Southern California

Weekend: Beautiful Bulldog Bash

Over 500 dogs will wag their way through a host of pup-cute beauty contests in Long Beach.

Bulldog Beauty Contest: Science hasn't studied this, as far as we know, but the bulldog is likely the breed to hear the word "smooshed" most often. Because they are stupendously smooshed-of-face, and foldy, and stout in the shoulders, and how they managed without their own beauty contest is an unnice notion best left unpondered. Thank goodness Haute Dogs head honcho Justin Rudd organized the first-ever Bulldog Beauty Contest over a decade ago, in Long Beach. The 11th outing is on Saturday, Feb. 7, and loads of Lassies -- bulldog or not -- can compete in a host of cuteness contests.

Grammy Week: The Grammys may be bring the sounds and high-wattage celebrity to Staples Center on Sunday, Feb. 8, but we music-lovers can be part of the scene, even if we don't go home with a golden Gramophone. The Grammy Museum at LA Live will be open all weekend long, though it will close early on Feb. 8. Retrospectives covering the work and lives of Tupac, Rodney Dangerfield and a host of industry legends are covered inside the multi-floor institution.

Dark Nights: And if you happen to be in the LA Live vicinity on the evening of Friday, Feb. 6, look for the return of Dark Nights. It's the "happy hour"-style celebration hosted by the destination every so often when nothing is doin' at any of the complex's entertainment or sports venues. But plenty is doing in the restaurants and bars, which are offering five-buck eats and drinks specials, and along the walkways, where musicians, street performers and more stop-and-watch stuff shall reign. It's free and parking is five bucks in the West Garage via Gate G.

"The Ghosts of Versailles": While spirited stories seem to reign in the fall, this lavish, large-scale event is taking over the stage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for several February nights, starting on the 7th. The LA Opera presentation features Patti LuPone, several ghosts (including Marie Antoinette), and some very fantastical -- and foreboding -- sets. ("Foreboding" works, given that ghosts are in the house.) And, indeed, there are many performers on stage: "The largest cast in LA Opera history" lends vivacity to the colorful Figaro-slash-Revolutionary-France story.

Vintage Fashion Expo: It is ever-so-helpful that this retro clothes-and-more extravaganza is taking place at The Reef downtown, which just so happens to be located at 1933 S. Broadway. While not all the togs sold within will be from 1933, or even that era, it makes it handy to remember that dresses, suits, hats, jewelry, and other goodies from bygone eras is what this show, which shows up a few times a year 'round Southern California, offers. It's big, too. Reef-big, so, yeah, that's sizable. Saturday, Feb. 7, and Sunday, Feb. 8, are the dates (that's this year, not 1933).

THE FITEXPO: When you're the largest expo devoted to fitness in all of the Golden State, that's some serious stuff, but the thousands who will make for LA Convention Center on Saturday, Feb. 7 and Sunday, Feb. 8 are serious about getting in shape, losing the pounds (Jillian Michaels from "The Biggest Loser" will be making a cameo), and going the distance on that exercise plan. Need more? Jog this way for ticket prices, entry times, and such.

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