The Brief

First, just a reminder that Thursday is California Public Radio Day — a great time to show your support for LAist and all our favorite California public radio friends.

We have lots of music on tap around town, handpicked by our friends at Licorice Pizza, including My Morning Jacket at the Hollywood Palladium on Tuesday and Reneé Rapp at the Grammy Museum — listen to her Modern Love reading from last week if you get a chance; it’s fantastic. Laufey is at the Grammy Museum and Herbie Hancock at the Hollywood Bowl on Wednesday, and you can catch Ethel Cain at the Shrine Auditorium on Wednesday and Thursday.

More from LAist: Get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of RuPaul’s Drag Race, learn more about L.A.’s “ghost kitchen” phenomenon and how it’s affecting neighborhoods, and grab your tickets for next week’s live taping of Go Fact Yourself with Lilan Bowden and A Martinez.

Events

Monday, August 18  
818 Day 
Multiple locations, San Fernando Valley 
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO 

Los Angeles sunrise in the San Fernando Valley. The San Gabriel Mountains, Burbank and North Hollywood, California are in the background.

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Like, totally support local businesses in the San Fernando Valley and learn about unique Valley history and landmarks all around the area on 818 Day. My Valley Pass has deals and info for Universal CityWalk and more. And check out this L.A. in a Minute video from 2023 to learn more about 818 Day and the history of the Valley. Or pay a visit to the Valley Relics Museum.

Thursday, August 21, 6 to 10 p.m.
Venice Art Crawl: Walk Streets
Walk streets between Abbot Kinney Blvd. and Lincoln Blvd., Venice
COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

With the ongoing mystery surrounding the deaths of dogs in the Venice Canals, this quarter’s Venice Art Crawl has been moved into the walk streets.  While the canal is always a favorite, the walk streets — Marco Place, Amoroso Place, and Nowita Court — are less explored by non-Venice dwellers, and the art crawl is a great way to check out some of these charming streets behind the popular stores on Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Find local artists, live music and more in this little undiscovered pocket of L.A.

Wednesday, August 20, 8 p.m. 
Tennis with Cults
Greek Theatre
2700 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz
COST: FROM $25; MORE INFO 

Indie pop duo Tennis is retiring like Roger Federer and going out with one big album — April’s Face Down in the Garden — and now a big show at the Greek Theatre, with special guest (and longtime favorite of mine) Cults, probably best known for their hit "Go Outside."

Tuesday, August 19, 7 p.m. 
Carly Rae Jepsen
Troubadour 
9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
COST: N/A, MORE INFO 

Okay, okay, this is definitely sold out, but (call me) maybe you’ll luck out last minute or find some tickets available via resale. Canadian pop star Carly Rae Jepsen is doing a small show for the 10th anniversary of her third album, E•MO•TION. The 2015 record includes “I Really Like You” and “Run Away With Me.” But I can’t imagine there won’t be a “Call Me Maybe” encore.

Through Sunday, September 7
& Juliet
Ahmanson Theatre
135 N. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A.
COST: FROM $51.75; MORE INFO 

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& Juliet is a twist on Romeo & Juliet, told from Juliet’s perspective and featuring pop hits like "Oops I Did It Again," “Roar,” “Domino” and more from the brain of Swedish mega-producer Max Martin. It's arrived in L.A. for its first national tour at the Ahmanson. The show is reminiscent of the irreverent super smash Six and will have pop fans of all ages dancing in their seats (and singing along, I’m sure). It moves to the Segerstrom for a short run starting Sept. 9, so catch it in either downtown L.A. or Irvine.

Through Monday, September 22
Los Trompos 
Victoria Gardens 
12505 North Mainstreet, Rancho Cucamonga
COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

Colorful, woven, interactive sculptures line the Victoria Gardens shopping complex in Rancho Cucamonga through Sept. 22. Created by Mexican designers Héctor Esrawe and Ignacio Cadena, the Los Trompos installation, which means “spinning tops” in Spanish, features eight different larger-than-life spinning tops that invite visitors to play and engage.

Monday, August 18, 7:30 p.m.
Writers Bloc presents Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker with Billy Ray
The Ebell of Los Angeles
4401 West 8th St., Koreatown
COST: $33.85, MORE INFO

It’s a little hard to get excited about political conversations of late, but this chat between screenwriter Billy Ray (The Hunger Games, Captain Phillips) and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is sure to be fiery and enlightening. Pritzker will discuss his thoughts on where the Democratic Party is headed and what’s next for Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Viewing Pick

Thursday, August 21, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Human Footprint: Vanishing Act
Natural History Museum Commons Theater 
700 Exposition Park Dr., Exposition Park
COST: FREE WITH RSVP; MORE INFO

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Join the Natural History Museum and PBS SoCal for a screening of the “Vanishing Act" episode of Human Footprint, featuring our very own prehistoric celebrities, the La Brea Tar Pits, at the Natural History Museum Commons Theater. A post-film Q&A will follow, featuring series host Biologist Shane Campbell-Staton with Associate Curator and Excavation Site Director Dr. Emily Lindsey, psychologist and science communicator Dr. Cara Santa Maria, and series director Nathan Dappen of Day’s Edge Productions. The evening ends with a free reception, complete with light bites, drinks and the opportunity to chat with scientists from the museum and local environmental organizations.

Dine & Drink Deals

Wednesday, August 20, 7 p.m. 
Bonsai Bar at Laguna Beer 
859 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach 
COST: $85; MORE INFO

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Discover the art of bonsai over a brew at Laguna Beer. You’ll make your own bonsai to take home and meet new friends while learning the ancient art that encourages precision and meditation.

Starting Wednesday, August 20, 5 to 8 p.m.
Izakaya Sunsets
Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
244 San Pedro St., Little Tokyo 
COST: $5; MORE INFO 

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The garden at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center is a hidden gem in downtown Los Angeles. Once a month through November, you can enjoy evening drinks and bites in the green oasis. I’m not exaggerating; it’s one of the most incredibly designed places in L.A. The monthly pub will feature izakaya-inspired otoshi (snacks) from Chef Gay Matsumoto (Azay and Hansei) as well as sake, shochu, and beer.

This story first appeared on The LA Local.

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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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. 

In June, the team came under further scrutiny when rumors swirled online that federal immigration agents were using the stadium’s parking, which immigration authorities later denied in statements posted on social media accounts.

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.

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.

What’s next 

After READ Books posted about their situation on social media, commenters chimed in to express their outrage and love for the little shop.

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.”

Topline:

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.