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Need a little jolt for your weekend? We’ve got the fun injection you’re searching for.
On deck from August 2-4 in Los Angeles, you can check out First Fridays in Frogtown, Endless Summer C.A.M.P. in Santa Monica, KCRW Summer Nights at The Music Center, CatCon in Pasadena, a Lucha Libre Music & Arts Festival, Brew at the Zoo, the Angel City Brewery Avocado Fest, a summer concert in Marina del Rey, and much more. Let’s dive into the full list below!
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Make Metro Part of Your Weekend
Endless Summer C.A.M.P. – M FA > Santa Monica’s second annual Endless Summer C.A.M.P. series brings four weeks of family-friendly entertainment to Tongva Park, celebrating everything from world music and dance to puppetry and animal ambassadors. This Saturday, the fun begins with a Bollywood dance performance by Joya Kazi Entertainment. The free programs runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica Station.
Things To Do This Weekend
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
First Fridays in Bixby Knolls – FA > The August edition of First Fridays in Bixby Knolls arrives this Friday with a theme built around a singular musical icon: David Bowie. The evening includes Bowie-themed food and drink specials at local restaurants, a Bowie tribute concert by MOVE in the Bixby Joe parking lot, and a costume contest with a special prize. Runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. More info here.
First Fridays in Frogtown – FA TP > Frogtown First Fridays is taking back to the 80’s with a themed evening of family-friendly activations this Friday, featuring participating 16 venues including galleries, restaurants and shops, all adjacent to the L.A. River Path in Elysian Valley. Guests can see new art exhibits, enjoy free or low-cost art activities, giveaways, DJ’s and live music. Runs 4 to 9 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
First Fridays in Chinatown – 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 June edition of First Fridays runs 6 to 10 p.m. Free to attend, as always. More info here.
Dance DTLA at The Music Center – M FA > The Music Center’s Dance DTLA hosts an evening of Samba this Friday, with instructors will be on hand to teach guests easy-to-follow steps, allowing everyone to get into the groove right from the jump. Event runs from 7 to 11 p.m. Free as always to attend More info 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.
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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 Joshua White 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.
Tchaikovsky Spectacular with Fireworks -> The Hollywood Bowl’s annual Tchaikovsky Spectacular returns this weekend for a two-night celebration of classical music paired with booming fireworks. Otto Tausk conducts the L.A. Philharmonic, and Uzbek pianist Behzod Abduraimov stops by as well. The evening caps off with the 1812 Overture performed by the LA Phil with an assist from the USC Trojan Marching Band. Shows start at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. More info here.
KCRW Summer Nights – M FA > KCRW’s summer of free programming continues this Saturday with a pop-up concert at The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza featuring a performance by Grammy-winning, multi-lingual Americana artist, Gaby Morenoanother. KCRW DJ José Galván kicks off the event with sets beginning at 7 p.m. Free to attend as always. Get more info here.
Marina del Rey Summer Concerts – FA TP > MDR’s free summer concert series continues at Burton Chace Park this Saturday with a performance by American soul and R&B singer-songwriter Goapele. As with other events in the series, admission is free but entry will close after the park reaches capacity (first-come, first-served). Music starts at 7 p.m. More info here.
La Bulla: The Lucha Libre Music & Arts Festival -> On Saturday, a one-night extravaganza Lucha Libre comes to Plaza de La Raza featuring two stages of performances (music and Mexican wrestling) plus an art show featuring over 150 contributors, special vendors, face painting, food, drinks, and more. Individual tickets are $23.18, fees included. Startsa t 6 p.m. More info here.
LACMA Latin Sounds – FA > LACMA is bringing a series of evening, outdoor concerts at Dorothy Collins Brown Amphitheate (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 Saturday, the series continues with the all-female, salsa sounds of Las Chikas. Latin Sounds concerts are free to attend, and run 5 to 7 p.m. More info here.
Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts – M FA > Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles continues this Saturday with an evening of Latin Alternative featuring Y La Bamba, Buyepongo, and Chulita Vinyl Club. Concert runs 7 to 10 p.m. Free to attend, as always. More info here.
Movies at Warner Park – M FA> The Valley Cultural Foundations’ Movies at Warner Park series returns to Woodland Hills every Saturday night in the month of August. Kicking off the fun is a screening of Barbie, with other slated films to include The Blind Side, Wish, Elemental, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Each event starts at 7 p.m. Free to attend.
Brew at the Zoo-> Evening programming is back at the L.A. Zoo this Saturday with a fresh edition of Brew at the Zoo. Expect 35+ breweries plus animal keeper talks, live music, and bites for purchase. Standard admission starts at $75. More info here.
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Grand Performances – M FA > Grand Performances outdoor concert series rolls on this Saturday with a tribute to Salsa Queen Celia Cruz featuring music by DJ Gia Fu, Contra-Tiempo, and Havana Secret. Concert runs from 6 to 10 p.m., and is free to attend. More info here.
CatCon – M > This Saturday and Sunday, catch the latest in feline culture at this two-day expo in Pasadena featuring cat-centric merchandise, workshops, and performances. Individual day GA tickets start at $47.93 per person. Get more info here.
CatVideoFest 2024 -> Starting this weekend, CatVideoFest brings cat videos to the big screen with a 73-minute romp filled with internet cat classics, animations, and music videos, all in the name of the cute AF kitty. This year’s film mashup screens at Vidiots in Eagle Rock, with the first two days of screenings in the larger Eagle Theater (this Saturday and Sunday), the rest of the dates (through August 14) screened in the MUBI Microcinema. Tickets range $11-$13 for adults. More info here.
Unique LA Market -> This Saturday and Sunday, Unique LA returns with a curated shopping experience highlighting 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. Tickets start at $10. More info here.
Angel City Brewery Avocado Fest – M FA TP > This Sunday, Angel City Brewery is celebrating the release of two crowd-favorite seasonal brews – Avocado Ale and Guavocado Ale with a party featuring avocado-themed games, live music, food and vendors. Runs noon to 7 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Watch That Show About Dragons – M FA > On Sunday, Dynasty Typewriter is hosting a watch party for the season finale of that one show about dragons that everyone is talking about (you can practically hear the opening song in your head, right?). Free to attend, but you might want to arrive early as RSVP does not guarantee entree (seating and entry are on a first come, first served basis). Doors open at 5:30 p.m., screening starts at 6 p.m. 18+ only. More info here.
Party On at The Crow – M > Every first Sunday of month, The Crow in Santa Monica hosts Party On!, which gathers a lineup of comics to speak to their unique experience of recovery and using humor to overcome addiction. Tickets are $20. Show starts at 7 p.m. More info here.
After Yang / Moon – FA > The Hammer offers up a double-serving of sci-fi this Sunday as part of their ongoing summer movie series. Catch showings of After Yang (2021, directed by Kogonada) and Moon (2009, directed by Duncan Jones) starting at 7 p.m. in the Billy Wilder Theater. Free to attend, but seating is first-come, first-served, and will be assigned at the box office. More info here.
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Viceroy Santa Monica’s Summer Social -> This Sunday, Viceroy Santa Monica is hosting its inaugural “Sunday Social” – a free summer afternoon community bash filled with bites, sips, and activities. Taking place on the Sugar Palm patio, the event offers a variety of games, food and beverage options, and goods for sale from local vendors. Free to attend. Runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Summer Steak Night Menu at Crossroads Kitchen -> Crossroads Kitchen’s new “Summer Steak Night” is a $75, three-course, all plant-based experience. Start with a Blooming Onion or Lobster Mushroom Cocktail. For the main, choose between Chef Tal Ronnen’s charred Lion’s Mane Steak or Eggplant Filet, with optional vegan bacon onion jam or mushroom bordelaise. Sides like Truffle Mac & Cheese and Jalapeño Creamed Corn complete the experience. Dessert options include a tableside Cannoli Cart, Key Lime Pie, or an Ice Cream Sundae. Available for dinner Thursdays through Saturdays at the West Hollywood and Calabasas locations until the end of August. More info here.
The Return of Prosperity Market’s Black Business Scavenger Hunt -> Prosperity Market, the mobile farmers market highlighting a range of goods from Black businesses, farmers and chefs, is hosting its fourth annual Black Business Scavenger Hunt from August 1-25. The event invites Angelenos to visit participating businesses all month long to earn points and win prizes. Food-related participants include Post & Beam, Alta Adams, Honey’s Kettle, Sky’s Gourmet Tacos, Harold & Belle’s, Flavors From Afar, Carla’s Fresh Market, Obet & Del’s, Lou The French On The Block and many more.
Happy Hour at Encanto -> Unwind and enjoy a taste of Baja in the heart of Los Feliz at Encanto. Stop in for the happy hour menu available daily from 4 to 6 p.m. to take advantage of $12 dishes such as Swordfish Tacos, bean potato shishito stuffed Flautas, and a little gem Caesar Salad. Complement your meal with $12 Palomas, $10 glasses of wine, and $6 bottled beers.
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