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To-dos for the week? Yeah, we’ve got a few of those in mind.
In view for this July 14-18 in Los Angeles, you’ll find a Bastille Day Celebration at Grand Performances, Astronomy on Tap, Sunset Concerts at the Skirball, Hammer Summer Concerts, Sake in the Park, the South Bay Greek Festival, Pitch-A-Friend at Angel City Brewery, a Movie Under the Stars at Runway, and more.
Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Astronomy on Tap in Pasadena – M FA > Astronomy on Tap returns on Monday with a pair of scientific talks (helped along by trivia, live music, and beer) at Dog Haus Biergarten in Pasadena. For the July event, catch talks Caltech scientists Isabel Sands and Daichi Tsuna, who separately lead talks on “Why we think dark matter really exists–and what we think it is” and :”Finding Stars about to Die.” Event starts at 7:30 p.m. Free to attend, but seating is first-come, first-served. More info here.
Bastille Day Celebration – M FA > On Tuesday, celebrate France’s national holiday of independence under the stars as the Consulat Général de France in Los Angeles teams up with Grand Performances for a festive open-air concert downtown. Expect live French music, delicious French bites, and all the joie de vivre of Paris—without leaving LA. Free to attend. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. More info here.
Under the Gavel: The U.S. Supreme Court’s Most Recent Term in Review – FA > This Tuesday evening at The Hammer, the Safeguarding Democracy Project at UCLA Law is hosting a special panel and discussion event to preview what’s on the docket for the Supreme Court this summer, and what to expect as rulings on major issues come down in the next few months. The program starts at 7:30 p.m. and is free to attend. More info here.
Movies Under the Stars at Runway – FA > Runway Playa Vista’s summer movie series continues this Tuesday with a screening of Bridesmaids. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. and is free to attend. Blankets and low-back lawn chairs encouraged. More info here.
VHS Dreams: The Art of Ghana’s Mobile Cinema – FA > Beyond the Streets’ latest exhibition offers an immersive celebration of Ghana’s hand-painted movie poster tradition. VHS Dreams: The Art of Ghana’s Mobile Cinema curates an expansive set of colorful, surreal posters that 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! Gallery hours are Wednesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibition remains on view through August 23. Free to visit. More info here.
Shakespeare in the Park – FA > The Independent Shakespeare Co. continues their summer of theatre at Griffith Park this week. From July 2 to July 27, catch Wednesday to Sunday performances of Love’s Labour’s Lost at ISC’s familiar space near the Old Zoo. Performances begin at at 7 p.m. Make sure to arrive early to grab a spot. More info here.
Sunset Concerts at the Skirball – FA > The Skirball Cultural Center’s annual Sunset Concert series kicks off this Thursday, offering after-hours performances by artists from around the world on four dates from July 17 to August 7. The series kicks off with sets by Rodrigo Amarante and Helado Negro. Free walk-up tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is available for $20. Doors open at 6 p.m. More info here.
Pitch-A-Friend at Angel City Brewery – M FA > It says a lot if a friend is willing to stan you to a group of total strangers, right? That’s the premise behind Pitch-A-Friend, where presenters run through a series of 3 to 5 minute slide deck presentations (in all earnestness) followed by a singles mixer where you can meet-and-greet with the friends who come so highly recommended. And if you have a great single friend you want to pitch, you can apply to be a presenter too! Next this Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Angel City Brewery. Free to attend. More info here.
Hammer Summer Concerts – FA > The Hammer’s summer music series kicks off this Thursday with performances by Dummy and Maral in the museum courtyard, plus a supporting DJ set by Peaking Lights. Expect happy hour specials, late gallery hours, art-making, plus food and drink available for purchase all night. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and performances start at 7:30 p.m. Free to attend. Parking is $6. More info here.
Sunset Picnic at The Annenberg Beach House – FA > If you’re looking for a chill spot for a summer picnic, swing over the Annenberg Community Beach House this Thursday for sunset vibes, tunes from musical duos and complimentary s’mores (while they last) Event runs 5 to 8 p.m. Entry is free. Parking is $3 an hour. 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 Cumbia led by Enrique Cruz of RF Dance Center. The event is always free to attend, and always all-ages. Runs 7 to 11 p.m. More info here.
Sake in the Park – M > This Friday at Gloria Molina Grand Park, sip, snack, and support a good cause at Sake in the Park, an all-inclusive summer food and drink festival benefiting the Little Tokyo Service Center a local nonprofit providing social services, affordable housing, and cultural preservation to the neighborhood. Your ticket grants unlimited access to 50+ premium Japanese sakes and shōchūs, plus bites from 30+ top L.A. restaurants spanning a mix of cuisines. Expect DJ sets, live performances, and a vibrant atmosphere under the city lights—all for a great mission. Tickets are $175 per person. More info here.
South Bay Greek Festival -> This Friday to Sunday, the South Bay Greek Festival is a three-day affair at St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Redondo Beach offering lots of Greek food (spanakopita, lamb chops, baklava), dancing, and fun. Entry fee is $5. More info here.
Summer Salsa Nights at Ivy Station – M FA > This Friday, hop over to Ivy Station in Culver City for an evening of salsa. Dance instructor Pepe Gonzalez teaches an intro salsa lesson from 6:30 to 7 p.m., then guests can use what they’ve learned during a live set by Fermin Fusion Salsa from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Free. Outdoors. Open to the public. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
THE PREMIUM MALT’S HOUSE Returns to Los Angeles (July 17–Aug. 16) -> Experience Japan’s most celebrated premium beer at THE PREMIUM MALT’S HOUSE, a limited-time pop-up returning to DADA in Echo Park from July 17 to August 16. Presented by Suntory, the immersive beer bar showcases the legacy and craftsmanship behind The Premium Malt’s, with exclusive pours including the U.S. debut of Kaoru Ale—a richly layered, fruit-forward Japanese brew. Guests can also enjoy a custom food menu crafted by DADA’s culinary team to perfectly pair with each pour. More info here.
Rustic Canyon Welcomes Top New Orleans Chefs to LA (July 17-September 4) -> Rustic Canyon launches LA X LA, a new culinary dinner series that brings the bold flavors and warm hospitality of New Orleans to Santa Monica. Each night, Chef Elijah Deleon joins forces with a visiting NOLA chef for a one-night-only collaborative dinner, served à la carte with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Southern Smoke Foundation. The series kicks off July 17 with Mike Stoltzfus of Coquette, followed by Michael Gulotta (MOPHO, Tana Italian) on July 31, Ana Castro (Lengua Madre, ACAMAYA) on August 7, and Adolfo Garcia Jr. (Chichis) on August 28. The finale on September 4 will feature cocktails and food from the acclaimed Jewel of the South (ranked #24 in 50 Best bars in the world). Reservations are now live for all dates. More info here.
National Hot Dog Day at Pink’s Hot Dogs (July 16) -> Celebrate National Hot Dog Day with a giveaway from LA’s iconic Pink’s Hot Dogs, now in its 85th year. On Wednesday, July 16, the first 250 guests in line starting at 9:30 a.m. will receive a free chili cheese dog (limit one per person). The celebration continues with the next 250 dogs sold, as all proceeds will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. More info here.
Camelia’s First Anniversary and Bastille Day Specials (July 14) -> Camélia in the Arts District toasts its first birthday on Bastille Day with festive one-day-only specials that blend French and Japanese influences. Highlights include a Grand Plateau stacked with chilled seafood and market vegetables, Steak Frites au Poivre, Country Paté, and a celebratory Baba au Rhum with blackberries, yomogi, sesame, and yuzu cream. Guests can also enjoy special bottles of bubbly and sake alongside the regular menu. More info here.
Oysters & Bubbles for Bastille Day at The Culver Hotel (July 14) -> Celebrate Bastille Day in style at The Culver Hotel with a festive oyster and champagne affair on Monday, July 14 from 3–5 p.m. Enjoy $3 oysters and half-off house bubbles, or opt for the très chic Moët & Kusshi pairing: six Kusshi oysters dressed with rosé granita, peach-ginger-mint mignonette, and cocktail sauce, served with a flute of Moët Champagne.
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