Things to do – online and in-person – in the San Fernando Valley.

Chie Yoshii’s “Trickster” is part of the “Myth” art exhibit opening Nov. 14 online at Corey Helford Gallery. (Photo courtesy of Corey Helford Gallery)

Take a chance on cultural and entertainment experiences, Feb. 18-25.

  • Gem Faire in Santa Barbara: International gem and jewelry dealers show and sell bead strands, crystals, fossils, minerals, loose gem stones, finished jewelry and jewelry supplies, noon-6 p.m. Feb. 19; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 20; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 21. Jewelry cleaning, repair and ring sizing available. Admission $7 (good for all three days); free for ages 11 and younger. Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real. 503-252-8300 or email: [email protected]. www.gemfaire.com
  • Los Angeles Conscious Life Expo: The 19th annual event of presentations on body and mind alternative healing, meditation, paranormal, spiritual and wellness topics goes virtual this year, Feb. 19-21. Hours: Exhibit Hall, 3-9 p.m. Feb. 19; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Feb. 20; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 21. Admission: Ceremonial events and Exhibit Hall (free); keynote speakers ($20 each); theme segments ($45 each); passes Feb. 19 ($55); Feb. 20 ($95); Feb. 21 ($85); all three days ($185). 800-367-5777. www.consciouslifeexpo.com
  • Fair Foodie Fest: Purchase favorite fair foods at a no-contact and drive-thru event, Feb. 19-21 and 26-28. Hours: 5-10 p.m. Fridays; noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Foods include: barbecue, funnel cakes, Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken Pineapple Bowls, Krispy Kreme Donut Cheeseburgers, giant turkey legs and deep-fried Twinkies (check website for more offerings for sale). Free admission but register in advance (includes a mini funnel cake per car for online registration). Rose Bowl, Lot K, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena. bit.ly/3cWh6Mk; www.fairfoodiefest.com
  • Harbor Breeze Cruises: Long Beach Harbor tours and whale watching cruises available. Tickets online for harbor tours: $15 (ages 12 and older); $10 (ages 63 and older); $6 (ages 5-11); higher for walk-ups during the week and holidays. Whale watching cruises: $45 (ages 12 and older; Monday-Friday) and $50 (ages 12 and older; Saturday-Sunday and holidays). Check the website for dates, other pricing and Covid-19 restrictions. 100 Aquarium Way, Dock #2, Long Beach. 562-432-4900. tickets.harbor-cruises.com; 2seewhales.com
  • Island Packers – Winter Whale Watching: Spot Pacific gray whales migrating through the Santa Barbara Channel as they journey from Alaska to Baja California. Cruise passengers may also see fin or humpback whales plus Common dolphins (no guarantees). Half-day trips, 3-3.5 hours, board at 9:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. from two locations: Channel Islands Harbor, 3550 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard; Ventura Harbor Village, 1691 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura. Tickets for half-day cruises begin at $40 adults; $36 seniors; $29 ages 3-12; all-day trips, $62-$84 for adults (check the website for all prices and other cruising location options). Check website for details including Covid-19 precautions and boarding locations. 805-642-1393. islandpackers.com
  • The Music Center’s For the Love of L.A.: A series of new works in dance, music and visuals from Los Angeles-based artists, presented every Tuesday through April 20. Watch on Instagram here: bit.ly/3oL4Rok or here: www.musiccenter.org/tmc-offstage/for-the-love-of-la/
  • Diane Rosenstein Gallery: “Vanessa Prager: Static,” oil paintings, opens Feb. 20. Gallery hours: by appointment only (dianerosenstein.com/reservations). The exhibit runs through April 10. 831 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles. 323-462-2790. Email: [email protected]. www.vprager.com. dianerosenstein.com
  • Masters of the American West – Virtual Exhibit: The Autry Museum of the American West presents the annual exhibit of paintings and sculptures from more than 60 contemporary Western artists, opens noon Feb. 27 (ballots for the Major Art Works – an online, fixed-priced, random draw; see the website). Register for special event discussions with artists here: masters.theautry.org/pages/event-registrations. “Miniatures” paintings, opens 1 p.m. Feb. 27 (bit.ly/3av4Tg1). Exhibit runs through April 11. masters.theautry.org
  • Social and Public Art Resource Center: “Why We Won’t Just Leave: What Alaska Is Telling the World About Climate Change,” paintings, portraits, stories and video profiles on artists and activists talking about climate change, opens 4 p.m. Feb. 27. Curator Lindsay Carron gives a talk about the exhibit on opening day. Exhibit runs virtually through April 10. The gallery is in Venice. Email: [email protected]. Free, but make a reservation in advance to see the online opening: www.sparcinla.org/why-we-wont
  • Landscapes of the Mind: A virtual art exhibit at the First Floor Gallery at the City of Santa Clarita’s City Hall. Exhibit is also available to view in person. Watch from the Artsteps link here: bit.ly/3jAZve0. Santa Clarita City Hall, 23920 Valencia Blvd. See other virtual art exhibits here: santaclaritaarts.com
  • Memorial Crane Project: Artist Karla Funderburk and San Fernando Valley Arts & Cultural Center present a display of thousands of origami cranes that honor lives lost due to Covid-19 in the United States. Exhibit runs through May 8. View the exhibit outside of the center’s Art Along the Boulevard space, 18640 Ventura Blvd. (at Yolanda Avenue), Tarzana. Email the artist: [email protected]. Email the center: [email protected]. memorialcraneproject.org; www.sfvacc.org
  • Corey Helford Gallery: “Kazuki Takamatsu: Your Wings” (main gallery) and “Chishi Morimura: Aimai” (gallery three). Exhibits run through Feb. 20. The gallery, closed due to Covid-19 restrictions, is in Los Angeles. Email: [email protected]. coreyhelfordgallery.com
  • Lowell Ryan Projects: “Antonio Adriano Puleo – Four Fours, a subsequent work and small sculptures” and “Jorge Luis Santos – Manchas de Zapatos.” Gallery hours: by appointment only 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday (reservations required here: bit.ly/38IpPOr; masks and social distancing enforced). Exhibits run through Feb. 27. 4851 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles. 323-998-0063. Email: [email protected]. www.lowellryanprojects.com
  • Thinkspace Projects: “Roby Dwi Antono: Epos” and “Edith Lebeau: Certain Scars Can’t Be Seen.” Gallery hours: noon-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday by appointment only. Exhibits run through Feb. 27. 4217 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles. 310-558-3375. Email: [email protected]. thinkspaceprojects.com/shows/2021
  • Art Angels Gallery Los Angeles: “Micah Johnson: Black Sheep,” charcoal portrait paintings from the former major leagues baseball player (Los Angeles Dodgers, for one). Gallery hours: by appointment, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon-5 p.m. Saturday. Exhibit runs through Feb. 28. 9020 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. 310-693-5500. www.artangels.net
  • Topanga Canyon Art Gallery: “On Location in the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore” a group show from members of the Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore, Bonnie Freund, Carole Garland, Russell Hunziker, Virginia Kamhi, Timothy Kitz and Linda Melber. Gallery hours: noon-5 p.m. weekends; and by appointment; or in the virtual gallery on the gallery’s website. Exhibit runs through Feb. 28. 120 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. 424-326-6429. www.topangacanyongallery.com; allied-artists.com
  • Gavlak Los Angeles: “Karen Carson: Middle Ground.” Gallery hours: call or send an email to schedule an appointment. Exhibit runs through March 6. 1700 S. Santa Fe Ave., #440, Los Angeles. 323-467-5700. Email: [email protected]. www.gavlakgallery.com
  • Shulamit Nazarian Gallery: Two exhibits: “Michael Stamm: So Super Sorry Sir!” paintings, and “Cammie Staros: What Will Have Being,” sculptures. Reservation information and gallery hours here: www.shulamitnazarian.com/reservations. Exhibits run through March 6. 616 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles. 310-281-0961. Email: [email protected]. www.shulamitnazarian.com
  • Regen Projects: “Doug Aitken: Flags and Debris,” handmade fabric wall hangings and a multi-screen installation. Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday by appointment. Exhibit runs through March 13. 6750 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. 310-276-5424. www.regenprojects.com
  • ReflectSpace Gallery – Glendale Library, Arts and Culture: Virtual exhibit of “Beyond the River: Free Zone-DMZ, The City that Lost the River.” A partnership between the gallery and GLAC and the City of Gimpo, South Korea, and the Gimpo Cultural Foundation, brings art from Korean artists who reflect on the once maritime city’s lost access to the Han river that is a border river between North and South Korea. Gimpo and Glendale are sister cities. Exhibit runs through March 15. View online here: bit.ly/3pdZa2E. www.reflectspace.org
  • Nicodim Gallery: “Devendra Banhart: The Grief I Have Caused You,” drawings and paintings. Gallery hours: by appointment, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Exhibit runs through March 20. 1700 S. Santa Fe Ave., Los Angeles. 213-265-7166. www.nicodimgallery.com/exhibitions/devendra-banhart-the-grief-i-have-caused-you
  • Galerie XII: “Women.On.Women” group show, with art from Patty Carroll, Maia Flore, Ziqian Liu, Mona Kuhn and Anja Niemi, Gallery hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; and by appointment (masks required in the gallery). Exhibit runs through April 10. Bergamont Station Arts Center, 2525 Michigan Ave., Suite B2, Santa Monica. 424-252-9004. www.galeriexii.com/EN/
  • Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery: “Tristan Espinoza: Index, Interiors.” View the exhibit online through April 22. www.lamag.org/exhibitions
  • Book Soup: Julia Kaye discusses “My Life in Transition,” 6 p.m. Feb. 18 (bit.ly/2M62XRS). Catie Disbato discusses “U Up?), 6 p.m. Feb. 25 (bit.ly/3jYfmDO). Register in advance for the free Crowdcast live streaming talks through the links. Purchase books from the website. Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 310-659-3110. www.booksoup.com
  • Chevalier’s Books: Jonathan Petropoulous discusses “Göring’s Man in Paris: The Story of a Nazi Art Plunderer and His World” and Wendy Lower discusses “The Ravine – a Family, a Photograph, a Holocaust Massacre Revealed,” 6 p.m. Feb. 18 (www.chevaliersbooks.com/petropoulous-lower). Poet Richard Ferguson discusses “Everything Is Radiant Between the Hates,” 7 p.m. March 4 (www.chevaliersbooks.com/march-04-rich-ferguson). Register in advance for the online book talk. The bookstore is open, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. 126 N. Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles. 323-465-1334. www.chevaliersbooks.com
  • Vroman’s Bookstore: Michael Koryta discusses “Never Far Away,” 6 p.m. Feb. 19 (bit.ly/3a5KY73). Nicole LaPorte discusses “Guilty Admissions: The Bribes, Favors and Phonies Behind the College Cheating Scandal” and Jeffrey Selingo discusses “Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions,” 6 p.m. Feb. 24 (bit.ly/2MU2Qch). Ioan Grillo discusses “Blood Gun Money,” 6 p.m. Feb. 26 (bit.ly/3arly47). Register in advance for all the online Crowdcast events. 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-5320. www.vromansbookstore.com
  • Virtual Chai and Chocolate Pairing Tasting – Benefit for Life Group LA: Help the organization that gives emotional, physical and spiritual support for people living with HIV (thelifegroupla.org). Payment and registration to receive a SpiceTopia package of chai and chocolate samples for the tasting must be made by Feb. 21 ($45; package will be mailed or an option to pick up at SpiceTopia, 576 E. Main St., Ventura; www.spice-topia.com). The tasting event is on Google Meets, 7 p.m. Feb. 27 (have ready a mug and hot water for making the tea). Register and pay through the link here: bit.ly/2OppQ3s

 

  • An Evening Conversation with Blair Underwood: The Robey Theatre Co. presents the actor discussing the current and future state of theater, the Covid-19 pandemic’s effect on the performing arts and the response of the arts community to the global call for racial and social justice, 6 p.m. Feb. 19. The talk, on Zoom, is moderated by actress-producer Millena Gay, the theatre company’s special events producer. Free/$10 donation appreciated. Register in advance here: therobeytheatrecompany.org/our-events. The theatre is in Los Angeles. www.therobeytheatrecompany.org
  • Trailblazer – Delilah L. Beasley: The Autry Museum of the American West and Clockshop present a panel discussion on the historian and journalist and her 1919 book “The Negro Trail-Blazers of California,” 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Feb. 20. Marne Campbell, associate professor and chair of African American Studies at Loyola Marymount University, is the moderator. Free. Reservations required here: bit.ly/2OEpqGo. Purchase the book here: shop.clockshop.org. theautry.org
  • Tango – A History of the Dance: Art and history lecturer Gregorio Luke gives the talk, 6 p.m. Feb. 20. Tickets $7.50 plus a transaction fee. Check here to purchase tickets for the Zoom presentation: bit.ly/3u6Y0ZY.
  • A Conversation with Ai Weiwei: The Skirball Cultural Center presents a discussion with the artist-filmmaker-human rights activist and Skirball curator Yael Lipschutz, 11 a.m. Feb. 21. Register in advance for the free YouTube discussion: bit.ly/3u58lpq. Also, view three of his documentaries here ($5 to rent; $15 purchase): bit.ly/3s0U3V6. The center has planned to exhibit: “Ai Weiwei: Trace,” portraits of world-wide human rights and free speech activists created out of Lego bricks (scheduled for spring 2021). skirball.org
  • San Fernando Valley Audubon Society: Guest speaker Freya MacGregor discusses “Birdability,” how one group is making bird watching more accessible and inclusive for people with physical and mental challenges, 5-6:30 p.m. Feb. 25. Sign up to watch the program: bit.ly/3qwjA7Y. The society is offering a first year free membership; join through the website. Information about Birdability: www.birdability.org. www.sfvaudubon.org
  • Secret Los Angeles – The Weird, Wonderful and Obscure: Guest speaker Danny Jensen discusses the topic at an online meeting of the San Fernando Valley Historical Society, 7 p.m. Feb. 25. Watch the program on Zoom here: calstatela.zoom.us/j/97271579620#success. Free/donation. The program will be recorded and added to the society’s Facebook for future viewing: www.facebook.com/sfvhs. Jensen’s books are available for purchase here: secretlosangelesbook.com/store. www.sfvhs.com
  • History of African Americans in the San Fernando Valley: The Museum of the San Fernando Valley presents a talk by Crystal Jackson, founder and president of the Pacoima Historical Society, 2-4 p.m. Feb. 27. Donation $10 appreciated. Reservations here: museumsanfernandovalley.blogspot.com. The Zoom link will be sent upon registration. Email: [email protected]. www.themuseumsfv.org
  • Films.Dance: The Soraya, at Cal State Northridge, and the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, in Beverly Hills, present fifteen international dance films that were filmed during the Covid-19 pandemic. One new film, per 15 weeks, will be shown on Mondays. The fifth presentation: “Edging Normal” (U.S.), 9 a.m. Feb. 22. Free. Upcoming: “Now” (China), March 1; “Dadu” (the Netherlands), March 8. Available to watch at film.dance Facebook: bit.ly/3nZSNPs; on the website: bit.ly/3pGuYxI
  • Autry Museum of the American West: Feb. 20: Register in advance for a virtual screening and watch party of “Los Angeles Plays Itself” (2003, documentary), 4-7 p.m. Watch the film on kanopy.com (use your library card to access) and follow the live Twitter watch party using the hashtag #LAonFilm. More details and to register here: bit.ly/3tLvpcs. Also, check the museum’s Facebook for updates and online offerings including “Crocheting the Collection” classes: bit.ly/3jkTq3U. theautry.org/AutryOnline
  • Museum of Contemporary Art: Feb. 21: “For Families” workshop that includes a look at “Carpet Angel,” a large-scale sculpture by Nari Ward that was created by using recycled carpet and plastics, an art activity and tips for adults on talking to children about art, 1 p.m. Register in advance for the Zoom event: bit.ly/3qsi1bk. www.moca.org/program/for-families-5; www.moca.org
  • Skirball Cultural Center: Feb. 27: “Skirball Stages,” a concert by Joachim Cooder (with special guest Ry Cooder) and Amythyst Kiah and a behind-the-scenes look at the music makers, 8 p.m. Streams for free on YouTube with a reservation: skirball.org/skirball-stages. Museum exhibit: “Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope,” photography by Lynsey Addario and stories based on the book of the same name by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, through May 31. skirball.org
  • Petersen Automotive Museum: Feb. 28: “Virtual Ferrari Cruise-in,” co-presented by the Ferrari Club of America, Southwest Region, at 8 a.m. Museum exhibits on YouTube: “Tour of Actor Steve McQueen’s 1956 Jaguar XKSS” here: bit.ly/3nJ44EB. “Aston Martin DB4 Zagato Show Car” here: bit.ly/2WC7Zar. “Ultimate Supercar Collection Tour” here: bit.ly/2HYjy7X. “Full Peterson Collection Tour” here: bit.ly/34g9RcR. Online activities and education on cars for all ages: bit.ly/3fWe7mq. www.petersen.org
  • California African American Museum: See a sampling of current exhibits online: “Nikita Gale: Private Dancer.” “Sanctuary: Recent Acquisitions to the Permanent Collection.” “Sula Bermúdez-Silverman: Neither Fish, Flesh, Nor Fowl.” Upcoming: “Rights and Rituals: The Making of African American Debutante Culture.” Check the museum’s Facebook (bit.ly/3oq0tLa) or the website for updates on museum re-opening. 600 State Drive (in Exposition Park), Los Angeles. caamuseum.org/exhibitions
  • Craft in America Center: “Making Waves: Ocean Ecology & Craft,” a group show of artwork that reflects the natural underwater world and the challenges of water pollution. Exhibit runs through June 19. View the exhibit on the website. The center is in Los Angeles. 323-951-0610. www.craftinamerica.org/center
  • Japan House Los Angeles: New: “Nature/Supernature: Visions of This World and Beyond in Japanese Woodblock Prints,” through May 31. The exhibit has three sections: Woodblock printing shows the history and process of the technique; Nature shows Japanese landscapes; Supernature has supernatural images including animals, deities, demons, ghosts and trickster figures. View the online exhibit here: www.japanhousela.com/exhibitions/nature-supernature. www.japanhouse.jp/losangeles
  • Svetlana Smolina – Classical Concerts on the Hill: The pianist performs music by Rachmaninoff and A. Scriabin, 2 p.m. Feb. 21. The concert is presented by Hillcrest Center for the Arts in Thousand Oaks. Tickets $15; $20. A link to watch on YouTube will be sent by email after payment. bit.ly/3av1nm0
  • New West Symphony – Global Sounds, Local Cultures: Michael Christie conducts the symphony in “A Tour of China” program with mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, Wu Man (pipa musician) and Hong Wang (erhu musician), 3 p.m. Feb. 28. Tickets $25 (also includes “Pre-Concert Talk,” with UCLA senior lecturer David Ravetch, 6 p.m. Feb. 25, and “Cultural Insights,” 7 p.m. Feb. 26, and “Meet the Artists” talk, 7 p.m. Feb. 27). Purchase from here: sforce.co/3anMnGq. 805-497-5800. Email: [email protected]. Watch online newwestsymphony.org
  • Odyssey – Race & Racism: Actor-playwright-screenwriter Levy Lee Simon presents stories from his parents on growing up in “Jim Crow” south and his own stories about dealing with racism, 6 p.m. Feb. 18. Tickets $15.99. Part of Whitefire Theatre’s Solofest 2021 (through March 27). 818-687-8559. www.whitefiretheatre.com
  • Risk! True Tales, Boldy Told: Kevin Allison hosts true stories by Ray Christian-Dickens, Dave Emanuel, Jenice Matias and Gabriel Pages, 4 p.m. Feb. 19. The event will be part of the 2021 “First Person Arts Anthology Festival.” Tickets $29. Register here for the live show on Zoom (a link will be emailed): risk-show.com/tour. risk-show.com/about-us/
  • Love, Locs and Liberation: A play written and performed by Ella Turrene, 6 p.m. Feb. 19. Tickets $15.99. Part of Whitefire Theatre’s Solofest 2021 (through March 27). 818-687-8559. www.whitefiretheatre.com
  • Unhidden Figures: The Group Rep presents new short plays celebrating African-American women, 8 p.m. Feb. 22. Free/donations appreciated. Watch on Facebook here: bit.ly/3f8HjpU or YouTube here: www.youtube.com/thegrouprep. Plays and playwrights for the festival and to donate: thegrouprep.com/show/unhidden-figures/
  • A Risky Evening from Theatre 40: The Beverly Hills-based theater company presents two plays: “On the Harmfulness of Tobacco,” written by Anton Chekhov and performed by David Hunt Stafford, and also “Nine Point Eight Meters per Second Per Second,” written by Pete Barry and performed by Daniel Leslie, 7 p.m. Feb. 24. Free/donations appreciated (theatre40.org). Watch on Zoom here: bit.ly/3u87nsn. www.facebook.com/Theatre40
  • UnRavelled: A new drama by Jake Broder about the late Canadian painter Anne Adams, French composer Maurice Ravel and the rare brain disease that they both suffered from but that also increased their creativity, 4 p.m. Feb. 25 and 9 a.m. March 3. Register for either of the two dates that also include a live seminar after the play; free. The play is co-presented by the Global Brain Health Institute that researches dementia and other brain health-related issues. The play will be available to watch through March 31. www.unravelledplay.com
  • Pandora: A reading of the play by Laurel Ollstein based on the “Pandora’s Box” myth, 5 p.m. Feb. 26. Free. Register in advance for the password. The event is part of the theater program at the Getty Villa Museum. www.getty.edu/museum/programs/performances/pandora.html
  • Wild at Hart – A Tale of Trauma and Triumph: A play written and performed by Kamakshi Hart, 7 p.m. Feb. 26. Tickets $15.99. Part of Whitefire Theatre’s Solofest 2021 (through March 27). 818-687-8559. www.whitefiretheatre.com
  • The Moth presents Pacific Mainstage – Great Expectations: Jonathan Ames hosts with true personal stories on the theme by Michael Fischer, Stephen James and Aida Rodriguez, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27. Tickets $15. themoth.org/events/the-moth-virtual-mainstage. https://themoth.org/
  • Under Construction – The Full Lengths: The Road Theatre Co. presents staged readings of plays by the Under Construction Playwrights Group: “The Caregiver’s Guide,” by Jami Brandli; “The Play You Want,” by Bernardo Cubria; “here comes the night,” by Lisa Kenner Grissom; “Setting the Table,” by Velina Hasu Houston; “Ladyville,” by Aja Houston; “Whiskey and Hooch,” by Carlos Lacámara; “Third Person,” by Jennifer Maisel; “The Skeleton Flower,” by Elizabeth Sampson; “adaptation.resilience,” by Jennie Webb. Tickets $15. Watch through Feb. 22. www.roadtheatre.org/live
  • Who I Am: Theatre West presents seven actor-writers discussing what Black History Month means to them. The cast: Karen Bankhead, James A. Goins, Angel Guice, Andrew Lloyd Preston, Shalonda Reese, Levy Lee Simon, Kevin Tomlinson. Free/donations welcome. Available to watch through Feb. 28 on YouTube here: bit.ly/3aN4ODi. theatrewest.org

Submit calendar listings at least two weeks in advance to [email protected]. 818-713-3708.

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