Restaurants Open on Christmas: Buca di Beppo, El Torito!

California– We waited two hours for a table at a Chart House restaurant one Christmas. This year we’re checking out what’s open ahead of time and maybe will make reservations. Here is what we’ve learned so far:

OPEN

  • El Torito Mexican restaurants are open. Check individual locations to confirm.
  • Bucca di Beppo is open
  • Temecula – Temet Grill
  • Long Beach – Queen Mary Buffet
  • Nearly every hotel with a full service restaurant on site will have their dining room open for the holidays to feed their guests.
  • Disneyland restaurants are open, as is the theme park from 8 a.m. to midnight on Dec. 25.

Here are some restaurants we’ll be calling to see if they are open, and then report back.

Jan 21 – Feb 13 Musical About Gertrude Stein in Long Beach

Long Beach, California–Adapted from Stein’s writings by Tony Award winners Stephen Flaherty and Frank Galati, International City Theatre kicks off 2011 “Season of Romantic Adventures” with the West Coast premiere of LOVING REPEATING: A Musical of Gertrude Stein. Illuminating Gertrude Stein’s world and bringing fresh perspective to her poetic texts, the music evokes diverse spirits of eras past, including Victorian parlor tunes, vaudevillian songs, and even opera, paying homage to Stein’s deep love of the way American language perpetually changes to reflect the voices of the people. Following Stein from her student days in the late 19th century to the height of her artistic era in Paris as one of the “lost generation,” a term she coined referring to those who came of age between the two world wars, she lived among a celebrated circle of artists, writers, and thinkers, including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, T.S. Eliot, Ernest Hemingway, and her beloved “wife” Alice B. Toklas.

International City Theatre is Long Beach’s Resident Professional Theater at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. ICT’s 2011 “Season of Romantic Adventures” will feature a mix of two musicals: Loving Repeating by Stephen Flaherty and Frank Galati and The Robber Bridegroom by Alfred Uhry and Robert Waldman; and three character-driven comedies: Southern Comforts by Kathleen Clark; The Old Settler by Henry Redwood; and Private Lives by Noël Coward.

Loving Repeating will run Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays @ 8 pm and Sundays @ 2 pm, January 21 through February 13. Tickets are $37 on Thursdays, and $44 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, except opening night which is $55 and includes a reception with the actors following the performance. Preview performances take place on Tuesday, January 18; Wednesday, January 19; and Thursday, January 20 at 8 pm. Preview tickets are $29.

International City Theatre is located in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center at 300 E. Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach. For reservations and information, call the ICT Box Office at (562) 436-4610. InternationalCityTheatre.org.

Gretzky, Sugar Ray Leonard, Kurt Russell Will Play Golf at Bob Hope Classic 2011

LA QUINTA, Calif. – Among the initial celebrity athletes and entertainers who are scheduled to play in the first four rounds (72 holes) of the 52nd Bob Hope Classic, Jan. 17-23, others include: musicians Alice Cooper, Tommy Thayer (KISS guitarist) and Don Felder (formerly of The Eagles), country music singer Pat Green, actors Craig T. Nelson (Parenthood), Anthony Anderson (Law and Order), Rob Morrow (Numb3ers, Northern Exposure), Peter Gallagher (Covert Action, The OC, Mr. Deeds), Scott Wolf (V, Party of Five), Joel Gretsch (V), Oliver Hudson (Rules of Engagement), Kyle MacLachlan (Desperate Housewives), and Nigel Lythgoe (So You Think You Can Dance, American Idol producer), actor/comedian Kevin Nealon (Saturday Night Live, Happy Gilmore, Weeds), actor/comedian/game show host John O’Hurley, comedians Tom Dreesen and Ron White, Tampa Bay Rays All-Star third baseman Evan Longoria, former National Football League and Major League Baseball star Bo Jackson, NFL Hall of Fame defensive end Bruce Smith, former Green Bay Packers wide receiver and NFL Network analyst Sterling Sharpe, former NFL wide receiver Willie Gault, sports broadcaster Ann Liguori, and television news personality Bret Baier.

In 51 years, the Classic has donated nearly $49 million to charities throughout the Coachella Valley. bobhopeclassic.com or call 1.888.MRBHOPE (672.4673).

Marina California Hosts Restaurant Week Jan. 22-28, 2011

Visit Marina restaurants and earn chances to win great prizes—including one free meal at all participating businesses! Eligible Marina food and beverage establishments are currently receiving sign-up packets, which include an introduction letter, participation agreement, and Q&A. Marina Restaurant Week Chairperson Tina Zmak can be contacted at (831) 883-4459 or tina@zmakcreative.com.

The Train Driver Popular Play in L.A.

The Fountain Theatre extends its U.S. premiere of The Train Driver by Athol Fugard through January 30

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Train Driver, “The most important play I’ve ever written,” stars Morlan Higgins as a traumatized train driver tormented by a nightmare that has shattered his life – until he is awakened by an extraordinary stranger, portrayed by Adolphus Ward.

Performances of The Train Driver continue on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through January 30. Tickets are $25 on Thursdays and Fridays and $30 on Saturdays and Sundays. On Thursdays and Fridays only, students with ID are $18.00 and seniors over 62 are $23.00. The Fountain Theatre is located at 5060 Fountain Avenue (at Normandie) in Los Angeles. Secure, on-site parking is available for $5.00. The Fountain Theatre is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible. For reservations and information, call (323) 663-1525. FountainTheatre.com.

Written by Athol Fugard, Directed by Stephen Sachs, Starring Morlan Higgins and Adolphus Ward and Produced by Simon Levy and Deborah Lawlor

Performances continue through January 30: Thursdays @ 8 pm: Dec. 2, 9, 16; Jan. 13, 20, 27 (dark Dec. 23, 30 & Jan. 6); Fridays @ 8 pm: Dec. 3, 10, 17; Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 (dark Dec. 24 & 31); Saturdays @ 8 pm: Dec. 4, 11, 18; Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29 (dark Dec. 25 & Jan 1); Sundays @ 2 pm: Dec. 5, 12, 19; Jan. 9, 16, 23, 20 (dark Dec. 26 & Jan 2)

The Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave., Los Angeles CA 90029 (Fountain at Normandie)

(323) 663-1525 or www.FountainTheatre.com

TICKETS:
Opening Night (October 16): $35
Thursdays and Fridays: $25
Saturdays and Sundays: $30
Seniors over 62 (Thursdays and Fridays only): $23
Students (Thursdays and Fridays only, with ID): $18
Previews: $15

Parking: Secure, on-site parking: $5