34 Totally Fun Things To Do in L.A. This Week [7-27-15 to 7-31-15]

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 morning to keep you in the know about what’s happening in the city you love (or maybe just like).

This week includes Spamalot at the Hollywood Bowl, a Donkey Kong tournament, the U.S. Open of Surfing, a FREE screening of The Sandlot, FREE Shakespeare in the park, FREE Summer of Soul at The Hammer, and plenty more.

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Hope you find the rundown useful and, as always, enjoy your week!

[RELATED: The Best Way to Find Discount Events in Los Angeles]

Night Time View of Downtown Los Angeles
Credit: Mariam Marie via flickr

[REMINDER: In some cases We Like L.A. does receive revenue when visitors click on ticket links and make purchases, however we maintain complete editorial control over the events we suggest. Basically, it only makes it on to the website if we think it is cool!]


Monday July 27th, 2015

1. U.S. Open of Surfing

It’s that time of year again where all the best surfing athletes go down to Surf City USA to compete in a weeklong battle of gnarly waves. This annual summer competition takes over Huntington Beach and is the largest surfing competition in the world.

2. To Live and Dine in L.A.

The latest exhibition to hit the Los Angeles Central Library: To Live and Dine in L.A. is one for the foodie nostalgic. Come celebrate the history of food in Los Angeles and view a massive collection of rare, first-edition menus from restaurants that have long since closed. The exhibit aims to promote the historical significance of LA’s food culture, and will feature over 50 food and menu related programs, including lectures, cooking demos and nutrition workshops. Check out more information, times and dates on their offical page.

3. Donkey Kong-athon

Head over to the One Up Barcade in Sherman Oaks for an evening of Donkey Kong to benefit the Catalina Film Institute. Donations are $10 per game or $20 for the cumulative 3-game Kong-athon. Cash prizes and bonus prizes will be given out to the highest scores in Donkey Kong 1, Donkey Kong 3 and Donkey Kong Junio.

4. Kibitz Room Comedy Show

On the last Monday of every month Ester and Jacklyn Steinberg put together a solid lineup of famous and talented unknowns in the comedy world for a showcase at the Kibitz Room. The show is free so order a sandwich from the iconic Canters deli menu they serve the food inside the Kibitz!

Tuesday July 28th, 2015

5. Dirty Dancing Screening

Latin-inspired restaurant Bow & Truss presents throwback movie nights featuring a different film screening on the patio on select Tuesdays this season.  This week they will screen Dirty Dancing. Admission is $15 for a reserved spot and includes a movie-themed snack.

6. Gia Coppola x Peroni Grazie Cinema Series

The Mondrian will screen the 1948 Italian flick Bicycle Thieves at their Skybar rooftop. In addition filmmaker and musician Tracy Antonopoulos will be co-hosting the event, screening her short film, The Magic Word. The Grazie Cinema Series is curated by Gia Coppola who might make an appearance in support of her pal Tracy. RSVP email [email protected]

7. David Hockney At LA Louver

David Hockney’s work is being shown jointly by L.A. Louver and London’s Annely Juda Fine Art together they present “David Hockney: Painting and Photography,” an exhibition of brand-new works all made in the last two years by the prolific artist.

8. FIDM Museum Hosting Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition 

The 9th Annual Exhibition: The Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design will display about 100 costumes created by costume designers, supervisors, and this year’s Emmy Nominees® at the FIDM Museum in DTLA. Costumes include Gotham, Peter Pan Live! Wolf Hall and more. In addition you might want to view Helen Larson’s historic fashion collection with beautiful dresses and hats dating back to 1760! Both exhibits are free to the public and available Tuesday through Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm.

9. Grand Park’s Boot Camp

From 5:30pm to 6:30pm enjoy a sundown work session curtesy of Grand Park’s Boot Camp. This is a great way to spend rush hour if you work in DTLA! To get your sweat on meet at Grand Park’s Event Lawn between Spring and Broadway.

10. Food Truck Bazaar at California Heritage Museum

Every Tuesday night California Heritage Museum holds a Gourmet Truck Night at the museum showcasing a select of gourmet truck eateries. Happening from 5:30pm – 9:30pm.

Wednesday July 29th, 2015

11. Summer Sights & Sips Cruise

End your day with a sunset cruise around the marina with a drink in your hand. You’ll also enjoy complimentary appetizers and a front-row seat for the sailboat races on the Marina. Get more information and discount tickets for the cruise via Goldstar.

12. Free Screening Of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet At LACMA

This breathtaking animated film about freedom and the power of human expression is inspired by Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet. Written and directed by Roger Allers (The Lion King), with stunning poetic sequences created by acclaimed animation directors from around the world has a star studded cast that include Salma Hayek-Pinault, Liam Neeson and John Krasinski. A Q&A with director Roger Allers and producer Salma Hayek-Pinault will take place after the film. The screening is free to the public with a online reservation.

13. Is Healthy Living Only For The Wealthy? 

Americans are eating healthier, making better health decisions, exercising more, and living longer than ever before but with that lifestyle comes a hefty price tag these days. There is a correlation between the incomes of the rich and the poor and their nutrition, longevity, and healthy behaviors. What are behind these differences? And is it possible that those who have enough disposable income to obsesses over juicing, pricey gym memberships etc. be the ones to blame? LaVonna B. Lewis, of the USC Price School of Public Policy, Tracie McMillan, author of The American Way of Eating, and Roshan Bastani, director of UCLA Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Equity, visit Zócalo Public Square to discuss why all Americans don’t have an equal opportunity when it comes to their health, and what can be done to level the playing field. This discussion is free to the public.

Thursday July 30th, 2015

14. Shakespeare in The Park: Much Ado About Nothing

This Thursday the Independent Shakespeare Co. begins their string of FREE performances of Much Ado About Nothing, which will take place in Griffith Park every Thursday-Sunday starting July 30 and concluding on August 22.

15. Los Angeles Feast Hosted By LUCKYRICE

This national Feast event is stopping by Los Angeles! The three-hour foodie party will feature an array of Asian eats like Bling Bling Dumpling, Little Sister and Parks BBQ. The food will be paired with an array of eastern inspired cocktails. Taking place at Create Nightclub in Hollywood.

16. Twilight Summer Concert Series: JD McPherson & Sarah Gayle Meech

An L.A. summer tradition the Twilight Summer Concert Series takes place right on the Santa Monica pier. This week JD McPherson and Sarah Gayle Meech will take the stage. Don’t forget to RSVP for this free event. Just an FYI, KCRW has free events all over the city this summer so take full advantage!

17. Moonlight Movies on the Beach: The Sandlot

This season’s FREE Moonlight Movies on the Beach series at Granada Beach in Belmont Shore will screen The Sandlot. Movie starts at 8:00pm!

18. Summer of Soul at the Hammer Museum

Summer of Soul at the Hammer Museum happens on Thursdays throughout the month of July. Happy Hour starts at 6:30pm in the courtyard, funky soul music starts at 7:30pm courtesy of KCRW DJs and performances by The Suffers and Jungle Fire. Galleries also stay open for your late viewing pleasure. This event is free!

19. Mr. C Beverly Hills’ Perrier-Jouёt Champagne & Oysters Poolside Soirée

Mr. C Beverly Hills is partnering up with Los Angeles magazine for a night of oysters and champagne pairings celebrating exquisite cuisine and Perrier-Jouët Champagne. Dine poolside at Mr. C as DJ Bobby french spins tunes. In addition to freshly shucked oysters there will be an elaborate European cheese and prosciutto display and plenty of tray passed hors d’oeuvres that include, tuna tartare, crostini of marinated halibut, branzino ceviche, sushi, and deviled eggs with caviar. Peroni Beer, Absolut Elyx and Avion Tequila will also be on hand when you guest want to take a champagne break.

20. Game Night At Grand Central Market

Eat, drink and play every Thursday at Grand Central Market. Grab dinner and cocktails then top the night off with an assortment of games from Jenga to ping pong. The festivities end at 9:00pm for all the early risers out there!

21. San Gabriel Summer Nights

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San Gabriel Summer Nights is a series of free street parties to be held each Thursday night for the summer and ending on August 6. This week the party is at Vincent Lugo Park with a “Kollaboration” at the Park Concert.

22. MOCA Free Night

Every Thursday evening from 5:00pm – 8:00pm admission is free to both the MOCA on Grand and The Geffen Contemporary.

23. Old Town Pasadena Film Festival 

The Old Pasadena Film Festival brings back its annual summer series for the rest of this month of (mostly) outdoor movie screenings. Best part? All events are FREE and open to the public.

24. NOHO Food Truck Collective

The Food Truck Collective is an event production company that puts together food truck events in Florida and Miami they have since expanded to the West Coast. From 7 to 10 nosh on awesome food truck fare, listen to music provided by a DJ and join in on some games.

Friday July 31st, 2015

25. Legally Blonde: The Musical

This weekend come to the Morgan-Dixon Theater for a production of the Tony Award winning musical based on the novel by Amanda Brown (and perhaps more famously, the movie starring Reese Witherspoon). You can even grab half-off tickets via our friends at Goldstar for around $12.50.

26. Friday Night Rock Doc’s At The Skirball

Hangout at the Skirball Cultural Center and watch The Last Waltz, directed by Martin Scorsese hailed as “the best rock movie ever made” by Rolling Stone. The 1976 rock doc features memorable performances by some of the most iconic musicians ever like Bob Dylan, Van Morrison and Joni Mitchell. The night will start with KCSN’s DJ Les Perry spining tunes from the ’60s and ’70s, folks can explore Bill Graham and the Rock & Roll Revolution exhibit and the movie starts at 8:00pm. Freebie alert! Guest get to take away a free print from the exhibition!

27. The Phantom of the Opera at the Pantages

Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular (and acclaimed) production of Phantom of the Opera is showing at The Hollywood Pantages until August 2. For a limited time, you can get discount tickets to this Friday’s performance (big savings) via our friends at Goldstar, while supplies last.

28. Barnsdall Park’s Friday Night Wine Tasting

All summer long Barnsdall Art Park has a weekly fundraiser to benefit Barnsdall Art Park Foundation programs and projects. Perched on a hill with a gorgeous panoramic view of Hollywood, guests will enjoy fine wine and art in the gardens of Frank Lloyd Wright’s newly restored architectural gem, Hollyhock House. Silver Lake Wine will curate fine selections of boutique, small production, artisanal wines for park-goers as well as local gourmet cheese shop, Say Cheese.

29. FIGat7th Downtown Festival

The Plaza Level at FIGat7th in DTLA invites the public for a free night of music with Anderson Paak, The Free Nationals and Andre Power. Explore the bars and restaurants at Fig during the Taste happy hour starting at 4:00pm! Doors open at 7:00pm for the Plaza Bar and the show starts at 8:00pm.

30. Dance Downtown

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The weekly summer dance party at the Music Center in DTLA. This week’s dance theme and class will be Cumbia! The shows and dance parties are 100% free to the public all summer long.

31. Summertime Cinema Returns To Westfield Culver City and Westfield Fashion Square

Westfield Culver City and Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks are bringing back Summertime Cinema, a summertime family fun movie screening series. Every Friday, starting July 10th through August 7th, beloved movies will be screened outdoors at both centers allowing attendees to relive the magic of the big screen. The movies are free to the public and viewers will enjoy various special goodies at the event.

32. Grand Performances

Grand Performances has a summer-long concert series that brings Angelenos together with an eclectic mix of musical performances at a unique setting in Downtown L.A.

33. Rachel Pally Warehouse Sale

One of the biggest Rachel Pally Warehouse Sales of the season will take place this weekend. Get up to 75% off Spring and Summer Contemporary and White Label styles plus all swimwear styles start at $20, Rachel Pally Baby Collection will also be on sale for just $10. Happening Friday from 10:00am to 6:00pm, same time on Saturdays sale and Sundays sale will run 11:00am to 4:00pm.

Location: 201 S. Anderson Street, Los Angeles, California

34. Monty Python’s Spamalot At The Hollywood Bowl

Monty Python’s Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and their quest for the Holy Grail. The show features lusty maidens, dancing divas, a killer rabbit and a legless knight. It has been honored with dozens of awards, including the Grammy for Best Original Cast Recording and three Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Watch a cast of acting veterans that include Kevin Chamberlin, Tom Deckman and Rick Holmes perform alongside Comedian Craig Robinson as King Arthur and movie star Christian Slater as Sir Galahad for three nights at the iconic Hollywood Bowl. Spamalot will be conducted by Todd Ellison with choreography adapted and re-staged by Scott Taylor and Billy Sprague Jr., from the original by Casey Nicholaw. And if you want to save a few bucks, make sure to grab discount tickets to the show via Goldstar (while supplies last).


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Have an upcoming event you’d like suggest for listing? Drop us a line at [email protected].

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