BY KAREN YOUNG
FROM THE MDF HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS FILES: THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAY SEASON
CLICK BELOW:
The MDF Guide to Festive Holiday Lights and Boat Parades
The MDF Guide to Outdoor Ice Skating Across Los Angeles
Shop Local: The MDF Holiday Gift Guide for the 818
Can Mrs. Claus Save Christmas?: It’s two weeks until Christmas and an exhausted Santa dreams of a vacation in Hawaii. But even with the help of the elves and Mrs. Claus, he just doesn’t have the time. Meanwhile Gil Bates (on Santa’s naughty list) decides to kidnap Santa and take him to Hawaii. Mrs. Claus finds out, havoc ensues and our audience is biting their nails wondering if Mrs. Claus can truly save Christmas. For the whole family with children ages 3 and up! West Valley Playhouse Children’s and Family Theatre, 7242 Owensmouth Ave., Canoga Park. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. (818) 884-1907, Cost: $8 for kids, $12 for adults.
Free Clothing Swap and Pole Dancing Party in Noho: How many times have you looked in your closet and said…”I am NEVER going to wear that” or “If I only had something new to wear” Well, now you can for free! Bring your swap items to the studio (at least four items….examples: shoes, yoga wear, lingerie, workout clothing, performance outfits or accessories). Wear comfortable clothing so you can try things on and do some dancing. Drinks and snacks provided. All remaining items will be donated to The Downtown Women’s Shelter in Los Angeles. 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Aeriform Arts 5625 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, 818-980-2374 RSVP
Holiday Faire at Hidden Chateau and Gardens: Get your holiday gifts and celebrate the season with artisan vendors, live music, Santa Claus and more. Great discounts up to 75% off. Saturday, December 15, 10 a.m. – 4p.m. 23130 Sherman Way, West Hills.
The Tortoise and the Hare Make a Holiday Wish: The Limecat Family Theatre Company’s all-new holiday musical-comedy spectacular about friendship, teamwork, and holiday spirit. With a colorful supporting cast of animal friends, snowflakes, dancing matzo-balls and hum-bugs, Terri Tortoise and Harry Hare race through an adventurous terrain to Animal Land’s annual Holiday Hoop-La, hosted by the magical Princess Catnip! Showtimes are: 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. ZJU Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, Reservations: 818-202-4120. $10 Adults, $8 for Children 12 and under!
TreePeople Branching Out: Community Tree Walk: This monthly series is a place where you can stroll and meet like-minded folks, get some light exercise, and develop your ‘tree-vision’ as you walk through a lovely campus and learn how to identify trees . Learn more about the work of TreePeople and how you can get involved. Afterwards, head over to a local pub. Los Angeles Valley College, 5800 Fulton Ave, Los Angeles. Register via the website for more details Sunday, December 16 - 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
Spartacus and the Roman Legion: A live gladiatorial combat show, brought to the 818 by UCLA, will be performed on Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, Decemer 16, at 3 pm, at the covered LA Equestrian Center in Griffith Park. Based on the true story of legendary hero Spartacus, the performance presents an accurate historic re-enactment of the Roman legion, period equestrian exercises, and gladiators of Rome in a narrative format. For the first time in the United States, French re-enactment troupes will assemble 60-some fighters, actors, stuntmen, and horses–in association with American historic groups–in a 90-minute live show. The performance for a general public will take place at the Equestrian Center, 480 W. Riverside Dr., Burbank. A photo-op meet-and-greet with the actors will follow both performances.
OVER THE HILL
4th Annual SANTA Monica Pub Crawl: Venture out the Santa Monica on Saturday, December 15 at 5 p.m. and eat and drink for a cause. Throughout the evening, over 30 bars and restaurants will raise money for those in need during the holidays to benefit the Westside Food Bank. Last year, over 5,000 people crawled to 25 bars, raising over $17,000 dollars . Crawlers pay a $10 donation/entrance fee for a special wristband, which allows access to the drink and food specials at each official location as well as entrance to the Official After Party. Click here for more info.
LA Craft Experience: Shop GIFTED: A holiday (pop-up) market for uncommon goods, on the Santa Monica Pier this Saturday, December 15 from noon- 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. The event features unique goods from LA-based designers, jewelers, crafters and more. They’ll also have curated food vendors, a DIY gift wrapping station, music from guest DJs.
MORE HOLIDAY THEATER
Christmas My Way: A Sinatra Holiday Bash! at the El Portal: Broadway performers Jason Graae, Heather Lee and Beth Malone along with Sinatra-like crooner Luca Ellis to serve up cool versions of Sinatra mainstays. Joined by a swingin’ live band, they sing Sinatra Christmas hits like “Mistletoe and Holly,” “The Christmas Song,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Silver Bells” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” So, get set for a fresh, energetic groovy Sinatra Christmas, with 40 classic hits perfect for the holidays. Runs though New Years Eve (with a special celebration).
Rudolph the Red-Nose ReinDOORS at the Falcon Theatre: It’s another hilarious production by the Troubadour Theater Company when our favorite reindeer meets up with the music of The Doors. Rudolph the Red-Nose ReinDOORS, directed by Matt Walker, the third production of its 2012-2013 Subscription Season. Celebrate the Season with the Ovation Award-winning Troubies as they give a wild, stripped-down, bare bones, rock re-telling of the classic holiday tale of Rudolph, with a sexy, sultry, scary soundtrack of DOORS style music – and snow.
A Christmas Carol at the Grove Theatre: Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, Marley’s Ghost, Scrooge and the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future all make their appearance as three actors guides the audience through the story – sometimes as narrators, sometimes as storytellers, and sometimes as characters, but always using the actual words of Charles Dickens. The show runs approximately 80 minutes with no intermission and is perfect for all ages from 12 to 102! Runs through December 16 Thu, Fri & Sat at 8 pm; Sun at 3 pm. Save $10 per ticket with discount code “Dickens” when ordering.
“Santasia – A Holiday Comedy”: This annual holiday romp has been a cult hit for 12 years is not for kids, but rather a blend of Yuletide snark and sentiment and has been compared to old time Vaudeville and to the likes of the Kids in the Hall and the Carol Burnett Show. This multi-media holiday special has it all including classic Rankin and Bass claymation inspired movies. Directed by Shaun Loeser, written and performed by alumni of ImprovOlympic, Second City, and Comedy Sportz. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm, Sunday 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Through December 24. Tickets online $24. Pay at the door tix $35. or (818) 990-2324. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (Not for kids).
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