27 Fun Things to do This Week in L.A. [9-20-2021 to 9-24-2021]

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 Sep. 20-24, features a Burt Reynolds doc at Hollywood Forever, free days at botanical gardens, the Other Art Fair, a Kathak dance celebration, Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, KCRW Summer Nights with Madame Gandhi, and more!

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Monday / Throughout the Week

1. I Am Burt Reynolds -> I Am Burt Reynolds is a 2020 documentary that chronicles the life and career of the late actor. On Monday, The Hollywood Forever Cemetery will be hosting a free screening of the film, accompanied by the unveiling of new Burt Reynolds monument on the cemetery grounds. Though the screening is free, keep in mind onsite parking is $20. More info here.

2. Hola México Film Festival -> The 2021 Hola México festival continues this week with screenings at REGAL DTLA through Sep 24., then caps off with a final screening and party at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes on Sep. 25. Catch the full lineup of films to screen here.

3. A Taste of New Orleans -> On Monday night, Broken Shaker Los Angeles is teaming up with Perrier to host hosting a benefit fundraiser for the victims of Hurricane Ida. Proceeds from the ticketed event will benefit Turning Tables and Another Round Another Rally. $20 gets you in the door, and entry includes complimentary beverages and small bites along with New Orleans-style entertainment. Proof of vax required. More info here.

Tuesday

4. Are You Still Listening? -> Are You Still Listening is a free monthly comedy show presented by Netflix is a Joke Radio. The series returns this Tuesday to Dynasty Typewriter with a lineup featuring Greta Titelman, Derek Gaines, Robin Tran, Shane Torres, Tacarra Williams, and Will Foskey. The show starts at 8 p.m. RSVP does not necessarily guarantee entry, and admission will be based on first come, first served. More info here.

5. Night Train to the Cinema ->  Now through Oct. 1, American Cinematheque is presenting a series of classic films where the drama revolves around railway transportation. Screenings take place at either the Aero Theater in Santa Monica, or the Los Feliz 3 on Vermont Ave. This week’s lineup includes The Lady Vanishes and The Darjeeling Limited at Los Feliz on Tuesday, and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) at Los Feliz on Thursday. Tickets are $13 for general admission. More info here.

6. Free Botanical Gardens -> Every third Tuesday of each month, Descano Gardens, the L.A. Arboretum, and South Coast Botanic Garden offer free admission days. Advanced reservations are required, and based on availability.

Wednesday

7. ReSound -> Leela Dance Collective’s ReSound is a 5-day celebration of Kathak dance highlighted by educational workshops and free street performances at locations throughout Los Angeles County. Workshops are only $10 to attend, and the first public performance takes place at Grand Park on Friday at 12:30 p.m. Performances continue over the weekend at venues in Woodland Hills, Santa Monica and Pasadena. Check the full schedule of events here.

8. The Comedy Roof -> A weekly comedy showcase on the rooftop of Grand Central Market. This week’s lineup features Jermaine Fowler (Coming 2 America, Comedy Central, HBO), Jeff Horste(Comedy Central, Hart Of The City), Meghana Indurti (Reductress, The Onion, The New Yorker), Logan Guntzelman (Comedy Central). Tickets run $20. More info here.

9. A Conversation with Migos -> Hip hop trio Migos (Quavo, Offset, Takeoff) will be at the GRAMMY Museum on Wednesday for a special conversation discussing their artistic rise and legacy. Tickets are $25. More info here.

10. Fall Plant Sale at The Huntington -> Every Wednesday during the fall The Huntington hosts a plant sale event featuring plants propagated from the historic gardens, including cacti, succulents, roses, trees, shrubs, perennials and more. More info on reserving tickets to plant sale events here.

11. Wisdome LA -> Wisdome LA’s immersive art park in the Arts District has reopened with a new artistic experience called Mystic Universe. Single tickets are $50, couples are $85. Open for reservations Wednesday through Sunday. More info here.

12. The Enigmatist -> If you have an addiction to solving puzzles, then you might want to check out The Enigmatist, an in-person experience created by New York Times crossword wizard David Kwong. Running from Sep. 14 to Oct. 30 at The Geffen Playhouse. Tickets start at $30. More info here.

Thursday

13. The Other Art Fair -> The Other Art Fair Los Angeles returns to the Santa Monica Barker Hangar from Sep 23-26 with a showcase of 140 independent artists. Tickets for Thursday’s opening night party are $45, and it’ll cost you $15 per ticket for Friday through Sunday. More info here.

14. Pay-What-You-Will at USC PAM -> Tickets the to USC Pacific Asia Museum are only $10, but if that’s still too much keep in mind that every Thursday is a pay-what-you-will day. Now through Oct. 3, visitors still chance to check out Nick Dong’s Divine Immersion exhibition. Advanced reservations required. Get more info on planning a visit here.

15. Fall Shop & Sip Pop-Up Night Market -> On Thursday, Sofitel Los Angeles Beverly Hills is hosting a pop-up marketplace on their outdoor patio featuring local fashion and jewelry vendors, with additional entertainment including an Astrological Gem Reading booth and a Room Service Drag Show on the stage of our bar Riviera 31 following the shopping event. Free to attend. More info here.

16. Halloween Horror Nights -> Universal Studios Hollywood brings their annual terror attraction back starting on Sep 9. This year’s edition includes the return of the “Terror Tram,” featuring “The Ultimate Purge,” along with a maze based on “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers.” GA tickets range between $69-$99, depending on the date of attendance. More info here.

Friday

17. Los Angeles Haunted Hayride -> After adapting to a drive-thru version last year, the Haunted Hayride is back in Griffith Park for 2021 with in-person activities based around a fictional town named Midnight Falls, circa 1985. In addition to the signature hayride, highlights for this year’s event include a Trick or Treat Maze, the Midnight Mortuary Tour, and the Dead End Diner. Kicks off this Friday, Sep. 24 and runs on select nights through Oct. 31. General Admission tickets are $39.99 (access to all attractions) and if you want to do the hayride only it’ll run you $29.99. Get more info here.

18. Grand Performances -> This Friday’s edition of Grand Performances doubles as a KCRW Summer Nights event. The evening kicks off with DJ sets by Anne Litt and Valida, followed by a performance from electronic music artist Madame Gandhi. Free. Outdoors. Runs from 6 to 10 p.m. More info here.

19. One Colorado’s Summer Flicks -> One Colorado in Old Pasadena is hosting an outdoor movie series in September featuring free admission, complimentary popcorn, and plenty of drinks and meal to-go options for purchase. This Friday the series continues with a screening Yesterday. Show begins at 8:30 p.m. Seating is based on capacity, and is first-come, first-serve. Early arrival is strongly encouraged. More info here.

20. Dine Alhambra -> Dine Alhambra Restaurant Week returns starting this Friday with special deals at 15 select restaurants in Downtown Alhambra. Prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus range from $15 to $50. Runs from Sep. 24 toOct 1. More info here.

Dining

21. TATEL -> Spain’s TATEL officially opens for lunch and dinner service in Beverly Hills this Tuesday. The Michelin Star Chef Luigi Fineo helms the U.S. extension of TATEL, with a menu focused on Mediterranean and Spanish seafood recipes. Guests will be treated to items like arroz carabinero, atún fino and tortilla trufada to name a few. Expect hundreds of wine and spirits on the drink list, some of which are extremely rare. TATEL is taking reservations now through OpenTable.

22. A Study of Fire at Terra -> On Sep. 22 Kevin Bludso (Bludso’s BBQ) helps kick off “A Study of Fire,” a monthly guest chef pop-up dinner series at Eataly’s rooftop restaurant Terra. Bludso’s secret family recipes will be on full display for the evening with guest being treated to smoked meats crusted with char and grilled seafood alongside vibrant cocktails, and side dishes. Tickets cost $90 per person and can be made on OpenTable under the “Experiences” tab. A portion of the proceeds of the exclusive one-night-only tasting will help raise money for Restaurants Care, an emergency assistance fund serving California restaurant workers year-round.

23. Ghisallo -> The owners of The Tasting Kitchen in Venice Beach will open Ghisallo, a causal pizza kitchen on Sep. 23 in Santa Monica. Wood fired pizzas prepared by Chef David Rodriguez will made with seasonal ingredients and offered as a pie or by the slice. Freshly made pastas, starters, salads, desserts and a selection of wine and microbrews on tap will also be part of the menu.

24. Shappy Pretzel Co. x HFC -> In honor of World Alzheimer’s Month, Seth Rogan and Lauren Miller Rogan’s Alzheimer assistance non profit HFC will collaborate with Adam Shapiro’s Shappy Pretzel Co. for a pop-up series at The Grove and Americana on Friday, September 24. The Rogan’s and Shappy have created a special “Cumin Get It” flavor which is available in a pack of three for $10. Additionally the public can grab three original pretzels for $10, little bites for $6 and Oreo filled pretzels for $12. All proceeds from that day will go directly to HFC. Seth Rogen, Lauren Miller Rogen, Adam Shapiro, and Katie Lowes will also make special appearances on-site at 11 a.m. Pre-orders are now available, day of walk up ordering will also be available.

25. Lock & Key’s New Food Menu -> The Koreatown bar has updated their cocktail list and reworked their food menu to include deep-dish pizzas, lollipop chicken wings and a decadent deep fried PB&J. Additionall, Lock & Key’s famous walk-up window that use to serve Ramen Burgers is now a pizza window that also offers the full food menu and select cocktails to-go every Thursday through Sunday 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. 

26. Father’s Office DTLA -> After a long pandemic hiatus Sang Yoon’s gastropub Father’s Office has reopened its Downtown LA’s Arts District location. Recognized for their famous Office Burger and over 50 craft beer selections, Father’s Office was awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide in 2019. 

27. Que Padre Raises Funds for LAFD -> In observance of Fire Preparedness Month, Que Padre at Palisades Village is offering a month long ‘sizzling’ menu that includes a Firefighter “L.A. Street Taco” menu, an extra spicy margarita, flaming hot street corn and more. All proceeds from items purchased on the special menu will benefit Station 69 in Pacific Palisades. Guests can also donate directly to the LAFD via counter cards, or purchase LAFD merchandise at concierge of Palisades Village. 

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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].