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March is about to become April, and the to-dos keep coming.
On tap this March 30 to April 3, you’ll find the second annual The Joy Who Lived festival, a KPop Demon Hunters x McDonald pop-up collab, a A Nightmare on Elm Street takeover at Angel City Brewery, Meet the Grunion at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, OC Japan Fair, and more.
Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
The Joy Who Lived: Trans Theater & Comedy Festival – TP > Celebrate International Trans Day of Visibility with the second annual The Joy Who Lived, a festival dedicated to amplifying transgender and nonbinary voices. Now in its second year, the fest spans two weeks and features over 30 shows, workshops, and readings, ranging from reimagined classics like A Streetcar Named Desire to world premieres by emerging playwrights. The festival kicks off on Tuesday with the comedy-variety hit Gentleman’s Club at Dynasty Typewriter. Other festival locations include The Elysian, Lyric Hyperion, and Dynasty Typewriter. Programming runs through April 12. Get tickets and more info here.
Katia and Marielle Labèque: Glass’ Cocteau Trilogy – > Renowned sister pianists Katia and Marielle Labèque return to Walt Disney Concert Hall this Tuesday for a multi-sensory performance of Philip Glass’ operatic trilogy. Reimagined as suites for two pianos, the program explores the cinematic worlds of Jean Cocteau: Orphée, La Belle et la Bête, and Les Enfants Terribles. This unique production features a custom-designed chandelier and a groundbreaking olfactory element created by master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian. Each audience member will receive scent strips to experience specific fragrances composed for each musical suite, creating a fully immersive artistic encounter. Concert starts at 8 p.m. Tickets and more info here.
KPop Demon Hunters x McDonald’s Battle for the Fans: After Dark – FA > On Thursday, celebrate the release of the HUNTR/X and Saja Boys meals at The Bellwether during this exclusive, one-night-only dance party. This “Battle for the Fans” invites guests to dress as their favorite idols, hunters, or demons from the movie universe for a chance to win the evening’s costume contest. The event features high-energy dance battles, sing-along challenges, and themed photo moments. Attendees will also get an exclusive taste of the new McDonald’s collaboration meals. Runs 7:30 to 11 p.m. RVSP and get more info here.
INTO THE DREAM WORLD: A Nightmare on Elm Street Takeover – M FA > This Thursday, prepare for an immersive horror experience as Angel City Brewery transforms into an “Elm Street invasion.” This interactive event celebrates the 1984 slasher classic alongside a curated market of over 40 local horror vendors. Unlike a traditional screening, the film and several indie horror shorts will play across multiple screens throughout the brewery, allowing guests to roam, shop, and socialize. The night also features live Q&As with rising filmmakers, horror trivia with prizes, and a themed red carpet for photo opportunities. Event runs 5 to 11 p.m. 21+ only. More info here.
Performance, Protest, Preservation: High Performance Magazine – FA > This Friday at The Getty, explore the radical legacy of High Performance magazine with a day-long gathering dedicated to the journal’s role in shaping performance art from the 1970s through the 1990s. The program features panel discussions on performance as activism and the evolution of magazine culture, alongside live performance works. Highlights include a multilayered lecture by Susan Silton and a rare reanimation of the iconic “Rope Piece” by Linda Mary Montano and Tehching Hsieh. Programming runs 9:30 to 8 p.m. More info here.
Comedy as Resistance: Hollywood Shuffle – FA > Join the UCLA Film & Television Archive at the Hammer this Friday evening for a screening of Robert Townsend’s directorial debut, Hollywood Shuffle. A cornerstone of the “Black Pack” era, this 1987 satire remains a sharp critique of the industry’s limited and stereotypical roles for Black actors. The evening includes an introduction by Professor Artel Great, author of The Black Pack: Comedy, Race, and Resistance, followed by a Q&A with actor Anne-Marie Johnson and Spring Mooney (daughter of Paul Mooney). The program begins at 7:30 p.m. Free to attend, with seating assigned upon check-in. More info here.
First Fridays: Bixby Knolls Long Beach County Fair – FA > Bixby Knoll’s monthly First Fridays series returns with a nostalgic “County Fair” takeover of the business corridor along Atlantic Ave in Long Beach. Expect plenty of live music, interactive art, and local spirit, plus unique activations like a “Symphony Petting Zoo,” salsa lessons, and specials at other local businesses.. The fun runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. More info here.
Meet the Grunion -> This Friday, take a chance to experience one of California’s most unique natural spectacles at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. This seasonal program offers a deep dive into the fascinating biology and “mating dance” of the California grunion—a fish that famously leaves the ocean to spawn on sandy beaches. The evening begins with an educational auditorium session and a “hatching experience” where you can watch baby grunion emerge from their eggs in real-time, followed by a staff-led guided walk to the shoreline for (hopefully) live observation. The event kicks off at 8 p.m. and is $10 for non-members. More info here.
OC Japan Fair -> The largest Japanese cultural festival in Southern California returns this Friday to Sunday as the OC Japan Fair returns to the OC Fair & Event Center. Upgraded to feature more than 250 booths, the festival offers an immersive look into Japanese entertainment, pop culture, and culinary traditions. Attendees can enjoy live performances, participate in cultural activities, and explore a massive marketplace of food and sake. Tickets start at $19.98 for single day admission. Get more info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Casa Dani Happy Hour (Daily) -> Chef Dani García’s Spanish dining spot Casa Dani now runs a daily happy hour from 5 to 6 p.m. with $7 tapas and drinks across the board. Standout bites include Pimientos del Padrón with hummus, Spicy Tuna Croquettes, Oxtail Brioche with bull sauce, and Grilled California Avocado with feta and cilantro pesto. Pair it all with Estrella Damm, a house wine, or their signature sangria.
Carrot Cake Cookie at Levain -> Levain Bakery is ushering in spring with a new limited-time Carrot Cake Cookie. The signature six-ounce format gets packed with freshly grated carrots, sweet apricots, white chocolate chips, and crunchy pecans, delivering classic carrot cake flavor in Levain’s signature rich, indulgent texture. Also back for spring is the fan-favorite Lemon Cookie, plus a Spring Garden Party Assortment featuring Carrot Cake, Lemon, Oatmeal Raisin, and Caramel Coconut Chocolate Chip in 4-, 8-, and 12-packs, available in store and for nationwide shipping.
H&H Bagels Opens in Echo Park (April 2) -> New York City bagel institution H&H Bagels continues its LA expansion with a new Echo Park location at 1498 Sunset Blvd, opening this Thursday. The first 250 customers score a mystery H&H tote bag loaded with a gift card ranging up to $100 in value. Worth lining up for. More info here.
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