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Ready for your first *official* weekend of the summer? Let’s hit it.
On deck for June 21-23 in Los Angeles, you’ll find the 2024 premier of Shakespeare by the Sea, the Pasadena Chalk Festival, an Out Block Party in the Arts District, CicLAvia in South L.A., a Garden Party at Norton Simon, the Levitt Pavilion & LACMA Summer Art Hop, Venice Fest, TOCApalooza, NoHo Summer Nights, and more. Let’s get into the full rundown of possibilities below.
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Make Metro Part of Your Weekend
CicLAvia South LA– M FA > L.A.’s signature open streets program has a pair of summer offerings (both sponsored by Metro), starting with a 5-mile South LA course along Western Ave popping up this Sunday. Expect multiple activation hubs, along with plenty of space to walk, jog, bike, or skate. Free to attend. Runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. More info here.
Go Metro: Take the E Line to Expo/Western station OR take the K Line to Leimert Park station or Hyde Park station.
Things To Do This Weekend
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Shakespeare By the Sea – FA TP > The 27th anniversary season of Shakespeare By the Sea kicks off this Friday to Sunday at The Bandshell at Recreation Park in Long Beach with a production of Shakespeare’s lost play Cardenio: Double Falsehood. As in past year’s, all SBTS shows are free to attend, but donations are gladly accepted. Performances run at locations throughout L.A. and Orange County through Aug. 3. Shows start at 8 p.m. More info here.
The Music Center’s Dance DTLA – M FA TP > Free evening dance parties return to The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza this Friday! 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. The 2024 schedule kicks off with an evening of Bollywood, and subsequent themes include Samba, Hip-Hop, Disco, and more. Always free to attend. Runs 7 to 11 p.m. More info here.
LA Design Weekend – FA > A brand new, three-day L.A.-based design festival pops up this Friday to Sunday, spanning multiple neighborhoods including DTLA, Chinatown, Echo Park, Frogtown, Silver Lake, Lincoln Heights, and Atwater Village. Most programs are free to attend, with events ranging from open studios and tours of historically significant homes to dance parties and picnics. There are also a few specialized workshops that required a small free to cover materials. You can check out the full schedule here.
Friday Night Wine Tastings at Barnsdall Park – M > After a five-year hiatus, Friday night wine tasting events are back at the Barnsdall Art Park West Lawn. A $45 ticket gets you a flight of wine curated by Silverlake Wine, plus access to a rotation of food trucks, all supported by tunes from local DJs and sweet sunset views of the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Park Observatory. The series continues every Friday through August 30. More info here.
Pride Night at The Aquarium of the Pacific – M > In partnership with The LGBTQ Center Long Beach, the Aquarium of the Pacific is celebrating the LGBTQ+ community with an all ages event this Friday featuring drag queen storytelling, rainbow themed activities and much more. Tickets cost $24.95. Runs 6:30 to 9 p.m. More info here.
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Salsa Night at Ivy Station – M FA > This Friday, hop over to Ivy Station in Culver City for an evening of salsa. Dance instructor Pepe Gonzalez teaches an intro salsa lesson from 6:30 to 7 p.m., then guests can use what they’ve learned during a live set by Fermin Fusion Salsa from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Free. Outdoors. Open to the public. More info here.
Hollywood Fringe Festival -> Hollywood Fringe Festival is back with dozens of venues, including Zephyr Theatre, The Broadwater, and Three Clubs, hosting a huge slate of comedy, ensemble theatre, dance and immersive performances during the two and a half week run. The official festival will run from June 13-30, followed by an Awards Ceremony on July 1. More info here.
Grand Performances – M FA > This weeks Grand Performances will include two free concerts. On Friday a live showcase by 2024 COLA Artist Fellows Sehba Sarwar, Dorian Wood, Gina Loring, Chris Wabich, and Jay Carlon. Continues on Saturday with a centennial celebration of Max Roach with a lineup of 25+ of local musicians, dancers, poets and artists. Both shows run 6 to 10 p.m. 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.
MUSE/IQUE Presents “The Judas of Folk: Dylan Plugs In” – FA > The second annual MUSE/IQUE Open House will feature two pairs of live music events this month, celebrating the iconic American artist Bob Dylan. The first set of performances will be held at Pasadena Memorial Park this Saturday and Sunday, with pre-show entertainment starting at 6:30 p.m. each night. Free to attend. More info here.
Jazz at LACMA – FA > The Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s annual Friday Night Jazz series is back for a season of free weekly concerts at Smidt Welcome Plaza through November. This week: a performance by Devin Daniels Quintet. Remember that LACMA is free to visit for L.A. County Residents (with I.D.) on weekdays after 3 p.m. Seating is first come, first serve. Music begins at 6 p.m. More info here.
LACMA Latin Sounds – FA > LACMA is bringing a series of Saturday evening, outdoor concerts at Dorothy Collins Brown Amphitheatre (just north of the La Brea Tar Pits Museum) in celebration of the exhibition Painting in the River of Angels: Judy Baca and The Great Wall. This weekend, catch a performance by Boogaloo Assassins. Free to attend. Runs 5 to 7 p.m. More info here.
Norton Simon Garden Party -> The Norton Simon Museum kicks off summer with their annual Garden Party on Saturday, which this year will include a tea-blending activity with artist and herbalist Emily Han. Guests can also enjoy guided art-making programs for all ages and abilities, sketch sessions with materials provided, live jazz, and food and drink from the Garden Café. Runs 4 to 6:30 p.m. All activities included with museum admission ($20 for adults, free for children 18 and under). More info here.
SaMo Pride Festival – M FA > This Saturday, Santa Monica Pride Festival will throw a block party on Third Street Promenade with live music, themed snacks, games, swag, community booths and more. The event is free to attend and all ages are welcome. More info here.
Long Beach Walls and Art Renzei –FA > Now in its ninth edition, Long Beach Walls and Art Renzei is a week-long free outdoor art festival that has transformed 40 square miles of the city with 130 vibrant murals. From June 22 to 29, 2024, attendees can enjoy live mural painting, interactive art installations, music performances, and engaging workshops from invited artists. More info here.
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Levitt Pavilion & LACMA Summer Art Hop – M FA > This Saturday, the Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles and LACMA Summer Art Hop brings hands-on art activities, music, and refreshments to Charles White Elementary School and Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles in MacArthur Park, all as part of the opening of the 2024 Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles concert series. Highlights include a reception with Sand Brewed Coffee and tea, live classical music, and the Levitt LA Opening Concert headlined by Vilma y La Sonora and La Diabla. The Art Hop runs 4 to 7 p.m., and the opening night concert starts at 7. p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Pasadena Chalk Festival – M FA TP > The Pasadena Chalk Festival returns to The Paseo for a two day-long event (this Saturday and Sunday) featuring art and music featuring some 200 murals and over 500 artists This event is free to attend. Runs 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days. More info here.
NoHo Summer Nights – M FA > Starting on Saturday, NoHo Summer Nights brings film screenings and/or live performances to North Hollywood Recreation Center every Saturday through August 24. The series kicks off this weekend with Elton vs. Billy – A Musical Showdown. Free to attend, and no RSVP required. Starts at 7 p.m. More info here.
Venice Fest – FA > Head to Venice Fest this Saturday for a day of fun for all ages featuring local bands, yoga, games, and classic cars on display. There’s also a beer garden and food trucks to refuel. Runs noon to 8 p.m. More info here.
TOCApalooza – FA > On Saturday, The Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation hosts their annual TOCApalooza at Torrance Cultural Arts Center. Expect multiple stages of entertainment, hands on art demonstrations, a juried art exhibition, and artist vendors. Plus there will be food, beer and wine for purchase. Runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Garagiste Wine Festival -> Returning this Saturday, Garagiste Festival is Los Angeles’ only wine festival that exclusively features wines from commercial California ‘garagiste’ winemakers. The wines are poured by the winemakers or owners themselves at the festival offering a rare opportunity to meet the sources behind the wine. Ticket prices range from $65-$100. More info here.
Out Block Party – M FA TP > On Sunday, Angel City Brewery teams up with GLAAD, Makeshift Muse, and Truly LA for a Pride-focused afternoon block party featuring unique vendors and performers. Happening from noon to 7 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Meet the Grunion – > The Cabrillo’s Marine Aquarium’s final Meet The Grunion event of the spawning season takes place this Sunday evening. Guests will learn about these silverly fish during a short program then head over to the beach to (hopefully) observe their fascinating mating nighttime ritual, which brings the small fish onto the shores for a brief moment before the waves take them back into the ocean. Starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $7 for non-members. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Dine LA x Smorgasburg Takeover -> Dine LA is taking over Smorgasburg this Sunday ahead of their biannual Restaurant Week. Expect unique combos from all your favorite Smorg vendors, priced at $15, $25, and a few special items at $35. Smorgasburg, located at ROW DTLA, runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More info here.
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Yangban x Smögen Appetizers Blue Crab K-Bagel -> Yangban has partnered with Smögen Appetizers to create an exclusive bagel collaboration: “The Blue Crab K-Bagel.” Available this Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., while supplies last, you can find it at the Smögen pop-up inside Vintage Wine + Eats in Studio City. Guests can enjoy a furikake sourdough bagel topped with whipped cream cheese, blue crab, garlic chives, red bell pepper, and gochujang vinaigrette.
Drag Bingo Brunch at Brentwood Fine Wines -> This Sunday, Brentwood Fine Wines celebrates Pride month with a Drag Bingo Brunch partnered with SERV Vodka. This Sunday Funday is a mix of bingo, brunch and drinks. Tickets cost $37.50 and include one drink, brunch bites, bingo cards, live DJ, a prize wheel and tastes of SERV Vodka. More info here.
Foodieweek -> This week, Westfield Century City kicks off Foodie Week from June 20 through June 27. Enjoy exclusive deals, prix-fixe menus, happy hour specials, and more from dining spots like EATALY, Zinque, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, Tocaya Modern Mexican, and Ramen Ochi. More info here.
Looking Ahead…
Nikkei Wine Summit: American Wine with Japanese Soul -> The inaugural Nikkei Wine Summit: American Wine with Japanese Soul will take place on June 29 at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center. Dive into the fascinating legacy of the Nikkei community in California’s wine scene and cap the day with tastings from more than 15 top Japanese and Nikkei wineries. Secure your spot for $150 per person. More info here.
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