Things To Do in Los Angeles This Week [4-3-2023 to 4-7-2023]

Hello glorious sunshine! With the weather perking up this week, we’ve got a list of to-dos to match.

For April 3 to 7 in Los Angeles, you’ll find new offerings at the South Coast Botanic Garden and California Science Museum, movie night at Angel City Brewery, First Wednesdays at the Aquarium of the Pacific, first Thursdays in Westwood and San Pedro, and First Fridays in Long Beach and at the Natural History Museum (that’s a lot of firsts!). Hope you all enjoy your week.

Things To Do This Week

Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea -> The newest exhibit at the South Coast Botanic Garden highlights the polluting effects of single-use plastics on our ocean environment, and provoke ideas toward sustainability. Washed Shore: Art to Save the Sea features 16 sea-animal sculptures all made from debris found on beaches and collected by the non-profit of the same name (Washed Ashore). The sculptures can be viewed as part of general admission to the garden ($15 for adults), and there’s an add-on “adventure tour” that costs an additional $29. The garden is open daily. More info here.

ACB Movie Night -> Starting in April, Angel City Brewery hosts movie nights every Monday at their Arts District tap house, kicking things off this week with a screening of The Fast & Furious. Starts at 8 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.

Maya: The Exhibition -> The California Science Center’s newest special exhibition investigates the ancient civilization of Maya with 250 original objects made from precious gems, ceramics, shell, and stone, including everything from a 9-foot-long sculpture of a jaguar warrior to a mask made of obsidian and jade. Tickets for Maya: The Exhibition start at $21.95 for adults, and include free admission to the rest of the museum. CSC is open daily. More info here.

The Moth Mainstage -> The Moth brings their storytelling series to DTLA’s Ace Hotel Theatre this Tuesday for a mainstage event featuring an engaging collection of curated, personal and entertaining stories. Tickets start at $25. Event begins at 8 p.m. More info here.

Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 -> This week will the last to catch Center Theater Group’s 30th anniversary production of Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 at the Mark Taper Forum. Conceived, written, and revised by Anna Deavere Smith, the ensemble work portrays stories of human drama and struggle in the five days of uprising following the Rodney King verdict. Performances run this Tuesday to Sunday. Tickets start at $35. More info here.

PaleyFest -> Back live at The Dolby Theater through April 4, PaleyFest is five-days of special panels and discussions featuring the cast and crew of some of T.V.’s top shows. Finishing things off this week are events forYellowjackets (Monday) and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Tuesday). Tickets available for individual sessions or as multi-event passes. More info here.

Microplastics: The Little Big Problem -> The Aquarium of the Pacific’s First Wednesday lecture series returns this week with a presentation on the pollutive effects of microplastics on our oceans and waterways.  Per usual, the one-hour talk is to be followed by a book signing, cocktails, and music and crafts in in the Pacific Visions Art Gallery. Tickets are $5. Starts at 7 p.m. More info here.

Artists in Conversation at CAAM -> This Thursday at the California African American Museum, artists Adee Roberson and Azikiwe Mohammed stop to discuss their new collaborative exhibition at CAAM, including the subjects of the works on view; the artists’ investments in Black temporality, movement, and rest; and the act of creating an interdisciplinary installation together. The evening also includes a sound performance by each artist. Free to attend. Runs 7 to 8:30 p.m. More info here.

First Thursdays in Westwood -> UCLA First Thursdays come in two parts: First there’s the Westwood Village Farmers Market from noon to 4 p.m., then an evening block party from 7 to 10 p.m. This month, the nighttime portion includes  live performances and art-making by Hammer Museum’s Art Lab, along with contributions from The Poetry Bureau. Free to attend. More info here.

First Thursday Artwalk in San Pedro -> The April edition of the San Pedro Artwalk takes place this Thursday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Expect pop-up activities and extended hours from some 30 local galleries and studios. Free to attend. More info here.

First Fridays at NHM -> Natural History Museum’s signature monthly series returns this Friday with Space,Time and Beyond. The evening includes live music, DJ sets in the nature garden, pop-up experiences throughout the museum and a discussion between Dr. Yewande Pearse and author, graphic novelist, Harvard Fellow and New York Times Bestseller John Jennings. First Fridays run 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $20. Cosplay is encouraged! More info here.

First Fridays in Bixby Knolls -> First Fridays in Bixby Knolls are back this week with a “Long Beach County Fair” edition of the monthly art walk. Expect pop-up activities, live performances, arcade games, a farmers produce contest, and plenty special deals at businesses along Atlantic Ave in Long Beach. Runs 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.

Modern Parlor Magic -> Storyteller and magician David Carlo brings an immersive evening of entertainment to the Biltmore Los Angeles Hotel for a two-month engagement beginning this Friday-Sunday. Inspired by Victorian-era parlor shows, Modern Parlor Magic features plenty of illusions, mystery, close-up magic, mind reading… and even a deadly bullet catch. Tickets start at $59. Shows run on weekends through June 4. More info here.

The Slam at The Yard Theater -> Three comedians vie for the attention of one real-deal poet at this sarcastically-minded evening of comedy, coming to The Yard Theater in East Hollywood this Friday. This month’s lineup includes John Milhiser (SNL), Leanne Velednitsky (Funny or Die), Cheyenne Perez (The Sex Lives of College Girls) Tolliver (The Late Late Show with James Corden), and host Annie Paradis. Tickets are $10. Starts at 7 p.m. More info here.

Dining & Drinking

(picks by Christina Champlin)

The Tasting Kitchen Pop-Up at Ghisallo -> The Tasting Kitchen in Venice suffered a small fire early March causing them to temporarily halt service. While the restaurant goes under repair, sister concept Ghisallo in Santa Monica welcomes the TK team into their space for dinner service Mondays through Thursdays, starting today. Expect The Tasting Kitchen’s Executive Chef Travis Passerotti’s TTK menu items such as handmade pastas alongside Ghisallo’s Executive Chef Stensland “Arnold” Smith’s wood-fired pizzas. Jyan Isaac Bread is also participating, crafting breads and all pizza doughs on the menu for the pop-up. Reservations are available via OpenTable. The Tasting Kitchen pop up at Ghisallo is open Monday through Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Walk-ins are welcome. 

Tacos 1986 Santa Monica Grand Opening -> Tacos 1986 opens in Santa Monica on Tuesday, April 4, with free tacos for the first 100 customers. The Tijuana-style taqueria serve stheir signature menu of carne asada and pork al pastor tacos all on hand-made tortillas to quesadillas, mulitas, as well as Vampiros. To celebrate the new expansion, Tacos 1986 will add burritos to the menu for the first time. Tacos 1986 Santa Monica is located at 135 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica, CA, 90401. More info about the opening here.

Paloma Venice -> Paloma Venice is launching breakfast on Wednesday, April 5. Available from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday through Sunday, the breakfast menu will feature a selection of morning favorites including shakshuka and specialty toasts all paired with beverages from their coffee bar. For the next 30 days Paloma is donating half of all coffee sales during breakfast to the Venice Family Clinic.

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