22 Fun Things to do This Week in L.A. [6-28-2021 to 7-2-2021]

There’s always lots to do in Los Angeles, and per usual we’re here with a bi-weekly (Monday and Thursday) rundown of the best of what’s happening in the city and county.

This week, from June 28 to July 2, features a newly reopened Griffith Observatory, a free horror screening from Netflix, a new ‘Plastic Bag’ pop-up installation, the reopening of the Fowler Museum, $1 burgers, Summer Fridays at ROW DTLA, and more!

Monday / All Week

1. Fear Street Part One: 1994 -> On Monday, June 28, Netflix and Street Food Cinema team up to offer free tickets for a screening of the new horror trilogy Fear Street, based on the best-selling series from R.L. Stine. Tickets are first-come first-serve, but if sold out, remember drop dates are still forthcoming the other two upcoming installments in the series, to screen July 8 and July 14 respectively. More info and tickets here.

2. Chalk Lines -> Chalk Repertory Theatre has produced a series of five immersive audio plays that explore historically diverse neighborhoods of Los Angeles, including Leimert Park, Exposition Park, and West Adams. Listeners can stream the plays at home or on location with a mobile device starting June 18. More info here.

3. StarChefs Restaurant Week -> StarChefs, the restaurant industry magazine spotlights its Rising Stars list with the launch of a Restaurant Week from June 16 through June 30 inviting the public to experience dishes, pastries, wine pairings, and cocktails at the forefront of American dining.

4. RECONNECTING: A Vision of Unity -> A new exhibit by artist Kengo Kito comes to Japan House LA this Wednesday. Kito’s work takes 2,021 hula hoops to create a massive, unified art piece that explores issues of connection and re-connection in the wake of the past year’s unprecedented events. Admission is free to the gallery. Walk-ins accept, reservations are recommend. Exhibits runs from June 16 to Sep. 6. Learn more here.

5. Tevye in New York -> Tom Dugan, the writer and star of Wiesenthal, brings the world premiere of his newest play Tevye in New York to the outdoor performance space at the Wallis. outdoor performance space. Tickets are $75 for terrace seating. Performances run on select dates through July 25. Get more info here.

6. Self Help Graphics & Art Print Fair -> Self Help Graphic’s annual art print fair is going virtual this year, with new prints released online every week in June. Browse a selection of new and limited edition serigraphs, reliefs and intaglio prints created by over twenty artists. Proceeds support the ongoing mission of Self Help Graphics and Art. More info here.

7. Pride Publics -> Pride Publics: Words and Actions brings issues of LGBTQ+ community action, struggle and progress into focus through a series of 28 large-scale posters installed on the east side of Robertson Blvd, just south of Santa Monica Blvd. The works will be on view through July 1. More info here.

8. Rainbow Road Art Walk -> To celebrate Pride month, Santa Monica place is hosting a self-guided art experience of 13 colorful installations created by LGBTQIA+ artists. Runs June 4-30. More info here.

9. Love Note -> Rogue Ensemble has a new interactive audio expedition that invites guests to Plummer Park in WeHo, now through June 30. Per a release, Love Note is an “in-real-life audio experience that guides audiences through a twisted collection of love stories, meditative romance and lost connections.” The experience is free, but a smartphone and headphones are required. Plummer Park is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. More info and instructions for attendees can be found here.

Tuesday

10. Hollywood Roosevelt’s Tropicana Movie Nights -> The historic hotel welcomes guests to a unique movie screening experience around the iconic David Hockney-painted pool. A ticket comes with complimentary popcorn and if you dress up to the theme of the movie, you’ll also receive a free cocktail or candy bar. This week, they’ll screen Austin Powers International Man of Mystery. More info here.

11. The Autry -> The Autry Museum in Griffith Park is now reopen with two new exhibitions: Four Centuries of Pueblo Pottery and Making a Big Noise: The Explorations of Charles Lummis. Museum hours are 10 a.m to 4 p.m. on Tuesday through Sunday. More info here.

Wednesday

12. The Plastic Bag Store -> In association with CAP UCLA, artist/director Robin Frohardt has produced a public installation that critiques consumer culture by creating a faux retail store featuring thousands hand sculpted item, each made from discarded single-use plastics found on the streets and in garbage dumps. The installation is free to visit with reservations, though there is a $10 suggested donation. Runs from June 30 to July 11 at gallery space in the Arts District. Get more info and book a timed visitation slot here.

13. Sound of Color -> On June 30, the MagicLinks loft space in Venice hosts an exhibition from local artist Juan Carlos Muñoz Hernandez , whose work examines cosmological and psychological concepts using colorful geometric designs built from a mix of mediums. The show runs from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Free to attend. Register for tickets here.

Thursday

14. The Fowler Museum -> On Thursday, July 1, UCLA’s Fowler Museum officially reopens to the public with two new exhibitions on display, including a showcase of work from Cameroonian photographers Jacques Toussele, Joseph Chila, and Samuel Finlak. Hours are Thursday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. More info here.

15. Grand Park’s Portraits of Freedom: Building a Life in L.A. -> Starting this Thursday, Grand Park in DTLA will host a month-long public art installation examining the themes of home and freedom, with publicly viewable photography, video exhibitions, and a special nighttime projection installation. Free to the public. More info here.

16. $1 Burgers at NoMoo New American Burgers -> Melrose plant-based gourmet burger spot NoMoo is offering their BBQ Facon Burger made of barbecue seitan, crispy ‘bacon’, secret barbecue sauce, fried onion strings, an Impossible patty, and vegan American cheeze sauce sandwiched between a baked brioche bun for just $1 all day.

17. In Sheep’s Clothing -> The Japanese-style ‘listening bar’ closed in March 2020 but NeueHouse is bringing it back temporarily from June 23 – Aug 21 with a series of pop-up listening sessions four nights a week. Each evening will offer different programming around albums, artists and musical movements accompanied by cocktails, wine and food.

Friday

18. Griffith Observatory -> The L.A. icon is now reopen Fridays through Sundays (except July 4), and will also host a special virtual version of All Space Considered this Friday on YouTube starting at 7:30 p.m.

19. Summer Fridays at ROW DTLA -> Every other Friday starting July 2, Shopping destination ROW DTLA will offer after-hours retail hours, food trucks on-site, live music, and a rose and oyster bar from Chesapeake Bay’s Rappahannock Oyster Bar. Get more info on ROW’s summer programming here.

20. The Huntington -> Enjoy the gardens during twilight hours Fridays through Sundays when The Huntington hosts Summer Evening Strolls from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. June through August. Advance tickets ($20 per adult) are required.

Dining

21. Messhall Kitchen -> There’s a new and limited-time Smoked Beer Can Chicken ($51) special at Messhall Kitchen. This special serves two and includes a whole chicken, peel-n-eat corn, baked beans, red white & blue potato salad, house-made biscuits, and Kansas City BBQ sauce. Diners can also add a 6-pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer for only $6. The Smoked Beer Can Chicken is only available July 2-4 for dine-in, takeout, and delivery.

22. The Apple Pan -> Looking for a classic burger in town? Opened since 1947 The Apple Pan’s old school menu of burgers, fries, sandwiches and lots of fresh baked pies is always a good option. Try the Hickory Burger, invented in 1947 it’s basically a burger smothered in barbecue sauce toped with pickles, mayo and lettuce served hot off the grill. For now the diner is only offering outdoor seating on shaded picnic tables with plans to hire more staff for indoor service soon. After many years of a cash only rule, The Apple Pan is also taking credit cards. One of our faves.

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Any notes or corrections? Want to suggest an event we should add to an upcoming list? Hit us up at [email protected].