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Another scorcher is in store for you this weekend, but we’ll try to level things out with a few fun to-dos.
Lined up for this July 31 to August 2 in Los Angeles, you’ll find VHS & Vendors at Lawless Brewing, Beach Movie Nights at Dockweiler, KCRW Summer Nights at CAAM, a Bar Bene fundraiser at the Garibaldina Society, Garden Concerts for kids at the Getty, the Afro-Latino Culture Fest at LA Plaza, St. Vincent at the Bowl, and more.
Things To Do This Weekend
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Friday Art Night at LAMAG – FA > This Friday, head to Barnsdall Art Park for a Papier-Mâché Mask Making Workshop hosted at the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, and co-presented b Heavy Manners Library. This week’s edition of the Art Night features clothed figure drawing, hosted by Bijou Karman. Admission is free. Runs 5 to 8 p.m. More info here.
VHS & Vendors: Jaws Night – FA > This Friday, Lawless Brewing Co. in North Hollywood hosts VHS & Vendors: Jaws Night in collaboration with Wallflower Markets. The event features a beach-themed maker market, a kinetic sandcastle station, shark photo opportunities, pizza from Tramonto Pizza, and an outdoor beer garden screening of Jaws. Market entry is free, while movie seating is $7.50 for blanket lawn space or $10 for chair seating. Market opens at 5 p.m. Movie starts at 8 p.m. More info here.
New Balance Store Launch at The Grove -> New Balance is opening a brand new flagship store at The Grove, and to celebrate they’ll be hosting interactive consumer experiences at The Statue all weekend long. Guests can check out a sound bar custom soundtrack experience for the AC Runner from this Thursday and Friday, then a cafe bar pops up with complimentary beverages at the Ellipse Cafe this Saturday and Sunday. Activations run from noon to 6 p.m. More details here.
Beach Movie Nights: Hopper – FA > Dockweiler Youth Center in Playa del Rey hosts the next installment of Beach Movie Nights this Friday, featuring a family-friendly outdoor screening of Pixar’s animated comedy Hoppers on the sand. Attendees should bring blankets. First-come, first-served seating. Admission is free. Starts at 8 p.m. More info here.
L.A. Arts Activation Panel – FA > This Friday, ESMoA (the Experimentally Structured Museum of Art) in Lawndale hosts the L.A. Arts Activation Panel, an all-ages panel discussion featuring Los Angeles-based artists and arts organization founders. Moderated by 2026 Getty Marrow Intern Eva Asiddao, the conversation explores the cultural impact and ongoing role of the arts in the local community. Admission is free. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. More info here.
The Music Center’s Dance DTLA – M FA -> Free evening dance parties continue at The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza every Friday through August 8. 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 week features an evening of Cumbia featuring instruction by the RF Dance Center with Andrik & Erika, plus music DJ Sizzle Fantastic. The event is always free to attend, and always all-ages. Start at 7 p.m. More info here.
KCRW Summer Nights at CAAM – M FA TP > The next installment of KCRW Summer Nights pops up at California African American Museum this Saturday with an evening of music, dancing, and late-night gallery access. The lineup features live sets from KCRW DJ Novena Carmel and DJ Michael Donte of Black House Radio alongside food trucks and an outdoor beer garden. Guests can explore current exhibitions after hours, including Free and Queer: Black Californian Roots of Gay Liberation. Admission is free with RSVP. Party runs 7 to 11 p.m. More info here.
Latin Sounds – M FA > LACMA hosts its Latin Sounds outdoor concert series in Hancock Park with a performance by Fausto Cuevas y La Moderna. Led by master percussionist Fausto Cuevas, the ensemble delivers a high-energy blend of salsa, cumbia, cha-cha-chá, and Cuban guaguancó. Onsite food will be available for purchase from the Fresh Pizza on Wheels food truck. Admission is free. Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Bar Bene -> Bar Bene returns this Saturday with a fundraiser party for the Garibaldina Society, a very cool local Italian social club you may have read about in the L.A. Times (or maybe even attended!) The walk-in community event features live DJ sets, food, desserts, coffee, and wine offerings. Entry is available for a $10 suggested donation, with proceeds to go towards roof repairs at Garibaldina’s building in Highland Park. Fun kicks off at 5 p.m. More info here.
Fourth Annual Afro-Latino Culture Fest – M FA > On Saturday, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes hosts the Fourth Annual Afro-Latino Culture Fest, an open-air festival celebrating Afro-Latino and Afro-Caribbean traditions. Presented in partnership with the Afro-Latino Education and Arts Collective, the event features live music, DJ sets, artisan vendors, food, family activities, and a 21+ cocktail bar. Guests can bring blankets and low lawn chairs. Admission is free with recommended RSVP. Starts at 4 p.m. More info here.
SheroCon 2026 – FA > This Saturday, SheroCon is back at the Valley Relics Museum with a friendly comic, gaming, and creative tech convention celebrating women in fandom and storytelling. Presented by Shero Comics, the fourth annual event features panel discussions with industry creators, a marketplace of local artists and authors, and a cosplay contest. Admission is free, but advance registration is required. Runs noon to 6 p.m. More info here.
Garden Concerts for Kids: Dan + Claudia Zanes with Tyree Austin – FA > This Saturday and Sunday, Garden Concerts for Kids return to the Getty performances by Grammy-winner Dan Zanes, jazz vocalist Claudia Zanes, and gospel singer Tyree Austin. The family-friendly event offers interactive roots, folk, and jazz music. Admission is free without a ticket, though timed-entry museum reservations and paid parking are required. Music starts at 4 p.m. in the Central Garden. More info here.
St. Vincent at the Bowl -> On Sunday, the 2026 Hollywood Bowl season continues with a performance by St. Vincent alongside the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, conducted by Jules Buckley. The six-time Grammy winner pairs her genre-bending art-rock arrangements with a full orchestral back-drop. Sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar opens the evening and KCRW’s Anne Litt hosts. Tickets start at $29. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. More info here.
lululemon Summer Series LA – FA > Kickstart your Sunday at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood with an outdoor workout class as part of the lululemon Summer Series LA. This week, catch a Sculpt Cardio class led by Dani Coleman,. Complimentary mats are provided for the first 200 guests, though attendees should bring their own water bottle. Admission is free, with advance registration required. Runs 10 to 11 a.m., and doors open at 9:30 a.m. More info here.
Joint Seafood Summer Block Party – FA > The Joint Seafood location in Downtown Los Angeles is hosting another Summer Block Party this Sunday. The event features food, drinks, and music, with local pop-up vendors including Heng Heng Chicken Rice, Joimo, Fuegos, Franks n Frank’s, El Gato Negro, Dassai Sake, and Moom Maam Gelato. Plus, attendees can enter a raffle to win a whole Ōra King Salmon (nice!). Free parking is available at 414 E Temple St. The party runs from 5 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Dave Arnold Bar Takeover at Morihiro (August 2) -> Morihiro welcomes acclaimed bartender, author, and founder of New York’s Museum of Food and Drink Dave Arnold behind the bar for one night only. Known for his scientific approach to drink-making and the influential book Liquid Intelligence, Arnold joins Bar Director Han Suk Cho for an evening of signature cocktails and Japanese bites. Each $95 ticket includes bites from a spicy tuna handroll, futomaki, to panna cotta from the Morihiro team, with Arnold and Han’s cocktails available for purchase throughout the evening. Reservations on Resy. More info here.
Kosas x Pantry at Madhappy West Hollywood (July 29 – August 4) -> Kosas celebrates the launch of its new Cloud Set Loose Translucent Powders with a one-week takeover at Pantry at Madhappy in West Hollywood. The collab brings two limited-edition drinks, a Cloud Set Latte and a Cloud Set Matcha, exclusively to the café for the week. Order either and receive a complimentary mini Cloud Set Loose Powder while supplies last. The first 50 customers each day also score a free full-size Kosas product. More info here.
Bengara $98 Eight Tasting Menu -> Bengara, the fire-driven Japanese spot in the Art’s District just gave guests another reason to book a table. Tyler Burger and the Smoke Door team have launched a daily eight-course tasting menu for $98, and it covers all the bases. Toyosu Carpaccio with chili coffee oil opens things with precision. Pork Belly “Tacos” wrapped in mochi crepes bring the fun. Miso Cod, Mary’s Half Chicken, and Teuchi Citrus Soba keep the momentum going, with optional Wagyu and uni supplements for those going all in. Boozy pairings span cocktails, sake, and wine. N/A drinkers get their own moment with a Lemon Sour, Ume Spritz, and Oolong Old Fashioned and more. Walk-ins welcome, reservations can be made via OpenTable.
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