Things To Do This Weekend in L.A. [8

Aug 06, 2023

Let’s get your first weekend of the month started on the right foot.

This August 4-6 in Los Angeles, you’ll find Summer Nights at the Tar Pits, a re-opening celebration at CAAM, CatCon in Pasadena, Glendale Arts Summer Soiree, a Cinespia screening at Hollywood Forever, Long Beach Pride, Bridgefest LA, Head in the Clouds Festival, and more. Lots of freebies. Lots of stuff to do. Scan the full list below.

This Friday, KCRW Summer Nights will double as the re-opening celebration for the California African American Museum, along with debut of several new exhibitions including A Movement in Every Direction: Legacies of the Great Migration. Expect DJ’s, access to the gallery, food and drinks for purchase, plus plenty of dancing. Runs 7 to 11 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.

Go Metro: Take the E Line to Exposition Park / USC station

M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick

Summer Nights at the Tar Pits – FA TP > This Friday, the La Brea Tar Pits will host a free summer celebration offering a range of cultural activities and activations. Guests of Summer Night at the Tar Pits will find free museum access from 5 to 8 p.m., a DJ Stage with tunes from Beat Junkie Institute of Sound and Ladies of Sound, pop-up presentations from museum educators, a special discussion on Ice Age saber-toothed cats, food trucks, beer and cocktails for purchase, and more. Free with RSVP. More info here.

Rejuvenation Lab -> This Friday, experience a luxurious ‘Rejuvenation Lab’ at The Hoxton in Downtown Los Angeles. In collaboration with Luxury restwear brand Lunya, Therabody, Ourself, Perelel, and WTHN, guests will be treated to treatments like a custom Ourself Skincare facial with lip plump treatment, and a lymphatic massage paired with a Perelel Greens Drink. Other experiences include a TheraMind meditation with Lunya sleep masks. Free to attend with confirmed rsvp. More information here.

The Music Center’s Dance DTLA – M FA > Free evening dance parties continue at The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza every Friday throughout the summer. Dance 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, catch an evening of Afro-Cuban Rumba & Cuban Rhythms with instruction from Kati Hernandez. Starts at 7 p.m. More info here.

Movies On The Roof -> My Valley Pass and Westfield Fashion Square are offering another season of outdoor film screenings featuring cozy bean bag seating, sweet views, and a lineup of new and classic films. Movies On The Roof runs every Friday and Saturday through the end of August, and tickets are $10, with 100% of the proceeds to benefit Hope Of The Valley. This weekend, catch Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom on Friday, then Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade on Saturday. Get more info on the lineup here.

Taylor Swift Pop-Up Exhibit -> TheTaylor Swift shows at SoFi might be sold out, but you can still get Swift-fix by visiting the latest pop-up exhibit at The GRAMMY Museum. Running now through September 18, the pop-up includes over a dozen garments and instruments worn/played by Swift in her I Can See You (Taylor’s Version) music video. Included with museum admission, which starts at $18 for adults. More info here.

Bridgefest LA – FA > On Saturday, a massive public block party and music festival comes to the Sixth Street Bridge featuring food trucks, a beer garden, a car show, a vendor marketplace, DJ sets, and live performances headlined by Ozomatli. The free event is expected to draw thousands of attendees, with donations collected to go towards ‘bridge grant fund’ support non-profits in the Arts District and Boyle Heights. Programming runs 1 to 9 p.m. More info here.

7th annual Boleros de Noche -> This Saturday, Ánimo Production presents the 7th annual Boleros de Noche concert at The Ford featuring Grammy award winning artist Martha Gonzalez with Puerto Rico’s Rico Trio Remembranza. More info here.

Glendale Arts Summer Soiree – FA > Glendale Arts is celebrating a new home and its 15th anniversary with a summer soiree on Saturday. Open to the public, guests will get a first look at the gallery and enjoy complimentary drinks, bites, and entertainment. The event is technically free to attend, but a $15 donation is suggested. More info here.

Unique LA Market – > Unique LA the curated shopping experience highlights one-of-a-kind gifts from modern, independent designers, artists, and emerging brands. Aside from shopping your ticket also includes complimentary beverages, craft projects, and other activations. The two-day event runs this Saturday and Sunday. Tickets start at $15. More info here.

Cinespia Presents at Hollywood Forever -> Classic film screenings are back at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery every Saturday in August, beginning with a showing of The Neverending Story this Saturday. Seating is lawn style and tickets run $45 a piece for GA (and yes, parking is extra). Get more info here.

Grand Performances – M FA TP > Grand Performances continues their 2023 concert schedule this Saturday with a tribute night to radio host, songwriter, and record producer Art Laboe, presented by dublab and Hello Stranger. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. at California Plaza. Free to attend. More info here.

Cinemalesque -> The non-profit organization Immersive Art Collective (IAC) host“Cinemalesque” this Saturday. The event is an interactive burlesque show called “Horror Hellions,” centered around popular horror film characters reinterpreted in a playful and seductive way. The show takes place at Count’s Den in Downtown Los Angeles. Tickets start at $20. More info here.

GRLSWIRL SurfSkate Fest -> Skate collective GRLSWIRL brings back their SurfSkate Festival to Venice Beach on the first Saturday in August. The event includes a surf paddle out and SurfSkate style competition with judges and prizes, alongside live music, documentary screenings, food, drinks and a ’70s-themed dance party under the Venice sign. Tickets cost $35. More info here.

DiverCity Multicultural Concert Series – M FA > The DiverCity Multicultural Concert Series at Pershing Square presents Reggaetonlandia this Saturday and a Boogie Nights Festival featuring The Sugar Hill Gang, Mary Jane Girls, Rose Royce, and One Way on Sunday. Free to attend. No RSVP necessary. More info here.

MDR Summer Concert Series – FA > Marina del Rey host free concerts at Burton Chace Park on three dates this month, including a performance by Y La Bamba this Saturday beginning at 7 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.

Head in the Clouds Festival -> 88rising’s annual two-day festival comes to Brookside Park in Pasadena this Saturday and Sunday with a massive lineup of artists across the Asian diaspora. Two-day GA tix are going for $269 per person and does not include parking. Get more info here.

CatCon – M > Catch the latest in feline culture at this two-day expo in Pasadena featuring cat-centric merchandise, workshops, and performances. Runs both Saturday and Sunday. Individual day GA tickets start at $40 per person. Get more info here.

Long Beach Pride -> This Saturday and Sunday, the 40th annual Long Beach Beach offers multiple stages of music alongside cultural activations, with the diverse lineup of performers spanning the genres of pop, rock, hip-hop, country, jazz, and Tejano. It all takes place over two days at Marina Green Park. Single day admission starts at $40. More info here.

August Movie Matinees at Ace Hotel DTLA -> Ace Hotel DTLA will host 80’s movie matinees all month long in their restored 1920s movie theatre. Taking place on Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. ticket holders are invited to have brunch at LOAM before the show where they’ll receive 20% off the bill along with themed cocktails and specials for the movie by showing their movie ticket. The restaurant will send guests off with free popcorn for the show. The screenings cost $25 per adult and $15 per child. More info here.

Angel City Brewery Avocado Fest – M FA TP > This Sunday, Angel City Brewery celebrates the release of two crowd-favorite seasonal brews – Avocado Ale and Guavocado Ale with a party featuring avocado themed games, live music, tours, food and vendors. More info here.

TASTE OF ECUADOR Food Festival – M FA > Spend a day immersed in all things Ecuadorian at TASTE OF ECUADOR Food Festival at Placita Olvera, this Sunday. Free to attend (with food for purchase), the festival features authentic cuisine, live music and performances, a street parade, carnival games and more. More info here.

(picks by Christina Champlin)

Nishikawa Night Market -> Explore the shokupan’s versatility at Nishikawa Night Market this Saturday at COLONY in the Sawtelle neighborhood. Presented by Ginza Nishikawa, the esteemed Japanese bakery, this event marks the brand’s first anniversary stateside. A variety of vendors will showcase shokupan-inspired creations, ranging from GoodSteak’s sandwiches to GG Kitchen’s secret Italian-Japanese fusion and Sweet Rose Creamery’s ice cream on shokupan French toast. Complete with a full-service bar and live DJ, it promises a lively atmosphere. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome. More info here.

A Summer Prix-Fixe Menu at Mastro’s Ocean Club DTLA -> Mastro’s Ocean Club in Downtown Los Angeles is offering a summer prix-fixe menu, available until September 29, 2023, for $80 per person. The meal begins with appetizers like Shrimp Cocktail and Nueske’s Maple Glazed Bacon Steak. Guests can enjoy a variety of mains and sides that include Petite Filet or Herb Roasted Branzino and end the meal with dessert options, such as Mastro’s signature warm butter cake. More info here.

Agnes Cheesery Fall Cheese Party -> Agnes Cheesery in Old Pasadena launches their Agnes Cheese Club Fall Box on Saturday, August 5. Join the cheesery for an in-store party between 2-4 p.m. to explore under-the-radar cheeses from independent cheesemakers while sipping on wine. Admission cost $15 for non-members and $10 for members. No reservations required, walk-ins only. The Fall box is available for sale from August 5 to September 30 on Agnes’s website.

Oath Pizza Grand Opening -> Celebrate the grand opening of Oath Pizza in El Segundo on Saturday, August 5. The Nantucket founded pizza brand is hosting a bevy of freebies for their first California location. The community event kicks off at 11 am, offering the first 25 people a free personal pizza, and the next 50 guests free swag. Orders over $30 throughout the day (in-store or through Oath online ordering) will also receive a free dessert pizza pie.

Salsa Sundays at TATEL -> Experience the vibrant spirit of Latin culture at TATEL’s outdoor space every Sunday night. Dance the night away on TATEL’s El Patio space, enjoy authentic Brazilian cuisine and cocktails in a lively atmosphere. From 8 to 9 p.m. diner guests are treated to a complimentary dance class suitable for both beginners and seasoned dancers. Non-diners can also join the fun with a $10 entry fee to the dance class. When the clock strikes 9 p.m, Social Hour begins, where anyone can freestyle salsa. Non-diners can join in with a $15 entry fee.

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