Holiday Calendar

Film&TV:

“Angels in America”
HBO
Dec. 7 and 14, 8 p.m.

HBO’s $60 million movie has arrived. The Mike
Nichols-directed, Al Pacino-and-Meryl Streep-starring six-hour
movie epic based on the hugely successful Tony Kushner plays will
premiere on Dec. 7 for the film’s first three hours, and will
conclude with the next three on Dec. 14. And if you can’t
watch it then, feel free to catch one of the million or so reruns
HBO is sure to have, or just wait until the DVD comes out. In fact,
the only place you may not be able to see this movie will be in
theaters.

“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the
King”
Various theaters
Opens Dec. 17

There’s really not much to say. If you don’t already
know how excited you are for this movie’s release, then
you’ve probably been hibernating for the last two years.
Check local listings for theaters and showtimes, and also watch out
for various special marathon screenings of all three films in
sequence.

Music:

The Polyphonic Spree & Grandaddy
The Wiltern
Dec. 31, 8:00 p.m.

It rolls around quicker than you think, and pressure’s on
to not spend another Dec. 31 midnight stuck in traffic figuring out
which party you’ll feel least awkward at. With over 20
“spreeing” members, you’re sure not to be the
only weirdo. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com starting
at $38.50.

Detroit Cobras
Spaceland
Dec. 31, 9:00 p.m.

Another New Year’s option for those who got socks from
grandma instead of a check. But you’ll thank her for them
later, this is down and dirty, sultry, 21st century motown, and if
the club owner doesn’t kick you out, you can sock hop your
way into 2004. Tickets are available for $20 at
www.ticketweb.com.

Theater&Arts:

Downtown on Ice
Pershing Square
Noon to 9 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fri.-Sun. Through Jan.
19.

If you haven’t checked out the new Walt Disney Concert
Hall yet, why not head downtown and to see it and spend a little
time at the recently re-opened Pershing Square ice skating rink
while you’re at it. This being L.A., the downtown rink may be
your only chance to feel a little of that cold weather holiday
spirit. Skating costs $6 per hour and ice skates can be rented for
$2. For more information, call (888) LA-PARKS or visit the Pershing
Square site at www.laparks.org.

“A Mulholland Christmas
Carol”
Theatre of NOTE
Wed. to Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 7 p.m. through Dec. 20.

A musical comedy adaptation of the Dickens classic, retold with
L.A.’s DWP water baron, William Mulholland, as Scrooge. The
Theatre of NOTE Web site claims that a recreation of the St.
Francis Dam will be destroyed every night, live, on stage,
releasing 11.4 billion gallons of water onto the unsuspecting
audience. The sheer volume seems implausible, but bring a parka
just in case. Tickets are $15. For more information, call (323)
856-8611 or visit www.theatreofnote.com.

“Mario Look-alike”
Hollywood Wax Museum
Dec. 9, 11 a.m.

Mario, Mario, Mario. The unveiling of the Nintendo icon’s
wax figure shows that nobody gives a hoot about Luigi. Wax Mario
replaces Wax Neo in this digital passing of the torch. Come dressed
in your best Mario duds for a shot at over $1000 in cash and
prizes. Free to the public. For more information, call (213)
623-4200 Ext. 772.