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Best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California: May 19 - 22
Stevie Wonder performing at 'Q85: A Musical Celebration for Quincy Jones' at the Microsoft Theatre on September 25, 2018.
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Kevin Winter
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Getty Images
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Our Picks
Dedicated readers will know that last week we highlighted The Billboard Creative, which is showcasing unique art above the streets of L.A. all month long. Fast forward to this week, and our intrepid reporter Robert Garrova headed out (and braved the traffic!) to see some of the great pieces all across town — and on the way, he met artist Francisco Palomares, whose piece is up at the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Rodney Dr. The project joins a long history of billboards being intertwined with art and social activism, from the Guerrilla Girls to ACT UP to more recent collective projects like For Freedoms.
For more to explore, visit LAist.com, where we are already getting set for July’s annual Tournament of Cheeseburgers. You can also read about one Altadena restaurant that’s rising from the ashes, the two Spanish-language albums currently topping the charts, and where to score a coveted mini-print from artist Ana Inciardi’s art print vending machines.
Events
Wednesday, May 21, 7 p.m.
Grand National Tour: Kendrick Lamar and SZA
SoFi Stadium
1001 S. Stadium Dr., Inglewood
COST: FROM $238; MORE INFO
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SZA, left, and Kendrick Lamar perform during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl LIX.
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Frank Franklin II
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AP
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I mean, duh, it’s the hottest ticket in town. After his mind-blowing Super Bowl performance, Kendrick Lamar is on tour (and with SZA, no less). He’s at home here in L.A. for just three nights: May 21, May 23 and 24. Tickets are scarce, but I’d be remiss not to note the cultural phenomenon happening in Inglewood on Wednesday.
Wednesday, May 21, 8 p.m.
Matt Berninger
Palace Theatre
630 S Broadway, Downtown L.A.
COST: FROM $53; MORE INFO
The National frontman Matt Berninger’s second solo album Get Sunk comes out at the end of the month, but you can get a preview at a pretty intimate show at The Palace, with special guest Ronboy. The indie rock superstar has collaborated with everyone from Taylor Swift to Andrew Bird; the first three tracks from Get Sunk are up on Bandcamp now.
Thursday, May 22, 4 p.m.
Conversation With a Curator: 75th Birthday Tribute to Stevie Wonder
The Paley Archive at the Beverly Hills Public Library
444 N. Rexford Dr., Beverly Hills
COST: FROM $21.50; MORE INFO
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The Paley Center
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Signed, sealed, delivered! The Paley Center’s Conversation With a Curator series this month features a 75th birthday tribute to the incredible Stevie Wonder. The Paley Archive, which is such a gem of media history, will screen various pieces from Wonder’s life, including his groundbreaking appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, the 1999 Kennedy Center Honors tribute to him, plus media appearances on shows like The Tonight Show, Sesame Street and the Grammys.
Tuesday, May 20th, 6:30 p.m.
Kwame Alexander and Jerry Craft: J vs. K book presentation
Katy Geissert Civic Center Library
3301 Torrance Blvd., Torrance
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
A fun author event for all ages, the ongoing friendly rivalry between Newbery Medal winners Kwame Alexander (The Crossover) and Jerry Craft (New Kid) comes to the page and real life at the Torrance Public Library. Their new collaborative book, J vs. K, is about two fifth graders — one a writer, one a drawer — who enter a storytelling competition at school. The conversation will celebrate comics, creativity and cooperation.
Through Saturday, May 31
Demetri Martin: Acute Angles
Laconic Gallery
1001 Broxton Ave., Westwood
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
I was just wondering the other day what comedian Demetri Martin had been up to — as one does? I'm a big fan of those whiteboard comedy explainers he used to do on The Daily Show. And then I saw that he’s got a new art exhibit that just opened in Westwood.
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Thursday, May 22, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
AAPI Art Night Market
Compound x Union
1395 Coronado Ave., Long Beach
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Compound x UNION is an innovative creative concept that has been bringing art, food and creative partnerships to the Zaferia District in Long Beach since it launched last year. To celebrate the AAPI artist community, they will be hosting a special Art Night Market with artists, wellness practitioners, and incredible food from Union’s Filipino Chef-in-Residence Eugene Santiago.
Through Sunday, June 22
White Rabbit Red Rabbit
Fountain Theatre
5060 Fountain Ave., Hollywood
COST: FROM $25; MORE INFO
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Simon Levy
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Fountain Theatre
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The Fountain Theatre is the L.A. home of Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour's boundary-pushing project, which has previously run off-Broadway and in London. The L.A. run features performers that include well-known actors like Joshua Malina (Scandal) as well as policymakers and influencers, who take the stage as the “Rabbit” each night. The show is different every time, with a new performer taking an unknown script and making it their own, covering themes of censorship and autocracy, all while having fun with it, too.
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Viewing Pick
Thursday, May 22, 6 p.m.
Out There: A National Parks Story
Patagonia Santa Monica
1345 3rd St., Santa Monica
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
You may have heard that our National Parks are having a bit of a rough year so far, so renew your parks pass and head to Patagonia to celebrate these natural treasures at a screening of the documentary, Out There: A National Parks Story. The free event includes a talk with filmmaker Brendan Hall and a live musical performance from composer Elizabeth P.W.
Dine & Drink Deals
Wednesday, May 21, 7 p.m.
Mother Wolf L.A. x San Felice wine tasting dinner
Mother Wolf L.A.
1545 Wilcox Ave., Hollywood
COST: $187.50; MORE INFO
Take a trip to Tuscany this summer without leaving Hollywood. At this special wine dinner, guests will enjoy a chef-curated four-course menu paired with a San Felice wine tasting from Leonardo Bellaccini of Italy’s renowned San Felice Vineyard.
Tuesday, May 20
K-town Sweetgreen opening
3501 6th St., Koreatown
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
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Sweetgreen
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Grab your favorite bowl (mine is the Chicken Pesto Parm) at the new Sweetgreen spot in Koreatown. The opening day includes a visit with free flowers from FlowerTruckLA, matcha from Sweetgreen’s neighbors at DAMO Tea House, and free Sweetgreen hats and tote bags.
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