Things To Do in L.A. This Week [8-15-2022 to 8-19-2022]

Are kids really back in school already? Man these summers move fast. Or maybe it’s just because there’s been so much to do!

This week in Los Angeles, from August 15-19, check out a a fundraiser at the Groundlings, Summer Night Cinema at The Hammer, Drag Queen Bingo, Third Wednesdays in Culver City, Summer of Salsa at LA Plaza, Puppy Yoga at PetSpace, KCON, and more.

Things To Do in Los Angeles This Week

Sister Groundings: My Comedy, My Choice -> This Tuesday, The Groundlings host a special fundraiser for reproductive rights called Sister Groundings: My Comedy, My Choice. The evening of improv will donate 100% of the proceeds to Planned Parenthood. A post-show party with drinks and food will be held in the lobby. Tickets cost $50. 

Summer Night Cinema at the Hammer -> The Hammer’s Summer Night Cinema series continues this Tuesday with a screening of the Aretha Franklin documentary Amazing Grace. The event includes after hours access to The Hammer’s galleries plus drinks and bar bites for purchase at Lulu. No ticket required. Seating is first-come, first-served. More info here.

Moonlight Movies on the Beach -> Moonlight Movies on the Beach screens The Princess Bride at Granada Beach on Tuesday and The Wizard of Oz at Long Beach City College, Liberal Arts Campus on Thursday. Both screenings start at dusk. More info here.

Rethinking Essential at MOLAA -> Oaxacan-born artist Narsiso Martinez’s Rethinking Essential is now on view at the Museum of Latina American Art in Long Beach. Martinez’s mixed media installations draw on his experience as a farm worker, and bring into the focus the often omitted or misrepresented stories of laborers who form the basis of our food supply chains. The artist will be on hand for a walkthrough of his works from 2 to 3 p.m. MOLAA is open Wednesdays to Sundays. Regular adult admission is $15, and Sunday is free for all visitors. More info here.

Drag Queen Bingo + Wags and Walks -> Hamburger Mary’s twice-weekly charity Drag Queen Bingo has been WeHo staples for ages, and this Wednesday the event goes to the dogs as Wags and Walk drops in for a special evening in support of rescue pups. Expect food, drinks, prizes and a live auction, all for a good cause. $20 donations requested at the door. More info here.

Shakespeare in The Park -> ISC’s Shakespeare in The Park continues in this month with performances of Macbeth in Griffith Park on Wednesdays to Sundays through September 4. The productions are free to attend, but donations are strongly encouraged. More info here.

House of the Dragon at NHM -> We know the Natural History Museum has plenty to offer by way of dinosaurs, how how about dragons? Now through September 7, NHM teams up with HBO for a new pop-up exhibit exploring the the mythical world of the new original series House of the Dragon. Learn about the Targaryen Dynasty and the dragons that ruled beside them while checking out new costumes and props from the series. And yes, there will be a replica Iron Throne on hand for photo ops. Included with museum admission. Included with museum admission. More info here.

Third Wednesdays in Downtown Culver City -> Tropical Staycation is the theme for Downtown Culver City’s final Third Wednesday of the summer. Over a dozen participating businesses will have themed creations on offer, plus attendees can enjoy special happy hours, giveaways, and more. Runs 5 to 8 p.m. More info here.

Must Love Dogs Comedy -> It’s the month of DOGust and the Wallis Annenberg Petspace continues their celebration this Thursday with a dog friendly comedy show by New York based Must Love Dogs. Complimentary beer and wine will be provided by Three Weavers Brewing Company and Rescue Rose and dogs will receive complimentary treats from JustFoodForDogs. Food will also be available to purchase from participating food trucks. Tickets cost $25 per person. 

In Dust We Trust Night Market -> This Thursday, Skybar at Mondrian Los Angeles will host a Burning Man-themed night market called, “In Dust We Trust.” Free to attend (21+ only), guests can stop by between 7 to 11 p.m. to explore desert festival essentials such as vintage clothes, jewelry, pasties, goggles and more. Cocktail specials, a beauty bar, tarot readings and DJ sets by Hint Of Lavender will also be part of the evening. 

Cinemaude LA –> Modern intimacy brand, maude and Dakota Johnson’s TeaTime Pictures are coming together for Cinemaude LA, a curated film series presented by The Theatre at Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles. Cinemaude LA runs every Thursday this month and tickets will include the film screening, a custom event poster and a complimentary spritz by Ghia. Net profits from ticket sales will go to SIECUS, an organization that advances sex education through advocacy, policy and coalition building.

D*Face at Corey Helford Gallery -> A new solo U.S. exhibition from world-renowned London-based artist D*Face is now open at Corey Helford Gallery. Painting Over the Cracks feature over 70 new works and installations over two spaces in the gallery, and will be on view through September 10. Gallery hours are Thursday to Saturday from noon to 6 p.m.

Sunset Concerts at Skirball -> The Skirball Cultural Center’s annual celebration of world music continues in August with four consecutive weeks of free Thursday concerts at the museum. This week, catch a performance by ADG7, with a DJ set from dublab to precede the main event. Complimentary access to the museum’s exhibitions is included with entry. Get more info here.

Sizzling Summer Nights -> Sizzling Nights are back at the Autry every Thursday in August. Expect evenings of salsa dancing along with after-hours gallery access at the The Autry every Thursday night from August 4 to September 1. A limited quantity of $20 tickets for non-members are currently available for purchase until supplies run out. More info here.

Puppy Yoga -> Join the Wallis Annenberg PetSpace for an adorable Friday evening yoga class with dogs. Think goat yoga but with PetSpace’s adoptable dogs. Guided by Sweat Yoga the one hour session cost $25 a person and will go towards the Wallis Annenberg PetSpace Extraordinary Care Fund.

KCON -> The traveling celebration of Korean music and culture comes to Crypto.com Arena and the L.A. Convention Center this Friday to Sunday for a three-day event chock full of live performances, beauty brands, product demos, panels, celebrity meet-and-greets, and more. Single day tickets start at $45 per person. Get more info here.

Summer of Salsa ->  La Plaza de Cultura y Artes continue their Summer of Salsa concert series this Friday with La Obsesión and DJ Jimmy Rumba. Events starts at 6 p.m. Free to attend, no RSVP required. More info here.

Dance DTLA -> Free Friday dance parties continue at The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza in August. This Friday head over for an evening of K-Pop with instruction from Chuck Maa and tunes from DJ Boba Bear. For each event, you’ll learn easy-to-follow steps, allowing everyone to get into the groove right from the jump. Very family-friendly and always free. No reservation required. More info here.

Movies on The Roof -> My Valley Pass’s Movies on the Roof series continues this Friday and Saturday Westfield Fashion Square with screenings of Speed and The Matrix. Tickets are just $5, and proceeds for the event benefit  Hope Of The Valley rescue mission. More info here.

Dining & Drinking

Budonoki Pop Up -> Izakaya pop up Budonoki returns to Echo Park sake bar Ototo on Monday with a special small plates menu. Available for walk-ins only the menu includes items such as Peads & Barnetts pork jowl, kanpachi and wagyu zabuton. Additional snacks and sake will be provided by Ototo. 

Mama’s Tamales at Jewel -> Vegan east side restaurant Jewel hosts Mama’s International Tamales on Monday 5 to 9 p.m. where guests can feast on vegan interpretations of Latin dishes such as pan con pollo, pastelitos, ceviche, pupusas, tamales and more. Reservations can be made on Resy.

Thunderbolt x Kasama Rum on National Run Day -> Thunderbolt in Echo Park will celebrate National Rum Day with a meet the maker event on Thursday featuring female founded Kasama Rum. Stop in from 6 to 8 p.m. for a complimentary tasting of the acclaimed small-batch Filipino rum with founder Alexandra Dorda followed by a happy hour with a special selection of Kasama cocktails for purchase. RSVP is encouraged but not required.

Tender Fest Part II -> Tender Fest returns this Saturday for a day-long celebration of everybody’s favorite comfort food, the chicken tender. Taking place at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, vendors include Willie Mae’s, Howlin’ Rays, Raising Canes, Delilah, GoGo Bird, Original Dino’s Famous Chicken and more. New this year is  the conTENDER event where culinary icons such as Nobu Matsuhisa, Nyesha Arrington and Timothy Hollingsworth will battle it out for tender supremacy. Desert vendors, an all-you-can eat french fry station and DJ sets from Zack Bia & Friends are also part of the festival. Tickets to Tender Fest cost $74 for general admission which includes unlimited tenders, fries, desserts and two drinks tickets, VIP tickets cost $175 with access to a VIP area with exclusive vendors Howlin’ Rays and Valerie’s Confections, Valet, merch and unlimited tastings and drinks. 

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