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 includes a Groundlings fundraiser, a literary death match, the Downtown Film Festival, Phantom of the Opera, Roaring Nights at the LA Zoo, and plenty more!
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Hope you find the rundown useful and, as always, enjoy your week!
[RELATED: The Best Way to Find Discount Events in Los Angeles]
[REMINDER: In some cases We Like L.A. does receive revenue when visitors click on ticket links and make purchases, however we maintain complete editorial control over the events we suggest. Basically, it only makes it on to the website if we think it is cool!]
Monday July 20th, 2015
1. Meat Puppets and Soul Asylum
Need a side of 90’s nostalgia to go along with your Monday? Check out two of the biggest alt-rock acts of the era performing together at the House of Blues. Doors open at 7:00pm. Show starts at 8:00pm. Get discount tickets while available via our friends at Goldstar.
2. The Groundlings Decades Night Fundraiser
Four decades of past alumni will return to help raise funds for the remodeling of the new Groundlings School. Alumni from the 1970s (including Laraine Newman and Cassandra Peterson) will take the stage for one hour improv shows at 7:00pm, followed by the 1980s at 8:30pm, 1990s at 9:45pm and concluding with a show that spans 2000 to the present featuring Jim Rash and many, many more. Tickets are available at the box office, online and via phone.
3. DineL.A.
DineL.A. (aka L.A. Restaurant Week) started last week and it’s still going till the end of this Sunday. If you are not familiar with DineL.A. this is where some of the best restaurants in Los Angeles offer special menus at a special price for foodies across the city. More than 100 restaurants are in participation for lunch and dinner. Check the full lineup of participants via DiscoverLA.com and if you need some ideas on where to go, check out our picks.
4. David Hockney At LA Louver
David Hockney’s work is being shown jointly by L.A. Louver and London’s Annely Juda Fine Art together they present “David Hockney: Painting and Photography,” an exhibition of brand-new works all made in the last two years by the prolific artist.
5. To Live and Dine in L.A.
The latest exhibition to hit the Los Angeles Central Library: To Live and Dine in L.A. is one for the foodie nostalgic. Come celebrate the history of food in Los Angeles and view a massive collection of rare, first-edition menus from restaurants that have long since closed. The exhibit aims to promote the historical significance of LA’s food culture, and will feature over 50 food and menu related programs, including lectures, cooking demos and nutrition workshops. Check out more information, times and dates on their offical page.
Tuesday July 21st, 2015
6. Literary Death Match
Literary Death Match returns to the Hammer Museum for a ultimate literary battle and the best part is it’s free! Watch four writers read their own work for seven minutes or less, they are then judged by three all-star judges (John Cryer, Mary Elizabeth Ellis and Jerry Stahl.) Two finalists are selected to compete in the Literary Death Match finale to decide the ultimate winner. Hosted by Adrian Todd Zuniga the super fun reading series has traveled through dozens of cities, from L.A to Edinburgh.
7. Golden Girls Podcast Live At NerdMelt
Before there was Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda there was Sophia, Blanche, Rose, and Dorothy of the Golden Girls! If you know what I’m talking about and like it read on… Out on the Lanai is a hilarious podcast that dissects episodes of The Golden Girls and they will be recording live at the NerdMelt Showroom. Special guests include Broad City and Younger writer Eliot Glazer who will join the live podcast for more comedic commentary. RSVP for the show at NerdMelt’s website.
8. International Champions Cup
Watch the L.A. Galaxy go up against FC Barcelona as they compete for the International Champions Cup. Happening at The Rose Bowl.
9. DancerPalooza
The “Coachella” for the dance world, DancerPalooza is a comprehensive one-of-a-kind dance experience bringing together the industry’s top professional choreographers, master teachers, professional dancers, dance students of all ages and dance fans under one roof for an exclusive week-long event from July 21st through 26th, at the Long Beach Convention Center.
10. Grand Park’s Boot Camp
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From 5:30pm to 6:30pm enjoy a sundown work session curtesy of Grand Park’s Boot Camp. This is a great way to spend rush hour if you work in DTLA! To get your sweat on meet at Grand Park’s Event Lawn between Spring and Broadway.
11. Moonlight Movies on the Beach
This season’s FREE Moonlight Movies on the Beach series at Granada Beach in Belmont Shore will screen Big Hero 6. Movie starts at 8:00pm!
12. Food Truck Bazaar at California Heritage Museum
Every Tuesday night California Heritage Museum holds a Gourmet Truck Night at the museum showcasing a select of gourmet truck eateries. Happening from 5:30pm – 9:30pm.
Wednesday July 22nd, 2015
13. Bad Jews
The New York Times called Bad Jews the best new comedy of the season while the Chicago Tribune hailed it as “savagely good comedy.” You can catch the Los Angeles run at the Geffen Playhouse now till July 26. Get more information and discount tickets via our friends at Goldstar.
14. Downtown Film Festival
The five day festival will take place in the historic core of DTLA and will present 13 feature films, ranging from contemporary and historical dramas, music concert films to documentary features on progressive politics. Produced by the people behind the Silver Lake Film Festival, this festival aims to contribute and celebrate the resurgence of DTLA. Downtown Film Festival will be held in venues throughout the historic core with The Regent theater, serving as the festival’s primary venue.
15. Big Sunday’s “Clean Out Your Cupboards Month” Food Drive
Each month Big Sunday collects at least 600 items in their popular monthly food drive to help low-income individuals and families. Since July is “Clean Out Your Cupboards Month” Big Sunday will be helping friends at a whole bunch of nonprofits whose clients don’t have enough to eat, and are asking people to drop off any unexpired non-perishable food items at Big Sunday headquarters from now through July 22 at 9:30am to 11:00am.
Location: 6111 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038 July 22
16. Summer Sights & Sips Cruise
End your day with a sunset cruise around the marina with a drink in your hand. You’ll also enjoy complimentary appetizers and a front-row seat for the sailboat races on the Marina. Get more information and discount tickets for the cruise via Goldstar.
17. Shakespeare By The Sea
This week of the summer free slate of Shakespeare performances come with an ocean view and a performance of The Tempest at Schabarum Regional Park. Show starts at 7:00pm.
Thursday July 23rd, 2015
18. Throwback Thursday Screening of Raging Bull
Watch Robert De Niro’s amazing performance of boxer Jake La Motta in Martin Scorsese’s iconic Raging Bull, playing at a special Throwback Thursday movie screening at the The Laemmle Theater in NoHo. Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.
19. Twilight Summer Concert Series: Cubanismo & Chicano Batman
An L.A. summer tradition the Twilight Summer Concert Series takes place right on the Santa Monica pier. This week Cubanismo & Chicano Batman will take the stage. Don’t forget to RSVP for this free event. Just an FYI, KCRW has free events all over the city this summer so take full advantage!
20. Summer of Soul at the Hammer Museum
Summer of Soul at the Hammer Museum happens on Thursdays throughout the month of July. Happy Hour starts at 6:30pm in the courtyard, funky soul music starts at 7:30pm courtesy of KCRW DJs and performances by Dam Funk and Martin Luther. Galleries also stay open for your late viewing pleasure. This event is free!
21. Silver Lake Picture Show Screens Spaceballs
Back for its fourth consecutive year, The Silver Lake Picture Show is a free, summer-long community event that screens popular films in a picnic-like setting at Sunset Triangle Plaza. This week Spaceballs will be screened!
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22. Equinox and Whole Foods Free Work Out Mash Up!
Get moving with Equinox and Whole Foods Market. Join the trainers from Equinox Pasadena for a full body workout, then refuel with some of their favorite active living snacks and drinks. BYO yoga mat and a friend this event is free!
23. San Gabriel Summer Nights
San Gabriel Summer Nights is a series of free street parties to be held each Thursday night for the summer and ending on August 6. This week the party is at the Mission Playhouse Plaza with Havana Nights in concert featuring Louie Cruz Beltran.
24. Old Town Pasadena Film Festival
The Old Pasadena Film Festival brings back its annual summer series for an entire month of (mostly) outdoor movie screenings. Best part? All events are FREE and open to the public.
25. MOCA Free Night
Every Thursday evening from 5:00pm – 8:00pm admission is free to both the MOCA on Grand and The Geffen Contemporary.
Friday July 24th, 2015
26. The Phantom of the Opera at the Pantages
Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular (and acclaimed) production of Phantom of the Opera is showing at The Hollywood Pantages until August 2. For a limited time, you can get discount tickets to this Friday’s performance (save about $20) via our friends at Goldstar.
27. Summer Garden Party at The Natural History Museum
Great music, garden-inspired cocktails, hands-on garden and science projects, botanical tours, food trucks, and more at the NHM’s Summer Nights in the Garden. Join Blackrock Observatory in some stargazing ,bundle up some herbs to take home from the NHM garden, go on a botanical tour of the Nature Gardens led by NHM staff even sample smoke flies with NHM Citizen Scientists! Bring a picnic or enjoy the food trucks, just make sure you RSVP for free admission.
28. TreePeople “Once Upon A Canyon Night” Presents The Rainmaker
TreePeople and the Actors Conservatory Ensemble are excited to announce the return of “Once Upon A Canyon Night” back for its 13th season, running on select weekends now through September. This week a staged reading of The Rainmaker will take place. The summer entertainment series is nestled in the woods and set under the stars in TreePeople’s beautiful S. Mark Taper Foundation Amphitheatre at its park headquarters at the intersection of Coldwater Canyon and Mulholland Drive. The complete lineup features a poetry jam, comics, staged readings, and shows for the whole family. Check out the website for a full listing of performances for this summer. All proceeds directly benefit the maintenance and care of TreePeople’s beautiful 45acre Coldwater Canyon Park.
29. Wildfox’s Warehouse Sale in DTLA
The insanely popular and playful L.A. label is having a two-day warehouse sale at the Cooper Design Space. Happening Friday from 10:00am to 6:00pm and Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm. The sale will feature Wildfox’s retro apparel, denim, accessories, lingerie, swimwear, sunnies, kids, and White Label. Prices range from $10 to $50.
Location: Cooper Design Space 860 S Los Angeles St (on Mezzanine 3) Los Angeles, CA 90014
30. LA Zoo Roaring Nights
This summer visit the LA Zoo after hours and experience indie bands, DJs, full bars, and L.A.’s favorite food trucks. There are also a limited quantity of discount tickets (to save a buck or two) to Roaring Nights available via Goldstar.
31. Barnsdall Park’s Friday Night Wine Tasting
All summer long Barnsdall Art Park has a weekly fundraiser to benefit Barnsdall Art Park Foundation programs and projects. Perched on a hill with a gorgeous panoramic view of Hollywood, guests will enjoy fine wine and art in the gardens of Frank Lloyd Wright’s newly restored architectural gem, Hollyhock House. Silver Lake Wine will curate fine selections of boutique, small production, artisanal wines for park-goers as well as local gourmet cheese shop, Say Cheese.
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32. FIGat7th Downtown Festival
The Plaza Level at FIGat7th in DTLA invites the public for a free night of music with Joe Kay, Andre Power, SoSuperSam, Esta, SPZRKT and Chris Mcclenney. Explore the bars and restaurants at Fig during the Taste happy hour starting at 4:00pm! Doors open at 7:00pm for the Plaza Bar and the show starts at 8:00pm.
33. Summertime Cinema Returns To Westfield Culver City and Westfield Fashion Square
Westfield Culver City and Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks are bringing back Summertime Cinema, a summertime family fun movie screening series. Every Friday, starting July 10th through August 7th, beloved movies will be screened outdoors at both centers allowing attendees to relive the magic of the big screen. The movies are free to the public and viewers will enjoy various special goodies at the event.
34. Grand Performances
Grand Performances has a summer-long concert series that brings Angelenos together with an eclectic mix of musical performances at a unique setting in Downtown L.A.
35. Friday Night Jazz at LACMA
LACMA’s award winning Department of Music Program is a remarkable city resource, providing hundreds of free concerts and musical events every year for Angelenos to enjoy. This Friday their summer-long jazz series continues at the BP Grand Entrance.
36. Bring Your Own Dance Moves
Get your boogie on at this FREE weekly summer dance party hosted by the Music Center in Downtown Los Angeles.
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