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We’ll say this after reviewing the list we’ve arranged for the upcoming weekend: It feels good to have so many signature local events returning to normal, in-person activity after what seems like the longest two years of our lives. Here’s hoping for a very normal(ish) summer to come.
For June 3-5, L.A. welcomes the opening night at the Hollywood Bowl, the return of Dance DTLA at the Music Center, Grand Performances, Opera on the Beach, Last Remaining Seats, WeHo Pride, the LAWineFest, and much, MUCH more. Take a look at our list below, and hopefully you’ll find something that tickles your fancy for the three days ahead. Enjoy the weekend!
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Things To Do
Opening Night at The Bowl -> The 2022 Hollywood Bowl season kicks off this Friday as Gwen Stefani teams up Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic for a special opening evening. The program includes the debut of a new composition by John Williams written to commemorate the Bowl’s centennial, an appearance by Italian ballet star Roberto Bolle and musicians from YOLA, music from jazz legend Branford Marsalis, and more. And yes, there will be fireworks too! More info and tickets here.
The Music Center’s Dance DTLA -> Free evening dance parties return to The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza starting this Friday with a night of Motown. The series continues on 11 select Fridays 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. Very family-friendly and very free. No reservation required. More info here.
Drive-In Movie Nights at The Roadium -> Starting this Friday, The Roadium in Torrance returns with evening film screenings in a classic 1950s drive-in setting. The series opens with Rush Hour this Friday, and continues weekly with Reservoir Dogs, True Lies and Caddyshack filling out the June slate. Tickets are $25 per vehicle. More info here.
A Forest for the Trees -> A brand new experience by artist Glen Kaino (artistic producer of In & Of Itself on Broadway) is now open at Ace Mission Studios near DTLA. A Forest for the Trees pushes visitors to rethink their relationship to the natural world by immersing them in a surreal forest environment built within 28,000 square-feet of warehouse space. Check out animatronic head pieces, illusions of fire, and a dazzling light performance built upon the re-creation of a 144 year-old fig tree that once stood on Olvera Street. Adult tickets (non-peak hours) start at $20 per person during non-peak hours, and go for $30 during peak hours. Runs Wednesday to Sunday through the end of the summer. Get more info here.
First Fridays at NHM -> Natural History Museums series of plant-centric First Fridays events continues on June 3 with the theme of Seed Sovereignty. Expect special discussions and educational presentations, a digital art pop-up by James Merry, and musical performances by Claud and Alix Page. Tickets start at $20 for adults. More info here.
PRIDE Night at Dodger Stadium -> The Dodgers celebrate PRIDE this Friday with pre-game party at the Right Field Plaza Bar, a special ticket pack that includes an exclusive Dodgers LGBTQ+-themed jersey, plus a postgame fireworks spectacle set to music by DJ Bowie Jane. Get more info here.
Jazz at LACMA -> This Friday at 6 p.m., the Los Angeles County Museum of Art brings the Matt Gordy JazzTonite Sextet to Smidt Welcome Plaza as part of the ongoing Jazz at LACMA series, which continues every Friday evening through June 24. Admission is free, however seating is limited and first come, first served. More info here.
The Electrify Expo -> Happening this Friday to Sunday at the Long Beach Convention Center, the Electrify Expo showcases the latest in the world of electric vehicles, offering guests test drives on demo courses, special exhibits, a lineup of experts to chat with, and even a kids zone. Tickets for the public days (Saturday and Sunday) run $20, but you can save $5 using the special promo code EEWLA25. More info here.
New at The Broad -> Two new exhibitions are now open at The Broad, headlined by Takashi Murakami: Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow. The specially ticketed exhibition is Murakami’s first solo show at the museum, and includes 18 of his works along with new immersive environments created by the artist and his studio, Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. Also debuting on May 21 is This Is Not America’s Flag, an examination of the cultural identity through the works of twenty individual artists and their treatment (and often subversion) of the iconography of the flag. Tickets to access both new exhibitions are $18, and include same-day access to The Broad’s third floor galleries. The Broad is open Wednesday to Sunday.
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Hayao Miyazaki at The Academy Museum -> This weekend will be your last chance to see The Academy Museum’s retrospective of Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. The exhibit, which ends on June 5, features more than 300 objects, including original imageboards, character designs, storyboards, layouts, backgrounds, posters, and cels from Studio Ghibli’s archives. Tickets start at $25 for adults, and kids 17 and under are free. More info here.
King Lear at The Wallis -> This Thursday to Sunday at The Wallis, a new production of Shakespeare’s King Lear continues featuring actor Joe Morton (ABC’s “Scandal,” the legendary Brother from Another Planet, Netflix’s “The Politician”) in the title role. Shows run on select dates through June 5. Tickets for some performances are as low as $29. More info here.
Abuelita’s Kitchen: Mexican Food Stories -> LA Plaza Cocina is the nation’s first museum and teaching kitchen dedicated to Mexican food, and they have a brand new multimedia exhibition now open to the public. Abuelita’s Kitchen: Mexican Food Stories examines the importance of the abuela, or grandmother, in Mexican cuisine by showcasing the personal journeys of ten Indigenous, mestiza, Mexican-American, and Afro-Mexican women through a selection photographs, texts, recipes, and a documentary film. The exhibition runs Wednesday to Sunday through Sep. 4. Entry is free. More info here.
WeHo Pride -> While the city’s official LA Pride event (happening June 11-12) has moved east for 2022, West Hollywood is still putting on its own three-day event (Friday-Sunday) featuring a street fair, freedom festival, music festival, and Pride parade. Get more info here.
Killer Klowns from Outer Space Cosplay Dance Party -> Zombie Joe Underground Theatre Group is known for pushing the live horror envelope, but it’s hard to imagine anything freakier than a full-on cosplay dance party themed to the 1988 cult classic Killer Klowns from Outer Space. This Friday and Saturday, come for an evening of a synth-metal DJ set by Killer Klowns composer John Massari plus special prizes for air guitar, air drum, best costume and best tattoo. Tickets are $20 online, or $25 at the door. More info here UPDATE: This event has been postponed until further notice.
Pride Pawty -> On Friday, June 3, Healthy Spot hosts a dog friendly Pride Pawty benefiting the Los Angeles LGBT Center. Taking place beachside at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, the evening includes complimentary drinks as well as puptails, temporary flash tattoos for humans and dogs, a DJ and a photo booth. More info here.
PCH Movies & Moonlight -> On Friday, 2nd & PCH in Long Beach continues their free Movies & Moonlight series with a screening of Hairspray (2007). Complimentary seating is based on first-come, first-served attendance. Pets on leashes are welcome too. More info here.
Opera on The Beach, Park & Fairgrounds -> How about an evening of free opera under the stars to start your summer? Grab some friends and a few picnic supplies to catch LA Opera’s free simulcast of Aida live-to-screen at three locations throughout Los Angeles this Saturday, including the Santa Monica Pier, Newhall Park, and Pomona Fairplex. More info here.
Grand Performances -> The signature free summer music series at California Plaza kicks off on Saturday with a performance by 2022 COLA Artist Fellows Najite Agindotan, Jibz Cameron, Shonda Buchanan and Suchi Branfman. Free shows continue on Fridays through Aug. 25. More info here.
Goat Yoga at The Gamble House -> This Saturday, the folks from Hello Critter bring their unique brand of Yoga to the lawn of the Gamble house for a special early evening session. Get a stretch in at this all-levels session while a few Nigerian Dwarf goats meet, greet, and occasionally jump on the backs of attendees. Tickets are $45 per adult. Get more info here.
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Drag me to the Loews -> This Saturday, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and LA Pride presents the inaugural Drag me to the Loews event hosted by the one and only Lady Bunny. Enjoy the art of drag with performances by Willam, Lauren Banall, Meatball, Shannel, Derrick Barry, Paris Sukomi Max, Nebraska Thunderf*ck, Mimi Marks, Stasha Sanchez and Lady Bunny herself. DJ Taj will also be spinning tunes for the festivities. Tickets prices are $45 for standing room, $75 for general admission, and $125 for VIP which includes access to a private reception with the queens. More info here.
IntoMeSea Pride Events -> This weekend IntoMeSea is hosting a series of PRIDE events focused on fun, acceptance, relaxation, and revelation. Happening this Saturday through Sunday in their labyrinth studio, the ticketed events include a High Vibe Rainbow Meditation & Tarot, a Flowers are Portals Workshop + Tea Ceremony and more.
Last Remaining Seats -> The Los Angeles Conservancy’s annual series Last Remaining Seats features classic film screenings in some of Los Angeles’ most beautiful and historic movie theaters. The series opens this Saturday with a screening of To Sir, with Love (1967) at Regency’s Village Theatre in Westwood. Tickets start at $22 for GA. More info here.
Music Under The Stars -> This Saturday, catch a free concert in front of Pasadena City Hall put on by the Pasadena Symphony and POPS, preceded by a performance from Bob Baker Marionette Theater and plenty of kid-friendly activities. No reservations required. Seating is first-come, first-served. More info here.
Getty 25 Community Festivals -> This summer, The Getty celebrates its 25th anniversary via a series of free pop-up community festivals held throughout Los Angeles County. Each event highlights curated experiences reflective of the host community, including interactive workshops, live music and performances, an artisan marketplace, food trucks, giveaways, photo booths, and more. This Saturday and Sunday, the series lands at Houghton Park in Long Beach. More info here.
Venice Pride Festival -> Celebrate Pride at the Venice Beach Recreation Center with a two-day (Saturday and Sunday) event featuring live performances, DJ sets, art installations, LGBTQ+ vendors, food trucks and eye candy lifeguards on duty. Tickets cost $20 per day. More info here.
LAWineFest -> LAWineFest returns to Long Beach this Saturday and Sunday for a two-day event featuring 40+ participating wineries along with over a dozen breweries and food trucks that will be on hand. GA tickets start at $80 per person. More info here.
Dining
This Friday is National Donut Day. Here are a few spots to celebrate America’s favorite morning treat.
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- Randy’s Donuts -> Randy’s Donuts now has seven locations in L.A. County, including the newest that just opened in Burbank this week. For National Donut Day, the chain is offering one free glazed donut to all patrons from 6 a.m. to noon, while supplies last. Expect a line.
- The Donut Hole -> Get really immersive and drive through the center of a giant donut at La Puente’s The Donut Hole. Opened since 1968 the building is one of the most photographed donut shops in the country. There’s no need to leave your car. Drivers take a donut voyage into the donut and come out on the other side with a box full of sweet treats.
- Primo’s Donuts -> Family-owned Primo’s Donuts has been serving the Los Angeles community since 1956. Founded by husband and wife, Ralph and Celia Primo, the shop now has two locations (Westwood and Sawtelle) and ships nationwide through Goldbelly. Freshly baked donuts offered at the shop cater to all types of preferences including raised, cake style, sourdough, classic glazed, old fashion to vegan and gluten free.
- The Donut Man -> The Donut Man is best known for their fresh fruit stuffed donuts. Depending on the season, you can get a glazed donut with peaches, apples or strawberries. Stop by the original location in Glendora or head to Grand Central Market in Downtown Los Angeles.
Dear Bella Creamery x Gemma Matsuyama -> Plant-based scoop shop Dear Bella Creamery recently announced two ice cream flavor collaborations with Pastry Chef Gemma Matsuyama. For the months of June and August guests can get a taste of the Strawberry Yuzu Sorbet and Sweet Rice Milk Hojicha made with Koda Farms rice steeped with fresh Hojicha leaves.
Sprinkles Female Chef Series -> Sprinkles Female Chef Series dropped their second release this week. It’s a Savory Scone made in collaboration with Austin barbecue duo LeAnn Mueller and Alison Clem of la Barbecue. This is the first savory treat Sprinkles’ has ever offered. The Savory Scone is baked with pepper jack cheese, bites of bacon, fire roasted tomatoes and scallions, the giant scone is then topped with a slice of melted pepper jack cheese finished with cracked black pepper. Available at all Sprinkles bakeries nationwide now through June 12. In honor of Pride Month, Sprinkles will also make a donation to LeAnn and Ali’s nonprofit of choice, Allgo, an organization that nurtures and celebrates queer people of color.
SmorgasBURGER -> This Sunday Smorgasburg will host the first ever, SmorgasBURGER , a “burger bonanza of epic proportions” that takes place across all Smorgasburg markets in Los Angeles, Miami, and Brooklyn. Expect pop ups, collaborations and burger specials from weekly vendors. Insane creations include a Porkstrami Burger by Standings Butchery and The Bad Jew, Evil Cooks’ “McSatan” cheeseburger taco and an island themed Tiki Smash by Goldburger.
Boba For Pride Month -> Gong cha announced on Instagram that they’ll be donating a dollar from each purchase of the boba shop’s special rainbow strawberry taro milk tea to the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance, and the Trevor Project.
Any notes or corrections? Want to suggest an event we should add to an upcoming list? Hit us up at [email protected].
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