I don’t know about you, but the pandemic really transformed my social life. I’ve been going out to less events and my circle of friends that I see on a regular basis has shrunk.

As we move into 2024, I wanted to experiment with a way to break myself out of my shell, and hopefully to rebuild and reconnect my social circle by making an effort to check out events more regularly and share hangout ideas with friends. Hope to see you soon!

- Michael MacDonald

Many years ago, my friend Bruch Chan curated a long-running list of activities, civic actions, and events that were a gesture of his love for Los Angeles, called Bruce’s Buddies. It was great! Bruce was (and is) a kind, energetic, and inspirational figure who constantly brought people together and promoted joy. But then he moved to Pittsburgh and started saying things like “yinz” and “dahntahn.” Boo!

I’ll try to do this on a regular basis (weekly? bi-weekly? we’ll see), and I know how full my email box is so I won’t be offended at all if you unsubscribe because you don’t need the inbox clutter. But if you’re down, I’ll aim to share cool things that are going around and hopefully we’ll get more opportunities to hang out.

Have suggestions for next week? Please let me know! [email protected]

FRIDAY, 12/8 - SUNDAY, 12/10
Sparkleblob’s Flailin’ Wassailin’ Tale of Jubilation
Friday, Dec. 8th – 8pm (opening night)
Saturday, Dec. 9th – 5pm and 8pm
Sunday, Dec. 10th – 4pm and 7pm
The Broadwater Black Box Theater
6322 Santa Monica Blvd, Hollywood
$28 (tickets)
Lead puppeteer and director Julianna Parr’s all ages but decidedly adult-friendly holiday show is one of the most amazing events of the year, and is by far my favorite holiday tradition. After a short hiatus during the pandemic, the show returned last year and thankfully is here to stay. Once described as “Puppet Voltron in the tradition of PeeWee’s Playhouse and H.R. Pufnstuf,” every season promises a wonderful window into the ongoings of Santa Gorn and friends with a live band, puppets, singing, snacks, and a guaranteed quality distraction from the outside world. It’s the perfect way to kick off the holiday season and get you in a festive mood. I’m going Sunday at 7pm.

FRIDAY 12/8
Knowreality Pie Reopens
1578 Colorado Blvd, Eagle Rock
10am ribbon cutting (open til 7pm unless they run out)
The best pie shop I’ve been to briefly closed in October after losing their previous lease but is back starting on Friday at a new location. Flavor options are wildberry, dutch apple, caramel mango rum, cherry plum, tripple berry cabernet… look, just trust me that they’re all going to be really delicious.

Deafheaven performing “Sunbather”
The Novo, LA Live
8pm
$40 (tickets)
If you like melodic loud screamo music, this is the show for you. If you don’t stay as far away as you can. But please bring ear plugs if you do go, those ears are delicate.

Codeine
The Echo, Echo Park
7pm
$30 (tickets)
The early 90s NYC slowcore heroes have reformed for a tour based on the success of a recent reissue by The Numero Group. It’ll be some sweet sounds.

SATURDAY 12/9
LAFC in the MLS Cup Final
1pm-3pm
TV Options: Fox 11, free on AppleTV+ (link)
Watch Party Option: The Greyhound, Highland Park (more options)
Free!
Los Angeles Football Club was last year’s Major League Soccer Champion and is miraculously back in the single-game final, aiming to be the first back-to-back MLS winner in a decade in a league that financially handicaps winning teams in an effort to promote competition. Coach Steve Cherundolo’s team plays a pragmatic, defensive game anchored by Giorgio Chiellini, the charming 39 year old Italian uncle that you wish you had, while speedy French-Gabonese star Denis Bouanga will lead the attack against the Columbus Crew. Let’s bring the cup home to LA!

Altadena’s Christmas Tree Lane on Santa Rosa Ave
Altadena Public Library
3pm-9pm
Free!
The 103rd anniversary lighting ceremony of the locally famous Christmas Tree Lane will kick off at the Altadena Public Library starting at 3pm. The light show runs every night during December and January from 5:30pm until 10pm. You can walk it, but if you drive through, try driving southward from Altadena Drive toward Woodbury Road.

SUNDAY 12/10
Some Like It Hot
Vidiots, Eagle Rock
6pm
$12 (tickets)
Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemon in the original 1959 bosom buddies comedy. Vidiots is such a cool and affordable theater, and they serve beer and wine!