Meet Instagram-famous dogs and cats at PetCon, check out the Masters of Music Whistling, find the one that you want at the annual Grease sing-a-long and more of the best things to do.
Highlights:
Meet your favorite influencer pets, from Gnocci the Frenchie to my personal favorite, Sunglass Cat, at Annenberg PetSpace’s annual PetCon. Plus, 100% of ticket proceeds go to supporting the PetSpace Extraordinary Care Fund.
Put on your best poodle skirt or leather jacket, and make a beeline for "Rydell" High School to see a special sing-along screening of Grease, which was filmed in Venice.
No two moles are the same, so you will obviously need to try them all at the 18th annual Feria de los Moles at Grand Park.
Last week, I was lucky enough to spend some time with artist Roberto Benavidez, whose piñata creations are on display at Perrotin in Mid-City through October 18. His work walks the line between mystical and absurd, cute and authentic. Read more about him here and check out the exhibit this weekend.
Music picks from our friends at Licorice Pizza include Ledisi at the L.A. Phil performing her For Dinah album on Friday, UK rising star James Marriott at the Echoplex on Sunday, Dua Lipa at the Forum on Saturday and Sunday, Perfume Genius outside at The Ford on Saturday and comedian Adam Conover (Adam Ruins Everything) is at the Lodge Room on Sunday.
Friday, October 3, 7 p.m. The Third Mind x The Mad Alchemist Liquid Light Show with Bolero! The Troubadour 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood COST: $44.84; MORE INFO
A group of super musicians, including Counting Crows guitarist David Immerglück, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Alvin, drummer Michael Jerome — who’s played with The Blind Boys of Alabama and Better Than Ezra — and vocalist and guitarist Jesse Sykes, came together to form The Third Mind. Don’t miss this special, kind of psychedelic show at the Troubadour.
Through Sunday, Nov. 9 Jaja’s African Hair Braiding Mark Taper Forum 135 N Grand Ave., Downtown L.A. COST: FROM $40.25; MORE INFO
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T. Charles Erickson
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The sacred space of the hair salon takes center stage at the straight-from-Broadway run of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. Celebrating West African culture and sisterhood, the comedy follows the lives of immigrant braiders in a Harlem salon. It’s written by Tony Award-nominated, Ghanaian American playwright Jocelyn Bioh. She wrote the incredible School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, which you may remember from its run at the Kirk Douglas some years ago. There are several special event nights planned during the run, including a West African culture night (Oct. 21) and several Stage Talk nights.
Friday, Oct. 3, 5:30 to 10 p.m. Queerceañera 2025: ‘Mariposas Sin Fronteras’ The Village at Ed Gould Plaza 1125 N. McCadden Pl., Hollywood COST: FREE; MORE INFO
The annual Queerceañera hosted by the Los Angeles LGBT Center is a celebration of queer Latin culture. It’s free, and this year honors Mexican-American drag artist Lushious Massacr, plus Oliver Alpuche, the community leader behind Redline, KISO and DTLA Proud.
October 3-5 Masters of Musical Whistling Barnsdall Gallery Theater 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Los Feliz COST: $12.51; MORE INFO
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Masters of Musical Whistling
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Just put your lips together and blow. Sounds easy, right? I wouldn’t know; I have never been able to whistle. But these folks certainly can — the Masters of Music Whistling competition features stars like Columbian-American singer and world-class whistler Wanda Civic.
October 4-5 PetCon 2025 Wallis Annenberg PetSpace 12005 Bluff Creek Dr., Playa Vista COST: FROM $33.95; MORE INFO
Meet your favorite influencer pets, from Gnocci the Frenchie to the “Anna Wintour of dogs” Tika the Iggy, to my personal favorite, Sunglass Cat, at Annenberg PetSpace’s annual PetCon. I’m sorry to report that these fine furry friends have more followers than you, but they are pretty darn cute. And know that 100% of ticket proceeds go to supporting the PetSpace Extraordinary Care Fund.
October 4-5 National Menopause Show Anaheim Convention Center 800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim COST: FROM $45; MORE INFO
The algorithm knows us a little too well, my fellow women of a certain age. Head to Anaheim to see your “for you” page come to life at the “only live event in North America dedicated exclusively to perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause.” It’s Menopause Awareness Month, and this two-day event includes talks from experts on hormone health, longevity and more.
Sunday, October 5, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration Fowler Museum at UCLA 308 Charles Young Dr. North, Westwood COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Fowler Museum at UCLA
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Take a guided tour of the "Fire Kinship" exhibit, drop in and make your own cyanotype art print with Meztli Projects, enjoy live cooking demos (with tasting!) and listen to poetry readings, music and storytelling at the Fowler’s first-ever Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration. The free event celebrates the Native cultures of Southern California and promises to be a great day of art-making and learning for the entire community.
Outdoor Pick
Saturday, October 4, 5 to 6:30 p.m. Water, Words & The City Converge screening, plus poetry reading Stoneview Nature Center 5950 Stoneview Dr., Culver City COST: FREE; MORE INFO
The section of the Los Angeles River flowing through the Frogtown neighborhood in Los Angeles is home to an assortment of birds, including this cormorant.
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Andrew Cullen for LAist
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A screening and event celebrating the L.A. River, right in nature itself. Pay a visit to the Stoneview Nature Center for a stroll, hike or picnic, followed by a special screening of director Cindy “Mimi” Phan’s short film Water, Words & The City Converge, featuring acclaimed poets Mike Sonksen and Rocio Carlos. Inspired by Sonksen’s poem “Ode to the Los Angeles River,” the film screening will be followed by a poetry reading by Sonken and Carlos, as well as a Q&A with them and the filmmaker, plus art and poetry activities on site and light refreshments.
Viewing Pick
Saturday, October 4, 3 p.m. Grease sing-along Venice (er, Rydell) High School 13000 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista COST: FREE, VIP RESERVATIONS FROM $25; MORE INFO
Summer lovin’ might be over, but school is in session as Grease comes back to where it all started. Put on your best poodle skirt or leather jacket, and make a beeline for "Rydell" High School to see a special sing-along screening of the movie, which was filmed right here in Venice.
Dine & Drink Deals
Sunday, October 5, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. OTOTO Sake Fest OTOTO 1360 Allison Ave., Echo Park COST: $83; MORE INFO
Echo Park sake bar OTOTO not only has the cutest cat illustrations on their website (truly worth the click), but they are also hosting their annual Sake Fest, with more than 50 different sakes to try, plus light bites for World Sake Day. Distributors will be on hand to share tastes from known iconic labels, rare sakes and new-to-the-list bottles
Friday, October 3, 7 p.m. Venice Beach Wine Club: The Anniversary Party Milwood Studios 940 Palms Blvd., Venice COST: $59.78; MORE INFO
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Kelsey Chance
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Unsplash
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Venice Beach Wine Club is turning three in style, with a party featuring a DJ set by David Ramos, an open wine bar included in your ticket, light bites and a good time. Dress to impress!
Sunday, October 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feria de los Moles Gloria Molina Grand Park 200 N. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
No two moles are exactly the same, so you will obviously need to try them all at the 18th annual Feria de los Moles at Grand Park. Plus, there will be folk arts and crafts, music and more.
Jorge "Coqui" H. Rodriguez speaks at a press conference outside Dodger Stadium on Wednesady to demand the Dodgers not 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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Topline:
Less than 24 hours before season opener, longtime Dodgers fans demand the team divest from immigration detention centers and decline the White House visit.
More details: More than 30 people joined Richard 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 that 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.”
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.
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.
Destiny Torres
is LAist's general assignment reporter and brings you the top news you need for the day.
Published March 25, 2026 3:38 PM
The warmer weather and high water flow are causing an early outbreak of black flies in the San Gabriel Valley.
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Courtesy SGV Mosquito and Vector Control District
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Topline:
The warmer weather and high water flow are causing an early outbreak of black flies in the San Gabriel Valley, according to officials.
What are black flies? Black flies are tiny, pesky insects that often get mistaken for mosquitoes. The biting flies breed near foothill communities like Altadena, Azusa, San Dimas and Glendora. They also thrive near flowing water.
What you need to know: Black flies fly in large numbers and long distances. When they bite both humans and pets, they aim around the eyes and the neck. While the bites can be painful, they don’t transmit diseases in L.A. County.
A population spike: Anais Medina Diaz, director of communications at the SGV Mosquito and Vector Control District, told LAist that at this time last year, surveillance traps had single-digit counts of adult black flies, but this year those traps are collecting counts above 500.
So, why is the population growing? Diaz said the surge is unusual for this time of year.
“We are experiencing them now because of the warmer temperatures we've been having,” Diaz said. “And of course, all the water that's going down through the river, we have a high flow of water that is not typical for this time of year.”
What officials are doing: Officials say teams are identifying and treating public sources where black flies can thrive, but that many of these sites are influenced by natural or infrastructure conditions outside their control.
How to protect yourself: Black flies can be hard to avoid outside in dense vegetation, but you can reduce the chance of a bite by:
Wearing loose-fitted clothing that covers the entire body.
Wearing a hat with netting on top.
Spraying on repellent, but check the label. For a repellent to be effective, it needs to have at least 15% DEET, the only active ingredient that works against black flies.
Turning off any water features like fountains for at least 24 hours, especially in foothill communities.
See an uptick in black flies in your area? Here's how to report it
SGV Mosquito and Vector Control District Submit a tip here You can also send a tip to district@sgvmosquito.org (626) 814-9466
Greater Los Angeles Vector Control District Submit a service request here You can also send a service request to info@GLAmosquito.org (562) 944-9656
Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control Submit a report here You can also send a report to ocvcd@ocvector.org (714) 971-2421 or (949) 654-2421
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Robert Garrova
explores the weird and secret bits of SoCal that would excite even the most jaded Angelenos. He also covers mental health.
Published March 25, 2026 3:28 PM
Jeremy Kaplan and Florence at READ Books in Eagle Rock.
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Courtesy Jeremy Kaplan
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Topline:
Local favorite mom and pop shop READ Books in Eagle Rock is facing displacement due to a steep rent hike. The owners say they’re just one of several small businesses along Eagle Rock Boulevard struggling to keep up with lease increases.
The backstory: Over the past 19 years, many in the neighborhood have come to love READ Books for its eclectic collection of used titles and their shop dog Florence.
What happened? The building where Kaplan and his 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.
What's next? 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.
Read on... for what small businesses can do.
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.
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.”
Kavish Harjai
writes about infrastructure that's meant to help us move about the region.
Published March 25, 2026 3:12 PM
A field team member of the Bureau of Street Lighting installs a solar-powered light in Filipinotown.
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Mayor Bass Communications Office
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Topline:
The Los Angeles City Council approved a plan in a 13-1 vote on Tuesday to send ballots to more than half a million property owners asking if they are willing to pay more per year to fortify the city’s streetlight repair budget, most of which has essentially been frozen since the 1990s. The item still requires L.A. Mayor Karen Bass’ signature, but her office confirmed to LAist on Wednesday that she’ll approve it.
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 on 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.
Topline:
The Los Angeles City Council approved a plan in a 13-1 vote Tuesday to send ballots to more than a half-million property owners asking if they are willing to pay more per year to fortify the city’s streetlight repair budget, most of which essentially has been frozen since the 1990s. The item still requires L.A. Mayor Karen Bass’ signature, but her office confirmed to LAist on Wednesday that she’ll approve it.
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.
