Things To Do This Week, Online And IRL: July 27 - 30

Coronavirus is wreaking havoc on schools, stores, businesses and events. With in-person concerts, talks, comedy shows, food festivals and other gatherings cancelled, we have turned our events column into a "nonevents" column. It will remain this way as long as social distancing and stay-at-home orders are in effect.

During this difficult time, please consider contributing to your local arts organizations or to individual artists and performers.

Learn about the history of coffee and camping (they're two separate events). Join a botany-inspired ice cream lecture and tasting. Watch and discuss Penelope Lowder's new play. Listen to Aimee Bender talk about her first novel in a decade.

Monday, July 27

Bad Ideas with Adam DevineIn Adam Devine's new adventure series (on Quibi), he and a companion travel to new locations in search of adventure -- conjuring demons in a purportedly haunted locale, entering a chili pepper eating contest, driving the Death Road in South America in an ice cream truck.
COST: Subscription; MORE INFO

Monday, July 27; 7 - 8:30 p.m. PDT

Jackie and Laurie PresentWatch an evening of women-centric comedy hosted by Jackie Kashian and Laurie Kilmartin of the Jackie and Laurie Show. The Zoom lineup includes Erin Jackson, Aida Rodriguez, Jen Kirkman, Jessica Kirson and Ophira Eisenberg.
COST: $10; MORE INFO

Tuesday, July 28; 5 p.m. PDT

A Backcountry EveningFor this online Atlas Obscura experience, Jason Ward, of Birds of North America and co-organizer of Black Birders Week, traces the history of camping and land conservation in the U.S. He also discusses notable scientists and artists who were inspired by the outdoors. All ticket proceeds go to the Greening Youth Foundation. There's also an optional whiskey tasting package.
COST: $5 per device; MORE INFO

Tuesday, July 28 - Sunday, Aug. 2

2020 New American Voices Playwriting FestivalThe Landing Theatre Company in Houston holds an online festival showcasing four new American plays and eight discussions. The panels will focus on the future of regional theater, the challenges of performing virtually and the state of Broadway. Among the featured plays, Agathe, by L.A.'s Angela J. Davis, is being presented on Saturday, Aug. 1 at 5 p.m. PDT.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

Tuesday, July 28; 6:30 p.m.

Aimee Bender: The Butterfly Lampshade Bender returns with her first novel since her 2010 bestseller, The Particular Sadness Of Lemon Cake. It explores similar themes of mental illness and broken love between mother and child. Fellow writer Sarah Shun-lien Bynum will interview Bender. The conversation streams over Crowdcast. (The book is available for pre-order now from Skylight at $26.95.)
COST: FREE with registration; MORE INFO

PRH Audio · The Butterfly Lampshade by Aimee Bender, read by Julia Whelan

Wednesdays, 8 - 9 p.m. PDT

The Crazy Uncle Joe ShowIn the Groundlings' long-form improv show, performers travel back and forth through time. The weekly cast includes Stephanie Courtney (Progressive Insurance's Flo), Roy Jenkins (Modern Family), Brian Palermo (Grown-ish), Leonard Robinson (Insecure), and Christen Sussin (The League).The online edition takes place on Wednesdays via Zoom and ticket buys will get a link to the show at least 24 hours before for registration.
COST: $8; MORE INFO

Thursday, July 30 at 5 p.m.

All About CoffeeMaite Gomez-Rejón of Artbites traces coffee's journey from Africa to the Middle East to 17th century Europe while exploring its role in jolting people into the Age of the Enlightenment. Hear the good, the bad and the ugly about the beverage we love to drink. Then, learn how to make a few tasty items including White Russians and coffee-rubbed salmon with orange salsa.
COST: $25; MORE INFO

Thursday, July 30; 3 p.m.

West AdamsThe Skylight Theatre presents an online recording of the play West Adams by Penelope Lowder, as it was performed earlier this year. The play, which takes place in the historic L.A. neighborhood, touches on gentrification and racism. A live conversation follows the performance. COST: FREE; MORE INFO

Thursday, July 30; 6 p.m. PDT

Cameron Esposito: Live From HomeWatch Esposito (Queery, Take My Wife) perform from her home. Proceeds from the show will go to Dynasty Typewriter and Esposito (Venmo: @CameronEsposito).
COST: FREE, but donations encouraged; MORE INFO

Thursday, July 30; 6 - 7 p.m.

Unheard LA - A Deeper Listen (Part 3)

While many stories go untold, even more go unheard. As the nation reckons with systemic racism, our community-centered storytelling series Unheard LA is taking a deeper listen. Bruce Lemon Jr. hosts this special virtual event featuring the stories of Matthew Cuban Hernandez, Taz Ahmed and October B.L.U. followed by a live conversation -- all in collaboration with our Race In LA initiative. Dana Amihere, co-editor and developer of Race In LA, will also join in for a live conversation. Watch on KPCC's event page or on Livestream and Facebook Live.
COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO.

Thursday, July 30; 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. PDT

Campesinos: Workers of the LandParajo Valley Arts Council presents a virtual event that features writings by Naomi Helena Quinonez, Gabriella Gutierrez y Muhs and Victoria Banales as well as Esperanza del Valle's performance of "dancing while sheltering in place." Inspired by the exhibition "Campesinos: Workers of the Land," the event recognizes the contributions of farm workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO

Thursday, July 30; 8:30 p.m. PDT

Road Trip to Mission Tiki Drive-InMission Tiki Drive-In Theatre 10798 Ramona Ave., MontclairThe American Cinematheque hits the road -- again -- with a creepy double-bill featuring Re-Animator, based on H.P. Lovecraft's work, and Pet Sematary, adapted from Stephen King's novel.
COST: $15 - $50; MORE INFO

Thursday, July 30; 6 -7 p.m. PDT

Freeze Wild: Virtual Native Ice Cream Tasting EventThe California Botanic Garden partners with Bert & Rocky's Cream Company in Claremont to create three ice cream flavors made with native California plants grown and harvested at the garden. Participants will receive three pints including Coyote Mint Chip, Coastal Sage Yum and Cactus Cream. Pick up your ice cream on Wednesday and Thursday (physical distancing in full effect). The virtual event on Thursday night includes a tasting and a discussion of ingredients, recipes and growing tips.
COST: $55 - $85; MORE INFO

Dine & Drink Deals

Who doesn't miss going out to eat or stopping by a bar for a drink? Here are a few options from restaurants and bars as we work our way back toward normal.

• Common Space Brewery in Hawthorne has just released Take Action IPA, a tropical beer brewed in support of Black Lives Matter. Proceeds from every beer will benefit BLM Los Angeles. Take Action IPA comes in four-packs ($15) and cases of six four-packs ($80). Delivery available.
• Patxi's Pizza opens the doors to its latest outpost, which is in Porter Ranch (20101 W. Rinaldi St., Suite 100) on Monday, July 27. The eatery serves up Chicago-style deep dish, Neapolitan thin crust and dessert pies. Patxi's is currently open for patio dining and takeout.
• The Raymond in Pasadena celebrate summer by inviting Downtown L.A.'s chef Michael Hung of Faith & Flower for a five-day staycation from Tuesday, July 28 through Saturday, Aug. 1. Hung prepares a five-course tasting menu ($75 per person) that can be enjoyed on any one of The Raymond 1886's three patios or for takeout/delivery.
• Mochinut, a new concept that offers a hybrid of mochi and donuts, as well as Korean street food, opened its latest location in Garden Grove over the weekend.
• Korean BBQ spot Baekjeong opens its Irvine location today for outdoor dining, marking the first time Baekjeong has offered al fresco seating.
• The Downtown Long Beach Alliance launches Dine Out DTLB, an information campaign with an interactive map that shows people where they can eat al fresco.