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Ready to take the leap into another SoCal weekend?
From May 3-5 in Los Angeles, you’ll find Jazz at LACMA, NHM First Fridays, new art at Beyond The Streets, a Great Big Family Fun Day in Griffith Park, Delicious Little Tokyo, The Music Center’s On the Record: Vinyl Fair, Museums of the Arroyo Day, Cinco de Mayo celebrations, and more. We’ll jump into the full list of ideas below.
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Things To Do This Weekend
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Jazz at LACMA – FA TP > This Friday, LACMA’s weekly jazz series is back (running weekly through the fall). Kicking things off, catch a live jazz performance at LACMA’s Smidt Welcome Plaza by the Bob Mintzer Big Band. Concerts runs 6 to 8 p.m. Free to attend, but seating is first-come, first-serve. Also, remember that LACMA’s galleries remain open until 8 p.m. on Fridays, and admission is free after 3 p.m. on weekdays if you’re a L.A. County resident. More info here.
“Yes, KAWAII is Art -Express Yourself-” at Japan House LA – M FA TP > The newest exhibition at Japan House LA debuts this Thursday, offering an thoughtful look at the origins of the colorful kawaii style, its development and its profound cultural significance, transcending its perception as a fashion look or trend. Free to view, open daily through November 3. More info here.
Netflix is a Joke Festival 2024 – > Netflix’s annual city-wide comedy festival is back starting this Thursday for an 11-day affair with the 2024 lineup offering 300 individual shows to choose from at more than 35 locations, from large-scale concert halls to more intimate performance spaces. Just a few of the featured shows include Big Mouth at The Greek (May 2), Bill Burr at the Hollywood Bowl (May 4), Kat Williams at YouTube Theater (May 4), Patton Oswalt at the United Theater, and an Ali Wong Residency at The Wiltern (May 2-12). Take a look at the full schedule and get more info here.
NHM First Fridays – M > Natural History Museum’s First Fridays returns this month with an event centered around the human relationship with plants and the effects of micropropagation. The evening includes live music from JaRon Marshall and Dave Harrington/Max Jaffe/Patrick Shiroishi, DJ sets in the nature garden, pop-up experiences throughout the museum, live discussions, and a lineup of food trucks onsite. First Fridays run 5 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $20. More info here.
L.A. County Fair -> The L.A. County Fair returns to Pomona this Friday for an enormous assortment of activities, musical performances, food and beverage offerings, and more. The fair runs through May 27. Tickets start at $16. More info here.
Rooftop Night Market -> Starting this Friday, Odd Market (the same folks who used to pop up at The Autry) are brining there brand of vintage fun to the rooftop of Vintage Land at 1032 Alpine St, just north of Downtown. Expect tons of vendors, some food options, cocktails for purchase, and DJ spun music. Tickets are $5. More info here.
Cinco de Mayo Mercado – FA > The City of San Gabriel celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a Friday evening affair in the Mission District featuring live music, crafts, food, activities for kids and a beer and cocktail garden presented by Pez Cantina. Admission is free. Runs 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. More info here.
BeachLife Festival -> The two-day music festival takes place Friday and Saturday oceanside in Redondo Beach. Headliners include Sting, My Morning Jacket, Incubus and many more. Tickets start at $179 a person. More info here.
Live Band Karaoke – FA > This Friday, Casual Encounters brings their brand of live Karaoke to Benny Boy Brewing, offering brave crooners the chance to belt out a selection of over 300 tunes in-front of the beer garden. No cover. Starts at 7 p.m. More info here.
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First Fridays in Bixby Knolls – FA > First Fridays in Long Beach is back on Friday, with a Cinco de Mayo edition of the monthly activation along Atlantic Ave. Expect street food specials at local restaurants and extended hours at participating businesses. Runs 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. More info here.
Chinatown First Fridays – M FA > L.A.’s Chinatown stays open late on Friday for an evening of exploring the unique small businesses and contemporary art and culture spaces that make up the historic neighborhood. West Plaza and Chungking Road will activate with local pop-up vendors, DJ-spun music, and area galleries with extended hours. The May edition of First Fridays runs from XXXXX. Free to attend, as always. More info here.
The Music Center’s On the Record: Vinyl Fair – M FA TP > This Saturday, On The Record: Vinyl Fair brings a one-day celebration of all things vinyl to The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza, including DJs, workshops, and performances along with a marketplace of vinyl vendors. Free to attend. Runs 4 to 8 p.m. More info here.
What Was, What Is, What Could Be – FA TP > Starting this Saturday, BEYOND THE STREETS will host What Was, What Is, What Could Be, the first-ever solo exhibition from Los Angeles based-artist Gustavo Zermeño Jr., who specializes in mural-inspired landscapes but will present a series of paintings in this exhibition that pay homage to various Los Angeles landmarks. The exhibition is free to attend during normal gallery hours, and will run through June 15. Saturd’ays opening goes from 6 to 9 p.m. More info here.
The Californian Vintage Motorcycle Show -> Head to Santa Anita Park to see a vintage motorcycle show. Happening this Saturday in the Infield there will be a live bluegrass band, food trucks and family friendly activities. General admission is $5. More info here.
Disco Fever Dance Party -> This Saturday, don your finest disco attire and make your way to the Long Beach Arena for an electrifying Disco Fever Dance Party hosted by the Long Beach Symphony. Groove to the tunes of Classical Night Fever, acclaimed as “The Ultimate Disco Party Band,” and dance the night away while indulging in an indoor picnic experience. Doors open at 6:30 pm for picnics in stadium seating or tables on the Arena floor. Feel free to bring your own picnic or opt for pre-ordered catering from designated vendors. Tickets are available starting at $30. More info here.
JACCC’s Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day) Celebration – M FA > Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) will host a special Childern’s Day celebration this Saturday in Isamu Noguchi Plaza. Expect performances, food and beverage vendors, activities and ticketed workshops. More info here.
May The 4th Be With You at Scum & Villainy – M FA > Scum & Villainy Cantina hosts their annual May The 4th Be With You celebration this Saturday, which includes free commemorative pins for early attendees (while supplies last). The bar will be open from 6 a.m. until 2 a.m. the following day, and you can expect special trivia games with prizes plus a themed food and drink menu. Costumes are encouraged, but no minors, please. More info here.
A Current Affair -> This Saturday the pop-up vintage marketplace with a highly curated list of vendors from all over the state is taking over the Cooper Design Space in DTLA for a multi-decade shopping experience. Tickets range from $15-$45. More info here.
Cinco de Mayo at The Rose Bowl – FA > On Saturday, Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a free family festival at The Rose Bowl featuring a community marketplace, live entertainment, sport activities and movie screenings. Free to attend. More info here.
Los Angeles Flower Farm Tour -> Eight woman-owned urban flower farms have come together to open their doors to the public. Happening this Saturday the public can wander through the flower fields, meet the farmers and learn about locally grown blooms. The tours are self-guided through a map. Each farm will offer an array of delightful goods for purchase. From fresh-cut bouquets, u-pick flowers, and potted plants to handmade items, treats, and beverages, there’s something for everyone. Admission is free. More info here.
Movies on Location – Star Wars: A New Hope -> My Valley Pass brings their Movies On Location series to Neiman & Company in Van Nuys (Formerly Industrial Light & Magic), for a screening of Star Wars: A New Hope. Expect food and drink for purchase plus pre-screening tours of the ILM facility all day long. Get more info here. Film starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. More info here.
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Delicious Little Tokyo -> On Saturday, Delicious Little Tokyo returns for one-day culinary event featuring walking and tasting tours, hands-on workshops, and free neighborhood exploration activities for all ages, including J-Town Bingo and a Go Little Tokyo Pop-up Shop. Get more info here.
3rd Valley Asian Cultural Festival – FA > For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the West Valley – Warner Center Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Asian Valley Cultural Festival at Pierce College in Woodland Hills. Happening this Saturday the event flyer promises food, music, dance, shopping, children’s activities, and more. Free admission. Runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More info here.
Astro Yoga at tommie Hollywood -> This Saturday, tommie Hollywood partners with ASTRO GONG YOGA to host a private rooftop 60-minute Vinyasa flow session. Led by a certified ASTRO GONG yoga instructor, the emphasis will be on an astrology-informed approach. The session starts at 10:30 am. Attendees will also get a complimentary agua fresca when dining at KA’TEEN after the session. Brunch reservations are available via RESY from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. More info here.
Clay LA -> The Craft Contemporary’s annual ceramic marketplace and fundraiser returns Saturday and Sunday, highlighting numerous emerging and established ceramic artists from the wider Los Angeles region. In addition to browsing the artists’ works, attendees can participate in air-dry clay activities during this two-day event. Admission to CLAY LA is free with museum entry, which costs $9. More info here.
Great Big Family Fun Day -> This Saturday and Sunday, there’s a kid-friendly festival hosted by SoCal Moms taking over the grounds of The Autry Museum in Griffith Park. Families can enjoy a day of storytelling, live musical performances, and family activities. Runs 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both dats. Tickets are $5-$15. More info here.
Museums of the Arroyo Day – M FA TP > This Sunday five museums and historic homes along the Arroyo Seco offer free admission for the annual Museums of The Arroyo Day. Participants include The Gamble House, Heritage Square, the L.A. Police Museum, the Lummis Home, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Runs noon to 4 p.m. More info here.
Cinco de Mayo at Benny Boy – FA > Benny Boy Brewing celebrates Cinco de Mayo on Sunday with a packed afternoon of DJ sets, Mexican lager on tap, taco vendors, and a car show. The activation runs from 3 to 11 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Downtown Santa Monica Cinco de Mayo – FA > On Sunday, Downtown Santa Monica marks Cinco de Mayo with special live entertainment and dining options along the 1200 block of the 3rd Street Promenade. Both Mariachi de Uclatlán and Academia de Danza BFFM, and outdoor food options include Casa Martin, Cabo Cantina, 1212, or Ugo Tratorria. Runs 4 to 5:30 p.m. More info here.
Cinco de Mayo at LA Ale Works -> LA Ale Works will be hosting Cinco de Mayo parties at both of their locations this Sunday (Hawthorne and Culver City), featuring special food vendors, Hibiscus Jalapeño Slushies, Mango Habañero & Traditional Micheladas, Paloma & Mangolada Hard Seltzer Cocktails, live mariachis, games and special beer releases. Both events are free to attend and both run noon to midnight. More info here.
CHAKRAS Immersive Indian Dining & Art Experience -> On Sunday, Los Angeles based South Asian arts organization Artronika hosts CHAKRAS an all day event that includes a Raga workshop, acid jazz performance, a South Asian music showcase, contortionist, live body painting and a seven course chakra themed Indian tasting experience prepared by Bombay Beach Restaurant. General admission tickets are free (does not include food or beverages) VIP tickets ($39) comes with a the tasting experience and a beverage from 101 Cider House. More info here.
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Chess Sundays – FA > Downtown Santa Monica in partnership with Santa Monica Bay Chess Club invited chess players of all ages and levels to a weekly casual play on the 1200 Block of Third Street Promenade. Chess Sundays takes place every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Some chess sets (including a few giant ones) will be provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own. Free to participate, no sign-ups or advance registration required. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Mon Ami Cinco de Mayo Party -> On Sunday, celebrate Mon Ami’s 1st anniversary and Cinco de Mayo. Stop by from 3 to 7 p.m. for happy hour food and drink specials, Don Londres shaking up margaritas, a photo booth, and a live DJ spinning tunes.
Pitfire Pizza x Sonoratown Pizza Collab -> Pitfire Pizza and Sonoratown are joining forces to make a special Chivichanga Pizza for Cinco de Mayo, putting Sonoratown’s tasty burrito, the Chivichanga, onto Pitfire Pizza’s sourdough crust. It’s loaded with Sonoratown’s shredded chicken, monterey jack, and mild cheddar cheese, along with taco radish, onion, and lime toppings. Plus, they’re serving it with avocado crema and Spicy Chiltepin Salsa for dipping. You can get this pizza for $20 at any Pitfire Pizza location on Sunday, May 5, whether you eat in, take out, or get delivery. And $5 from every pizza sold will go to No Us Without You.
Cinco de Mayo at Videre -> On Cinco do Mayo rooftop restaurant Videre in Mid-Wilshire will have taco specials, live music and a roaming make-your-own margarita cart.
Tatel Beverly Hills -> On Sunday, Tatel Beverly Hills is offering $23 bottomless sangria from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., $12 cocktail hour specials until 7pm, and salsa dancing with a live Jazz singer in the evening.
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