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Wish we had the power to turn down the temps all across the Southland. But the best we can do is offer some (hopefully) cool to-dos.
In view this August 24-28 in L.A., you’ll find Anthony Hopkins and Gustavo Dudamel in Conversation at the GRAMMY Museum, Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra at Blue Note, a Comedy Night and Singles Party at Permanent Records, the LA UNO Social Club at No Vacancy, Yoiyami Night at Common Space, Fiesta La Ballona in Culver City, and more.
Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Anthony Hopkins and Gustavo Dudamel in Conversation – M > On Tuesday, the GRAMMY Museum hosts an intimate evening in the Clive Davis Theater featuring Sir Anthony Hopkins and LA Phil Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel. The two artists will discuss Hopkins’ new album, Life is a Dream, exploring their collaboration, creative process, and upcoming tour. Tickets are non-transferable will-call only. Talk starts at 7:30 p.m. More info here.
Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra at Blue Note -> This Tuesday and Wednesday, Blue Note Los Angeles hosts Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra as part of The Night Blooms World Tour, presented by KJazz. The actor and musician joins his ensemble for four sets of contemporary arrangements of classic jazz and American Songbook standards. Expect a full drink and dinner menus (there is a $20 minimum purchase per person), plus first-come, first-served table seating for all ages and a 21+ bar area. Sets are at 7 and 9:30 p.m. each night. More info here.
Cupid Comedy + Singles Party -> Permanent Records Roadhouse hosts Cupid Comedy + Singles Party this Wednesday. The 21+ night combining stand-up comedy, interactive games, and social icebreakers hosted by Marlena Rodriguez. The event kicks off with a 6 p.m. pregame, followed by a lineup of local comedians at 7 p.m. and an after-party featuring a full bar and music at 8 p.m. Non-singles can also attend by purchasing a “Comedy Curious” ticket to enjoy the show or support single friends. Tickets available online. GA singles tickets are $23 including fees. More info here.
Shakespeare in the Park – FA > The second half of the Independent Shakespeare Co.’s 2026 summer theater festival in Griffith Park continues this Wednesday to Sunday, as the ISC brings performances of A Comedy of Errors to the stage. All shows begin at 7 p.m. Make sure to arrive early to grab a spot. Picnics encouraged. More info here.
LA UNO Social Club – M FA TP > This Thursday, No Vacancy welcomes the LA UNO Social Club, transforming the vintage speakeasy into an interactive gaming lounge themed out for the classic card.. The 21+ evening features UNO gameplay, live DJ sets, local MCs, photo ops, custom themed cocktails, and giveaway prize packs with branded merchandise. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to venue capacity. Runs 6 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Taqueando After Dark at Level 8 – M > Bill Esparza, the James Beard Award-winning food writer behind LA’s most influential taco festivals, takes over Level 8 in Downtown Los Angeles this Thursday and Friday for two nights of serious eating. Taqueando After Dark is an immersive celebration of the street food traditions connecting Baja California, Sinaloa, Tijuana, Valle de Guadalupe, Hermosillo, and Los Angeles, curated by Esparza alongside the Houston Brothers and Chef Ray Garcia. The talent is the real draw: Ruffo Ibarra of Michelin-recognized Oryx from Tijuana on August 27, and Tomás Gastélum and José Luis Hinostroza of Mira Fireside from Valle de Guadalupe on August 28, joined by legendary street vendors from both sides of the border. Ticket start at $60.54 for GA. More info here.
CURRENTS: Composers in Motion – FA > This Thursday, Wende Museum hosts CURRENTS: Composers in Motion, an immersive performance by Emersion Music blending cinematic scores, live chamber strings, piano, electronics, and dance. Exploring themes of historical transformation and memory, the evening showcases original compositions by award-winning composers Emer Kinsella, Duncan Thum, Vivek Maddala, Layla Minoui, Yuichiro Oku, Amit May Cohen, and Zack & Niki Hexum, performed alongside movement artists Malik “Gvmby” Bannister and Jasmyn Thomas. Admission is free with RSVP. The program runs from 6 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Tatse of Runway -> This Thursday, Runway Playa Vista hosts Taste of RUNWAY, a food-tasting event celebrating local dining in the heart of Playa Vista. Tickets include eight tasting passes to sample dishes across participating neighborhood spots, featuring an exclusive preview menu from upcoming restaurant Dizzy Bird. Guests can also enjoy live music from Undecided Future on The Turf, with alcoholic beverages available for purchase. Runs from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $49.87 including fees.
Romance Reader Movie Night: Pride & Prejudice – M FA > This Friday, Ivy Station hosts Romance Reader Movie Night in partnership with book truck The Fleuria, featuring a book swap, romance novel shopping, and a beginner-friendly Regency dance workshop led by Culver City English Country Dance. The evening concludes with an outdoor screening of the 2005 film adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, complete with complimentary popcorn. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or low lawn chair. Admission and two-hour parking validation are free. Programming starts at 6 p.m., and movie screens at 8 p.m. More info here.
Yoiyami Night at Common Space – FA > On Friday, Common Space Brewery in Hawthorne hosts Yoiyami Night, an evening dedicated to otaku culture and local brews. Guests can shop a vibrant marketplace featuring anime crafts, books, and trading cards while enjoying live beats and fresh craft beer on tap. Runs 5 to 11 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
TAPE LA at Barnsdall Art Park – FA > All throughout August, TAPE LA takes over Barnsdall for Friday Art Nights. The free activations on Pine Grove and at the LAMAG gallery go full video with a tape swap, an interactive TV wall, Home Video Night, an Analog Petting Zoo, and more to be announced. Free to attend. More info here.
Fiesta La Ballona – FA > This Friday to Sunday, Veterans Memorial Park hosts the 75th Annual Fiesta La Ballona, Culver City’s “Party at the Park.” The milestone celebration features carnival rides and games, food vendors, a beer and wine garden, an artisan market, non-profit booths, and two entertainment stages with live music and dance performances. Entry is free, with ride wristbands available for purchase. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Loreto “Fish & Chips But Better” Special (Thursdays) -> Every Thursday from 5 p.m., Loreto in Frogtown serves a shareable bar set for $175 that lives up to its name. The weekly spread includes toro sashimi, a tuna tostada, Dover sole with fries, and two glasses of wine. The menu shifts with availability each week, so check their Instagram before heading in.
DARKROOM & Three Eyed Tiger Pop-Up at Daisy Margarita Bar (August 27) -> Chef Alan Sanz’s Re:MEX culinary series welcomes its third collaboration this Thursday at Daisy Margarita Bar in Studio City. The Orange County team behind DARKROOM and the soon-to-open Three Eyed Tiger join Sanz for an evening of Mexico-inspired plates remixed with DARKROOM’s farmer’s market cooking sensibility, plus three cocktails created specifically for the night. Available à la carte alongside Daisy’s regular menu starting at 5 p.m., while supplies last. Reservations are suggested.
New Cocktail Menu at Night on Earth -> Night on Earth gets it. Drinks in LA are expensive, and the Cahuenga Pass cocktail bar from the team behind Thunderbolt is doing something about it. The neon-lit, 1980s-themed spot just rolled out 10 new cocktails with pricing that feels almost rebellious in 2026. Mini cocktails at $8, full-sized drinks at $13, and non-alcoholic options at $10. The old favorites are still here, the teriyaki-glazed beef hot dogs with togarashi Kewpie mayonnaise on a potato bun for $7 are still here, and now there are even more reasons to pull up a stool. More info here.
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