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As spring draws to a close and summer revs its engine, the Skirball Cultural Center is shaping up to be your home base for a season packed full of unforgettable memories.
Outdoor movies? Check. Dynamic musical performances? Got ’em. Highly curated, one-of-a-kind art exhibits? Yeah, a few of those. And of course, a selection of outdoor programming that is all backdropped by the serenity of magic hour in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains.
There’s a lot to unpack. But let’s dive into what’s on offer so you can begin the important work of planning a few summer dates.
An Outdoor Movie Screening
The Skirball’s Outsiders, Outcasts, Rebels + Weirdos: Punk Culture 1976–86 is exactly the type of one-of-a-kind exhibition we were referring to in the opening, organizing more than 500 collected objects and pieces of ephemera to outline the connective tissue of punk in the U.S. and U.K. during its seminal decade. The exhibition also keys in on the often-overlooked relationship between Jewish musicians and the punk scene.
To bring Outsiders into focus, the Skirball has a special movie night planned for the evening of Friday, June 12. The Punk Singer (2013) looks at the life of activist, musician, and cultural icon Kathleen Hanna, who formed the punk band Bikini Kill and pioneered the “riot grrrl” movement of the 1990s. Following the screening, catch a conversation with Hanna and Ms. magazine Executive Editor, Katherine Spillar, moderated by Skirball Chief Curator, Cate Thurston. And of course, guests are welcome to explore the exhibitions before the film/discussion begins.
A Fourth of July Kickoff
As the entire country pauses in a moment of reflect for America250, the Skirball is looking back through Inventing America: The Comic Book Revolution. This massive (and we mean it!) collection of original artwork, rare artifacts, video clips, sketches, and posters is woven together to explore the cultural evolution of the United States in the twentieth century through the lens of that most American of art forms: the comic book.
Plus to celebrate the USA’s big milestone, the Skirball is kicking off Independence Day weekend with an electrifying night of sounds from the New Orleans collective Tank and the Bangas, making their Skirball debut on Thursday, July 2.
The 2025 GRAMMY Award winners lead a wildly interactive show packed with call-and-response moments, handclaps, and joyful grooves. Don’t want to miss this one!
Sunset Concerts
The Skirball’s summertime music series is back for its 29th season with a tribute to another distinctly American art form: Jazz. The lineup features a genre bending collection of world class musical artists and award winners, with concerts spanning four consecutive Thursdays from July 16 to August 6. And the best part, per usual, is that all shows are FREE to attend.
Here’s the lineup.
July 16: Cory Henry and The Funk Apostles / Katalyst | GRAMMY-winning artist Cory Henry blends funk, gospel, and jazz with his electrifying band The Funk Apostles. Inglewood’s own Katalyst, a nine-piece ensemble from the brainchild of world-renowned drummer/composer/producer Greg Paul, showcases an eclectic mix of experimental contemporary jazz.
July 23: Terrace Martin Plays Miles / Brandee Younger | One of the most versatile and freely collaborative artists of his generation, Terrace Martin honors Miles Davis’s centennial with a stirring tribute. Harpist, composer, and bandleader Brandee Younger’s music connects spiritual jazz and classical training to the rhythmic soulfulness of R&B and hip-hop.
July 30: Tortoise / Kassa Overall | The pacesetters of the then-emerging, so-called “post-rock” sound, Tortoise is widely considered one of the most influential music groups of the last forty years, with a wide-reaching impact on the contemporary music scene. Visionary drummer and producer Kassa Overall has established himself as a driving force on the international stage, with a band who’s garnered wide acclaim for their live performances. DJ set by Dave Orlando aka Boss Harmz.
August 6: Annie and The Caldwells / The Campbell Brothers | Annie and the Caldwells plays powerful disco soul, blending high-flying vocals with fuzzy, psychedelic riffs whose real troubles and experiences—as an intergenerational family run by women—are at the center of their music. Through every note, The Campbell Brothers celebrate a tradition born in praise and carried by passion, bringing the joy of the church to audiences everywhere while bridging the sacred and the secular through their extraordinary mastery of the sacred steel tradition. DJ set by Sonrisita.
Sunset Concerts start at 7 p.m. with doors/galleries open to guests at 6 p.m., with entry available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For any of the above events, make sure you visit the Skirball’s programs page to plan your visit.
And most all… enjoy!
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