Tanaka Farms: The sweet and fragrant signs of the petal-filled, bee-buzziest season have a way of peeking out come February, especially at some of Southern California's best-known agricultural destinations. This historic Irvine spot definitely qualifies, and it has now opened for the season. The popular strawberry tours will kick off as soon as the plants have enough berries, but other happenings are "cropping" up around the sizable property, including wagon rides and chances to pick-your-own goodies. Details, what's growing, and such? Ride your tractor here.
Valentine's Day: Many restaurants'll dim the lights and light the candles on Thursday, Feb. 14, but there are other ways to approach the heart-packed holiday, if you're so inclined. Cinespia is throwing its "True Romance" party at the Los Angeles Theatre, complete with a screening of the flick, a DJ, and dancing, while the Pacific Wheel in Santa Monica will invite a violinist to serenade lovebirds riding the celebrated solar-powered attraction (from noon to 9 in the evening). Not feeling the occasion? There's the BreakUp Bar, on Melrose, to embrace your lovelornier side.
Lucha VaVOOM: And speaking of less traditional takes on the candy-and-roses occasion, there is the chance to see top luchadors enter the ring. Are there masks? Of course. Shall there be comedy? That's tradition, yes. Will this must-see Valentine's event sprawl over two nights, at the Mayan Theatre in DTLA, much in the way an amazing wrestler is able to cover a lot of space in one great leap from the ropes? You bet. Thursday is sold out, but you might be able to score a seat for you and your sweetie on Feb. 13. The 2019 Valentine show's name? "Amor Prohibido."
"Dirty Dancing": We may be a long, long way from the Catskills, and the summery resorts of yore, and 1963, but we can still slip into our dancer's shoes and shimmy in the direction of a modern-day cinema. Make that a modern-day cinema showing this beyond-cult classic, a film that keeps on leaping to new heights with each passing year. Did you have the time of your life? Fathom Events and TCM invites you back to Kellerman's Resort, at select theaters, on Wednesday, Feb. 13.
Modernism Week opens: It's true that Desert X, the mega, spread-out-for-miles art show just made its eye-wowza debut in and around Palm Springs. But the desert is large and there are more headlining events to come, including this week-plus celebration of all things mid-century. Tours, talks, a vintage trailer show, and all sorts of opportunities to bask in the style of a few decades back will bloom around the resort destination beginning on Feb. 14. A number of happenings are now sold out, but tickets do remain. Don your Don-Draper-iest duds and find out more now.
