Posted by Every week in Los Angeles there are tons of great things to do (even before the weekend gets started) that we think you ought to have on your radar. With that in mind, we put together a list every Monday morning to keep you in the know about what’s happening in the city you love (or maybe just like).
This week, from Monday, April 25 to Friday, April 29, features the Malibu Guitar Festival, Pasadena Restaurant Week, an LA Rams draft party, Friday night fireworks at Dodger Stadium, the Upland Lemon Festival, and lots more to choose from.
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Hope you find the rundown useful and, as always, enjoy your week!
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Monday April 25th, 2016
1. Pasadena Restaurant Week
The 5th Annual Pasadena Restaurant Week will take place April 24-29 and will feature over 40 restaurants in the city’s burgeoning food scene. All participating restaurants will offer prix-fixe lunches and/or dinners at a specially discounted price.
2. The Moth GrandSLAM Storytelling Competition
On Monday, April 25 at The Echoplex that The Moth presents a GrandSLAM event hosted by Brian Finkelstein and featuring the winners of the past 10 Moth StorySLAMS. Only the best of the best will come out on top!
3. Monday Mayhem Game Night a Angel City Brewery
Come on out to Angel City Brewery in DTLA’s Arts District as they host their weekly epic game night that includes 15+ Board Games, 8+ beers on tap, a 3-round cornhole Tournament and one geeky host (Scott Bartenhagen).
4. Dine LBC – Long Beach Restaurant Week
Long Beach Restaurant Week is a 9-day annual event featuring restaurants from twelve neighborhoods throughout the city hosting a variety of food and drink specials. This is a good time to explore the diverse cuisines that Long Beach has to offers while taking advantage of the discounts being offered.
5. Osawa Debuts a New Spring Specials Menu
Japanese shabu shabu and sushi spot Osawa celebrates it’s third year anniversary with legendary Chef Shigefumi Tachibe by debuting a new spring specials menu that includes: grilled anago (saltwater eel), iwashi sushi (sardine) and whole grilled branzino with a layer of freshly sautéed spinach, bathed in soy lemon butter sauce. Osawa located in Pasadena is open for lunch and dinner.
6. Dinosaurs: Unextinct at the L.A. Zoo
The L.A. Zoo will play host to some prehistoric residents. Come get up close and personal with 17 life-size animatronic dinosaurs some reaching almost 22 feet high and weighing close to 7,000 pounds. Additions to the new exhibit are a Fossil Dig, controllable Stegosaurus, climbable Pachyrhinosaurus, and a free 3-D augmented reality app. Tickets cost $5 the exhibit will run till October 31st.
7. BBQ, Blues & Brews Night at Baltaire
Brentwood’s ultra chic steakhouse Baltaire is showcasing their Southern flare with the debut of “BBQ, Blues & Brews,” featuring a new Southern-inspired menu by Executive Chef Travis Strickland. Consider combating the Monday Blues with craft brews, whiskey flights, BBQ and live blues every Monday night.
8. Newport Beach Film Festival
Around 350 films will be screened at this years Newport Beach Film Festival. Attendees will sit in on sessions with directors and screenwriters, the opening gala will feature a live band and bites from some of Newport Beach’s top restaurants. Visit the website for a full schedule of April 21-28 films.
9. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo for Three Weeks at The Morrison
I guess you can put this under Tax Day celebrations as well. The Morrison Pub in Atwater Village will start their Cinco de Mayo celebrations early, serving special food and drink menus all day now through May 5th.
Tuesday April 26th, 2016
10. Gourmet Food Truck Night
Every Tuesday night the California Heritage Museum holds a Gourmet Truck Night at the museum showcasing a select of gourmet truck eateries. All happening from 5:30pm to 9:30pm.
11. Chicago at The Pantages
Staring Grammy award winner Brandy Norwood and former professional football player Eddie George the Hollywood production of the smash hit Chicago will set the stage on fire with its dazzling cast of performers and unforgettable songs and dance numbers that includ “All That Jazz,” “Cell Block Tango” and many more. Get more information and discount tickets for this week via Goldstar.
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12. Beach=Culture at the Annenberg Community Beach House
A free reception for Space, Scape, and Scope, a new exhibition featuring works of photography by local artists Bruria Finkel, Anne Troutman and Sheila Pinkel, will be held on Tuesday from 6:00pm – 8:00pm at the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica. Visitors are invited to view the exhibition, meet the artists, and enjoy light refreshments. RSVP here.
13. Double Feature of Alien and Aliens at The Theatre at Ace
Alamo Drafthouse, 20th Century Fox and Mondo are joining forces for a nationwide celebration of all things Aliens. Taking place this Tuesday at The Theatre at The Ace in Downtown Los Angeles is a double feature of Alien and Aliens with the cast and crew present and unique collectibles from Mondo for purchase.
14. The Jungle Book at The El Capitan
Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre presents a very special engagement of the all new live-action film The Jungle Book playing April 15 – May 1, 2016, in Dolby Vision 3D and Dolby Atmos. Guests will be treated to a performance by The Side Street Strutters Jazz Band,playing classic Sherman Brothers music live on stage before the movie. Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.
15. Award-winning Documentaries at the Skirball
Skirball Cultural Center is hosting a film series on the fourth Tuesday of every month (April-August) that will feature 2016 award winning documentaries from SIMA, the Social Impact Media Awards. This month from Ukraine Crocodile Gennadiy (Almost Holy) will be screened. Each evening will include a panel discussion with filmmakers. Admission is $10 for general admission, $8 for members and $6 for students.
16. BritWeek
BritWeek celebrates of all things British from Shakespeare to David Bowie to Brit Artists and Designers. The festival will hosts a number of lectures, parties, performances, and more from April 23 – May 8.
17. LACMA Tuesday Matinee Film Series Screens The Misfits
Every week LACMA screens a classic film, the ongoing Tuesday Matinee film series cost $2 for members and $4 for non members.
Wednesday April 27th, 2016
18. Lunchtime Yoga Retreat
Get your sun salutations on in the middle of Downtown in Grand Park! The free yoga class starts at 12:15pm and runs to 1:00pm.
19. Escape Room LA: The Detective
Picture you’re trapped inside a 1940’s film noir where you have to solve a slew of mysteries to escape. Work with your fellow detectives as you race against the clock. Do you have what it takes? Head over to Escape Room LA and test your sleuthing skills this week! Get more information and discounted tickets for Wednesday and Thursday via Goldstar.
20. Merle Ginsberg at The Continental Club
The Continental Club presents Next on the Decks, a series featuring “non DJ” DJ nights where notable people from different fields from fashion to celebrities try their hand at guided DJ’ing (with a professional DJ as wingman). This week’s guest is fashion icon, tv personality and journalist extraordinaire, Merle Ginsberg. The event is free with a rsvp.
21. Pop-up Yoga and Wine Party in DTLA
Update: The event has been postponed until further notice.
Join the Grip The Mat team for their dynamic wine and yoga party, Vinyasa to Vino. Co-founders Ashley and Christy will be teaching in Los Angeles together for the first time with a custom DJ mix and live musicians for the duration of the class. The evening will start with a vinyasa yoga session and flow into a wine tasting social hour. First time yogis are welcome. Early bird tickets are $25 or general admission tickets are $30 and can be purchased on the Grip The Mat website. Rental mats are available on the site for $2.
22. Wally’s Beverly Hills Launches Take-Out Counter
Beginning Wednesday, Wally’s Beverly Hills will launch their new Take-Out Counter located at the store entrance. Patrons can walk up or call ahead to pick up a quick bite. The menu offers up tasty sandwiches like the Prosciutto di Parma and Manuka smoked king salmon along along with a selection of salads, sides and dessert. Take-Out Counter will be open 7 days a week from 11:00am – 3:00pm.
Thursday April 28th, 2016
23. L.A. Rams Official Draft Party at L.A. LIVE
UPDATE: Unfortunately it’s come to our attention this event is a private Rams season ticket holder event and is not open to the public. Apologies for any confusion!
We have a football team again! Almost… our city just can’t wait to celebrate so this Thursday the L.A. Rams official draft party comes to L.A. LIVE for all you football fans out there.
24. Malibu Guitar Festival
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The Malibu Guitar Festival is a four-day concert series taking over multiple locations in the city. Expect performances by Grammy-nominated artists Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Robert Randolph, deemed by Rolling Stone magazine’s as one of greatest guitar players of all time. The series opens with a fundraiser followed by performances and concludes with a guitar brunch and art exhibit.
25. Downtown Los Angeles Food Walking Tour
Sidewalk Food Tours of Los Angeles will lead you on a fun three-hour walking tour through Downtown Los Angeles. Your guide will share stories of the city’s early settlers, gossip about Hollywood’s heyday, architectural highlights, cultural changes of L.A. and the food scene. You’ll get plenty of chances to grab a bite from unique eateries, that include the best bakeries, ethnic restaurants and the most buzzed about establishments currently in spotlight, there are seven stops in all so come hungry. More information and discount tickets for Thursday and Friday’s tour via Goldstar.
26. BOOK’D Lit Event Returns to NoHo
Book’d “The Ultimate Bibliophiles’ Night” returns to The Group Repertory/Lonny Chapman Theatre in the NoHo Arts District this Thursday. Festivities will include mystery, romance, fantasy and YA (young adult) author readings, bookish giveaways and a catered mingling reception.
27. Super Cheesy Dinner Party at MiniBar
MiniBar is teaming up with 101 Cider House and Compton-based Sierra Cheese for some very cheesy eats. Chef Brandon Boudet of Little Dom’s will be serving cheese dishes like “Strung Outta Compton” made with string cheese, grilled cheeses, and fried cheese curds drizzled in poutine gravy. 101 Cider House will provide drink parings that will include an India Pale Cider, a Piña Meta Cider, and a Red or Black Cider. Dinner runs from 7:00pm – 10:00pm, and tickets are just $25.
28. First Annual International Film Festival North Hollywood
Celebrate the art of filmmaking at the first annual International Film Festival North Hollywood. This year they will shine a spotlight on topics about food, music, and dance. Expect films from some of the best emerging filmmakers around the globe. The four day and four nights event will run April 28-May 1.
29. Throwback Thursdays Screening of Zoolander
The Throwback Thursdays film series is back at NOHO cinema, the screening features a gourmet food truck onsite, and guest may bring their food inside the theater! Get more information and discount tickets via our friends at Goldstar.
30. Free Admission to the Japanese American National Museum
The Japanese American National Museum offers free admission from 5:00pm to 8:00pm every Thursday.
31. MOCA Free Night
Every Thursday evening from 5:00pm – 8:00pm admission is free to both the MOCA on Grand and The Geffen Contemporary.
32. TCM Classic Film Festival
The TCM Classic Film Festival brings iconic films back onto the big screen from April 28 – May 1. A 40th-anniversary screening of All the President’s Men will kick off of festivities and black-and-white dramas, Sci-Fi films, shorts and even some surprising 90’s films like Boyz n the Hood will follow through out the festival.
33. Free Day At The Skirball Cultural Center
The Skirball Cultural Center is free to all every Thursday.
Friday April 29th, 2016
34. Los Angeles Dodgers Friday Night Fireworks
Nothing beats catching a game beneath the stars especially with our beloved Dodgers . After the final out is called, the lights will go down and guests can actually go on to the field for a spectacular fireworks show. This weekend the Dodgers are up against the San Diego Padres, and our friends at Goldstar have discount tickets while supplies last!
35. Upland Lemon Festival
The annual Lemon Festival has been an Upland tradition since 1997. For 2016 the three-day event will offer a bevy of fun activities including a”Lemon Idol” singing contest, food competitions, carnival rides, games, and more.
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36. Sip Cocktails, See The Sights With The Historic Hollywood: Stars & Bars Gang!
Get a taste of Old Hollywood and sip on classic cocktails as an awesome guide share history tidbits, celebrity stories and more on Urban Adventures tour of Historic Hollywood. For more information and discount tickets check out our friends at Goldstar.
37. Broadway in Leimert Park
From Ella and Dizzy to Holiday and Sinatra and beyond, celebrate National Jazz Appreciation Month in April with a lineup of fantastic tributes to all the greats. Broadway in Leimert Park will play two shows this weekend. Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.
38. Escape Reality at Magicopolis
Husband-and-wife duo Steve Spill and Bozena Wrobel perform a vaudeville-style magic show that’s fun for the whole family. Expect optical illusions, levitation, mind reading, disappearances and a nail-biting Houdini-type escape called the Table of Terror! Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.
39. Clifton’s at Night
Clifton’s at Night hosts a regular programmed events series every month, this week come see Marquis and The Rhythm Howlers, deejays Dave Hernandez and Little Red, burlesque performers Auberon Shull, Amber Marie, and Charlotte Chau-Pech.
40. Free Museum Day at The Long Beach Museum Of Art
The Long Beach Museum of Art is free every Friday!
41. Red Hot Benefit + Quinceanera with Will Ferrell and Chad Smith
Will Ferrell and Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers are hosting a mind boggling one night only event this Friday at the Shrine Auditorium. It’s a comedy show, music show and Quinceanera all jammed into one evening. Expect music from Red Hot Chili Peppers and Devo, comedians Jim Gaffigan, Nick Offerman and more. The proceeds will go to benefit Cancer for College and Flea’s nonprofit Silverlake Conservatory of Music.
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