LA Chinatown Firecracker Run: The Golden Dragon Parade danced along Broadway just under a week ago, but the new year celebrations continue. Runners/walkers are set to traverse a 5K or 10K course around the area, while lion dancers, taiko drummers, and more festive doings fill out the 38th outing of this famous two-day to-do. The bike ride, do note, is on Saturday, Feb. 20, while the runs, and the 100,000 firecrackers, shall make Sunday, Feb. 21 scintillate. Did you do the marathon? Are you ready for another iconic winter dash? Follow the lion dancers to Chinatown. Fun fact: The 5K has a fresh course this year. Details.
Cupid's Undie Run: If you need a quick one-mile sprint on Saturday, Feb. 20 to warm up for Sunday's Chinatown run, and you're a-ok in making the short run in your underthings, and you adore helping out important causes that improve lives, then this not-quite-streaking spectacular is for you. About a thousand people will turn up at the Belasco Theatre downtown in their skivvies to join in this fundraiser, which raises awareness about Neurofibromatosis. Want to run? Want to donate? Not overly shy? Go for it.
Nature Connects Exhibit: Wander through the South Coast Botanic Garden on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and admire several large-scale sculptures created by artist Sean Kenney. What are the sculptures made from? Why LEGO bricks, of course. Butterflies, bees, and some 27 intricately formed artworks will fill the garden. It's a special national tour of these artworks, and South Coast Botanic Garden is the only Southern California stop. Feb. 19 through May 8, 2016.
Long Beach Comic Expo: Writers and artists and performers galore make for this two-day pop culture happening, which includes special guest appearances -- hello Chris Claremont of "X-Men" fame and "Aliens" actor Lance Henriksen -- and a ton of cosplay opportunities. Is your Deadpool or Harley Queen get-up up to snuff? Then make for the Long Beach Convention Center on Saturday, Feb. 20 and Sunday, Feb. 21.
A Symphony of Fishies: We've always known the the denizens of the deep have a way of moving that is quite melodic, but rarely do we get to see live orchestral music played before sharks and a turtle and a rainbow of fishery. That will change on Sunday, Feb. 21 when several student musicians visit the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach to serenade the sealife while timing their notes to the darting and/or flowing movements of the underwater residents of the Honda Blue Cavern.
