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Sunshine and picture perfect weather looks to be the norm this week. Now let’s put some to-dos on your radar.
In view this May 18-22 in Los Angeles, you’ll find Meet the Grunion at Marine Cabrillo Aquarium, Taste of South Pasadena, An Ode to Black Opera at CAAM, new exhibitions at Skirball and Japan House LA, Fourth Fridays in Long Beach and more.
Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Meet the Grunion -> Chance a meeting with one of SoCal’s most markable natural phenomena this Monday night at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro. Meet the Grunion is a nighttime program offering a guided opportunity to (hopefully) watch California grunion leave the ocean to spawn on the beach. The evening begins inside the aquarium auditorium with an educational presentation on the unique biology and mysterious mating rituals of these silver fish, followed by a staff-led observation session at Cabrillo Beach. It all starts at 9 p.m. Tickets for non-members are $10. More info here.
Taste of South Pasadena – M > On Tuesday, sample food along Mission and Fair Oaks and enjoy live music in a family-friendly atmosphere during Taste of Pasadena. Presented by the Rotary Club of South Pasadena the event features over 30 food and drink stops including an additional VIP section with 15+ wine, beer and spirits participants. Adults GA tickets start at $50. Runs 5 to 8 p.m. More info here.
LA Opera: An Ode to Black Opera – M FA > LA Opera Connects returns to the California African American Museum (CAAM) this Tuesday for a soulful performance celebrating the rich history and contributions of Black composers. This intimate concert features a talented ensemble of LA Opera artists, offering a program that bridges classical tradition with contemporary Black artistry. The program begins at 7 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Lectures on Tap: Bat Genomes and their Superpowers -> Trade the traditional lecture hall for a barstool as Lectures on Tap brings cutting-edge science to Benny Boy Brewing this Tuesday. The event features a deep dive into the extraordinary biology and genetic secrets of bats—mammals that can live up to 30 years, rarely contract cancer, and navigate completely by sound. The presentation explores how these evolutionary adaptations protect ecosystems and what their genetic code could mean for the future of human health and medicine. Starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $39.19. More info here.
Spring Exhibitions Opening at The Skirball -> – FA TP > On Wednesday, the Skirball Cultural Center welcomes spring with a trio of new exhibitions: Inventing America: The Comic Book Revolution; Outsiders, Outcasts, Rebels + Weirdos: 1976–86; and Robert Russell and Lisa Edelstein: A Palace in Time. All three will debut in the day time and extend into an evening affair where the public can enjoy after-hours access to the galleries plus sips and snacks for purchase, and artists and curators on hand. Best part? Both opening night and opening day are free to attend with registration. More info here.
Marching West: The Los Angeles Civil Rights Movement in Photographs – FA > Explore the profound and often overlooked history of West Coast activism at the Getty Center this Wednesday. Marking the release of the new Getty publication Marching West, this evening panel addresses how photography served as both a witness and a critical instrument in the fight for Black equality in Los Angeles. Moderated by NPR correspondent Karen Grigsby Bates, the discussion features authors Dr. Karin L. Stanford and Mark Speltz sharing powerful, rarely seen images that connect local grassroots efforts to the broader national Civil Rights Movement. Starts at 7 p.m. at Harold M. Williams Auditorium. Free to attend with RSVP (there is a fee for parking). More info here.
Out of Plain Sight at The Hammer – FA > The Los Angeles Times and , The award-winning documentary Out of Plain Sight comes to the Hammer Museum’s Billy Wilder Theater this Thursday. Pulitzer Prize-finalist Rosanna Xia, the film exposes the dark history of up to half a million barrels of toxic DDT waste secretly dumped off the coast of Southern California after World War II. The screening is followed by a live, interdisciplinary conversation exploring the intersection of journalism, science, and the arts. It all starts at 7:30 p.m., and is free to attend. More info here.
WASHOKU | Nature and Culture in Japanese Cuisine – M FA > Uncover the profound philosophy behind Japan’s culinary traditions with a new exhibition at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, starting this Friday. Making its debut outside of Japan, this UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage exhibition explores how geography, ingenuity, and a deep reverence for nature shape washoku. Developed in collaboration with the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo, the gallery features a rich array of natural specimens, life-size seafood replicas, historical meal recreations, and interactive multimedia installations. WASHOKU remains on view through October 18, 2026. Free to visit. More info here.
WeHo Pride: Harvey Milk Day – FA > This Friday, celebrate the legacy of LGBTQ+ pioneers as the City of West Hollywood officially observes Harvey Milk Day. This year’s centerpiece event is the José Sarria Drag Pageant, named in honor of the first openly gay person to run for public office in the U.S. and the founder of the Imperial Court System. The pageant brings together local performers for a high-energy competition that honors the intersection of drag artistry and political activism. Runs 6 to 8 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Mirate Taco & Mezcal Omakase (May 18) -> This Monday, Mírate is throwing the kind of dinner you’ll be talking about for months. Beverage Director Max Reis is cracking open rare, once-in-a-lifetime mezcales from his personal stash, paired alongside five tacos from Executive Chef Alan Sanz. One night, one seating, no do-overs. Dinner kicks off at 7 p.m. and tickets are $190 via Tock.
Levain & Sweet Rose Creamery -> Levain brings back cookies à la mode for the season with a little help from Sweet Rose Creamery. The classic pairing of a warm six-ounce cookie with a scoop of ice cream returns alongside two new additions: mini ice cream sandwiches for an easy handheld treat, and affogatos pairing Sweet Rose ice cream with freshly poured espresso. Sweet Rose’s Madagascar Vanilla anchors the lineup all summer, with rotating seasonal flavors including Strawberry in June, Salted Caramel in July and September, Cherry Chocolate Chip in August, and Blueberry Muffin in October.
Coming up…
Florentine Steak Dinner Series at All’Antico Vinaio (May 29) -> Italy’s beloved sandwich destination All’Antico Vinaio steps beyond the schiacciata with Florence Underground, a three-month dinner series at their Santa Monica location centered around bistecca alla Fiorentina. For $160 per pair, the meal opens with cured meats, cheeses, and house-made schiacciata bread before the main event: a massively thick T-bone seasoned only with salt and olive oil, served slightly before medium-rare with classic sides family-style. Olive oil cake and crema close it out. With only 30 spots per dinner and just three dates, May 29, June 26, and July 30. Reservations via Toast are worth securing early.
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