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Our week in Los Angeles began with an eclipse. But with the serenity of the rare celestial event behind us, we move on from the unusual to the usual: another fun list of ways to populate your social calendar over the next five days.
From April 8-12 in L.A., you’ll find a new Ed Ruscha exhibition at LACMA, Meet the Grunion at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, After-hours Art-Making at JANM, PaleyFest, the Ivy Station Night Market Spring Fling, an escape room experience at the Petersen, a free movie night in Downtown Santa Monica, and more. Let’s jump into the complete rundown below.
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Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Cake Decorating Workshop and Degustation with Dev Smith -> This Monday join Dev Smith, founder of Garden of Eve LA, for an evening of creativity with cake as the medium. Held at The Gorky, each guest will decorate their own mini cakes using organic, edible and medicinal plants that are locally sourced and hand foraged. You’ll also learn about how medicinal plants are used for there energetic and physical properties. There will be wine flowing and the experience culminates with indulging in one of Smith’s custom cake pieces. Tickets cost $65 a person. More info here.
ED RUSCHA / NOW THEN at LACMA – TP > ED RUSCHA / NOW THEN is now on view at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. As Ruscha’s first cross-media retrospective in over 20 years, the exhibition showcases the remarkable breadth of the artist’s career, offering viewer’s over 250 works to explore including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, and artist’s books. The range of material spans Ruscha’s early European works and the Chocolate Room (his only single room installation) to Los Angeles County Museum Of Art on Fire (first time every on display at LACMA) and his ongoing photographic documentation of Los Angeles streets. NOW / THEN runs through Oct 6, 2024. GA tickets start at $23-$28 per adult (L.A. County vs. non-county resident), and remember that L.A. County residents get in for free after 3 p.m. on weekdays, and admission is free for all every second Tuesday of the month (April 9). More info here.
BLOOM! at South Coast Botanic Garden -> Discover the vibrant beauty of spring at the South Coast Botanic Garden’s “Bloom” event. Stroll through breathtaking displays of blooming flowers, enchanting landscapes, and serene gardens. Engage in family-friendly activities, including scavenger hunts and educational workshops, perfect for nature enthusiasts of all ages. Free with garden admission. More info here.
Are You Still Listening? – M FA > Netflix is a Joke Radio’s free monthly stand-up series returns to Dynasty Typewriter on Tuesday with a lineup featuring host Robby Hoffman, Dauood Naimyar, Haley Stiel, Kevin Sullivan, Mav Viola, Tatyana Guchi, and Zavior Phillips. No cost to RSVP for admission, but seating is first-come, first-served and not guarantee entry. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and show starts an hour later. More info here.
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Meet the Grunion -> Meet the Grunion with the folks at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro. Happening this Wednesday, learn about these silverly fish during a short program then head over to the beach to (hopefully) observe their fascinating mating nighttime ritual, which brings the small fish onto the shores for a brief moment before the waves take them back into the ocean. More info here.
The Comedy Patio – M FA > Free standup comedy comes to Grand Central Market this Wednesday in the form of The Comedy Patio, a showcase taking place at Maple Block. This month’s lineup includes Bri Giger, Jeff Horste, Karl Hess, Mario Caballero, Terrance Murphy, and Jeff Buck. Free to attend, but donations happily accepted. Show starts at 7 p.m. More info here.
Wu-Tang Wednesdays at Smog City West -> Every second Wednesday of the month is Wu-Tang Wednesdays at Smog City West. From 5 to 10 p.m. channel your inner RZA and enjoy chess games and kung fu movies while you sip Smog City brews as Once Upon a Time in Shaolin plays in the background. More info here.
Self Help Me w/ Jenny Yang -> The self-care comedy show, returns this Thursday to Dynasty Typewriter. This month’s topic is Healing From Generational Trauma – A Joy Luck Club Reunion. Who doesn’t love making fun of their grandparents’ shame? Jenny is joined by the cast of Joy Luck Club, Lauren Tom, Tamlyn Tomita, and Ming-Na Wen with a special performance from the Bay Area’s Rice Rockettes. Tickets coast $20. More info here.
JANM After-hours Art-Making Series – M > This Thursday, the Japanese American National Museum continues Asobi! at JANM, a new after-hours series scheduled from 7 to 9 pm. Local artists will present their unique work through interactive demonstrations, allowing attendees to create their own distinctive art pieces to take home. Admission for the event is $10, and guests can enjoy food from East Los Musubi, as well as beverages from Sanzo and Brewyard Beer Company, available for purchase. This event is only for folks 21 years or older. More info here.
Escape the Petersen -> The Petersen Automotive Museum has an Escape Room Experience. On Friday, for one night only, participants will mysteriously be locked in and the only way out is to unravel the puzzles and uncover the museum’s secrets. Tickets to the escape room adventure cost $50 and includes light refreshments, two drink tickets, and raffle prizes. More info here.
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Ivy Station Night Market Spring Fling – M FA TP > Ivy Station’s monthly Friday night market turns into a “spring fling” for April featuring over 25 local vendors mixed with food trucks, craft beer, games, and music. Runs 5 to 10 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
PaleyFest -> PaleyFest returns for a spring lineup at The Dolby Theater beginning this Friday, kicking off nine-days of special panels and discussions featuring the cast and crew of some of T.V.’s top shows, including Loki, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Morning Show and more. The festival runs through April 20, with tickets available for individual sessions or as multi-event passes. More info here.
Movie Fridays at Downtown Santa Monica -> Downtown Santa Monica’s free outdoor film series, Movie Fridays, is back on the Promenade every second Friday of the month from April through June. The spring series opens with a screening of High School Musical: Singalong (2006). Events start at 6:30 p.m. with movies beginning at 7:30 p.m., and all ages are welcome. Each event features photo opportunities, complimentary popcorn, and a DJ spinning music before each film. More info here.
HAPPY FALL: A Queer Stunt Spectacular at The Skirball -> On Friday, experience a sneak peek into the development of Rogue Artists Ensemble’s latest theatrical endeavor HAPPY FALL: A Queer Stunt Spectacular. This in-process workshop delves into the journey of a queer closeted stuntman navigating the complexities of false masculinity, shedding light on the importance and dangers of authenticity. Based on real-life narratives, HAPPY FALL explores themes of racial and cultural identity within the Hollywood landscape. Tickets for the viewing cost $10. More info here.
Kimpton La Peer Disco Court – FA > The Kimpton La Peer invites the public to the rooftop of their West Hollywood hotel every weekend for a 70’s inspired “Disco Court” featuring a DJ spinning tunes under a sparkling disco ball and free plays on the Pickle Ball court. Disco Court runs from 4 to 8 p.m. on Fridays and, 2-8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. More info here.
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Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Iftar at Pijja Palace -> This Tuesday, Pijja Palace commemorates Eid with a special Iftar dinner menu, inspired by the traditional feast marking the end of Ramadan. The dinner will feature the culinary talents of three Muslim chefs: Pijja Palace’s sous chef Kamran Gill, chef Kelvin Adokiye, and baker Aliya Amin. Guests will begin the meal by breaking their fast with Seviyan Dates stuffed with rice, cashews, vermicelli, feta, and warm spices—a beloved dish in Pakistan during Eid. The menu will offer a variety of small plates and mains, blending flavors from Pakistan and Nigeria. Examples include savory Pakistani Beef Patties with tomato chutney, Efo Riro a Nigerian spinach stew, and Suya Grilled Beef Skewers. A few of the meat options can be substituted with tofu versions. Additionally, there will be channa and basmati rice, as well as Egusi Soup. For dessert, guests can indulge in Rose Hibiscus Cake with white chocolate hibiscus ganache and a root afza mousse. Throughout the evening, NON will be serving nonalcoholic wines. Tickets are priced at $75 per person. More info here.
The Food of Southern Thailand -> Also on Tuesday, you can stop by Night + Market Song in Silver Lake where Austin Bush will discusses his book “The Food of Southern Thailand” with Garrett Snyder, Senior Editor of The Infatuation. The Q&A session begins at noon, and copies of the book will be available for purchase from Now Serving. Following the conversation, Night + Market Song will be serving a special dish: Hat Yai-style fried chicken over yellow rice with sides, a recipe featured in Bush’s book. More info here.
Michael’s at Naples Launches Happy Hour -> This week, Michael’s on Naples in Long Beach debuts a new happy hour program. The two-hour aperitivo will feature 50% off select glasses and bottles of wine, $8 well drinks, and $11 well martinis and manhattans. Alongside the drinks, Executive Chef Eric Samaniego has prepared a delicious menu of discounted bites priced between $5 and $12. Highlights include Arancini, Calzoncini con porchette, and Alpine Fries with Meyer lemon aioli. Happy hour will be available Monday through Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the main dining room of Michael’s on Naples.
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