The Bucket List | December 2014

Carolina Bonetti

December is upon us here in Los Angeles and with it comes a bevy of festive events you shouldn’t miss this holiday season.  There is something for everyone to enjoy whether you spend the day at The Holiday Ice Rink in downtown LA or head to Universal Studios to discover the movie magic in your everyday life. Come along as we at Entertainment Voice highlight your “must-dos” for your holiday activity checklist.

Holidays at Disneyland | Ongoing through Jan. 6
Nothing brings the magic of the holidays alive like the Magic Kingdom. Whether you’re a Disney kid at heart, or your friends and relatives are in town, this is one stop you need to put at the top of your to-do list. Disney brings the night alive with a special holiday edition of their famed “World of Color” now titled “Winter Dreams” for the holidays at their California Adventure park. Make a stop by It’s A Small World, which will feature holiday traditions from around the globe. If you want a little spook in your holidays, stop by their Haunted Mansion Holiday ride. Disneyland provides something for everyone, so bring a little awe and magic into your life this December.

Audra McDonald at Walt Disney Hall | Dec. 2
With her renown performances on Broadway including “Ragtime,” “Raisin in the Sun” and “Porgy and Bess,” Audra McDonald is a true Broadway powerhouse. She’s made history by winning her sixth Tony award this year and is coming to you live for one night only.

Jingle Ball at The Staples Center | Dec. 5
One of the most highly anticipated concert events of the year is KISS FM’s Jingle Ball. Among the plethora of A-list musicians, you can still anticipate surprise guests. Shake off the night with Taylor Swift, prepare to be happy with Pharrell, or love even harder with the pint-sized singing powerhouse that is Ariana Grande. Don’t miss out on this Staples Center holiday tradition!

Chrissie Hynde at Pantages | Dec. 6
Best-known as the lead singer The Pretenders, Chrissie Hynde is performing for one night only at The Pantages Theater. Aside from singing, Hynde is an accomplished guitarist whose riffs will leave you wanting more.

Sips and Sweets | Dec. 7
Do you love music, food, shopping and mixology? Of course you do, that’s why you’re going to head to downtown LA, Sunday Dec. 7 from 2-5 p.m. to make a day of it. LA Weekly presents the ultimate shopping and foodie experience to finish all your holiday shopping needs in one fell swoop. Sips and Sweets is being held at The Majestic and The Reserve in downtown LA for one day only. Make sure to get there early and take advantage of all the perks and surprises that are sure to be in store for customers.

The ALTimate Rooftop Christmas Party | Dec. 8
Los Angeles’ alternative station 98.7 is bringing some high profile artists to their holiday bash this year for The ALTimate Rooftop Christmas Party on Dec. 8. The radio station reached everywhere to gather artists that range from household names in music to newcomers that will own the charts in the coming year. Chart Toppers like Fitz and the Tantrums, Cold War Kids, The Neighbourhood and veterans to the scene Bush will join Glass Animals, Banks and Robert DeLong as they all bring their talent to the W in Hollywood for an intimate affair on the rooftop of the hotel.

James Blake | Dec. 9
This Brit has been on fire this past year. James Blake is mostly known for his ability to remix popular hit songs as “Harmonimix.” His latest remix hit is Gorillaz massive single “Feel Good Inc.” With the success of his last album, “Overgrown,” James Blake has announced that he’s seventy percent done with its follow up, so be prepared to hear some new music as well as his hits.

Wicked at the Pantages | Dec. 10, 2014 – March 15, 2015
What’s been dubbed “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” is heading back to The Pantages Theatre on Dec. 10. “Wicked” gained huge notoriety when it debuted in 2003 and made Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth household names. Over a decade later, it’s still selling out theaters across the world as it tells the story of the witches, Glinda the Good and Elphaba, behind “The Wizard of Oz”. With multiple Tony Awards and a Grammy under its belt, “Wicked” has shown no signs of slowing down. “Wicked” will be running the through March 2015 to add to the some 30 million who have already seen the show over the years.

Phillip Phillips | Dec. 11
The people have spoken! Phillip Phillips is the reigning crowned champion of American Idol’s eleventh season. As one of the most successful winners, he has toured with some of the biggest names in the business and his single, “Home,” is multi-platinum. Don’t miss this show to hear more off his new album, “Behind the Light.”

Jhené Aiko | Dec. 12
While she may have started her career as a back-up vocalist for B2K, Jhené Aiko is now the center of attention. Make sure to experience one or both of her shows at Club Nokia this December to hear tracks off her new album, “Souled Out,” released back in September.

25th Annual KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas | Dec. 13 + 14
The World Famous KROQ is closing out the year with their Annual Almost Acoustic Christmas event on Dec. 13 and 14 at The Forum in Inglewood. It’s a new venue for the show as their usual space, Gibson Amphitheatre, closed down last year. No matter the location, it’s a two-night show that leaves rock fans breathless. The first night will lay it down heavy with old school favorites like Linkin Park, Incubus and Bush with some new faces like New Politics and Royal Blood filling out the bill. Then night two softens it up with Imagine Dragons, Modest Mouse, Weezer and No Doubt who stepped in last minute for U2.

Los Angeles Ballet’s The Nutcracker | Dec. 13+14
This timeless ballet by Tchaikovsky comes to life for only two nights at the historic Dolby Theatre this December. Unarguably the most iconic of Christmas traditions is the little nutcracker that takes Clara on an adventure that will change her life forever. Los Angeles Ballet deliver an incomparable performance, leaving you full of awe and wonder.

A Rockin Rockwell Family Christmas | Select Dates Dec. 19 – Dec. 27
“A Rockin Rockwell Family Christmas” will intertwine traditional and modern live music brought to life on stage from music’s best performers. Talent ranges from Broadway stars to those who light up the big and small screens. Not only will patrons’ nights be filled with holiday cheer via musical delights, but Rockwell is also a place to experience fine dining and there is even a special seasonal menu this time of year. “A Rockin Rockwell Family Christmas” is a fun and affordable evening the whole family can enjoy.

Stevie Wonder House Full Of Toys Benefit | Dec. 20
Prepare to experience one of the most iconic albums of all time, “Songs in the Key of Life,” in it entirety this December at The Forum.  Stevie Wonder’s benefit concert collects unwrapped toys for families in need during the holiday season. Past surprise performances have included Alicia Keys, Babyface, Jamie Foxx, Chaka Kahn, Justin Bieber, Boney James and many more. Celebrate the season in the spirit of giving while enjoying a musical celebration.

Dillon Francis | Dec. 20+21
Dillion Francis and DJ Snake shook up our summer with “Get Low”, and now he’s coming to you live for two nights at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium. House and dance fans rejoice, no need to trek to Vegas this weekend, because the party is coming to you. If you’ve been in need to let your hair down, your chariot to do so has arrived.

Downtown Long Beach New Years Eve | Dec. 31
While the Big Apple might dominate the media with its Time Square countdown, Los Angeles will not disappoint you. For those of you staying in town to ring in the New Year, have yourself an old-fashioned East Coast New Year’s Eve countdown. Starting at 5 p.m., you can expect downtown Long Beach to come alive with music, food and a wide assortment of activities. At 9 p.m., experience a fireworks display from The Harbor’s Lighthouse Peninsula will not only light up the sky, but the water as well. Stay after to experience music from Fitz and the Tantrums, and Youngblood Hawke.

New Year’s Eve with Pink Martini at LA Phil | Dec. 31
Spend New Year’s Eve with Pink Martini at the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Celebrating 20 years in 2014, Pink Martini is world renowned for being a musical melting pot that combines Brazilian samba, ’30s Cuban dance and Parisian café. The ensemble is promising all fans would come to expect and more for the evening. What promises to be an elegant night, Pink Martini will be joined by quartet The von Trapps who they just released an album with this year, and radio personality Ari Shapiro. It will be a night of music, fun and celebration in Downtown LA at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.