Spotlight

Frieze Los Angeles February 20-23, 2025 at Santa Monica Airport

FRIEZE Los Angeles 2025

  • By Elaine Walker

Pablo Picasso is credited with saying “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life”, something Angelenos can certainly benefit from after the devastation and heartbreak of the January fires. The sixth edition of the prestigious international art fair Frieze Los Angeles 2025 will be a welcome visitor February 20-23, headquartered at the Santa Monica Airport and housed in a structure designed by Kulapat Yantrasast’s architectural studio WHY. Christine Messineo, director of Americas at Frieze describes the 2025 event as celebrating LA’s dynamic cultural landscape, creativity, innovation and community. Focusing largely on contemporary art, the fair will feature more than 100 galleries from 20+ countries with global names including Gagosian, Gladstone, Marian Goodman, Hauser & Wirth, Pace Gallery, White Cube and David Zwirner, plus an expansive program of ambitious installations, collaborations with nonprofit organizations, and pop-ups from some of LA’s most beloved restaurants. The fair’s Focus section  spotlights 12 emerging galleries, giving a platform to the next generation of contemporary artists and art spaces. Launched in 2003 in London, Frieze expanded to New York in 2012 before arriving in LA in 2019, attracting a mix of art enthusiasts, seasoned collectors and Hollywood faces. The Frieze organization will support the LA Arts Community Fire Fund, led by the J. Paul Getty Trust, to help artists and arts workers impacted by the fires. In addition, 10% of newly purchased tickets will be donated to this fund.

Reserve your tickets now, click here.

The Brutalist is now playing in theaters (Adrien Brody / Photo A24)

THE BRUTALIST

  • By NINA SVENTITSKY

Brutalism was an architectural style in post-war Europe – employing concrete and geometric shapes, stressing function over beauty, a metaphor for rebuilding after the destruction of Europe. Ugly, but necessary. This film (The Brutalist) is about the brutality of that post-war life, the brutal nature of power, and lure of achievement.

Adrian Brody turns in an astounding performance in The Brutalist, proving his talent for wholely embodying flawed characters in films that take on the terribleness of the 20th century. What he brought to The Pianist – the struggle to maintain humanity amidst the horrors of the Warsaw Ghetto – he brings to László Tóth, a post-WWII survivor who emigrates to America. 

Plot: A talented architect survives the camps, gets to America, and after working as a laborer in a coal plant and going through intense personal lows, is discovered by a wealthy benefactor who changes his life. Dickens could not have come up with a better rags-to-riches story. Except this simplistic version does not include the heroin addiction, family reunion and estrangement, emotional blackmail and decades of trauma, set against the grandeur that was 1950s America, an anything-was-possible decade of industrialization, building and expansion of our society.

Brody joins a cast including Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce and Joe Alwyn in this stunning film from Brady Corbett. It is justifiably up for dozens of awards, and is an AFI Top 10.

For more, click here.

Fake it to Make it now playing through March 9, 2025 at Mark Taper Forum

FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT

  • By Elaine Walker

The stars have aligned at the newly reopened Mark Taper Forum at Center Theatre Group for February’s world premiere of Native American playwright Larissa Fasthorse’s Fake It Until You Make It. Modern Family’s Julie Bowen leads the cast in this comedy, which also features Noah Bean (David Mamet’s Romance), Eric Stanton Betts (Holiday Down Under), Tonantzin Carmelo (NBC’s La Brea), Brandon Delsid (Amazon Prime’s This is Me … Now) and Dakota Ray Hebert (Marvel’s Echo). A member of the Sicangu Lakota Nation and author of the Broadway comedy, The Thanksgiving Play, FastHorse’s new work is a humorous look at ‘shifters’ – people living in a world of self-determined identity. Directed by Michael John Garcés, the plot of this bold new comedy concerns the Native American proprietor of the fictitious N.O.B.U.S.H. and her white counterpart at (also fictitious) Indigenous Nations Soaring whose escalating rivalry ensnares colleagues and bystanders, leading to the unraveling of secrets that highlight the absurdities of ambition and authenticity. Amidst the laughter, genuine connections form, emphasizing the value of unexpected paths to success. This co-production with Washington D.C.’s Arena Stage runs at the Taper through March 9. Opening night festivities are on February 5, with KCRW member night on February 11 and three post-performance Stage Talks events where audience members can engage in conversation with cast and creatives for the show. Sounds like a show worth talking about.

Reserve your tickets now! For tickets click here.

Cana Rum Bar in Downtown LA (Photo Cana Rum Bar)

CANA RUM BAR

  • By ASHLEY HALVERSON

Nestled in the heart of downtown LA, this vibrant rum bar is a true haven for enthusiasts of fine spirits, good music, and unforgettable nights out. With a lively atmosphere that blends tropical vibes and modern edge, it’s the perfect spot to unwind and socialize. As you walk in, you’re greeted by the warm, amber glow of rum bottles lining the shelves, offering an impressive selection from around the world.

Caña Rum Bar is alive with energy, featuring live music performances three nights a week and DJ sets throughout the week that keep the crowd moving well into the night. Whether you’re grooving to a local band or dancing to some Afro-Cuban beats, there’s always a soundtrack to match the fun. For those who love to savor cigars with their Mojitos or Cuba Libres, the spacious outdoor smoking patio provides a relaxed space to enjoy your stogie while mingling with fellow aficionados.

For the true rum lover, Caña offers a special membership, granting access to exclusive private events and curated Rum Society tastings. It’s the ultimate way to dive deeper into the world of rum, with expert-led sessions that introduce rare and unique flavors. Members may bring along up to three guests.  Whether you’re looking for a laid-back evening or an exciting night of entertainment, this rum bar promises a memorable experience every time.

For more, click here.