The number of New Year's Day traditions seems to grow with each new Jan. 1. There are the ones that go way back, of course, like the consuming of black-eyed peas. Some people jump into a cold ocean or pool, and still others make a wish on each meal they eat during the first day of the year.
But Los Angeles has a rather wonderful tradition going that should inspire other cities to follow suit. We greet the coming year with a screwball sensibility and a silly state of mind, courtesy of the annual Marx Brothers double feature at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica.
Is there a better way to tell the next 365 days that you're going to greet what comes with a laugh and a movie or two? We think not. That's pretty LA, in spirit.
The 2013 offerings are solid, too: "Duck Soup," which is marking its 80th anniversary, and the ocean-liner laffer "Monkey Business." As always, Marx grandson Andy Marx will stop by the theater to talk about his famous funny family.
Time is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, so you'll have several hours to sleep off New Year's Eve, if you wish.
And if you can't greet 2013 with a dash of screwball, at least say hello with a smile. We all get a little serious around this time of year, what with the resolutions and all.
