23 Fun Things to do This Week in L.A. [7-19-2021 to 7-23-2021]

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 July 19 to July 23, features a free taco pop-up via LeBron James and Fortnite, a Vegan Playground in the Arts District, Fourth Fridays at The Broad, Night Dive at the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Chocolate & Art Show, and more!

Monday/ Throughout the Week

1. Parks After Dark -> The 10th annual Parks After Dark hosted by the Pasadena Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department (PRCS) returns with a full schedule of activities including basketball games, soft ball tournaments, swimming , movie screenings, coffee and tea workshops and so much more. Registration and the schedule can be found here.

2. Grand Park’s Portraits of Freedom: Building a Life in L.A. -> Now through the end of the month, Grand Park in DTLA hosts 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.

3. Jazz Eclectic -> On Mondays starting at 8 p.m., head to Riviera 31 at the inside Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills for an evening of jazz music led by Ryan Cross and his band show, alongside special guest performers. No cover, but a table reservation is recommended. More info here.

4. Cinelounge Sunset -> Boutique art house theatre Cinelounge in Hollywood is open for indoor and outdoor movie screenings. Films week include Die in a Gun Fight, Pig, Old, and The Big Boss

5. Legacies of Exchange ->The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) presents Legacies of Exchange: Chinese Contemporary Art from the Yuz Foundation. Featuring Ai Weiwei, Huang Yong Ping, Wang Guangyi, Xu Bing, and more, the exhibition brings together 20 works of Chinese contemporary art created by 15 artists in response to international trade, political conflict, and global artistic exchange. Runs through Feb. 13, 2022.

Tuesday

6. El Rey’s Taco Tuesday-> LeBron James and Fortnite are teaming for a free (yes, 100% free) taco pop-up featuring as as-yet-undisclosed vendor, and to be located at 8175 Melrose Avenue. The three-day run will have hours from 1 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday. Expect a line. More info here.

7. 80s Nights at the Roosevelt -> Every Tuesday evening throughout the summer the Hollywood Roosevelt spins 80s music. 80s-themed cocktails and bites will be available for purchase while an endless stream of MTV videos from the 1980s will broadcast on the big screen. Guests who come dressed to the era will be judged and winners receive a special prize. The pool will be open too if you opt to bring your swimsuit. Tickets are $19 to get in. More info here

Wednesday

8. Vegan Playground -> Starting this Wednesday, a new weekly Arts District night market comes to Boomtown Brewery celebrating of all things beery, vegan and eco-friendly commerce. Admission is free. More info and RSVP here.

9. The OC Fair -> After a 2020 cancellation due to the pandemic, this year’s OC Fair returns on July 16 and runs Wednesdays to Sundays through August 15. Tickets are $12 weekday general admission (Wednesday, Thursday) and $14 for weekend general admission. General parking is $10. Get more info and purchase tickets here.

10. Free Summer Lunch Cruises -> Every Wednesday at noon, Shoreline Village in Long Beach offers a free free 30-minute harbor cruise with purchase of lunch to-go from a participating on-site restaurant. A reservation is required. Program runs through Aug. 25. Get the full details here.

Thursday

11. Art & Beer Night Market LA  -> On Thursday, Flying Embers Taproom in the Arts District will host 25 local artists and artisans selling goods along while offering craft beer, hard kombucha and food truck bites for purchase. $5 gets you in. 5 to 10 p.m. More info here.

12. Shakespeare Outdoors -> Ophelia’s Jump Productions’ Midsummer Shakespeare Festival is back this year, presenting Twelfth Night in an outdoor setting at Sontag Greek Theatre, on the campus of Pomona College in Claremont. Performances run this week from Thursday to Sunday. Adult admission is $25 per person. Get more info and purchase tickets here.

Friday

13. Fourth Fridays at The Broad -> Every fourth Friday at the Broad throughout the summer The Broad offers extended evenings hours (from 5 to 8 p.m.) plus live on-site entertainment. This Friday DJs Andrew Ableson and Javi En Rose will be spinning at the East West Bank Plaza (open to the public) while free, advanced reservations must be made in order to access the museum galleries. More info here.

14. The Groundings -> This Friday, for the first time in 16 months, The Groundlings Main Company returns to their Melrose venue with a brand new in-person improv show, Groundlings Lights Up! Tickets are $20. Mask and proof of vaccination required to attend. More info here.

15. Chocolate & Art Show ->  The Chocolate & Art Show Los Angeles returns to The Vortex Theatre this Friday and Saturday for back-to-back- evenings of live body painting, vendors, live music, face-painting, and yes, chocolate. Tickets are $20. More info here.

16. Night Dive -> The Aquarium of the Pacific’s adults-only, after-hours event, Night Dive, returns this Friday featuring an array of art, DJs, live music, cocktails and food trucks. Tickets are $24.95. Must be 18+ to attend. More info here.

17. Grand Performances: La Tigresa and Briseyda Zárate > This Friday’s edition of Grand Performances at California Plaza features Flamenco dancers La Tigresa and Briseyda Zárate performing an ensemble interpretation of traditional and modern flamenco. Catch DJ Ethos on the turntables. Free. Outdoors. 6 to 9 p.m. More info here.

18. Alesso: Together Again Concert -> Swedish DJ Alesso brings his sounds to Skylight at ROW DTLA for two nights of performances, this Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $45. More info here.

19. NHM Extended Hours -> Every Friday now through Aug. 6, Natural History Museum will offer extended Friday hours (from 5 to 8 p.m.) that feature a live DJ in the Nature Gardens along with do-it-yourself family activities and food for purchase from the NHM grill. Admission is $15 for adults and $7 for children. More details 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. White Label Creamery -> Phong Ly Trinh of Pearl’s Finest Teas has added a new ice cream shop right next door to his Fairfax Avenue business. On the menu is vegan ice cream, KAWS shaped waffles, and soft serve. The sweets shop also features streetwear, shoes and art collectibles for sale. In the coming months White Label Creamery will host new collaborations of special waffle molds and ice cream flavors including a Tokidoki themed pop-up shop in mid August.

22. Afuri Ramen -> Tokyo based Afuri Ramen finds a home for its famed yuzu infused ramen bowls in LA’s Arts District. The originators of the yuzu ramen trend, Afuri offers four types of yuzu ramen alongside classic broths, rice bowls, a wide range of house-made dumplings and soft shell crab sandwiched in a fluffy bun.  

23. Pez Cantina -> It’s sangria season and Pez Cantina in Downtown Los Angeles is serving red and white sangrias in a giant rose gold flamingo punch bowl. The table special is available on their late night menu and cost $125.

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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].