Things To Do

34 Totally Fun Things To Do in L.A. This Week You Need to Have on Your Radar [8-31-15 to 9-4-15]

August 31, 2015 by Christina Champlin

Every week in Los Angeles there are tons of great things to do (even before the weekend gets started) that we think you ought to have on your radar. With that in mind, we put together a list every Monday morning to keep you in the know about what’s happening in the city you love (or maybe just like).

This week includes LA Times: The Taste, a Hawaiian festival in Long Beach, the 626 Night Market a throwback Thursday screening of Mean Girls, Rooftop Film Club, the LA County Fair, and plenty more.

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Hope you find the rundown useful and, as always, enjoy your week!

[RELATED: The Best Way to Find Discount Events in Los Angeles]

Rainbow Lagoon Downtown Long Beach

Rainbow Lagoon in Downtown Long Beach. Credit: Brian Champlin

[REMINDER: In some cases We Like L.A. does receive revenue when visitors click on ticket links and make purchases, however we maintain complete editorial control over the events we suggest. Basically, it only makes it on to the website if we think it is cool!]


Monday August 31st, 2015

1. How Not to Kill Yourself in 30 Days

Annie Sertich (Curb Your Enthusiasm, 2 Broke Girls, The Tonight Show and The Office) performs her darkly comic one-woman memoir at the Groundlings Theater on Melrose. Tickets are just $6 if you buy at the discounted rate on Goldstar.

2. Doug Benson’s Movie Interruption – Entourage 

This week’s installment of Doug Benson’s Movie Interruption Doug and a couple of his funny friends will watch Entourage from the front row with mics in hand ready to blurt out whatever thoughts they have in their heads.

3. SPiN Standard Open Ping-Pong Tournament

From 8:00pm to midnight Spin Standard inside of The Standard in Downtown Los Angeles will host a open ping pong tournament. For just $10 you get unlimited table time and an entry into the singles tournament.

4. To Live and Dine in L.A.

The latest exhibition to hit the Los Angeles Central Library: To Live and Dine in L.A. is one for the foodie nostalgic. Come celebrate the history of food in Los Angeles and view a massive collection of rare, first-edition menus from restaurants that have long since closed. The exhibit aims to promote the historical significance of LA’s food culture, and will feature over 50 food and menu related programs, including lectures, cooking demos and nutrition workshops. Check out more information, times and dates on their offical page.

5. Nerdist Open Mic

Watch Kyle Clark and John Ungaro host this weekly comedy free-for-all. You’ll see new comics and familiar comics trying out new material. It’s free to sign up but do it at 5:00pm for the best chance to get selected! The lottery is at 5:30pm. They pull 25 names for the night plus 5 guaranteed spots for the following week. You get 3 minutes to make some comedy magic!

6. Monday Mayhem Game Night 

Come on out to Angel City Brewery in DTLA as they host one epic game night. From 7:00pm -9:00 pm board games, awesome beers on tap and even a cornhole tournament will be available for patrons. It’s free to play and awards are handed out throughout the night.

7. David Hockney At LA Louver

David Hockney’s work is being shown jointly by L.A. Louver and London’s Annely Juda Fine Art together they present “David Hockney: Painting and Photography,” an exhibition of brand-new works all made in the last two years by the prolific artist.

Tuesday September 1st, 2015

8. Rooftop Film Club

The popular screening series that has already held court in London and New York made its L.A. debut last week. For each screening of the Rooftop Film Club series organizers will set up rows of lawn chairs on the roof of the Ricardo Montalbán Theatre and provide headphones for each attendee. Doors open at 6:00pm with screenings starting at 8:00pm. Kicking off the second week of screenings is Casablanca on Tuesday, The Breakfast Club on Wednesday and Cinema Paradiso on Thursday.

9. Free Family of the Year show at Amoeba

Family of the Year will celebrate their new self-titled album on Nettwerk Records with a FREE live acoustic set and signing at Amoeba Music in Hollywood beginning at 6:00pm

10. Latin Street Food Fights

The battle for the best Latin street food is about to crown the ultimate winner. The finale “Battle of the Nations” will take place at Border Grill. For $25 guest can partake in an all you can eat feast or $5 a la carte.. Guest then cast their vote on Twitter or Instagram and a winner will be announced. Country-specific cocktails will also be available for $7.

11. LACMA Tuesday Matinee Film Series Screens The War of The Worlds

LACMA will screen the film adaptation of the H.G.Wells story told on radio of the invasion of Earth by Martians. This ongoing Tuesday Matinee film series cost $2 for members and $4 for non members.

12. Record Club At El Prado

Lover of vinyl? The Origami Vinyl’s Record Club hosted by El Prado bar in Echo Park invites you to come in and enjoy some hand picked vinyl from local bar patrons. Sign up a week in advance to bring your records in to play for fellow barflies, and get a free drink in return.

13. Gourmet Food Truck Night

Every Tuesday night the California Heritage Museum holds a Gourmet Truck Night at the museum showcasing a select of gourmet truck eateries.  All happening from 5:30pm to 9:30pm.

14. $8 Movies At Regal Cinema L.A. LIVE All Day!

Every Tuesday, movie tickets at Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE are $8 all day long. Come to Regal L.A. LIVE to watch the latest blockbusters in their state-of-the-art auditoriums.

Wednesday September 2nd , 2015

15. POG night At Tiki No

Wednesdays at the Tiki No will draw the most competitive POG-playing Angelenos in town. The bar is launching a weekly POG competition series called The Scorpion Bowl. POG-playing Angelenos can just play for fun or for a $100 prize each week. Even teams with the best names will be awarded a special prize each month!

16. Disney’s “Frozen” Sing-along At The El Capitan

Hollywood’s legendary El Capitan Theatre presents a special engagement of Disney’s “Frozen” Sing-along version from August 20 through September 16. Each screening will be accompanied by Elsa, live on stage, snow inside the theatre, and after the movie, Olaf live on stage and a screening of Disney’s “Frozen Fever.” This Thursday is the opening night so expect special presentations to be happening throughout. Discount tickets are available while they last via Goldstar.

Thursday September 3rd, 2015

17. Throwback Thursday Movie: Mean Girls

This Thursday Laemmle’s NoHo 7 continues their throwback movie series with a screening of Mean Girls starting at 7:30pm. Get more information and discount tickets (while supplies last) via our friends at Goldstar.

18. Twilight Summer Concert Series: Rebirth Brass Band with Miles Mosely & The West Coast Get Down

An L.A. summer tradition the Twilight Summer Concert Series takes place right on the Santa Monica pier. This week Rebirth Brass Band with Miles Mosely & The West Coast Get Down will take the stage. Don’t forget to RSVP for this free event. Just an FYI, KCRW has free events all over the city this summer so take full advantage!

19. Free Night At The Skirball Cultural Center 

The Skirball Cultural Center is free to all every Thursday. Check out the Singing Posters and Bill Graham and the Rock n Roll Revolution exhibit.

20. LA Eat Your Words: A Live Storytelling Event

StandardTalks presents Eat Your Words: A Live Storytelling Event hosted by Greg Walloch and featuring from the Joel David Miller, David Schlosser, Tracy Chabala, Beowulf Jones and Renee Gauthier. RSVP at [email protected]

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21. Playhouse District Block Party

All summer long every Thursday night from 6:00pm to 11:00pm in the Playhouse District of Old Town Pasadena, join a crowd of locals gathering for live music and food trucks. This week brings Crepe n Around and Slammin Sliders truck to Old Town. Get more info on the official Facebook page for the event.

22. MOCA Free Night

Every Thursday evening from 5:00pm – 8:00pm admission is free to both the MOCA on Grand and The Geffen Contemporary.

23.The Food Truck Collective

Come out to the NOHO Library on a Thursday night and nosh on food truck goodies, partake in some games such as giant jenga, giant chess and checkers as well as a LEGO building station. There are also story read-alongs where the kids get read a story by the DJ and are encouraged to sign up for a FREE Library card! There will be plenty of lawn space where families can bring their blankets and make it a picnic night.

Friday September 4th, 2015

24. LA Times: The Taste Opening Night

From September 4-6, LA Times: The Taste returns to offer Angelenos a food and drink experience unlike any other. Highlights include an opening night party on Friday, a field-to-fork midday celebration on Saturday, a Sunday brunch+bbq event, and an ethnic food ‘tour’ of some of L.A.’s finest dining spots hosted by Jonathan Gold on Sunday.

25. Hawaiian Festival in Long Beach

The 21st Annual E Hula Mau Festival returns to the Long Beach Performing Arts Center’s Terrace Theater this Friday through Sunday in a cultural celebration of all things Hawaiian from music, authentic cuisine to arts and crafts. Get more information and discount tickets (while supplies last) via Goldstar.

26. 626 Night Market

The 626 Night Market lays claim to being the largest Asian-themed night market in the United States with over 200 food and craft vendors participating in each event on average every year, and this weekend (September 4-6) will be the final weekend of the summer for the market at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia. Admission is $5. Parking is $7.

27. Tumblr Presents FIDLAR A Tumblr IRL

In celebration of the band FIDLAR and their album release they will participate in a Tumblr IRL taking place at The Well in Downtown Los Angeles this Friday at 7:00pm. The free all-ages event will feature visual art by the band’s longtime collaborator Ryan Baxley as well as Zoe Zag, who illustrated the band’s album artwork, and Alice Baxley. There will also be video projections, screen-printing, various on-site activations, and a very special surprise sure to please hometown FIDLAR fans. The event is open to the public with an RSVP!

28. LA County Fair

Few events combine live music, art, agricultural attractions, farm exhibits, and more fried food than your arteries can handle, but it’s all part of the LA County Fair, starting this Friday, September 4 and running until September 27.

29. Contemplative Art Viewing At The Hammer

Enjoy a one-hour lead tour and experience art works in the museum’s permanent collection. The session takes place in the Grunwald Center for the Graphic Arts and is designed to deepen guests exploration on art. This session is free to the public!

30. Sip Cocktails, See The Sights With The Historic Hollywood: Stars & Bars Gang!

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Get a taste of Old Hollywood sip on classic cocktails as an awesome guide share history tidbits, celebrity stories and more on Urban Adventures tour of Historic Hollywood. Grab discount tickets via Goldstar.

31. Moonlight Hike

Experience the Canyon after the sun goes down! Take in the breathtaking views of the San Fernando Valley as the moon rises over trees, listen for owls, and take in the beauty of the canyon trails after sunset. Hikers have a choice of three energy levels: short/youth, medium hike or a long hike. They run 45 to 60 minute long. Howling at the moon is strongly encouraged! The hikes are free for TreePeople members and up to three guests. Nonmembers pay $5 per hiker.

32. Barnsdall Park’s Friday Night Wine Tasting

All summer long the Barnsdall Art Park held a sold out weekly fundraiser to benefit Barnsdall Art Park Foundation programs and projects. Perched on a hill with a gorgeous panoramic view of Hollywood, guests enjoyed fine wine and art in the gardens of Frank Lloyd Wright’s newly restored architectural gem, Hollyhock House. This Friday is the last night of this wonderful series! Silver Lake Wine will curate fine selections of boutique, small production, artisanal wines for park-goers as well as local gourmet cheese shop, Say Cheese.

33. Friday Night Jazz at LACMA

LACMA’s award winning Department of Music Program is a remarkable city resource, providing hundreds of free concerts and musical events every year for Angelenos to enjoy. This Friday their summer-long jazz series continues at the BP Grand Entrance.

34. 11th Annual Art Deco Festival Returns to the Queen Mary

The 11th Annual Art Deco Festival, in association with the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles, returns to the Queen Mary September 4 to 7. The festival brings the 1920s through 1940s into the 21st century with elaborate parties, musical entertainment, vintage dress experiences, food and beverage tastings, Queen Mary Art Deco example tours, lectures and more.


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Have an upcoming event you’d like suggest for listing? Drop us a line at [email protected].

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