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As we venture into the heart of spring, we’ve got some colorful ways to celebrate the season this week in Los Angeles, whether in terms of art, comedy, or nods to Cinco de Mayo.
On deck from April 29 to May 3, you’ll find a new KAWAII-themed art exhibition at Japan House LA, the kickoff to the 2024 Netflix is a Joke Festival, First Fridays in Chinatown, a Rooftop Night Market at Vintage Land, DTLA Art Night, the 2024 debut of the L.A. County Fair, and more. Jump into our full weekly rundown below, and enjoy!
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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 – 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 May event, hear from NASA Jet Propulsion Research Scientist Dr. Joseph Lazio on the topic of “Technosignatures on Tap: Searching for Extraterrestrial Civilizations,” as well as UCLA Associate Professor Dr. Smadar Naoz, presenting “Gravitational Wave Sources at the Heart of Galaxies.” Starts at 7:30 p.m. More info here.
39th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival -> Visual Communications 40th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) kicks off this Wednesday and continue sfor the next ten days (May 1-10) with a robust lineup of programming that includes film screenings, special presentations and programing. Some events are free to attend. More info here.
First Wednesday Comedy at Common Space – FA > Common Space Brewery’s monthly comedy night takes place on the first Wednesday of every month. Hosts Dave Williamson and Sean McBride host a cozy show in the Brewery’s gallery space, and it’s free to attend. Runs 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. More info here.
Trivia with Mama – M > Mama Shelter’s rooftop hosts a trivia night every first and third Wednesday of the month. Join them at 7 p.m. happy hour also runs through 8 p.m.and free popcorn will be provided throughout. More info here.
Netflix is a Joke Festival 2024 – TP > Netflix’s annual city-wide comedy festival is back starting this Thursday for an 11-day affair with the 2024 lineup offering 300 individual shows to choose from at more than 35 locations, from large-scale concert halls to more intimate performance spaces. Just a few of the featured shows include Big Mouth at The Greek (May 2), Bill Burr at the Hollywood Bowl (May 4), Kat Williams at YouTube Theater (May 4), Patton Oswalt at the United Theater, and an Ali Wong Residency at The Wiltern (May 2-12). Take a look at the full schedule and get more info here.
“Yes, KAWAII is Art -Express Yourself-” at Japan House LA – M FA TP > The newest exhibition at Japan House LA debuts this Thursday, offering an thoughtful look at the origins of the colorful kawaii style, its development and its profound cultural significance, transcending its perception as a fashion look or trend. Free to view, open daily through November 3. More info here.
DTLA Art Night – FA > DTLA ArtNight runs every first Thursday of the month, activating 25+ galleries along Downtown’s Historic Core all free to attend. More info here.
NHM First Fridays – M > Natural History Museum’s First Fridays returns this month with an event centered around the human relationship with plants The evening includes live music, DJ sets in the nature garden, pop-up experiences throughout the museum, and live discussions. First Fridays run 5 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $20. More info here.
L.A. County Fair -> The L.A. County Fair returns to Pomona this Friday to Sunday for an enormous assortment of activities, musical performances, food and beverage offerings, and more. The fair runs Thursday to Sunday for the rest of the month, plus Monday May 27. Single day, advance tickets start at $15-$25 for adults. More info here.
Cinco de Mayo Mercado -> The City of San Gabriel celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a Friday evening affair in the Mission District featuring live music, crafts, food, activities for kids and a beer and cocktail garden presented by Pez Cantina. Admission is free. Runs 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. More info here.
BeachLife Festival -> The two-day music festival takes place Friday and Saturday oceanside in Redondo Beach. Headliners include Sting, My Morning Jacket, Incubus and many more. Tickets start at $179 a person. More info here.
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Rooftop Night Market -> Starting this Friday, Odd Market (the same folks who used to pop up at The Autry) are brining there brand of vintage fun to the rooftop of Vintage Land at 1032 Alpine St, just north of Downtown. Expect tons of vendors, some food options, cocktails for purchase, and DJ spun music. Tickets are $5. More info here.
Chinatown First Fridays – M FA > L.A.’s Chinatown stays open late on Friday for an evening of exploring the unique small businesses and contemporary art and culture spaces that make up the historic neighborhood. West Plaza and Chungking Road will activate with local pop-up vendors, DJ-spun music, and area galleries with extended hours. The May edition of First Fridays runs 5 to 9 p.m. Free to attend, as always. More info here.
Live Band Karaoke – FA > This Friday, Casual Encounters brings their brand of live Karaoke to Benny Boy Brewing, offering brave crooners the chance to belt out a selection of over 300 tunes in-front of the beer garden. No cover. Starts at 7 p.m. More info here.
First Fridays in Bixby Knolls -> First Fridays in Long Beach is back on Friday, with a Cinco de Mayo edition of the monthly activation along Atlantic Ave. Expect street food specials at local restaurants and extended hours at participating businesses. Runs 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. More info here.
Jazz at LACMA -> The Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s annual evening jazz series returns this Friday, offering free weekly concerts at Smidt Welcome Plaza through November. This week, the Bob Mintzer Big Band kicks off the 2024 season starting at 6 p.m. And remember that LACMA is free to visit for L.A. County Residents (with I.D.) on weekdays after 3 p.m. More info here.
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Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
A Friday Night Happy Hour at Little Fish -> At Little Fish in Echo Park, the happy hour varies each week. They announce the menu on their Instagram, sometimes even the day before. Previous items have ranged from Fried Bass Collar to Piri Piri Softshell Shrimp, Beet Carpaccio, Fish Head Terrine, oysters, and crudos. Happy hour runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and no reservations are needed.
A Birthday Dinner Honoring Jonathan Whitener at Here’s Looking At You -> This week, Ronan and Los Olivos’ Bar Le Cote are teaming up for a special birthday dinner to celebrate the late Chef Jonathan Whitener. The dinners will be held on April 29 and April 30 at Here’s Looking At You in Koreatown. The seven item menu features lots of seafood, like Mackerel Endive Caesar and Ronan’s Focaccia with uni butter, alongside a Smoked Pork Chop with peas and tendrils. Plus, Here’s Looking at You has crafted cocktails inspired by Whitener just for the occasion. Reservations are $110 per person. More info here.
Sunset Hour at Tesse -> Tesse in West Hollywood offers a Sunset Hour menu from Tuesdays to Fridays, 5 pm to 7 pm, and all day on Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am to 7 pm. During this period, guests can enjoy a selection of cocktails, wines, and beers priced between $7 and $15. Food specials range from meat and cheese boards, plancha grilled shrimp, croquetas, to a burger, all priced between $7 and $25.
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