Michele Stueven

Once known as the famous International Ballet School West, the brick building tucked away on Montana Avenue that launched the careers of famous prima ballerinas has been transformed and into one of the most intriguing new bars and restaurants in Santa Monica at The Courtyard Kitchen.

Coming up on Saturday, Nov. 16 and Sunday, Nov. 17 at Nya East, Vulture Festival will bring fans a studio full of actors in conversation, screenings, sing-alongs, and other surprises featuring Elizabeth Olson, Katt Williams, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Jonathan Groff, Padma Lakshmi, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Quinta Brunson, Julio Torres, the casts of The Simpsons and Looking, and more.

GO Campaign is returning its two-day ICONS of DESIGN weekend, where art, fashion, and craftsmanship meet philanthropy. The charity event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 16, and Sunday, Nov. 17, at Hagerty Garage and Social. All of the net proceeds will directly support GO Campaign’s efforts to help vulnerable children in Southern California and around the world.

The new Kasee’s Art Gallery will debut with its first exhibition, Eruption, featuring artists JMikal Davis, Alejandro Gehry, Bob Landström, and Kasee Shambora and will be on view from Sunday, Nov. 17, through Saturday, Dec. 14.

San Laurel is kicking off the holidays with a special evening featuring world-famous chef José Andrés and his team at the Conrad Hotel in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The evening includes passed seasonal bites, hand-carved jamón, curated cocktails, and a live paella station on San Laurel’s terrace with views of Walt Disney Concert Hall. Tickets are $295, available here.

The former Ace Hotel and Ace Theater in downtown L.A.’s historic core has been transformed into the STILE Downtown Los Angeles with new additions, including a revamped rooftop splash pool, lobby lounge Happy Hour, and a hip wine bar on the rooftop, Sauced L.A.

The crowning glory atop the newly renovated Fairmont Breakers Long Beach Hotel is the historic Sky Room restaurant, which re-opens this week after closing its doors in 2018.

Whether you’re staying in or trotting out for Thanksgiving, here are some ideas to make the most of the fall holiday.

Who needs an advent calendar when you have 20 Days of Sides at Baby Blues BBQ? In honor of its 20 th anniversary, the Venice BBQ joint will offer free sides from Sunday, Dec. 1 through Friday, Dec. 20. A minimum spend of $15 is required per order.

Haagua is a short film that is making its Los Angeles debut at the LA Skins Film Festival at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday, Nov. 24. The documentary captures the powerful and culturally rich story and reintroduction of an Indigenous people back to their natural ecosystem that serves as a reckoning for a new generation.