'Master Harold and the Boys' is at the Geffen Playhouse in a revival that's drawing rave reviews.
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Jeff Lorch
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Geffen Playhouse
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In this edition:
Taco Madness, UCLA's spring game, a critically acclaimed revival of a classic play and more of the best things to do this weekend.
Highlights:
Get a taste of L.A.'s best tacos from favorites like Taqueria Frontera, Tire Shop Taqueria, Evil Cooks, LaSorted's and many more at Taco Madness 2026.
South African playwright Athol Fugard’s now-classic 1982 play Master Harold and the Boystakes a deep look at race, power and betrayal during apartheid. The Geffen Playhouse's revival got a rave from the L.A. Times.
The Bruins head across town to the Rose Bowl for their Spring Game — well, less a game game and more a preview of the upcoming fall football season under new head coach Bob Chesney. The free day includes a Cinco de Mayo Marketplace featuring handmade jewelry, clothing, music and local resources, plus lots of food and drink options.
I spent the weekend in my other favorite LA — Louisiana, that is, at the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Seeing Stevie Nicks in the rain and the Pine Leaf Boys in the sun was worth the trip. But the jazz love doesn’t have to end now that I’m back home, because the first annual Santa Monica Jazz Festival kicks off this Friday at venues around the Westside (and one downtown).
If you’re not festivaled-out yet post-Coachella/Stagecoach/Jazzfest/wherever you got to in the past few weeks, BeachLife takes over Redondo Beach all weekend long. Headliners are Duran Duran, The Chainsmokers, James Taylor and The Offspring. Beyond that, Licorice Pizza has more music picks, including Health at the Hollywood Palladium and Helloween with Beast In Black bringing the darkness to the YouTube Theater on Friday.
Saturday, Lewis Capaldi is at the Hollywood Bowl, the Wedding Present performs their classic album Seamonsters in its entirety at the Lodge Room, Pup with Illuminati Hotties will be at Pomona’s Glass House and Shoreline Mafia plays Ontario’s Toyota Arena. Also on Sunday, L.A. club impresarios and drag pioneers the Boulet Brothers will bring their Dragula to the Fonda.
Get a taste of L.A.'s best tacos from favorites like Taqueria Frontera, Tire Shop Taqueria, Evil Cooks, LaSorted's and many more — so come hungry and support our fellow non-profit media friends at L.A. TACO. There’s also craft beer from Boomtown Brewery and DJ sets from Slow Jamz, Ambiente Central, Camilo Lara (Mexican Institute of Sound), Spiñorita, El Marchante and Sonrisita.
Irene Tu
Saturday, May 2, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Hotel Cafe 1623 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood COST: $30; MORE INFO
Irene Tu will do two shows at Hotel Cafe.
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Michael Tullberg
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Getty Images
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Comedian Irene Tu takes the stage for two shows at the intimate Hotel Cafe — one is a taping for a TV special, the other a late show. Tu’s relaxed comedy style often goes viral in social media clips; her stories focus on everyday life and her experiences as a lesbian Asian American woman. Tu was featured as one of Vulture's "Comedians You Should and Will Know,” and will also perform during the upcoming Netflix Is a Joke festival as part of the "Asian Nation" show hosted by Margaret Cho.
Cinco de Mayo at UCLA Spring Game
Rose Bowl 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena COST: FREE; MORE INFO
UCLA's spring game this Saturday will be the first for new coach Bob Chesney.
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Luke Hales
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Getty Images
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The Bruins head across town for their Spring Game — less of a game game and more a preview of the upcoming fall football season under new head coach Bob Chesney. The free day includes a Cinco de Mayo Marketplace featuring handmade jewelry, clothing and local resources, plus lots of food and drink options. There’s also a boxing tournament in the Court of Champions and live music.
Teen Beat Live: '80s Movie Mixtape
Through Sunday, May 17 CineVita 1248 District Drive, Inglewood COST: FROM $59; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Teen Beat Live
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The '80s come alive at this immersive music experience at the new CineVita theater at Hollywood Park. The mirror-lined Spiegeltent brings the action to you, with jams from your favorite classic teen movies like Footloose, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Dirty Dancing, Back to the Future and more. Totally rad.
Master Harold and the Boys
Through Sunday, May 10 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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South African playwright Athol Fugard’s now-classic 1982 play takes a deep look at race, power and betrayal during apartheid. The Geffen’s revival got a rave from the L.A. Times, where Charles McNulty noted the relevance of its message of hope in times of political darkness.
Khorus Harmonia
Through Saturday, May 2 Hudson Theatres 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood COST: $65; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Shelter PR
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Fans of Sons of Anarchy will want to book in for this latest collaboration between the show’s masterminds (and married couple) Katey Sagal and Kurt Sutter. Khorus Harmonia is a 66-minute-long choral concert that Sagal conceived following the L.A. fires to build community. The result is an event that combines artists and instrumentalists performing music from favorites like Bon Iver and U2, with choral arrangement and direction by Steven Argila. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights & the Wounded Warrior Project.
HERITAGE BARBECUE X Genevieve Taylor Guest Chef Dinner
Friday, May 1, 5 p.m. 31721 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano COST: $200 per person; MORE INFO
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Courtesy FWD PR
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British barbecue expert and cookbook author Genevieve Taylor pays a visit to San Juan Capistrano’s Heritage Barbecue to celebrate the release of her newest book, How to BBQ: The Definitive Guide to Fire Cooking. The evening will feature a five-course menu prepared by Taylor using recipes from the book, including dishes like maple-cured cold-smoked bass crudo with lime and tequila dressing, smoked honey carrots, ribeye tagliata parmesan and more.
World Labyrinth Day
Saturday, May 2, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Various locations, including Peace Awareness Labyrinth and Gardens 3500 West Adams Blvd., West Adams COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens
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Avid walkers and hikers in L.A. have been charmed many times over by the peaceful labyrinths amid the hiking trails and gardens in our fair city. Discover new ones and celebrate the world of meditative walking on World Labyrinth Day. The annual event includes time slots at the Peace Awareness Labyrinth in West Adams (which is designed after the one at Chartres Cathedral in France), as well as many others marked throughout the region on this map.
Courtney Eileen Fulcher
is the apprentice news clerk for AirTalk and FilmWeek, hosted by Larry Mantle.
Published June 29, 2026 5:32 PM
A 1938 photo of KNX's studios.
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Herman J Schultheis
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Los Angeles Public Library
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Topline:
With KNX's shift last month back to AM radio only, we asked Southern Californians to share their memories of listening to the radio.
Why now: Back in April, broadcast company Audacy announced it was moving KNX News — one of the last-remaining all-news FM stations — off 97.1 FM, but keeping the long-running news format on 1070 AM where it's been for more than 100 years. The move officially happened in May to make way for a new sports talk station.
A radio time capsule: AirTalk, LAist's flagship daily news show which airs on 89.3 FM, asked listeners to share their favorite memories of listening to the radio.
Continue reading... for vintage photos from The Los Angeles Public Library's digital archive collections highlighting Southern California's rich radio history.
Southern California was built on radio.
"I can still hear the jingle KFWB News 98,” wrote Taline in Los Feliz, during a recent conversation on LAist's daily news show, AirTalk, which airs on 89.3 FM. “I grew up hearing that in my dad's minivan on the way to and from school. It has a special place in my heart.”
Back in April, broadcast company Audacy announced KNX News — one of the last-remaining all-news FM stations — was leaving the FM dial where it had simulcast on 97.1 FM since 2021. The station, which is also one of the oldest in L.A., is not budging from 1070 AM where it has been on the air for more than 100 years. The move away from FM officially happened in May to make way for a new sports talk station, which Audacy officials called an area of growth for advertisers in today’s media landscape.
The move is one in a long line of changes for radio and a reminder that before podcasts, playlists and algorithms, many Southern Californians built their days around radio broadcasts.
Radio, a daily ritual
The construction of KNX
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Herman J. Schultheis
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Los Angeles Public Library
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Michael Jackson, a well-known KNX, personality
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Los Angeles Public Library
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Larry Mantle, now in his 41st year hosting AirTalk, remembers being a kid and dreaming of what it might be like to be behind the mic at one of these radio stations.
“ I grew up with KNX," he said. “My dream job as a kid was to be an anchor on KNX or KFWB, the two local all-news radio stations, 'cause there was nothing like hosting AirTalk that even existed at that point.”
Mantle opened up the phone lines on a recent show to hear from his fellow SoCal radio lovers about the shows they miss and the memories they have. Here's what they had to say:
A love for radio, then and now
A pilot of KMPC's traffic alert helicopter pictured with his daughter and grandson.
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Los Angeles Public Library
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A 1963 picture of Valley State College (now Los Angeles Valley College) preparing to launch KVCM
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Larry Leach
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Los Angeles Public Library
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“When you'd walk down Hollywood Boulevard where the station was, you could hear it playing as you went down the street,” said Olivia in Glendale about KLAC 570 with Al Jarvis.
Larry in Yorba Linda shouted out KBCA Jazz for its 24-hour jazz, saying “When I first moved out here in '68 from Phoenix, which had like an hour a week, it was a real wonder.”
Mark in Glassell Park emailed that he loves KCRW’s Henry Rollins, writing, “I used to bristle at his unique DJ persona, but over time, I came to love him and his crazy eclectic playlists. I find his knowledge in history and punk rock fascinating. He's a gem and a legend."
"I'd like to give a shout-out to all the DJs working at KXLU, the college station at Loyola Marymount University, said Jeremy in Culver City in an email. “That station's been on the air for nearly 60 years. I believe it's one of the best examples of what's possible with radio."
"KFWB and KRLA back in the day when they were rock music stations — Dr. Demento, one of my favorite on-air personalities, also had eclectic music taste," said Carrie in Desert Edge.
“ Dr. Demento was must listening when I was a kid in junior high school at Le Conte Junior High in Hollywood,” Mantle added. “Every Sunday night on KMET, we would make sure we were listening to Dr. Demento and his funny records.”
The question remains…
An 11-year-old winning a car in a KMPC contest in 1963.
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Los Angeles Public Library
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Listener support is vital to any radio station, and it’s clear KNX has many lifelong fans. AirTalk listeners highlighted their support for household KNX names over the decades like Bill Keene, Melinda Lee, Mike Roy and Jackie Olden.
As KNX makes changes, many are watching closely and thinking about the future of radio.
Listeners like Tommy in La Quinta are left wondering if the radio dial will be the same…
“I’m a hardcore listener, but I don't know about casual listeners [and] if they'll tune to AM,” he said.
Libby Rainey
has been tracking how L.A. is preparing for the 2028 Olympic Games.
Published June 29, 2026 5:02 PM
LA28 chair Casey Wasserman speaks with L.A. Mayor Karen Bass at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on August 10, 2024.
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Luke Hales
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Getty Images
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Topline:
After months of hand-wringing, Los Angeles and LA28 have come to a tentative agreement on how Olympics organizers will reimburse the city for its expenses for the 2028 Summer Games.
What's in the deal? The private Olympic organizing committee will pay upfront for the estimated cost of services that are not eligible for federal reimbursement, like trash pick-up and traffic control. Under another proposal, the city would also be able to tap an LA28 contingency fund if it isn't fully repaid by the federal government for policing costs at Olympic venues.
What happens now: The agreement is nearly nine months overdue and still needs approval by Mayor Karen Bass and the city council. The City Council's ad-hoc committee on the 2028 Games will meet Tuesday afternoon to vote on the agreement.
Concerns remain: The contract between the two parties doesn't fully resolve one of the biggest areas of financial risk for the city: the enormous cost of security for an event as extensive and high-profile as the summer Olympics and Paralympics.
Read on...for more on concerns over security costs for 2028.
After months of hand-wringing, Los Angeles and LA28 have come to a tentative agreement on how Olympics organizers will reimburse the city for its expenses for the 2028 Summer Games.
According to the deal, the private Olympic organizing committee will pay upfront for the estimated cost of services that are not eligible for federal reimbursement, like trash pick-up and traffic control. Under another proposal, the city would also be able to tap an LA28 contingency fund if it isn't fully repaid by the federal government for policing costs at Olympic venues.
The agreement is nearly nine months overdue and still needs approval by Mayor Karen Bass and the City Council.
The 2028 Olympics are intended to be privately financed, and an existing city agreement with LA28 states that the Olympics organizers, not L.A., will pay for extra costs for public services in support of the Games. But L.A. is the financial back-stop for the Olympics, meaning if LA28 goes in the red, taxpayers will pick up the bill.
Beyond that, the city services agreement presents another area where L.A. could incur additional unexpected expenses for hosting the Games. L.A. City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez warned LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover earlier this year that a bad deal could "bankrupt" the city.
Jacie Prieto Lopez, an LA28 spokesperson, and Paul Krekorian, who leads the city's office of major events, said in statements that the freshly inked agreement would help deliver a fiscally responsible Games.
"Mayor Bass’ priority is that the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games be fiscally responsible, protect taxpayers, and benefit Angelenos for decades to come. This agreement helps deliver that commitment," Krekorian said.
But the contract between the two parties doesn't fully resolve one of the biggest areas of financial risk for the city: the enormous cost of security for an event as extensive and high-profile as the summer Olympics and Paralympics.
The federal government has so far allocated $1 billion for security costs for the Olympics. Exactly where those federal funds will go has not yet been determined, and there's no guarantee they will cover all of L.A.'s policing costs.
To address this, city officials have also proposed an amendment to a 2021 agreement between the city and LA28. That amendment would establish that if L.A. is not reimbursed by the federal government for all its eligible expenses, it could dip into LA28's contingency fund of $270 million before the private organizing committee could use those funds for any legacy projects.
But that bucket of money will first be used for any costs that Olympics organizers still owe if they run out of revenue — meaning if the Olympics don't turn a profit, the city's access to that money will depend on how much is left for the taking.
Civil rights attorney Connie Rice, who has been tracking the city's negotiations with LA28, told LAist the agreement was a "PR document" not a deal. She pointed out that if the federal government does not pay up for security spending as expected, L.A. could be in trouble.
" It leaves the taxpayers with a GoFundMe strategy," she said.
The city services agreement lays the groundwork for more negotiations between LA28 and the city. Each venue will require its own agreement, to be negotiated by July 1, 2027. Venues in the city of L.A. include Dodger Stadium, the L.A. Convention Center, L.A. Memorial Coliseum and the Venice Beach Boardwalk.
The City Council's ad-hoc committee on the 2028 Games will meet Tuesday afternoon to vote on the agreement.
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Lucas Brady Woods
covers the weather and disasters, among other climate and science topics.
Published June 29, 2026 4:54 PM
Cleanup is underway now at the Boyle Heights food storage warehouse that spewed smoke around L.A. earlier this month.
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Alejandra Molina
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Boyle Heights Beat
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Topline:
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass signed a pair of executive orders Monday to ramp up efforts to clean the mess left by the fire that burned for a week at a Boyle Heights warehouse.
Why now: Since the warehouse fire was put out, the 85 million pounds of frozen food stored inside is now rotting, spreading foul smells throughout surrounding neighborhoods and raising concerns about an influx of pests. Residents have also been left with worries about air and water contamination after the fire and possible long-term public health effects.
Spoiled food removal: Bass and city officials said Monday the warehouse owner, Lineage, began moving food debris on Sunday to landfills in Ventura and Riverside counties. The company predicts it will take 5,000 truckloads to remove it all.
Reducing odors: Lineage plans to apply a chemical deodorizer, likely chlorine dioxide, to the food, debris and trucks leaving the warehouse. It’s also installing devices within the warehouse that will spray mist over the food inside until it is moved.
Pest control: Lineage is responsible for pest management inside the warehouse, while the city of Los Angeles is responsible for it outside the warehouse. Both have hired private contractors to manage pest control.
Air and water testing: The South Coast Air Quality Management District is overseeing efforts to measure harmful material in the air and posting data to its online air quality map. Lineage also hired private contractor Onterris to monitor air quality in the community surrounding the warehouse, with South Coast AQMD’s oversight. The Los Angeles Department of Sanitation has been monitoring water flowing from the site since firefighting operations began. It’s using a variety of methods, including containment tanks and catch basins, to divert the runoff into the sewer and prevent it from flowing into the L.A. River.
What’s next: Bass’ two executive orders are intended to accelerate cleanup efforts, protect residents and hold accountable the companies responsible for the facility and its safety. One order directs the Fire Department to report on its investigation into the cause of the fire within 90 days. The orders also include a number of provisions to help Boyle Heights residents and businesses, including free public transit, financial assistance and expanded public health resources.
Why it matters: Officials and advocates have called for transparency around the cleanup, especially because they say the neighborhood has been historically under-resourced and disproportionately subjected to environmental burdens. One of the orders signed Monday directs city officials to compile a report within 45 days on industrial areas across Los Angeles that sit close to homes and schools. The report also must include possible zoning and land use changes that would reduce negative health effects from existing and future industrial facilities.
Aaron Schrank
has been on the ground, reporting on homelessness and other issues in L.A. for more than a decade.
Published June 29, 2026 4:36 PM
Tents in the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles on June 11, 2026.
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Apu Gomes / AFP
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Getty Images
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Topline:
L.A.’s lead homelessness agency, LAHSA, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Monday, asking a judge for relief from a federal funding suspension it calls unjustified.
How we got here: On June 11, HUD suspended the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority from federal grant activity pending an investigation into alleged mismanagement. The federal agency said the suspension means LAHSA cannot fulfill its role as collaborative applicant for the entire region’s application for federal homelessness dollars for the upcoming fiscal year. In its lawsuit, LAHSA says the suspension is the Trump administration’s back door attempt to eliminate the Continuum of Care program in L.A., which gives local officials discretion over homelessness projects submitted for federal funding.
LAHSA’s challenge: LAHSA says HUD has failed to identify any public agreement or transaction that LAHSA has violated or cite proper evidence of mismanagement. LAHSA also claims several inaccuracies and misrepresentations in HUD’s original suspension letter, including relying on reviews that LAHSA says were irrelevant to federal funding. “HUD supports its position with an amalgamation of uncorroborated hearsay information apparently cherry-picked from the internet,” the complaint states.
Legal argument: LAHSA's attorneys contend that HUD unlawfully suspended funding, arguing that the action violates the Administrative Procedure Act, the Constitution's separation of powers principle, and the Tenth Amendment. LAHSA is asking for a stay of the HUD suspension pending judicial review and a permanent injunction barring head from suspending LAHSA or blocking the work of the Los Angeles Continuum of Care.
Why it matters: The deadline for the L.A. region to submit its application to HUD for regional homelessness grants is Aug. 26. LAHSA says the suspension jeopardizes $241 million in federal funding that supports more than 11,000 people across L.A. County. LAHSA says the HUD suspension could prevent the agency from other activities, including releasing the findings of its 2026 homeless count conducted in January.
