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April ends. May begins. The to-dos continue!
This April 27 to May 1 in Los Angeles, you can check out the return of Jazz at LACMA, Astronomy on Tap, Record Bizzy at Darling, Art is Magic at the Getty, Frogtown First Fridays, Dungeon at the Lyric Hyperion, and more.
Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Astronomy on Tap Los Angeles: NASA Artemis & Lunar Landers – M FA > Astronomy on Tap returns on Monday with a pair of scientific talks (helped along by trivia, live music, and beer) at Dog Haus Biergarten in Pasadena. For the April event, navigation engineer Sarah Elizabeth McCandless talks “Moonbound Again: Artemis II and the Return of Humans to Deep Space,” followed by Honeybee robotics lead mechanical engineer Roshan Misra discussing “LISTER: Why a lunar lander payload put a hole in the Moon.” Event starts at 7:30 p.m. Free to attend, but seating is first-come, first-served. Starts at 7:30 p.m. More info here.
Art is Magic: A Conversation at the Getty – FA > This Tuesday at The Getty, join Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller and renowned curator Hamza Walker for a deep exploration of how art shapes our public imagination and historical memory. This dialogue centers on the complex life of monuments—how they are built, contested, and reimagined in the modern era. Drawing from Walker’s recent curation of MONUMENTS and Deller’s career-spanning book Art is Magic, the talk investigates the intersection of civic life, symbolic power, and collective performance. Free to attend but remember parking is $10 after 6 p.m. Talk starts at 7 p.m. More info here.
Jazz at CAAM: On Langston Hughes – M FA > On Wednesday at the California African American Museum, experience a powerful fusion of literature and music at the California African American Museum as part of the exhibition A New Song: Langston Hughes in the West. This performance brings to life Hughes’s epic masterpiece, “Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz.” Originally written in 1961 as a multi-layered poem with musical cues in the margins, the work serves as a rhythmic commentary on the global struggle for civil rights and freedom. The performance starts at 7 p.m. More info here.
Record Bizzy: Psychic Hotline with Sylvan Esso – FA > This Thursday, In Sheep’s Clothing and Darling present Record Bizzy, an industry-focused listening party designed for deep immersion in a label’s sonic catalog. This edition features the artist-run label Psychic Hotline, known for its eclectic roster of contemporary sounds ranging from electronic pop to global jazz. Expect sounds from the label’s diverse roster, including Ichiko Aoba, Sam Wilkes, William Tyler, and Reyna Tropical. Doors open at 7 p.m. Free to attend with RSVP. More info here.
Dogs Only Social Club at Benny Boy – FA > Join the Dogs Only Social Club for their quarterly residency at Benny Boy Brewing this Thursday. The evening features a mix of advocacy and fun, with multiple stations designed for both you and your dog to enjoy, including free treats from Full Moon Pet, waste bags from Peony Celeste, adoptable pets from Yogi’s House, and a Paint Your Pup Workshop (ticketed) led by Paint My Buddy. The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Jazz at LACMA – FA TP > The Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s annual Friday Night Jazz series returns on May 1, offering free weekly concerts at Smidt Welcome Plaza. Vocalist and composer Michelle Coltrane will kicks off the 35th season by celebrating the John Coltrane Centennial. PLUS: Remember that LACMA is free to visit for L.A. County Residents (with I.D.) on weekdays after 3 p.m. Concert starts at 6 p.m. More info here.
Frogtown First Fridays – FA > First Fridays in Frogtown return for 2026 with a spring kickoff edition on May 1 that’s “All About the Animals.” Expect over a dozen venues adjacent to the L.A. River Path celebrating animals and wildlife with art exhibits by local artists, free or low-cost family activities, discounts, giveaways, arts & crafts, workshops, performances live music, plus adoptable kittens and puppies. Runs 5 to 10 p.m. Free and open to the public. More info here.
Bixby Knolls First Fridays: Arte de Mayo -> Enjoy art, culture, and community in Long Beach at the May edition of First Fridays in Bixby Knollws, themed Arte de Mayo. This neighborhood-wide event transforms the Atlantic Avenue corridor into a vibrant cultural hub featuring live music, local art pop-ups, and specialty food and drink. Explore the unique breweries, shops, and restaurants of Bixby Knolls while experiencing traditional and contemporary creative performances, all located along Atlantic Ave between San Antonio Dr and Bixby Rd. Runs 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. More info here.
Days of Future Past: Graduate Art MFA Exhibition – FA > Celebrate the next generation of contemporary artists at the ArtCenter College of Design with Days of Future Past, the 2026 MFA group exhibition. Featuring seven graduating artists, the show explores “hauntology”—the idea that the past persists in our present—but with a twist of curiosity and reinvention rather than loss. Drawing inspiration from the time-bending themes of its namesake film, the exhibition serves as a rewritten present for these emerging creators. The exhibition kicks off with an opening reception this Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. More info here.
Dungeon: A Comedy Roleplaying Game -> High-fantasy meets high-comedy chaos this Friday night at the Lyric Hyperion Theater & Cafe as Dungeon returns to the stage. Hosted by Game Master John-Michael Bond, this improvised comedy game show strips away complex mechanics to let top-tier comedians dive headfirst into wild, one-person role-playing adventures. The result is a blend of standup and improv that “simplifies the gameplay so comedians… can really enjoy delving into fantasy land much to the chagrin of the audience.” Show begins at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $17.85. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Evan Funke’s Cheeseburger Revival (Thursdays) -> Tucked just beyond the doors of Mother Wolf, Bar Avoja is quietly home to one of LA’s most anticipated comebacks. Evan Funke’s cult-favorite cheeseburger, originally served at Rustic Canyon in the early 2010s and off menus for over a decade, is back in extremely limited quantities every Thursday after 8 p.m. The burger stacks prime brisket, Tillamook cheddar, onion fonduta, dill pickles, and herb remoulade on a brioche bun. Get there early. More info here.
Lawry’s Celebrates Prime Rib Day (April 27–30) -> LA’s prime rib icon Lawry’s marks Prime Rib Day with a limited-time $49 bar special. The “Tiny Prime Rib Plate” comes with a reduced-sized spinning salad, Yorkshire pudding, spinach, and corn plus a Tiny Meat & Potatoes Martini to wash it all down. Available at the bar only through April 30. More info here.
Stone Edge Farm & Kamen Estate Wines at WeVINO (April 30) -> WeVINO in Westlake Village welcomes Stone Edge Farm and Kamen Estate Wines for a relaxed social tasting this Thursday. Guests can settle in at a table or wander the room at their own pace, grazing on family-style appetizers while the WeVINO team circulates to pour wines and connect one-on-one. Tickets are $50 per person, applicable toward any wine purchases made during the evening. More info here.
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