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Weekend on deck. To-dos forthcoming. Let’s get into it.
For this July 11-13 in Los Angeles, you’ll find VHS Dreams at Beyond the Streets, the Echo Park Lotus Festival, Cinema Under the Stars at Broxton Plaza, Summer Open House at Bergamot Station, Off the 405 at The Getty, ¡Jotería! at LA Plaza, and more.
Things To Do This Weekend
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
VHS Dreams Opening at BTS – FA TP > This Friday, Beyond the Streets hosts an opening reception for VHS Dreams: The Art of Ghana’s Mobile Cinema, which offers an immersive celebration of Ghana’s hand-painted movie poster tradition. The colorful, surreal posters on display in VHS Dreams remix imagery from some of the most iconic films of the 80s, 90s, and 2000s (think The Terminator, The Matrix, Lord of the Rings, and many more), all through a distinctly West African lens. Honestly, you just have to see it to understand how cool these posters are. Opening night runs from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibition remains on view through August 23. More info here.
Frogtown First Second Fridays – FA > Frogtown First Fridays pushed things back a week due to the Independence Day holiday, but they’ll return on the second Friday of July with a special theme of “It’s Carnival Time”. Expect special activations at a host of participating venues adjacent to the L.A. River Path. Guests can see new art exhibits, enjoy free or low-cost art activities, giveaways, DJ’s and live music. Runs 5 to 10 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
SheLA Summer Theater Festival -> This weekend the SheLA Summer Theater Festival continues at the Zephyr Theater, offering a week-long showcase of new, original, creative works by gender-marginalized playwrights and composers in Los Angeles. Tickets start at $32 per performance. The festival runs from July 8-14. Get more info on the lineup here.
Summer of Salsa – M FA > LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes’ Summer of Salsa continues this Friday with Latin music ensemble Gabrielito y La Verdad, plus a supporting set by Super DJ Robby and free salsa dance classes from 6 to 7 p.m. by Dancing 101 with Roberto. Free to attend. More info here.
The Music Center’s Dance DTLA – M FA > Free evening dance parties return to The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza every Friday from June 21 through August 16. At Dance DTLA, instructors will be on hand to teach guests easy-to-follow steps, allowing everyone to get into the groove right from the jump. This Friday, the series continues with an evening of 2025 schedule features six events each themed for a different style of Salsa. The event is always free to attend, and always all-ages. Runs 7 to 11 p.m. More info here.
Bugs Bunny at the Symphony -> This Friday and Saturday, Warner Bros. celebrates their rascally rabbit’s 85th anniversary with back-to-back nights of Looney Tunes entertainment at the Hollywood Bowl. For each evening, expect a dozen beloved animated shorts projected on the big screens while the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra plays the original scores live. More info here.
Off the 405 – FA > The Getty’s annual after-hours concerts series offers four dates for the summer of 2025. Next up, catch a performance by Madi Diaz this Saturday. It’s free to attend, but you’ll need to pre-register for timed entry, and remember that parking is $10 after 6 p.m. on Saturdays. More info here.
Summer Open House at Bergamot Station – M FA > This Saturday in Santa Monica, Bergamot Station hosts their Summer Open House, offering visitors an afternoon of multiple exhibition openings, artist talks, curator walkthroughs, live music, and more. It’s free to attend and runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. More info here.
LACMA Latin Sounds – FA > This Saturday, LACMA continues their a series of evening, outdoor concerts at Hancock Park (adjacent to the museum campus) with a performance by Brazilian singer, songwriter, actress, and poet Silvia Nicolatto. Free to attend. Runs 5 to 7 p.m. More info here.
Cinema Botanica: Flow -> On Saturday, the California Botanic Garden’s nature-themed film series screens the Oscar-winning animated film Flow. The event includes pre-movie trivia and crafting activity, and chairs will be provided, feel free to bring your own comfy camp chair if you prefer. Every paid ticket includes a free popcorn with optional native plant infused topping as well. GA starts at $19. Doors open at 7 p.m. More info here.
Echo Park Lotus Festival – FA TP > This Saturday and Sunday, the 44th annual Lotus Festival returns to honor the people and culture of the Republic of South Korea for 2025. Expect live music, children’s activities, a lantern launch, dragon boat races, and more. Free to attend, but you want to participate in the lantern portion you can buy tickets starting at $33.85. The programming begins at noon on both days. More info here.
Movies Under the Stars – M FA > Old Pasadena shopping mall One Colorado is hosting Movies Under the Stars on select Saturdays for the months of June, July and August. The series continues with this Saturday with a screening of of Grease beginning at 8:30 p.m. Public seating is free and first-come, first-served, so be sure to arrive early if you want to nab a good spot There is also a VIP option for $50. More info here.
Cinema Under the Stars at Broxton Plaza – FA > Head to Westwood’s Broxton Plaza this Saturday for another edition of Cinema Under the Stars. The featured screening for the night is The LEGO Movie: 2 and beforehand you’ll be treated to pre-show entertainment, kids crafts, and live music. Movie starts at sundown. More info here.
Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts – M FA > Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles routinely offers the most prolific annual free concert series in the city, all taking place at MacArthur Park. Next up, this Saturday you can check out Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band & La Verdad, who will bring an evening of Latin soul, jazz fusion, and Grammy-winning big band fun to the stage. Music starts at 7 p.m. More info here.
Belly Laughs Comedy and Food Festival -> This Saturday and Sunday, the Belly Laughs Comedy and Food Festival brings together 30+ top comedians—like Kumail Nanjiani, Bobby Lee, Joel Kim Booster, and Margaret Cho—alongside some of the best in Los Angeles’ Asian cuisine. Curated by MAMA’S NIGHTMARKET, the food lineup features heavy hitters like Yum Slut, Bobapop, and Holy Basil, plus live cooking demos throughout the weekend. Tickets start at $129. More info here.
Sazon Latin Food Market a Common Space – FA > Latin City brings a delicious array of flavors to Common Space Brewery this Sunday for the Sazon Latin Food Market. The vendor lineup includes Ritchie’s Hot Chicken, Oaxaca on Wheels, The Grill Sergeant, La Finca Coffee Bar – Specialty lattes & matcha, Peru Vibes N Bites, and AhhHuevo. Runs 2 to 7 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
¡Jotería! – A Cultural Pride Event at LA Plaza – M FA > On Sunday, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes celebrate the LGBTQIA+ Latinx community with a day of DJs, live performances, vendors, food, arts & crafts, resource booths, giveaways, and a beer garden. Free to attend. Runs 1 to 6 p.m. More info here.
Concerts in the Park in Manhattan Beach – FA > Manhattan Beach’s Concerts in the Park series continues every Sunday through August 31. This weekend, catch a performance by the Tom Petty tribute act Petty Party. Runs 5 to 7 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Bastille Day at Benny Boy – FA > It’s “Vive La France” this Sunday at Benny Boy Brewing as brewhouse celebrates Bastille Day with a French Jazz Concert featuring the Belle Affaire combo plus special food vendors selling delicious bites. The fun goes from 5 to 8 p.m. Free admission. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Daisy Margarita Bar Brings the Party to Sherman Oaks
The team behind Mirate has done it again with Daisy Margarita Bar, a vibrant newcomer lighting up Ventura Boulevard. On a recent weeknight visit, the place was packed—music pumping, drinks flowing, and not an empty seat in sight.
Inspired by Mexico’s traditional cantinas, Daisy offers a wildly creative margarita menu from award-winning Beverage Director Max Reis. From classics to fruit-forward blends like sour apple and mangoneada with popping boba, and even savory spins like a Frozen Guacamole or purple cabbage-based Baja Slaw, every drink surprises.
In the kitchen, Michelin-trained Chef Alan Sanz delivers bold, flavor-packed dishes rooted in Mexican tradition. Highlights include aguachile de chayote with pineapple and coconut, crispy fideo seco with shrimp and chicharrón, and a hefty lamb shank served with cheesy dobladitas you’ll want to turn into DIY tacos.
Daisy recently launched a late-night happy hour and weekend brunch, giving even more reasons to stop by. The happy hour runs from 10 p.m. to close Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 p.m. on weekends, offering craveable snacks like Chorizo Fries and Tostitos con Ceviche served in the mini chip bag—plus fun off-menu drinks like Boilermakers and Gomichelas.
For weekend brunch (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.), Daisy transforms into a Michelada Bar, dishing out Fish Birria, molletes de chicharrón prensado, and other hearty bites that hit just right with a spicy, ice-cold michelada.
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