Posted by Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome. Since time is precious in this fast paced city we curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles for every weekend that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).
This weekend, from Friday, August 10 to Sunday, August 12, features Summer of Salsa, Frida Kahlo Under the Stars, Angel City Brewery’s 6th Annual Avocado Festival, Smorgasburg LA’s Ice Cream Alley, Burbank Comedy Festival, KCRW’s Backyard Parry series, and MUCH more.
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Remember you can always go to our L.A. events calendar page to get an updated rundown of what’s happening around the city.
Hope you find the rundown useful and, as always, enjoy your week!
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Friday August 10th, 2018
1. British artist Lucy Sparrow has transformed the second floor of the Standard in DTLA into Sparrow Mart a supermarket art wonderland fill with over 31,000 adorable felt-covered food replicas all for sale. Part art installation, store and loads of photo worthy moments, Sparrow Mart open Aug 1-31 (closed on Mondays) is free to attend on a first come first serve basis. FREE
2. The 4th annual free Summer of Salsa concert series happening at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes will host some of the city’s best salsa and Cuban bands one Friday evening each month now through September. This month the The Arsenio Rodriguez Project will heat up the dance floor. FREE
3. The world’s largest Korean culture convention KCON stops in Los Angeles from August 10 to 12 for a celebration of music, Korean pop culture, workshops, meet-and-greets, and more.
4. Star Wars A New Hope will be screened at the Hollywood Bowl, with a live accompaniment by the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
5. Enjoy a vintage-style summer evening watching a drive-in movie during San Fernando Valley Summer Drive-In Movie Nights at the Lake Balboa Complex. Each evening will offer food trucks, a 26-player arcade game truck, laser tag, silent disco headphone party and family board games all included in your ticket price. Continuing the series is a screening of Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure on Friday and Selena on Saturday.
6. The 626 Night Market is back for its seventh season at Santa Anita Park. Happening again August 10 to 12, the event features over 250 vendors selling crafts, merchandise, art, music and a massive selection of food from local restaurants, food trucks and more.
7. The Room screens at The Egyptian this Friday with an introduction by writer-director Tommy Wiseau. The event includes a special merchandise marketplace, photo ops with Tommy and more.
8. Summer Nights in the Garden returns to the Natural History Museum this weekend. Sip garden-inspired cocktails, listen to live music, take garden tours and more. FREE
9. In conjunction with NHM’s Summer Nights in the Garden, California African American Museum will host Summer Night Extended Hours this Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. FREE
10. KCRW Summer Nights takes over Union Station with KCRW DJs Raul Campos and Anthony Valadez. FREE
11. ICA LA will host a happy hour tour of Norm Laich’s current exhibit This Brush for Hire, led by Laich himself. The tour will be followed by light refreshments and a pop-up shop by Mandujano Cell. FREE
12. Shakespeare By The Sea will once again offer a ten-week program of admission-free performances. The series continues with a performance of The Winter’s Tale on Friday and The Merry Wives of Windsor on Sunday both set in different locations. FREE
13. The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum will host Late Night Fridays where guests can enjoy free general admission from 5 to 8 p.m. and gain access to special activities, 3D movies, behind-the-scenes tours, live excavations, and more. FREE
14. For over 30 years, Grand Performances has offered a variety of performance events at California Plaza, for free. Their 2018 summer series runs June 1 through August 18. This Friday HipHop/Electronic: First Peoples, New Voices. FREE
15. See Hershey Felder as Beethoven at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. The one-man shows will depict the iconic composer’s story through music and monologue. Hershey Felder: Beethoven will run from July 26 to August 19. Hershey Felder: Beethoven will run from July 26 to August 19. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
16. WP24 by Wolfgang Puck’s Summer Supper + Show returns every Friday and Saturday, July through August, with a Asian-inspired dinner at WP24 by Wolfgang Puck followed by a movie screening on the private 26th floor hotel rooftop. This weekend they’ll screen Mama Mia!
17. Back for the 15th year in a row, The Independent Shakespeare Co. presents Shakespeare in the Park at the Old Zoo in Griffith Park with free performances of A Mid Summer Nights Dream and Titus Andronicus Friday through Sunday. FREE
18. The Roadium in Torrance presents Classic Drive-in Movies every Friday night in August and the first Friday of September. Each family-friendly event features classic films projected on the screen tower. Continuing the series is a screening of American Graffiti.
19. Tanabata Festival aka “Star Festival” returns to Hinoki & The Bird, August 10 and 11 with a five-course Chef’s tasting menu with specialty drink pairings and a Tanzaku ribbon experience.
20. The Music Center’s annual Dance DTLA series is back for 2018 with a series of Friday-night events at Grand Park. This week features Dance DTLA, an evening dedicated to disco from 7 to 11 p.m.. FREE
21. Are you a Chase bank customer? Got a freebie you might want to know about. Coolhaus is teaming with the Forum and Chase to hand out free ice cream sandwiches to Chase customers on Fridays all summer long. Locations will change every Friday, and the offer is ice cream sandwich per cardholder. Get more info here.
22. 260LA will host an Outdoor Voices sample sale August 8-12 with men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, activewear, and accessories all at a discount.
23. Barnsdall Fridays returns to Barnsdall Art Park for the tenth year in a row, with evening tastings of boutique wines and music from KCRW DJs perched atop a hill with incredible city views.
24. Beyond the Streets is a fully immersive exhibition of street and graffiti art comprised of over 30 artist in a massive 40,000+ square feet exhibits. Artist are an eclectic mix of street and beyond including Retna, Shepard Fairey, Kenny Scharf Dennis Hopper and Jenny Holzer. Open Tuesday through Sunday this week. Open Tuesday through Sunday this week. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
25. Rooftop Cinema Club returns to the rooftops of LEVEL in DTLA and NeueHouse in Hollywood with multiple screenings this week that include Donnie Darko, Chinatown and more.
Saturday August 11th, 2018
26. Frida Kahlo Under the Stars with Gregorio Luke comes to LA Plaza de Culturas y Artes on Saturday. The evening dedicated to the iconic artist will feature a kaleidoscopic portrait of Frida Kahlo, with more than 300 slides of her paintings and documentary photographs, as well as rare film footage.
27. Angel City Brewery’s 6th Annual Avocado Festival takes place August 11-12, celebrating the state fruit with music, food, and limited release Avocado Ale.
28. KCRW’s Summer Nights ongoing Backyard Party series will feature a solo acoustic performance by Jim James and KCRW DJs Liza Richardson and Chris Douridas will spin tunes all night. A selection of food trucks curated by KCRW’s Evan Kleiman will also be available, along with record collectors and dealers hand-selected by Beats Swap Meet. FREE
29. Bruce Lurie Gallery will hold an opening reception from 6-9 p.m. for “Street Meat !!!”, a group show highlighting influential and talented street and pop artists from Banksy, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Shepard Fairey to Thrashbird, Le Fou, John Paul Fauves and more. On view August 11 through September 5. This Saturday is also Culver City Arts Districts Second Saturday where galleries stay open from 4-6 p.m. for evening viewings and special events. FREE
30. The Silverlake Flea-Night Market taking place every Saturday from 5-10 p.m. all summer long features a plethora of local, independent sellers that offer vintage clothing, art, rare vinyl, crafts, and much more.
31. Los Angeles City Council member Mitch O’Farrell will host a free movie screening of Wonder Woman at Echo Park Lake this Saturday. FREE
32. de Plume will be transformed by Laurie Shapiro into a stunning forrest of intricately painted flowers made to represent the vagina. Titled “All Yoni Is Love,” the exhibit features stylized large paintings, reflective mylar, and hanging orbs of light is made to celebrate the beauty and power of all woman. On view August 11 through September 1 with an opening reception this Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m.. FREE
33 Marina Movie Nights returns to Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey for free Saturday-night screenings of beloved musicals. The series concludes with Grease with swing dancing offered to the public. FREE
34. Nisei Week Japanese Festival (Aug 11-12) returns to the streets of Little Tokyo, beaming with food, culture, entertainment, a grand parade and more. FREE Also happening during Nisei Week is the 10th Annual Tanabata Festival on August 11-12. The family friendly weekend will explore the historic neighborhood of Little Tokyo, participate in workshops and games, shop unique vendor booths, and enjoy live entertainment. FREE
35. The Empire Strikes Back will be screened at the Hollywood Bowl, with a live accompaniment by the Los Angeles Philharmonic this Saturday.
36. Looking for a spot to view this weekend’s Perseid meteor shower? The City of Glendale Community Services & Parks Department is hosting a Meteor Madness viewing party at Deukmejian Wilderness Park this Saturday night, featuring astronomy-themed snacks and drinks. Free to attend. Follow this link for info on reserving a spot to the event. FREE
37. Eat|See|Hear returns for 2018 with a screening of Inglorious Basterds at The Autry Museum. Select screenings are discounted via Goldstar. DISCOUNTED
38. For the sixth year in a row, Malibu Country Mart is throwing a block party celebrating summer through a plethora of activities and fun for the whole family, including a petting zoo, free carnival treats, live entertaining, henna tattoos, tarot card readings, hair braiding, and much more.
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39. The Actors’ Gang will once gain bring back Free Shakespeare in the Park for Families with a production of Much Ado About Avengers an original play inspired by William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” and the characters of Marvel’s Avengers. Taking place at Media Park in Culver City, the 45 minute, all‐ages production will run every Saturday and Sunday this month through August 26. FREE
40. Get to know abut the famous and infamous watering holes and haunts of Pasadena during the Old Pasadena Historic Pub Tour. This guided walking tour will take guests through Pasadena’s original downtown including stops distinctive for their history, architecture, and beer.
41. Street Food Cinema returns this weekend with a screening of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World at Verdugo Park in Glendale and Pretty Woman at Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades. Select screenings are discounted via Goldstar. DISCOUNTED
42. Gallery 30 South in Pasadena recently extended their limited engagement exhibition “Pop Sequentialism Ver. 2.0” through August 26. The popular exhibit features rare, first appearances of important comic characters from the archives of Ray Zone and much more. FREE
43. Enjoy a summer movie night at Warner Ranch Park in Woodland Hills when Movies on the Green with a screening of Coco. FREE
44. August is National Panini Month. Celebrate at Pirolo’s Panino located on Melrose Avenue where all panino’s will be specially priced at just $5 this Saturday!
45. Head to Heritage Fine Wines in Beverly Hills for A Rooftop Rendezvous. Get a taste of delicious California wines and bubbly paired with decadent bites while enjoying the summer sunset as a live jazz band sets the mood.
46. FUTRA presents KINETIC, a two-day multimedia event featuring 40 visual artists, performers, and musicians taking place at Jason Vass Gallery in the Arts District of DTLA.
Sunday August 12th, 2018
47. Fans of ice cream can head down Ice Cream Alley, a special area of Smorgasburg LA dedicated to showcasing the best of local ice cream and sweet treats, all in one place.
48. Celebrate canines during Dog Days of Summer at the Hammer Museum. Enjoy a family matinee screening of Old Yeller for free this Sunday. FREE
49. If you’ve been waiting to find a great deal on film and Hollywood-related memorabilia, look no further, as the Hollywood Heritage Museum is holding a special summer clearance sale on Sunday.
50. Check out LACMA’s latest exhibition, 3D: Double Vision an interactive exhibit that explores the art and illusion of 3D.
51. Come experience the history of Boyle Heights and its Jewish roots through a special walking tour this Sunday. The tour explores locations that share the story of how an immigrant community came together during the first half of the twentieth century. Locations visited will include the original location of Canter’s Deli, The Breed Street Shul, The Old Mount Sinai Clinic, multiple Jewish labor socialist organizing locations, and much more.
52. The Burbank Comedy Festival taking place across five different venues will host 200 performers from around the globe for five days (August 12-18) of nonstop funny business. The festival kicks off with Jeff Garlin this Sunday!
53. Escape the summer heat during Jazz on the Lawn, a series of free summer concerts at Santa Monica’s Gandara Park every Sunday in August. In addition to live music there will be free dance lessons, food trucks and picnic games. FREE
54. Debbie Allen teaches ‘Dance Sundays’ free dance lessons at The Wallis. The series concludes with “Break the Floor Hip Hop”. FREE
55. Ray’s & Stark Bar, located on the LACMA campus, offers Lobster & Rosé now till September 3. Executive Chef Fernando Darin has masterfully curated lobster dishes and paired them with Domaine de Cala rosé. Menu items include Lobster Salad, Lobster Fettuccine with burrata, and Wood-Fired Whole Lobster with corn on the cobb, potato salad and béarnaise sauce.
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56. The 1st Annual Valley Pride Festival, taking place in North Hollywood this Sunday is a block party style celebration for both the LGBT community and the community at large.
57. E.P. & L.P. in West Hollywood continues their stylish cinema series Melrose Rooftop Theatre with a screening of Sleepless in Seattle.
58. Outdoor theater Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, located in Topanga Canyon summer 2018 season begins on June 2 with a performance of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
59. Two Dykes and a Mic is a monthly LGBTQ comedy show that highlights female comedians. This Sunday at The Virgil. FREE
60. Free museum days: Museum of Latin American Art and Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)
Food Pick for the Week
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmHFLq-h-ee/?hl=en&taken-by=dcpatterson
Chef Keith Corbin (co-founder of LocoL) and Daniel Patterson (Alta Group) are joining forces at LocoL Watts for a special dinner collaboration series from August 7 to 11 and August 14 to 18. The series highlights seasonal produce with a Southern flare, and will give Angelenos a taste of what’s to come when Corbin and Patterson opens their California soul food eatery Alta Adam later this summer. Offerings include black eyed pea fritters, fried green tomatoes, oxtail and rice, fried chicken, messy greens, cornbread, candied yam gratin, mac & cheese and more. The dinner service also features community pricing for all Watts residents.
LocoL is located at 1950 E. 103rd st. Los Angeles, CA 9008
This week’s pick by Christina Champlin, Co-Founder of We Like L.A.
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