As we get into the fall, it’s time for new art and theater openings here in L.A. and around the country, which is such an exciting moment. I love seeing new things start to open, planning my fall around art exhibits and shows, and plotting travel to see things that may not make it here for a while. In the art space, my inbox is filled with gallery listings. This week is a great example. If you can, get to the talk featuring Ottessa Moshfegh, author of My Year of Rest and Relaxation, at Pace Gallery with "Prada Marfa" creators Elmgreen & Dragset. That’s at the top of my weekend list.
Our music experts at Licorice Pizza also have some great picks, including Beach Fossils at the Regent Theater, Lil Wayne at the Crypto.com Arena and Grandaddy at the Fonda Theatre, all on Friday. Linkin Park plays the Intuit Dome, and English Teacher will be at The Roxy on Saturday. Chicago is playing all three weekend nights — each with a Fireworks Finale! — at the Hollywood Bowl.
More from LAist: check out the new mural from local artist Robert Vargas and learn how to score World Cup tickets for 2026. And don't forget to pay your last visits to Culver City’s Citizen Public Market before it closes in November.
Also this weekend...
Events
Friday, September 12, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Elmgreen & Dragset in conversation with Ottessa Moshfegh
Pace Gallery
1201 S. La Brea Ave., Mid-City
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
You may not know the Berlin-based duo Elmgreen & Dragset by name, but you have seen their work. Their iconic installation, "Prada Marfa," has graced the side of U.S. Route 90 outside Marfa, Texas, for 20 years — and about a zillion framed posters in every hip Airbnb living room. The duo has a unique two-part immersive installation opening at Pace Gallery’s gorgeous space on La Brea. "The Alice in Wonderland Syndrome" plays with the notions of perspective and size. And lucky us, author Ottessa Moshfegh (My Year of Rest and Relaxation) is hosting a conversation with the pair about their inspirations, followed by an opening reception. Don’t miss it.
Sunday, September 14, 10 to 12 p.m. (Parade) and 1 to 5 p.m. (Festival)
East L.A. Mexican Independence Day Parade and Festival
E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave. and N. Mednik Ave., East Los Angeles
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Food, live music, dance performances and more are on tap for the 79th annual East L.A. Mexican Independence Day Parade and Festival. Astronaut and current University of California Regent José M. Hernández will be the parade’s Grand Marshal. In a year that has been challenging for the Mexican community in L.A., it’s a great opportunity to get out and celebrate all that makes East Los Angeles and our immigrant community so vibrant, unique and joyous.
September 13-14
Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish
The Soraya
18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge
COST: FROM $75; MORE INFO
L’chaim means "to life"! Fiddler on the Roof is at the Soraya for a few special performances in Yiddish (with English supertitles). Steven Skybell plays patriarch Tevye, and Joel Grey (Cabaret) directs this three-show concert production of the musical, which won nine Tonys when it debuted on Broadway in 1964. The New York-based National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene translated the script and lyrics into Yiddish for a 2018 run, which was then cut short by the pandemic. This is the West Coast premiere of the new work.
Sunday, September 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dino Fest
Natural History Museum
900 Exposition Blvd., Exposition Park
COST: INCLUDED WITH MUSEUM ADMISSION; MORE INFO
Roar! The 10th annual Dino Fest is here for all your prehistoric-loving friends, young and old. Rare specimens from the Natural History Museum’s collection will be on display, plus fun events for kids of all ages, like screenings of dino-themed films, a LEGO activity center and hands-on activities.
Saturday, September 13, 2 p.m.
An Afternoon with Photographer Susan Meiselas
Aero Theatre
1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Magnum Photos president Susan Meiselas is a pioneer in the world of photojournalism, with her moving work on human rights in Latin America and her leadership in the industry. This special event is part of the "Year of the Woman," from Photographic Arts Council Los Angeles, or PAC L.A. The talk, which a book signing will follow, coincides with the rerelease of Meiselas’ acclaimed book, Nicaragua, first published in 1981.
Saturday, September 13, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Tour of L.A. General Hospital
1200 N. State St., Lincoln Heights
COST: $25; MORE INFO
L.A. County’s 1933 General Hospital has been closed for years, and soon it will have a new life — as mixed-income housing, medical offices and retail. The L.A. Conservancy is hosting tours of the historic building, “including the hospital’s historic surgery theatres and the county prison hospital — both left virtually untouched since the hospital’s closure nearly two decades ago.” See unique architectural details and hear some stories from the past. (I feel like maybe there’s a ghost story or two up their sleeves.) Plus, of course, learn about the next chapter for this significant space.
September 13-14
Nocturnal Wonderland
Glen Helen Regional Park
2555 Glen Helen Parkway, San Bernadino
COST: FROM $150; MORE INFO
The longest-running dance music festival isn’t some desert-Vegas-Burning Man extravaganza; it’s actually Insomniac’s Nocturnal Wonderland, which has been around for 30 years and is coming back to Glen Helen Regional Park in San Bernardino. You can camp out under the stars and dance all night to performances from Grammy-winning artist Zedd, Axwell of Swedish House Mafia and Eric Prydz, plus dance music acts including Blake Webber, Oliver Heldens, Tchami, Benny Benassi, Danny Avila, Sullivan King, Seven Lions and more.
Outdoor Pick
Sunday, Sept. 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
CicLAvia: Historic South Central meets Watts
Historic South Central, Florence Firestone and Watts
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
If you’ve always said you’ll explore Watts and South Central but haven’t gotten around to it, this is your sign. Car-free celebration CicLAvia is connecting historic South Central, Florence, Firestone and Watts by bike, foot, scooter, rollerblade and any other form of non-motorized transport, so come ready to move and explore the open streets.
Viewing Pick
Through September 13
L.A.'s Rich & Successful Film Festival
The Egyptian Theatre
6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
COST: $22; MORE INFO
Check out 13 short films from up-and-coming Los Angeles filmmakers at the aspirationally named Rich & Successful Film Festival at the Egyptian. The films span all genres, from moving coming-of-age stories to animation to comedy. Selections include Madonna Mia, directed by Valentina Garret, which was rejected by the Vatican for its bold social commentary, and The Singers, directed by Sam Davis, which had premieres at SXSW and Tribeca.
Dine & Drink Deals
Saturday, September 13
Family Style Food Festival
L.A. State Historic Park
1245 N Spring St., Chinatown
COST: $47; MORE INFO
Celebrated artist and designer VERDY is on board as creative director for Complex’s Family Style Food Festival at the L.A. State Historic Park in Chinatown. It's a mix of food and fashion. Hot restaurants like Broad Street Oyster Co., Henry’s Pizza, Bridgetown Roti and many, many more will be serving up both taste and style.
Saturday, September 13, 5 p.m.
Literary Cake Picnic
Midnight Books
941 E. 2nd St., Downtown L.A.
COST: $33.85; MORE INFO
It’s like Midnight Books read my mind and combined my two favorite things: books and cake. Bring your favorite cake to share with other literature lovers at this Literary Cake Picnic.
