WeHo Pride festivities kick off, a free comedy show in Huntington Beach, a latte art competition downtown, outdoor salsa, a book giveaway in Pacoima and more of the best things to do this weekend.
Highlights:
WeHo Pride, the year’s biggest party in West Hollywood, starts Friday with the OUTLOUD music event, featuring performances from Maren Morris and Qveen Herby. Then Lizzo, Paris Hilton, Remi Wolf and more play over the weekend, plus there’s the big parade and street festival on Sunday.
Show up early to snag a seat for the first free Comedy on the Beach show of the summer with Iliza Shlesinger. Her Netflix special is hilarious; check it out if you haven’t!
The work of production designer Sarah Greenwood and set decorator Katie Spencer is featured in "Barbie to Anna Karenina,” the Academy Museum’s first exhibition on production design.
Heat up your summer nights with the monthly outdoor dance party Salsa on Sunset in Silver Lake. The little triangle outside Pine & Crane transforms into a dance party.
Happy Pride! WeHo Pride festivities kick off this weekend and will be coloring the city rainbow all month long. There are, of course, a wide variety of events all over the region celebrating the LGBTQ+ community throughout June, and we’ll be featuring as many as we can here. Watch this space.
Beyond Pride, there’s also the Dodgers-Yankees series, Netflix hosting Tudum at Kia Forum to showcase all of your favorite TV shows, and the Head in the Clouds festival at the Rose Bowl, which is the place to experience music from across the Asian diaspora.
Plus, McCabe’s is honoring late L.A. music legend Jill Sobule with Jillith Fair. I remember seeing her at the Largo years ago, and “Underdog Victorious” is still my personal theme song some days.
Through Monday, June 30 WeHo Pride 647 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
An attendee is seen at the 2023 WeHo Pride Parade.
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Chelsea Guglielmino
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WeHo Pride kicks off this weekend. Need I say more? The year’s biggest party in West Hollywood starts Friday with the OUTLOUD music event, featuring performances from Maren Morris and Qveen Herby. Then Lizzo, Paris Hilton, Remi Wolf and more play during the weekend, plus there’s the big parade and street festival on Sunday. Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with art, music, performances, and the best street fashion and people-watching anywhere this weekend and all month long. The music events do require advance tickets — free on Friday, paid over the weekend.
Events this weekend: May 30: Outloud Music Festival May 31: Women’s Freedom Festival, OUTLOUD, and Dyke Parade June 1: Weho Pride Street Festival and Parade
Friday, May 30, 5 to 9 p.m. Comedy on the Beach: Iliza Shlesinger Sealegs on the Beach 17851 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Show up early to snag a seat for the first free Comedy on the Beach show of the summer with Iliza Shlesinger. (Her Netflix special is hilarious; check it out if you haven’t!) Dress warm, and while you’re waiting for the comedy, there is a live musical performance by Michael SG from 5 to 7 p.m., too. The event is hosted and produced by John Johnson of The John Johnson Show and features sets from Hunter Hill and Mel Garcia.
Saturday, May 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stories on Tap Common Space Brewery 3411 W. El Segundo Blvd., Hawthorne COST: FROM $5, MORE INFO
A day of stories, songs, movement, and creativity is on tap at Common Space Brewery for kids eight and under and their families. Authors, musicians, and educators will be on hand supporting Ready, Set, Read’s literacy programing, plus there will be great eats from local food trucks and craft brews (for the grown ups!) from Common Space.
Through Monday, October 25, 2026 'Barbie to Anna Karenina: The Cinematic Worlds of Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer' Academy Museum of Motion Pictures 6067 Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile COST: INCLUDED IN MUSEUM ADMISSION; MORE INFO
Vistors learn about the production design of 2023's "Barbie" at "Barbie to Anna Karenina: The Cinematic Worlds of Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer" at the The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.
The work of production designer Sarah Greenwood and set decorator Katie Spencer is featured in "Barbie to Anna Karenina,” the Academy Museum’s first exhibition on production design. Throughout the exhibition, there are also nods to the other collaborators on their teams — painters, model makers, prop masters, and many more — who’ve helped them create worlds for film. The idea, the duo says, was to help people realize how many different jobs are involved in filmmaking.
“Kind of to demystify it,” Greenwood says. “It is a great mystery what we do, but then when you see behind the scenes, and it's all nuts and bolts, and a bit of this and a bit of that, and then cutting edge technology, of course, it's all things. And it's there for the taking.”
Read more about the exhibit here and get a video tour of the show on our Instagram. – LAist's Monica Bushman
Saturday, May 31, 2 to 7 p.m. Celebrating Words 2025: Tia Chucha's Art and Literacy Festival Vaughn G3 Academy 11200 Herrick St., Pacoima COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Phil Hearing
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Free books? Jackpot! With more than 1,000 books to give away, Celebrating Words is celebrating 20 years as the biggest book fest in the Valley.
Designed to promote literacy and help community members become active readers and build their personal libraries, brand new books for all ages are given away in English, Spanish, and bilingual formats. Each person can receive one book, and they will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Check out this year’s books for all ages, ranging from the Octavia Butler classic Kindred to Kaveh Akbar’s recent bestseller, Martyr, and everything in between. It’s like the biggest Little Free Library. The day also includes workshops, a resource fair, and more.
Saturday, May 31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Glendale Open Streets S. Glendale Ave. between Lexington Dr. & Chevy Chase Dr., Glendale COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Only people-powered modes of transport are allowed at the new Glendale Open Streets event, featuring food, shopping and socializing along Glendale Avenue all day. Plus, there’s music from the Hoover Tornadoes Marching Band, Herbert Hoover High Jazz Band, the Lernazang Ensemble, and strolling Mariachi.
Friday, May 30, 8 p.m. Goldpine The Harmony Room at St. Barnabas 2109 Chicasaw Ave., Eagle Rock COST: $15; MORE INFO
Americana roots band Goldpine — husband and wife duo Benjamin and Kassie Wilson — are bringing their soulful jams to The Harmony Room in Eagle Rock, an apt venue for a group that thrives on harmony! The pair won the 2022 Rocky Mountain Songwriter Contest; check out the music video for "Do You Have Me?" to get a taste of Kassie’s powerful vocals.
Friday, May 30, 7 p.m. Hurray for the Riff Raff Troubadour 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood COST: SOLD OUT; MORE INFO
I first saw Hurray for the Riff Raff play a church in New Orleans back in the mid-2010s and was blown away. The musical project of Bronx native Alynda Segarra, Hurray for the Riff Raff takes folk to another level. Their Troubadour show is sold out, but it’s worth checking out third-party resellers, or head out to the desert to catch them at Pappy and Harriet’s in Pioneertown on Saturday.
Outdoor Pick
Sunday, June 1, 6 to 10 p.m. Salsa on Sunset 1523 Griffith Park Blvd., Silver Lake COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Heat up your summer nights with this monthly outdoor dance party in Silver Lake. The little triangle outside Pine & Crane transforms into a dance party with Salsa in the Streets, where you can take a free dance lesson and meet your neighbors. No partner necessary!
Viewing Pick
Saturday, May 31, 8:30 p.m. Street Food Cinema: To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar LA State Historic Park 1245 N Spring St., Chinatown COST: $28.88; MORE INFO
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Universal Pictures
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An iconic film for Pride Month — or any month! — the oddly named, quirky cult classic To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar is celebrating 30 years since its debut in cinemas. The comedy about three drag queens roadtripping to L.A. for a competition stars Patrick Swayze (R.I.P.), Wesley Snipes and Jon Leguizamo. It's being shown by Street Food Cinema outside at L.A. State Historic Park.
Dine & Drink Deals
Friday, May 30, 6 to 10 p.m. Loveramics Latte Art Competition 910 South Los Angeles St., #904, Downtown L.A. COST: $25 TO PARTICIPATE, FREE TO WATCH; MORE INFO
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If you envy the control your local barista has over that foamy latte art, check out the masters of the craft, or try your steady hand, at Loveramics’ latte art competition. They are hosting baristas at all levels at their downtown showroom. There’s a $1,700 prize pot, Loveramics swag giveaways, and a judging panel of coffee industry heavyweights, including USLAC’s Piyapat (Flook) Lapteerawut, 2024 US Barista Champion Frank La of Be Bright Coffee, and Celo Kim of Wynd Coffee.
Weekends starting Saturday, May 31, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Belvedere Tea Party Peninsula Beverly Hills 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills COST: $125, MORE INFO
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Vanessa Tierney
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Put on your best spring flower dress for a tea party at the Belvedere, starting on weekends this summer. The outdoor event features a delicate menu and afternoon DJ set on the terrace at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills. Enjoy iced teas, summer-inspired cocktails, sandwiches, scones, dessert and more.
Jorge "Coqui" H. Rodriguez speaks at a press conference outside Dodger Stadium on Wednesady to demand the Dodgers not visit the White House following their 2025 World Series win.
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J.W. Hendricks
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Topline:
Less than 24 hours before season opener, longtime Dodgers fans demand the team divest from immigration detention centers and decline the White House visit.
More details: More than 30 people joined Richard Santillan on Wednesday morning for a press conference held near 1000 Vin Scully Drive to convey a message directly to the team. “We are demanding that the Dodgers stop participating in funding of inhumane treatment of families and do not go to the White House to celebrate with the criminal in chief,” Evelyn Escatiola told the crowd. “Together we have the power to make a change.”
Since 1977, Richard Santillan has been to every Opening Day game at Dodger Stadium.
“The tradition goes from my father, to me, to my children and grandchildren. Some of my best memories are with my father and children here at Dodger Stadium,” Santillan told The LA Local, smiling under the shade of palm trees near the entrance to the ballpark Wednesday morning. He was there to protest the team less than 24 hours before Opening Day.
Santillan, like countless other loyal Dodgers fans, is grappling with his fan identity over the team’s decision to accept an invitation to the White House and owner Mark Walter’s ties to ICE detention facilities.
More than 30 people joined Santillan on Wednesday morning for a press conference held near 1000 Vin Scully Drive to convey a message directly to the team.
“We are demanding the Dodgers stop participating in funding of inhumane treatment of families and do not go to the White House to celebrate with the criminal in chief,” Evelyn Escatiola told the crowd. “Together, we have the power to make a change.”
Escatiola, a former dean of East Los Angeles College and longtime community organizer, urged fans to flex their economic power by “letting the Dodgers know that we do not support repression.”
Jorge “Coqui” Rodriguez, a lifelong Dodgers fan, spoke to the crowd and called on Dodgers ownership to divest from immigration detention centers owned and operated by GEO Group and CoreCivic.
Jorge Coqui H Rodriguez speaks at a press conference outside Dodger Stadium on March 25, 2026, to demand the Dodgers not to visit the White House following their 2025 World Series win.
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J.W. Hendricks
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The LA Local
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In a phone interview a day before the protest, Rodriguez told The LA Local he did not want the Dodgers using his “cheve” or beer money to fund detention centers.
“They can’t take our parking money, our cacahuate money, our cheve money, our Dodger Dog money and invest those funds into corporations that are imprisoning people. It’s wrong,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez considers the Dodgers one of the most racially diverse teams and said the players need to support fans at a time when heightened immigration enforcement has become more common across L.A.
The team’s 2025’s visit to the White House drew ire from the largely Latino fan base, citing the Trump administration’s ongoing attacks on immigrants.
The team again came under fire after not releasing a statement on the impacts of ICE raids on its mostly Latino fan base at the height of immigration enforcement last summer. The team later agreed to invest $1 million to support families affected by immigration enforcement.
When he learned the Dodgers were pledging only $1 million to families in need, Rodriguez called the amount a “slap in the face.”
“These guys just bought the Lakers for billions of dollars and they give a million dollars to fight for legal services? That’s a joke,” Rodriguez said. “They need to have a moral backbone and not be investing in those companies.”
According to reporting from the Los Angeles Times, former Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershawsaid last week that he is looking forward to the trip.
“I went when President [Joe] Biden was in office. I’m going to go when President [Donald] Trump is in office,” Kershaw said. “To me, it’s just about getting to go to the White House. You don’t get that opportunity every day, so I’m excited to go.”
The Dodgers have yet to announce when their planned visit will take place.
Santillan sometimes laments his decision to give up his season tickets in protest of the team. His connection to the stadium and the memories he has made there with family and friends will last a lifetime, he said. On Thursday, he will uphold his tradition and be there for the first pitch of the season, but with a heavy heart.
“It’s a family tradition, but the Dodgers have a lot of work to do,” he said.
Destiny Torres
is LAist's general assignment reporter and brings you the top news you need for the day.
Published March 25, 2026 3:38 PM
The warmer weather and high water flow are causing an early outbreak of black flies in the San Gabriel Valley.
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Topline:
The warmer weather and high water flow are causing an early outbreak of black flies in the San Gabriel Valley, according to officials.
What are black flies? Black flies are tiny, pesky insects that often get mistaken for mosquitoes. The biting flies breed near foothill communities like Altadena, Azusa, San Dimas and Glendora. They also thrive near flowing water.
What you need to know: Black flies fly in large numbers and long distances. When they bite both humans and pets, they aim around the eyes and the neck. While the bites can be painful, they don’t transmit diseases in L.A. County.
A population spike: Anais Medina Diaz, director of communications at the SGV Mosquito and Vector Control District, told LAist that at this time last year, surveillance traps had single-digit counts of adult black flies, but this year those traps are collecting counts above 500.
So, why is the population growing? Diaz said the surge is unusual for this time of year.
“We are experiencing them now because of the warmer temperatures we've been having,” Diaz said. “And of course, all the water that's going down through the river, we have a high flow of water that is not typical for this time of year.”
What officials are doing: Officials say teams are identifying and treating public sources where black flies can thrive, but that many of these sites are influenced by natural or infrastructure conditions outside their control.
How to protect yourself: Black flies can be hard to avoid outside in dense vegetation, but you can reduce the chance of a bite by:
Wearing loose-fitted clothing that covers the entire body.
Wearing a hat with netting on top.
Spraying on repellent, but check the label. For a repellent to be effective, it needs to have at least 15% DEET, the only active ingredient that works against black flies.
Turning off any water features like fountains for at least 24 hours, especially in foothill communities.
See an uptick in black flies in your area? Here's how to report it
SGV Mosquito and Vector Control District Submit a tip here You can also send a tip to district@sgvmosquito.org (626) 814-9466
Greater Los Angeles Vector Control District Submit a service request here You can also send a service request to info@GLAmosquito.org (562) 944-9656
Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control Submit a report here You can also send a report to ocvcd@ocvector.org (714) 971-2421 or (949) 654-2421
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Robert Garrova
explores the weird and secret bits of SoCal that would excite even the most jaded Angelenos. He also covers mental health.
Published March 25, 2026 3:28 PM
Jeremy Kaplan and Florence at READ Books in Eagle Rock.
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Topline:
Local favorite mom and pop shop READ Books in Eagle Rock is facing displacement due to a steep rent hike. The owners say they’re just one of several small businesses along Eagle Rock Boulevard struggling to keep up with lease increases.
The backstory: Over the past 19 years, many in the neighborhood have come to love READ Books for its eclectic collection of used titles and their shop dog Florence.
What happened? The building where Kaplan and his wife Debbie rent was recently sold and the rent increased by more than 130% to $2,805 a month, Kaplan said. He told LAist it was an increase his small business simply could not absorb.
What's next? While he looks for a new spot, Kaplan says he’s forming a coalition of local businesses and activist groups to see what can be done to help other small businesses facing similar displacement. He wants to address the displacement issue for businesses like his, which have made Eagle Rock the distinctive neighborhood that it is today.
Read on... for what small businesses can do.
A local favorite mom-and-pop bookshop in Eagle Rock is facing displacement due to a steep rent hike. The owners say theirs is just one of several small businesses along Eagle Rock Boulevard struggling to keep up with lease increases.
Over the past 19 years, many in the neighborhood have come to love READ Books for its eclectic collection of used titles and shop dog Florence.
Co-owner Jeremy Kaplan said it’s been a delight to grow with the community over the years.
“Like seeing kids come back in, who were in grade school and now they’re in college,” Kaplan said.
But the building where Kaplan and wife Debbie rent was recently sold, and the rent increased by more than 130% to $2,805 a month, Kaplan said. He told LAist it was an increase his small business simply could not absorb.
Kaplan said he originally was given 30 days notice of the rent increase. After some research, assistance from Councilmember Ysabel Jurado’s office and some pro-bono legal help, Kaplan said he pushed back and got the 90-day notice he’s afforded by state law.
California Senate Bill 1103 requires landlords to give businesses with five or less employees 90 days’ notice for rent increases exceeding 10%, among other protections.
Systems Real Estate, the property management company, did not immediately respond to LAist’s request for comment.
What can small businesses do?
Nadia Segura, directing attorney of the Small Business Program at pro bono legal aid non-profit Bet Tzedek said California law does not currently allow for rent control for commercial tenancies.
Outside of the protections under SB 1103, Segura said small businesses like READ Books don’t have much other recourse. And even then, commercial landlords are not required to inform their tenants of their protections under the law.
“There’s still a lot of people that don’t know about SB 1103. And then it’s very sad that they tell them they have these rent increases and within a month they have to leave,” Segura said.
She said her group is seeing steep rent hikes like this for commercial tenants across the city.
“We are seeing this even more with the World Cup coming up, the Olympics coming up. And I will say it was very sad to see that also after the wildfires,” Segura said.
Part of Bet Tzedek’s ongoing work is to advocate for small businesses, working with landlords who are increasing rents to see if they are willing to give business owners longer leases that lock in rents.
While he looks for a new spot, Kaplan says he’s forming a coalition of local businesses and activist groups to see what can be done to help other small businesses facing similar displacement. He wants to address the displacement issue for businesses like his, which have made Eagle Rock the distinctive neighborhood that it is today.
Owl Talk, a longtime Eagle Rock staple selling clothing and accessories in a unit in the same building as READ Books, is facing a “more than double” rent increase, according to a post on their Instagram account.
Kaplan said he’s been in touch with the office of state Assemblywoman Jessica Caloza and wants to explore the possibility of introducing legislation to set up protections for small businesses like his, including rent-control measures or a vacancy tax for landlords. Kaplan said he also reached out to the office of state Sen. Maria Durazo.
By his count, Kaplan said there are about a dozen businesses within surrounding blocks that are at risk of closing their doors or have shuttered due to rent increases or other struggles.
When READ Books was founded during the Great Recession, Kaplan said he knew it was a longshot to open a bookstore at the same time so many were struggling to stay in business.
“It was kind of interesting to be doing something that neighborhoods needed. That was important to me growing up, that was important to my children, that was important to my wife growing up,” Kaplan said.
“And then somebody comes in and says, ‘We’re gonna over double your rent.”
Kavish Harjai
writes about infrastructure that's meant to help us move about the region.
Published March 25, 2026 3:12 PM
A field team member of the Bureau of Street Lighting installs a solar-powered light in Filipinotown.
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Mayor Bass Communications Office
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Topline:
The Los Angeles City Council approved a plan in a 13-1 vote on Tuesday to send ballots to more than half a million property owners asking if they are willing to pay more per year to fortify the city’s streetlight repair budget, most of which has essentially been frozen since the 1990s. The item still requires L.A. Mayor Karen Bass’ signature, but her office confirmed to LAist on Wednesday that she’ll approve it.
Frozen budget: Most of the city’s Bureau of Street Lighting budget comes from an assessment that people who own property illuminated by lights pay on their county property tax bill. The amount people pay depends on the kind of property they own and how much they benefit from lighting. A typical single-family home currently pays $53 annually, and in total, the assessments bring in about $45 million annually for the city to repair and maintain streetlights. Changing the amount the Bureau of Street Lighting gets from the assessment requires a vote among property owners who benefit from the lights.
Ballots: L.A. City Council’s vote gives city staff the green light to prepare and send out those ballots. Miguel Sangalang, who oversees the bureau, said at a committee meeting earlier this month that he expects to send out ballots by April 17. Notices about the ballots will be sent out prior to the ballots themselves.
Near unanimous vote: L.A.City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez was the only “No” vote on Tuesday, saying she wanted to see a more current strategic plan for the bureau. Sangalang said the bureau developed a plan in 2022 that lays out how money will be spent. Councilmember Imelda Padilla was absent for the vote.
Vote count: Votes will be weighted according to the assessment amount. Basically, the more you’re asked to pay yearly to maintain streetlights, the more your vote will count. Ballots received before June 2 will be tabulated by the L.A. City Clerk.
How much more money: According to a report, the amount needed in assessments from property owners to meet the repair and maintenance needs of the city’s streetlighting in the next fiscal year is nearly $112 million.
Use of the money: Sangalang said at a March 11 committee meeting that the extra funds would be used to double the number of staff to handle repairs and procure solar streetlights, which don’t face the threat of copper wire theft. That would all potentially reduce the time it takes to repair simple fixes down to a week. Currently, city residents wait for months to see broken streetlights repaired.The assessment would come with a three-year auditing mechanism.
Topline:
The Los Angeles City Council approved a plan in a 13-1 vote Tuesday to send ballots to more than a half-million property owners asking if they are willing to pay more per year to fortify the city’s streetlight repair budget, most of which essentially has been frozen since the 1990s. The item still requires L.A. Mayor Karen Bass’ signature, but her office confirmed to LAist on Wednesday that she’ll approve it.
Frozen budget: Most of the city’s Bureau of Street Lighting budget comes from an assessment that people who own property illuminated by lights pay on their county property tax bill. The amount people pay depends on the kind of property they own and how much they benefit from lighting. A typical single-family home currently pays $53 annually, and in total, the assessments bring in about $45 million annually for the city to repair and maintain streetlights. Changing the amount the Bureau of Street Lighting gets from the assessment requires a vote among property owners who benefit from the lights.
Ballots: L.A. City Council’s vote gives city staff the green light to prepare and send out those ballots. Miguel Sangalang, who oversees the bureau, said at a committee meeting earlier this month that he expects to send out ballots by April 17. Notices about the ballots will be sent out prior to the ballots themselves.
Near unanimous vote: L.A.City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez was the only “No” vote Tuesday, saying she wanted to see a more current strategic plan for the bureau. Sangalang said the bureau developed a plan in 2022 that lays out how money will be spent. Councilmember Imelda Padilla was absent for the vote.
Vote count: Votes will be weighted according to the assessment amount. Basically, the more you’re asked to pay yearly to maintain streetlights, the more your vote will count. Ballots received before June 2 will be tabulated by the L.A. City Clerk.
How much more money: According to a report, the amount needed in assessments from property owners to meet the repair and maintenance needs of the city’s streetlighting in the next fiscal year is nearly $112 million.
Use of the money: Sangalang said at a March 11 committee meeting that the extra funds would be used to double the number of staff to handle repairs and procure solar streetlights, which don’t face the threat of copper wire theft. That would all potentially reduce the time it takes to repair simple fixes down to a week. Currently, city residents wait for months to see broken streetlights repaired. The assessment would come with a three-year auditing mechanism.
