L.A.'s hottest arrivals in shopping, nightlife, dining, entertainment, attractions, museums, theater, culture, sports and recreation. MAPS of Los Angeles

PHOTOGRAPHY
Focus on Portraits
August Sander (1876–1964) is revered in Germany as a father of modern photography. Since the 1920s, his work has had an enormous influence on artists worldwide. His iconic photographs of farmers, artists, bricklayers, musicians, cab drivers, bureaucrats, dancers, industrialists, secretaries, the unemployed and the disabled form a "portrait" of pre-World War II German society. Ironically, in the rise of the Third Reich, he became a focus of persecution. August Sander: German Portraits (1918-1933), opening May 6 at the J. Paul Getty Museum, features some 125 photographs selected from more than 1,200 Sander photographs in the Getty collection, the largest holding outside of Germany. 1200 Getty Center Drive, L.A., 310.440.7300. Map K7

dining
Made the Cuts
On the heels of BLD and new STK comes fantastic BLT Steak, named not for the sandwich but for Bistro Laurent Tourondel; Tourondel is Bon Appétit's 2007 Restaurateur of the Year. Prime, Angus, Wagyu and Kobe cuts are offered; the hanger steak, elsewhere modest, is outstanding and the huge popovers are incredible. It occupies the former Le Dôme space (8720 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.360.1950). Foxtail, a "modern supper club" from the team behind S Bar and Katsuya (Sam Nazarian, Brent Bolthouse), serves European bistro fare by Bravo Top Chef contestant Antonia Lofaso as well as innovative cocktails (9077 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.859.8369).

Pop
Keys Up
R&B/new soul songstress and pianist Alicia Keys tickles the ivories May 5 at the Staples Center downtown. The singer broke out in 2001 with her Grammy-winning album Songs in A Minor; the sometime actress (The Nanny Diaries, Smoking Aces) dropped As I Am last fall. Keys returns to the Staples Center, home of the Grammy Awards, after winning two awards at the 2008 ceremony for her single "No One." Opening acts for the show are singer-songwriter Ne-Yo and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks. 1111 S. Figueroa St., downtown, 213.480.3232. Map I15

sports
New, Blue and Cool
Marking their 50th anniversary season here, the Los Angeles Dodgers hit one out of the park with a Field Level restoration that expands walkways and doubles the number of concession stands and restrooms; concession areas also get a new cooling system. The Dodger dog is the best hot dog in baseball; new Ruby's Diner makes its bid for the sport's best burger; Canter's Deli debuts, too. Check it all out during games against the New York Mets (May 5–7), Houston Astros (May 9–11), Cincinnati Reds (May 19–21) and St. Louis Cardinals (May 23–25). 1000 Elysian Park Ave., L.A., 866.DODGERS. Map G17

OPERA
Thrills and Chills
Film composer Erich Korngold once described Tosca as the "greatest film score of all time," noting that Giacomo Puccini's music reflects every hair-raising detail of the gripping psychological thriller, in which political power intensifies a love triangle to horrifying ends. L.A. Opera presents the work at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion; Plácido Domingo and Sir Richard Armstrong share the podium. Dates include May 17, 21, 25, 29 and 31. 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.7211. Map H16

TOURS
Venice ON VIEW
Three annual tours offer an insider's look at the stunning art and architecture of Venice. The Venice Garden and Home Tour, May 3, is a self-guided walking excursion through more than 25 private gardens; many of the homes—from traditional Craftsman to contemporary—will also be open to the public. The Venice Art Walk & Auctions encompasses two daylong events: Art & Architecture Tours, May 17, and the Art Walk Studio Tours and Silent Art Auction, May 18. Art & Architecture Tours includes Newly Hatched Homes in Venice, a self-driven tour of projects from noted and award-winning architects; the Art Walk provides shuttles to more than 60 artists' studios, a silent auction of original works, food fair and live music. Special Events

MUSICALS
NOW CASTING
On a bare stage in an empty theater, auditions for a new Broadway musical are almost complete. For 17 dancers, it's the chance of a lifetime, what they've worked for—the chance to dance. A Chorus Line, winner of nine Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for drama, opens May 21 at the Ahmanson Theatre downtown. "Heaven on Broadway," wrote Ben Brantley in The New York Times. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. Map H16

SCULPTURE
Omm-igosh
More than 100 works by Shinjo Ito (1906–1989) are featured at Centennial Exhibition: The Vision and Art of Shinjo Ito. The show toured five cities in Japan beginning in 2006, attracting 300,000 visitors. This year it traveled to New York City and Chicago and is displayed in Los Angeles at the Westwood Art Forum, a temporary exhibition space, May 8–June 29. Shinjo Ito became a Great Master of esoteric Buddhism before founding his own lineage, Shinnyo-en, in 1936. The show features his sculptures, engravings, calligraphy and photography. 1028 Westwood Blvd., L.A., www.shinjoito.com.

ART
Acquiring Greatness
Collecting Collections, featuring highlights from the permanent collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art, surveys major works acquired since MOCA's founding nearly three decades ago. Paintings, sculptures, photographs and works on paper are organized chronologically; among the earliest are Piet Mondrian's Composition of Red, Blue, Yellow and White: Nom III (1939). Movements include abstract expressionism, pop art, minimalism and postminimalism, conceptualism and postconceptualism, postmodernism, figurative sculpture and new figuration. MOCA Grand Avenue (GA), 250 S. Grand Ave, downtown, 213.626.6222. Map H16

SHOPPING
Euro WeHo
Three European designers open boutiques in West Hollywood. Theatrical, London–based Alexander McQueen opens his high-concept spot at the corner of Melrose and Melrose—that's Avenue and Place—selling womenswear, menswear, eyewear and accessories (8379 Melrose Ave., 323.782.4983). The boutique of Spanish label Balenciaga, helmed by French-born Nicolas Ghesquière, offers trendsetting fashions including the designer's very modern sculptural floral suits (8670 Melrose Ave., 310.854.0557). Madison shoe store opens at Sunset Plaza, offering footwear from lines including Lanvin, Stella McCartney and Valentino (8590 W. Sunset Blvd., Suite 9, 310.659.5890).