Native Intelligence

I'd like to propose a challenge to Center Theatre Group as it begins to consider which productions might make up the 2020 Block Party.

Ellen Alperstein: A tiny group of hard-hitting unknowns help the top tennis players in the world sharpen their game at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Their compensation? A sandwich and a pat on the back.

Big turnout for the groundbreaking at the new high-rise project across Grand Avenue from the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Ellen Alperstein: As always, the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells draws big crowds and big action. New this year are a few winged creatures.

Two exhibits featuring art from separate but equally captivating worlds have taken up residence until summer.

Gary catches up with Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren in Glendale.

Kitty Felde: Don't be too embarrassed, Los Angeles. City Hall isn't the only political palace overrun by rodents.

Matthew Bourne's 'Cinderella' is the choreographer's show-dance extravaganza that everyone must see.

Former school board member Jackie Goldberg wants to return to elected office.

Ellen Alperstein: We're on the brink of a super bloom of wildflowers, and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is open for business. Maybe.

A "river" of the photographer's work, starting with the early Rolling Stone years, is on view at Hauser & Wirth in the Arts District.

Joel Bellman: We laugh at the comically deranged LaRouche because "it can't happen here." It already has.

Mayor Eric Garcetti's press conference announcing his decision not to upgrade three natural gas-burning power plants the city operates along the coast.

"Ragtime" at the Pasadena Playhouse is, among other distinctions, a great way to observe Black History Month.

Heavy desert rain this month is pushing Nature into a bipolar mood.

The Secretary of State for President Bill Clinton was in Culver City.

Susan La Tempa: The free-wheeling, deeply divisive newspapers of L.A.'s early days.

Spotted on San Julian Street in downtown's Skid Row district

Joel Bellman: The recent media blowup over the Covington Catholic kids and the tribal drummer at the Lincoln Memorial may have been too much ado, but it was about something.

The car seemed to spontaneously combust. The fire brigade was prompt, effective and kept the neighbors safe.

Gary caught up with the curator at the West Los Angeles College Gallery.

The jury duty phishing scam isn't new. That doesn't make it easy to detect.

As a finale to the packed LA Philharmonic centennial, Zubin Mehta and other celebrated virtuosos of an earlier era came to Disney Hall.

A UTLA rally downtown during the run-up to the teachers strike.

Gary and the band outside his studio in DTLA

At the swearing-in ceremony for newly elected Sheriff Alex Villanueva, held at East Los Angeles College.

Here are some of my personal favorites from 2018. But first my usual caveat. I've seen 155 productions in greater LA, fewer than half of those that were available.

A landmark of the downtown Arts District burns.

A documentary on the late KCRW radio storyteller premieres at this weekend's New Filmmakers Los Angeles DocuSlate program in DTLA.

Community celebration in Little Tokyo.