The Brief

Whether you’re venturing out or staying home, this weekend means celebrating the dads in our lives and there are so many great ways to do that here, whether it’s eating a delicious brunch out, heading to the Bowl for the Blue Note Jazz Fest, or getting in a hike and some nature time.

For more to explore, visit LAist.com, where you can get ready for Super-Fun Saturday at the Autry, learn about a restaurant in Culver City that’s supporting bees and butterflies, and check out the Top 20 finalists in the LAist Tournament of Cheeseburgers and cast your vote!

Events

June 14-15  
Pasadena Chalk Festival 
The Paseo 
300 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena 
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

The beauty of chalk drawings is their ephemeral nature, so you only have the weekend to see the work of over 500 artists participating in creating 200 murals at the annual Pasadena Chalk Festival. From intricate works to brightly colored abstracts, the Paseo will fill up like a museum without walls.

Through Sunday, June 15 
Fostered 
Pacific Resident Theatre 
703 Venice Blvd., Venice 
COST: FROM $15; MORE INFO

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Zach Kanner

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This comedy, focused on adult children coming back to their family home in Scarsdale, New York, around the 2016 election, has been getting raves. Broadway World called it a “must-see,” so catch it in its last weekend here. It’s a world premiere, and we’re lucky to have it at the small but mighty Pacific Resident Theatre in Venice.

Saturday, June 14, 4 p.m. 
One Book, One Glendale Author Talk: Gabrielle Zevin 
Glendale Central Library 
222 E. Harvard St., Glendale 
COST: FREE, BUT GET THERE EARLY; MORE INFO

If you haven’t read Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, what are you waiting for? The best-selling novel by Gabrielle Zevin paints a vivid picture of coming of age in Los Angeles and the Silicon Beach of days past. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow is the summer community reading pick for One Book, One Glendale, and Zevin will be on hand to discuss it. Get there early; free tickets will be distributed at 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 14 
Long Beach Juneteenth 
Rainbow Lagoon Park 
400 E. Shoreline Dr., Long Beach 
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

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Courtesy Long Beach Juneteenth

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Come for the good times; stay for the very cool “They Not Like Us” t-shirts. Long Beach is celebrating Juneteenth a little early with this ticketed event in Rainbow Lagoon Park, with DJs, face painting, a step show, arts and crafts, food, networking opportunities and more.

Friday, June 13, 4 to 9 p.m.
DTLA Dog Day 
Maguire Gardens at the Los Angeles Central Library 
630 W. 5th St., Downtown LA
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

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Kojirou Sasaki

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Bring your pup or just show up to meet some new furry friends at the 17th Annual Dog Day Party in downtown L.A. Shop local artisans and makers, pet stores and community services. Plus, there’s live music, community dog walks and specialty drinks from Settecento. Make sure to get there in time for Yappy Hour!

Saturday, June 14, 2 to 8 p.m. 
TARFEST 
Pan Pacific Park
7600 Beverly Blvd., Mid-City 
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

It’s all about the good vibes at the 22nd Annual TARFEST at Pan Pacific Park. The event is all ages, free, and it features live sets from KCRW DJ Garth Trinidad, Alberto Lopez, Chromequeen and more. Get your party on in the park!

Saturday, June 14, 7 p.m. 
Concert for a Cause
TreePeople's S. Mark Taper Foundation Amphitheatre 
12601 Mulholland Dr., Coldwater Canyon
COST: $20; MORE INFO

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Courtesy TreePeople

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Bring a picnic and help support TreePeople’s efforts to restore nature areas in L.A. after the January wildfires. With performances from singer-songwriters Priscilla Ahn and Max Gomez, this sounds like a low-key but powerful way to be in nature at TreePeople’s relaxing space and support their great work.

June 14-15
Blue Note Jazz Festival 
Hollywood Bowl 
2301 Highland Ave., Hollywood
COST: FROM $45; MORE INFO

A new name and a new lineup are in store for the always-anticipated jazz festival at the Hollywood Bowl (née Playboy Jazz Fest, then Hollywood Bowl Jazzfest). It's now run by NYC-based jazz club Blue Note, which is opening a venue here later this year. Performers on Saturday include The Isley Brothers and De La Soul. Sunday is a more indie-themed day, with sets from the inimitable Grace Jones and Willow.

Outdoor Pick

Saturday, June 15, 10:45 p.m. 
Venice gRUNion Party 
Venice Beach (walk out from Windward Avenue and Oceanfront Walk)
COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

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Courtesy Venice Oceanarium

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I’ve lived in Venice for 20 years and never successfully seen a grunion in the wild at the grunion run. But no matter. The late-night stalking of the fish is always a fun time, with neighborhood denizens walking on the beach after 10 p.m. in search of the spawning ones. The Venice Oceanarium experts are always out, sharing knowledge and showing people what to look for in the sand. It's truly a beach experience you should try at least once.

Viewing Pick

Saturday, June 14, 2 p.m. 
100 Years of Suspense: A Hitchcock Double Feature
United Theater on Broadway 
929 S Broadway, Downtown L.A. 
COST: $35; MORE INFO

The L.A. Conservancy’s fantastic Last Remaining Seats series continues with a double feature of spooky films: Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps (1935) and The Lady Vanishes (1938). The first film is hosted by critic Leonard Maltin. The second will be followed by a Q&A about the historic United Theater.

Dine & Drink Deals

Sunday, June 15
Father’s Day at Baar Baar 
Baar Baar
705 W. 9th St., Downtown L.A.
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO

Modern Indian gastropub Baar Baar has an elevated Father’s Day brunch menu on offer, featuring bottomless brunch cocktails and mains like Masala Fried Chicken & Waffles, Lamb Keema Benedict, and Tandoori Mushroom Toast. Plus, enjoy Saffron Tres Leches for dessert.

Sunday, June 15 
Father’s Day Brunch 
Sirena 
1415 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica 
COST: $85; MORE INFO

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Douglas Friedman

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Visit the most Wes Anderson-y hotel in L.A. for brunch with dad at Sirena and enjoy a family-style menu with treats like croissant French toast soufflé or steak and eggs. Specialty cocktails include Daddy’s Shandy, with beer and lemonade (but mostly beer), and Time Out, with mezcal, maraschino liqueur, green chartreuse and lime juice.

Rosé Day 

Two great events celebrate everyone’s favorite pink wine, rosé, all day.

Saturday, June 14
Rosé Day Los Angeles
King Gillette Ranch 
26800 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas
COST: FROM $140; MORE INFO

Rosé lovers can join a big bash up at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas, which brings big-name live music, gourmet food, luxury brands and more to the scenic location in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Saturday, June 14, 1 to 6 p.m. 
Rosé on Rose Wine Fest
Rose Ave., Venice Beach 
COST: FROM $23.56; MORE INFO

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Courtesy Rosé on Rose Wine Fest

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Meanwhile, beachside, the annual Rosé on Rose benefit turns Venice’s Rose Avenue into a street party benefitting the Venice Family Clinic. Food from favorites like American Beauty and Chulita will be available, plus tastings from Venice Beach Wines and more.

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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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. 

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.