Best Things To Do This Weekend In LA - January 15
It's starting to feel like most people are back into their rhythm. With the holidays over, things are back to normal and that means looking forward to the weekend for some recreational recharging. Naturally, LA is abundant with options when it comes to having a memorable weekend experience. If you were stuck trying to come up with who, what, when, and where, here is a rundown of some gems.
Van Morrison
The Shrine
665 W Jefferson Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90007
www.shrineauditorium.com
Regarded as one of the most beloved singer/songwriters spanning the last few generations, Van Morrison's catalog resonates as undeniably enduring. With songs like "Brown Eyed Girl," "Gloria," and "Moondance" still regularly played, the Belfast native's work bridges age gaps that result in both old and young singing every word in unison. The first of a two-night engagement at The Shrine of LA, the intimate theater performance will undoubtedly be a very moving experience from a master poet and composer. The six-time Grammy Award winner and Rock N Roll Hall of Fame inductee doesn't perform very often, so when he does, it's a must see.
Tour The House of Troy
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
3911 S Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90037
(213) 747-7111
www.lacoliseum.com
Los Angeles has received some major news this week. If you haven't heard, professional football is officially returning to the Southland, and while Inglewood will likely be the new home of a spectacular modern football shrine, the very next season will have football games played right here. That means the LA Coliseum is probably where the first kickoff will take place. Just last year, the historic landmark was opened to the public for the first time ever outside of ticketed events with docent-led tours. Home of the Olympic Games, Super Bowls, and a World Series, the legacy of the modern Roman coliseum is a he part of the Southern California identity. The tour will allow patrons to see the press box, the field, and even a trip to the roof for a stunning view of San Gabriel Mountain skyline.
Get The Opening Weekend Scoop
Salt & Straw
1357 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90291
(310) 310-8429
www.saltandstraw.com
Opening their second LA location, the Portland based ice cream purveyors have made the small batch, fresh churned treat all the rage in the hub of health conscious Southern California. Taking a culinary approach to the classic, flavors specific to the LA locations include Almond Brittle and Salted Ganache, Avocado and Strawberry Sorbet, and the seasonal Happy Birthday Elvis, that combines banana pudding ice cream with bacon-peanut butter Oreo bits. More of an experience than a dessert, the anticipated long lines are most certainly worth the wait.
Hike Through History
Murphy Ranch
Sullivan Fire Rd
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
www.escaperoomla.com
Considered a lesser-known hiking jewel among those in the know, Murphy Ranch is a former site of what was supposed to be a Nazi camp nestled in the Pacific Palisades. Built by Winona and Norman Stephens, the American Fascist sympathizers envisioned a safe, secluded, and self-sufficient base post World War II. History didn't work out in the Stephens' favor, but some of the structures still stand. The hikes is about 4 miles roundtrip and does have some extended stretches of stairs, but the result is a glimpse into a obscure part of history that was right in our backyard.
DAVID BOWIE NIGHT At Part Time Punks
The Echoplex
1822 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 413-8200
www.lasafaris.com
Planned to coincide with the 69th birthday of David Bowie this last January 8th, this event has taken on an especially profound reverence in the wake of Bowie's tragic passing. The rock world is still reeling from the loss of such an iconic figure, but the music will ring loud and clear with special guest DJ's Andy Rourke of The Smiths and Jose Maldonado of The Sweet and Tender Hooligans playing a meticulous mix of Bowie's storied catalog. Revered in their ability to host events in good taste, the folks at Part Time Punks managed to make this party a proper tribute to a man whose influence is as universal as it gets.