Monster Truck Tour Roars Into SoCal

What once started as a sideshow attraction at tractor pulling events in the United States has become one of the most popular family entertainment destinations around. This is a fast action, high octane-fueled, family-friendly fun, a mixture of racing and showmanship. It’s an experience. More than 4 million fans attend each year.

The larger-than-life monster trucks face off in two different kinds of competition: high-speed racing and best of freestyle. Monster Jam freestyle is the result of decades of evolutionary technical advances. During Monster Jam freestyle performances, drivers push their 1,500 horsepower motors and high-impact suspensions to the limit with death-defying jumps, stunts and frenzied maneuvering. Points are awarded by judges to the best use of creativity, style and degree of skill during the 90-second freestyle performances.

This year’s Monster Jam includes the world premiere debut of the all-new Hispanic truck “El Diablo,” named by the Monster Jam fans themselves during an online poll in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The El Diablo Monster Jam truck driver, Jean Paul, was born and raised in Southern California and has a background as a professional stuntman and stunt driver and with off-road racing.

Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam

Angel Stadium – Jan. 12 and 26, Feb. 9

2000 East Gene Autry Way

Anaheim, CA 92806

(714) 940-2000

Qualcomm Stadium – Jan. 26

9449 Friars Rd

San Diego, CA 92108

(619) 641-3100

More info: www.monsterjam.com

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS

REVENGE TOUR

The world famous Harlem Globetrotters, featuring some of the greatest athletes and entertainers on the planet, will bring their unrivaled family show, the 2015 “Washington Generals Revenge Tour,” to the Greater Los Angeles Area for nine games at six different arenas from Friday, Feb. 6 through Monday, Feb. 16.

The Globetrotters will face a great challenge this year, as the infamous Washington Generals are more determined than ever to beat the Globetrotters.  The Generals are on a mission and will do whatever it takes to win.  They plan to evoke a new strategy that is sure to give the Globetrotters a run for their money, despite the Globetrotters’ 98.7 winning percentage and over 25,000 wins since 1926.

Known worldwide as the Ambassadors of Goodwill™, the Globetrotters will honor a “Hometown Hero” at each of their 310-plus games in North America.  The team is searching for active, wounded or retired members of the military who have made their community proud with their brave service and exemplary character.  Fans can nominate “Hometown Heroes” at harlemglobetrotters.com.  The Globetrotters will also play a portion of each game with a camouflage basketball as a sign of respect to all who protect our freedom.

Tickets are now available at harlemglobetrotters.com and the respective arena box offices.  Information on group and scout tickets can also be found at harlemglobetrotters.com. A partnership with Metro allows riders to receive a $7 discount on select seats by showing their Metro transit receipt/pass at the box office or by using the promo code METRO when purchasing online.

Citizens Business Bank Arena

909-244-5500

Friday, Feb. 6 at 7:00pm

4000 East Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario, CA 91764

Galen Center

213-740-4672

Saturday, Feb. 7 at 1:00pm

3400 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90089

Saddleback College Gym

Monday, Feb. 9 at 7:00pm

28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA 92692

Santa Barbara UCSB Events Center

Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 7:00pm

UC Santa Barbara, Building 505

Honda Center 714-704-2500

Saturday, Feb. 14 at 1:00pm, 7:00pm and Monday, Feb. 16 at 2:00pm

2695 East Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92806

STAPLES Center 213-742-7300

Sunday, Feb. 15 at 12:30pm and 5:45pm

1111 East Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Junior Chef: Kids Cooking Class “Finger Foods” @ Williams-Sonoma Sherman Oaks /Topanga Mall

Saturday, January 24

Where: Topanga Canyon Mall 6600 Topanga Canyon Boulevard. Canoga Park, CA 91303

When: 10:00 AM

Who: Suitable for ages 5-13

How: Call (818) 703-9394 to make a reservation

Cost: Free

the Whaddup:

At William Sonoma, they’re going to show your kids you how fun and easy cooking can be: Learn to make delicious recipes, from main courses to desserts and snacks, with plenty of tasting along the way.

This week: In this class, it’s A-OK to eat with your fingers—no forks required! They’ll teach you how to make scrumptious finger foods that are great for snacks, lunch and dinner. What could be more fun? Suitable for ages 9–13.

For more info: More Info (818) 703-9394

Last Weekends of the Month @ Skirball

Saturday, January 24 through Sunday, January 25

Where: Skirball Cultural Center 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90049

When: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Who: The whole family

How: Drop in anytime during regular Museum hours; last entry at 4:30 p.m.

Cost: Free with museum admission.

the Whaddup:

Bring the whole family to the Skirball’s Last Weekends of the Month.

In January: Make your own contribution to the imaginative exhibition Forest, For the Trees. Stroll through the magical “forest” made of yarn, then work with Yarn Bombing Los Angeles to create your own flora and fauna out of felt, thread stitching, and markers to add to the installation.

For more info: More Info

Snow @ The LA Zoo

Saturday, January 24

Where: The L.A. Zoo

When: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Who: The whole family

How: Just show up

Cost: Included in museum admission

the Whaddup:

Even in SoCal, Winter is here—and if you’re looking for some of the cold stuff to make it feel complete, for two days in January, special Zoo residents will have their habitats transformed by blankets of snow. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to view these inquisitive creatures exploring a wintry wonderland. Zoo visitors will also have the chance to frolic in the snow. Bring your mittens and join in the fun—you could win cool prizes!

For more info: More Info

Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails @ Discovery Cube Los Angeles

Saturday, January 24 through Sunday, April 26

Where: Discovery Cube Los Angeles 11800 Foothill Blvd. Sylmar,

When: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Check website for daily hours

Who: Everyone

How: Buy tickets online or at the door

Cost: Included in museum admission. $10 / Children Under 2 FREE.

the Whaddup:

Hop on board and discover the engineer within! Travel to the Island of Sodor where imaginations charge full steam ahead in Thomas & Friends™: Explore the Rails, a hands-on STEM exhibit based on the adventures of everyone’s favorite blue engine, Thomas, his engine friends and the Island of Sodor’s iconic locations: Knapford Station, Sodor Steamworks and much more. Help Thomas and his friends solve a variety of challenges, from simple sorting and shape identification to more complex engineering obstacles.

For more info: More Info

Join the Critter Club On a Cold Weather Quest

when: Jan 24 at 10 a.m. & 11 a.m.

where:     Exposition Park, Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles

cost: $5-$12

ages: 3-5

the Whaddup:

Birds fly south for the winter, but what do turtles do? Help find winter habitats for animal friends.

The Saturday class is free with paid Museum admission.  No reservations required, but tickets are very limited, so arrive early.

more info: visit website

Sketch Your Own (Western) Adventure

when: Jan 25 at 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

where: Griffith Park, The Autry National Center, 2700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, Ca

cost: $4-$10

ages: All Ages

the Whaddup:

Create and take home a family sketchbook filled with stories and images from your adventures in the West. Where have you lived? What kind of animals have you seen? What was your favorite trip? To the beach? The desert? The mountains? Share your ideas and memories using re-purposed art materials.

more info:  visit website

Calling All Techies: Dissect A Computer

when: Jan 24 at noon & 3 p.m.

where: Columbia Memorial Space Center, 12400 Columbia Way, Downey, Ca

cost: $5

ages: 7 & up

the Whaddup:

The fourth Saturday of every month offers an extra treat of knowledge for all guests in attendance- today’s topic is computers.  Do you know what makes them work? Open up a computer and learn about what makes them work!

more info: visit website

Watch ‘Em Bust A Move

when: Jan 25 at 2 p.m.

where: Smothers Theatre at Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, Ca

cost: $17-$35

ages: 4 & up

the Whaddup:

Miss Funk and Breeze-lee lead the Versa Style Dance company—made up of some of the hippest street dancers—in L.A. as they bust a move and spread their love of dance to the world. The energetic and uplifting show features hip-hop specialties like popping, locking, breaking, and house, along with salsa, West African, and merengue.

more info: visit website

WESTFIELD CENTURY CITY HOSTING GREENSPAN’S GRILLED CHEESE POP UP PLAYDATE

Restaurants in West LA

When: Thursday 01/22/2015

Time(s): 3pm – 5pm

Address: 10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90067

Cost: Free

the Whaddup:

Celebrity chef Eric Greenspan will be hosting our monthly playdate in celebration of his Pop Up at Westfield Century City. Bring the little ones by to get creative with ingredients and craft custom mini-sandwiches. And don’t worry if the culinary experiment is a flop — the Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese Pop Up is right upstairs!

more info:  Website Link

[ALOUD] FILM TALK w/Patton Oswalt

Friday at 7:30 pm,

the Whaddup: presents the program Silver Screen Fiend: Learning About Life from an Addiction to Film—An Evening with Patton Oswalt. The comedian and actor will be in conversation with writer, director and brother Matt Oswalt discussing Patton’s new memoir about his life as a film nut. Tickets: $39.50 and include a copy of the book. This event is being held at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills and not the Central Library.

Zombie Joe’s Underground

Holds its 14th Annual 50 Hour Drive-by Theatre Festival from Jan. 24-26. They’ll present five all-new mini-plays that were all written, directed and performed in two days. The shows run each evening (Saturday, Sunday at Monday at 8:30 pm.) Tickets: $15.

Coming Soon:

Theater in Griffith Park

When: 1/31/2015 10:30 am – 11:30 am

Where: 2333 Fern Dell Place, Los Angeles, CA 90068

Phone: 818-324-6802

Cost: 15.00

Reservations suggested: 818-324-6802

Ages 2-10

the Whaddup:

Deep within the forest where the friggle flowers grow, wondrous faeries can be found! Will you help Auntie Angelica find the faery door into Faeryland? Join this fun and gentle quest through the forest, meet the faery folke and become part of the story in this interactive original show. The shows are for boys and girls, and the young-at-heart. Please feel free to wear your faery best costume!

more info: Website