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Whatcha got going on this week?
From May 4-8 in Los Angeles, you’ll find a Space Balls screening at Griffith Observatory, Netflix is a Joke Fest, Cinco de Mayo at Common Space, the 2026 kickoff to the L.A. County Fair, Summer of Salsa at LA Plaza, and more.
Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Space Balls at Griffith Observatory -> This Monday, celebrate “May the 4th” with an exclusive after-hours screening of the Mel Brooks classic Spaceballs at Griffith Observatory. Hosted by the Griffith Observatory Foundation and supported by Amazon, this special evening features a screening in the state-of-the-art Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater, complete with Dolby Atmos sound. Attendees can alsoo explore the building’s exhibits after dark and enjoy hosted refreshments with fellow fans. Event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets for non-members are $50. NOTE: The event is currently waitlisted, which you can join if you want to be notified if additional tickets become available. More info here.
Netflix is a Joke Fest – TP > Beginning this Monday, Netflix Is a Joke Fest returns to Los Angeles for a jam-packed week of comedy featuring 350+ live comedy event at some of the area’s most iconic venues, from the Hollywood Bowl to to the Greek to the Troubadour to the Wiltern and more (there are too many shows to name here!) Among the featured shows going off this week include Wandy Sykes at Dolby, Shane Gillis at the Bowl, and Pete Davidson in Conversation with Nikki Glaser at the Wiltern. One tidbit if you’re looking for scaled down, lower cost option: There will be free NIAJF associated comedy shows at Nicos Wines in Atwater Village the entire week of the festival. Get the full lineup and ticket information here.
Cinco de Mayo at Common Space – FA > Common Space Brewery in Hawthorne is brining major Cinco de Mayo vibes this Tuesday, offering an all-day fiesta features the release of seasonal brews, including Mango Sonrisa, alongside specialty micheladas provided by I Love Micheladas. The event spans twelve hours of music, food, and community vibes, making it a perfect destination for a mid-week gathering. Runs noon to midnight. More info here.
Autry After Hours: May Music Nights & Cowboy Cocktails -> On Thursday, enjoy live music on the plaza, sip on cocktails and partake in some games. Some evenings even feature western line or swing dancing! Tickets cost $20 and also include after-hours museum access. More info here.
L.A. County Fair -> Beginning this Thursday, the L.A. County Fair returns to Pomona for an enormous assortment of activities, musical performances, food and beverage offerings, and more. After the opening day, the fair continues Thursday to Sunday through the rest of the month. Single day, advance tickets start at $18-$25 for adults. More info here.
Summer of Salsa – M FA > LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes kicks off their 2026 season of Summer of Salsa this Friday with a performance by Son Mayor, one of Los Angeles’ most beloved ensembles, known for their high-energy blend of classic and contemporary Cuban salsa. Whether you are a seasoned salsero or a complete beginner, the evening is designed for community dancing under the stars in the heart of downtown. Free to attend. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. More info here.
Ivy Station Night Market: Prom Rewind – M FA > Dust off your favorite outfit and head to Culver City this Friday for the Ivy Station Night Market: Prom Rewind. This themed evening transforms the open-air plaza into a nostalgic dance floor, where you can relive your high school era without the formalwear pressure. Expect 30+ makers and artisan vendors plus DJ-spun throwback tunes from the 80s. Free to attend. Runs 5 to 10 p.m. More info here.
Jazz at LACMA – M FA > The Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s annual Friday Night Jazz series returns this mon the, offering free weekly concerts at Smidt Welcome Plaza. For this week, catch a show from the Lao Tizer Band, in support of their new release AMPLIFY. 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.
Collective Exhale: Sound Bath with Sol & Sound – M FA > On Friday, the California African American Museum hosts restorative after-hours evening sound bath. The event begins with a private viewing of the exhibition Free and Queer: Black Californian Roots of Gay Liberation, followed by an immersive sound bath led by Sol & Sound. This experience uses sound and stillness to promote stress relief and nervous-system regulation, offering a tranquil space to decompress. Program runs 7:30 to 10 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
SUSHISAMBA Returns to the U.S. with a Spectacular West Hollywood Rooftop
After more than a decade away, SUSHISAMBA makes its stateside comeback in quintessentially Los Angeles fashion. Eleven thousand square feet of open-air dining perched above West Hollywood, with panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills.
The new flagship, designed by Dizon Collective, is a multi-level space with terraces, a stunning bar and lounge area, and a private dining room with its own entrance and elevator. A retractable roof ensures the party continues regardless of the season. Not that Los Angeles gives it much reason to close.
Executive Chef Maxwell Terheggen and Corporate Chef John Um lead a kitchen that weaves together Japan, Brazil, and Peru. The culinary combination mash up delivers. The exclusive Samba LA Roll pairs Japanese A5 Wagyu and softshell crab tempura with chestnut purée, tomato chimichurri, and balsamic soy reduction. It is the kind of audacious dish that earned this restaurant’s original reputation a decade ago. The Kari Kari spicy tuna crispy rice is simple and addictive. For something lighter, the Heritage Tomato Salad with pomegranate molasses, pickled onion, and mint offers a bright counterpoint. Then comes the robata, where seafood, prime meats, and vegetables are roasted over binchotan charcoal. Quality ingredients, allowed to speak for themselves.
SUSHISAMBA has always been as much about the experience as the food. As the sun dips behind the Hills with a Pineapple Paloma in hand and the city sprawling below, you understand exactly what this place is after. An escape. A celebration. A confident statement that one of the world’s most recognizable restaurant brands is back — and Los Angeles was always where it belonged.
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