Christine N. Ziemba on February 15th, 2018

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[Weekending is Buzz Bands LA’s new weekly column of things to see and do. For more, visit Pop Radar LA.]

The National Basketball Association’s All-Star Weekend isn’t the only game in town. Here are 10 picks orbiting the worlds of the visual and performing arts, film, food and pop culture. 

FRIDAY, FEB. 16

Heather Graham in “Half Magic” (Photo via Momentum Pictures)

HALF MAGIC (Film)

“Half Magic,” the directorial debut from Heather Graham, screens on Friday night at the Spielberg Theater at the Egyptian. The 7:30 p.m. show featuring a post-screening discussion with Graham is sold out, but tickets still remain for a 10 p.m. screening, with an intro by Graham. The film follows three women who team up to “fight against sexism, bad relationships and low self-esteem.”

#SEEMORE MOBILE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT (Art + workshop)

Huawei and Leica open a #SeeMore exhibit at the Leica store in West Hollywood this weekend, featuring photos from photographers Pete Halvorsen, Sam Horine, Stephen Vanasco and Pei Ketron. The images were taken on the Huawei Mate 10 Pro (an AI-powered camera phone co-engineered with Leica). Halvorsen hosts a free mobile photography workshop on Sunday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Space is limited so RSVP to reserve a spot in the workshop and to view the gallery. The works will remain on view through Feb. 20.

ONE YEAR LATER (Political pop-up theater)

Open Fist Theatre presents One Year Later, a three-week “political pop-up” that features 14 short plays by writers from across the country. The works explore the U.S.’s social and political climate over the past year. The productions take place at the Atwater Village Theatre, with the audience sitting on couches to re-create a cozy, speakeasy setting. One Year Later opens this weekend and runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. through March 3. Doors open one hour before show time so guests can chat and have a drink with cast and creatives before the show. Tickets: $25.

NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND (Festivities)

The NBA All-Star Game & Activities are at Staples Center on Sunday, but there are plenty of official and unofficial activities throughout the weekend. Among them: Jack Daniel’s Lynchburg General Store (903 W. Olympic Blvd.) features Jack Daniel’s merchandise and locally curated products; southern bites at Miss Bobo’s Bakery; and an interactive Charcoal Mellowing Bar for those 21-plus. Mtn Dew Kickstart hosts the Courtside Studios (at the L.A. Convention Center), bringing together NBA culture through player appearances and fan experiences. Free.

SATURDAY, FEB. 17

HAUSER & WIRTH EXHIBITIONS (Art)

On Saturday from 6-9 p.m., Hauser & Wirth holds a public opening of the gallery’s three new exhibitions: Louise Bourgeois: The Red Sky; Geta Brătescu: The Leaps of Aesop and Mark Bradford: New Works. The evening features a DJ spinning tunes and a cash bar. The works will remain on view through May 20. Free.

LONG BEACH COMIC EXPO 2018 (Comic books)

The Long Beach Comic Expo takes place Saturday (10 a.m.-7 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Long Beach Convention Center. Expect vendors selling their wares, artists signing their works, panel discussions, screenings, cosplay and more. Special guests include Joe Keery of “Stranger Things,” Sherilyn Fenn (“Twin Peaks”), Adrienne Wilkinson (“Xena”) and others. Tickets: $35 for a Saturday-only ticket; $30 for a Sunday-only ticket and $55 for a weekend ticket. Admission for children is free with a paying adult (limit two free kid tickets per adult).

SCOTSFESTIVAL & INTERNATIONAL HIGHLAND GAMES XXV (Festival)

The ScotsFestival & International Highland Games XXV returns to the Queen Mary in Long Beach on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Throw on your kilt, practice your brogue and experience the culture and history of Scotland through Highland games, feats of strength, dancing, entertainment and food and drink (whisky tastings!). The ScotsFestival is held every year to pay homage to the Queen Mary’s Scottish legacy (the ship was built in Clydebank, Scotland). One-day adult general admission starts at $25, but whiskey tastings and after-parties are extra.

SUNDAY, FEB. 18

Scene from ‘The Tuba Thieves,’ directed by Alison O’Daniel, part of FLAX’s “The Dialectic of the Stars”

DRAG ME CRAZY (Performance)

FLAX — the France Los Angeles Exchange — presents “The Dialectic of the Stars,” a visual art and performance festival that runs through Feb. 25 at various venues. “Drag Me Crazy” is a day of performance and installations that takes over the Ford Theatres on Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m. Artists include Scoli Acosta, The Lucky Dragons, Hoël Duret, Robert Karimi, Rafaela Lopez, Emily Mast in collaboration with Alan Chan, Alison O’Daniel and Assaf Shaham. There are performances in the amphitheater from 4 to 6 p.m. by Emily Mast in collaboration with Alan Chan, Lucky Dragons and Rafaela Lopez. From 6 to 8 p.m. there will be food, refreshments and games by Robert Karimi (reservations are closed for this portion of the event, but check with staff onsite to get on a waitlist).

THE GREAT BOOZY BAKEOFF (Baked goods + beer)

The Great Boozy Bake Off takes place on Sunday from 1-4 p.m. at Angel City Brewery in DTLA. Judge bakers who’ve incorporated booze into cupcakes, candies, breads and other goods. Sample goodies and vote for the favorite bites. Tickets are $20 and include tastings, games, a cookie decorating station and more activities. (Beer not included in ticket price.) Proceeds from the day will be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

SHATTERED (Theater)

“Shattered,” Diana Varco’s show about dating, frigidity and trauma recovery, is part of SoloFest 2018 at the Whitefire Theater in Sherman Oaks. The solo show, at 7 p.m. Sunday, takes attendees on a “whimsical and shocking journey” through her life experiences that shaped her views on sex, sexuality and relationships. She plays more than 35 characters in the show. Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

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