BEST BETS Saturday 12/29 - Los Angeles Times

all day Art The holidays aren’t the only thing to celebrate this season. Photography dealer Paul Kopeikin is marking his first decade in business with “Tenth Anniversary Exhibition,” a show

of photographs by contemporary artists and modern masters whose work has been featured at his La Brea Avenue gallery. In this, Kopeikin’s 82nd exhibition, visitors will find striking images

by Diane Arbus, Harry Callahan, Linda Connor, Mark Klett, Garry Winogrand and a host of other artists. “Tenth Anniversary Exhibition,” Paul Kopeikin Gallery, 138 N. La Brea Ave., L.A.

Regular hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Ends Jan 8. Free. (323) 937-0765. * all day Tour/Festival Shiver me timbers! The Long Beach Sea Festival will feature cannon battle

reenactments by tall ships in Long Beach Harbor. Visitors can ride along with the costumed crew on one of the ships during the three-hour battle. (Bring your earplugs.) For the less

adventurous, guided tours of the ships will be available earlier in the day. Long Beach Sea Festival, Rainbow Harbor, Shoreline Drive and Pine Avenue, Long Beach, Saturday to Monday. Free

guided tours of the ships, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; battle reenactments, 2 to 5 p.m. $20 to $40. (800) 200-5239. * 7:30pm Theater Most people don’t, but the Santa Monica Playhouse is publicly

celebrating turning 40 at the end of this year. “40 Years and Counting” is an evening of songs, dance, comedy and excerpts from past, present and upcoming productions. The ticket price

includes a buffet supper, champagne and surprises. “40 Years and Counting,” Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica, Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 p.m.; Monday, 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. $30

to $45. (310) 394-9779, Ext. 1. * 2pm Theater Panto--that centuries-old holiday theater tradition in England that morphs well-loved fairy tales into zany romps--returns to Lobero Theatre in

Santa Barbara. Panto Productions, now in its third year, is presenting “Puss in Boots, the Panto!” England’s Michael Ashton penned an original retelling of the classic fable, delivering

layers of slapstick aimed at children and adults. There’s dancing, a bit of magic and a lot of audience participation. In keeping with the panto convention of gender-bending roles, a

professional cast is headed by Karin delaPena as the clever Puss. “Puss in Boots, the Panto!” Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara, Thursday through Monday, and Wednesday,

next Thursday, Jan. 5 and 6, 2 p.m.; Jan. 4, 6:30 p.m. General, $13 to $30; children 11 and younger, $13 to $22. (805) 963-0761. Online ticket purchase available: www.lobero.com. MORE TO

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