FIFA Club World Cup branding among the fans during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 on June 15, 2025, in Pasadena, California.
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Catherine Ivill - AMA
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Getty Images
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In this edition:
Juneteenth celebrations from art shows to surf classes, Lola Kirke at the Troubadour, FIFA Club World Cup action, and more of the best things to do this week.
Highlights:
Black in Mayberry is once again hosting a group exhibition on Abbot Kinney in celebration of Black art across generations, honoring Juneteenth. "FREEDOM" is open through June 28. The show includes interactive art-making stations, historical visual storytelling, and a more traditional art exhibit.
Mozart in the Jungle actress and singer-songwriter Lola Kirke brings readings from her essay collection, Wild West Village: Not a Memoir (Unless I Win an Oscar, Die Tragically, or Score a Country #1), to the Troubadour, plus acoustic versions of songs from her country-inspired album Trailblazer.
A preview of coming L.A. attractions as we gear up for the World Cup games in 2026, many international teams are headed our way for the FIFA Club World Cup. Several places are planning watch events alongside the actual games being played at the Rose Bowl.
Chef Dani García of Madrid’s three-Michelin-starred Smoked Room joins L.A. icon Chef Josiah Citrin at Mélisse on June 16 and Citrin on June 17. The chefs will pair Garcia’s Andalusian cuisine with Citrin’s refined California style for multi-course tasting menus.
As the curfew continues downtown and tensions are still high, please make sure to stay safe and check that events are happening as planned as you venture out this week. LAist has all your breaking news coverage of the ongoing immigration raids and protests here.
Over at LPTV, Lyndsey Parker has your music picks for the week, including The Kooks at the Hollywood Palladium and “Weird Al” Yankovic with Puddles Pity Party at the Fox Performing Arts Center, both on Tuesday; Rhiannon Giddens’s American Tunes night at the Hollywood Bowl on Wednesday; and Post Malone with Jelly Roll at SoFi Stadium on Thursday.
June 19-28 FREEDOM: Juneteenth Art Exhibition 910 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice COST: $10; MORE INFO
Black in Mayberry is once again hosting a group exhibition on Abbot Kinney in celebration of Black art across generations, honoring Juneteenth. Open through June 28, the show includes interactive art-making stations, historical visual storytelling, and a more traditional art exhibit. The organizers say the event aims to “hold space for Black expression, joy, history and conversation.”
Thursday, June 19, 1 to 8 p.m. Juneteenth on the Pier Santa Monica Pier 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica COST: $25; MORE INFO
Yoga, sound baths, free surf lessons (with early signup), live music and much more are in store at this Juneteenth celebration on the Santa Monica Pier, benefitting Black Surfers Collective and Aquatic Futures Foundation. The event is produced by Ebony Beach Club and Black Lives Matter, and it honors the history of the beach community. The original Ebony Beach Club was founded in Santa Monica in 1957 as a Black social club, when many beaches in California were still segregated.
Through Sunday, June 29 Hollywood Fringe Multiple locations, Hollywood COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Hollywood Fringe
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The Hollywood Fringe continues this week. We recommend checking out as many of the offbeat, independent shows as you can, some of which are bound for the mother of all fringe festivals, the Edinburgh Fringe in Scotland, later this summer. A few we’ve been tipped off on: Rise of a King (starring Vico Ortiz from HBO’s Our Flag Means Death), As You Like It In 60 Minutes,Amazing Sex Life of Rabbits, and Jessica Bashline’s moving one-woman show, Ann and Me: or the big bad abortion play.
Thursday, June 19, 7 p.m. Lola Kirke Troubadour 9801 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood COST: FROM $28; MORE INFO
Mozart in the Jungle actress and singer-songwriter Lola Kirke brings readings from her essay collection, Wild West Village: Not a Memoir (Unless I Win an Oscar, Die Tragically, or Score a Country #1), to the Troubadour alongside acoustic versions of songs from her country-inspired album, Trailblazer.
Tuesday, June 17, 7 p.m. Queer Lens: 'The Dyke Show by JEB' Getty Center 1200 Getty Center Drive, West L.A. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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David LaChapelle via The Getty Center
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Pride Month is in full swing at the Getty, where in support of the ongoing photography exhibit Queer Lens, performance artist JEB (Joan E. Biren) will screen her work The Dyke Show, pre-recorded in 2023. Photographer Amina Cruz will join JEB on stage for a talkback and Q&A afterwards. The piece takes the audience through a history of lesbian photography with commentary, historical footnotes and comedy from JEB.
The exhibit will stay open through September 28.
Monday, June 16, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Malibu Library Speakers Series: James Conlon Malibu Library 23519 W. Civic Center Way, Malibu COST: FREE; MORE INFO
TO GO WITH AFP STORY by Romain Raynaldy, US0-music-opera
Music director James Conlon conducts a rehearsal of the Los Angeles Opera in Mozart's "Cosi Fan Tutte" at the Music Center in downtown Los Angeles on September 12, 2011. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
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ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images
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AFP
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L.A. Opera director James Conlon has defined the opera scene in L.A. since he came to the organization in 2006, conducting more performances than anyone in its history. He debuted at the New York Philharmonic in 1974 and went on to lead opera companies in Paris, Cologne and many more places. He visits the Malibu Library for a talk about his life and career as part of the library’s regular speakers series.
Through Wednesday, June 25 FIFA Club World Cup Games and Events Multiple locations COST: FROM $33.45; MORE INFO
If you missed Sunday's Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atletico de Madrid game, don't worry, many international teams are headed our way for the FIFA Club World Cup. It's a preview of coming L.A. attractions as we gear up for the World Cup games in 2026, with several places to catch a game on TV also planning watch events if you can't attend the actual games being played at the Rose Bowl.
Through Monday, June 23, 10 a.m. to 7p.m. PSG House Fan Events PSG House 8175 Melrose Ave., Melrose COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Paris meets L.A. at the PSG House. Fans of the European champions, Paris St. Germain, can check out events like comedy nights with Melissa Villaseñor and Jamel Johnson, a rooftop soccer pitch, live music, food trucks, AR photobooths and more.
Through Sunday, July 13 FIFA Club World Cup Watch Parties Biergarten 7561 Center Ave. #49, Huntington Beach COST: MORE INFO
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Kimia
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Unsplash
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Biergarten in Huntington Beach will be showing all the games and features drink specials, big screens, and a great atmosphere to hang with other soccer, excuse me, football, fans.
Viewing Pick
Thursday, June 19, 8:35 p.m. and 11:10 p.m. Rooftop Cinema's Celebrating Black Cinema Series: Love Jones and Love & Basketball 888 S. Olive St., 4th Floor, Downtown LA COST: FROM $23; MORE INFO
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Noom Peerapong
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The late '90s and early aughts brought with them some excellent movies, including the two screening at Rooftop Cinema for Juneteenth: the 1997 romance Love Jones and Gina Prince-Bythewood’s iconic 2000 film, Love & Basketball, starring Omar Epps in one of his early roles.
Dine & Drink Deals
June 16-17 Chefs Dani Garcia and Josiah Citrin 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica Santa Monica COST: $165 (CITRIN), $595 (MELISSE); MORE INFO
Splurge at a chef collab for the ages as Chef Dani García of Madrid’s three-Michelin-starred Smoked Room joins L.A. icon Chef Josiah Citrin at Mélisse on June 16 and Citrin on June 17. The chefs will pair Garcia’s Andalusian cuisine with Citrin’s refined California style for multi-course tasting menus.
Thursday, June 19 Juneteenth Cookout Del Aire Park 12601 Isis Ave., Hawthorne COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Make new friends and taste some great food at the Hawthorne Juneteenth Cookout. BBQ will be happening, but it’s also a potluck, so sign up to bring your favorite dish.
Fire department honored with 'Award of Excellence'
Makenna Sievertson
covers the daily drumbeat of Southern California — events, processes and nuances making it a unique place to call home.
Published December 12, 2025 4:30 PM
The "Award of Excellence Star" honoring the Los Angeles Fire Department on Friday.
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Matt Winkelmeyer
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Getty Images
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Topline:
The Hollywood Walk of Fame has a new neighbor — a star dedicated to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Why it matters: The Fire Department has been honored with an “Award of Excellence Star” for its public service during the Palisades and Sunset fires, which burned in the Pacific Palisades and Hollywood Hills neighborhoods of L.A. in January.
Why now: The star was unveiled on Hollywood Boulevard on Friday at a ceremony hosted by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Hollywood Community Foundation.
Awards of Excellence celebrate organizations for their positive impacts on Hollywood and the entertainment industry, according to organizers. Fewer than 10 have been handed out so far, including to the LA Times, Dodgers and Disneyland.
The backstory: The idea of awarding a star to the Fire Department was prompted by an eighth-grade class essay from Eniola Taiwo, 14, from Connecticut. In an essay on personal heroes, Taiwo called for L.A. firefighters to be recognized. She sent the letter to the Chamber of Commerce.
“This star for first responders will reach the hearts of many first responders and let them know that what they do is recognized and appreciated,” Taiwo’s letter read. “It will also encourage young people like me to be a change in the world.”
LAFD Chief Jaime E. Moore, Eniola Taiwo and LAFD firefighters with the "Award of Excellence Star" Friday.
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Matt Winkelmeyer
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Getty Images North America
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The Award of Excellence Star is in front of the Ovation Entertainment Complex next to the Walk of Fame; however, it is separate from the official program.
What officials say: Steve Nissen, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement Taiwo’s letter was the inspiration for a monument that will “forever shine in Hollywood.”
“This recognition is not only about honoring the bravery of the Los Angeles Fire Department but also about celebrating the vision of a young student whose words reminded us all of the importance of gratitude and civic pride,” said Nissen, who’s also president and CEO of the Hollywood Community Foundation.
L.A. City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto was accused of an ethics breach in a case the city settled for $18 million.
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Carlin Stiehl
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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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Topline:
Fallout from allegations of an ethics breach by Los Angeles’ elected city attorney has reached the City Council. Councilmember Ysabel Jurado introduced a motion Friday requesting a closed-session meeting about an allegation that City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto improperly contacted a witness days before her office entered into one of the city’s biggest settlements in recent years. The motion came a day after LAist reported about the allegation.
The case: In September, the city settled a lawsuit brought forward by two brothers in their 70s who said they suffered serious injuries after an LAPD officer crashed into their car. Days before the $18 million settlement was reached, lawyers for the brothers said Feldstein Soto called an expert witness testifying for the plaintiffs and “attempted to ingratiate herself with him and asked him to make a contribution to her political campaign,” according to a sworn declaration to the court by the plaintiffs’ attorney, Robert Glassman.
The response: Feldstein Soto did not respond to an interview request. Her spokesperson said the settlement “had nothing to do” with the expert witness. Her campaign manager told LAist the city attorney had been making a routine fundraising call and did not know the person had a role in the case, nor that there were pending requests for her office to pay him fees.
What Jurado says: In a statement to LAist, Jurado said she wants to “make sure that the city’s legal leadership is guided by integrity and accountability, especially when their choices affect public trust, civic rights and the city’s limited resources."
What’s next: The motion needs to go through a few committees before reaching the full City Council. If it passes, the motion calls for the city attorney to “report to council in closed session within 45 days regarding the ethics breach violation and give updates to the City Council."
Topline:
Fallout from allegations of an ethics breach by Los Angeles’ elected city attorney has reached the City Council. Councilmember Ysabel Jurado introduced a motion Friday requesting a closed-session meeting about an allegation that City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto improperly contacted a witness days before her office entered into one of the city’s biggest settlements in recent years. The motion came a day after LAist reported about the allegation.
The case: In September, the city settled a lawsuit brought forward by two brothers in their 70s who said they suffered serious injuries after an LAPD officer crashed into their car. Days before the $18 million settlement was reached, lawyers for the brothers said Feldstein Soto called an expert witness testifying for the plaintiffs and “attempted to ingratiate herself with him and asked him to make a contribution to her political campaign,” according to a sworn declaration to the court by the plaintiffs’ attorney, Robert Glassman.
The response: Feldstein Soto did not respond to an interview request. Her spokesperson said the settlement “had nothing to do” with the expert witness. Her campaign manager told LAist the city attorney had been making a routine fundraising call and did not know the person had a role in the case, nor that there were pending requests for her office to pay him fees.
What Jurado says: In a statement to LAist, Jurado said she wants to “make sure that the city’s legal leadership is guided by integrity and accountability, especially when their choices affect public trust, civic rights and the city’s limited resources."
What’s next: The motion needs to go through a few committees before reaching the full City Council. If it passes, the motion calls for the city attorney to “report to council in closed session within 45 days regarding the ethics breach violation and give updates to the City Council."
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Destiny Torres
is LAist's general assignment and digital equity reporter.
Published December 12, 2025 3:38 PM
Luis Cantabrana turns the front of his Santa Ana home into an elaborate altar in honor of La Virgen de Guadalupe.
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Destiny Torres
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LAist
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Topline:
Today marks el Día de La Virgen de Guadalupe, or the day of the Virgen of Guadalupe, an important holiday for Catholics and those of Mexican descent. In Santa Ana, Luis Cantabrana builds an elaborate altar in her honor that draws hundreds of visitors.
What is the holiday celebrating? In 1513, the Virgin Mary appeared before St. Juan Diego, asking him to build a church in her honor. Her image — a brown-skinned woman, wearing a green veil with her hands clasped in prayer and an angel at her feet — miraculously appeared on his cloak. Every year on Dec. 12, worshippers of the saint celebrate the Guadalupita with prayer and song.
Read on … for how worshippers in Santa Ana celebrate.
Every year in Santa Ana, Luis Cantabrana turns the front of his home into an elaborate altar in honor of La Virgen de Guadalupe that draws hundreds of visitors.
Along the front of the house, the multi-colored altar is filled with lights, flowers and a stained-glass tapestry behind a sculpture of the Lady of Guadalupe. Cantabrana’s roof also is lit up with the green, white and red lights that spell out “Virgen de Guadalupe” and a cross.
Visitors are welcomed with music and the smell of roses as they celebrate the saint, but this year’s gathering comes after a dark year for immigrant communities.
Luis Cantabrana stands in front of the stunning altar he built in front of his home in honor of La Virgen de Guadalupe. Every year, his display draws hundreds of visitors.
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Destiny Torres
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LAist
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Why do they celebrate?
In 1513, the Virgin Mary appeared before St. Juan Diego between Dec. 9 and Dec. 12, asking him to build a church in her honor. Her image — a brown-skinned woman wearing a green veil with her hands together in prayer and an angel at her feet — miraculously appeared on his cloak.
To celebrate in Santa Ana, worshippers gathered late-night Wednesday and in the very early hours Dec. 12 to pray the rosary, sing hymns and celebrate the saint.
Cantabrana has hosted worshippers at his home for 27 years — 17 in Santa Ana.
The altar started out small, he said, and over the years, he added a fabric background, more lights and flowers (lots and lots of flowers).
“It started with me making a promise to la Virgen de Guadalupe that while I had life and a home to build an altar, that I would do it,” Cantabrana said. “Everything you see in photos and videos is pretty, but when you come and see it live, it's more than pretty. It's beautiful.”
The Santa Ana home's elaborate altar in honor of La Virgen de Guadalupe draws hundreds of visitors each year.
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Destiny Torres
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LAist
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Gathering in a time of turmoil
Many also look to the Lady of Guadalupe for protection, especially at a time when federal enforcement has rattled immigrant communities.
“People don’t want to go to work, they don’t want to take their kids to school, but the love we have for our Virgen de Guadalupe,” Cantabrana said. “We see that la Virgen de Guadalupe has a lot of power, and so we know immigration [enforcement] won’t come here.”
Margarita Lopez of Garden Grove has been visiting the altar for three years with her husband. She’s been celebrating the Virgencita since she was a young girl. Honoring the saint is as important now as ever, she said.
“We ask, and she performs miracles,” Lopez said.
Claudia Tapia, a lifelong Santa Ana resident, said the VirginMary represents strength.
“Right now, with everything going on, a lot of our families [have] turned and prayed to the Virgen for strength during these times,” Tapia said. “She's a very strong symbol of Mexican culture, of unity, of faith and of resilience.”
See it for yourself
The shrine will stay up into the new year on the corner of Broadway and Camile Street.
The offices of the Employment Development Department in Sacramento on Jan. 10, 2022.
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Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
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CalMatters
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Topline:
California’s unemployment agency kept paying cellphone bills for 4 1/2 years without checking whether its workers actually were using the devices. That’s how it racked up $4.6 million in fees for mobile devices its workers were not using, according to a new state audit detailing wasteful spending at several government agencies.
The investigation: The Employment Development Department acquired 7,224 cellphones and wireless hotspots by December 2020. State auditors analyzed 54 months of invoices since then and found half the devices were unused for at least two years, 25% were unused for three years and 99 of them were never used at all. The investigation, which auditors opened after receiving a tip, identified 6,285 devices that were unused for at least four consecutive months and said the department spent $4.6 million on monthly service fees for them.
Department response: Officials told auditors they were unaware of the spending, but auditors pointed to regular invoices from Verizon that showed which phones were not being used. The unemployment department began acting on the auditors’ findings in April, when it canceled service plans for 2,825 devices. It has since implemented a policy to terminate service plans for devices that go unused for 90 days.
California’s unemployment agency kept paying cellphone bills for 4 1/2 years without checking whether its workers actually were using the devices.
That’s how it racked up $4.6 million in fees for mobile devices its workers were not using, according to a new state audit detailing wasteful spending at several government agencies.
It acquired 7,224 cellphones and wireless hotspots by December 2020. State auditors analyzed 54 months of invoices since then and found half the devices were unused for at least two years, 25% were unused for three years and 99 of them were never used at all.
The investigation, which auditors opened after receiving a tip, identified 6,285 devices that were unused for at least four consecutive months, and said the department spent $4.6 million on monthly service fees for them.
From the beginning, the department had about 2,000 more cellphones than call center employees, according to the audit. The gap widened over time after the pandemic ended and the department’s staffing returned to its normal headcount.
As of April, the audit said the department had 1,787 unemployment call center employees, but was paying monthly service fees for 5,097 mobile devices.
“Although obtaining the mobile devices during COVID-19 may have been a good idea to serve the public, continuing to pay the monthly service fees for so many unused devices, especially post-COVID-19, was wasteful,” the audit said.
Department officials told auditors they were unaware of the spending, but auditors pointed to regular invoices from Verizon that showed which phones were not being used.
“We would have expected EDD management to have reconsidered the need to pay the monthly service fees for so many devices that had no voice, message, or data usage,” the audit said.
The unemployment department began acting on the auditors’ findings in April, when it canceled service plans for 2,825 devices. It has since implemented a policy to terminate service plans for devices that go unused for 90 days.
The California state auditor highlighted the mobile devices in its regular report on “improper activities by state agencies and employees.” The audit also showed that the California Air Resources Board overpaid an employee who was on extended leave as he prepared to retire by $171,000.
