Best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California: May 5 - 8

Let’s be honest, it has not been the easiest week here in public media. Amid President Trump issuing an executive order to cut funding to PBS and NPR, we are grateful for your support now more than ever.

For some much-needed joy this week, I caught the Beyoncé show at SoFi, and the best part — other than the powerhouse performance that Queen Bey absolutely is — was everyone there dressed in their cowboy and cowgirl best, dancing in the corridors and getting down, down, down, down, down. She plays two more shows here on May 7 and 9.

The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival continues through May 7, so catch a documentary, feature film or a talk with one of the esteemed creators before it’s gone. And of course, there’s no shortage of places to grab a margarita for Cinco de Mayo; we have some suggestions below.

For more to explore, visit LAist.com, where you can put on some tunes by L.A. artist El Compa Negro, read up on the release of the troubled film, Rust, and meet the “Harmonica Grannies” who stole the show at L.A. Kings playoff games. And don’t forget to snag a ticket to Wednesday’s AirTalk live at Dodger Stadium event with Larry Mantle.

Events

May 7-11
Cercle Odyssey 2025
L.A. Convention Center 
1201 S. Figueroa St., Downtown L.A. 
COST: FROM $180; MORE INFO

Immersive takes on a whole new meaning when director Derek Barbolla is in charge. The director has launched music projects that use cultural landmarks as a backdrop, from the Great Pyramids to the Eiffel Tower, and we’re lucky to be in the fold for this latest project, which spans performances in Mexico City, L.A., and Paris. Featuring performers like Empire of the Sun, The Blaze, Moby and more, the experience is phone-free and takes the audience through a panorama of different environments using LED projections and live music to tell a story about art and nature.

Through Saturday, June 21
Paul McCartney: 'Rearview Mirror'
Gagosian Gallery
456 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

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Jeff McLane

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Courtesy Gagosian

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I was at the opening last week of the Paul McCartney photography show at Gagosian, and the one thing that stood out to me was how seeing photos of the Beatles from the early 1960s put everyone there in a good mood. You could hear the refrain of "Help" playing from The Ed Sullivan Show clips and feel the joyful naivety of the lads from Liverpool on their first trip to the U.S. in 1964. These rediscovered photographs by McCartney are a little vacation from the current state of the world.

Wednesday, May 7, 5:30 p.m.
Town Hall: The Impact of the L.A. Fires on the LGBTQ+ Community 
Altadena Main Library
600 E. Mariposa St., Altadena
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

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Courtesy UCLA School of Law

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UCLA School of Law’s Williams Institute is hosting a free online and in-person town hall and community listening session to gain a better understanding of the effects of the fires on L.A.’s LGBTQ+ community. The event is geared at LGBT+ community members who were directly impacted by the fires with the goal of creating a “more inclusive recovery.” Dinner will be provided for in-person attendees, and the first 100 to arrive will receive a complimentary air purifier.

Thursday, May 8 
girlpuppy
Moroccan Lounge 
901 1st St., Downtown L.A.
COST: $27.65; MORE INFO

Indie alt-rock project girlpuppy — Atlanta-based singer/songwriter Becca Harvey — celebrates the release of her new album, Sweetness, at the Moroccan Lounge. One of Rolling Stone’s “Future 25” artists, girlpuppy is inspired by artists from Leonard Cohen to Avril Lavigne, tackling heartbreak and friendship with catchy, folk-inspired tunes.

Thursday, May 8, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Autry After Hours: May Music Nights & Cowboy Cocktails
The Autry 
4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park 
COST: $18 FOR MUSEUM ADMISSION, $5 FOR MEMBERS; MORE INFO

Classic country band The Soda Crackers will bring an old-school vibe to the Autry at their weekly May Music Nights & Cowboy Cocktails event. Come for the b-side gems – the site calls them the “unsung heroes of the Bakersfield sound” – stay for a cocktail or two from André Darlington’s book Cowboy Cocktails. The Autry’s Thursday night events continue every week in May. Yeehaw!

Every Monday and Wednesday, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Kavahana Trivia Night
Kavahana 
306 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica 
COST: FREE, MORE INFO

You don’t need booze to have a great trivia night. Hawaiian-inspired kava bar Kavahana hosts a free trivia night twice a week alongside creative kava cocktails and bites. The quiz features a mix of general knowledge, pop culture, history, science and more, so grab your smartest friends or come alone and make some new ones.

May 5-6 
2025 ASCAP Foundation Musical Theatre Fest with Stephen Schwartz
The Wallis
9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills
COST: FREE, TICKET REQUIRED; MORE INFO

This two-day festival at the Wallis with Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz is a rare chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Broadway greatness. It’s free, with the first day showcasing songs cut from some of his most beloved shows. The second day is a chance to preview two new shows from ASCAP alums and hear real-time feedback from Schwartz and others. It’s currently sold out, but there’s a waitlist available.

Viewing Pick

Through Thursday, May 8
Bonjour Tristesse 
Select Laemme Theatres
COST: FROM $8.50; MORE INFO

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Elevation Pictures

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Last summer, I went on a tear practicing my French before a trip, and one of the novels I attempted to get through with my limited reading comprehension was the short but sweet Bonjour Tristesse. A revolutionary work when it came out in the mid-1950s, it follows a young woman who has a wild summer in the south of France. The new film version, out this week, stars Lily McInerny and Chloë Sevigny.

Dine & Drink Deals

Tuesday, May 6
Camilla Marcus x Ètra
Ètra
737 N Western Ave., Melrose Hill
COST: VARIES, MORE INFO

Fine dining? Don’t mind if I do. Ètra’s Chef/Co-owner Evan Algorri, a 2025 James Beard Semifinalist for Best Chef: California, and GM/Co-owner Andrew Lawson are hosting a special collaboration dinner with Camilla Marcus, chef, entrepreneur, founder of NYC’s celebrated zero-waste restaurant west~bourne and author of the cookbook My Regenerative Kitchen. The springtime meal showcases the bounty of L.A.’s farmers’ markets.

Tuesday, May 6, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saltie Girl x Found Oyster 
Sunset Plaza
8615 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO 

East goes West on Tuesday night when Echo Park’s Found Oyster pops up at West Hollywood’s Saltie Girl. Next week, they’ll reverse the swap, so no matter where in L.A. you are, oysters are in your future. Exclusive specials will be available on both dates.

Monday, May 5 
Cinco de Mayo at KA’TEEN 
KA’TEEN
6516 Selma Ave., Hollywood
COST: VARIES, MORE INFO 

Specialty dishes and entertainment are on the menu for Cinco de Mayo at KA’TEEN, including striped bass ceviche, potato taquitos and queso fundido. Of course, there are also drink specials like the KA’TEEN margarita and a Costenito with spicy serrano pepper-infused vodka and charred pineapple.

Through Wednesday, May 7 
Puesto Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar
All Puesto locations (including Irvine and Anaheim)
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Orange County with Puesto’s modern Mexico City cuisine. The May 5 menu highlights include a special taco, a festive shooter flight and an exclusive beer. Plus, on May 6 and 7, Puesto via DoorDash is offering a couple of free options. On May 6, Toasted Hazelnut Tres Leches Cake with a minimum purchase of $30. On May 7, it’s a buy-one-get-one burrito deal, excluding burrito boxes.

Tuesday, May 6, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 
Farmer Boys Farmstand Party
2901 E. Slauson Ave. Huntington Park 
Huntington Park 
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

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Courtesy Farmer Boys

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Free to attend and perfect for families and adults of all ages, Farmer Boys is partnering with the L.A. Regional Food Bank for this event. Every guest who brings a canned food item will receive a free Farmstand menu item from their new menu.