The Brief

It may not feel like winter around here just yet (or ever), but downtown Santa Monica is ready for the season with the annual Ice Santa Monica skating rink opening. The makeshift rink will be up through Jan. 20 and your fee includes skate rental.

Somewhere between an escape room, scavenger hunt, and immersive theater experience lies Great Gold Bird, a “wanderplay” that takes about 2.5 hours to complete. It takes participants on a real-life video game-style adventure through different physical locations in L.A. to uncover the mystery of what happened to Henry Combs.

Get out and learn a little more about Inglewood this weekend during their 15th annual Open Studios Art Walk. The weekend-long event offers self-guided tours of artist’s studios, art galleries, and cultural organizations in the historic neighborhood.

Look, if KLOS is playing Christmas songs and Mariah Carey is singing at the Bowl, I guess it’s holiday time even if the calendar still says it’s the first half of November. Grab your Santa hat and get ready for holiday cheer the way only a diva like Mariah knows how. DJ Suss One opens.

The First Woman of Funny, Joan Rivers, is immortalized in the new play Joan, which is having its world premiere at the South Coast Repertory Theater. Directed by David Ivers, Joan tells the story of Rivers as both a comedy pioneer and as a mom (the show was sanctioned by the late Rivers’ daughter Melissa). The cast features Tessa Auberjonois as Joan, along with Orange County native and Broadway veteran Zachary Prince.

It feels like downtown fans have been waiting forever for Clifton’s to reopen, so it’s only fitting that the iconic restaurant and community gathering space is throwing an oversized bash to celebrate its more than 90-year history. Clifton’s partnered with the nonprofit Speranza Foundation to create a massive multimedia art experience in an evening featuring poets, visual artists, musicians — you name it.

Celebrate the most innovative work coming out of Los Angeles in the dance, theater, music and performance worlds at the New Original Works (NOW) Festival at REDCAT, opening this weekend. The first weekend features the opera song cycle "7 Early Songs," a dance and film piece from Meena Murugesan, and Bernard Brown's "Sissies: Something Perfect Between Ourselves," which celebrates the gay bar as a Black queer haven. The festival continues next weekend with an exciting piece from the Tijuana Dance Company.

California Great Outdoors is an LGBTQIA+ organization aimed at connecting the queer community and allies to meet new people and get outside. This weekend they are hosting a bicycle tour along the beach in Long Beach, followed by tacos at vegan hotspot Sugar Tacos — what could be better? Registration is limited to only 30 people, so sign up at the link. The route goes from Bixby Park around the Queen Mary, along the Harbor Scenic Bikeway and up to the port of Long Beach.

A selection of eight shorts from indigenous filmmakers recognized by Sundance will show in two screenings at Vidiots in Echo Park. It’s an exciting opportunity to see these underpromoted films, including Bay of Herons, directed by Jared James Lank, and Ekbeh, directed by Mariah Eli Hernandez-Fitch. The program includes both narrative and documentary films.

Having trouble getting your starter to start? Bring your cleverly named sourdough mason jar of goo to Roe at Kings Roost, who will help you sort it all out at this week’s Sourdough Office Hours.

Everytable is teaming up with Hollywood youth homeless organization My Friend’s Place to make affordable Thanksgiving meals available in both individual and family portions, featuring holiday favorites. The meals will be at Everytable locations beginning November 4. The collab also features a “Friendsgiving” luncheon on November 14 and a “My Friends Plate” Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway at all Everytable locations for members of the community who might be alone on Thanksgiving Day. My Friend’s Place provides a safe haven where young people can access meals, housing assistance and career development, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

Japanese treats and street food are the focus of Konamon Fest at Santa Monica Pier. The event features food, sake and cultural experiences, including Japanese music DJs and lion dancing. Check out culinary delights from vendors like Beard Papa, Egghaugsted, Cocoboy, and Denka Sekka. Plus sake pairings!