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, May 23 to Friday, May 27, features the Time Out Los Angeles Bar Awards, a May Mix-Off final showdown, a new Whole Foods in Silver Lake, the Strawberry Festival in Garden Grove, a board game expo, and lots more.
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Hope you find the rundown useful and, as always, enjoy your week!
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Monday May 23rd, 2016
Timeout Los Angeles Bar Awards
Enjoy an evening highlighting the best of L.A. cocktail culture at the inaugural Time Out Los Angeles Bar Awards. Your ticket gets you beer from Peroni, custom drinks, Tito’s Vodka, passed hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment and more.
Magic Monday at the Santa Monica Playhouse
Kick off your week with one of the best weekly magic shows in Los Angeles, now playing at the Santa Monica Playhouse. Be sure to grab discount tickets for show via our friends at Goldstar.
The Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival
The L.A. Jewish Film Festival (May 18-25) returns this year with exclusive L.A. premieres and an opening gala honoring Laemmle theaters 75+ years of showcasing Jewish and art house films.
Monday Mayhem Game Night at Angel City Brewery
Come on out to Angel City Brewery in DTLA’s Arts District as they host one epic game night that includes 15+ Board Games, 8+ beers on tap, a 3-round cornhole Tournament and one geeky host.
Tuesday May 24th, 2016
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 The True Cost 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.
Food Truck Night at The California Heritage Museum
Food truck night at the museum host a big selection of gourmet food trucks every Tuesday night from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at the California Heritage Museum on Main Street.
Escape Room LA The Alchemist
Imagine this… you are locked inside a mysterious laboratory of an ancient alchemist where you’ll have one hour to uncover the hidden power of the Philosopher’s Stone in order to escape the room. Sounds like your kind of event? Visit Escape Room L.A. and bring your A game this escape room requires critical thinking, creativity and plenty of teamwork. Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.
Nerd Poker Live at Largo
Join Brian Posehn for a live version of his podcast as he plays in a round of Dungeons & Dragons with pals Patton Oswalt, Chris Hardwick, Brendon Small and others for a benefit show to support comedian Dan Telfer’s cancer battle.
Escape Room LA: The Theatre
Escape Room LA invites you to get trapped inside a creepy theater haunted by a ghost. The only way out is to uncover clues and puzzles that will lead you to create a magical spell and release the ghost before time runs out. If you fail you will be trapped in the theater forever. Game? For more information and discount tickets this week check out Goldstar.
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LACMA Tuesday Matinee Film Series Screens From Here to Eternity
Every week LACMA screens a classic film, the ongoing Tuesday Matinee film series cost $2 for members and $4 for non members.
Wednesday May 25th, 2016
The May Mix-Off Bartending Competition
Hosted by the Mixing Room at the JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE, this three-week competition includes bartenders and mixologists from Los Angeles’ most notable bars, restaurants and lounges. The final is this Wednesday, admission is free and complimentary tastings will be available to guests.
La Bohème
Puccini’s La Bohème comes to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for a limited engagement. Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.
Escape Room LA: The Cavern
Play Indiana Jones for a day with Escape Room LA! Find clues and solve puzzles to get your hands on a lost civilization’s ancient treasures hundreds of feet below Downtown Los Angeles! You’ll have less than an hour to escape, working with your team to solve challenging puzzles to break free. Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.
Rock ‘N’ Roll Lens A Look at the Past 30 Years of Music Icons
Andaz West Hollywood will unveil “Rock ‘N’ Roll Lens,” a photography exhibition showcasing photographer Jimmy Steinfeldt’s work over the last 30 years. The free public reception takes place 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and wine served.
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 by working 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. Get more information and discounted tickets for Wednesday and Thursday via Goldstar.
Opening Day for 365 by Whole Foods Market
The first 365 Whole Foods will finally open in Silver Lake this Wednesday. The first 100 shoppers will receive gift cards in varying amounts and the first 365 guests will receive free mini-scones, vegan cookies and reusable shopping bags.
Lunchtime Yoga Retreat
Get your sun salutations on in the middle of Downtown in Grand Park! The free yoga class starts at 12:15 p.m. and runs to 1 p.m.
Thursday May 26th, 2016
The Unauthorized Musical Parody of The Big Lebowski
Watch the Coen Brothers’ classic comedy The Big Lebowski in musical form now through July 22 at The Rockwell Table & Stage. Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.
COFFEE + Design panel at The Wheelhouse
AIGA Los Angeles is hosting a COFFEE + Design panel at The Wheelhouse in Downtown LA. Moderated by journalist Julie Wolfson and joined by a panel of coffee industry and design professionals they will discuss all aspects of designing a high quality coffee experience in Los Angeles a city full of coffee addicts.
American Town Hall a Staged Town Hall Meeting Live Sketch Show
This sketch comedy show is based on town hall meetings each taking place in a new town every month but in reality its always in L.A. This month, they are taking on Pocomoke City, Maryland a place dubbed “The Friendliest Town on the Eastern Shore.” Show takes place at The Copper Still Bar, admission is $5 at the door.
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Throwback Thursdays Screening of American Me
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.
Free Museums This Thursday
- The Japanese American National Museum offers free admission from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. every Thursday.
- Every Thursday evening from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. admission is free to both the MOCA on Grand and The Geffen Contemporary.
- The Skirball Cultural Center is free to all every Thursday.
PaleyLive LA: An Evening with Orange is the New Black
Join The Paley Center for Media and the cast and creator of Orange is the New Black as they discuss the evolution of the hit series and what to expect from the upcoming new season launching on Netflix June 17.
GRAMMY Museum Presents: Bruce Springsteen: A Photographic Journey
Bruce Springsteen: A Photographic Journey is a traveling photo exhibit curated by the GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE. The new exhibition features over 40 iconic images of Bruce Springsteen on view for only a month.
Outtake-O-Rama: The Voice Talents of Futurama
John DiMaggio, Billy West and Maurice LaMarche are best known as the voices of Futurama characters see some of their infamous outtakes at the Hollywood Improv this Thursday.
The Virus: An Immersive Escape Room Experience
A deadly virus has swept the earth and a team of scientists (played by you and other folks!) are in an underground laboratory trying to find a cure. Sounds like your kind of mission?. Head down this Escape Room experience in Burbank with a couple of your smartest friends to see if you have what it takes! Get more information and discount tickets for this weekend via Goldstar.
Friday May 27th, 2016
The 58th Annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival
The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival returns to Village Green Park May 27-30 for a ‘berry’ fun time full of rides, parades, game booths, celebrities, music and, of course, plenty of strawberry themed treats.
Free Shark Lagoon Nights At The Aquarium of the Pacific
Get up close with the ocean’s ultimate predators for FREE during Shark Lagoon Nights.
Gamex
This all-age annual convention (May 27-30) focuses on tabletop games and draw crowds of over 2,000 to learn, play, watch and buy a wide variety of board, card, miniature, role-playing, collectible and video games. There’s a enormous shopping hall, tournaments, Gaming 101 sessions, 700+ game library, live entertainment, a miniature painting area and even special activities for families.
Disney’s Alice Through the Looking Glass 3D, Plus Pre-Show at El Capitan Theatre
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Join Alice, the Mad Hatter and the rest of the colorful characters in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland sequel Alice Through the Looking Glass. The film will be shown in 3D, come early for a pre-screening light show and to view the costumes and props from the movie. Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.
The Groundlings: The Completely Different Late Show
This hilarious improv show by the cast of the Groundlings’ Main Company runs on audience suggestions which can get interesting. Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.
Sounds on South Lake
Join the city of Pasadena every Friday this month for Sounds on South Lake, a free outdoor music series featuring a variety of SoCal artist and big names in the music industry.
Friday Night Jazz at LACMA
LACMA’s award winning Department of Music Program provides hundreds of free concerts and musical events every year for Angelenos to enjoy. This Friday their jazz series continues at the BP Grand Entrance.
Free Museums This Friday
The Long Beach Museum of Art is free every Friday.
The Museum of Latin American Art is free from 5:00pm to 9:00pm this Friday.
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