22 Fun Things to do This Week in L.A. [8-9-2021 to 8-13-2021]

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 August 9 to 13, features a Japanese food workshop, Dance DTLA at The Music Center, a scent-based immersive pop-up, free screenings of The Underground Railroad, Outfest LA, and more.

Monday/ Throughout the Week

1. Proof-of-Vax Bars -> The list of L.A.-area bars now requiring proof of vaccination for entry has no grown to over 40 establishments, according to an ongoing list put together by L.A. Taco. If you’re still looking to grab a drink, but would feel safer in a vaccine required environment, you could head out to one of these spots this week.

2. Japanese Food Workshop -> Create Japan and Kensho Hollywood are collaborating on a month long series of in-person Monday evening workshops that explore the foundational dishes of Japan. This week the focus is on summer time soba. Japanese Culinary Ambassador Tomoko Imade Dyen will take guests through all the ways the buckwheat noodles can be prepared and eaten. Tickets cost $20 per person. The series continues August 30 with a focus on making dashi.

3. Ultra -> The Torrance Art Museum has collaborated with over 20 artists to create a series of public art installations freely accessible in locations around the City of Torrance, now through Aug. 28. More info here.

4. Los Angeles Black Restaurant Week -> Over 100 restaurants are participating in Black Restaurant Week this year (August 6-15) offering prix fixe menus, specials, and more. Check the restaurant directory for all participating spots. Most restaurants will be posting their specials through social media too.

5. Sing for Hope Pianos -> As part of the Sing for Hope Pianos recurring public art project, 16 special artist-designed pianos will pop up around Beverly Hills from Aug 5. to Sep. 6, offering public guests the opportunity to play and enjoy for free. More info here.

Tuesday

6. LACMA -> The Los Angeles County Museum of Art offers free admission on the second Tuesday of each month, but remember that tickets for a timed slot must be reserved in advance online. And if you can’t make it Tuesday, keep in mind that weekday admission is free after 3 p.m. if you’re an LA County resident.

7. DiscOasis -> Lights, disco, live performances, and food trucks, all presented in a lush, late-afternoon garden setting. That’s the premise behind DiscoOasis, a new timed experience at the South Coast Botanic Garden that runs Tuesday through Sunday through Sep. 6. Tickets start at $39 per person. Get more info and buy tickets here.

Wednesday

8. The Underground Railroad -> From this Wednesday to Sunday, The Aero Theatre in Santa Monica will host free screenings of the Amazon series The Underground Railroad, with two chapters in the ten part series airing each night from August 11-15. Attendees with RSVPs will be admitted on a first come, first served basis until the theatre reaches capacity. Sunday is members only. More info here.

9. Smell. Print. -> The A+D Architecture and Design Museum’s new pop-up exhibition Smell. Print. offers guests the chance to going on a narrative journey that explores the link between the creation of memory and the power of scent. Tickets to the immersive show are free, but must be reserved in advance online. Runs Wednesday to Sunday through Aug. 21. More info here.

10. The OC Fair -> This will be the last week of the 2021 Orange County Fair, with admission available this Thursday to Sunday. 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.

Thursday

11. Room Service: The Drag Show -> Beverly Hills’ premier drag revue Room Service is back and now held weekly at hotspot Riviera 31, located in the Sofitel Los Angeles. The show incorporates a variety of acts from drag queens, drag kings, trans performers, burlesque acts, boylesque acts, and everything in-between. Riviera 31 will be shaking and stirring up handcrafted cocktails for guests and offering bar bites on the menu too. This week the cast includes: Diana Dzhaketov, Rupaul’s Drag Race’s Mariah Paris Balenciaga, HBO Max’s Legendary Winner Calypso Jete, Kornbread Jete, Laritza La Bouche, & Jo Lopez with Dj Baby Magick. Room Service is held every Thursday from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Free general admission and reserved seating cost $10, more ticket information here.

12. The Chandelier -> Live dance is back at The Wallis with the world premiere of Heidi Duckler Dance’s The Chandelier, a site-specific work choreographed and directed by company Founder/Artistic Director Heidi Duckler. Performances runs this Thursday to Sunday. Tickets are $50. More info here.

13. Cookin’ With Gas -> This Thursday, The Groundlings Theater bring back Cookin’ With Gas, a 90-minute improv show based entirely on audience suggestion. Tickets are $20. More info here.

14. Diablo Comedy -> Catch free stand up comedy, every other Thursday at Diablo in Silver Lake. This Thursday’s lineup includes Chris Garcia from Mr. Iglesias and Comedy Central. Fill lineup and more info here.

Friday

15. Outfest LA -> The 39th Annual Outfest LA film Festival will return for in-person screenings and events August 13-22, 2021. Kicking off opening night is a screening of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie presented by Cinespia at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery with in person appearances by Max Harwood, Lauren Patel, and director Jonathan Butterell, as well as Bianca del Rio. Nearly every film will also be available for streaming for those at-risk or who live outside of the region. Tickets for most in-person screenings are $16 for general admission. Complete film guide here.

16. Dance DTLA -> The Music Center’s Dance DTLA is back starting on Aug 13, for five Friday night dance parties on its Jerry Moss Plaza. On-site dance instructors will guide guests on easy-to-learn steps while DJs spin the soundtrack. This Friday opens with a Cumbia night, and other themes for the rest of the will include Disco, Motown, Salsa and Bollywood. Free to attend. Outdoors. More info here.

17. Levitt Pavilion Concerts: The Paranoias + Friends -> This Friday’s edition of the Levitt Pavilion concerts features Son Rompe Pera, presented by Subsuelo and Late Night Laggers. Free. Outdoors. All-ages. More info here.

18. 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.

Dining

19. Monday Night Supper at Little Dom’s -> For years, Little Dom’s in Los Feliz has offered its Monday Night Supper special featuring a three-course meal for $25, and if you’ve never been, now is a great time to try it out. Recent offerings have included a Crispy Pork Shoulder with Roasted Potatoes, Chicken Bolognese Chicken Bolognese, Plum Upside Down Cake and a Banana Cake. The rotating menu is listed on the restaurants website as well as on Little Dom’s Instagram stories every week. Diners also have the option to add a bottle of Little Dom’s House Blended Drago Red or White Wine to their meal for  $20 or a draft beer for $4. Monday Night Supper is available for dine-in and take-out.

20. Avi Cue x Off The Menu -> BBQ Pitmaster Avi Yalin (@avi_cue) is back for a one-night pop-up at Roadside Tacos in Studiuo City this Monday. Known for his BBQ meets modern Middle Eastern cuisine mashups, the menu for Monday’s pop up features a Wagyu Beef Shawarma Pita Sandwich for $15 and drinks like Stella Artois Bottles and Karbach Ranch Water for $7. The event is open to the public but guests must make a reservation and pay in advance to attend. For anyone that attends the event and wants to sign up to be an Off The Menu member, use code ‘aviq’ to get $10 off your first month.

21. Happy Hour at Theia -> Theía, the Mykonos-inspired restaurant in West Hollywood has one of the liveliest weeknight happy hours in the city featuring local DJs, belly dancers, and energetic napkin-waving dances. From Monday through Friday 5-7 p.m. the restaurant offers an all-vegetarian happy hour menu of Greek mezzes like spanakopita and housemade pita with tzatziki as well as eye-catching cocktails.

22. 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 dairy soft serve. The sweets shop also features streetwear, shoes and art collectibles for sale. Starting August 12 White Label Creamery will host a Tokidoki collaboration of special sweets like a custom Donutella waffle with a variety of fillings, special soft serve and ice cream flavors and a Tokidoki themed out pop-up shop selling exclusive merchandise. The pop up wraps up on August 29. This event has been postponed to August 19.

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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].