddy comedy, however, with a sci-fi kick: two broke best friends, Frankie (Kristen Stewart) and Molly (Alia Shawkat), fronting an ensemble of comedy actor stars, stumble onto a briefcase of experimental drugs and get dragged into a chaotic chase with everyone who wants the formula's "magical powers" for themselves.
- [OLMO](https://laartsonline.com/film/olmo/): Olmo is a coming-of-age drama with a big heart and a rather rare100% Rotten Tomatoes rating, written and directed by the award-winning Mexican screenwriter and filmmaker Fernando Eimbcke. The film is produced by Brad Pitt's successful Plan B Entertainment, alongside Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Eréndira Núñez Larios, and Michel Franco, the same team behind Minari, which received the Oscar for best supporting actress and the Golden Globe for best international film, and Moonlight, winner of the best-film Oscar.  
- [VOICEMAILS FOR ISABELLE](https://laartsonline.com/film/voicemails-for-isabelle/): Voicemails for Isabelle follows Jill as she leaves voicemails for her recently deceased sister, Isabelle, who passed from cystic fibrosis complications. After Isabelle’s passing, her number is given to Wes, an Austin real estate agent, who begins to listen to Jill’s messages and starts to fall for her. When Wes finds out Jill will be at an event in San Francisco, he convinces his boss to send him on a work trip in hopes of meeting her. The two meet, and the rest is history… until Jill finds out that he’s been listening to the voicemails for Isabelle all along.
- [The Death of Robin Hood](https://laartsonline.com/film/the-death-of-robin-hood/): The legendary outlaw Robin Hood returns to the screen in The Death of Robin Hood, which premiered June 19 in theaters across the U.S. Starring Hugh Jackman (Logan) as the titular character, the film reaches beyond English folklore and dives into a gritty exploration of mortality.
- [THE ODYSSEY](https://laartsonline.com/film/the-odyssey/): Writer and director Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer) has transformed Homer’s epic poetry into box office brilliance. The film undoubtedly delivers stunning cinematography shot in majestic 70mm in a gripping saga of nonstop action and blood. The saga of The Odyssey spans twenty years, and it all starts with the face that launched a thousand ships. A Trojan horse that won a war. A dash of deus ex machina from Athena, Hermes, and a lightning bolt from Zeus. And the treacherous journey back home to Ithaca where Odysseus must battle the colossal Cyclops, undo Circe’s wicked sorcery, resist the Sirens and the sea nymph Calypso, and triumph in the Slaughter of the Suitors to win back his wife Penelope and secure his throne once again. The heavy head that dons this crown is the always chameleonic Matt Damon (The Rip), who disappears into the role of Odysseus, rich with such power and nuance befitting of the action star king he is. With equally stellar performances from a star-studded cast that also features Tom Holland (The Crowded Room), Anne Hathaway (The Devil Wears Prada 2), Robert Pattinson (Die My Love), Lupita Nyong’o (A Quiet Place: Day One), Zendaya (Euphoria), Samantha Morton (The Serpent Queen), and Charlize Theron (Apex), The Odyssey promises to be a world of monsters, mayhem, and that long lost movie magic.
- [SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY](https://laartsonline.com/film/spider-man-brand-new-day/): Marvel fans rejoice: Tom Holland returns to our screens as Peter Parker in the long-awaited Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
- [MOANA](https://laartsonline.com/film/moana/): Moana is the next in a long line of beloved Disney animated classics to follow the live-action hype. How far will she go? Only time will tell.
- [MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE](https://laartsonline.com/film/masters-of-the-universe/): “By the power of Grayskull,” with assistance by Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures, and of course Mattel Toys, and Directed by Travis Knight (Bumblebee, Kubo and the Two Strings). Prince Adam and his alter ego He-Man of Eternia, defender of the secrets of Castle Grayskull, returns to the big screen in “Masters Of The Universe.”
- [SUPERGIRL](https://laartsonline.com/film/supergirl/): A new hero takes flight this summer as DC Studios and Warner Bros. Pictures bring Supergirl to theaters on June 26, 2026. Directed by Craig Gillespie (I, Tonya and Cruella) and written by Ana Nogueira, the highly anticipated film stars Milly Alcock (best known for playing young Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon) as Kara Zor-El, introducing a new chapter in the evolving DC Universe. Unlike previous portrayals of the iconic character, this version of Supergirl arrives with a more complex backstory. Raised on a fragment of the destroyed planet Krypton and forced to witness immense loss, Kara’s journey explores themes of grief, resilience, and identity. When a ruthless new adversary threatens those closest to her, she reluctantly embarks on an interstellar quest focused on vengeance, justice, and self-discovery. Alcock is joined by Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, David Corenswet, and Jason Momoa. The film is produced by DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran and serves as a key installment in the studio’s new interconnected cinematic universe. Packed with cosmic adventure, larger-than-life action, and an emotionally grounded heroine, Supergirl promises a fresh take on one of DC’s most beloved characters. For longtime comic book fans and newcomers alike, the film offers an opportunity to experience Kara Zor-El’s story on the big screen as she searches for her place in the universe.
- [DISCLOSURE DAY](https://laartsonline.com/film/disclosure-day/): What if we received undeniable proof that we’re not alone in the universe?
- [Power Ballad](https://laartsonline.com/film/power-ballad/): What happens when a struggling wedding singer's best song ends up on a washed-up boy band frontman's lips — and, a few weeks later, at number one?
- [THE SHEEP DETECTIVES](https://laartsonline.com/film/the-sheep-detectives/): A sheep may not be your first choice to solve a crime, but a flock? Still no? Shepherd George Hardy (Hugh Jackman) would likely have agreed with you. But he has died under mysterious circumstances, and his flock steps in to solve this unconventional whodunit in the new film, The Sheep Detectives.
- [THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU](https://laartsonline.com/film/the-mandalorian-and-grogu/): Diehard Star Wars fans have been following Din Djarin and Grogu’s journey since November of 2019, when the first season of The Mandalorian hit Disney+. Since then, we’ve watched (well, mostly listened) to Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us, Materialists, WW84) become an ever-more enthusiastic parental figure to the tiny alien of unknown origin. In the newest installment, The Mandalorian and Grogu, the unlikely duo tasked with rescuing the son of OG villain Jabba the Hutt.
- [I LOVE BOOSTERS](https://laartsonline.com/film/i-love-boosters/): No punches are pulled in Boots Riley’s I Love Boosters.
- [MISS YOU, LOVE YOU](https://laartsonline.com/film/miss-you-love-you/): The new HBO film Miss You, Love You premieres May 29, and while it begins with a funeral, it’s really about everything that comes up before and after it. Written and directed by Jim Rash, the story follows Diane, a sharp, grieving widow played by Allison Janney, who ends up planning her husband’s serice with someone she barely knows—her estranged son’s assistant, Jamie (Andrew Rannells).
- [Michael](https://laartsonline.com/film/michael/): Michael, a new biopic from Lionsgate, explores the bumpy legacy of King of Pop Michael Jackson covering the singer’s time with The Jackson 5 to his breakout solo career with hits that defined a generation.
- [YOU, ME & TUSCANY](https://laartsonline.com/film/you-me-tuscany/): The age of Rom-Coms is dead you say? Nonsense says Bridgerton Season one’s resident heart throb Rege-Jean Page. Page who stars as the romantic lead role in You, Me, & Tuscany says he took the part because of Hollywood’s imminent death predictions. Page says Love isn’t dead!
- [Outcome](https://laartsonline.com/film/outcome/): A dark comedy, Outcome, directed by and starring Jonah Hill (Superbad, Moneyball), premieres on Apple TV+, this month, which follows a once-troubled actor whose carefully rebuilt life begins to fracture when his past resurfaces.
- [APEX](https://laartsonline.com/film/apex/): If you’re looking for some thrills set against the stunning backdrop of the Australian outback, look no further than Apex.
- [PROJECT HAIL MARY](https://laartsonline.com/film/project-hail-mary/): In the near future, scientists observe the Sun dimming. Surmising that the dimming will cause a catastrophic ice age within 30 years. The world's governments have appointed former European Space Agency administrator Eva Stratt (Sandra Huller) to lead a task force to solve the problem. Astronaut Ryland Grace, (Barbie & The Notebook’s Ryan Gosling) awakens on a spacecraft “The Hail Mary” sent to investigate, but with no memory of himself or his mission. He slowly deduces he is the sole survivor of a crew sent in search of a solution to a catastrophic event on Earth. In his search for answers, Grace must rely on his vast array of scientific knowledge, sheer ingenuity, and human will, but he may not have to search alone. When Hail Mary reaches a nearby star it is quickly approached by an alien starship.
- [FANTASY LIFE](https://laartsonline.com/film/fantasy-life/): Indie films about losing one’s job and fearing for one’s livelihood may not seem like a groundbreaking concept, but in his directorial debut, Matthew Shear delivers a smart, heartfelt look into the intricacies of real life.
- [TOW](https://laartsonline.com/film/tow/): Tow is based on the true story of Amanda Ogle, a homeless woman living in her car on the streets of Seattle. When her car is impounded and sold off, stripping Amanda of the only place she calls home, she enters into a legal battle with the city and Lincoln Towing that becomes an inspirational story of heart, persistence, and resilience in the face of indifference.
- [PRETTY LETHAL](https://laartsonline.com/film/pretty-lethal/): Movie audiences have an appetite for blood, and Hollywood is serving it up with style, no kale smoothies here. The surge in visceral, no-holds-barred horror, especially films that put women front and center as both victims and vicious survivors, is hot.  From X to Ready or Not, viewers are craving transgressive cinema that delivers brutality. Enter Pretty Lethal, a deliciously savage thriller that takes the elegance of ballet and turns it crimson. Think Black Swan meets Saw, but with better turnout.
- [SEND HELP](https://laartsonline.com/film/send-help/): Send Help arrived in theaters on January 30, 2026, and it already feels like one of those films people will be talking about long afterward. Directed by Sam Raimi a filmmaker who understands tension, timing, and dark humor better than almost anyone, this survival thriller takes the familiar plane-crash premise and flips it in a smart, and unexpected way.
- [WUTHERING HEIGHTS](https://laartsonline.com/film/wuthering-heights/): For those who didn’t read it in high school (like me), Wuthering Heights is Emily Brontë's only novel, published in 1847. It is a classic of English literature known for its passionate, tragic love story between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, set on the wild Yorkshire moors. The novel explores themes of love, obsession, revenge, and social class, focusing on the destructive relationship between the two protagonists and its impact across two generations. The story centers on the intense, all-consuming love between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, a foundling brought to Wuthering Heights. After Heathcliff is mistreated and leaves, he returns years later as a wealthy man to exact revenge. Despite initial controversy for its dark and unconventional nature, it is now considered a masterpiece, celebrated for its poetic language and powerful, unforgettable characters. 
- [SCREAM 7](https://laartsonline.com/film/scream-7/): Okay, horror film (and more specifically, slasher movie) fans — here we go again! Scream 7 hits screens (including IMAX!) on February 27 and of course all hell will be breaking loose. Featuring the return of original hero Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) and co-written and directed by original screenwriter Kevin Williamson, here’s the premise: when a new Ghostface killer emerges in the quiet town where Sidney has built a new life, her darkest fears are realized as her daughter becomes the next target. Determined to protect her family, Sidney must face the horrors of her past to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all. (Once and for all? Doubtful! Scream 8, anyone?)
- [DREAMS](https://laartsonline.com/film/dreams/): Dreams reunites director Michel Franco (Memory) and Oscar-winning actress Jessica Chastain for their second collaboration. This time, the edgy auteur takes on a provocative "May/December" relationship with a gender reversal: the "December" is a woman—the vibrant, commanding Chastain—and the "May" is a young, undocumented ballet dancer from Mexico, played by Isaac Hernandez, a principal dancer with the English National Ballet making his dramatic film debut.
- [SONG SUNG BLUE](https://laartsonline.com/film/song-sung-blue/): Song Sung Blue, a new musical drama from director Craig Brewers, dropped in theaters nationwide on December 25, 2025 after premiering at AFI Fest in October. Based on the incredible true story of a Milwaukee couple who form a Neil Diamond tribute band, the film stars Hugh Jackman (The Greatest Showman, Deadpool, Wolverine) and Kate Hudson (How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, Almost Famous).
- [ROSEMEAD](https://laartsonline.com/film/rosemead/): Directed by Eric Lin in his directorial debut, Rosemead stars the versatile Lucy Liu as terminally ill single mother, Irene, in a devastating contemporary echo of Sophie's Choice. As her son Joe's obsession with mass shootings deepens and his schizophrenia worsens, she faces a uniquely American horror:  Joe is turning 18 and will be beyond her legal control, so she must choose between allowing potential violence or taking irreversible action herself. Unlike Sophie's choice, imposed by external evil, Irene's arises from personal tragedy and systemic failure, born of love rather than cruelty, making it perhaps even more harrowing.
- [Rental Family](https://laartsonline.com/film/rental-family/): Academy Award winner, Brendan Fraser (The Whale), returns to the screen in the feel-good, funny and deeply human new film, Rental Family.
- [BUGONIA](https://laartsonline.com/film/bugonia/): Yorgos Lanthimos’s darkly comic remake of the South Korean cult film Save the Green Planet!, Bugonia, is an unsettling satire that thrives on paranoia, power, and absurdity. The film follows two conspiracy-obsessed men who kidnap a powerful corporate executive, convinced she is an alien bent on destroying Earth. Jesse Plemons turns in an unhinged performance, the antithesis of his calm character in Power of the Dog. Bugonia is Emma Stone's fifth collaboration with Lanthimos. 
- [ELLA MCCAY](https://laartsonline.com/film/ella-mccay/): Ella McCay is one of those rare films with heart, humor, and a deep sense of purpose, all wrapped up with the unmistakable touch of James L. Brooks. He has written one of his most incredible scripts to date — a sharp, heartfelt, beautifully layered story that explores ambition, family, and the messy, complicated hope that holds them together. Emma Mackey effortlessly plays the role of Ella McCay, a young woman thrust into the governor’s office while navigating the emotional landmines of family life and the high stakes of political responsibility. She is warm, strong, funny, and instantly relatable.
- [THE HOUSEMAID](https://laartsonline.com/film/the-housemaid/): A Simple Favor (2018) and Another Simple Favor (2024) director Paul Feig will direct Rebecca Sonnenshine’s screenplay The Housemaid, adapted from Freida McFadden’s best-seller of the same name, which sold over 3.6 million copies.
- [NO OTHER CHOICE](https://laartsonline.com/film/no-other-choice/): Park Chan-wook's current darkly comic thriller No Other Choice, adapted from Donald E. Westlake's novel "The Ax," highlights the shortsightedness of Hollywood gatekeepers, i.e., hedge fund operators. The film follows a desperate middle-aged man who, after being laid off from a company where he worked for 25 years, devises a chilling solution to his unemployment: systematically eliminating his competitors to secure a new position. Led by powerful performances from Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin, the film transforms Westlake's American setting into a searing commentary on Korean corporate culture, which is not all that different from current American corporate culture.
- [DEAD MAN’S WIRE](https://laartsonline.com/film/dead-mans-wire/): Gus Van Sant returns to feature filmmaking after a seven-year break with Dead Man's Wire, a tense psychological thriller that has become surprisingly, unsettlingly relevant. The film depicts the true story of Tony Kiritsis, who in 1977 held mortgage broker Richard Hall hostage for 63 hours, believing Hall's company had cheated him over a loan, demanded money and a public apology—a desperate act of revenge that captured the nation's attention.
- [FRANKENSTEIN](https://laartsonline.com/film/frankenstein/): Oscar-winning director and master of the macabre Guillermo Del Toro (Pinocchio) breathes new life into Mary Shelley’s classic monster mash. The film is both beautiful and haunting in its gothic imagery, and it discards the usual Frankenstein tropes to craft a creature that is less scary and more soulful. That childlike innocence is expressed viscerally and skillfully by the mesmerizing eyes of heartthrob Jacob Elordi (Wuthering Heights) whose performance reminds us that behind the monster is just another broken man. Del Toro’s interpretation of Victor Frankenstein paints the surgeon as more of an artist with the best intentions, played by the always charismatic Oscar Isaac (In the Hand of Dante) who doesn’t alienate us by playing the madman but whose motives we can painfully understand. As a child, Victor lost his mother during the birth of his younger brother William, and from then on he vowed that he would find a way to conquer death. His prayers are answered in the form of Henrich Harlander, a rich benefactor dying of syphilis who funds Victor’s experiments of harvesting body parts, reanimating corpses, and ultimately playing God. With a star-studded cast that also features Mia Goth (MaXXXine), Felix Kammerer (Eden), Charles Dance (Washington Black), Lars Mikkelsen (Dalloway), David Bradley (Gangs of London), and Christoph Waltz (Dracula), Frankenstein promises to be frighteningly good.
- [I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST](https://laartsonline.com/film/i-wish-you-all-the-best/): I Wish You All the Best written, directed, and produced by Tommy Dorfman, in her directorial film debut. The film follows Ben (Corey Fogelmanis) as “they” recover from the emotional trauma of coming out to their parents and adjusting to a new life with their sister (Alexandra Daddario) and her husband (Cole Sprouse). Dorfman wrote the screenplay, which she adapted from the non-binary author Mason Deaver’s bestselling novel of the same name. I Wish You All the Best has the tenor of a hit LGBTQ shows like Netflix’s Heartstopper and drips in the charm of Josephine Decker’s musical romance The Sky is Everywhere to overcome the clunkier parts of its portrait of adolescence. 
- [The Running Man](https://laartsonline.com/film/the-running-man/): In Paramount’s sleek thriller The Running Man, futurism meets fatalism in a high-velocity film that recasts a classic. Directed by Edgar Wright (The World's End), the film resets the 1980s cult premise into a near-future battleground.
- [NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON’T](https://laartsonline.com/film/now-you-see-me-now-you-dont/): If you dream of going to The Magic Castle, you’ll want to head to the theaters for this movie. Now You See Me: Now You Don’t is the third in a series of films following a team of illusionists with a variety of talents who work together to undertake impossible heists.
- [ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER](https://laartsonline.com/film/one-battle-after-another/): No film has been released at a more poignant time in history than 2025’s Warner Bros. Pictures One Battle After Another. The film is loosely based on the 1990 Thomas Pynchon novel Vineland. Director Paul Thomas Andersononly has a small handful of present-day films under his belt, having spent much of his career exploring American history, its lost souls, and mad men of shell-shocked post-war days. Anderson, One Battle After Another, and Vineland postulate on the ebb and flow of radicalism in America with bursts of activity followed by years of dangerous and disillusioning fallout.
- [KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN](https://laartsonline.com/film/kiss-of-the-spider-woman/): Kiss of the Spider Woman based on the novel of the same name (1976) by Argentine writer Manuel Puig, depicts the daily conversations between two cellmates in an Argentine prison, Molina and Valentín, and the intimate bond they form in the process. It is generally considered Puig's most successful work. Puig adapted the novel into a stage play in 1983, with an English translation by Allan Baker. It was also made into an Academy Award Winning film in 1985, a Broadway musical in 1993 and a Television special episode of Katy Keene (2020). A film adaptation of the Broadway musical also premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
- [Roofman](https://laartsonline.com/film/roofman/): Roofman, a new dramedy premiering in theaters October 10, stars Channing Tatum (Blink Twice) who oozes so much charisma throughout this bizarre true crime tale that you’ll leave rooting for the criminal.
- [HEDDA](https://laartsonline.com/film/hedda/): This is a re-imagining of Henrik Ibsen's play Hedda Gabler, starring Tessa Thompson. Ibsen was one of the most important and controversial playwrights of the 19th century. He wrote about female agency and independence before feminism, and dramatized the boredom, unhappiness and marriage struggles of the bourgeoisie in his plays. 
- [DEAD OF WINTER](https://laartsonline.com/film/dead-of-winter/): Dead of Winter plunges audiences into a merciless psychological and emotional thriller that strips away every expectation. Set against a brutal Minnesota blizzard, this isn't your typical survival story—it's a calculated game of predator and prey where nothing is as it seems.
- [THE LOST BUS](https://laartsonline.com/film/the-lost-bus/): Through the Fire: The Lost Bus and the True Story That Could Save Us All.
- [DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE](https://laartsonline.com/film/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale/): Finished binging The Gilded Age and recovered from the finale? Like me, you are probably searching for your next historical drama to fill the void. Fear no more, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is here and in theaters September 12, 2025. It will be the third and final film in the highly successful Downton Abbey franchise and follows the Crawley family and their staff into the 1930s as they embrace a new decade and a new chapter.
- [WALTZING WITH BRANDO](https://laartsonline.com/film/waltzing-with-brando/): Director Bill Fishman (Nixon Hunter) has adapted the bestselling memoir of Bernard Judge into an insightful film about one of the most legendary actors of our time. Tackling the titular role is the charismatic and equally brooding Billy Zane (Day of Reckoning) as Marlon Brando, actor by day, environmental rights enthusiast by night. The new film Waltzing with Brando, follows Brando’s wild journey as he sets out to build his dream home on an uninhabited island near Tahiti. So, he hires architect Bernard Judge, who has a passion for building in inhospitable environments, to turn the isle into Brando’s own personal paradise. And to fund this monumental undertaking, they plan to build a hotel for the ultra-rich. As construction ramps up, the cost of adding modern conveniences like running water and electricity starts to triple until eventually the investors yank all their money. That’s when Brando and Judge must get creative. With his usual precision, Billy Zane pulls off a perfectly nuanced Brando with all the charm and peculiarity that made the man famous. With a spectacular cast that also features Jon Heder (Plan B), Richard Dreyfuss (Sweetwater), Camille Razat (Emily in Paris), Alaina Huffman (Letters at Christmas), Tia Carrere (Paradise), James Jagger (The Deep House), Rob Corddry (Bookie), Sofia Masson (Every Day), and David Gueriera (Slingshot), Waltzing with Brando is a masterclass in fun.
- [The Naked Gun](https://laartsonline.com/film/the-naked-gun/): The “spoof” genre, which parodies police and crime thrillers, has been painfully absent from theaters for too long, and The Naked Gun ends that drought. This reboot (in theatres now) introduces Frank Drebin, Jr. (Liam Neeson), continuing his father’s (Lieutenant Frank Drebin, played by the late Leslie Nielsen) legacy of clumsy but well-meaning policing.
- [SHE RIDES SHOTGUN](https://laartsonline.com/film/she-rides-shotgun/): Director Nick Rowland (Calm With Horses) has brought Jordan Harper’s bestselling novel to life in this summer’s hottest thriller. The film stars powerhouse Taron Egerton (Smoke) as Nate McClusky, a convict just released from jail and already on the run. Life in prison earned him too many enemies, one of which is a gang called Aryan Steel with thugs on the outside and some carefully paid cops all vying to take him out. Their first bullet finished off his ex-wife. And their second bullet is aimed right at his daughter Polly. So Nate steals a car, snatches Polly from her school, and begins to teach her how to survive a life on the lam. Between the barrage of bullets and sleepless nights, Polly learns how to swing a bat, hide in plain sight, and fire a gun. And with Polly by his side, Nate learns how to take care his daughter, fight for what really matters, and love someone unconditionally. What follows is an action-packed rollercoaster sure to put your heart in your throat and tears in your eyes. With outstanding performances by fellow cast mates Ana Sophia Hager (United States of Al), Rob Yang (American Rust), John Carroll Lynch (Ballard), Odessa A’zion (Ghosts), Keith Jardine (Killing Faith), and David Lyons (Invisible Boys), She Rides Shotgun is just a blast.

## Music
- [David Byrne](https://laartsonline.com/music/david-byrne-2/): Whether he’s playing an acoustic guitar onstage accompanied by only a tape machine, slow dancing with a lamp to one of the sweetest songs of the 20th Century or disappearing into the marching band formations and dance moves of a large ensemble, David Byrne is always looking for one thing: human connection. On August 28 and 29 at the Hollywood Bowl, the David Byrne: Who Is the Sky? epic world tour will perform in support of the Bryne’s new album of the same name. It is his first album release since 2018.
- [CLASSICAL NIGHTS AT THE BOWL](https://laartsonline.com/music/classical-nights-at-the-bowl/): Los Angeles Philharmonic honors Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel on his 17th and final season with a week-long series of special events, Celebrating Gustavo at the Bowl, August 20–23. Dudamel and the Phil will be joined by many special guests throughout the week – Beethoven 9 with the LA Children’s Chorus (August 20), Gustavo’s Fiesta with Los Tigres del Norte and others (August 21), and Foo Fighters with LA Phil and YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) on August 22. The final event on August 23, A Concert of Venezuela, is a benefit to raise funds for earthquake relief.
- [August at The Ford](https://laartsonline.com/music/august-at-the-ford/): August is an exciting month at The Ford, one of Los Angeles' most beloved outdoor venues. The lineup reflects the full breadth of the city's creative community, spanning boleros to Shakespeare, folk to electronic, comedy to family programming.
- [Symphony in the Cities ](https://laartsonline.com/music/symphony-in-the-cities-2/): Presented at Musco Center for the Arts, this annual and free event invites audiences of all ages to enjoy an evening of music in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic dinners while settling in under the stars for a night with one of Southern California’s leading orchestras.
- [Hollywood Bowl](https://laartsonline.com/music/hollywood-bowl-summer/): As a New Yorker turned happily transplanted Angeleno, I’ve spent plenty of summer nights at concerts in both Central Park — muggy — and the Hollywood Bowl — dry heat. In this outdoor-concert showdown, the Bowl wins. Nothing beats magic hour in that canyon: blue sky fading to pink and lavender, steep hillsides blocking out the city. Last July 4th, 17,000 of us celebrated with Earth, Wind & Fire — pure funk. This year, it’s The Beach Boys, capped by fireworks that rival anything over the Brooklyn Bridge.
- [Defiantly Joni](https://laartsonline.com/music/defiantly-joni-a-singer-songwriter-bares-her-soul/): No one can deny that Joni Mitchell is one of the most influential singer-songwriters to emerge from the 1960s folk music scene. The eleven-time GrammyAward-winner and 1997 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee became known for her personal lyrics and unconventional compositions, which grew to incorporate elements of so many other musical genres. MUSE/IQUE presents Defiantly Joni: A Singer/Songwriter Bares Her Soul at the Mark Taper Forum July 11-19 in partnership with Center Theatre Group. 
- [Sunset Concerts at the Skirball](https://laartsonline.com/music/sunset-concerts-at-the-skirball/): Summer nights return to the Skirball Cultural Center with its free Sunset Concerts series, turning the hillside courtyard into one of the Westside’s most relaxed open-air music gatherings. Set at the Skirball Cultural Center, the series invites audiences to arrive early, explore the museum, and settle in for live music as the sun goes down—doors open at 6 p.m. and performances begin at 7 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.
- [OUTDOOR Concerts at Getty](https://laartsonline.com/music/outdoor-concerts-at-the-getty/): Perched above Los Angeles, the Getty Center transforms its terraces and gardens into a seasonal destination for live music and cultural programming throughout July. The museum’s summer concert series and associated events turn its iconic architecture and sweeping views into a stage for sound, gathering audiences in jaw-dropping and expansive open-air settings.
- [DECLARATIONS OF INDEPENDENCE](https://laartsonline.com/music/declarations-of-independence/): Two Hundred Men Are About to make some Declarations of Independencetogether on June 27th and 28th at the Saban. GMCLA is putting on a concert for America's 250th B-day, and following it up with their annual Gala. Now, the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles have been doing this for 47 years. And the country isn't exactly in a great place. But that doesn't mean we can stop to appreciate the progress we've made since 1776. The song list spans anthems to folk, pop to theater, like, "Defying Gravity," "Born This Way," "We Shall Overcome," "Imagine" and more. It reads like a playlist someone made at 2 a.m. while feeling very deeply about America. Which, same.
- [SONGS OF HOPE](https://laartsonline.com/music/songs-of-hope/): The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square has a distinctive history, making it one of the oldest in the world. On August 22, 1847, soon after the Mormon pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, the choir was formed when Brigham Young asked John Parry, a choral singer, to gather singers for the Church's first conference.
- [THE MAGIC FLUTE](https://laartsonline.com/music/the-magic-flute/): Emmanuel Schikaneder’s first production, The Dumb Gardner from the Mountains, was a smash hit. It featured him as Stupid Anton, and spawned six sequels. But his true fortune was to come from an introduction to Amadeus Mozart, who asked him to write the libretto for The Magic Flute.
- [THE PIANO AND ME](https://laartsonline.com/music/the-piano-and-me/): After six thousand concert performances, more, by his own count, than any living pianist — what's left for Hershey Felder to play or say? Apparently, the truth. In "The Piano and Me," Felder turns the spotlight away from the composers he's spent three decades inhabiting, Gershwin, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Bernstein, and cranks up the voltage onto himself. The result is his most personal solo evening yet, a two-hour confession centered on the instrument that made him.
- [International Jazz Festival](https://laartsonline.com/music/international-jazz-festival/): The Santa Monica International Jazz Festival presented by BroadStage, SM Festivals and the City of Santa Monica returns May 1, 3, 8 and 9—a celebration of live jazz to Santa Monica with a lineup that spans established and emerging voices.
- [Mother’s Day and Off The 405 Concerts at The Getty Center](https://laartsonline.com/music/mothers-day-and-off-the-405-concerts-at-the-getty-center/): The Getty Center, known for its breathtaking architecture, world-class art collections and stunning views of the city becomes even more vibrant in springtime. It’s a perfect destination for Mother’s Day weekend (May 9-10), whether you are looking for a day dedicated to art or a unique gift from the wonderful museum store. Stroll the beautifully designed Central Garden in full bloom with the Getty horticulturist and then deepen your art experience with the Mindful Moment in the Museum tour. On Saturday, May 9, the Getty Research Institute will host “Tastemakers: Earth Mother with Paige Emery” featuring a talk and brunch inspired by historical cookbooks from the Getty Library collection. On Sunday, visitors can enjoy tea and cakes at Getty’s Garden Tea or an extravagant Mother’s Day brunch at the Restaurant at the Getty Center with special dessert and cocktail options.
- [Miles & Trane at 100](https://laartsonline.com/music/miles-trane-at-100/): Get ready for some jazz! Pacific Jazz Orchestra (PJO) presents Miles & Trane at 100, a powerful tribute to two of the most influential figures in jazz — trumpeter Miles Davis and saxophonist John Coltrane — on Thursday, May 28, at 7:30 pm, at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. The seminal artists, who were both born in 1926, would have turned 100 this year. Guest artists Emmet Cohen (piano), Sean Jones (trumpet) and PJO’s own Jacob Scesney (saxophone), are featured with the 40-piece LA-based hybrid big band and string orchestra. Seven-time Grammy-nominated Chris Walden, the founder and artistic director of PJO, conducts the program and includes newly arranged versions of some of Miles and Trane’s classic works.
- [DIE WALKÜRE](https://laartsonline.com/music/die-walkure/): Following the LA Phil’s acclaimed production of Das Rheingold, Gustavo Dudamel and director Alberto Arvelo continue Wagner’s monumental Ring Cycle with Die Walküre, staged at Walt Disney Concert Hall with a set design by the late architect Frank Gehry. Envisioned as a three-part saga in which each act stands on its own while contributing to a larger mythic arc, the production brings together an international cast of opera superstars in a sweeping story of love, fate, duty, and self-determination.
- [VERDI’S FALSTAFF](https://laartsonline.com/music/verdis-falstaff/): This spring, LA Opera presents Falstaff, Giuseppe Verdi’s comic masterpiece, running April 18–May 10, 2026 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. Falstaff is Verdi’s final opera, a lively three-act comedy based on Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor and scenes from Henry IV, full of disguises, farce, and clever scheming.
- [HARRY STYLES](https://laartsonline.com/music/harry-styles/): Two years after winning the Grammy Award for Album of the Year for Harry’s House at the 2023 Grammys—a moment he later described as “a really interesting experiment” and something that put him in a creative bubble he wasn’t expecting—Harry Styles returns with a new musical chapter that pushes his pop sensibilities into fresh territory.
- [Teddy THOMPSON](https://laartsonline.com/music/teddy-thompson/): Every now and then, an album arrives that reminds you why music matters in the first place. My friend, London-born and Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Teddy Thompson, has done exactly that with his stunning new release, “Never Be The Same.” In a time when so much music feels overly processed and digitalized, Teddy’s voice cuts through with something rare — authenticity. His voice is like velvet. Smooth, rich, and unmistakably human.
- [NOAH KAHAN](https://laartsonline.com/music/noah-kahan/): Noah Kahan is perhaps best known for his 2022 album Stick Season (and its expanded edition Stick Season: We’ll All Be Here Forever). On the album, Kahan wails, croons, and laments a past relationship, the idea of lost love, and the reality of being stuck in your hometown when everyone else seems to be growing up and moving on. Coming right off of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many young adults felt directionless and stuck, his sound and storytelling struck the right chord. Kahan went on to feature several artists on re-releases of his songs, including Hozier, Post Malone, Gracie Abrams, and Kacey Musgraves.
- [AKHNATEN](https://laartsonline.com/music/akhnaten/): Phillip Glass's Portrait Trilogy is unlike any operas ever composed. The only thing that comes close is Wagner's Ring Cycle. For one, there are four Rings, but just three Portraits (for now), Both flex language for effect. The Rings are in ancient Germany to give the libretto a fantasy feel, while Einstein on the Beach is in English (and lots of numbers), Satyagraha is entirely in Sanskrit, and Akhnaten is in Ancient Egyptian, Akkadian, Biblical Hebrew...and English. But that is where the similarities end. Whereas Wagner followed a traditional narrative structure for the Rings, Glass pursued hypnotic tableaus—which sprang beautifully from his music which some call minimalism, but the composer prefers to call music with repetitive structures. Nevertheless, it is this quality that makes his Trilogy feel timeless, epic, and an absolute must to experience.
- [Bernadette Peters](https://laartsonline.com/music/bernadette-peters-2/): If you’ve never experienced the incomparable Bernadette Peters in Concert, now is your chance! McCoy Rigby Entertainment is presenting Peters for one show only on Friday, March 6, at 8pm, at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts (which the LA Times has called, “One of the best Broadway-style houses in Southern California”). And there’s free parking! Peters’ long list of Broadway triumphs includes Mack & Mabel, Sunday in the Park with George, Song and Dance, Into the Woods, Annie Get Your Gun, Gypsy, The Goodbye Girl, A Little Night Music, Follies, and Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, and many more. Throughout her illustrious career, she has dazzled audiences and critics with her performances on stage, film and television, in concert, and on recordings. She has won three Tony Awards and a Golden Globe, has four Emmy and four Grammy Award nominations, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 
- [LA PHILHARMONIC ](https://laartsonline.com/music/la-philharmonic-4/): This March, the Los Angeles Philharmonic returns to Walt Disney Concert Hall for an inspiring program under Music Director Gustavo Dudamel. Performing Dudamel, Dante, and Beethoven 6 comes during Dudamel’s final season leading the orchestra after a remarkable 17‑year tenure, part of the Philharmonic’s “Gracias Gustavo” celebration of his legacy.
- [AND THE BEAT GOES ON ](https://laartsonline.com/music/and-the-beat-goes-on/): Get to the Saban Theatre March 21st and 22nd for Gay Men’s Chorus Los Angeles’ spring 2026 concert, And the Beat Goes On. From gospel, R&B, Motown, and Broadway, GMCLA brings the beat, rhythm, and heart and soul of some of the best music ever written, with greatest hits from Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, Gladys Knight, and musicals Dreamgirls and The Wiz. Stunning gospel works will showcase the power of GMCLA’s 200 voices, making this a one-of-a-kind musical event.
- [HERE LIES LOVE](https://laartsonline.com/music/here-lies-love/): Here Lies Love arrives to Los Angeles making its West Coast premiere since its Broadway premiere in 2023. Reanne Acasio steps into the role of Imelda Marcos after originally joining the show as part of the Broadway cast. On Broadway, she performed in the ensemble while also portraying Aurora Aquino and understudying Imelda and Estrella. “I had the great honor of being in the Original Broadway Cast of Here Lies Love playing Aurora Aquino in addition to my ensemble track,” she says. “Being part of the first all-Filipino cast on a stage as prestigious as Broadway’s was something I thought I would only experience once in my lifetime.”
- [MATTERS OF THE HEART](https://laartsonline.com/music/matters-of-the-heart/): Four words that excite: Patti LuPone in concert! The legendary Broadway star is celebrating the 25th anniversary of her acclaimed show Matters of the Heart and returns to Southern California for two performances — at Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts in Costa Mesa on Wednesday 2/18 and at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the LA Music Center on Saturday, 2/21. The concert is conceived and directed by Scott Wittman with music direction and arrangements by Joseph Thalken. Also featuring The Four Play String Quartet, Matters of the Heart is a night of songs from Lennon and McCartney to Rodgers and Hammerstein. Get your tickets now! It is not to be missed!
- [CHEYENNE JACKSON](https://laartsonline.com/music/cheyenne-jackson/): Cheyenne Jackson, is a Grammy-nominated, versatile actor, singer, and songwriter known for starring roles on Broadway such as Xanadu, Finian's Rainbow, and All Shook Up, with an impressive list of film and television credits with hit TV shows American Horror Story, 30 Rock, and Glee, United 93, Descendants 3, and Behind the Candelabra. Jackson is bringing his Mid Life Torso tour to southern California beginning with Beverly Hills’ Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 5, 2026, followed by the Musco Center for the Arts on March 10, 2026.
- [EPIC: ELVIS PRESLEY IN CONCERT](https://laartsonline.com/music/epic-elvis-presley-in-concert/): NEON and Universal Pictures have announced that the King of Rock and Roll will live again! EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert is a new, highly anticipated concert film directed by acclaimed visionary filmmaker Baz Luhrmann (The Great Gatsby, Moulin Rouge!) — and it should not be confused with Elvis, starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks (2022), also directed by Luhrmann! EPiC features long-lost, restored, 16mm/8mm archive footage from the 1970s, as well as rediscovered recordings showcasing intimate, high-definition performances. EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert includes rare footage from Las Vegas residencies and Elvis on Tour. The movie premieres in IMAX on February 20, followed by a wider release on February 27. 
- [SWEENEY TODD](https://laartsonline.com/music/sweeney-todd-2/): A razor-sharp classic arrives at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts as Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street takes over the stage, bringing Stephen Sondheim’s legendary score and darkly comic tale to life. Set in the shadowy streets of 19th-century London, the musical follows Benjamin Barker, a once-honest barber who returns from wrongful exile under a new name—and with revenge on his mind.
- [THE MOMENT](https://laartsonline.com/music/the-moment/): You might say Charli XCX is having a moment. The Grammy-Winning musician known for the 2024 album Brat and hit songs as “I Love It” and “Boom Clap” racks up more onscreen feature credits with her mocumentary film “The Moment”. Charli has made it very clear that the film is fiction and in no way a tour documentary or concert film. “The Moment” is based on her own idea, blending reality and fiction around her Brat album and tour’s success while exploring pop stardom and industry pressures with humor. 
- [LA Philharmonic January Line Up](https://laartsonline.com/music/la-philharmonic-january-line-up/): This month’s LA Philharmonic schedule at Disney Hall kicks off January 9, 10, and 11 with Prometheus conducted by Esa-Pekka Solonen. The concert will feature multimedia artist Grimanesa Amorós, pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, soprano Liv Redpath, and mezzo-soprano Jingjing Xu. On January 17 and 18, Solonen reunites with Igor Levit for a rare performance of Busoni’s “flabbergasting,” larger-than-life piano concerto. On January 21, celebrated violinist Clara-Jumi Kang and pianist Sunwood Kim take the stage for a concert featuring works of Prokofiev, Chausson, and Franck. Up next on January 22 there will be Chamber Music with select members of the Phil performing a program highlighting works by Mark O’Connor, Dvořák, Glinka, and Shostakovich. This one features a complimentary glass of wine before the performance! The full orchestra returns on January 23, 24, and 25 with John Adams conducting and featuring Vikingur Ólafsson on piano. The program will feature The Unanswered Question (Ives), After the Fall (John Adams), Symphony No. 3 in One Movement (Harris), and Appalachian Spring Suite (Copland). This month’s programming closes out on January 29, 30, 31 (and February 1) with Elim Chan conducting and featuring soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha in a program of Mahler (Symphony No. 4 in G Major), Bartók (Dance Suite), and Ravel (Le tombeau de Couperin). I’d say there’s a little something for everyone, satisfying a wide range of musical tastes. Get your tickets now! 
- [SELENA: From Texas to the World](https://laartsonline.com/music/selena-from-texas-to-the-world/): Selena Quintanilla was a cultural icon whose influence on music and culture is felt in the performances of modern legends like J.Lo and Beyoncé and whose roots extend back into classic Tejano musical stylings. Selena’s music paved the way for the “Latin boom” of the 1990s, when Latinx music artists began to enter the American ‘mainstream’ thanks to the growing multicultural elements of musical genres at the time.
- [The Soraya Holiday Shows](https://laartsonline.com/music/the-soraya-holiday-shows/): As winter approaches, The Soraya invites Southern California to close out the year in celebration, gathering audiences for a beautiful lineup of holiday performances filled with soul, tradition, and community. This December, its stunning Northridge stage becomes a festive home for four distinctive concerts, each offering a different expression of holiday spirit through music, storytelling, and cultural heritage.
- [Holiday Legends](https://laartsonline.com/music/holiday-legends/): The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA) invites Angelenos to celebrate the joy, nostalgia, and magic of the season with Holiday Legends, returning to the historic Saban Theatre for two unforgettable performances on December 13 and 14, 2025. This year feels especially meaningful, as GMCLA welcomes home one of its own: Salina EsTitties (Jason De Puy), a former chorus member and proud Latina artist known from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 15 and most recently the Pasadena Playhouse’s acclaimed La Cage aux Folles.
- [LA Phil’s Deck the Hall](https://laartsonline.com/music/la-phils-deck-the-hall/): As December arrives, the Los Angeles Philharmonic invites Angelenos to rediscover the joy of the season through its annual Deck the Hall / Winter Wonderland celebration — a month-long immersion in music, magic, and holiday cheer at the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall. From December 5 onward, guests are welcomed early into “Winter Wonderland” at BP Hall, with hot cocoa, festive crafts, Santa photos, and holiday-themed fun before the main performances begin. 
- [Eden Espinosa](https://laartsonline.com/music/eden-espinosa/): On December 19, The Wallis in Beverly Hills will present Woman is ... Eden Espinosa. Best known for powerhouse performances in Wicked, Rent, Brooklyn, and Lempicka, this Broadway and hometown favorite will shine in a one-night-only display of soaring vocals, raw emotion, and a full band. The bold, genre-blurring concert will blend Broadway belt, pop edge, and a glimmer of holiday magic. Espinosa was born in Anaheim and began singing at the age of three, performing at age five, and recording at the age of 10. Following her high school graduation, she performed at Disneyland and Universal Studios and was also part of the successful performing group The Young Americans. Based here in Southern California, the group performs for audiences worldwide.
- [November at Walt Disney Concert Hall](https://laartsonline.com/music/november-at-walt-disney-concert-hall/): After more than a century, the LA Phil continues to be as vibrant as ever, with some 300 events each year that harness the transformative power of live music to build community, foster intellectual and artistic growth and nurture the creative spirit. The November calendar is highlighted by Conductor Emeritus Zubin Mehta navigating the monumental cathedral of sound that is composer Anton Bruckner’s Eighth Symphony. Defined by extremes—at times bombastic, dissonant, and soaring and at others, to quote Mehta, “deeply romantic” and lyrical in a way that “will break your heart.” Three performances November 7-9 are a rare opportunity to experience the symphony in all of its maximalist glory. November 14-16 brings other musical masters – Mozart, Ravel & Pintscher – and three centuries of music - to the stage at Walt Disney Concert Hall. A pair of Ravel’s impressionistic masterworks bookend this era spanning concert, with the incomparable Emanuel Ax performing Mozart’s sublime Piano Concerto No. 25 and Pintscher, one of the most exciting composers of his generation, leading the LA premiere of his work neharot, a search for light in the midst of troubled times. Chamber Music highlighting Brahms Strings arrives November 18 and Elgar’s Enigma Variations – featuring acclaimed cellist Sheku Kennah-Mason with the LA Phil for the world premiere of an Edmund Finnis concerto - graces the Hall for 3 performances November 21-23. The Phil’s Symphonies for Youth program continues November 8 and 22 with Melody & Pitch: An Introduction to the Woodwind Family, a 45-minute concert recommended for ages 5 to 11.
- [La Bohème](https://laartsonline.com/music/la-boheme-2/): Puccini’s blockbuster opera LA BOHEME lights up the stage of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for 6 performances Nov 22-Dec 14 in the 40th anniversary season for LA Opera. LA BOHEME has captivated generations of music lovers since its 1896 premiere with its transcendent score and gorgeous melodies. Even those who claim to not care for opera can’t deny its present day influence on pop culture: this opera classic inspired the hit Broadway musical RENT and the film/Broadway musical MOULIN ROUGE. The story concerns the struggling poet Rodolfo who resorts to burning his manuscripts to keep out the winter cold and Mimì, a fellow tenant with big dreams and a deadly illness. A chance encounter has them falling in love, experiencing exhilarating joy and irretrievable loss among the evocative rooftops, cafés and garrets of Paris. First created in 1993 for the LA Opera, this Herbert Ross production of LA BOHEME (he’s the celebrated film director of Funny Lady, The Goodbye Girl, Steel Magnolias and Footloose) marks the director’s very successful first and only venture into opera. Conducted by Resident Conductor Lina González-Granados and directed by Brenna Corner, the brilliant cast stars soprano Janai Brugger in her role debut as Mimi and Italian tenor Oreste Cosimo making his U.S. debut as Rodolfo. Baritone Gihoon Kim and soprano Erica Petrocelli are featured as the on-again-off-again lovers Marcello and Musetta. Sung in Italian with English subtitles so audiences don’t miss any of the passion and heartbreak.
- [MOULIN ROUGE!](https://laartsonline.com/music/moulin-rouge/): Moulin Rouge! The Musical opened on Broadway on July 25, 2019, and to date has played over 1950 performances. The stage adaptationis based on Baz Luhrmann's 2001 film starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. The show was nominated for a whopping 14 Tony Awards in 2020 and won 10, including Best Musical! The North American tour arrives at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood on November 4 and runs through November 16 with a cast featuring Arianna Rosario, John Cordoza, Bobby Daye, Jahi Kearse, Andrew Brewer, Kaitlin Mesh, and Danny Burgos.
- [SUFFS](https://laartsonline.com/music/suffs/): “Behind every powerful woman... are more powerful women.”
- [HADESTOWN](https://laartsonline.com/music/hadestown-2/): It’s an old song, it’s an old tale from way back when.
- [BROADSTAGE](https://laartsonline.com/music/broadstage/): The BroadStage has an incredible lineup of shows during the month of October!
- [THE SORAYA](https://laartsonline.com/music/the-soraya-3/): October at The Soraya ignites with bold performances and rich cultural moments. The month opens with Graham100, a dazzling centennial celebration featuring a special creation by Bernstein, Rountree, and Boykin alongside Wild Up—set for Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 8 p.m.
- [THE WALLIS](https://laartsonline.com/music/the-wallis-4/): October at The Wallis brings a wide spectrum of music, dance, theater, and film, offering audiences an unforgettable lineup. The month begins on the 6th, at 7:00 p.m. with the special screening of Do You Remember?, a film tribute celebrating the electrifying music standards spanning the career of Clive Davis. The screening will be followed by a conversation, giving audiences a deeper look at the legacy of one of the music industry’s most influential figures.
- [Josh Groban](https://laartsonline.com/music/josh-groban-2/): Josh Groban is a multi-platinum-selling singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and actor. Known for his emotive ballads and powerful baritone voice, blending pop and classical music, the Los Angeles native has sold more than 35 million records worldwide, including three number one albums on the Billboard 200. His 2007 album Noël was the year's best-seller, and he is Billboard's 14th top-selling artist of the 2000s. He has received five Grammy nominations. His duet partners have included Celine Dion, Idina Menzel, Barbara Cook, Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, Ben Folds, and Barbra Streisand, to name only a few. He has appeared on television (Ally McBeal, The Office, Glee, Parks and Recreation), in films (Crazy, Stupid, Love; Coffee Town; Muppets Most Wanted), and has starred on Broadway in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (in 2016) and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2023), receiving Tony Award nominations for Best Lead Actor in a Musical for both performances.
- [Laufey](https://laartsonline.com/music/laufey/): Laufey (pronounced “lay-vay”) is an Icelandic–Chinese singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles. If you're unfamiliar with her work, your kids probably know her well... she has a very dedicated Gen Z following from her TikTok and social media performances. But before I lose you at “Gen Z following,” check her out because she is NOT what you might expect, with incredible depth in her musical talent and lyrics. She combines pop songwriting with classical and jazz instruments, often drawing inspiration from jazz legends while including personal and modern lyrical themes. 
- [Rufus Wainwright](https://laartsonline.com/music/rufus-wainwright-4/): Rufus Wainwright —beloved around the world and a true original—is coming to Southern California this fall with “Going to a Town Solo”, an intimate evening that feels like it was made for him. I’ve always thought Rufus had that rare combination of artistry and humanity that draws you in and keeps you there. He’s been a longtime favorite of mine, and I’m not the only one who feels that way—his songwriting and presence have inspired a whole wave of young artists, including talents like Jake Wesley Rogers, who openly credits Rufus as a guiding light.
- [STELLA COLE](https://laartsonline.com/music/stella-cole/): Stella Cole brings the Great American Songbook to the BroadStage on September 27th. This jazz-pop singer is in her '20s, singing songs written in the '40s and looking like one of Capote's '60s 'Swans', all elegant and striking. Her voice matches; she is an evocative crooner. 
- [BILLY JOEL AND SO IT GOES](https://laartsonline.com/music/billy-joel-and-so-it-goes/): I’ve been a fan of the Hicksville, Long Island-raised “Piano Man” for decades. I can’t say exactly when I first heard Billy Joel’s music, but once I found him, I purchased every album and include many songs in the soundtrack of my life. So, I eagerly anticipated the HBO Original two-part documentary Billy Joel And So It Goes – directed by Emmy® winners Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin - that premiered in late July. And, the five hours spent with Billy, his band members and musical luminaries including Sting, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Garth Brooks, Jackson Brown and Nas were enormously nostalgic and entertaining. But, it was the in-depth interviews with his ex-wives, in particular first wife Elizabeth Weber and second wife Christie Brinkley, that were especially insightful, enlightening and poignant. And, it’s fascinating to see how Billy translated the love, loss, challenges and heartaches of these relationships into his songs. The film shares never-before-seen performances, home movies, personal photographs and illuminating interviews with Joel that open a window into his process and chronicle his monumental success (6 GRAMMY®’s, 160 million records sold worldwide, 33 Top 40 songs and induction in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame), while diving into the lesser known complexities of his life. For those who want even more, Sony Music’s Legacy Recordings has just released the 100-track Billy Joel And So It Goes, a digital only companion piece that mirrors the tracks from the film and more, featuring iconic hits, alternative versions, and live renditions. To paraphrase one of Billy’s earliest and most beautiful compositions, he’s got a way about him.
- [Hollywood Bowl](https://laartsonline.com/music/hollywood-bowl-2/): August at the Hollywood Bowl promises to be a blockbuster month! The schedule includes the return of Gustavo Dudamel conducting the LA Philharmonic, radio station KCRW Festival events, movie nights, jazz, a celebration of the great John Williams, fireworks, and rock legend Cyndi Lauper in her final shows. This season, the Bowl has already hosted unforgettable events including opening night with Hugh Jackman, Diana Ross in concert, the annual July 4 fireworks spectacular (with Earth, Wind &. Fire), and the completely sold-out (three nights!) presentation of Jesus Christ Superstar with Cynthia Erivo and Adam Lambert.

## Spotlight
- [Border Grill Las Vegas](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/border-grill-las-vegas/): Whenever I’m in Las Vegas for work, my schedule is usually packed from morning until night. This trip was no different. I hadn’t booked reservations at any of the city’s headline restaurants, but then I remembered an old favorite that has never let me down: Border Grill at Mandalay Bay.
- [Furious](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/furious/): Fun facts about serial killers: only one in six are women, and they typically target people they know, including family members, romantic partners, or patients in their care. They often use covert methods like poisoning or asphyxiation. In the chilling new Hulu series Furious, the method of choice for the first murder is a drug overdose.
- [THE GRIDDLE CAFE](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/griddle-cafe/): The Griddle Cafe, with its bright red sign, sits at 7916 West Sunset Boulevard, near the corner of Sunset and Fairfax, and has spent over two decades as the place in LA where you might wait in line behind a tourist in a Hollywood Walk of Fame t-shirt and someone who was just in a Marvel movie. Founded by self-trained chef Jodi Hortze, known as "the Willy Wonka of breakfast," a nickname she's clearly earned, the menu reads less like a diner card and more like a fever dream she scribbled into a stack of notebooks at 2 AM, which, by the way, Jodi says is precisely how the menu is created!
- [SUMMER OF DANCE](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/summer-of-dance/): The Summer of Dance at the Music Center is a lively community celebration that brings music, culture, and people together through dance. This free summer event welcomes visitors of all ages and skill levels to enjoy dance lessons, live music, and social dancing in a fun outdoor setting. During August, the final Dance DTLA events take place on Friday, August 7, featuring Afrobeats, and Friday, August 14, featuring Bollywood, from 7:00–11:00pm. at Jerry Moss Plaza in downtown Los Angeles. These evenings begin with beginner-friendly dance lessons led by professional instructors, followed by open dancing with live DJs.
- [Pool at Annenberg](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/summer-fun-at-the-annenberg-pool/): A visit to the Annenberg Community Beach House feels like stepping into two versions of Santa Monica at once: the relaxed public beach destination of today and the glamorous retreat of the 1920s. Set along Pacific Coast Highway, the Beach House welcomes visitors with ocean views, open seating, a splash pad, playground, beach courts, cultural events and the rhythm of guests moving between sand, sun and shade. On warm days, the historic pool is the center of the scene and reminds us that this was once one of the most celebrated private estates on the coast.
- [J Nichols Kitchen](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/j-nichols-kitchen/): J Nichol's Kitchen in Marina Del Rey is a Five-Star Comfort Food Institution!
- [Ellie’s Long Beach](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/ellies-long-beach/): I recently attended a wine dinner at Ellie’s in Long Beach and left delighted by what is coming out of this Alamitos Beach restaurant. The room is simple and spare, a signal that the drama is reserved for the plate.
- [DAN Modern Chinese](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/dan-modern-chinese/): Sometimes you don’t need a huge meal—you just need a great one. That’s exactly why I keep finding myself back at DAN Modern Chinese in Manhattan Village.
- [SUMMER FUN AT THE SKIRBALL](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/summer-fun-at-the-skirball/): June and July at the Skirball Cultural Center promise a rich mix of exhibitions and live programs that make summer visits especially rewarding. Outsiders, Outcasts, Rebels + Weirdos: Punk Culture 1976–86 celebrates how a generation of misfits—including Jewish punks—challenged the rules, reimagined community, and helped reshape culture from the margins. On Friday, June 12, an outdoor screening of The Punk Singer - the story of activist, musician, and cultural icon Kathleen Hanna, (the punk band Bikini Kill and pioneer of the "riot grrrl" movement of the 1990s) – promises a special evening under the stars. A DJ set from Allison Wolfe starts at 6 pm and a conversation with Hanna and Ms. magazine Executive Editor, Katherine Spillar, follows the 8 pm screening.
- [ORIGINAL Los Angeles Flower Market](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/original-los-angeles-flower-market/): Long before the city wakes up, the Los Angeles Flower Market is bustling. Stretching across six blocks in downtown, the flower district is home to nearly 200 wholesale flower dealers.
- [HOLLYWOOD FRINGE](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/hollywood-fringe-2/): What is a Fringe Festival? The formal definition: an annual, open-access, community-derived event celebrating freedom of expression and collaboration in the performing arts community. Translation: a month-long festival with over 400 plays, musicals, solo performances, workshops, dance, and cabaret events to see! Each June during the Hollywood Fringe Festival the arts infiltrate the Hollywood neighborhood — theatres, parks, clubs, churches, and restaurants host entertainment events offered by local, national, and international arts companies and performers.
- [BARNSDALL FRIDAYS WINE NIGHTS](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/barnsdall-fridays-wine-nights/): A beloved Los Angeles tradition I am eager to experience, Barnsdall Fridays Wine Nights, are happening now through September 11 – 16 dates in all. The scenic grounds of Barnsdall Art Park are set atop Olive Hill and the west lawn of Hollyhock House - designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and Los Angeles’ only UNESCO World Heritage Site. A uniquely immersive cultural experience, guests can take in sweeping sunset views of the city while enjoying wine from Silverlake Wine, the event’s long-standing partner.
- [Elephant Valley](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/elephant-valley/): The wait is finally over, the Denny Sanford Elephant Valley is officially open and it is magnificent. The all-new home redefines what a zoo habitat can be. Described as the largest and most transformative project in San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s history, Elephant Valley was meticulously designed to mirror the elephant’s natural habitat and maximize visitor exposure to these magnificent animals.
- [ART EXHIBITION + AUCTION](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/art-exhibition-auction/): Los Angeles’ longest-running charity art exhibition returns May 8th. The 47th annual Venice Family Clinic Art Exhibition + Auction (formerly the Venice Art Walk) is a ten-day event celebrating the history and extraordinary quality of the artists presented. This year's exhibition is anchored by signature artist Alison Saar. The L.A. native creates sculptures and installations using found materials like wood, metal, glass, and other urban debris, exploring issues of gender, race, and heritage. This year's exhibit showcases over 150 artists, including Pop Art icon Ed Ruscha, Light and Space pioneer Helen Pashgian, East Village legends Kenny Scharf and Ed Moses, conceptual artist Frances Stark, skate culture visionary Ed Templeton, ceramicist Peter Shire, and many more. The artists exemplify the depth and diversity of the Los Angeles creative community.  Additional events include bouquet making with Viola Floral for Mother's Day, May 10th; a Music and Movement happy hour, May 15th, with a live performance from dublab; a family art workshop with LA Commons, May 16th; and a panel discussion on the 17th. The exhibition is free and open to the public at 910 Abbot Kinney, with artwork available to view online. Bids are accepted from May 8 through May 17. Auction proceeds support Venice Family Clinic's programs and services, providing high-quality health care to more than 45,000 people in need.  Click here for information. 
- [All About The Cinnamon](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/all-about-the-cinnamon/): I love living in Sherman Oaks and never considered my neighborhood “dangerous” until a family-owned bakery opened nearby: All About The Cinnamon – Where Hip Hop Meets Baking! The charming husband and wife team behind this enterprise – Lindsay and Lawrence McDonald – are baking small batches of organic cinnamon rolls daily and I (and so many others) am helpless to resist their soft, gooey, rich deliciousness covered in a cream cheese frosting that is beyond.
- [Opening night of Teen Beat Live](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/opening-night-of-teen-beat-live/): Opening Night of Teen Beat Live: 80s Movie Mixtape, was nothing short of electric. From the very first number, the cast delivered powerhouse performances that celebrated the music of the 1980s with heart, style, and a level of energy that felt fresh while honoring the originals. The audience was transported back in time, yet the performances often felt even more dynamic than the songs we grew up loving. It was a true celebration of music, nostalgia, and live theater at its best.
- [SD ZOO FOOD, WINE & BREW](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/sd-zoo-food-wine-brew/): The annual San Diego Food, Wine & Brew event at the San Diego Zoo offers a unique tasting experience featuring Southern California's finest food, wine, and brews, all while enjoying entertainment and wildlife. Taking place May 2 from 7:30-10pm., the all-inclusive evening allows attendees savor, sip, and contribute to conservation efforts, that support a brighter, greener future.
- [Celebrate Earth Month at Getty](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/celebrate-earth-month-at-getty/): April is Earth Month, a time dedicated to environmental education, having evolved from Earth Day (April 22), which was established in 1970 to encourage climate activism. With the philosophy that “a healthy planet is key to our mission to preserve, learn from and share our collective heritage”, Getty invites visitors to honor Mother Earth through an exciting slate of free public programs for all ages. Gallery tours focusing on meditation and wellness, include Moving Mindfully, where visitors connect with artworks in a 20-minute gallery experience that encourages slowing down, grounding oneself and experiencing art through the senses and bodyand The Breathe Tour which cultivates awareness of breath by bringing focused attention to works of art in a 20-minute guided experience. A brand-new Art & Nature Tour offered exclusively for Earth Month explores connections between art and nature in a 45-minute interactive tour that pairs artworks in the galleries with elements of Getty’s beautiful outdoor spaces. On April 12, Getty will present a full day of live poetry and music through its Poetry in the Garden series. Visitors are encouraged to bring a blanket and picnic, wander the Central Garden and relax as performances take place throughout the day. Families can participate in hands-on art making activities in bilingual (English and Spanish) events such as Superpower Portraits: Collage Workshop and Roman Garden: Seed Ball Workshop. Plan your visit this month to witness the strides Getty has been making to advance sustainability work and encourage the cultural sector to take climate action.
- [Teen Beat Live](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/teen-beat-live/): If you lived through this particular decade like me, the latest experience from For The Record – Teen Beat Live | 80s Movie Mixtape – sounds like a fabulous night out. Staged inside Cinevita, this immersive live entertainment runs April 9 - May 17, celebrating the era when movie soundtracks like Footloose, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Say Anything, Dirty Dancing, Top Gun, Valley Girl and Back to the Future became the soundtrack of our lives. Performed by a dynamic ensemble of singers, musicians, and dancers, Teen Beat Live is a brand new, fully staged and fully immersive live concert experience. CineVita opened in February 2025 as Los Angeles’ newest immersive entertainment venue, located at Hollywood Park next to SoFi Stadium. Audiences will be transported back to the ‘80’s from the moment they enter the breathtaking Spiegeltent lined with 3,000 mirrors and state-of-the-art sound and lighting. The live band and a company of 19 performers work the space, surrounding concertgoers throughout the evening, while the venue’s food and drink concessions are themed and woven into the vibe like the ultimate mall-night throwback, albeit with a very polished edge. Tickets range from $29 for standing room to upwards of $500 for a booth seating 6 guests, so everyone can design their desired experience. Running time is 2 hours (including a 20 minute intermission) and is recommended for guests 8 years and older. Make plans now to have the time of your life and cut footloose!
- [April at The Soraya](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/april-at-the-soraya/): April at The Soraya opens on April 1 with the New York Philharmonic String Quartet, presented in an onstage format that places the ensemble directly within the audience space for a closer view of the musicians at work. The program highlights the group’s connection to one of the world’s leading orchestras while offering a more intimate chamber experience than a traditional symphonic performance.
- [ROBERT DUVALL](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/robert-duvall/): Legendary movie star Robert Duvall died on February 15 at the age of 95. He began acting professionally on stage, performing in summer plays on Long Island in New York (1952–1959). He then began a career on television in the 1960s on shows such as The Defenders, Playhouse 90, and Armstrong Circle Theatre. He made his Broadway debut in Wait Until Dark in 1966, and, in 1977, returned from screen acting to the stage in David Mamet’s American Buffalo, earning a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Play. 
- [LIZA MINNELLI](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/liza-minnelli/): Get ready, Liza Minnelli fans! Her highly anticipated memoir Kids, Wait Till You Hear This! goes on sale March 10 and then, on March 12, the iconic superstar turns 80! As told to her dear friend, five-time Grammy Award nominee Michael Feinstein, this book is Liza’s story of stepping out from the long shadow of a mega-star mother and legendary film director father, fighting a lifetime battle with addiction, and emerging from it all to become a bona fide legend. For the first time, here is Liza up close — raw, strong, sexy, hilarious, and heartbreaking. Failed marriages, multiple miscarriages, and hospitalizations — the highs and lows of unparalleled artistic success and lifelong friendships. Says Liza, “As I approach 80 years of great living, high kicks, face-plants, hell-raising, and ongoing substance use disorder, sharing my recovery journey feels more meaningful than anything.”
- [Christina Quarles](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/christina-quarles/): Occupying a former flour mill, the Hauser & Wirth Gallery in downtown Los Angeles stands as a major destination for contemporary art, dining, events and learning activities which connect with the local community in a vibrant architectural space. The current exhibition, Christina Quarles’ The Ground Grows Black reflects the acute sense of displacement the artist experienced in the wake of the catastrophic wildfires that consumed her home in early 2025. Admired internationally for the dexterity and assertiveness with which she manipulates paint, the new works on view push that expressive and physical power to new limits, conveying the impact of the fires on her inner landscape. Lively planes of color, texture and pattern suggest architectural realms where human forms jolt and bend in response to unseen forces. Denser and more frenetic than Quarles’ earlier works, these paintings feel newly urgent while hewing to the artist’s core pursuit: to show how instability and resilience coexist, creating spaces where multiple realities can overlap. There is a sense of instability exemplified in ‘Glow, After’ (2026), the artist’s largest stretched painting to date, comprising two modular panels whose components are devised to rotate. Over the course of the exhibition, a series of reconfigurations will invite ongoing reinterpretation. The gallery windows have been covered in white film to heighten the contrast of exterior shadows, echoing the  black pigment that has been sprayed onto the surface of the South Gallery columns—a reference to the blackened trees of Quarles’ former neighborhood. Open Tues-Saturday with no entry fee, this exhibition is “wirth” a trip to the downtown Arts District.
- [Alvin Ailey](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/alvin-ailey/): This March, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for a multi‑day engagement that brings one of the world’s most beloved modern dance companies back to Los Angeles. Performing March 25–29, the company presents two distinct programs of repertory works that highlight both tradition and innovation in dance, all within the "Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center" series.
- [MEL BROOKS](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/mel-brooks/): Legendary comedian and creator Mel Brooks turns 99 this year, and he’s got a documentary to prove it.
- [HEDDA GABLER](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/hedda-gabler/): While it may seem a little out of the way for LA denizens, you’ll want to make an excursion to head down to The Old Globe in San Diego to catch their new show. Featuring Katie Holmes (of Dawson’s Creek fame) and directed by the Globe’s Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein, the show is a vivid new retelling by playwright Erin Cressida Wilson of the iconic classic Hedda Gabler.
- [Seth MacFarlane](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/seth-macfarlane/): Seth MacFarlane steps into a different kind of spotlight on Feb. 17, 2026, when he makes his debut as a vocalist at Walt Disney Concert Hall, with a program of Frank Sinatra classics backed by the LA Philharmonic orchestra. This marks the first time the Family Guy and American Dad! creator will perform in the hall’s storied acoustic space, not as a TV auteur but as a trained singer.
- [LOVI’S DELICATESSEN](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/lovis-deli/): Oh, how I love a good New York style deli! I’m always in the mood for tuna on rye (and a pickle!), and I know the popular places in Los Angeles to get one. Canter’s, Nate ‘n Al’s, and Brent’s always come to mind, but I really loved Izzy’s in Santa Monica (now closed). Besides great food and the small diner vibe, it was a cool late-night spot back in the 90s. 
- [ROB REINER, A TRIBUTE](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/rob-reiner-a-tribute/): I had never met Rob Reiner—acclaimed director, actor, producer, and tireless advocate—until I saw his name on the poster for Lyrics From Lockdown, the one-man show I was producing at the Academy Museum. My first role as a producer felt suddenly monumental, sharing space in a program connected to someone whose work had shaped so many lives. The more I shared about the show and how he was involved, the more I heard how beloved he and his wife, Michele, were. Every mention carried warmth, admiration, and respect.
- [Is This Thing On?](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/is-this-thing-on/): A powerhouse, award-winning creative team and cast bring the quietly human and intimate story of Alex Novak (based on the real-life experiences of British comedian John Bishop) to Is This Thing On? Multi-Emmy nominee Will Arnett co-writes (with multi-Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper) and stars in the story of middle-aged Alex navigating divorce after a long marriage to Tess, played by Academy Award, Emmy, and Golden Globe winner Laura Dern. 
- [I’M CHEVY CHASE AND YOU’RE NOT](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/im-chevy-chase-and-youre-not/): I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not. If you were an original SNL watcher that's how Weekend Update opened every week, and it sums up Chase's mix of arrogance and confidence that made the comedian one of the most sought-after leading men in the 1970s. His mix of good looks, goofball physical comedy and sarcasm was the perfect counter-culture attitude for its time. 
- [SHRINKING RETURNS](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/shrinking-2/): Apple TV’s Shrinking, starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford, returns on January 28, 2026 for its third season. The special one-hour premiere will be followed by weekly releases (30 minutes each) every Wednesday through the finale on April 8. Critics and audiences alike have praised the series for its performances, writing, and ability to balance sharp humor with an honest examination of grief. Along with Segel (also a co-creator and producer) and Ford, Shrinking stars Jessica Williams, Christa Miller, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, and Lukita Maxwell. The show has received Emmy Award nominations for Segel, Williams, and Outstanding Comedy Series, and the American Film Institute recognized Season Two as one of the top 10 television programs of the year. Ford has received nominations from the Critic’s Choice and TCA Awards for his performance as a psychotherapist suffering with Parkinson’s Disease.
- [JUNGLE BALLS](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/jungle-balls/): Iconic holiday favorite Jungle Bells returns to the San Diego Zoo!
- [AMERICAN MASTERS – Starring Dick Van Dyke](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/american-masters-starring-dick-van-dyke/): Dick Van Dyke has dazzled us for more than eight decades in iconic works from his Broadway debut in Bye Bye Birdie to hissitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show and silver screen performances in such beloved films as Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. American Masters – Starring Dick Van Dyke, premieres nationwide on PBS on December 12 – one day ahead of Van Dyke’s 100th birthday – celebrating the Emmy®, Tony® and Grammy®-winning star who influenced many of today’s best-known performers and whose own performances still stand strong. Starring Dick Van Dyke is an entertaining chronicle of the star’s career from early days as a radio DJ and slapstick nightclub act, through breakthrough TV gigs and movie roles. The documentary features rarely seen performance clips and footage – including his time co-anchoring The CBS Morning Show with revered journalist Walter Cronkite - and exclusive new interviews with Julie Andrews, Carol Burnett, Jim Carrey, Ted Danson, Steve Martin, Conan O’Brien and Martin Short. It’s a kick to hear stories and remembrances from Larry Mathews (little Richie Petrie for 5 seasons on The Dick Van Dyke Show) and Karen Dotrice who co-starred with Dick as Jane Banks in Mary Poppins. Archival interviews with Rose Marie, Mary Tyler Moore and Carl Reiner are also featured in this joyous exploration of Van Dyke’s life and legacy. The celebration is directed by John Scheinfeld, whose previous work includes American Masters’ This Is...Bob Hope, as well as theatrical documentaries The U.S. vs. John Lennon, The Happy Days of Garry Marshall and What The Hell Happened To Blood, Sweat & Tears?.
- [THE STRAND HOUSE HOLIDAY FUN](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/the-strand-house-holiday-fun/): The Strand House invites guests to usher in the season in style with its much-anticipated “Light Up The Night” dinner on Sunday, December 14. Perched above the Pacific in Manhattan Beach, the restaurant pairs coastal California cuisine with front-row views of the South Bay’s fireworks. The six-course chef dinner — priced at $225 for adults and $95 for children 12 and under, with an optional $75 wine pairing — promises a festive oceanside feast curated by Executive Chef Chris Park. Dinner guests will dine as the sky lights up, then carry the evening downstairs to StrandBar, where a DJ, cocktails, and dancing set the tone for a holiday celebration under the stars. 
- [CRAWFORD’S SOCIAL](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/crawford-social/): Recently while setting a lunch date with one of my usual “foodie” pals, she suggested meeting at Crawford’s Social in Westlake Village near Thousand Oaks. And then she said, “I’m ordering the Cheeseburger and I’m not sharing any of it!” Hilarious. Anyway, she did share, but only a bite! It was that good. I can’t wait to go back and have one of my own. We also shared the Crispy Brussel Sprouts Salad (a must-try!), and the Crab Cakes and Sweet & Spicy Shrimp (with candied walnuts) appetizers. 
- [SAN DIEGO FOOD + WINE FESTIVAL](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/san-diego-food-wine-festival-2/): I was attending a foodie event as I often do, and I met Michelle Metter, the founder of the San Diego Food + Wine Festival. She immediately said she wanted to invite me to the festival and that I would be very impressed. Soon after, she followed up! I’m an easy target, meaning, if possible, I won’t miss a food sampling or tasting event. I’m obsessed with the Food Network and all things cooking and dining. I decided to head down to San Diego and made a weekend of it. I was impressed!
- [PETIGRAIN BOULANGERIE](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/petigrain/): Tucked into a neighborhood in the heart of Santa Monica, a small but mighty bakery called Petitgrain Boulangerie represents the pinnacle of artisanal baking, seamlessly blending Old World French techniques with California's vibrant culinary spirit. This exceptional bakery has earned its reputation as a serious contender for the title of best bakery in the United States through unwavering dedication to craft and quality.
- [ENCHANT](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/enchant/): Holiday festival lovers will go mad for ENCHANT, which makes its dazzling debut in Southern California on November 21 (through December 28, 2025), transforming Santa Anita Park in nearby Arcadia into a 10-acre winter wonderland filled with millions of twinkling lights, larger-than-life installations and immersive experiences that are sure to delight guests young and older. The glowing heart of ENCHANT is the World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze, a story-driven adventure where guests search for missing magical sculptures to help save Christmas. Visitors can glide beneath glowing displays on a real ice-skating trail – designed for skaters of all skill levels – and speed down the shimmering multi-lane Snow Slide Adventure that’s suited for both families and thrill-seekers alike. Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet visitors at Santa’s Landing for heartwarming photo ops and sweet story-time sessions. Sip, nibble and shop at The Village Marketplace which will feature hand-selected artisan gifts, seasonal treats, and festive food and drinks inspired by the West Coast holiday spirit. Live entertainment and themed nights – ugly sweaters and more - add to the magical atmosphere. Enchant LA is produced by Social House Entertainment, a full-scale event production company known for transforming outdoor venues into unforgettable festival and live event experiences. The festive atmosphere and onsite amenities make ENCHANT a, well, enchanting destination for family, friends and office celebrations this season. Tickets are on sale now!
- [PETER PAN GOES WRONG](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/peter-pan-goes-wrong/): The La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts invites audiences to take a wild flight to Neverland as Peter Pan Goes Wrong lands from October 31 through November 23. From the mischievous minds behind the Tony® Award–winning The Play That Goes Wrong, this madcap production transforms J.M. Barrie’s beloved classic into a riotous evening of theatrical catastrophe.
- [ROBERT REDFORD](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/robert-redford/): Oscar winner, director, producer, activist, and Sundance Film Festival founder Robert Redford, star of classic films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Way We Were, and All the President’s Men, died on September 16 at the age of 89 at his home in the mountains of Utah. In a statement, Sundance said, “Bob’s vision of a space and a platform for independent voices launched a movement that, over four decades later, has inspired generations of artists and redefined cinema in the U.S. and around the world.” Sony CEO Tom Rothman said, “In addition to being a titanic acting and directing talent, I saw first-hand his commitment to indie film and young artists. The entire scope of American film would have been much poorer without him.” 
- [MR. SCORSESE](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/mr-scorsese/): While he may need no introduction, Martin Scorsese definitely deserves one. One of the most famous filmmakers alive, Mr. Scorsese, is known for classic films like Goodfellas, Taxi Driver, and The Wolf of Wall Street. He is a cultural icon whose name alone signals powerful stories, unforgettable characters, and a deep love for cinema.
- [SPRINGSTEEN: DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/springsteen-deliver-me-from-nowhere/): Jeremy Allen White is “Born to Run” in new film Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere. White is perhaps best known for his starring role in The Bear as Carmy, an award-winning chef who crumbled under the pressure and came home to revamp his family’s sandwich shop. He’s known for his grounded, naturalistic performances in shows like Shameless and films like The Iron Claw, and this naturalism is likely to continue in Springsteen as he portrays the iconic musician through the process of creating his hit album Nebraska. White provides his own vocals for the film, and Bruce Springsteen himself stated that he “couldn’t believe” that what he was hearing wasn’t his own voice.
- [TARANTINO LIVE](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/tarantino-live-2/): Quentin Tarantino fans: Get ready for a dazzling display of cinema and rock as Tarantino Live: A Pulp Rock Extravaganza debuts at CineVita, LA’s newest, coolest venue, next to SoFi Stadium in Hollywood Park.
- [SAFARI PARK](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/safari-park-2/): What better way to spend the day at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park than with the Wildlife Safari? The Safari Park, located  in Escondido, offers guided safaris that take you right into the heart of expansive savanna habitats where animals roam freely, just as they would in the wild.
- [PERICLES](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/pericles/): LA’s Coeurage Ensemble will be partnering with the City of West Hollywood’s Free Theatre in the Park this month to present a new adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Pericles. There will be six performances only, from September 6–21 in Kings Road Park, on Saturday and Sunday at 4pm. Admission is free and the show is suitable for all ages. Directed by Coeurage artistic director Amanda McRaven, the cast features (in alphabetical order) Ted Barton, Emily Gibson, Donna Simone Johnson, Kasper, Mateo Mpinduzi-Mott, and Eddie Vona. 
- [ANN’S WINE BAR](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/anns-wine-bar/): With choices galore to tempt your appetite when going to a show at the Hollywood Bowl, it may be hard to choose! There are fun and amazing things to nibble on like fried chicken, burgers, hot dogs, fries, pizza, popcorn, cheese and crackers style picnic bites, chocolate, ice cream, and so much more. 
- [Levain Bakery](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/levain-bakery/): I’ll admit I hadn’t heard of Levain Bakery until early 2022 when I was in NYC on business. A friend I was planning to meet way uptown later in the day mentioned she was near the Harlem Levain’s Bakery if I wanted to go there. I mentally shrugged - whatever. Only minutes later, the TODAY Show that was on in the hotel room introduced a feature celebrating successful women entrepreneurs, starting with…wait for it…Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald, co-founders of Levain Bakery. What?! The TODAY Show hosts were so rapturous about the enormous crunchy, chewy, soft and gooey chocolate chip walnut cookies, that now I HAD to check them out. And, oh my…sooo good. This New York institution ships nationwide, but now there are 3 locations in LA where cookie lovers can line up to get them warm out of the oven: Larchmont, Beverly Hills and, just recently, Venice. What started as a small bread shop in NYC in 1995 – the name Levain comes from the French word for “leavened bread” – is a national sensation. Original cookie flavors include Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin and Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip. More “decadent” options include Caramel Coconut Chocolate Chip and this summer’s Chocolate Rocky Road and there’s also a Vegan & GF Chocolate Chip Walnut cookie. Levain cookie enthusiasts are myriad and joining the official Levain Cookie Club gets members a monthly 8-pack box delivered to their doors. If you didn’t know, now you know. You’re welcome!
- [Descanso Gardens](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/descanso-gardens-3/): Access to natural wilderness and habitats has always been a big part of the appeal of living in Los Angeles.  For decades, Descanso Gardens in nearby La Canda Flintridge has been one of the region’s most beloved public gardens. From its pre-colonial origins as an oak woodland to its contemporary role as a nationally accredited “museum of living collections”, Descanso Gardens is a refuge of stunning beauty. Open 364 days for a modest annual membership fee or daily entry ticket, visitors can wander along various tracks of exploration from the heritage oak tour to a one hour “whirlwind” tour that loops through a 5 acre rose garden, Camellia Forest and Japanese Garden, to areas like Mulberry Pond, Lakeside Lookout and a hedge maze that are particularly appealing for young garden lovers. The special exhibition Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World is on display through October 12, with imaginative and colorful installations that invite appreciation for the life-giving role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable. There have always been picnicking and grab and go food options at the Gardens, but the recently opened Farmhouse at Descanso Gardens is a very welcome addition to the landscape. Inspired by renowned chef Rich Mead, the Farmhouse’s innovative farm-to-table dining celebrates California’s boutique farms and locally sourced ingredients. It’s a beautiful and delicious destination for lunch or dinner, whether or not you are visiting the gardens… but why not make a day of it and experience all that Descanso Gardens has to offer?
- [TAO LOS ANGELES](https://laartsonline.com/spotlight/tao-los-angeles-2/): If you’re heading to the legendary Hollywood Pantages Theatre, why not make a night of it? A “dinner and a show” kind a night! My go-to spot right now is Tao, nestled in on Selma Avenue next to Beauty & Essex and the Dream Hotel. Tao group is celebrating 25 years, with several locations. I first discovered Tao in Las Vegas where the food was innovative, decadent, and seriously delicious. Perfect for any special occasion, Tao is right for a pre-show dining experience worthy of pairing with a night at the theatre. 

## Television
- [Ride or Die](https://laartsonline.com/television/ride-or-die/): Every now and then a new series comes along that reminds me why I love television. Ride or Die is one of those shows. From the very first episode, I was hooked—not just by the action or the mystery, but by the friendship at the center of it all.
- [The Five-Star Weekend](https://laartsonline.com/television/the-five-star-weekend/): The Five-Star Weekend is a new drama series streaming exclusively on Peacock about a newly widowed food blogger who treats her friends to an elaborate weekend of beautiful scenery and much-needed girl time.
- [THE SHARDS](https://laartsonline.com/television/the-shards/): When I heard about the new Ryan Murphy series The Shards, based on the delicious Bret Easton Ellis novel of the same name, I was essentially foaming at the mouth.
- [OFF CAMPUS](https://laartsonline.com/television/off-campus/): If Heated Rivalry awakened a love of hockey in you, you might find your next fix in Prime Video’s Off Campus, streaming now.
- [ELLE](https://laartsonline.com/television/elle/): “It’s Pink, and it’s scented. It gives it a little something extra. Don’t you think?”
- [The Four Seasons](https://laartsonline.com/television/the-four-seasons/): Season 2 of The Four Seasons on Netflix knows exactly why viewers will come back: the company. Tina Fey, Will Forte, Colman Domingo, Marco Calvani, Kerri Kenney-Silver and Erika Henningsen return as a circle of longtime friends and lovers whose quarterly vacations have become less about scenery than survival. The show is based on Alan Alda’s 1981 film but Season 2 feels even closer in spirit to The Big Chill: adults with shared history gathering in beautiful places, trading jokes, old wounds, marital disappointments, and the comfort of people who knew them before life got complicated. The writing could have been overdone - but with Fey producing and writing, her unabashed goofiness shines through. 
- [The Bear’s Final Season](https://laartsonline.com/television/the-bears-final-season/): The Bear closes out its story this summer, and no arc validates its slow-cooker philosophy like Richie Jerimovich’s. He began the series as kitchen chaos: a screamer, bully, a man who mistook volume for loyalty and caring. Season 2’s “Forks” cracked him open: “exiled” to a fine-dining restaurant, polishing silverware, he absorbed a new definition of care. He returned in a suit that, he said, felt like armor, but the armor began to fit nicely. By the finale, the transformation has set. Richie no longer reacts to the room; he reads it. The voice that used to be a weapon has become an instrument, used to calm rather than detonate.
- [The Crash](https://laartsonline.com/television/the-crash/): The Crash, the true-crime documentary which premiered on Netflix in May, takes a look at teenage consequences and trauma, centering on a devastating car accident in Strongsville, OH, that impacts an entire community. The series examines how one moment of recklessness can irrevocably alter multiple lives.
- [CAPE FEAR](https://laartsonline.com/television/cape-fear/): Okay, who’s up for a good old-fashioned psychological thriller? (I am, always!) This month, Apple TV premieres Cape Fear, a new 10-episode series based on the 1957 novel The Executioners by John D. MacDonald and the two major motion pictures that followed (1962 and 1991). The show stars Amy Adams (Arrival, The Fighter, American Hustle) and Patrick Wilson (Insidious, The Conjuring, Hard Candy) as Tom and Anna Bowden, married lawyers who 17 years prior to the start of the story were responsible for the conviction and sentencing of the vicious killer Max Cady, played by Javier Bardem (Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Before Night Falls, Being the Ricardos). As the series begins, Cady has been released from prison and seeks only one thing — revenge. He sets out to terrorize the Bowdens and their children (played by Lily Collias and Jo Anders)..
- [HOUSE OF THE DRAGON](https://laartsonline.com/television/house-of-the-dragon-2/): The bloody battle for the Iron Throne isn't over yet. House of the Dragon is returning for its third season. The series was renewed just days before the premiere of season 2, and if the 7.8 million viewers who tuned in to the premiere indicate anything, it's that fans want to see more Targaryen family drama.
- [Sugar](https://laartsonline.com/television/sugar/): A fog-soaked pier. Stolen identities. Hidden safe houses. Twists and turns that reveal unsuspected bad guys. All these elements are foundational to Season two of Apple TV’s Sugar, the noir mystery series starring Colin Farrell as enigmatic private investigator John Sugar. Premiering June 19 and again set in Los Angeles, the new season centers on a missing filmmaker whose brief reappearance raises questions about a mysterious network operating behind the entertainment industry.
- [WIDOW’S BAY](https://laartsonline.com/television/widows-bay/): Mystery, comedy, and supernatural terror collide in Apple TV’s breakout original series Widow’s Bay. Created by Katie Dippold and executive produced by Dippold, Hiro Murai, and star Matthew Rhys, the genre-bending series follows a skeptical mayor who finds himself confronting the unsettling legends surrounding a cursed New England town. Rhys stars as Tom Loftis, an outsider determined to modernize the isolated coastal community. His plans quickly unravel when a series of bizarre and increasingly dangerous events force him to reckon with local folklore that may be far more real than he imagined. Balancing eerie suspense with sharp humor, the series blends small-town politics, supernatural mystery, and character-driven storytelling. The cast also includes Kate O’Flynn, Kevin Carroll, Dale Dickey, and Stephen Root, whose performances help bring the town’s eccentric residents to life. Since premiering in April, the series has generated strong critical buzz for its distinctive tone, drawing comparisons to classic Stephen King-inspired mysteries while maintaining its own comedic voice. With its unique mix of horror, humor, and heartfelt character moments, Widow’s Bay has quickly become one of Apple TV’s most talked-about originals, drawing audiences in with the mystery at its center and the quirky community that surrounds it.
- [EUPHORIA](https://laartsonline.com/television/euphoria/): It’s officially been four years since Euphoria last had us spiraling, and somehow the return still feels slightly unreal.
- [MARGO’S GOT BIG TROUBLES](https://laartsonline.com/television/margos-got-big-troubles/): Adapted from Rufi Thorpe's acclaimed novel Margo's Got Money Troubles, the new series premiering on Apple TV showcases a stellar cast led by Elle Fanning, who takes on the role of twenty-year-old Margo Millet, bringing the fierceness that has been on display in her best work. The supporting ensemble, including the actors playing Margo's complicated mother (a former Hooters waitress) and her estranged father (a former pro-wrestler), and Nicole Kidman as Executive Producer, gives the series weight (and her cameo).
- [BEEF SEASON 2](https://laartsonline.com/television/beef-season-2/): Rage is a shared language among humans of all stripes. Its underbelly is fueled now as housing feels unreachable, work feels tiring, the comfortable seem oblivious, and many of us walk around with a sensation of an app running in the background draining our batteries. That is the air Beef breathes. The Netflix anthology returns with a new pair of strangers locked in escalating fury, headlined by Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan, reunited more than a decade after Inside Llewyn Davis, where their wounded chemistry gave the Coens’ film its aching core. Here, Isaac plays a country club manager, smoothing the feathers of wealthy members, desperate to be accepted into a world he cannot inhabit. Mulligan is his wife, an interior designer creating beauty for others while her marriage browns around the edges. Their uneasy lives are upended by a younger couple, played by Cailee Spaeny and Charles Melton, who are club employees, deeply in debt, with the recognition that the generations above them have pulled up the ladder of success. Beef has always created a chemical reaction in which the dark is punctuated by the absurd. You catch yourself laughing while your toes curl inside your shoes. The show offers a release for our messy current times, and we root for a happy ending. Creator Lee Sung Jin again reminds us of the humanity underneath our rage.
- [DTF ST. LOUIS](https://laartsonline.com/television/dtf-st-louis/): A love triangle gone wrong leads to the death of one involved party in new HBO miniseries DTF St. Louis.
- [AMERICA’S CULINARY CUP](https://laartsonline.com/television/americas-culinary-cup/): CBS’s new show, America’s Culinary Cup, is not your average cooking show. This is major league. From the jump, you realize these are not scrappy up and comers trying to prove themselves. These are Michelin level chefs, people who have already done the thing, built the restaurants, earned the stars, and now they are going head to head. It changes everything. The vibe is less chaotic kitchen meltdown and more quiet intensity. Everyone knows exactly what they are doing, which somehow makes it even more stressful to watch.
- [The Comeback](https://laartsonline.com/television/the-comeback/): Talk about a comeback! The Comeback returns for a third season 12 years after its second and a full 21 years after its first.
- [HACKS](https://laartsonline.com/television/hacks/): The fifth and final season of Hacks is set to premiere Thursday, April 9 on HBO Max. Hard to believe it’s been five years since the beloved characters of Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels arrived on the scene! As any fan of the show knows, Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder have brought these women to life in an unforgettable, now iconic way. This dark comedy/drama was created by Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky. It follows Deborah Vance (Smart), a stand-up comedian, and her comedy writer Ava Daniels (Einbinder) as they navigate the evolving dynamics of their professional partnership and personal lives within the contemporary comedy industry. 
- [PALEY FEST 2026](https://laartsonline.com/television/paley-fest-2026/): Another year has passed and it is once again time for PaleyFest, America’s premiere media, television, and entertainment festival! From April 4–12 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood there will be screenings and conversations with stars and series creators, writers, and producers of eight different TV shows. The lineup includes three shows from Apple TV (Pluribus, Shrinking, Your Friends & Neighbors), two from Netflix (Nobody Wants This, Emily in Paris), the newly revived Scrubs (ABC), The Pitt (MAX), and a special 50th anniversary tribute featuring the original stars of Charlie’s Angels — Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith, and Cheryl Ladd.
- [LOVE STORY](https://laartsonline.com/television/love-story/): In his latest limited series, Love Story, Ryan Murphy turns his lens toward one of America’s most photographed couples: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. For anyone conscious during the 90s era, we know what happens after the couple boards the ill-fated flight piloted by John Jr. to Martha’s Vineyard in 1999. On the tarmac, Carolyn and John appear to be fighting but then make up just before climbing into the single-engine private plane along with Bessette-Kennedy’s sister, Lauren. This foretelling of their tragic demise is where the series begins, but then pans back to the very beginning. Executive produced by Murphy (American Horror Story), and directed by Connor Hines, the series takes place in Manhattan. We see JFK Jr. famously riding his bike through the city streets and Carolyn in her Greenwich Village studio apartment.
- [THE MADISON](https://laartsonline.com/television/the-madison/): The Madison, a new drama from Academy Award nominee Taylor Sheridan, premieres this month on Paramount+. The six-episode series features Michelle Pfeiffer (Oh. What. Fun., Scarface), Kurt Russell (The Christmas Chronicles, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2), Beau Garrett (Tron: Legacy), Elle Chapman (A Man Called Otto), Patrick J. Adams (Suits), Amiah Miller (War for the Planet of the Apes), Alaina Pollack (The Surrender), Ben Schnetzer (The Yellow Tie), Kevin Zegers (Air Bud), Rebecca Spence (Princess Cyd), Danielle Vasinova (Darkness of Man), Matthew Fox (Party of Five, Lost), and Will Arnett (Is This Thing On?, Arrested Development).
- [IMPERFECT WOMEN](https://laartsonline.com/television/imperfect-women/): Imperfect Women adapts the Araminta Hall novel of the same name, a psychological thriller detailing the fracturing of a friendship after one of the friends is brutally murdered. As the investigation begins to hit closer and closer to home, the relationship between the two women left alive may never be the same. Originally friends from college, Mary, Nancy, and Eleanor have taken different paths since university, but have remained friends throughout their adult lives. When details of Nancy’s murder begin to come to light, though, it becomes clearer and clearer that the close bond between the three women may be in name only.
- [OUTLANDER SEASON 8](https://laartsonline.com/television/outlander-season-8/): Outlander returns for its 8th and final season on Starz (March 6, 2026), based on the best-selling novels (of the same name) by Author Diana Gabaldon.
- [VANISHED](https://laartsonline.com/television/vanished/): Kaley Cuoco returns to the small screen in a captivating new four-part mystery series, Vanished, streaming February 1, 2026, on MGM+. Cuoco (The Flight Attendant) plays Alice Monroe whose romantic French vacation becomes a dangerous mystery when boyfriend Tom Parker played by Sam Claflin (The Hunger Games) vanishes from a train to the south of France, forcing her to uncover hidden truths about his past. After reporting Tom missing to the apathetic police, Alice is determined to find him.  Eventually, Alice meets a woman, Hélène Lando, played by French actress Karin Viard, who reveals that she has been investigating Tom. We learn that the truth about the man Alice thought she knew slowly begins to unravel.  
- [THE BEAUTY](https://laartsonline.com/television/the-beauty/): Modern society is obsessed with outward beauty. What if there was a way to guarantee you could become more and more beautiful every day? In the world of The Beauty, physical perfection is attainable. The new sci-fi/body horror series comes from the, perhaps slightly twisted, mind of Ryan Murphy. The Beauty is based on the comic book series of the same name by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley (2015).
- [THE GRAY HOUSE](https://laartsonline.com/television/the-gray-house/): The Gray House pulls together an exceptional ensemble cast and legendary producers to tell a Civil War story with profound contemporary resonance. The series stars Mary-Louise Parker, known for her nuanced portrayals of complex characters; Amethyst Davis, representing emerging talent; Daisy Head, adding depth; and Broadway legend Ben Vereen, whose presence lends gravitas to this narrative of four women operating the Underground Railroad during America's most divisive conflict.
- [THE LINCOLN LAWYER](https://laartsonline.com/television/the-lincoln-lawyer/): The wait is finally over to find out what happens in Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer. Season three ended with an emotional cliffhanger where Mickey Haller’s (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) client’s dead body was found in his classic Lincoln’s trunk. The defense lawyer is now on the other side of the courtroom, with his life and reputation on the line, as a defendant in his own murder trial.
- [BRIDGERTON RETURNS](https://laartsonline.com/television/bridgerton-returns/): It feels like only yesterday that the Ton was teeming with wisteria and wry wordplay from the then-still-unknown Lady whistledown, not to mention the budding romance between besties Colin and Penelope. This is Bridgerton and much has changed, as things must in a world rife with drama, intrigue, scandal, and sex. Bridgerton is set to begin its fourth season, and the fans are a-buzz with excitement.
- [MEMORY OF A KILLER](https://laartsonline.com/television/memory-of-a-killer/): Writers Ed Whitmore (Grace) and Tracey Malone (Silent Witness) have combined forces to deliver the next big thriller series with a harrowing hook sure to keep you watching. Tackling the titular memory under threat is the dashing Patrick Dempsey (Dexter: Original Sin) as Angelo Doyle, a simple salesman and doting father to his family but a hitman and cutthroat killer to his friends. His best friend and partner in crime is Dutch, a chef who’s been covering their criminal enterprise behind his restaurant for years and helping Angelo successfully compartmentalize his double life. But those lines are about to blur when Angelo learns that he’s developed early onset Alzheimer’s. His disparate lives inevitably collide when a scorned someone from his past comes after his pregnant daughter, and now Angelo must track down this enemy by sifting through his past for clues before he loses his mind and with it any detail that could be the key to keeping his family safe. The fun of the show comes from watching Dempsey wield his undeniable charm in ruthless ways. With a star-studded cast that also includes Michael Imperioli (Between Wars), Richard Harmon (Pitfall), Odeya Rush (Dangerous Waters), Daniel David Stewart (Reacher), Peter Gadiot (Silo), and Gina Torres (9-1-1: Lone Star), Memory of a Killer is one show you won’t soon forget.
- [The Pitt Returns](https://laartsonline.com/television/the-pitt-returns/): If you’ve not yet experienced The Pitt on HBO Max, watch it now! This incredible medical procedural returns for its second season on January 8 and trust me when I say, you must watch! Created by R. Scott Gemmill, the show’s executive producers are John Wells and Noah Wyle. It is the trio’s second collaboration, having previously worked together on ER. It stars Wyle, Patrick Ball, Katherine LaNasa, Supriya Ganesh, Flona Doruif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell, and Shabana Azeez. The series follows emergency department staff (attending physicians and students) as they attempt to overcome the hardships of a single 15-hour work shift at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center all while having to navigate staff shortages and underfunding. Each episode of the season covers approximately one hour of the work shift. 
- [PLURIBUS](https://laartsonline.com/television/pluribus/): Pluribus may be in its first season, but it is already defining the conversation. The sci-fi drama has quickly exploded, becoming Apple TV+ biggest drama launch ever and its most watched series to date, setting viewership records around the world. If it has been popping up everywhere lately, that is because it is very much the show of the moment. And no, it is not too late to jump on board.
- [LANDMAN](https://laartsonline.com/television/landman-2/): Landman returns for a second season with a record-breaking viewer count on Paramount+.
- [ALL HER FAULT](https://laartsonline.com/television/all-her-fault/): Currently streaming on Peacock, All Her Fault is a mystery thriller based on a popular 2021 novel by Andrea Mara. Created by Megan Gallagher, the eight-episode miniseries stars Sarah Snook (Succession) and Dakota Fanning (Ripley), along with Jake Lacy, Jay Ellis, Abby Elliott, Michael Peña, Thomas Cocquerel, Daniel Monks, Duke McCloud, and Sophia Lillis. The novel was inspired by a real-life event in the author's life where she briefly worried she had gone to the wrong house to pick up her daughter from a playdate. The story follows Marissa Irvine (Snook), a wealthy self-made woman and mother of five-year-old Milo. When she arrives at an unfamiliar address to pick him up from his first playdate, the woman who answers the door has never heard of her or her son. A frantic search ensues, uncovering deep family secrets and a complex web of lies that dramatically changes the lives of everyone involved. The show also explores themes of maternal guilt and the societal pressures faced by working mothers. The motive behind the central kidnapping is a major twist rooted in lies ... Marissa’s husband, Peter, covered up a devastating car crash from six years earlier that resulted in a baby's death. It’s wild stuff and the performances are sensational! The series has received positive reviews, with critics praising the performances of Snook and Fanning in particular and the show's twisty, addicting nature. I was addicted for sure! Watch!
- [Emily in Paris](https://laartsonline.com/television/emily-in-paris-4/): Emily in Paris is officially heading into Season 5, and our favorite marketing maven is still living her best dolce vita in Rome. After Season 4’s sun-drenched pivot to the Eternal City where Emily traded croissants for cappuccinos and Vespa-rides became the new Metro. Fans wondered how the show would keep balancing two capitals, two careers, and the occasional love triangle detour.
- [OH. WHAT. FUN.](https://laartsonline.com/television/oh-what-fun/): Oh. What. Fun. is a film the entire family can enjoy together. It has a diverse cast providing the perfect blend of comedy and emotion to garner multi-generational appeal. Acclaimed filmmaker Michael Showalter (The Big Sick, and The Idea of You) veers from the traditional holiday movie format by focusing on the family matriarch's journey, with a relatable premise that will resonate with anyone who's ever felt overwhelmed during the holidays.
- [ALL’S FAIR](https://laartsonline.com/television/alls-fair/): All’s Fair follows Glenn Close as Dina Standish, a successful divorce lawyer who has become the owner of an all-female law firm in Los Angeles. Dina, along with several of her colleagues, leaves her male-dominated firm to open her own practice. The show opens on the firm’s tenth anniversary, when things change dramatically for one of the lawyers on the team.
- [ROBIN HOOD](https://laartsonline.com/television/robin-hood/): Lionsgate Television and MGM put a fresh spin on the legendary tale of Robin Hood. It is led by showrunner John Glenn and producer-director Jonathan English, with Todd Lieberman serving as executive producer. Focusing on the essentials of the story, the trailers introduced Game of Thrones star Sean Bean as the Sheriff of Nottingham. He's the scheming, ruthless antagonist, determined to keep the town’s poor under his oppressive control. With Bean as the Sherriff, there is no telling where this re-imagined tale will “Be Heading!”
- [HOUSE OF GUINNESS](https://laartsonline.com/television/house-of-guinness/): House of Guinness is a lavishly produced period drama that resurrects 19th-century Dublin in all its grandeur and turmoil. Created by Peaky Blinders writer Steven Knight, the eight-episode series dramatizes the rise of the Guinness brewing dynasty following the death of patriarch Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness. His heirs—Arthur (Anthony Boyle), Edward (Louis Partridge), Anne (Emily Fairn), and Benjamin (Fionn O’Shea)—are consumed by ambition, rivalry, and moral reckoning as they struggle to preserve both the family name and Ireland’s most famous export.
- [MURDAUGH: DEATH IN THE FAMILY](https://laartsonline.com/television/murdaugh-deaht-in-the-family/): Following the circus surrounding the many secrets revealed while he was on trial for murdering his wife, Maggie and son, Paul, most of America knows who Alex Murdaugh is. Murdaugh: Death in the Family is an intriguing, shocking, and heartbreaking real-life crime story.
- [CHAD POWERS](https://laartsonline.com/television/chad-powers/): Alfred Hitchcock said his secret to creating suspense in films came from “…letting the audience in on a secret that the characters are unaware of.” And so, we have Chad Powers.
- [SCARPETTA](https://laartsonline.com/television/scarpetta/): The hush before a storm is electric, and in the case of the upcoming Scarpetta series, that storm promises to redraw the map of crime television. Fans of Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta thrillers are in for a treat — at long last, Cornwell’s forensic heroine comes alive on screen, starring Nicole Kidman in the title role, joined by Jamie Lee Curtis as her sister Dorothy. The supporting cast is formidable. Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose plays Lucy Farinelli-Watson, Bobby Cannavale plays Detective Pete Marino (with his son Jake portraying a younger Marino), Simon Baker is FBI profiler Benton Wesley, and Rosy McEwen is young Kay Scarpetta. Additional supporting roles will be portrayed by Sosie Bacon, Janet Montgomery, Stephanie Faracy, Tiya Sircar, and Anna Diop. 
- [NOBODY WANTS THIS](https://laartsonline.com/television/nobody-wants-this-2/): If you somehow missed Nobody Wants This the first time around, here’s the deal: Kristen Bell plays Joanne, a blunt, agnostic podcaster who accidentally falls for Noah, a newly single rabbi played by Adam Brody. She knows nothing about Judaism, he’s surrounded by expectations, and yet somehow it works. Season one followed these two as they tried to build a relationship across wildly different worlds, tackling love, faith, family pressure, and all the hilarious, awkward mess in between.
- [TULSA KING](https://laartsonline.com/television/tulsa-king-2/): Season 3 of Tulsa King is not just a continuation of Sylvester Stallone’s unlikely mob saga, but is proof that prestige drama can embrace pulp without apology. The show has a balance of grit and humor—Dwight “The General” Manfredi remains a character both outsized and deeply human, as Stallone leans into his age and gravitas, creating a performance that feels iconic and vulnerable. 
- [AMANDA KNOX](https://laartsonline.com/television/amanda-knox/): Hulu's eight-episode limited series The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox transforms one of the most internationally scrutinized legal cases of the 21st century into a gripping character-driven drama that allows Executive Producer Knox to tell her own story. Created by K.J. Steinberg and co-executive produced by Monica Lewinsky, the series dramatizes Knox's harrowing 15-year odyssey from carefree exchange student to wrongfully convicted prisoner to exonerated advocate.
- [Aka Charlie Sheen](https://laartsonline.com/television/aka-charlie-sheen/): Netflix’s newest documentary, “AKA Charlie Sheen” offers a blisteringly candid look at the actor’s meteoric rise, infamous downfall, and hard-won (ongoing) redemption. The two-part series tracks Sheen from his Malibu childhood to his status as the highest-paid TV star on “Two and a Half Men,” before delving into very public struggles with addiction and tabloid notoriety.
- [THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB](https://laartsonline.com/television/the-thursday-murder-club/): Four retirees in an upscale British retirement community form their informal “Thursday Murder Club” as a hobby to solve cold cases. While pursuing their usual investigations, the senior sleuths—Elizabeth (an ex-spy), Ron (a former union leader), Joyce (a retired nurse), and Ibrahim (a retired psychiatrist)—become involved in a real whodunit when a genuine murder takes place right outside their doorstep. If the plot doesn’t already intrigue you, the star-studded British cast will, featuring Dame Helen Mirren (Elizabeth), Pierce Brosnan (Ron), Celia Imrie (Joyce), and Sir Ben Kingsley (Ibrahim).
- [The Morning Show](https://laartsonline.com/television/the-morning-show-3/): The fourth season of The Morning Show premieres this month. This Apple TV+ show uses the plotting and pandering that goes on at broadcast network UBN as a metaphor for larger issues, including Me Too, AI, the power of billionaires and the politics of business. 
- [UNTAMED](https://laartsonline.com/television/untamed/): Eric Bana (Troy, Munich, Star Trek) is starring in a gritty new series, Untamed, on Netflix. He plays Kyle, a cranky yet savvy special agent living and working in Yosemite National Park. Before watching, I was not aware how vast the area is. It’s always filled with many types of people — campers, tourists, homeless, and some folks that just “live off the grid.” The huge numbers of people that visit each year and how many go missing or get injured (and even die) is deeply disturbing. Yikes. Now I know why I’m a city girl at heart. The featured terrain is tough, and I would never go there alone. 
- [Wednesday](https://laartsonline.com/television/wednesday/): Wednesday is finally back! Season two, Part 1 (episodes 1-4) of the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning Wednesday premieres on Netflix on August 6th. This season promises to be quite intense, blending psychological horror with gothic secrecy. The season centers on a chilling supernatural mystery at Nevermore. Wednesday receives a chilling psychic vision that her roommate, Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers), will die, and it’s her fault. Determined to prevent this, the gothic heroine races against the looming fate. Additionally, the trailer hints at her streaming black tears, setting off alarm bells for her mother, Morticia, who cryptically says, “I know what those tears mean.” 

## Theatre
- [Beauty and the Beast](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/beauty-and-the-beast/): Beginning August 12, the national touring production of Beauty and the Beast arrives the Pantages Theatre as part of Disney's first major North American tour of the musical in over two decades.
- [GREASE](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/grease-2/): Grease is the word, baby! Altadena Music Theatre (AMT), returning to active production following the destruction of its performance space in the devastating fires of January 2025, will be presenting the legendary and beloved Broadway musical Grease this month.  Opening August 6, there will be eight performances only through August 16 at the Mountain View Mausoleum, 2300 Marengo Avenue in Altadena. Temporary production facilities are being constructed for this show and next month’s production of Little Shop of Horrors (stay tuned for more on that!) while the new, permanent AMT home is completed.
- [THE PEOPLE OF POMPEII](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/the-people-of-pompeii/): This month, Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is presenting a darkly funny, pinche (great word ... it’s slang ... ask AI!)new play by LA Drama Critics Circle Award-winning playwright Bernardo Cubría. The People of Pompeii is set in Topanga Canyon, the bohemian enclave that is home to both Theatricum and the playwright himself. Weeks after the Palisades fire narrowly spares their Topanga home, Carlos and Vera invite friends over for a celebratory dinner party meant to restore a sense of normalcy. But as the night descends into EDM (electronic dance music)-fueled chaos, the myth of communal harmony begins to crack wide open. The play dissects performative progressivism, gentrification, race, class, and the uneasy social dynamics between longtime canyon residents and wealthy newcomers searching for authenticity as Topanga becomes increasingly trendier and more elite. 
- [Tomb Quest](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/tomb-quest/): Tomb Quest, the newest original musical comedy from Team StarKid, combines fantasy role-playing adventure with a warm, emotional story about friendship, grief, and second chances. The action begins in a suburban basement, where five former friends reunite on the night of a sixth friend’s funeral. His final request is unusual: he wants them to finish the role-playing adventure they abandoned together after high school.
- [THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/the-phantom-of-the-opera/): The Phantom of the Opera began its life in London all the way back in 1986. Opening in New York on January 26, 1988, and running for a record breaking 35 years, it is the longest running musical in Broadway history. It played 13,981 performances, received 10 Tony Award nominations, and won seven. Phantom is the Broadway musical against which all others are measured. 
- [NORTH BY NORTHWEST](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/north-by-northwest/): Alfred Hitchcock's 1959 classic thriller, North by Northwest, brings us into the chaotic life of an ad guy, Roger Thornhill, who is mistaken for a non-existent spy and chased cross-country toward a showdown on Mount Rushmore's granite brow and then… Full Stop. Here’s where the stage production at the Old Globe in San Diego takes a fast-paced, comedic turn.
- [MEXODUS](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/mexodus/): The Pasadena Playhouse continues to offer a diverse repertoire of theatre this summer with the acclaimed production of Mexodus, a new musical that bridges historical, untold narratives with contemporary relevance.
- [Solve-Along-A Murder She Wrote](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/solve-along-a-murder-she-wrote/): Long before cell phones, computers, and DNA testing, mystery writer and amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher (played by Angela Lansbury) solved crimes every week on the beloved TV series Murder, She Wrote.
- [MAMMA MIA!](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/mamma-mia/): ABBA! Is there anyone that doesn’t know this Swedish pop group and their legendary music? Formed in 1972 by Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, ABBA became one of the most commercially successful acts in the history of popular music. Topping charts worldwide from 1974–1982, the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. The Broadway musical Mamma Mia! is based on the songs of ABBA, was written by British playwright Catherine Johnson, and takes its title from the group's 1975 chart-topper. The show has been seen by more than 70 million people around the world and ran for 14 years on Broadway, playing a whopping 5,773 performances from 2001–2015. It returned in August 2025 for a limited run through February 1, 2026.
- [ANGRY, RAUCOUS AND SHAMELESSLY GORGEOUS](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/angry-raucous-and-shamelessly-gorgeous/): The provocatively titled Angry, Raucous and Shamelessly Gorgeous opens June 10 at the Geffen Playhouse with a plot concerning the fictitious Anna Campbell, a trailblazing actress who built her career on one audacious act: a nude performance of the men's monologues from playwright August Wilson’s Fences. The performance was a critique about the silencing of Black women’s voices, and it made Anna both a legend and an outcast. In staging what she hopes will be a career-defining comeback, she collides with a new generation that challenges her past, her politics, and her place in the movement.
- [ANASTASIA](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/anastasia/): Join us on a journey to the past! We’ll be checking out Anastasia at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts this June.
- [Singularities and Safety Pins](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/singularities-and-safety-pins/): Singularities and Safety Pins, a solo show (with a fantastic title!) written and performed by Carmella Riley, will play two performances this month at The Colony Theatre in Burbank. Presented by Sonder Theatre Company in collaboration with Astro Lab Productions and directed by Jennifer Green, the performances are on Saturday, June 13, at 7:30pm, and Saturday, June 20, at 3pm. In the show, Riley uses humor and science to help her navigate a look back at her mother's battle with cancer. She explores themes of grief, loss, and the perils of motherhood. Said Riley, “I wrote this play to not only process grief surrounding my mother’s death, but also to explore questions about family dynamics, the deep obligations of caretaking, and the ways that our family’s lore become the rules we live by.” 
- [BRIGADOON](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/brigadoon/): Lovers of classic Broadway are in for a treat. Pasadena Playhouse is mounting a new production of Brigadoon, a much-loved musical by Alan Jay Lerner (book and lyrics) and Frederick Loewe (music). It’s about two American tourists who stumble upon a mysterious Scottish village that appears for only one day every 100 years, leading to a timeless romance between one of the tourists and a local woman. The show features famous songs like Almost Like Being in Love and The Heather on the Hill and is known for its enchanting story and Agnes de Mille's choreography. Brigadoon opened on Broadway in 1947 to unanimously positive reviews, one of only eight musicals that opened on Broadway between 1943 and 1964 to do so. Critics praised it for its originality and for integration of song and story. It ran for 581 performances. There have been many revivals, a 1954 film adaptation, and a 1966 TV version.
- [Hell’s Kitchen](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/hells-kitchen/): The Broadway hit “Hell’s Kitchen,” inspired by the life and music of Alicia Keys, began its engagement at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre on March 26, and runs through May 21. The production arrived in Los Angeles following a strong reception in New York, earning multiple awards and a positive audience reaction.
- [Ain’t Misbehavin’](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/aint-misbehavin-3/): Grammy Award-winning artist Ledisi (Selma; Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story) and Chester Gregory (Broadway’s Hairspray and Motown: The Musical) will headline in Ebony Repertory Theatre’s production of Ain’t Misbehavin, a musical tribute celebrating Fats Waller, the legendary international jazz pianist and composer whose passion for his art helped create and define American popular music and swing. The original Broadway production in 1978 ran for 1,604 performances.
- [MILLENNIALS ARE KILLING MUSICALS](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/millennials-are-killing-musicals/): This month, The Colony Theatre in Burbank is presenting the world premiere of an original musical comedy, Millennials Are Killing Musicals.The show has a book, music, and lyrics by Nico Juber and is directed by Kristin Hanggi (Tony Award-nominee for Rock of Ages), with music direction by Anthony Luccaand choreography by Michelle Elkin. The cast features Emma Hunton, Diana Huey, Aynsley Bubbico, Jennifer Leigh Warren, Michael Thomas Grant, John Krause, Mitchell Gerrard Johnson, Lana McKissack, Whitney Kathleen Vigil, Frankie Zabilka, and Casey Anne Apregan. The award-winning design team includes Stephen Gifford (set), Gavan Wyrick (lighting), Jessica Champagne-Hansen (costumes), Tony Award nominee Cricket Myers (sound), John McElveney (props), and Taylor Edelle Stuart. (projections). 
- [ENGLISH](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/english/): Following its critically acclaimed Broadway engagement, the Atlantic Theater Company and Roundabout Theatre Company production of English, Sanaz Toossi’s Pulitzer Prize-winningplay directed by Knud Adams, will have a limited run April 4–26 at the Bram Goldsmith Theater at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.
- [MEAN GIRLS](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/mean-girls/): You can sit with us! The Broadway smash hit Mean Girls will make its regional premiere at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts on April 11.
- [“Master Harold”…And the Boys](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/master-haroldand-the-boys/): One of the most powerful pieces of protest theatre returns to the Geffen Playhouse April 8th. Set in the charged atmosphere of 1950’s Apartheid South Africa, Athol Fugard's "Master Harold"…and the Boys is a gripping, deeply personal drama confronting the realities of race, power, and betrayal.
- [MJ THE MUSICAL](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/mj-the-musical/): Ever wonder how Michael Jackson came up with his moves — that intense, emotionally charged body language perfectly synced to every beat of his music? MJ THE MUSICAL offers a compelling behind-the-scenes look at the creative process behind one of the greatest entertainers who ever lived.
- [Kim’s Convenience](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/kims-convenience/): The hilarious and heartwarming award-winning comedy drama about a Korean family-run corner store that inspired the popular Netflix hit series, Kim’s Convenience is the final play of the 2025/26 One CTG subscription series at the Ahmanson Theatre from March 21 through April 19, 2026.  Written by and starring Ins Choi and directed by Weyni Mengesha, this touring production is presented by Center Theatre Group, Soulpepper Theatre Company and Adam Blanshay Productions in association with American Conservatory Theater. 
- [Beetlejuice](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/beetlejuice-2/): The national tour of Beetlejuice comes to Hollywood from March 10–22, 2026, at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, bringing its raucous, offbeat humor and high-voltage excitement to one of LA’s most storied stages.
- [DRAGON MAMA](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/dragon-mama/): Sara Porkalob returns with the second installment in her Dragon Cycle series of autobiographical plays, Dragon Mama.
- [The Color Purple](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/the-color-purple-2/): Based on Alice Walker’s 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Color Purple musical opened on Broadway in 2005, ran for 910 performances, and received 10 Tony Award nominations. It has music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray, and a book by Marsha Norman). First came the Steven Spielberg film adaptation (1985) ... then the Broadway musical ... then a Broadway revival (2015) ... and finally a film adaptation of the musical. It’s been quite a journey!
- [AMADEUS](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/amadeus/): Jefferson Mays, Lauren Worsham, and Darko Tresnjak reunite in Amadeus at the Pasadena Playhouse this February.
- [SYLVIA SYLVIA SYLVIA](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/sylvia-sylvia-sylvia/): The highly anticipated tragicomic thriller SYLVIA SYLVIA SYLVIA makes its world premiere at the Geffen Playhouse. Playwright Beth Hyland’s (Fires, Ohio and Seagulls) story probes the nature of creativity, obsession, and the haunting shadows of artistic legacy.
- [SIX](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/six/): Meet the six wives of the dominant and commanding 16th-century King of England, Henry VIII (are they divorced, beheaded, or alive?) in the Tony Award-winning musical SIX. This worldwide sensation pop musical reimagines 500 years of history with modern girl power, as the six queens—Catherine of Aragon (Emma Elizabeth Smith), Anne Boleyn (Nella Cole), Jane Seymour (Kelly Denice Taylor), Anna of Cleves (Haley Alexis Lewis), Katherine Howard (Alize Cruz), and Catherine Parr (Tasia Jungbauer)—share their stories.
- [PUNISH ME](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/punish-me/): For those who like their theatre on the edgier side, Punish Me,a new play by Michael Dukakis, will appeal to you for sure! Now having its world premiereat the Hudson Backstage Theatre on Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood, the production is directed byMonique Sorgen andthe cast features playwright Dukakis along with Dylan Griner, Brianna Bell, Jaiden Blessing, Anuradha Senevi, and LidiaPorto.Inspired by true events, the play tells the story of screenwriter struggling to make it in Hollywood who becomes trapped in an increasingly abusive relationship with a narcissist who threatens both his career dreams and his legal status in America. It explores the complexity of toxic relationships, narcissism, and obsession. Inspired by true events, it is recommended for mature audiences. And it’s the kind of theatre we love — the running time is 90 minutes with no intermission!
- [ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/all-the-devils-are-here/): LA Theatre lovers rejoice and, maybe, fasten your seatbelts to ride along with the exquisite Patrick Page in ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE: How Shakespeare Invented the Villain, coming to the Broad Stage in Santa Monica January 15-25. Created and performed by the now silver haired and always silver throated Tony® nominated and Grammy® winning actor, this one-man theatrical experience explores and even celebrates the twisted motivation and hidden humanity at the heart of Shakespeare’s greatest villains. Page is known to have a riveting presence onstage and So Cal audiences were lucky to witness him in recent years creating the roles of Dom Claude Frollo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame at La Jolla Playhouse and Captain Dragutin Dimitrijevic in the compelling production of Rajiiv Joseph’s Archduke at the Mark Taper Forum. It was his role as Hades in Broadway’s Hadestown that brought Page his first and very well-deserved Tony® nomination. I was fortunate to see all three performances/productions and admire him greatly. This production appears to have been conceived during COVID and an early version presented online in 2021. He brought the show to an off-Broadway stage with Director Simon Godwin in the fall of 2023 and The New York Times took notice, proclaiming the show “smartly structured and frequently fascinating” with Page “charmingly unintimidating and even a little dishy about Shakespeare.” This limited engagement at the Broad Stage is already a hot ticket, so get yours before they are gone!
- [THE NOTEBOOK](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/the-notebook/): Nicholas Sparks Best-Selling Novel The Notebook (1996) became a cultural phenomenon film of the same name (2004) and has now taken Broadway by storm (2024) before hitting the road and making its way to the Hollywood Pantages Theater.
- [Kind Stranger](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/kind-stranger/): This first month of the new year brings the West Coast premiere of Kind Stranger ... a memory play to the Zephyr Theatre in West Hollywood (opening January 23), conceived and performed by Rick Simone-Friedland and directed by Steven Simone-Friedland. Steven and Rick are a gay married couple who went into this project wanting to use the words and humor of one of the greatest American playwrights as the foundation of the play. Said Steven, “Tennessee Williams’ memoir tells us exactly what his take was on his plays, his art, and his life. You can’t do any better than that.” 
- [GOD OF CARNAGE](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/god-of-carnage-2/): I saw God of Carnage, the raucous dark comedy by French playwright Yasmina Reza (English translation by Christopher Hampton), at the Ahmanson Theatre in 2011. Starring its original Broadway cast — Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, James Gandolfini, and Marcia Gay Harden — it was truly unforgettable. The story centers on two sets of parents meeting in a Brooklyn apartment to discuss a playground altercation between their 11-year-old sons, in which one boy hit the other with a stick and broke two of his teeth. The meeting begins with polite, diplomatic attempts at resolution but as the evening progresses and alcohol is consumed, the "civilized" discussion devolves into a chaotic finger-pointing, name-calling, and tantrum-throwing free-for-all. The 2009 Broadway production won three Tony Awards including Best Play. 
- [Jane Lynch at BroadStage](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/jane-lynch-at-broadstage/): Emmy-winner Jane Lynch (Glee and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) returns with her beloved holiday spectacular, A Swingin’ Little Christmas. Joined by Kate Flannery (The Office), singer and producer Tim Davis, with the Tony Guerrero Quintet, Lynch creates a joyful blend of comedy, charm, and timeless holiday music. Their signature banter and impeccable harmonies have delighted audiences nationally, and their holiday album even climbed into Billboard’s Top 10 Adult Contemporary chart. This lively evening promises to deliver nothing short of pure holiday cheer on December 17th. 
- [THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/the-wonderful-winter-of-oz/): You read that right - The Wonderful Winter Of Oz (produced by Lythgoe Family Panto) is a newly imagined holiday version of America's favorite modern fairy tale, written by Kris Lythgoe in the style of a traditional British family panto. In this tale, Dorothy gets swept away on Christmas Eve by a 'freak' Kansas blizzard and lands in a world of munchkins and witches. Featuring songs by the likes of Lady Gaga and Earth, Wind & Fire, The Wonderful Winter Of Oz is a fun-filled family experience for this holiday season. Audiences are in for a treat with panto veteran John O’Hurley (NBC’s Seinfeld, Lythgoe Family Panto’s Peter Pan and Tinker Bell, Broadway’s Chicago) leading a stage full of great talent as The Wizard, Nicole Parker (Broadway’s Wicked, Off Broadway’s Titanique) as the Wicked Witch, Tamyra Gray (American Idol, Broadway’s Once on This Island) as Glinda the Good Witch, and Aubrey Anderson-Emmons (ABC’s Modern Family) as Dorothy.  Directed by Becky Lythgoe (Lythgoe Family Panto’s Rapunzel and Her Holiday Wish). The Wonderful Winter Of Oz runs December 12-28 at the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks. This limited engagement offers a special on-stage experience (Golden Tickets are limited to 10 per performance) during the production for an additional cost, a Panto gift bag and lots of fabulous memories. We are assured no rainbows will be hurt in this production.
- [The Nutcracker](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/the-nutcracker-2/): For 20 years the Los Angeles Ballet (LAB) has delighted Angelenos with its home-grown classic ballet The Nutcracker, featuring a distinctive Southern California flavor including a stage set with an elegant Spanish-style Hancock Park home, snowy slopes of Big Bear and the Venice Beach archways, to the moonlit Pacific Ocean.
- [Holidays at The Music Center](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/holidays-at-the-music-centerholidays-at-the-music-center/): This year, let’s celebrate our city's Music Center, which includes the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Mark Taper Forum and the surrounding plazas and parks. 
- [Perfect World](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/perfect-world/): The new musical Perfect World, written by Alan Edmunds and Richard Winzeler, arrives at the El Portal Theatre’s Monroe Forum November 1–9, transforming the true, haunting story of child prodigy Barbara Follett into a lyrical and psychological journey through genius, ambition, and loss. Directed and choreographed by Broadway veteran Kay Cole, the show explores Follett’s fascination with Farksolia—an imaginary utopia she invented where nature and harmony prevail.
- [TABLE 17](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/table-17/): Craving something a little sweet and a little savory? The Geffen Playhouse’s new show is bound to hit the spot. Book your reservation now, they’ll be holding a spot for you at Table 17, the award winning 2024 Off-Broadway play by Douglas Lyons about two ex-fiancés, Jada (Gail Bean) and Dallas (Biko Eisen-Martin), who meet for dinner to untangle their past and confront their complicated memories. The plot revolves around their dinner conversation, flashbacks to their romance and break-up, and interaction with a cheeky waiter, creating an immersive experience with a nostalgic rom-com style comedy.
- [PARANORMAL ACTIVITY](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/paranormal-activity/): RATED R for disturbing content and horror. Now there’s a warning you don’t see very often for a play! But beginning November 13, Paranormal Activity, A New Story Live on Stage, arrives at the Ahmanson Theatre in downtown LA. Written by celebrated playwright Levi Holloway (Broadway’s Grey House) and originally directed in London by Felix Barrett (Sleep No More), this thrilling new play features illusions by Tony Award-winner Chris Fisher (Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Harry Potter & The Cursed Child). The engagement is a co-production with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Shakespeare Theatre Company, and American Conservatory Theater.
- [PASSION](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/passion/): This month, Chromolume Theatre is presenting the final production of its 2025 Season of Musicals — A Season of Love and Romance (and Adultery) — the Broadway musical Passion. Music and lyrics are by Stephen Sondheim, book is by James Lapine, and the show is directed by James Esposito. The cast features (in alphabetical order) David Callander, Renee Cohen, Mary Delan, Lisa Dyson, Nora Elkind, Gavin Michael Harris, Paul Luoma, Tyler Marshall, Lia Peros, Richard Rosales, Lyla Ross, John Sala, Chris Spangler, Jack Stuhley, and Elias Wygodny. The musical director is Josh Bartley. After opening on Broadway in 1994, Passion was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and won four, including Best Musical.
- [LES MISÉRABLES](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/les-miserables/): Here it comes again! Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s musical theatre phenomenon Les Misérables returns to Los Angeles this month at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre (October 7–19). Seen by over 130 million people worldwide in 53 countries, 438 cities, and in 22 languages, Les Misérables is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular musicals. It has run on Broadway three separate times for a total of 8,167 performances. To date, Les Misérables remains the 6th longest-running Broadway production of all time. Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, the showtells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. This epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history. 
- [HELLO, DOLLY!](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/hello-dolly/): Some history: Hello, Dolly! is a 1964 musical comedy with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and book by Michael Stewart, based on Thornton Wilder’s 1938 farce The Merchant of Yonkers which Wilder revised and retitled The Matchmaker in 1954. The musical follows the story of Dolly Gallagher Levi, a strong-willed matchmaker, as she travels to Yonkers, New York to find a match for the miserly "well-known unmarried half-a-millionaire" Horace Vandergelder. 
- [LITTLEBOY/LITTLEMAN](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/littleboy-littleman/): For two Nicaraguan brothers following vastly different paths in life, what exactly is the American Dream? That’s a question littleboy/littleman strives to answer.
- [I’LL GIVE YOU MY HEART](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/ill-give-you-my-heart/): The world premiere of a new romantic comedy, I’ll Give You My Heart, will run this month at The Colony Theatre in Burbank (October 2–19). Written by Tamara Steren and directed by James Mellon, the cast will feature Jacqueline Emerson, Jeremy S. Walker, Emily Nash, Heather Lee, Jonah Robinson, Jon Root, and Jennifer Cannon. The performance schedule is Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm, and Sunday at 3pm. And there’s lots of free parking! 
- [COME FROM AWAY](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/come-from-away-2/): With book, music, and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, Come from Away opened on Broadway on March 12, 2017, and ran for 1,669 performances (over five years!). The musical was nominated for seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Book of a Musical Best Choreography, Best Lighting Design of a Musical, Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Jenn Colella — winning for Best Direction of a Musical for Christopher Ashley. The show is based on the true story of how, unexpectedly, the isolated community of Gander, Newfoundland, played host to the world. What started as an average day in a small town turned into an international sleepover, when 38 planes, carrying thousands of people from around the globe, were diverted to Gander’s airstrip on September 11, 2001. Undaunted by culture clashes and language barriers, the people of Gander cheered the stranded travelers with music, an open bar, and the recognition that we’re all part of a global family.
- [Eureka Day](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/eureka-day/): Eureka Day, debuting at the Pasadena Playhouse on September 10 is a razor-sharp, satirical comedy by award-winning playwright Jonathan Spector (“This Much I Know”) that explores controversial themes through the lens of a private elementary school in Berkeley, California. Spector’s writing captures the unique dialect and tensions of progressive liberal circles, showcasing layered characters who are sincere, anxious, and sometimes contradictory in their beliefs.
- [MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/million-dollar-quartet-2/): Great Balls of Fire!! The 2025-26 season for Costa Mesa’s Tony Award®-winning South Coast Repertory, founded in 1964, celebrates the artists, personalities and opinion leaders who boldly changed our world. Fittingly, the season opens with the return of Million Dollar Quartet a musical inspired by the night of December 4, 1956 when four young musicians - Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins - unexpectedly gathered together at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions ever. With a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, original concept and direction by Mutrux, the SCR production is directed by James Moye (Broadway cast, Million Dollar Quartet).  Described as “dazzling” by New York Magazine, this Tony Award®-nominated musical features more than 20 chart-topping hits like “Blue Suede Shoes,” “I Walk the Line” and “Who Do You Love.” Million Dollar Quartet was an Outside SCR hit during the summer of 2022 and returns by popular demand with several members of the original cast—which had audiences dancing in the aisles—in the company. Casting is critical for this show and SCR is welcoming back Rustin Cole Sailors as Elvis Presley and Chris Marsh Clark as Johnny Cash, with JP Coletta as Jerry Lee Lewis, Armando Gutierrez as Carl Perkins and Michael Manuel as Sun Records founder Sam Phillips. Running approximately 2 hours with intermission, there are several performances which feature post-show conversations with the actors.
- [Am I Roxie?](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/am-i-roxie/): Am I Roxie? is a bold and touching one-woman show premiering at Geffen Playhouse’s Gil Cates Theater this September. Written and performed by Roxana Ortega, it takes us into the chaotic journey of facing a loved one’s mental health decline with humor and heart. This solo performance packs in a universe of characters: a mermaid-obsessed aunt, a prickly sherpa, even the opera house itself—all portrayed by Ortega with empathy and unfiltered comedic energy. Managing this universe is not daunting to Ortega, who voices Frida Casagrande on Nickelodeon's Emmy-award winning cartoons The Casagrandes and The Loud House, and is an alum of The Groundlings - LA's improv theatre and training ground for great comedic actors. Ortega has an IMDB full of supporting roles in Hollywood hits.
- [& JULIET](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/juliet/): What comes after Romeo? According to & Juliet, a whole lot of fun. & Juliet explores a rewritten version of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, where the author’s wife wonders what would have happened if Juliet had realized that her preteen heartbreak wasn’t worth ending her life over. Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway (not that one), characters themselves, disagree over whether Juliet should have died for her first love. When Anne brings her back from the dead and into the real world, we watch Juliet and her friends come into their own power, accompanied by a series of iconic pop songs from the 90s and 2000s.
- [Committed? A Ritual for Robbie](https://laartsonline.com/theatre/committed-a-ritual-for-robbie/): Following an acclaimed run at Rogue Machine in 2024, Committed? A Ritual for Robbie, written and performed by Lisa Robins and directed by Mitch Levine, has returned through August 17 only at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. This show asks: how do you transform the worst thing that’s ever happened to you? Ever since her brother died by suicide, Robins has been committed to creating something for Robbie … about Robbie … about surviving Robbie. It took 30 years. A neurotic, erotic, psychotic tale of transformation that demonstrates sometimes the best way to honor the dead is to get hilariously, messily, beautifully alive. Chock-full of contemplations, ruminations, and revelations, Committed? is a funny, raw, healing, and heart-opening experience. 

## Videos
- [Christina Aguilera with the LA Philharmonic – Saturday, July 17, 2021](https://laartsonline.com/videos/christina-aguilera-with-the-la-philharmonic-saturday-july-17-2021/): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7BuamJbwP8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXKImSYBl_Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-77VESk4N1A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-77VESk4N1A
- [4th of July Firework Spectacular / Opening Night / Kool & the Gang – Saturday, July 3, 2021](https://laartsonline.com/videos/4th-of-july-firework-spectacular-opening-night-kool-the-gang-saturday-july-3-2021/): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f82B2T3b_s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXEIX5WTRkA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2NVEUdzQZ8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbEQ9ZQpHww
- [Workout at Home! with Lindsay Rose – July 2021](https://laartsonline.com/videos/workout-at-home-with-lindsay-rose-july-2021/): https://youtu.be/arMUpyVUcbo https://youtu.be/3Div1T9BZyQ https://youtu.be/LGA0z__HZTQ https://youtu.be/mH7E78ck4mE
- [WORKOUT AT HOME! WITH LINDSAY ROSE – APRIL 2021](https://laartsonline.com/videos/workout-at-home-with-lindsay-rose-april-2021/): https://youtu.be/dBtGJPEZY6g
- [WORKOUT AT HOME! with Lindsay Rose – JANUARY 2021](https://laartsonline.com/videos/workout-at-home-with-lindsay-rose-january-2021/): https://youtu.be/rkT2wFnH-rE
- [Workout at Home! With Lindsay Rose – November 2020](https://laartsonline.com/videos/workout-at-home-with-lindsay-rose-november-2020/): https://youtu.be/zRiko3tuVcE
- [WORKOUT AT HOME! WITH LINDSAY ROSE – MAY 2020](https://laartsonline.com/videos/workout-at-home-with-lindsay-rose-may-2020/): https://youtu.be/qTfJDdDAP0Q
- [HAIR AT HOME! WITH SEAN JAMES – April 2020](https://laartsonline.com/videos/covid-19-hair-at-home-by-sean-james-covid19hair/): https://youtu.be/Ha6uX0v10O0
- [Workout at Home! with Lindsay Rose – April 2020](https://laartsonline.com/videos/workout-at-home-with-lindsay-rose/): https://youtu.be/EX_smrPyswo
- [ANASTASIA THE MUSICAL / OPENING NIGHT – OCTOBER 8, 2019](https://laartsonline.com/videos/anastasia-musical-opening-night-october-8-2019/): https://youtu.be/-_KTwukr2tU
- [Into the Woods LIVE – July 27, 2019](https://laartsonline.com/videos/woods-live-july-27-2019/): https://youtu.be/3O-jWd1wE2E
- [Cyndi Lauper LIVE – JULY 13, 2019](https://laartsonline.com/videos/cyndi-lauper-live-july-13-2019/): https://youtu.be/yRdQwYVpMxE
- [The Brat Pack / First Preview March 21, 2019](https://laartsonline.com/videos/brat-pack-first-preview-march-21-2019/): https://youtu.be/yxSNm6WwOi4
- [A WICKED WONDERLAND – DECEMBER 10, 2018](https://laartsonline.com/videos/wicked-wonderland-december-10-2018/): https://youtu.be/It_G2SdVvN0
- [WAITRESS / OPENING NIGHT – AUGUST 3, 2018](https://laartsonline.com/videos/waitress-opening-night-august-3-2018/): https://youtu.be/eq_4rV8ONcg
- [Annie / LAArtsOnline Night Picnic July 28, 2018](https://laartsonline.com/videos/annie-laartsonline-night-picnic-july-28-2018/): https://youtu.be/_g1uyg6SKnw
- [ON YOUR FEET / OPENING NIGHT – JULY 10, 2018](https://laartsonline.com/videos/feet-opening-night-july-10-2018/): https://youtu.be/Adk2u_YLp0g
- [AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ – SEPTEMBER 23, 2017](https://laartsonline.com/videos/aint-misbehavin-september-23-2017/): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ulo7907Wxpc
- [Mamma Mia – July 29, 2017](https://laartsonline.com/videos/mamma-mia-july-29-2017/): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-src_iIOV-w
- [Kool & the Gang – July 22, 2017](https://laartsonline.com/videos/kool-gang-july-22-2017/): https://youtu.be/xlDDCMXk5T4
- [OPENING NIGHT GALA / SAVION GLOVER – JULY 15, 2017](https://laartsonline.com/videos/opening-night-gala-savion-glover-july-15-2017/): https://youtu.be/PxbSf2aFAEU
- [Film Night / Films That Rock / Paul Simon – June 16, 2017](https://laartsonline.com/videos/film-night-films-rock-paul-simon-june-16-2017/): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtaOB73PGOQ
- [The Pride / Opening Night – June 14, 2017](https://laartsonline.com/videos/pride-opening-night-june-14-2017/): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9DLSUaDtMI
- [LA LA Land – May 28, 2017](https://laartsonline.com/videos/la-la-land-may-28-2017/): https://youtu.be/TWYVeQ-r6sw
- [JERSEY BOYS / LAARTSONLINE NIGHT – MAY 23, 2017](https://laartsonline.com/videos/jersey-boys-laartsonline-night-may-23-2017/): https://youtu.be/J6olge1zYug
- [JERSEY BOYS “MEET & GREET” – APRIL 28, 2017](https://laartsonline.com/videos/jersey-boys-meet-greet-april-28-2017/): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AbqiYdKlDU
- [WEST SIDE STORY – APRIL 27, 2017](https://laartsonline.com/videos/west-side-story-april-27-2017/): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSLBzRHHBkU
- [THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE – April 21, 2017](https://laartsonline.com/videos/legend-georgia-mcbride-april-21-2017/): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiWGwpW6oHQ
- [The Broad Museum – March 15, 2017](https://laartsonline.com/videos/broad-museum-march-15-2017/): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clhKwhKZkJ8
- [Annual Halloween Costume Ball – October 28, 2016](https://laartsonline.com/videos/annual-halloween-costume-ball-october-28-2016/): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US0PDbKyHz0