'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.
A bipartisan majority in Congress has voted in favor of a war powers resolution to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran.
Why now? The Senate voted 50 to 48 on Tuesday afternoon, with four Republicans joining Democrats in support.
A symbolic vote: The measure, which is not legally binding and will not be sent to the White House for a signature, was approved by the House earlier this month. Tuesday's vote comes at a moment when the U.S. and Iran are engaged in delicate negotiations to permanently end the conflict, the initial terms of which have been broadly criticized by members of both parties.
A bipartisan majority in Congress has voted in favor of a war powers resolution to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran.
The Senate voted 50 to 48 on Tuesday afternoon, with four Republicans joining Democrats in support. They were Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Alaska's Lisa Murkowski.
President Trump criticized the resolution at the time, writing on Truth Social that the House voted "to limit my War Powers, right in the middle of my final negotiations to end the War with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Who would do such an unpatriotic thing. They know where the negotiations stand. The Democrats are fueled by Trump Derangement Syndrome. They would rather have our Country fail than give me another, of many, victories."
Tuesday's vote comes at a moment when the U.S. and Iran are engaged in delicate negotiations to permanently end the conflict, the initial terms of which have been broadly criticized by members of both parties.
Visitors walk on a pathway amid fields of blooming flowers at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve on Monday.
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Marcio Jose Sanchez
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Associated Press
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Topline:
A chance of dry lightning and thunderstorms could increase fire risk across the region as this week’s heat lingers, according to the National Weather Service.
How hot will it get? The Antelope and Cuyama valleys could see temperatures as high as 106 degrees. Tuesday and Wednesday will be the hottest period for most of Southern California. The L.A. County Department of Public Health issued a Heat Advisory through Thursday for valleys and mountain communities. The advisory is issued when hot weather may cause heat-related illness for some people.
What does the fire risk look like? The National Weather Service says there will be fire risk through Sunday across L.A. County.
Is there a chance of storms, too? There’s a 5% to 15% chance of thunderstorms, according to NWS. Those storms might bring dry lightning and erratic winds across the eastern San Gabriel Mountains and Antelope Valley tonight, which Black said increases fire risk.
A chance of dry lightning and thunderstorms could increase fire risk across the region as this week’s heat lingers, according to the National Weather Service.
The Antelope and Cuyama valleys could see temperatures as high as 106 degrees. Tuesday and Wednesday will be the hottest period for most of Southern California. The L.A. County Department of Public Health also issued a Heat Advisory through Thursday for valleys and mountain communities. The advisory is issued when hot weather may cause heat-related illness for some people.
To top it off, meteorologists say there will also be increased humidity.
What does the fire risk look like?
The National Weather Service says there will be fire risk through Sunday across L.A. County.
Devin Black, a meteorologist at the agency, said possible fires might have higher potential to grow due to south and southwest winds blowing as high as 40 mph.
The risk is highest in the L.A. County Mountains and Antelope Valley.
Is there a chance of storms, too?
There’s a 5% to 15% chance of thunderstorms, according to NWS. Those storms might bring dry lightning and erratic winds across the eastern San Gabriel Mountains and Antelope Valley tonight, which Black said increases fire risk.
What about conditions near the warehouse fire?
Black emphasized that the possibility of erratic winds can only happen if there is a storm this afternoon. If they do, the winds might make the smoke near the warehouse fire blow in another direction and spread to other areas. A particle pollution advisory was extended to Wednesday by air quality officials for the Los Angeles area.
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Skirball Cultural Center highlights punk's history
Faheem Khan
is an Associate Producer for AirTalk and FilmWeek, assisting with live radio production and in-person events.
Published June 23, 2026 1:12 PM
X was one of the first bands in the L.A. punk scene in the late 70s.
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Dean Musgrove / Los Angeles Herald Examiner Photo Collection
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L.A. Public Library
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Topline:
As this year marks the 50th anniversary of punk in the United States, the Skirball Cultural Center explores how a generation of misfits — including Jewish punks — challenged the rules, reimagined community and helped reshape culture from the margins.
Legendary venues: The punk scene in Los Angeles exploded in the 1970s and 80s after a community of art-driven, bohemian music fans decided to respond to the mainstream music of the times. Hangouts like The Masque in Hollywood and The Vex in East LA acted as some of the primary incubators for many of these original L.A. punk bands.
The exhibit: "Outsiders, Outcasts, Rebels + Weirdos: Punk Culture 1976–86" is on view through at the Skirball Cultural Center through Sep. 6. More information is available here.
Read more... to learn about some of the most influential bands and clubs that helped shape the punk movement.
Punk rock — known for its fast, aggressive sound — evolved out of an underground anti-establishment subculture in the 1970s and 80s. Bands like the Black Flag, The Ramones, and X led the way, particularly in Southern California.
While the anniversary of punk’s inception is contested, the Skirball Cultural Center is celebrating the 50th anniversary in the United States, exploring how a generation of misfits challenged the rules and helped reshape culture from the margins, with its latest exhibit titled "Outsiders, Outcasts, Rebels and Weirdos: Punk Culture 1976–86."
Cate Thurston is the chief curator of the exhibit. She joined AirTalk, LAist’s daily news program, to talk about how the local punk scene played a pivotal role in shaping the genre.
L.A.’s punk wave
It wasn’t until the mid 70s that L.A.’s punk scene took off, partially because popular venues were still banking on the mainstream soft rock scene of the time.
Map of the robust Punk scene across the LA Basin, featured in the Skirball exhibit.
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smg photography/Sarah M Golonka
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http://www.smg-photography.com
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“There wasn’t the traditional club infrastructure for it,” said Thurston, adding that punk bands would play wherever they could, including places like the Ukrainian Cultural Center and even more unorthodox venues like roller rinks.
Hong Kong Cafe vs. Madame Wong’s
Performer at the Hong Kong Cafe in Chinatown on Nov. 7, 1981.
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Los Angeles Photographers Collection
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L.A. Public Library
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In the late 70s, two Chinese restaurants — Hong Kong Cafe and Madame Wong’s — sat directly across from each other in L.A.’s Chinatown. These venues led the local punk movement and even had a well-documented rivalry, which you can see reported in the L.A. Times.
Amy in Fullerton called into AirTalk to share that her brother actually started the Hong Kong Cafe.
“We were the first club outside of the Masque to play bands like Fear, X, Black Flag, the Germs, and art bands like Nervous Gender, The Bags, and Alice Bag,” she said.
“Both the Hong Kong Cafe and Madame Wong's were considered institutions in the L.A. punk scene that paved the way for all sorts of punk bands with different styles,” Thurston said.
Madame Wong’s closed its doors in 1985, and Hong Kong Cafe followed a decade later, shutting down in 1995.
Rooted in rebellion
Americans in the mid 70s felt the weight of economic uncertainties, including high gas prices and inflation — not unlike today.
Thurston said this is part of the reason punk rock was born, out of a form of resistance to the overproduced, corporate music in the mainstream at the time.
“ I was a UCLA student at the end of the '70s, and I was in a band with my best friend. I remember there was just a summer with all these people there…pierced flesh, big paperclips… and we kinda thought, who are these people? We realized that we were the band that was on the way out and said, ‘You know what? I think we ought to just graduate and go to law school.’” — Michael in Santa Monica
Bondage pants, leather jackets, and torn T-shirts
A red parachute anarchy shirt from1977, designed by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren.
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Courtesy of the Skirball Cultural Center
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Young punk outfits on display.
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Sarah M Golonka
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Courtesy of the Skirball Cultural Center
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Stage diving at a Circle Jerks concert at the Country Club in Reseda in 1982.
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Ann Summa
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Courtesy of the Skirball Cultural Center
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Assorted punk pins.
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Sarah M Golonka
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Courtesy of the Skirball Cultural Center
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Alice Bag of the Bags in Los Angeles in 1978.
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Melanie Nissen
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Courtesy of the Skirball Cultural Center
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Thurston said the punk movement was just as important off the stage as it was on.
“ This is a story of the children it didn't get better for, who created their own world where they fit in and where they found a place for themselves,” she said. “ It was visually different than anything out there at that moment.”
"Outsiders, Outcasts, Rebels + Weirdos: Punk Culture 1976–86" is on display at the Skirball Cultural Center through September. Learn more here.
CA may force release of calls at detention centers
By John Donegan | Long Beach Post
Published June 23, 2026 1:00 PM
People walk in the parking lot outside the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, May 27, 2026.
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Jill Connelly
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AP Photo
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Topline:
A Long Beach state lawmaker is pushing legislation that would require local agencies to release 911 call records from immigration detention centers.
Why it matters: It’s part of a growing effort in Sacramento to address what experts decry as a critical lack of oversight into the privately managed facilities — oversight failures they say have led to sexual assault, inhumane living conditions and death.
More details: The bill, introduced by state Sen. Lena Gonzalez, would make audio and video recordings of emergency calls to local agencies — be it from a detainee, staff member or attorney — accessible to the public through standard record requests. Agencies, including police and sheriff’s departments, would be legally required to hand them over without delay.
Read on... for more on the bill.
A Long Beach state lawmaker is pushing legislation that would require local agencies to release 911 call records from immigration detention centers. It’s part of a growing effort in Sacramento to address what experts decry as a critical lack of oversight into the privately managed facilities — oversight failures they say have led to sexual assault, inhumane living conditions and death.
The bill, introduced by state Sen. Lena Gonzalez, would make audio and video recordings of emergency calls to local agencies — be it from a detainee, staff member or attorney — accessible to the public through standard record requests. Agencies, including police and sheriff’s departments, would be legally required to hand them over without delay.
The push comes as the eight privately run immigration detention centers in California, with a combined capacity of nearly 10,000 beds, have seen their populations surge. The average daily population rose 72% — from about 3,100 people in April 2025 to 5,300 this April — as federal immigration enforcement expanded under the Trump administration.
Experts say that as populations grow, conditions have worsened.
State Justice Department inspectors have found inadequate medical care, delays in treatment, overcrowded rooms and meager food portions in facilities. They have also documented excessive use of force by guards and allegations of sexual assault that have gone unchecked.
Between September 2025 and March 2026, six people died at two private detention facilities in California, Adelanto ICE Processing Center and Imperial Regional Detention Facility in Calexico.
A CalMatters investigation published in March found that numerous sexual assault reports last year at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego went without any proper investigation by local authorities.
When reporters sought records — including audio of 911 calls routed to the sheriff’s office — the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department refused, citing a law enforcement exemption in existing public records law.
Gonzalez believes this will close that gap. Under Senate Bill 423, any call for service would have to be disclosed. The bill includes privacy safeguards: identifying information for crime victims would be protected, and agencies could withhold information if its release would interfere with an active investigation.
State Sen. Lena Gonzalez and Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire listen as lawmakers debate a package of measures to redraw the state’s Congressional districts and put new maps before voters in a special election, at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025.
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Rich Pedroncelli
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AP Photo
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The spirit of the legislation, Gonzalez said, is to address the difficulty of accessing the recordings specifically at federal immigration detention centers, which are run by for-profit companies and don’t follow rules set by California’s Public Records Act. The private contractors can and do refuse to release internal incident reports, emergency call logs or security records.
For those trying to build a case or prove instances of abuse in a facility, a recorded call might be the only glimpse into a facility’s operations or way of verifying horrors described by detainees.
“These are in-the-moment recordings of what is happening at the detention facility,” said Eunice Cho, senior staff attorney at the ACLU National Prison Project. “The dispatcher is often asking for critical facts and information about what is happening, and the person on the call is giving their best impression of what exactly is happening at the time of the emergency.”
Sometimes calls are placed by facility staff seeking an ambulance — these facilities often lack the medical capacity to treat detainees — or reporting misconduct by their coworkers, Cho said.
Without passage of bills like this, Cho said, it will only become more difficult to build cases and prove these conditions exist.
Since last January, the federal government has shut down several programs meant to safeguard detainees, such as those informing them of their rights. They have closed oversight offices and eliminated protections for transgender detainees. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has also said it will no longer report the deaths of those recently released from custody, even if their time in detention may have led to it.
Gonzalez, who chairs the state’s Latino caucus, said she and other members requested a visit to the Adelanto ICE facility. They await confirmation.
Momentum for greater state oversight is building in Sacramento, she said, as the issues faced in the detention centers have become “top of mind” for the caucus with multiple bills expected to come to a vote this year, including one for a detainee bill of rights and another that requires additional health inspections inside the facilities.
“We’re all hitting it in different ways, as much as we can,” Gonzalez said.
