Petersen Automotive Museum Re-Opens: The Miracle Mile car institution has been shuttered for well over a year, but anyone passing by saw the big changes afoot, at least on the colorful, zoomy swirl'd exterior. So what's inside? A BMW-themed exhibit, a Pixar area, and loads of high-stylin' dream machinery. The preview day is on Dec. 6 -- it's ticketed, so know before you go -- while the first day of regular business is on Monday, Dec. 7. Seriously, the outside of this place is giving fresh meaning to "eye-popping," so at least take a toodle by.
Happy Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights begins on Sunday, Dec. 6, and while many menorah lighting ceremonies and music-filled celebrations will dance through next week, and into the following weekend -- City Hall, Malibu, and the Skirball among them -- you can start your sweet reveling at the Original Farmers Market, which is breaking out its popular LEGO menorah on Dec. 6 (along with other kid-cute, reverential happenings).
"The Twentieth Wife": While the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is famed for its paintings, sculptures, and installations, it also welcomes the performing arts and grand, beautifully told stories. Kathak artist Farah Yasmeen Shaikh will stage an emotive telling of "one of India's most powerful women, Empress Noor Jahan, through an exquisite combination of dance, live music, multimedia, and live narration." Be at the Bing Theater on Dec. 5 for this gorgeous presentation.
Artisanal LA: You might just be giving that shopping list a first glance, and pondering how your sweetheart's or cousin's gift this year can truly stand out. One solid way to make sure this happens? Go handmade or go with something made around the region. Artisanal LA is setting up shop on Holly in Pasadena on Saturday, Dec. 5, with dozens upon dozens of local makers. Nifty t-shirts, fragrant soaps, and more interesting-not-boring giftage awaits. Entertainment and special touches will add some festiveness to the day, too.
South Lake Avenue Holidayfest: As long as you're in the Crown City, and you're in the mood to attend free outdoorsy stuff, best know that South Lake is doing it up with carriage rides and tinselly tunes and Santa sightings and such. It's Holidayfest, and several shops along the shoppable way'll have seasonal specials and stuff to help glitter up the day. Oh, and that day? Like Artisanal LA, Holidayfest also ho, ho, hos on Saturday, Dec. 5. Old Pas, by the by, has some jovial things going, too, so if you want to make it an all-on Pas-filled Saturday, you can.
Libations with History: Prohibition ended on Dec. 5, 1933, and taverns across the nation still pause to mark the day with specials and special doings. A number of pubs and bars around Southern California will raise a glass to the monumental moment, so make for Beelman's Pub, The Independence, Angel City Brewery, Terrine, or the many sophisticated spots over seen by the vintage-cool 1933 Group.
