It's the gateway to the holiday season, with Thanksgiving just a week away and irresistible treats for all the senses, from a sprinkling of new art exhibitions, a selection of films that shed light on remote historic events or seek mostly to entertain, cutting edge music, an operatic / theatrical twist on a classic love story, a dramatic garden of lights and more! Indulge...

Gallery & Museum Exhibitions

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Sprüth Magers | Mid-Wilshire
Arthur Java: nativemanson on view through December 14
Arthur Jafa in conversation with Anne Imhof
Saturday, November 23 | 5–6pm
In conjunction with artist Arthur Jafa’s current show at the gallery, Jafa and artist Anne Imhof – winners of Golden Lion awards at the 2019 and 2017 Venice Biennales respectively – will discuss connections between their approach to art-making and the art world, working across media and disciplines, and past and future projects. Advance registration

Steve Turner | Hollywood
Tang Shuo: My Garden
November 23—December 21, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, November 23 | 6–8pm
One of four solo exhibitions opening concurrently at the gallery, My Garden features new paintings by the London-based artist that were inspired by the remote and primitive Chinese village where he spent his youth.

MOCA | DTLA
Ordinary People: Photorealism and the Work of Art since 1968
November 23, 2024—May 4, 2025
Spanning the 1960s to present, this large-scale exhibition reexamines the postwar art movement of photorealism and traces its lineage in art today. Featuring the work of 40+ artists, including paintings, drawings and sculptures.

Vielmetter Los Angeles | DTLA
Mario Joyce: Spirit, Spirit
November 23, 2024—January 18, 2025
Opening Reception: Saturday, November 23 | 4–6 pm
Originally from South Solon, Ohio, the LA-based artist draws heavily from his family's history, exploring how memories evolve over time and across generations, transforming into intricate capsules of meaning that convey messages of identity, belonging and place. Also opening, Sara Berman: Lapdogs and Fools.

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Film, Music, Theatre, Festivals & Dance

FILM: Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat
Nuart Theatre | West Los Angeles
November 22-28, 2024
Johan Grimonprez’s documentary examines the political machinations behind the 1961 assassination of Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba. Tickets: $17.50

FILM: Bird
Los Feliz Theater | Los Feliz
November 23-24, 2024
Andrea Arnold’s film follows Bailey, whose fractured home life is transformed when she encounters Bird, a mysterious stranger. Tickets: $10

FILM: Dahomey
Now Instant Image Hall | Chinatown
November 22-23, 2024
Mati Diop’s poetic documentary follows 26 objects from the Kingdom of Dahomey as they leave Paris and return to their country of origin: present-day Benin. Tickets: $15

FILM: The Last Unicorn
Vidiots | Eagle Rock
Saturday, November 23, 2024 | 12:30pm
One of the great fever dreams of a 1980s kids movie — this classic of sorcery and cryptozoology is an epic and beautiful tale of resilience and magic. Tickets: $13

MUSIC: Olive Kimoto & Paige Emery
Zebulon | Frogtown
Wednesday, November 27, 2024 | 10pm
Sound artists Olive Kimoto and Paige Emery host this free dance party.

MUSIC: Kyshona with Joselyn & Don
The Grand Annex at Grand Vision | San Pedro
Saturday, November 23, 2024 | 7pm
Catch a performance by guitarist and singer-songwriter Kyshona, who blends blues, soul, rock and folk. She will be joined by folk-Americana duo Coselyn & Don. Tickets: $25-155.43

THEATRE: Romeo and Juliet
LA Opera at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion | DTLA
Saturday, November 23, 2024 | 7:30pm
Final performance of this sumptuous operatic adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Tickets: $49-400

Literary, Readings & Book Launches

Vroman’s 130th Anniversary Celebration
Vroman’s Bookstore | Pasadena
Saturday, November 23, 2024 | 4-6pm
Come celebrate 130 years of this indie bookstore! There will be limited edition merch, raffle prizes and more.

Things To Do & Workshops

Risograph Printing 101
Heavy Manners Library | Echo Park
Sunday, November 24, 2024 | 3–7pm
Attendees will learn the basic mechanics and procedures of a risograph machine and have a chance to experiment with making their own simple 8.5 x 11 inch prints. Tickets: $49.87

Enchanted Forest of Light
Descanso Gardens | Flintridge
November 17, 2024—January 5, 2025 (closed Nov. 28, Dec. 24–25) |
Timed entry: 5:30–10pm
During the holiday season, dramatic light installations transform the gardens into a world of colorful botanical artscapes. Advance purchase tickets from $10–$30 children | $15–$45 adults

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