Best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California: June 9 - 12

I’m still coming down from last weekend's high of singing songs from & Juliet — coming to the Ahmanson later this summer — aboard Center Theater Group’s Pride Parade float. That rendition of “Domino” is going to be stuck in my head for ages.

To help get the pop songs unstuck, our friends at Licorice Pizza recommend the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on Tuesday at the Fox Performing Arts Center, the Preoccupation at the Lodge Room, and Zola Jesus doing two nights at 2220 Arts + Archives. Plus, a look ahead to the Blue Note Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl this weekend.

For more to explore, visit LAist.com, where you can help a documentary producer find the missing guitar from Back to the Future and visit a pop-up vinyl shop that’s helping fire survivors repopulate their record collections.

Events

Tuesday, June 10, 6 p.m. 
Live Talks L.A.: Jacinda Ardern in conversation with Rachel Bloom 
New Roads School
3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica
COST: $48 (INCLUDES SIGNED BOOK); MORE INFO

Jacinda Ardern, former New Zealand prime minister, and Rachel Bloom, creator and star of 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.'

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Courtesy Live Talks Los Angeles

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Both Jacinda Ardern, former New Zealand prime minister, and Rachel Bloom, creator and star of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, are truly groundbreaking in their own ways. And both are no strangers to controversy, with Ardern’s new book dividing her native country over her legacy. Leave it to Live Talks to put these powerhouse women together to discuss Ardern’s A Different Kind of Power. Never one to shy away from taboo topics, Bloom will surely address topics like motherhood, mental health, and the current political climate with one of the world’s youngest leaders ever elected and current Harvard senior fellow.

Thursday, June 12, 6 to 10 p.m.
Proper Presents: Cut Copy 
Santa Monica Proper Hotel 
700 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica 
COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

Australian synth-pop band Cut Copy performs live on stage during a concert at Cine Joia on March 19, 2023 in Sao Paulo.

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Mauricio Santana

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Getty Images

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Australian dance pioneers Cut Copy are playing the Proper Presents series in Santa Monica at the hotel’s chic rooftop. You can also splash out and reserve a table, but GA tickets are free, and the summer nights above Santa Monica are a great spot to get your groove on.

Through Wednesday, June 25
Hollywood Fringe Festival 2025
Multiple locations, Hollywood
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO 

With shows in previews until Tuesday and a big opening night party on Wednesday, the Hollywood Fringe is back with dozens of theater experiences on tap from indie creators, from mind-reading nights to one-woman spoofs, new musicals to magic shows, comedy performances, drag performances — you name it. While it can be tough to wade through the list of options, a couple of suggestions for this week include Too Much of a Good Thing at 4:30 p.m. on June 10, and Ms. Tucker Will See You Now at 6:15 p.m. on June 12.

Thursday, June 12, 6 p.m.
Pride Month Hike 
Harmon Canyon
7511 Foothill Road, Ventura
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

Now that the PCH has reopened, take a weekday drive up to Ventura for the Pride Month Hike at Harmon Canyon. The Ventura Land Trust and Diversity Collective are hosting a two-to-three-mile moderate hike through Harmon Canyon Preserve, Ventura's largest nature preserve, to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

Tuesday, June 10, 6:30 p.m.
Los Angeles Angels Pride Night
Angel Stadium of Anaheim
2000 E. Gene Autry Way, Anaheim
COST: FROM $37; MORE INFO 

Chris Taylor of the Los Angeles Angels hits a RBI double at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 7, 2025 in Anaheim, California.

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Jayne Kamin-Oncea

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Getty Images

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The Angels take on the Athletics at this year’s Angels Pride Night down in Anaheim. Join fans in the Gate 5 Courtyard for pre-game Pride festivities. A Pride Night ticket package gets you discounted pricing and a Pride Night-themed Angels hat with proceeds benefiting O.C. Pride. Baby, I can see your halo.

Through Friday, July 25 
'Dream Stop' 
Adams Square Mini Park Gas Station
1020 E Palmer Ave., Glendale 
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

One of my top public art events of the year is the installation that pops up at the Adams Square Mini Park Gas Station. Art? At a gas station? I mean, you gotta love it.

This year, Glendale is hosting a piece called "Dream Stop" by Delight Art Foundation. The exhibit showcases artwork by young people and calls on visitors to “stop and take time to dream.” It features self-portraits on boxes that express the multiple sides of an artist's identity. Hanging from the ceiling, paper planes hold business cards that illustrate what kids would do in a world without adults.

Tuesday, June 10, 9 p.m. 
Open Folk L.A. 
Hotel Cafe
1623 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood 
COST: $12; MORE INFO 

Priced out of Mumford & Sons at the Hollywood Bowl? Head to Hotel Cafe’s folk night, Open Folk, where up-and-coming folk singer-songwriters perform each week in the club’s intimate space.

Viewing Pick

Wednesday, June 11, 6:30 p.m.
Twin Peaks: The Return, Episode 8 
Vidiots
4884 Eagle Rock Blvd., Eagle Rock
COST: FREE WITH RSVP; MORE INFO

Vidiots in Eagle Rock.

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Julie Leopo

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LAist

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Will we ever get enough David Lynch around these parts? The correct answer is no, obviously. FANGORIA and streaming service MUBI are hosting a one-night-only free screening of episode 8 of Twin Peaks: The Return, Lynch’s “surreal atomic horror masterpiece.” The screening is hosted by FANGORIA Digital Editor Angel Melanson and features Twin Peaks trivia, a costume contest and exclusive giveaways.

Dine & Drink Deals

Thursday, June 12
Margherita Pizza & Margarita Time
Superfine Playa
12746 W. Jefferson Blvd. #2200, Playa Vista
COST: $25; MORE INFO 

Superfine Playa has paired up with The Book Jewel and writer and author Caroline Pardilla for an evening of pizza, cocktails and conversation as she discusses her new book, Margarita Time. Included is a signed copy of the book, a margarita, Margherita pizza from Superfine Playa, and a Q&A and book signing with Pardilla.

By the way, in case you missed it, LAist's Gab Chabran wrote about Pardilla's new book and why she calls the margarita L.A.'s unofficial cocktail in April.

Thursday, June 12, 8 p.m.
Zizou Anniversary Party 
Zizou
2425 Daly St., Lincoln Heights
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO

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Jorden DeGaetano

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Super cute French-Moroccan newcomer Zizou in Lincoln Heights celebrates a year of service with an anniversary party on their patio, featuring music by Mathieu Schreyer, El Marchante, Cassandra Dali and special guests.