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This heat just won’t quit. Fortunately, we’ve got a few to-dos to keep you distracted (at least for this weekend).
On tap this July 24-26 in Los Angeles, you’ll find KCRW Summer Nights at MOLAA, the Off the 405 at the Getty, a Popcorn & Pups Movie Night, a free Bob Baker Marionette Theater performance at the Wende, Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival, Summer Sounds in WeHo, 2 Cats on a Date, and more.
Things To Do This Weekend
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
KCRW Summer Nights at MOLAA – FA TP > KCRW Summer Nights pops up at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach this Friday, offering a free, all-ages outdoor party. Attendees can dance under the stars to DJ sets from KCRW’s Tyler Boudreaux and Wyldeflower while exploring the museum’s modern and contemporary exhibitions. The evening includes access to food trucks, a full bar, and the open-air courtyard. Admission is free. Parking is $10. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. More info here.
Friday Art Night at LAMAG – FA > This Friday, head to Barnsdall Art Park for a Papier-Mâché Mask Making Workshop hosted at the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, and co-presented b Heavy Manners Library. The all-ages community activity covers brief papier-mâché history alongside hands-on construction techniques to build custom masks, which can then be taken home to dry and paint. Admission is free. Runs 5 to 8 p.m. More info here.
Jazz at LACMA – M FA > LACMA’s Friday Night Jazz series continues this week witha free outdoor Friday evening concert series continues this week with a performance by the David Ornette Cherry Heritage Ensemble. Led by bassist Ollie “Basie-O” Elder, the group honors the multi-instrumentalist, composer, and poet’s legacy by blending jazz traditions with classical and global world music elements. On-site food trucks include Fresh Pizza on Wheels and Kreung Kitchen. The concert is free to attend, and museum admission is also free after 3 p.m. for L.A. County residents. Music kicks off at 6 p.m.. More info here.
The Music Center’s Dance DTLA – M FA -> Free evening dance parties continue at The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza every Friday through August 8. 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 week features an evening of Disco with instructor Andy Vaca and music by DJ Dirty Dave. The event is always free to attend, and always all-ages. Start at 7 p.m. More info here.
Family Movie Nights at Stoner Park – FA > The West LA Sawtelle Neighborhood Council is programming free family movie nights at Stoner Park on Fridays throughout the summer. This week, catch a screening of Coco beginning at 8 p.m. Free to attend. Get more info here.
Popcorn & Pups Movie Night: Legally Blonde – M FA > This Friday, Ivy Station in Culver City and Dogs Only Social Club team up to host Popcorn & Pups Movie Night, an outdoor cinema event celebrating the 25th anniversary screening of Legally Blonde. The evening opens with a pet vendor marketplace, adoptable dogs, a raffle, and complimentary dog treats provided by Edgard & Cooper. Guests can bring blankets or low beach chairs to enjoy free popcorn and the sunset movie screening on the lawn. While pre-registration is sold out, walk-ups are welcome based on available space. Admission is free, with complimentary two-hour parking validation. Event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. More info here.
Off the 405 – FA TP > The Getty Center’s installment of the Off the 405 summer concert series arrives this Saturday. Taking the Museum Courtyard stage is Baltimore-born quartet Horse Lords, delivering their signature blend of experimental minimalism, post-punk, and microtonal rhythmic patterns alongside a opening DJ set by Sly Ida. While admission is free, advance entry reservations are required. On-site parking is available for $15 after 3:00 PM and is free after 6 p.m. More info here.
Grand Performances – M FA > On Saturday, KCRW Summer Nights pops up at Grand Performances, headlined by Long Beach surf-garage trio Tijuana Panthers and Mexican mariachi fusion group Mariachi El Bronx. Plus, expect KCRW DJ LeRoy Downs spinning sets throughout the night. Attendees can enjoy food trucks and outdoor courtyard seating. Free to attend as always. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. More info here.
Family Day at the Wende: Bob Baker Marionette Theater – FA > On Saturday, the Wende Museum’s monthly Family Day will feature a special live performance of The Bob Baker Marionette Theater’s Traveling Jamboree roadshow. Held in the A-Frame Theater, the show brings a whimsical cast of handmade puppets to life, followed by light refreshments served in the museum’s garden. Admission is free, though pre-registration on Eventbrite is strongly encouraged. Performance runs from 2 to 3 p.m. More info here.
Still Available, the Facebook Marketplace Residency – FA > This Saturday at the James Fuentes Gallery on Melrose, Meta hosts Still Available, the Facebook Marketplace Residency, a real-world pop-up celebrating the 10th anniversary of Facebook Marketplace. The 18+ interactive event features a curated fashion and home market, a Hall of Mirrors selfie station, an analog puzzle room with Le Puzz, an embroidery station for custom bandanas, zine-making, and specialized programming including a vintage car display with Ashu Matcha, a book signing with Morning Baker author Roxana Jullapat, and sound mixing lessons with DJ Cailin Russo. Admission is free, with walk-ins welcome and advance reservations encouraged. Runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More info here.
National Day of the Cowboy and Cowgirl – > The Autry Museum of the American West hosts its National Day of the Cowboy and Cowgirl on Saturday, featuring live country music, trick roping, and line dancing lessons. The family festival includes saloon games, film screenings, historical tours, food trucks, and a cash bar. Autry members receive early entry and access to an exclusive picnic and petting zoo. GA tickets start at $20. Parking is free. Runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More info here.
Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival – FA > The Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival returns to Marine Stadium Long Beach on Saturday for the largest dragon boat competition in California. Guest can expect Chinese traditional art demonstrations, acrobats, dance, music and martial arts performances. Event runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
lululemon Summer Series LA – FA > Kickstart your Sunday at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood with an outdoor workout class as part of the lululemon Summer Series LA. Led by lululemon Ambassador Delaney Baril, the hour-long session links breath to movement through stretch, flow, and balance postures. Complimentary mats are provided for the first 200 guests, though attendees should bring their own water bottle. Admission is free, with advance registration required. Runs 10 to 11 a.m., and doors open at 9:30 a.m. More info here.
Cali Love Part 2 – M FA > On Sunday, Pershing Square hosts Cali Love Part 2, a free 21+ outdoor hip-hop concert presented as part of the Divercity Los Angeles Free Concert Series. The open-air West Coast showcase features live performances by Too $hort, Xzibit, Layzie Bone, Tha Eastsidaz, O.T. Genasis, and RJmrLA, along with local food trucks, art vendors, and fully stocked cashless bars. General admission is free with RSVP on a first-come, first-served basis, with $20 VIP front-stage pit upgrades available for guaranteed entry. Starts at 3 p.m. More info here.
2 Cats on a Date – M > This Sunday evening at Dynasty Typewriter, catch 2 Cats on a Date, a solo comedy show written and performed by Griffin Kelly and directed by Shozo Okada. Following award-winning, sold-out runs at Edinburgh Fringe, New York, and Seattle, the live performance features Kelly playing two cats whose romantic dinner devolves into a surreal, chaotic web of inter-generational regret. Tickets cost $20 in advance or $25 on the day of the show. Show starts at 7 p.m. More info here.
Santa Monica Antique & Vintage Market -> This Sunday, the Santa Monica Antique & Vintage Market holds its bi-monthly outdoor gathering at the Santa Monica Airport, featuring hundreds of local dealers and vendors. Shoppers can explore a wide variety of goods ranging from mid-century furniture, estate jewelry, and architectural salvage to vintage couture, fine art, rare prints, and exotic plants. $5 admission. Runs 7 to 3 p.m. Leashed dogs are welcome too! More info here.
Summer Sounds in WeHo – FA > Head to Plummer Park this Sunday for the latest installment of Summer Sounds, an all-ages free outdoor concert series presented by the City of West Hollywood. Funk and nu-soul artist Nikka Costa performs live alongside DJ Anthony Valadez, spinning world music, funk, and soul. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn blankets and low beach chairs for seating on the grass, with on-site food trucks available. Admission is free. Runs 4 to 6:30 p.m. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Summer of Pesto at Eataly (Through August 2) -> Eataly Los Angeles dedicates the start of the summer to pesto with a regional culinary tour spanning 10 recipes from the north to the south of Italy, spread across the marketplace and restaurants. At La Pizza & La Pasta, a two-course prix fixe runs $26 all day alongside a $9 spritz and $7 mini tiramisu. Terra offers a three-course prix fixe for $55 with the same spritz and tiramisu add-ons. New pesto items are available at quick service counters and ready-to-cook pesto jars can be found in the marketplace.
$10 Martinis at Good Neighbor Bar (Fridays) -> Every Friday, Good Neighbor Bar in Altadena pours super cold $10 martinis all night. Out on the patio, Shucks Oyster Company sets up from 5 to 8 p.m. with lobster rolls, poke bowls, and oysters shucked to order. A hard combination to beat.
Maydan Market Backyard BBQ Series (July 25) -> Maydan Market’s monthly Backyard BBQ Series continues this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This month, Chef Carmen Naputi Davis of Island Smoke N Grill takes over the back patio with Chamorro BBQ rooted in generations of family tradition. The spread includes whole pig, chicken, pork ribs, and beef, paired with pickled papaya, spicy finadene sauce, and chicken kelaguen, a ceviche-like Guam specialty with citrus, coconut, green onions, and chilis. Market vendors are open throughout, with cocktails from Compass Rose and wines from Lebanon to Morocco at Sook. More info here.
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