Macy Gray performs onstage during a concert at Simm City on June 16, 2025, in Vienna, Austria.
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Manfred Schmid
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In this edition:
The Reservoir at the Geffen Playhouse, Yeah Yeah Yeahs perform live, make your own comic book character at Skirball, free Shakespeare performances, cocktail pop-ups in Echo Park and more of the best things to do this week.
Highlights:
Where better for adults and kids alike to get inspired than at the Jack Kirby exhibit at the Skirball? Visitors are invited to create their own comic book character, inspired by the exhibit on the comics legend.
Karen O and co. hit the road for an intimate tour coming to the Orpheum for three nights this week. Map(s) your way downtown for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs show.
There’s no shortage of Shakespeare around the region this summer. For starters, check out the traveling Shakespeare by the Sea shows, all of which are free and happening at or near beaches. Up this week: As You Like It and Julius Caesar, both at Valley Park in Hermosa Beach.
Attention, Bachelor Nation! There are happy hour drinks to be had at Islands every Monday to celebrate the tenth season of ABC’s Bachelor in Paradise. The collaboration includes a limited edition drink flight for $9.
I hope you had a great Fourth of July. I checked out the Earth, Wind & Fire show at the Hollywood Bowl, and what a great party that was, with folks of all ages dancing to the hits. It was also my first time seeing the fireworks there (well, unless you count seeing them from a far-away house party on a hill one year) alongside the phenomenal L.A. Phil playing a stirring soundtrack — what a treat.
Explore more at LAist.com, where people like you weigh in on what they think of the new Brutalist LACMA building, get the latest report on beach safety as we head into the prime of summer, and now that this year’s Independence Day is over, get ready to plan for the biggest party of them all — next year’s 250th celebration.
Events
Through Sunday, March 1, 2026 Jack Kirby: Heroes and Humanity Skirball Cultural Center 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. COST: MUSEUM ADMISSION $18; MORE INFO
School’s out and fun summer reading is in. That means comic books and graphic novels are on the table. Where better for adults and kids to get inspired than at the Jack Kirby exhibit at the Skirball? Every Thursday from 12 to 4 p.m. on the museum terrace, visitors are invited to create their own comic book character, inspired by the exhibit.
Through Sunday, July 20 The Reservoir Geffen Playhouse 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood COST: FROM $45; MORE INFO
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Jeff Lorch
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Geffen Playhouse
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Intergenerational friendships are having a moment (see: Hacks) and that is certainly the case in the new comedy-drama by Jake Brasch, The Reservoir, premiering this month at the Geffen Playhouse. The play stars Jake Horowitz (Bones and All) as Josh, whose four grandparents act as a Greek chorus of sorts, helping him through his struggles with alcoholism while on leave from NYU.
July 9-11 Yeah Yeah Yeahs Orpheum Theater 842 S. Broadway, Downtown L.A. COST: FROM $150; MORE INFO
Yeah Yeah Yeahs performs during the Rock en Seine Festival on August 26, 2023 in Saint-Cloud.
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Kristy Sparow
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Karen O and co. hit the road for this intimate tour coming to the Orpheum for three nights this week. Map(s) your way downtown for the show, which on previous stops has featured some rarities and new songs live, including acoustic versions at their stop at the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside a few weeks ago. The shows are all currently sold out, but tickets are available on third-party sites.
Thursday, July 10, 7 p.m. Macy Gray House of Blues 400 Disney Way #337, Anaheim COST: FROM $30; MORE INFO
Macy Gray performs onstage during a concert at Simm City on June 16, 2025, in Vienna, Austria.
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Manfred Schmid
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Getty Images
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It can't be possible that Macy Gray’s now-iconic album, On How Life Is, and her huge single “I Try” came out more than 25 years ago. Is it? I guess the listings don’t lie. If you miss the soulful songstress in Anaheim, she’ll be back in the region for a show downtown at the Palace Theater on August 16.
Through Saturday, July 26 Shakespeare by the Sea Multiple locations COST: FREE; MORE INFO
There’s no shortage of Shakespeare around the region this summer. For starters, check out the traveling Shakespeare by the Sea shows, all of which are free and going on at or near beaches. Up this week: As You Like It and Julius Caesar, both at Valley Park in Hermosa Beach. It does get chilly, so bring layers, and head to the far side of the bandshell on the rolling grassy area directly behind it.
Tuesday, July 8, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 Y2K Gaming Paradise Complex L.A. 433 N. Fairfax Ave., Fairfax COST: FREE WITH RSVP; MORE INFO
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 03: American skateboarder Tony Hawk performs at the Sydney 500 Grand Finale on the Sydney Olympic Park Street Circuit on December 3, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
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Getty Images AsiaPac
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Nothing says L.A. summer like skateboarding, and the '90s golden era of the sport is coming to Complex. Activision is hosting a preview of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 three days before its official release, complete with an appearance by pro skateboarder (and playable character) Bam Margera. The free, all-ages experience features retro décor, high-score competitions with collector prizes, and a custom fingerboard skatepark inspired by new game levels.
Outdoor Pick
Tuesday, July 8, 9 a.m. BLEACH Walking Club Silver Lake Reservoir COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Film industry folks now have a walking club for low-key hangs and Silver Lake Reservoir views. The BLEACH walking club invites everyone industry-adjacent to join for a two-mile walk — and really, who can’t make an argument they aren’t around here? It starts from Silver Lake Boulevard and Rockford (on the bridge). Plus, LaMill is right there to grab a coffee to take with you.
Dine & Drink Deals
Mondays, starting July 7 Bachelor in Paradise special Islands Restaurants Multiple locations COST: $9; MORE INFO
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TIMM EUBANKS
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Courtesy Islands Restaurants
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Attention, Bachelor Nation! There are happy hour drinks to be had at Islands every Monday to celebrate the tenth season of ABC’s Bachelor in Paradise. The collaboration includes a limited edition drink flight, the Flight to Paradise, for $9. Plus, get chances to win a vacation, Islands and Bachelor in Paradise swag, takeout deals and more.
Monday, July 7, 5 to 9 p.m. Strong Water Anaheim x Thunderbolt 1263 Temple St., Echo Park COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
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Strong Water Anaheim
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If you haven’t made the pilgrimage to two-time James Beard Awards nominee Strong Water Anaheim for their unique immersive cocktail experience, they are coming to L.A. for a pop-up at Thunderbolt in Echo Park with signature cocktails. Strong Water is an AAPI-owned, nautical-inspired bar and restaurant concept that transports guests onto a sunken ship — a “tik-easy” if you will, serving original, rum-based, stirred and zero-proof craft cocktails.
Wednesday, July 9, 6 to 8 p.m. Pickle N' Tequila x Sushi Roku 1401 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Pickle N' Tequila
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Pickleball social club, Pickle N' Tequila, is hosting a community happy hour at Sushi Roku Santa Monica. The happy hour menu will be extended exclusively to attendees with a complimentary cocktail. Guests can enjoy menu items like fried chicken sliders, hamachi serrano, popcorn shrimp tempura and spicy tuna rolls.
