Oshogatsu Festival

As part of JANM's Oshogatsu New Year's Festival, the museum will host an onigiri-making contest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. See who can shape a lifeless mound of rice into the most appealing and elegant form. At 2:30 and 4 p.m. Kodama Taiko will lead a mochitsuki, the traditional rice cake-pounding ceremony.

WHEN: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Jan. 8

WHERE: Japanese American National Museum

COST: Free

Wine Camp: An Introduction to Wine

Led by Ian Blackburn of Learn About Wine, this breezy but edifying introductory course covers the basics of how wine is made, how to pair it with food and how to appreciate it. The afternoon includes a tasting of seven white and red wines running the gamut from a Chardonnay to a Pinot Noir.

WHEN: 3 – 5:15 p.m, Jan. 8

WHERE: Downtown LOFT 218: 530 Molino #218, L.A.

COST: $79 or two for $100 (buy tix here)

Dead Celebrity Cookbook

Author Frank DeCaro discusses and signs The Dead Celebrity Cookbook, a book that features recipes from more than 145 stars. Learn to cook Frank Sinatra's barbecued lamb, Rock Hudson's cannoli, Joan Crawford's poached salmon and Lucille Ball's “Chinese-y Thing.”

WHEN: 7 p.m., Jan. 9

WHERE: Book Soup

COST: Free

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