| The theater is so endlessly endlessly fascinating because it's so accidental.
It's so much like life. Arthur Miller |
The First Star I See Tonight
UCLA Live
Thanks to Artistic Director, David Sefton, UCLA Live is like having the whole world of the arts brought to our fair city–sparing you that annoying travel agent and lost luggage. Music, dance, drama and spoken word fill three different stages on the UCLA campus with first rate artists.
Every season appears more eclectic than the last: a cine-concert featuring documentary filmmaker, Werner Herzog; the Master Musicians of Jajouka who hail from a small ancient village in Morocco; tango from the Argentinean dancer Guillermina Quiroga and our own favorite sardonic author/humorist, David Sedaris are just a few worth mentioning.
If you are more the subscriber type, UCLA Live offers you series subscriptions and flexible ticket exchanges too. Be sure to go to their website, join the mailing list and stay in tune with their upcoming seasons. Don't blame us if your water cooler gab takes a "So last night I caught this Serbian gypsy band..." turn.
| Cost | Ticket prices vary - appoximately $20 to $70 depending on the show |
| Website | http://www.uclalive.org/ |
| Telephone | (310) 825-2101 |
| Reservations | Yes.
UCLA Central Ticket Office: Mon - Fri, 10:00 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sat - Sun, 10 a.m. -2:00 p.m. |
| Parking | Parking Structure depends on show's theatre venue; Royce Hall, Parking Structure 4 - Freud Playhouse, Parking Structure 3, Shoenberg Hall Parking Structure 2. All parking is $9.00 |
| Dress code | Upscale |
Wilshire
Sometimes the best star sightings are the actual stars. Welcome to one of the most magical and coveted patio spaces in town. Thomas Schoos' chic, two-tiered space is complete with private rooms, patio tables, pine trees, fire pits and a bar lit primarily by candles. Feeling romantic yet?
Pair the ambiance with organic California cuisine by Andrew Kirschner (Table 8), a stellar wine selection and a dessert menu that includes Wilshire's version of s'mores (chocolate cremieux, honey ice cream - a nice twist) and you may be asking yourself what took you so long to go west of the 405.
Tip: Prix fixe meals are happening now for lunch everyday and dinner, Monday through Thursday, with dishes such as miso marinated black cod, braised shortribs and lobster bisque. You can also check out Happy Hour which takes place from 5pm -7pm, Monday through Saturday and includes dishes featured from the bar menu as well as seasonal cocktails.
| Price range | $$$ |
| Location | 2454 Wilshire Blvd (near corner of 25th Street)
Santa Monica, CA 90403 view map |
| Hours | Dinner Hours: Mon - Sat: 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 pm, Sun: 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (Summer Only)
Late Night/Bar Menu: Mon - Wed: 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Thurs - Sat: 6 p.m. - 12:00 p.m. Lunch Hours: Mon - Fri: 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. |
| Website | http://www.wilshirerestaurant.com/ |
| Telephone | (310) 586-1707 |
| Takes Reservations | Yes |
| Parking | Valet: $4.00 at lunch, $6.00 at dinner |
| Type of Cuisine | Contemporary California |
| Outdoor seating | Yes |
| Payment | Credit Cards |
| Dress code | Upscale |
$ Thrifty, under $10
$$ Middle of the Road, $11 - $30
$$$ Gettin' up there, $31 - $60
$$$$ Go baby go, $61-100
$$$$$ Big spender, over $100.