MARCH 25
Ready to Rock
Rolling Stone writes glowingly, “No musician has been able to deftly navigate the terrain between R&B, pop, soul and rock as successfully as John Mayer.” Between all the recent tabloid attention and Twitter gossip detailing relationships with stars such as Jennifer Aniston and Jessica Simpson, Mayer is certainly a hot topic for many reasons. But for fans more interested in his chart-topping music, his numerous Grammy Awards or the release of Battle Studies—his newest and, according to many critics, most adventurous album—than his personal life, check out Mayer’s headlining concert at the Staples Center downtown. Hip-hop/funk/reggae outfit Michael Franti & Spearhead opens the show.

MARCH 3
CLIPPERS VS. SUNS Watch hometown boys the Los Angeles Clippers take on the Phoenix Suns and star guard Steve Nash. The action takes place at Staples Center downtown. Don’t forget to hit up the new Hyde lounge perched atop the arena, which has ledge seats overlooking the court.

MARCH 11
PPLA FOOD FARE This celebrated culinary event in Santa Monica began in 1979 with a cooking demonstration by Julia Child. This year, festival attendees can taste some of the city’s finest fare from popular restaurants such as AOC, Anisette Brasserie or Drago, sample the latest vintages from local wineries and finally catch up with those elusive, trendy food trucks.

THROUGH MARCH 14
THE FEMALE OF THE SPECIES Academy Award nominee and theater veteran Annette Bening stars in this eagerly anticipated comedy at Westwood’s Geffen Playhouse. Bening plays Margot Mason, acclaimed feminist theorist and author, who takes to a country cabin to write her next masterpiece—only to be kidnapped by a disgruntled student. The starry cast includes David Arquette, Mireille Enos and Julian Sands.

THROUGH MARCH 14
PALEYFEST Celebrate the small screen at the 27th annual William S. Paley Televison Festival, taking place at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. Screenings and panel discussions with the cast and creative teams of hit shows like Dexter, Glee and Curb Your Enthusiasm offer fans an exclusive chance to hear from their television heroes.

MARCH 20
ARTTALK Established and up-and-coming artists perform in this six-hour spoken-word festival, featuring live readings mixed with storytelling, poetry readings, theatrical productions and a film screening. All events take place at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center in Pasadena.

THROUGH MARCH 21
THE SUBJECT WAS ROSES Stage and film vet Martin Sheen returns to the play that earned him a Tony Award nomination in 1964, about a young man’s return to his parents’ home from World War II. Six Feet Under’s Frances Conroy and The Hurt Locker’s Brian Geraghty co-star in the family drama at the Mark Taper Forum downtown.