The Best Things To Do In LA And SoCal This Week: April 4 - 7

Watch a group of all-star musicians pay tribute to Paul Simon’s music. Take in the magic of the Alvin Ailey dancers. Catch H.E.R. in concert. Laugh along to comics at the Popular Kids Club.

Monday, April 4; 7 p.m. (doors)

Bob Mould
Troubadour
9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
The veteran musician Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü) presents a night of solo electric tunes as part of his Distortion and Blue Hearts tour. H.C. McEntire, frontwoman of Mount Moriah, opens the show.
COST: $27.50; MORE INFO

Tuesday, April 5; 7:30 p.m.

H.E.R.: Back Of My Mind Tour
YouTube Theater
1011 S. Stadium Dr., Inglewood 
The GRAMMY and Academy Award-winning singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist is on tour in support of her debut studio album Back of My Mind.
COST: $79.50; MORE INFO

Tuesday, April 5: 6 - 10 p.m.

Salastina’s Sounds Delicious: Outlander
Private location and virtual
For fans of the Starz historical-fantasy-romance Outlander, Salastina holds an outdoor dinner concert in a private location that traces a musical journey of Jamie and Claire from the Scottish highlands to Colonial America and 1960s Boston. The themed four-course meal is crafted by chef Becky Brown and Mercedes Curran creates the atmosphere. Food historian Marissa Nicosia adds context to the dishes and setting. There’s a free virtual component if you can’t make the dinner.
COST: $225; MORE INFO

Rooftop Cinema Club reopens its downtown L.A. location this week.

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Courtesy of Rooftop Cinema Club

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Wednesday, April 6 - ongoing

Rooftop Cinema Club DTLA Reopening
4th floor at Level, 888 South Olive St, downtown L.A.
The outdoor venue reopens for the spring season this week with a screening of LA LA Land (Wednesday), followed by West Side Story (2021) on Thursday. Movie snacks and a light food menu is available, and guests 21+ are welcome to bring their own beer, wine and canned cocktails.
COST: Tickets start at $19.50; MORE INFO

Wednesday April 6 - Thursday, April 7; Sunday, April 10

MUSE/IQUE: Laurel Canyon
The Huntington (April 6 - 7)
1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino

The Skirball (July 18)
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Brentwood
The performing arts organization MUSE/IQUE salutes the music that emanated from Laurel Canyon in the 1960s and 1970s. Explore that period of music history, from The Mamas and the Papas to Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, Linda Ronstadt and Joni Mitchell. The event is part of L.A. Composed: A Festival of Los Angeles Music.
COST: Starts at $75 (which includes a trial membership to MUSE/IQUE and admission to three consecutive events); MORE INFO

Wednesday, April 6 - Sunday, April 10

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
135 N. Grand Avenue, downtown L.A. 
Ailey’s renowned artists return to present three distinct programs, including a Battle 10th Anniversary program; an All Ailey program featuring Blues Suite, and a Lazarus program that focuses on innovator Rennie Harris’s acclaimed work. Each performance culminates in Alvin Ailey’s American masterpiece Revelations.
COST: Tickets start at $34; MORE INFO

American pop singer and songwriter Paul Simon performing in London, during a series of solo concerts with a backing band and chorus, circa 1980.

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Keystone/Getty Images

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Hulton Archive

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Wednesday, April 6; 7:30 p.m.

Homeward Bound - A Grammy Salute to the Songs of Paul Simon
Hollywood Pantages Theatre
6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
The live concert includes an all-star lineup paying tribute to the singer-songwriter's legendary career. The salute will air on CBS later in 2022 and will feature additional guest appearances and performances. Performers include: Brandi Carlile, Rhiannon Giddens, Angélique Kidjo, Little Big Town, Dave Matthews, Brad Paisley, Billy Porter, Shaggy, Take 6, Irma Thomas, Trombone Shorty, Stevie Wonder and Simon.
COST: Tickets start at $90; MORE INFO

Wednesday, April 6 - Sunday, May 8

Blues for an Alabama Sky
Center Theatre Group / Mark Taper Forum
135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A.
Set in 1930s Harlem, this revival of Pearl Cleage’s timeless work is directed by Phylicia Rashad, who originated the role of Angel, the free-spirited Cotton Club singer, more than 25 years ago. Rashad directs a cast that includes Joe Holt, Nija Okoro, Dennis Pearson, Greg Alverez Reid and Kim Steele. A Black Out Night, intended for Black-identifying audience members, is scheduled for Friday, April 8.
COST: Tickets start at $30; MORE INFO

Thursday, April 7; 9 p.m.

Puddles Pity Party
El Rey Theatre
5515 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire
Big Mike Geier's alter ego — a nearly 7-foot-clown crooner — performs covers and originals with a melancholic twinge. Comedian and musician Dave Hill opens.
COST: $45; MORE INFO

Thursday, April 7; 12 p.m.

UCLA’s “First Thursdays” 
Across from 1036 Broxton Ave., Westwood Village
The monthly series features both day and evening events, starting with a farmers market and composting demos that run from noon to 5 p.m. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the event turns into a “Neon Nights” block party with a live DJ, neon dance floor, giveaways, art and food vendors.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

Thursday, April 7; 6 p.m.

What Would The End Of Mass Incarceration Mean For Prison Towns? 
Streaming live from Susanville, Calif.
Susanville in Lassen County is home to two state prisons. With the state government intent on closing institutions, what will that mean for rural communities dependent upon the facilities? The Zócalo panel features Lassen Community College President Trevor Albertson, Parlier mayor and retired correctional officer Alma Beltran, and academic John M. Eason, author of Big House on the Prairie: Rise of the Rural Ghetto and Prison Proliferation.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

Thursday, April 7; 8 p.m.

Popular Kids Club
Verdugo Bar
3408 Verdugo Rd., Glassell Park
The popular kids have a new venue this month, taking over the patio at Verdugo Bar. The comedy lineup includes Todd Glass, Joe Mande and Teresa Lee, Greg Barris and Taylor Garron. There’s free pizza for guests while supplies last, courtesy of Slasher Pizza.
COST: $8 - $12; MORE INFO

PaleyFest LA presents 'A Salute to the NCIS Universe' celebrating NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, and NCIS: Hawai'i.'

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Courtesy of PaleyFest

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Through Sunday, April 10

PaleyFest LA   
Dolby Theatre
6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
The TV festival returns in person this year with special screenings and panel discussions with casts and creatives. The festival continues this week with Ghosts and The Neighborhood, Hacks, Cobra Kai, Riverdale, Better Call Saul and A Salute to the NCIS Universe.
COST: Individual tickets start at $26.25; passes available; MORE INFO

Viewing Pick

Everything Everywhere All at Once
Everything Everywhere All at Once opened in limited release on March 25 and opens in wide release on April 8. Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (aka Daniels), who wrote and directed the 2016 film Swiss Army Man (2016), the highly inventive film is a comedy, sci-fi adventure, fantasy and family drama about a “Chinese American woman (Michelle Yeoh) who can't seem to finish her taxes.” The film also stars Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Jenny Slate, Harry Shum Jr., with James Hong and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Asterid by chef Ray Garcia is now open in downtown L.A., located in front of Walt Disney Concert Hall.

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Wonho Frank Lee

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Dine and Drink Deals

Check out the 411 on restaurant, bar and food happenings in SoCal this week:

• Asterid, the newest restaurant from chef Ray Garcia (Broken Spanish and BS Taqueria), is now open for dinner service. Located in front of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the new restaurant delivers upscale California-inspired cuisine including Sunchoke Rösti, Maitake Mushrooms, a lamb shank and shortcake with Hibiscus Angel Food Cake.
• National Burrito Day is on Thursday, April 7. To celebrate, Trejo’s Tacos restaurants are teaming up with Kimberly Prince and her iconic Baldwin Hills Crenshaw restaurant Hotville Chicken. A limited-time fried chicken burrito will be available on April 7 through the end of the month at the Trejo’s Tacos Hollywood, La Brea and Santa Monica locations. 
• Other places to celebrate National Burrito Day include:
  
  • Miguel’s Jr. restaurants are offering bean, rice and cheese burrito or a bean and cheese burrito for $1.99 each on April 7, for dine-in, take-out, online ordering, and drive-thru (not delivery).
  • Descanso Restaurant in Costa Mesa offers the Burrito Ahogada (wet burrito)  as a lunch special, which includes a soup or salad, Mexican fried rice, refried pinto beans, and endless soft drink refills for $15. This is available for dine-in only.
  • El Pollo Loco celebrates National Burrito Day from April 4 to 7 with several deals for burrito fans and Loco Rewards members – including the Mexican Shredded Beef Birria Burrito.
• For vegans who want to celebrate National Burrito Day, Más Veggies Vegan Taqueria offers five signature burritos (Tejano Beef, Chipotle Carnitas, Chickin’ Tinga, Smokey Mushroom Asada and Crispy Baja Fish) and a new Loaded Burrito with seasoned Impossible Taco Meat and a boatload of other ingredients. Order for pick-up or delivery from all Veggie Grill locations. Add a free chips & salsa with any purchase of $10 or more on pick-up orders using the code “MasVeg” at checkout.  
• Nostalgia Bar & Lounge is the first brick and mortar concept from The Herbal Chef  founder Chris Sayegh with a food and drink menu that blends the modern (Kobe burger, tempura fried cauliflower) with throwback items. The drink menu especially pays homage to Yoo-hoos, Otter Pops and Dole-Whips. The Santa Monica restaurant is currently open from Wednesdays through Sundays.
• L.A. Taco introduces us to the wonders of the Venezuelan-style hot dog from Dog-R L.A., which can be found in Palms from Wednesdays to Saturdays, and Sundays at Smorgasburg.