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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 through Friday morning to keep you in the know about what’s happening in the city you love (or maybe just like).
This week, from Monday, April 29 to Friday, May 3, features the Los Angeles Times Food Bowl, Taste Walk Glendale, Union Station’s 80th Anniversary, First Time Fridays at LACMA, Pancakes & Booze Art Show, Just like Heaven Fest with and MUCH more.
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Remember you can always go to our L.A. events calendar page to get an updated rundown of what’s happening around the city.
Hope you find the rundown useful and, as always, enjoy your week!
Keep in mind that while we retain complete editorial control of our content, for some of the ticketing options provided we utilize affiliate links and receive a commission if you purchase through our links.
Monday April 29th, 2019
1. FLAX (French Los Angeles Exchange) Drive-In Theater returns to Tin Flats for another season of double features taking place on the last Monday of every month from April to October. Local artists are selected to screen their work as well as an additional film that inspires them. An informal discussion with the artists follow the screenings. Only eight spots are available for cars, so reserve in advance. No reservation is required for open seating area outside of cars. FREE
2. Monday’s College Night at the Getty Center features the special theme Dreaming in Color. The evening includes DJ sets by Kronika accompanied by artist Travis Flournoy’s live projections. There will also be art-marking activities, free food, a cash bar, and tours. FREE
3. Pasadena’s One Colorado hosts Happy Hour Week from April 28-May 3 offering live entertainment and specially priced drinks and bites from local restaurants.
4. The Pasadena Playhouse presents a Holocaust Remembrance Reading of THE WALL, based on the novel by John Hersey this Monday.
5. E.P. & L.P. in West Hollywood continues their stylish cinema series Melrose Rooftop Theatre with several screenings this week including Black Panther, Zoolander and more.
6. Otium will host a collaboration dinner with LA’s Badmaash and Mumbai’s famed Arth restaurant. The trio will create an inventive four-course menu blending Indian flavors into each creation.
7. Bring a little meditation to your Monday at the Eastside/Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sitting Group.
Tuesday April 30th, 2019
8. Mesamérica L.A & DFiesta kicks off the 2019 Los Angeles Times Food Bowl. The opening night party will feature a symposium, followed by DFiesta at Grand Central Market where for-purchase chef collaborations, roving Mariachi bands and other Mexico City-inspired fun will be held. Check for discounted tickets before your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
9. The Mermaid bar will host a Game of Thrones Trivia night from 8-10 p.m.
10. Boomtown Brewery in collaboration with Chef Alan Matheus host Taco Tuesdays.
11. 260LA will host a Paul Smith sample sale from April 30 to May 5 in their Beverly Hills location.
12. Rooftop Cinema Club returns to the rooftop of LEVEL in DTLA for a screening of Dirty Dancing.
Wednesday May 1st, 2019
13. Taste Walk Glendale returns for its 17th annual tasty celebration with a stroll through the Downtown area where over 40 restaurants will offer an array of unlimited food selections.
14. Cirque du Soleil’s AMALUNA heads to the L.A. Waterfront in San Pedro for a magical evening that takes the audience through a journey loosely based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Check for discounted tickets before your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar
15. The Southeast European Film Festival a.k.a. SEEfest will showcase filmmakers and films from south east Europe and Eurasia from May 1-8. Check for discounted tickets before your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar
16. The Pasadena Showcase House of Design will take place at the Boddy House on the grounds of Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge from April 21 through May 19.
17. Museum of Illusions has recently launched a brand new experience. Guests can walk through eye popping 3D exhibits inspired by cartoons, art, current events, pop culture and more. The museum is open daily. Check for discounted tickets before your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar
Thursday May 2nd, 2019
18. PHOTOVILLE LA happening at Annenberg Space for Photography May 2-5 is a photographic festival experience featuring exhibitions of local and international photographers workshops and more. FREE
19. Head to Downtown San Pedro for First Thursday Art Walk featuring street vendors, food trucks and after hours at art galleries in the Artist District.
20. Every first and third Thursday of the month Brennan’s in Marina Del Rey hosts their famous turtle races. Since 1974, this tradition brings these little speedsters out of their sanctuary (located in the bar) for an exciting game that support charities. Race starts at 9 p.m.
21. The bi-annual Matisse Footwear warehouse sale will have highly coveted styles at 80% below retail, with prices starting at $10. Happening May 2-4 in El Segundo.
22. Le Creuset will host a Factory to Table Sale, May 2-5 at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica. The day will also include live cooking demos from L.A. chefs using Le Creuset products and delicious food samples for all attendees. A portion of ticket proceeds will go towards local non-profit After School All Stars.
23. If Halloween and horror movies are your favorite topics then I Like Scary Movies Experience will be just what you’re looking for. Guests can expect to see, hear, feel, and smell recreations of iconic moments from IT (2017), Beetlejuice, The Shining, The Lost Boys, and A Nightmare on Elm Street. There won’t be costumed actors jumping out trying to startle but there will be multi-sensory surprises along your winding path. The pop up experience runs April 4 through June 16 Thursday through Sunday.
24. The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival dedicated to showcasing films by and about Asians and Pacific Islanders, returns May 2-10 with a variety of screenings and activities.
25. There’s a new, immersive horror experience at Zombie Joe’s Underground theater in North Hollywood titled “I want to live in your mouth.” It’s a 20 minute show for one single guest that transports them inside a child’s nightmare. You’ll navigate through corridors, opening doors and meeting creatures, some you wish you had avoided. The show runs Thursday through Sunday through May 5.
26. There’s a free mindful awareness meditation going on at the Hammer. Participants are welcome to stay for the entire 30-minute session or leave when they choose. FREE
27. Free admission at: Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.), MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.), Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.), and USC Pacific Asian Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)
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Friday May 3rd, 2019
28. Union Station is celebrating its 80th Anniversary with a two-day (May 3-4) community celebration. There will be live music in the the regal Waiting Room, a Living Gallery highlighting the past, a market place with local vendors, food and drink plus a special 80th anniversary menu. FREE
29. Never been to LACMA? First-time Fridays is a new monthly event for new visitors to the museum. Simply let the ticket office know you’re a newbie and you’ll receive a free poster, discounts and a welcome gift. Stop by after 3 pm with a L.A. County residents ID and get free admission.
30. Lucha VaVOOM Cinco De Mayan Spectacular returns May 3 – 5 for a spectacular lucha libre show that consists of masked wrestlers going to town on each other, riling up the crowd as one gets whackier than the next. The show also features stripteases, comedy, mariachis, music, and tamales. Check for discounted tickets before your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
31.Friday Night Block Party at L.A. LIVE presented by Absolut features 20+ pop-up shops, live art and street performers and select $5 food and drink menus at participating L.A. LIVE restaurants. FREE
32. The Los Angeles Pancakes & Booze Art Show comes to LOT 613 May 3 – 4 for a pop-up art show of over 500 pieces by 150+ local artists plus booze, unlimited pancakes and more.
33. Just Like Heaven Fest comes to Queen Mary Events Park in Long Beach for a two day music festival (May 3-May 4) with a lineup that includes the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, Phoenix, MGMT, Beach House, Passion Pit, Grizzly Bear and more.
34. Effervescence: Champagne & Sparkling Wine Festival returns to Los Angeles May 3 – 5 for its premier sparking wine event featuring an array of grape-worthy activities over the course of three days. Highlights include exclusive collector dinners, grand tastings, chef-lead dinners, and galas with celebrity chefs such as Nancy Silverton (La Brea Bakery, Mozza).
35. The Walt Disney Concert Hall will host a pre-show reception in the Garden with complementary drinks before enjoying Mozart performed by Emanuel Ax and The LA Philharmonic.DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
36. The BeachLife Festival is a three-day music festival (May 3-5) oceanside at Redondo Beach’s Seaside Lagoon. Headliners include Brian Wilson, Bob Weir, Willie Nelson, Jason Mraz, Ziggy Marley, Violent Femmes, Sugar Ray and many more.
37. The NoMad Los Angeles recently launched a new food series titled ‘For A Limited Time Only‘ transforming the hotel’s coffee shop into a variety of themed pop-ups every Friday and Saturday evening. The second iteration The Kentucky Derby featuring mint juleps, hot chicken sandwiches, deviled eggs and Derby decor to match.
38. The Mission District of the City of San Gabriel will throw a Cinco de Mayo Mercado Street Festival with food trucks, live entertainment, a Mercado with Latin American artisans and vendors, complementary kids’ activities, art, beer and wine garden and more. FREE
39. First Fridays in Long Beach will celebrate moms this month with plenty of special activities like “Take Your Mom to a Tea Party”, The Uptown Village Market and more.
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40. First Fridays return to the Natural History Museum this Friday for an after hours party with DJs, cocktails and food. The event will explore the forces of nature focused on floods this month.
41. Los Angeles County Museum of Art hosts free jazz performances on Fridays through November. Concerts take place at the main entrance. FREE
42. Since its the first Friday of the month check out all the cool events happening around town including block parties and art walks for First Fridays.
43. Free admission at: Norton Simon Museum (5 to 8 p.m.).
Food Pick for the Week
This week’s pick by Christina Champlin, Co-Founder of We Like L.A.
Viviane, located inside the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills, wants to make the Mondays something to look forward to. They’ve recently launched a Monday Proper Dinner series with a rotating three course dinner prepared by chef Michael Reed weekly for $65 per person. During my visit I was greeted with a complimentary glass of wine selected to pair with my meal. For starters a creamy spinach dip with toasted sourdough was served. My second course was a New York Strip Steak Diane with asparagus and truffle fries. Chef Reed serves pretty sizable plates so come hungry. To end the meal I was given my choice of dessert on the menu. If you happen to catch Los Angeles on a warm evening the best seat in the house is outside overlooking the aqua colored pool.
Viviane is located at 9400 W Olympic Blvd, Beverly Hills.
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