POPOVICH COMEDY PET THEATRE: Whenever people bemoan the lack of family entertainment -- not just kid entertainment, mind you, but those rare, charmingly retro, heart-tuggable presentations everyone actually enjoys -- we feel like pointing them in the direction of Gregory Popovich and his wildly popular rescue pets. Fifteen cats and ten dogs -- all rescues -- will be center stage alongside the happy clown at the Wilshire Ebell. Look for sweet and amazing antics galore. Sunday, Jan. 6
OSHOGATSU FAMILY FESTIVAL: The snake looks downright cuddly on the poster for this free Japanese American National Museum happening, but then it is the Year of the Snake we're soon to celebrate. Snake sculpture candy, mochitsuki (rice cake pounding), and other festive doings will be afoot. Or aslither? We're ready to welcome our snakely side, for sure. Sunday, Jan. 6
50 FIRST JOKES: So don't you hate it when you're a comedian and you're under pressure to write your first joke of the year, with the knowledge that a whole bunch of people will hear you tell it live at the Downtown Independent, along with dozens of other comedians telling their first jokes of 2013? And don't you hate it when the date isn't given for something like this? Yeah, us too. (The funny happens on Sunday, Jan. 6.)
A NIXON CENTENNIAL: Family members and associates of President Richard M. Nixon will gather at his presidential library in Yorba Linda on Sunday, Jan. 6 to pay tribute to the centennial of his birth. Speeches and a laying of a White House wreath will be part of the ceremony, which also includes a flyover by a Harrier fighter jet.
FIRST FRIDAYS OPEN: It isn't every day you can get down, get funky, and get knowledge near a 34-foot long, highly complete T. Rex skeleton (well, we won't assume, since we don't know where you hang out). The Natural History Museum is back to mixing mirth, high-minded science talks, and stylish music-making for its oh-so-popular First Fridays series. KCRW jumps in to co-help. Friday, Jan. 4.
