The Strokes play Just Like Heaven at the Rose Bowl this weekend.
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Kevin Mazur
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Getty Images for Coachella
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In this edition:
Dudamel bids farewell at the Bowl, Los Feliz hosts a Writers Fest, Just Like Heaven comes to the Rose Bowl and more of the best things to do this week.
Highlights:
The Los Feliz Writers Festival includes a personal essay workshop, spoken-word performances, a food-and-sensory-writing experience at Bar Covell, a zine hangout at Barnsdall Art Park and more.
No one in L.A. is busier this week than Gustavo Dudamel in his last few performances at the Hollywood Bowl before he heads to the New York Philharmonic next season. Catch him at one of the many farewell shows at the Bowl, or head downtown and hopefully score a ticket to hear him in conversation with actor Sir Anthony Hopkins.
Just Like Heaven comes to the Rose Bowl on Saturday, with big-name headliners like the Strokes, Feist, LCD Soundsystem and more.
I can’t believe school is already back in session across much of the area. What happened to summer? I’m still only halfway through my TBF summer reading pile…
To celebrate the start of the new school year, you can’t go wrong heading out for a DineLA deal one evening (through Aug. 28) or hitting up one of the many Dudamel farewell shows at the Hollywood Bowl.
Elsewhere on LAist, you can follow what’s next for Shadow after the loss of Jackie, check out FilmWeek's review of the new thriller The End of Oak Street, and take a look at where to see the work of late L.A. artist Betye Saar.
Music
For non-Dudamel music this week — and there’s tons — check out highlights from Licorice Pizza’s picks, including a free in-store performance by Bleu at their location in Studio City on Saturday.
Letterpress Surplus Sale and Wayzgoose Celebration
Saturday, Aug. 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. International Printing Museum 315 W. Torrance Blvd., Carson COST: $12-$15; MORE INFO
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Courtesy The International Printing Museum
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It makes sense that back-to-school season is also historically “printing season,” so celebrate all things letterpress at the annual Wayzgoose Celebrationat Carson’s International Printing Museum. From workshops on paper marbling and foil printing to demos and more, you’ll be making your own hipster greeting card line in no time.
Christian Marclay: The Clock
Through Sunday, Aug. 23 LACMA 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile COST: Included in museum admission; MORE INFO
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Courtesy LACMA
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In a time before AI video editing and easy access to all the videos ever made, artist Christian Marclay made The Clock, a 24-hour film that follows a complete day with an image of a clock — spliced from TV shows, movies, commercials, you name it — of the exact time in every scene. LACMA hasn’t shown the film since 2015, so head over and catch it during regular museum hours or for a full 24 hours until the weekend. I saw 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. last week, but I want a full report from anyone awake enough to catch the 4 a.m. session!
Nelson German: Caribbean Cocktails book tour
Thursday, Aug. 20, 6 p.m. Williams Sonoma South Coast Plaza 3333 Bear Street Ste. 155, Costa Mesa COST: $24, includes book; MORE INFO
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Nelson German
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Eventbrite
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Top Chef alum and chef-restaurateur Nelson German will host a live cocktail-mixing demonstration at South Coast Plaza in celebration of his new book, Caribbean Cocktails. German will sign books and discuss his recipes that bring flavors of the Afro-Latino diaspora to the table. Tickets include a copy of his new book.
Philip K. Dick Festival
Through Sunday, Aug. 23 Fullerton Marriott at Cal State University 2701 Nutwood Ave., Fullerton COST: Varies; MORE INFO
PKD flyers outside the Pollak Library, where his papers are housed.
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Robert Garrova / LAist
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The author behind near-future pop culture touchstones like Minority Report and The Man in the High Castle spent the last 10 years of his life in Santa Ana, so it’s only fitting that Fullerton would host a festival celebrating one of its most unique denizens. The fourth annual Philip K. Dick festival is this weekend; LAist’s Robert Garrova previewed the event and learned more about the beloved — and out-there — author.
Anthony Hopkins and Dudamel
Tuesday, Aug. 25, 7:30 p.m. Grammy Museum 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Downtown L.A. COST: SOLD OUT, waitlist available; MORE INFO
No one in L.A. is busier this week than Gustavo Dudamel, who has his last few performances at the Hollywood Bowl before he heads to the New York Philharmonic next season. Catch him at one of the many farewell shows at the Bowl, or head downtown and hopefully score a ticket to hear him in conversation with actor Sir Anthony Hopkins. The two collaborated on 88-year-old Hopkins’s newly released first album as a composer, Life Is a Dream.
VinylCon
Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22 and 23 California Market Center 110 E. Ninth St., Downtown L.A. COST: FROM $12.45; MORE INFO
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Courtesy VinylCon
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Whether you’re looking to round out your record collection or have a specific LP in mind, head to VinylCon at the California Market Center, where rows and rows of records will greet you. Crate-diggers, unite!
Mindfulness Mornings
Saturday, Aug. 22, and Sunday, Sept. 13, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Natural History Museum 900 Exposition Blvd., Expo Park COST: $30, includes museum admission and parking; MORE INFO
Start the weekend off with mindfulness among the wonders at the Natural History Museum. Yoga practices and sound baths are on the agenda monthly before the museum opens, but stick around to check out the exhibits once your calming session wraps up. This week’s is sold out, but plan ahead for the Sept. 13 event.
Los Feliz Writers Festival
Through Sunday, Aug. 23 Various locations Los Feliz COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Learn about the writers of Los Feliz — past and present — at the Los Feliz Writers Festival. From a personal essay workshop to spoken-word performances; a food-and-sensory writing experience at Bar Covell to a zine hangout at Barnsdall Art Park; there’s something for writers and readers of all stripes at this free, volunteer-run festival.
Save the Woman’s Club of Hollywood: Old Hollywood Variety Show
Saturday, Aug. 22, 6 p.m. 1749 N. La Brea Ave., Hollywood COST: $33.85; MORE INFO
Come for the stand-up comedy, the magic and Bob Baker Marionettes; stay for the good cause — a fundraiser for the Hollywood Women’s Club. The club is 121 years old and donated the land for what’s now the beloved Hollywood Bowl.
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach) speaks at a lectern near the Adelanto detention center.
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Julia Barajas
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LAist
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Topline:
Conditions at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center have improved but serious concerns remain, according to Rep. Robert Garcia, who represents Long Beach, and other members of Congress who visited the facility Friday.
Improvements to water: Rep. Norma Torres of Pomona, who has visited Adelanto in an oversight capacity 25 times, said the only improvement she saw this time was that the facility installed water filtration systems in response to a July court order requiring ICE to ensure people held there have access to clean drinking water 24 hours a day.
Remaining issues: At a news conference immediately following the visit, the representatives described unsanitary conditions in the showers and kitchen areas, food that looked inedible and inadequate access to medical care.
The visit was unannounced: Garcia, the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said officials at the facility kept the delegation waiting in the lobby for half an hour before starting the tour, despite a recent court order requiring the Trump administration to grant elected officials access to immigration detention facilities. “We should have been allowed to visit immediately,” Garcia said. “That is the law.”
Conditions at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center have improved, but serious concerns remain, according to Rep. Robert Garcia, who represents Long Beach, and other members of Congress who visited the facility Friday.
At a news conference immediately following the visit, the representatives described unsanitary conditions in the showers and kitchen areas, food that looked inedible and inadequate access to medical care.
Improvements to water
Rep. Norma Torres of Pomona, who has visited Adelanto 25 times in an oversight capacity, said the only improvement she saw this time was that the facility installed water filtration systems in response to a July court order requiring ICE to ensure people held there have access to clean drinking water 24 hours a day.
Garcia told LAist he would leave it up to the independent monitors appointed by the court to determine if the facility was fully complying with the order. The monitor overseeing overall conditions at the facility released its first report, containing 12 recommendations for improvement, earlier this month. The federal government recently purchased the facility from the GEO Group Inc. for $950 million. GEO Group is still under contract to run day-to-day operations there.
The visit was unannounced
Garcia, the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said officials at the facility kept the delegation waiting in the lobby for half an hour before starting the tour, despite a recent court order requiring the Trump administration to grant elected officials access to immigration detention facilities.
“We should have been allowed to visit immediately,” Garcia said. “That is the law.”
Garcia and other representatives said it appeared the facility had been cleaned just before the tour started. The representatives also said they were not allowed to speak with people detained at the facility because ICE officials said they were conducting a point-in-time count and people were confined to their cells.
What’s next?
The representatives said they will take recommendations back to the oversight committee and plan to continue unannounced visits to immigration detention centers, including Adelanto. Should Democrats take control of the House of Representatives in November, Garcia and other representatives said they will increase oversight of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement. Attorneys representing people held at Adelanto in a class-action lawsuit have asked the court to enforce the July order requiring improvements to the facility based on the independent monitor’s first report and reports from people detained there.
Libby Rainey
has been tracking how L.A. is preparing for the 2028 Olympic Games.
Published October 16, 2026 2:33 PM
The Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted in late March to research what it would take to create a Bureau of Police Oversight, moving accounting and audit roles out of the police department and into the controller’s office.
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Kevin Winter
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Getty Images
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Topline:
Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia says his office issued a subpoena to Olympics organizing committee LA28 Friday, demanding it hand over documents detailing its finances, contracts and budgets for venue construction projects.
Why now: The move comes after LA28 failed to include a detailed list of its contracts in its recent budget report to the city, despite a contract requiring their disclosure.
Details on the deal: The Games Agreement between the city and LA28 requires the committee to submit the name, type, amount, term and purpose of each contract it has entered into worth more than $1 million. It also requires the organizing committee to give updates on venue improvements, including schedules and budgets.
Read on… for more about why this is a rare move from a city controller.
In a rare move, Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia on Friday said his office issued a subpoena to Olympics organizing committee LA28, demanding it hand over documents detailing its finances, contracts and budgets for venue construction projects.
The Games Agreement between the city and LA28 requires the committee to submit the name, type, amount, term and purpose of each contract it has entered into worth more than $1 million. It also requires the organizing committee to give updates on venue improvements, including schedules and budgets.
The controller issued a request for those details in a letter to LA28 in August, but said it turned to legal action because the organization still hasn’t satisfied its obligations. The city of Los Angeles is the financial backstop for the Games, and will be on the hook for cost overruns if LA28 doesn’t turn a profit.
“The Controller’s Office completed a review of all LA28 documents within the City’s possession and determined that the financial documents requested are either incomplete or wholly absent,” Mejia’s office wrote in a news release issued Friday.
The controller's office told LAist Friday that it worked with the city attorney on the LA28 subpoena and that it "has the full support and backing of the City Attorney’s office."
LA28 did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
There is precedent for city controllers issuing subpoenas, but they’re not common.
Former City Controller Ron Galperin told LAist that he only issued a subpoena while he was in office one time.
“It’s a power that controllers don’t necessarily exercise a lot, but when it’s the right time, it’s an important tool,” he said.
LAist has reached out to the mayor’s office, city attorney, chief legislative analyst and city administrative officer’s office for comment.
Keep up with LAist.
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The Norte Fire near San Clemente on Friday afternoon.
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Alert California
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UC San Diego
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Topline:
A brush fire near San Clemente spread to 250 acres Friday, prompting evacuation orders as flames threatened structures.
What we know so far: The Norte Fire broke out around 11:30 a.m. near Portico Del Norte and Eminencia Del Norte, San Clemente, and was 0% contained as of 1:30 p.m., according to Cal Fire. The fire was reportedly affecting homes in the area of Avenida Calita, Via La Mirada, and Via De Agua in San Juan Capistrano, with evacuations ordered for San Juan Zones 4, 5 and 10, and San Clemente Zones 12 and 13. Television news footage showed multiple homes on fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Read on ... for more on evacuations and weather conditions.
This is a developing story and will be updated. For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
A brush fire near San Clemente spread to 465 acres Friday, burning at least four homes and prompting evacuation orders.
The Norte Fire ignited around 11:30 a.m. near Portico Del Norte and Eminencia Del Norte in San Clemente, and was 0% contained as of 2:40 p.m., according to Cal Fire.
The fire was reportedly burning homes in the area of Avenida Calita, Via La Mirada, and Via De Agua in San Juan Capistrano, with evacuations ordered for San Juan Zones 4, 5 and 10, and San Clemente Zones 12 and 13. Television news footage showed multiple homes on fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
A performer with Puro Corazon dances at the Día de los Muertos Festival at Placita Olvera in 2025.
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Steve Saldivar
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The LA Local
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Topline:
Boyle Heights Beat rounded up a list of mostly free events on L.A.’s Eastside and downtown to celebrate the cherished cultural holiday.
Why it matters: Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a time to honor the memory of loved ones who have died. The holiday’s most beloved traditions include building ofrendas at home or visiting cemeteries to decorate the graves of those who have departed.
What to expect: The celebration, widely observed in Mexico and other Latin American countries, also brings colorful, vibrant events to Los Angeles. On or before Nov. 1 and 2, cempasúchil-covered altars, intricately designed sugar calaveras and pan de muerto will spring up.
Read on... for your guide on events on the Eastside.
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a time to honor the memory of loved ones who have died. The holiday’s most beloved traditions include building ofrendas at home or visiting cemeteries to decorate the graves of those who have departed.
The celebration, widely observed in Mexico and other Latin American countries, also brings colorful, vibrant events to Los Angeles. On or before Nov. 1 and 2, cempasúchil-covered altars, intricately designed sugar calaveras and pan de muerto will spring up.
We’ve rounded up a list of mostly free events on L.A.’s Eastside and downtown to celebrate the cherished cultural holiday.
Oct. 17: Día de los Muertos at El Sereno Community Arts
El Sereno Community Arts presents its 17th annual Día de los Muertos community celebration with a day full of activities for the whole family. The event will feature free arts and culture programming, community altars, live musical performances and food from local vendors. The festival will also feature artwork and handmade catrinas made from the arts center’s community workshops.
More information: Check their Instagram page here.
Oct. 17: What We Carry: East L.A. to Palestine at Tonalli Studio
Ofelia Esparza stands by an altar at Tonalli Studios on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.
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Carol Martinez
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Boyle Heights Beat
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Tonalli Studio will open its Día de los Muertos exhibition and ofrenda to showcase how land, home and family are threatened today. What We Carry tells the stories of resilience across generations from the communities of East L.A. to Palestine. Guests are invited to add names, prayers or written statements to this year’s “East L.A. to Palestine” ofrenda.
More information: Check their Instagram page here.
Oct. 18: Paint and Sip at Cafe Niña
Join the beloved coffee spot for a morning decorating a miniature altar to add to your ofrenda at home. Each ticket will include your choice of a coffee or matcha, a paint set with a miniature ofrenda and a light brunch. Tickets are limited, so be sure to grab yours through their Instagram page.
More information: Check their Instagram here to purchase a ticket.
Oct. 18: Crafting Party at Benny Boy Brewing
Benny Boy Brewing is hosting its 4th Annual Día de los Muertos Crafting Celebration, featuring sugar skull decorating sessions. There will be an assortment of crafting materials to choose from and additional items include a clear box to display your completed sugar skull, ribbon, cempasuchil flowers and a customized tealight candle. Guests can purchase a small or large skull and get free face-painting. Please note that the event is for guests 21 and over.
More information: Visit their Instagram or purchase tickets here.
Oct. 24: Calavera LGBTQ+ Festival by Latino Equity Alliance
A catrina is pictured with a Pride flag at the Calavera LGBTQ Street Festival.
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Courtesy of LEA
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The Latino Equity Alliance will celebrate its annual Calavera LGBTQ+ Festival with an evening of drag and musical performances, dancing, community resource booths and an altar. In collaboration with the Get Out the Vote Initiative, the festival will also feature a free, nonpartisan, L.A. County Mobile Voting Center located outside the venue for the public to access.
More information: Visit their webpage to purchase tickets
Oct. 24 – Nov. 2: Día de los Muertos at Gloria Molina Grand Park
For 10 days, Gloria Molina Grand Park will transform into an exhibition space honoring cultural traditions through art, community altars and remembrance. Kicking off the festivities with an opening ceremony, attendees can enjoy live musical performances from El Río, Grupo Bella, Anaís Azul, and Mariachi Arco Iris de Los Angeles. The celebration will honor indigenous roots by including a sacred processional and blessing from Ohtli Yollotl Collective. Guests can explore up to 17 unique altars from local artists and organizations on display and are encouraged to contribute to the event’s designated community altar by leaving a photo, note, or memento in remembrance of a loved one. This year’s theme is “The Power of One” and is curated by artist Consuelo G. Flores. Guests will be able to participate in family-friendly activities, including free face painting, sugar skull workshops and wellness offerings from community partners.
Cost: Free
When: Opening ceremony: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. Noche De Muertos Closing Celebration: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. 10-day exhibition displays open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Oct. 25: Family Day at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
Young dancers at Día de los Muertos Family Day at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes in October, 2024.
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Courtesy of LA Plaza
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For an afternoon full of family-friendly activities and entertainment, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes welcomes attendees to participate in this year’s community celebration. Featuring three workshops that explore traditional practices, including painting skull masks, flower accessories and herb bundles. Food from Tamales Veracruz y Más and Sammy’s Elotes y Más will be available for purchase. This year’s celebration will feature a number of live entertainment acts, including Banda Filarmónica Los Alebrijes, Grupo Folklórico Princesa Donaji, and Los Elejidos de Asís de los Muertos. LA Plaza encourages guests to contribute to their Ofrenda Comunitaria.
In partnership with Youth to the People, Las Fotos Project is hosting its bi-monthly community wellness day with a Día de los Muertos celebration. The event will feature family-friendly activations like art-making, including their signature vela decorating station, calavera or catrina face painting, a community ofrenda, and a stylized portrait station. Guests can enjoy light bites and beverages and explore the free clothing swap station and community resources available, including special guest Soluna to discuss their free mental health resources. In partnership with Polo’s Pantry and Saticoy Food Hub, there will also be fresh produce available while supplies last.
Beginning Oct. 24, SuperNova Thrift invites the community to take part in the making of their Día de los Muertos altar. People are encouraged to bring a photocopy of their loved ones with their name, a letter, drawing, or memory, flowers, and small nonvaluable offerings. Participants are also welcome to join by being a helping hand in the making of the altar. The altar will be open for viewing at the storefront from Oct. 27 to Nov. 2, with three special days of remembrance.
More information: Check their Instagram page here.
Oct. 30: 1st Street Community Block Party
A child dances folkorico at Día de Muertos 1st Street Community Block Party on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.
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Luis Cano
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Boyle Heights Beat
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The 1st Street Collective, a hub for the businesses along Boyle Heights’ 1st Street corridor, is back with its Día de Muertos Community Block Party at Mariachi Plaza. This year’s celebration will feature music, dancing, family-friendly activations and local vendors. Enjoy free face painting, live art installations, performances, a community altar and more for people of all ages.
More information: Visit their Instagram page here.
Nov. 1: Día de los Muertos at Plaza de la Raza
A truck is decorated at Plaza de La Raza’s Dia de los Muertos celebration in 2024.
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Boyle Heights Beat
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Join Plaza de la Raza’s annual outdoor community celebration, which will include hands-on workshops, musical entertainment, art and local vendors. Attendees can join a variety of crafting workshops, from calaca puppet making to papel picado, alebrije making, and flower making with altarista Ofelia Esparza and family. Attendees can also walk through a vendor marketplace and explore the artwork and altar installations that will feature over 25 participating artists. Live performances include members of Ozomatli, El Mariachi Manchester, Danza Divina de Los Angeles, Tiny Tots Folklorico, Plaza de La Raza Mariachi and Folklorico students, and Folkor Pasión Mexicana.
The Boathouse Gallery will also be open for its “El Velorio” exhibit, featuring original work from over 200 local artists and curated by Superchief Gallery, Irene Hernandez and Manny Martinez. The exhibit will be on display from Oct. 10 to Nov. 7.
Nov. 6 – 8: Every Altar Begins with a Story by Colibri Dance Theatre & Casa 0101 Theater
This Día de Los Muertos, a contemporary theatrical dance production takes center stage at Casa 0101. Presented by the Colibri Dance Theatre, the performance will be full of stories of love, family, resilience, joy, grief, forgiveness and strength. In this showcase, an altar comes to life as told through the eyes of CUENTOS characters “La Catrina,” “El Catrin,” “Alebrije,” and “Calacas.” Attendees can experience a night of movement, music, and poetry that honors Día de Muertos traditions and cultural practices.
Cost: $23 – $29, including special ticket prices for Boyle Heights residents, students/seniors, and group ticket purchases.
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, and Saturday, Nov. 7, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8
More information: Visit their webpage to purchase tickets.
Nov. 7 : Cafecito + Little Piñata Workshop
Join this community collaboration between Healing in Spanglish and Little Piñata Guy for a mini piñata workshop to dedicate and honor loved ones. Each attendee ticket includes coffee from Anhelo Coffee, Pan de Muerto by Repostería Aguilar, and materials to create your own mini piñata. Spend your morning remembering your loved ones and crafting with community. Tickets are limited.
Nov. 7: Día de los Muertos at Self Help Graphics & Art
Dancers perform Danza Azteca at Mariachi Plaza during a procession for the Self Help Graphics & Art Día de los Muertos celebration.
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Courtesy of Self Help Graphics & Art
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To round out their monthlong community art workshops and events, Self Help Graphics and Art will host its 53rd Annual Día de los Muertos celebration. This year’s celebration is in partnership with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino. The communal gathering will begin with a procession at 2 p.m. at Mariachi Plaza led by Danza Azteca Chicomecoatl and will end on the corner of 1st Street and Anderson Street, outside Self Help Graphics, for the festivities. Attendees can shop through the “Muertos Market,” featuring local artists and artisans, local food vendors, Self Help Graphics prints for sale, face painting, and arts activities for all ages. The celebration will also include a main stage for live musical performances from Extra Ancestral, Chulita Vinyl Club L.A., Jimetta Rose and the Voices of Creation, La Santa Cecilia, The Red Alibi, Mendez High School Mariachi, and headliners, Los Lobos.
More information: To register and reserve your spot, visit the webpage here.
* Event will take place outside on the Anderson Street side
Nov. 7 – 8: Floricanto’s Fiesta de Día de los Muertos
The Floricanto Center for Performing Arts and Danza Floricanto will host a Día de los Muertos-themed showcase for its 24th annual program. For one weekend only, the Center will be transformed into a cemetery, and a series of characters, including the show’s guide “La Catrina,” will lead audiences through an evening of storytelling and dance. The showcase will feature themes of love, death, mental illness, teen pregnancy and immigration. Show doors open 30 minutes before showtime.
Cost: General admission pre-sale: $15, $20 at the door
VIP seating presale only:Children ages 5 to 10 years old $10 *child tickets only sold at box office
