Shana Nys Dambrot
Festivities, families, feasting—Christmas can be a lot, even if you aren’t even observing it. For those looking to escape domestic madness for more creative madness, or looking for some way to entertain your visitors with half the city on vacation hours, we suggest some ceremonial performance art, a musical theater Pop/Gospel mashup, an architecture tour, a big town square arts festival, and phone-call poetry. Plus the good folks at American Cinematheque have you covered with a solid week of traditional, nostalgic, dark, comedic, musical, spirited and cheeky Christmas movie classics.
theatre dybbuk
Thursday, December 21
theatre dybbuk: The Bond at Philosophical Research Society. This has been a time of great loss in our world. However, communal acts that give space or structure for processing that loss have been few. In The Bond, theatre dybbuk creates a communal ritual in which artists from the company place rocks throughout the facilitated conversation, Death Cafe, along with ceremonial singing. The rock altar will remain, so that all who visit PRS in the weeks that follow can interact with it, and add to it if they are so inspired. 3910 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Feliz; Thursday, December 21, 1:30-4:30pm; free; theatredybbuk.org.
Open Fist Theater Company
Open Fist Theater Company: A Hard Day’s Silent Night at the Broad Stage. It’s The Beatles! It’s the story of Christmas! It’s both! Come celebrate the holidays with Open Fist’s beloved annual Christmas charity concert spectacular. A raucous choir and a swinging live band spread peace and joy, telling the nativity story through effervescent Gospel arrangements of Beatles songs. Proceeds benefit Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA), giving underserved kids an equal chance to succeed through a comprehensive array of after-school academic, arts, athletics and wellness programs. 1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Thursday-Friday, December 21-22; $25-$50; openfist.org.
It’s a Wonderful Life (Paramount)
Friday, December 22
It’s a Wonderful Life at American Cinematheque. Director Frank Capra’s inspiring classic balances pathos and joy in the tale of distraught George Bailey (James Stewart at his finest), who is about to commit suicide on Christmas Eve—until helpful, elderly angel Clarence (Henry Travers) shows him how his death would affect those around him. Featuring Donna Reed as the love of George’s life, in the role that launched her to stardom, and a young, charming Gloria Grahame. If you’ve only seen it on TV, see it now on the big screen, the way it was meant to be seen. Friday, December 22, 7:30pm, Aero Theater, Santa Monica; Saturday-Sunday, December 23-24 at Egyptian Theater, Hollywood; also plays Saturday, December 23 at the Warner Grand, San Pedro); $13; americancinematheque.com.
WeHo Poetry Hotline
Saturday, December 23
West Hollywood Holiday Poetry Hotline. Holiday stress doesn’t need to get us down when we have poetry to connect us to our shared humanity. Inspired by The Poetry Pharmacy, the West Hollywood Holiday Poetry Hotline is designed and led by WeHo City Poet Laureate Jen Cheng to offer verses and beauty during the sometimes-challenging holiday season. Dial in to the Live Hotline to receive a poem prescription from a live reader, or request a custom poem. Live Hotline: Saturday, December 23, 2-5pm; Listen to recorded poems 24/7: December 18-31; (310) 853-3952; free; weho.org.
Union Station Holiday Decorations
L.A. Conservancy’s Union Station Walking Tour. Learn the backstory of L.A.’s iconic and recently restored Union Station. This extraordinary Spanish Colonial Revival and Art Deco monument was built to serve as the gateway to Los Angeles; and it continues to serve tens of thousands of commuters daily. Explore the codes of its architectural motifs, vintage color schemes, public , indoor, outdoor, and hidden spaces—and especially the festive ways it glows up during holiday decoration season. 800 N. Alameda, downtown; Saturday, December 23, 11am-1pm; $10-$15; laconservancy.org.
Die Hard (Disney)
Die Hard at the Egyptian Theater. Bruce Willis plays wise-cracking cop John McClane, an endearing Everyman who becomes an unlikely hero when a group of professional thieves takes his wife’s office building hostage. One of the most purely entertaining movies ever made, this fast, funny, and visually elegant thriller set the template for the Hollywood action flicks that followed it and made Willis a movie star. And yes, it’s a Christmas movie. 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; Saturday, December 23, 7pm; $15; americancinematheque.com.
L.A. County Holiday Celebration (Photo by Timothy Norris)
Sunday, December 24
64th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Each year Angelenos of all ages gather to experience the dynamic, rich cultures of the county in a diverse and festive lineup of L.A.-based performing artists. With performances by choral groups, dance troupes, and more the Holiday Celebration brings wholesome cheer into L.A.’s homes and hearts. See the L.A. County Holiday Celebration live in person at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, or watch it on TV and streaming via PBS SoCal. 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, Sunday, December 24, 3-6pm; free; musiccenter.org.
Elf (Park Circus)
Elf at the Aero Theater. Will Ferrell is at his hilarious best as Buddy, a human who has been raised among Santa’s elves at the North Pole. All grown up, Buddy causes oversized mayhem in the elves’ petite Christmas workshop, so he heads to New York City in search of his real identity. A father-son bonding experience like no other! With James Caan, Bob Newhart as Papa Elf, Mary Steenburgen and Zooey Deschanel. 1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica; Sunday, December 24, 7:30pm; $13; americancinematheque.com.
Union Station Holiday Decorations
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