LA Life: The January Good Stuff
Happy New Year, Angelinos! Here’s to a joy-filled 2026 with less actual crazy than 2025, and more crazy fun in the California sun…though according to my iPhone (and what I’m seeing out my window), our first week of January is looking to be a wet one. But there’s plenty of motivation to leave your house and brave the rain this month, so I suggest you resolve to put on your water-proof boots and trek out for some Big Art, Big Laughs, Big Stars, and Big Words. Here’s your Guide to the Good Stuff.
Jan 7-11. Yo, Adrian! It’s ART!
The renowned LA Art Show settles into the Convention Center in DTLA for its 31st year. The city’s largest and longest-running art extravaganza showcases works by national and international artists exhibited by leading galleries, museums and arts organizations from around the world. But only one artist can claim an iconic statue of himself in Philadelphia: that would be Rocky Balboa, aka Sylvester Stallone, having the first significant solo presentation of his abstract works. Perhaps a photo op with Sly could be a door prize???
Either way, if you’re an art lover this show will not disappoint. PS, the space is huge, so you’ll be walking a lot (I suggest comfy shoes). The opening night gala, with proceeds benefiting the American Heart Association, debuts the show on Wednesday, January 7th from 6:00 to 10:00 pm; the remainder of the show runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday, January 8/9/10 from noon to 8:00 pm, and Sunday the 11th from noon to 6:00 pm. L.A. Convention Center, West Hall,1201 S Figueroa St, downtown. GET THE SCOOP.
Light Up Your Life
If you just can’t get downtown, or you just can’t get enough art, here’s a bright idea: head to Glendale for a visit to MONA – the Museum of Neon Art. According to their website, it’s “the only museum in the world devoted exclusively to art in electric media, exhibiting electric and kinetic fine art, and outstanding examples of historic neon signs.
Hours are 12 noon to 7 pm, Thursday/Friday/Saturday, and 12 to 5 on Sunday. In addition to exhibits at the museum itself, MONA also offers walking tours of the city’s significant neon signage, and a bus tour of neon specialties in a variety of neighborhoods. I’m in. Or on. MONA is located at 216 S Brand Blvd in Glendale. GET THE SCOOP.
Laugh It Up
On the topic of art, there may be none more meaningful – or crucial – than the art of making people laugh. After all, as conventional wisdom goes, laughter is the best medicine. And it’s administered in a continuous drip at Largo at the Coronet in West Hollywood. This is one of my absolute favorite venues for funny in all of L.A., featuring a host of the sharpest comic talents from your favorite TV shows.
January brings the likes of Brett Goldstein (of “Ted Lasso” and “Shrinking” fame), Edi Patterson (“The Righteous Gemstones”), Marc Maron (“Stick,” and every late-night talk show), Fred Armisen (“SNL” and “Portlandia”) and more comedy heavyweights, some with solo shows and some featuring their fellow-funny friends. They also have an improvised Shakespeare show, which thou must not forego-eth. It’s a great venue showcasing great talent, with the ha-ha happening multiple nights every week. Largo at the Coronet, 366 N La Cienega Blvd in WeHo. GET THE SCOOP.
Jan. 15. Star Light, Star Bright
Neil deGrasse Tyson is arguably the world’s most famous science nerd hyphenate: astrophysicist-author-Ivy League professor-ubiquitous talk-show guest. Not surprisingly, he’s gotten his fact(s) together and taken them on the road. His “Star Talk” tour lands in Los Angeles on January 15 for one night only at The Novo (formerly Club Nokia) at LA Live. The evening should prove to be a fun and entertaining way to get your New Year off to a smart start, and he’ll make you laugh. The Novo at LA Live, 800 W Olympic Blvd, DTLA. GET THE SCOOP.
Right Place, Write Time
Have you decided that this is the year you’re finally going to write that script…or an epic poem…or your life story? Well, a) good for you, and b) grab your notebook. The Wallis in Beverly Hills has a Creative Aging program that offers a variety of writing classes for the 55+ crowd. So not only can you get your writerly juices flowing with the help of a seasoned instructor in a supportive environment, you can do it in the company of like-minded, fellow creative outlet-seekers.
There are classes in personal storytelling, scriptwriting, fiction, and poetry, all of which foster not only participants’ creative expression, but new connections and new friendships as well. Sign me up! The next round of classes run weekly from late January to early March, and are held at The Wallis, 9390 N Santa Monica Blvd in Beverly Hills. GET THE SCOOP.
Jan. 13. The Good Ol’ Daze
If the high-speed digital explosion of images invading your phone and laptop screens on a daily have you nostalgically yearning for the simpler analog days of yore, here’s a bygone era treat for you: “Sweet 16mm: Ad Nauseum – A Vintage Commercial Extravaganza.” It’s an evening of rare commercials and promotional films from the late 1950’s to the early 1980’s, screened on vintage 16mm film. Imagine Don Draper dreaming up the spots, and Donna Reed using the products.
Plop-plop, fizz-fizz, oh what a release it is. This blast from the past screens on January 13th at 7:00 pm. Vidiots, 4884 Eagle Rock Blvd in Eagle Rock. GET THE SCOOP.
Tarantino On Tap
Attention, musical theater fans and/or lovers of all films Tarantino – you won’t want to miss the electrifying, exhilarating production known as “Tarantino Live.” Produced by the theatrical team For The Record, this 360-degree rock concert experience immerses the audience in the world of Quentin Tarantino’s film canon. Performed by a powerhouse cast with a killer band, the show blends re-enacted scenes from QT faves (“Pulp Fiction,” “Inglorious Basterds,” “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” to name a few) with pulse-pounding music, to spectacular effect. Adding to the excitement of the show is the venue itself, The Cinevita.
This 15,000 square foot Spiegeltent is “a European marvel” dripping with glamour and featuring over 3000 mirrors and over 200 hand-made stained glass windows. All that, plus cocktail and food. BTW, you don’t need to be a Tarantino fan or have any knowledge of his films to have a great time at this show. But if you know, well, this is more fun than a royale with cheese. Show runs on Saturday nights at 8:00 pm through the rest of January at Cinevita, 1248 District Dr in Inglewood. GET THE SCOOP.
She Angels
I want to give a quick shoutout to my friend Cat Curry-Willams’ wonderful organization, She Angels Foundation, which gives grant money to female-led non-profits that specifically benefit women and girls. She Angels operates on a collective giving model, creating a community of women helping women. They have terrific events throughout the year for members and grant recipients; there’s a big one coming up in March, but in the meantime, I encourage you to check out the organization to see if it piques your interest. GET THE SCOOP.
Stefanie Novik
From Midwest roots to Hollywood hustle, Stefanie Novik has spent the past 40 years soaking up the sunshine and stories of Los Angeles. She came for summer school at UCLA and stayed for the earthquakes, traffic, and endless inspiration. Her path has zigzagged through showbiz—casting assistant, talent manager, sitcom writer, and TV marketing pro—before pivoting to real estate, where she now helps Angelenos find their dream homes (cue the tearful key handoffs). As your Guide to the Good Stuff, she’s thrilled to share the delicious, delightful, and downright dazzling sides of L.A. Life’s a wild ride—let’s enjoy the view.
