December 14, 2017:
The Brain Art Event is the official fundraiser hosted by The Chiari Project. All types of media is included in this group art exhibition. This benefit event will not only support talented artists in the area, but assist a worthwhile cause where the majority of the funds raised will be directed towards Chiari Malformation research. The celebration will feature a silent online auction of the 25+ pieces, live entertainment, cocktails, Tastings of Santa Monica, which will feature a variety of servings from local chefs. Also, there will be health awareness educators on hand providing Art Therapy and Meditation sessions to all guests on hand for a life changing impact.

See FB Page. Admission is $35; Art Benefit Party: 6:30-10pm; Santa Monica Art Studios, 3026 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, California 90405;

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December 14, 2017:
In Santa Monica…Join Building Bridges Art Exchange, in partnership with KAI 10 Arthena Foundation, for the screening of Ornament & Obsession, a film developed through the interdisciplinary program “Neues Rheinland,” and initiated by the Goethe-Institut Paris.Screening: 7-9pm; BUILDING BRIDGES ART EXCHANGE, Bergamot Station Arts Center, 2525 Michigan Ave., F2, Santa Monica, 90404; http://www.buildingbridgesartexchange.org/

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December 14, 2017:
In Venice…Head to LA Louver for a lively conversation about the Science of Color with Los Angeles-based artist HEATHER GWEN MARTIN and neuropsychologist/artist GERSHOM on how brain functions inform our perception of color. The discussion will center on Martin’s colorful approach to abstract painting, contextualized within her solo exhibition “Currents.” On view: January 6, 2018; Art Talk: 7-9pm; L.A. Louver, 45 N Venice Blvd, Venice, California 90291; http://lalouver.com/

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December 14, 2017:
The Perfect Exposure Gallery presents “London Rock: The Unseen Archive – Vintage Collection” featuring the photography by Alec Byrne. Book Signing & Art Party: 7-10pm; The Perfect Exposure Gallery, 1125 Crenshaw Blvd., LA, 90019; http://alecbyrnearchive.com/

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December 15, 2017:
The Hannah Hoffman Gallery hosts an opening reception for a solo exhibition titled “LAKOU: One Two Five” featuring the art of Andy Robert. On view: February 17, 2018; Art Party: 5-8pm
; Hannah Hoffman, 1010 N Highland Ave., LA, 90038; http://hannahhoffmangallery.com/

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December 16, 2017:
Join Bergamot Station Arts Center to celebrate the holiday. Support local businesses this holiday season–Bergamot Station’s creative community boasts limitless gifts for everyone on your list! Shop Bergamot this December! Bergamot Station Arts Center, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica 90405; http://bergamotstation.com

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December 16, 2017:
“6 Women” – A Group Exhibition opens at Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts Gallery B.

Women have found a Universal voice in the news these days. Their stories ache to be told. Stirred by recent events, six award winning, dynamic women artists have joined together to reveal aspects of their inner selves in an uplifting exhibition “6 Women” in Gallery B of the Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts gallery in Downtown L.A. The show opens December 6th followed by a Reception on Sat., Dec. 16th. The featured artists are Susanne Belcher, Elizabeth Brinton, Sylvia Hamiliton Goulden, Karen Hansen, Crystal Michaelson, and Carol Cirillo Stanley. On view: December 6-30, 2017; Art Party: 6 – 9pm; Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts Gallery B, 727 So. Spring St., Los Angeles 90014; 323-309-2875; http://www.gdcagallery.com/

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December 16, 2017:
Chinatown hosts several art parties tonight from 6-9pm at Coagula Curatorial (974 Chung King Road), and Charlie James Gallery (969 Chung King Road).

Close by, Nous Tous Gallery hosts a pop-up exhibition, “WINTER DREAM.” The event sponsor, Jagermeister, will provide cocktails, beer, and wine. Art Party: 7-11pm; Nous Tous Gallery, 454b Jung Jing Road , LA 90012; 

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December 16, 2017:
Gabba Gallery is hosting its annual “Wishlist 5” closing event!  The show opened in November and as sales happen, the exhibition  has gone through a series of curatorial evolutions since. Time to get your holiday gifts – Everything is under $1000, and you get to take it home that night. DJ Jonathan Williams spinning fresh beats, and amazing tacos served outside. No RSVP required. Parking at 3125 Beverly (enter off Dillon) or street parking or Uber/Lyft; Art party: 7-11pm; Gabba Gallery, 3126 Beverly Blvd. http://www.gabbagallery.com

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December 16, 2017:
In Venice…Enjoy Solstice Salon, an open studio, winter art party, and art sale. Artists William Attaway, Liz Marx, and Francisco Letelier come together to share work and welcome friends and collectors with reasonably priced and one of a kind works in a wide range of media. Come early if you are looking for gifts. Bring your favorite refreshments or drinks to share. Art Party: 4:00pm – Midnight; Letelier Studio is ¼ block west on Indiana Court (alley) from 6th Ave. between Brooks Ave and Indiana Ave. Look for the Dog mural at 6th and Brooks Ave.

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December 19, 2017:
As Hanukkah comes to a close…IVAN Gallery warmly invites you to HANUKKAH ART PARTY 2017! “Hanukkah Wonderland” Sculpture Sale and Paintings by Barbara Mendes; Art by Leslie Elizarraras, Arnold Lutz, Dan Hupe and Barbara Maricle. Enjoy art, refreshments, candle-lighting and community. Art Party: 7-10pm; IVAN Gallery, 2701 S. Robertson Blvd., LA 90034; (323) 533-6021; 

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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…
As you know, LAArtParty.com is taking a break over the holiday (we will be back January 5, 2018). Over the holiday, I want to encourage and REMIND everyone (including myself) to take a break. Being a workaholic, this is super hard for me as well. Life is short – let’s embrace it!

Head to the LA Zoo & Botanical Gardens, and enjoy the annual Reindeer Romp is back for the holidays at the Los Angeles Zoo featuring Reindeer Village and daily visits with real reindeer.

Photo courtesy of the LA Zoo

Weekend Romps include professional photos with Santa (additional fee), antler crafts in Reindeer Village, and reindeer keeper talks. The reindeer will be on view 10-4pm. daily through Jan. 7, 2018. While your there stay to see L.A. Zoo Lights…it’s a fantastic light show. The zoo is closed on Christmas Day. The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways, at 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027; Free parking is available; http://www.lazoo.org/

Take in some fine art at local museums. We are so lucky to live in a city that is FILLED with wonderful art institutions such as LACMA, the Hammer Museum, the Broad, MOCA, Hauser & Wirth, and the Skirball Cultural Center.

Let’s not forget about theatre. See one of our Top Ten Events – Something Rotten! at the Ahmanson Theatre. This is a fantastic musical. I attended the opening night with one of our staff writers…Read the review on our Event Revew Page.  At the Pantages Theatre, catch Hamilton, the musical that ruled last year’s Tony Awards and changed the face of Broadway forever. Runs thru December 30, 2017;

While you are downtown enjoy a delicious meal at CHAYA Downtown…see my article on LAArtParty’s Dining/Travel Page….we have some other fabulous restaurants featured as well.

Also how lucky are we, with this amazing weather, that we can find somewhere to ice skate. Many of you may not know, I starting ice skating when I was just 6 years old and toyed with the idea of attempting to go professional – my skating partner (my brother) just dropped me too many times which helped me change my mind.

Head downtown to the Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square, celebrates its 20th anniversary, in downtown LA. Surrounded by city lights, it made a fantastic romantic or family setting. During the day the views are breathtaking as well.

Photo courtesy of Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square

Open thru: January 15, 2018; Check the website for admission and hours. http://holidayicerinkdowntownla.com/

Or in Santa Monica…take advantage of its holiday pop up 8,000 square-foot ice skating rink located on 5th and Arizona. Head to the beach AND do some skating while you are there…what more could you want? Admission is $15 for all-day skating, which includes skate rental. Find more info on http://www.downtownsm.com/

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If you have not been in Grand Park lately, its fantastic…it is completely lit up with holiday lights and décor. Take a stroll through the park…it features Christmas trees, a reindeer sleigh, and a menorah. Stop by from sunset through 10pm (when the park closes). Before you head downtown, make a reservation at CHAYA Downtown…the food is fantastic.

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December 24, 2017:
As Los Angeles’ largest free multicultural holiday celebration, the 58th annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration invites Angelenos of all ages to come together on December 24 to celebrate all cultures and experience many diverse LA artists and community groups as they showcase their talent and artistry. Visit the website for the full lineup of performances. You can stay home an watch it on PBS SoCal, or see it live at The Music Center, or stream it live onpbssocal.org. FREE admission; Event runs: 3-6pm;The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., LA, 90012; See http://holidaycelebration.org

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Happy Holidays – If you are looking for restaurant options, visit our sister site – EatTravelGo.com – Find Staff Picks on our Destinations Section – Eat/Drink or REVIEWS on our Stories Section – Dining/Drinking

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December 28, 2017:
At Bergamot Station…Pop into Beyond the Lines Gallery for the closing art party of a two person exhibition titled “Motion show” featuring artists Dina Herrmann and Raymond Logan. Art Party: 6-9pm; Beyond the Lines Gallery, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica, CA, 90404; http://beyondthelinesgallery.com/

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December 31, 2017:
If you are looking for a fantastic way to bring in the New Year with the one you love. Upper West Restaurant in Santa Monica will host its New Year’s Eve BASH once again this year. The food is exquisite. Upper West brings the art of dining to a whole new level. The restaurant offers two seatings. The early one from 5-7pm will feature the full menu. Then for the 8-10pm seating, Chef Nick Shipp has planned a delicious four-course prix fixe menu. The second seating also offers a champagne toast $80 per person, plus tax and tip. Enjoy a Dj after 11pm and the Times Square countdown.

The Upper West

CALL NOW to make your reservations. It sells out EVERY YEAR!! Two seatings: 5-7pm – full menu; 2nd seating 8-10pm 4-course prix fixe with champagne toast ($80 per person, plus tax and tip). Upper West, 3321 Pico Blvd Santa Monica CA 90404; (310)586-1111; http://www.theupperwest.com/

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December 31, 2017:
Grand Park + The Music Center’s N.Y.E.L.A. is back. For the fifth year in a row, Grand Park + The Music Center’s N.Y.E.L.A. will be the go-to central gathering place in Los Angeles to bring in the New Year. Dance the night away at this FREE event, and experience interactive motion-graphic activations that you bring to life with your own moves. This unique New Year’s countdown features a 3-D digital video mapping on the iconic City Hall with an integrated light show. Event runs: 8pm-1am; Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., LA, 90012; https://nyela.grandparkla.org/

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December 31, 2017:
Enjoy fun for the whole family on New year’s eve at L.A. Zoo Lights. The special all-ages party features “skip-the-line” express entry to L.A. Zoo Lights, dinner buffet, dessert, a ride on the Conservation Carousel, a festive photo booth courtesy of PRIMs Photo Booth, a DJ dance party, soft drinks and a cash bar. At 9 pm, party-goers can enjoy a glass of complimentary bubbly — champagne for adults, sparkling apple cider for kids – along with a live broadcast of New York’s Times Square ball drop, after which guests are welcome to experience L.A. Zoo Lights until closing.

FAMILY NEW YEAR’S EVE tickets are $69 for adults and $45 for children (limited tix – order now). Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association members save $5. The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways, at 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027, 323-644-4200. Free parking is available. For additional information about L.A. Zoo Lights, call 866-949-8007; http://LAZoolights.org

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Happy New Year – If you are looking for restaurant options, visit our sister site – EatTravelGo.com – Find Staff Picks on our Destinations Section – Eat/Drink or REVIEWS on our Stories Section – Dining/Drinking