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The day after a holiday weekend may have you off to a sluggish start to the week. Let’s see if we can change that.
This July 7-11 in Los Angeles, you’ll find the SheLA Summer Theater Festival, a live activation to preview the new Tony Hawk game, Summer of Scream at Angel City Brewery, Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, a listening party at a Japanese Garden in DTLA, 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
SheLA Summer Theater Festival -> Beginning this Tuesday, The SheLA Summer Theater Festival comes to the Zephyr Theater for a week-long showcase new, original, creative works by gender-marginalized playwrights and composers in Los Angeles. Tickets start at $32 per performance. The festival runs from July 8-14. Get more info on the lineup here.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 Preview -> If spending hours playing Tony Hawk on PlayStation was a formative part of your childhood, this one is for you: This Tuesday, Activision is hosting a preview of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 at Complex LA three days before the game’s official release. The all-day event will feature retro décor, high-score competitions with special prizes, and a custom fingerboard skatepark inspired by new game levels. Pro skateboarder (and playable character) Bam Margera will also make an appearance. The activitation runs 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. RSVP and get more info here.
Moonlight Movies on the Beach – FA > Long Beach’s signature beachside summer cinema series is back for 2025, continuing with two screenings in July at Granada Beach. This Tuesday, catch a showing of 90s rom-com 10 Things I Hate About starting around sunset (8 to 8:30 p.m.). Free to attend, and parking is free after 6 p.m., though spots are limited. More info here.
Sketch Party – FA > Sketch Party’s twice-monthly drawing/drinking meet-up comes to Benny Boy Brewing this Tuesday. They’ll hook you up with sketch paper, pens, pencils, and markers, then it’s up to you to create, mingle, hang out, and enjoy BB’s solid lineup of craft beers and ciders. Jay’s Tacos will be serving food as well. All artistic levels welcome. Free to attend. Runs 7 to 11 p.m. 21+ only. More info here.
Shakespeare in the Park – FA > Continuing this week, the Independent Shakespeare Co. is once again bringing a summer of theatre to Griffith Park. From July 2 to July 27, catch Wednesday to Sunday performances of Love’s Labour’s Lost at ISC’s familiar space near the Old Zoo. Performances begin at at 7 p.m. Make sure to arrive early to grab a spot. Note for this week there will be no performance on July 4. More info here.
Summer of Scream – FA M > Night Frights LA comes to Angel City Brewery this Thursday for horror pop-up called stops Summer of Scream which will include a horror vendor marketplace with 25+ vendors, trivia, photo opsn, and a featured film showing of the original Scream on screens throughout the space. Admission is free, but it’s first-come, first-served, and based on the RSVPs it will likely draw a big crowd. Doors open at 5 p.m. More info here.
Summer in San Gabriel -> The City of San Gabriel’s summer programming continues this Thursday at the Mission Playhouse Plaza with an evening of Latin Jazz & R&B with Louie Cruz Beltran. Expect on-site food trucks and crafts for kids as well. Event starts at 7 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Trois Gymnopedies: Satie in the Garden – M TP > In Sheep’s Clothing brings a collaborative listening session to the serene setting of the James Irvine Japanese Garden at the JACCC in Little Tokyo this Thursday. Guests can expect to hear classical and electronic versions of works by the legendary French composer Erik Satie, plus selections of Japanese whiskey, beer, wine, and a limited food menu for purchase. Tickets are $15. Starts at 7 p.m. More info here.
Poolside Movie Nights -> Hollywood honky-tonk bar Desert 5 Spot has teamed up with Cinehaus for a series of Thursday evening, rooftop movie screenings that will run weekly through September 4. Expect craft cocktails, poolside vibes, and a a handpicked lineup of classic flicks, all backdropped by the Hollywood skyline. This week, catch a screening of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Tickets are $17. Event starts at 7:30 p.m. More info here.
Summer of Salsa -> Summer of Salsa – M FA > LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes’ Summer of Salsa continues this Friday with Latin music ensemble Gabrielito y La Verdad, plus a supporting set by Super DJ Robby and free salsa dance classes from 6 to 7 p.m. by Dancing 101 with Roberto. Free to attend. More info here.
The Music Center’s Dance DTLA – M FA > Free evening dance parties return to The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza every Friday from June 21 through August 16. At Dance DTLA, instructors will be on hand to teach guests easy-to-follow steps, allowing everyone to get into the groove right from the jump. This Friday, the series continues with an evening of 2025 schedule features six events each themed for a different style of Salsa. The event is always free to attend, and always all-ages. Runs 7 to 11 p.m. More info here.
Frogtown First Second Fridays – FA > Frogtown First Fridays pushed things back a week due to the Independence Day holiday, but they’ll return on the second Friday of July with a special theme of “It’s Carnival Time”. Expect special activations at a host of participating venues adjacent to the L.A. River Path. Guests can see new art exhibits, enjoy free or low-cost art activities, giveaways, DJ’s and live music. Runs 5 to 10 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Bugs Bunny at the Symphony -> This Friday and Saturday, Warner Bros. celebrates their rascally rabbit’s 85th anniversary with back-to-back nights of Looney Tunes entertainment at the Hollywood Bowl. For each evening, expect a dozen beloved animated shorts projected on the big screens while the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra plays the original scores live. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Strong Water Anaheim at Thunderbolt LA -> Two-time James Beard Award nominee Strong Water Anaheim is setting sail for Echo Park with a special pop-up at Thunderbolt (#24 on North America’s 50 Best Bars list) this Monday, July 7, from 5 to 9 p.m. Guests can sample signature cocktails and meet co-owners Ying Chang and Robert Adamson while getting a taste of Strong Water’s “tik-easy” ship wrecked themed bar that churns out over 40 original drinks on their menu.
Kismet Rotisserie Sandwich Series for CHIRLA -> Kismet Rotisserie launches a new monthly Sandwich Series with all proceeds going to CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights), California’s largest immigrant rights org. Each month features a collab with a different friend from the food or creative world—and they’re kicking things off with a bold bite from comedian Kate Berlant. Her creation, Kate’s Crazy Cobb, stuffs a pita with bacon, feta, cherry tomatoes, avocado, gem and iceberg lettuce, herbs, scallions, a punchy mustard vinaigrette, and a jammy egg on top. Available at all Kismet Rotisserie locations.
Summer Clambake at Lunetta -> Chef Raphael Lunetta brings a taste of the East Coast to Santa Monica with a festive Summer Clambake at his beloved Westside restaurant, running July 9–12. Priced at $65 per person (minimum two orders), the experience kicks off with spinach and artichoke dip with baked Parmesan potato chips, followed by a chicory Caesar. The main event: a hearty clambake platter piled high with Little Neck and Cherrystone clams, P.E.I. black mussels, Caledonian blue prawns, calamari, ahi tuna, apple chicken sausage, corn, fingerling potatoes, and summer squash—all simmered in a galangola kombu broth and served with grilled baguette. For an extra splurge, add a half lobster ($30) or whole 1-pound lobster ($60) to the meal. More info here.
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