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With 80+ temps, plenty of sunshine, and loads of events, this is a weekend that’s going to look and feel like summer in Los Angeles. Instead of… ya know… a hurricane. So let’s do some planning.
For August 25-27 in L.A, you’ll find KCRW Summer Nights in Chinatown, the summer finale of Grand Performances, the Leimert Park Jazz Festival, Japan House LA’s 5th anniversary, an end of summer bash at One Colorado, a Prosperity Market pop-up, and more.
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Make Metro Part of Your Weekend
For the second time this summer, KCRW Summer Nights returns to Chinatown for the second time this summer to host an evening of music, dancing, food trucks, and local merchants who will be staying open for the event. KCRW DJs Novena Carmel and Tavis Holcombe will both be spinning extended sets, with tunes running from 8 p.m. to midnight. Free to attend.
Go Metro: Take the A Line to Chinatown station.
More Things To Do This Weekend
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Friend of the Fest 2023 -> This week, American Cinematheque kicks off a new film festival dedicated to and curated by a selection of the cinema’s favorite podcasts. Slated films include Thelma & Louise, The Babadook, JFK, The King Of Comedy, There Will Be Blood, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, and more. Kicking things off on Thursday, the Miami Nice podcast presents Miami Vice at Los Feliz Theatre while The Big Picture presents The Talented Mr. Ripley at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica. Tickets range from $8-$13 for individual screenings. The fest runs August 24-30. More info here.
Brew at the Zoo -> This Friday, Brew at the Zoo is back at the Los Angeles Zoo with expect 40+ breweries plus animal keeper talks, live music, and bites for purchase. Standard admission starts at $75. Runs 7 to 11 p.m. 21+ only. More info here.
Detective Pikachu at Ovation Hollywood – M FA > On Friday, Ovation Hollywood and Japan House Los Angeles team up for a free screening of Detective Pikachu at the shopping center’s courtyard, beginning at 7 p.m. There will be family friendly lawn games before the show, and you can also visit the POKÉMON x KOGEI exhibition inside Japan House.
Barber of Seville at The Ford -> On Friday, Pacific Opera Project brings a fresh take on Gioachino Rossini’s classic comedy (set in modern day Hollywood) to The Ford, featuring Baritone Johnathan McCullough (in his POP debut) as Figaro and mezzo-soprano Meagan Martin as Rosina. The show starts at 8 p.m., and is one night only. Tickets start at $30. More info here.
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Grand Central Market Night Market – M FA > This Friday, Grand Central Market hosts a Night Market from 8 p.m. to midnight, featuring surprise DJs, flea market vendors, cocktails, a pop-up tattoo shop, and more. The Night Market is open to all ages and admission is free. A VIP upgrade for $30 is also available and includes a swag bag, a discount card, one drink ticket and parking validation. Starts at 8 p.m. More info here.
Fourth Fridays in Long Beach – FA TP > Retro Row in Long Beach comes alive on the fourth Friday of the month with special pop-ups, live performances, and extended store hours from shops on 4th St between Temple and Cherry. The event runs 6 to 9 p.m. Get more info here. More info here.
Yappy Hour -> Celebrate National Dog Day at Sofitel Los Angeles on Friday with a special Yappy Hour dog adoption event in partnership with Wagmor, held on Sofitel’s Aviary Patio. Stop in from 5-7 p.m. to enjoy bites and specialty cocktails while interacting with adoptable puppies from Wagmor. Guests are also welcomed to bring their own dogs to the event. More info here.
Grand Performances – M FA > Grand Performances wraps up a summer of free concerts at Cal Plaza with a pair of events this weekend. On Friday, the series hosts Return the White Breath to its Black Body: A Black Lives Matter Poetry Performance curated by award-winning author/poet, Shonda Buchanan; then on Saturday catch a live performance by acclaimed cumbia sonidera band Grupo Kual?. Both events begin at 6 p.m. and are free to attend. More info here.
Leimert Park Jazz Festival – M FA TP > This Saturday, catch over 8 hours of Jazz sets plus a kids zone, wine lounge, and food court on at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza as part of the annual Leimert Park Jazz Festival. Admission is free! Starts at noon. More info here.
End of Summer Bash – M FA > On the last Saturday of August, One Colorado in Old Pasadena marks the end of summer with a special afternoon event featuring carnival games, a photo booth, live music, and a beer garden. Runs 4 to 7 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Off The 405 at The Getty – FA TP > Live outdoor music is back at The Getty this summer with the Off the 405 concert series. In August, catch a performance by British poet and saxophonist Alabaster DePlume. Pre-concert DJ set begins at 6 p.m. Performance starts at 7:30 p.m. Free to attend with reservation. More info here.
Concert on the Lawn at Barnsdall Park – FA > This Saturday, Hollyhock House and and Floating will host a free sunset performance on the lawn at Barnsdall Park featuring Nigerian-born, experimental producer and composer Colloboh. The event runs 6:30 to 8 p.m. No RSVP required. Free to attend. More info here.
El Segundo Art Walk – FA > On Saturday, This indie, self-guided art event highlights the creative businesses throughout Downtown El Segundo while showcasing local artists. Expect food trucks, live music, and extended hours from the El Segundo Museum of Art. Runs 3 to 9 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
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Hip-Hop Sounds & Stories: A 50 & Forever Celebration Through the Decades – FA > This Saturday, Audible and Amazon Music team up to celebrate five decades of Hip-Hop with an afternoon of panel discussions, multimedia exhibits, and performances, all taking place at NTWRK LA (433 N. Fairfax Ave). Saturday’s events (free to attend) run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the gallery will also be open to view on Sunday. More info here.
Festival Chapin – M FA > This Saturday and Sunday at Lafayette Park, the 7th annual Festival Chapin returns for a two-day celebration of Guatemalan culture and community featuring musical artists, traditional Guatemalan cuisine, and shopping crafts from on-site vendors. This year’s performance lineup features Marimba Orquesta Alegría Chapina, Raúl Acosta y Oro Solido and Los Miseria Cumbia Band. Runs 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days. Free to attend. Get more info here.
Evening of Jazz at Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden -> This Sunday, Pasadena’s Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden hosts a special concert featuring jazz musician Bennie Maupin (and friends), backdropped by the Garden’s stunning teahouse. Tickets are $30. Get more info here.
JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles’ 5th Anniversary – M FA TP > Celebrate JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles’ 5th Anniversary this Sunday with a festival held at Ovation Hollywood’s Level 2 Center Courtyard. Free to attend, the public can enjoy music performances by MIYAVI accompanied by taiko drums as well as a “Savor Japan” zone with street foods, teas, and sweets for purchase. Runs 4 to 8 p.m. More info here.
Prosperity Market and Come Up LA’s Black Business Month Celebration – FA > On Sunday, Prosperity Market and Come Up LA will host a Black Business Month Celebration at Inglewood’s Hollywood Park. Discover 80+ Black-owned businesses offering food, fashion, arts, entertainment, and wellness products. Enjoy live cooking demos, music, and kid-friendly activities. This event is free and open to all, with on-site VIP tickets (21+) available for $20-60. VIPs gain access to the 1010 Wine & Events lounge, where they can sip wines and spirits from Black-owned companies like Common Ground Spirits and Phreshly premium canned cocktails.
Silents Under The Stars – FA > Santa Monica Mountains Fund’s Silents Under The Stars series screens THE EAGLE (1926) at King Gillette Ranch this Sunday, with musical accompaniment provided by Michael Mortilla. Walking tours of the ranch start at 6:30 p.m., film screens at 7:30 p.m. Free to attend with RSVP. More info here.
Soft Spirits Annual Pop-Up Bar & Pool Party – FA > Join Soft Spirits this Sunday for their second annual pop-up bar and pool party at Upstairs, situated on the rooftop of the Ace Hotel DTLA. From 2 to 6 p.m. the bars transforms into Los Angeles’s first nonalcoholic bottle shop offering spirits, wines, beers and specialty cocktails complemented with curated bites. Mr. Good Boy will set the mood with tunes. The event is free to attend, and food and beverage is available for purchase.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
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Smorgasburg’s 7th Annual BBQ Day -> Smorgasburg’s 7th Annual BBQ Day returns on Sunday with numerous BBQ specials from vendors and unique collaborations like the Aguachile Rib Tostada by Correas Mariscos x Saulitos BBQ and first time participants from Long Beach’s very own “Cambodian Cowboy” aka Battambong BBQ, to Texas Armenian pop up III Mas BBQ, who specializes in Khorovats.
Black Restaurant Week -> The sixth annual Black Restaurant Week is back August 25 through September 3, inviting the public to explore a diverse array of black-owned restaurants, food trucks, sweet operations, and more across Los Angeles and its surrounding metro areas. Get more information and a list of participating businesses here.
Brunch Now at Mon Ami -> Mon Ami, the beachside restaurant and lounge in Santa Monica, has introduced a weekend brunch menu with extended Saturday and Sunday hours (11 am to 3 pm). The menu draws inspiration from Mediterranean countries and offers classic breakfast dishes with a twist, including PCH Steak & Eggs, Mon Ami French Toast, Sicilian Scramble, Honey Greek Parfait, Spicy Vegan Scramble, Spanish Salchica, and Moroccan-inspired Shakshuka. You can also enjoy daytime drinks like the Capri Spritz, Sangre de Maria (a Gazpacho-based Bloody Mary), and The Tiramisu Latte cocktail.
Jazz Night at Lady Byrd Café -> Every Saturday, Echo Park’s Lady Byrd Café sets the stage for a weekly Jazz night on their open-air patio, from 6 to 8 p.m. While enjoying the smooth tunes, guests can also savor the restaurant’s new $13 Sunset Menu, featuring delectable bites such as Short Rib Taquitos, Crab Cakes, and a Mezze Plate.
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