This Week: Natural History Museum's First Fridays

The music-packed, idea-smart Natural History Museum series is popular, so snag that ticket now.

First Fridays: Swanning about the Natural History Museum, after the time it would usually close, all to hear live music, see the artifact-amazing exhibits, dine at food trucks, sip spirited beverages, and hear from thinkers on a variety of topical and science-strong topics? It's a SoCal must-do, but you can't do it all year, for this is a series that only pops up around the spring, and ends before summer officially arrives. The theme of the 2019 First Fridays? "Forces of Natures." How to attend? Right here.

"Museum of Toys": So many of us know so many playthings so well, the games and curios of our childhoods. But what if a few of those items passed through the looking glass and transformed into something rather surreal and offbeat? Artist Jeff Wysaski, also known as Obvious Plant, has created a line-up of toys you won't find in any store for a highly unusual, made-for-adults museum. It debuts on Friday, March 1 on Venice Boulevard. A ticket is ten bucks, but get yours before March 17, when these offbeat baubles will go back in the cupboard.

How to Talk Wine: Eager to know more about vino, from the basics of how it gets to your glass to what to look for in each sip? This is a fine starting point with an excellent oenopro at the lead: Coly Den Haan, who oversees Vinovore, a wine shop that spotlights "predominantly female-made wine." Make for Maker's Mess on Wednesday evening, Feb. 27, at 602 N. Hoover Street, and prepare to learn about "... wine structure in a casual setting." One ticket is $35, but if you arrive with a pal you'll both get in for $60.

A Celebration of Rock Hudson: It's been a week for movie stars around Hollywood Boulevard, for sure. And, for sure, that starry feeling will continue, on Wednesday, Feb. 27, when a night devoted to the Rock Hudson takes place at the TCL Chinese Theatre. Several goings-on are on the schedule, including a screening of a documentary about Mr. Hudson as well as "Has Anybody Seen My Gal?" with Rock Hudson and Piper Laurie (Ms. Laurie will be in attendance). Author Mark Griffin will be signing his Rock Hudson biography beginning at 6.

Dine Out Long Beach: If you follow the foodie scene around the ever-robust, always appetizing LBC, then you know it is a place devoted to great plates and the people who create them. But how to truly dig into what's for dinner, and lunch, around the area? This week-long sup-around celebration is an excellent start, thanks to the multi-course meals available for set prices (and often low prices at that). Michael's Pizzeria, Belmont Brewing Co., and a host of other tantalizing participants made the roster. The last day to chow, at these prices, for this Dine Out go-around, is March 2.

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