February 6
Birth, opening event of Environmental Arts Lab, 7-10pm, 555 Rose Ave, Loft #2, Venice, heatherhoeksema.net.
The Kepler Mission & the Search for Earthlike Planets, 8pm, preceded by The Night Sky Show 7pm, $5 or $9 for both shows, John Drescher Planetarium, SMC, 1900 Pico Blvd., 310.434.4223.
First Fridays on Abbot Kinney, stores stay open until 10pm, Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310.392.2525.
Le Nozze de Figaro, performed by Opera UCLA, 8pm Friday 6 and 13, 2pm February 8 and 15, $5-$20, Schoenberg Hall, UCLA, WW, 310.825.2101.
The Trial of the Catonsville Nine, Daniel Berrigan’s play about the trial of nine Catholic priests accused of burning selective service files, gala benefit, 8pm, $50, play runs through March 14, 8pm Fridays-Saturdays, 2pm Sundays, $15-$25, The Actors Gang at the Ivy Substation, 9070 Venice Blvd., CC, 310.838.4264.
Zen and the Art of Vintage Motorcycle Racing, art by Brady Walker, reception 7-11pm, Hair Venice, 1354 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310.980.7129.
February 7
An Evening with Edward Albee, 8pm, Royce Hall, $15-$40, UCLA, WW, 310.825.2101.
Art Night at 18th St, with open house at artists’ studios, 6-10pm, free, 18th Street Arts Center, 1639 18th St., 310.453.3711.
Asset Protection Seminar, presented by Caprice Collins, 10:30am, free, Westchester Loyola Village Library, 7114 W. Manchester Ave., LA, 310.677.9787 x5. Also meets February 11, 1pm, free, Lloyd Taber Marina Del Rey Library, 4533 Admiralty Way, MDR.
Beach Cleanup, sponsored by Surfrider Foundation, 9am-noon, free, Venice Pier, Venice, volunteer@surfriderwlam.org.
Fertile Dreams, art by Freyda Miller, reception 5-8pm, through March 21, Art Dimensions, 1326 Westwood Blvd., WW, 310.446.9180.
Give Kids a Smile Free Dental Day, 9am-3pm, free, UCLA Venice Dental Clinic, 323 Lincoln Blvd., Venice, 310.392.4103.
New Beginnings, art show, reception 5-8pm, through March 1, Topanga Canyon Gallery, 120 Pine Tree Circle #109,
Topanga, 310.455.7909.
Shangri-La: Architecture as a State of Flux, reception 6-10pm, through March 27, 18th Street Arts Center, 1639 18th St., 310.453.3711.
February 8
Jazz Vespers, 5pm, free, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 1343 Ocean Park Blvd., 310.452.1116.
Yossi Khen speaks on “The Conscience of an Israeli,” 11am-1pm, free, Humanist Association of Los Angeles, Yahoo Center Community Room, 2500 Broadway, 310.479.2236.
Tom Zimmerman, author of Paradise Promised, lectures on early Los Angeles, presented by Santa Monica Conservancy, 5pm, free for Conservancy members, $5 non-members, Ruskin Group Theatre, 3000 Airport Ave., 310.828.0692.
February 9
Documental presents Michael W. Barnard Films, 7pm, with Barnard’s documentary on the Pico neighborhood, 90404 Changing, 8:30pm, free, Unurban Coffeehouse, 3301 Pico Blvd, 310.315.0056.
Presentation and Update on Expo Light Rail Project Phase 2, presentation on impact of potential Expo Line route on local trees, presented by Treesavers, 7pm, free, Ken Edwards Center Meeting Room: 100-B, 1527 4th St., 310.399.1000.
February 10
Enchanted Lunchtime Theatre, for kids ages 3-6 and their parents, 11:30am-1pm, $15 for children, free for adults, Santa Monica Playhouse Green Room Theatre, 1211 4th St., 310.394.9779 x2. Also February 17.
How Your Native Plant Landscaping Can Capture and Filter Water Onsite, lecture with landscape architects Susanne Jett and Mayita Dinos, 7:30-9:30pm, free, First United Methodist Church, 1008 11th St.,
818.881.3706.
Pacific Serenades, concert, 8pm, $5-$32, UCLA Faculty Center, 405 Hilgard Ave., WW, 213.534.3434.
Pilobolus Dance Theatre, 8pm, $50, Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 PCH, Malibu, 310.506.4522.
Westside Holistic Chamber of Commerce, 6:30pm, $10-$15, Creative Chakra Spa 3401 Pacific Ave., MDR, WholisticChamber.com.
February 10-11
Jazz: The Classical Music of Globalization, an “informance” with history professor Dr. Reinhold Wagnleitner and musician Tom McDermott, 10:30am Tuesday, free, Art 214, 7pm Wednesday, free, Main Stage, SMC, 1900 Pico Blvd., 310.434.4303.
The Right Way and the Wrong Way to Leave Money to your Children with local attorney Jeff Condon, 7pm, free, Fairview Branch Library, 2101 Ocean Park Blvd., 310.450.0443.
February 11
Relationships between Law and Ethics, last part of five-part seminar series with Rabbi Elliot Dorff, presented by American Jewish University, noon-1:30pm, $75, 1801 Avenue of the Stars, LA, 310.440.1246.
February 12
An Evening with Thom Gossom, author of Walk On: My Reluctant Journey to Integration at Auburn University, 6:30pm, free, Multipurpose Room, Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., 310.458.8600.
Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired, documentary about the controversial director, 7pm, free, MLK Jr. Auditorium, Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., 310.458.8600.
Storytelling and Book Signing with Zachary Shapiro, author of We’re All In The Same Boat, 4pm, ages 3-7, free, Children’s Book World, 10580 _ Pico Blvd., LA, 310. 559.2665.
Mark Strand, poetry, 7pm, free, Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., LA, 310.825. 4173.
Montel Williams discusses and signs Living Well Emotionally: Break Through To A Life Of Happiness, 7pm, free, Barnes & Noble Santa Monica, 1201 Third Street Promenade, 310.260.0158.
Suzy Williams and Stormin’ Norman, live swinging music, 7:30pm, Danny’s Deli, 23 Windward Ave., Venice, 310.306.7330.
