Best Things To Do This Week in Los Angeles and Southern California: April 29 - May 2

Michael Pollan changed our collective way of thinking about how we eat with his award-winning 2006 book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma. More recently, he’s taken on psychedelics – including in a four-part Netflix docuseries based on his book How to Change Your Mind – and in 2021 expanded on that research in This Is Your Mind on Plants. The conversation will be moderated by podcaster Rico Gagliano and is sure to, uh, blow your mind.

From Ali Wong to Zainab Johnson, from Big Mouth to Lil Dicky, there’s a comedy show for whatever suits your fancy at the Netflix Is a Joke Festival, happening at venues around the city over the next two weeks. Larry Mantle spoke with comedian Nick Kroll ahead of the festival about the evolution of comedy in L.A. You can catch Kroll alongside his Big Mouth cast members on May 2 at the Greek Theatre.

The Billboard Creative is hosting its 10th-anniversary show through the end of the month with work from 27 artists displayed on billboards throughout Los Angeles. The images include work from emerging and established artists, and feature work in photography, painting, sculpture, and more. Do a drive or bike around town using the map on their site and explore the city this week before they are taken down.

Pale pinks, baby blues, golden yellows, sans serif fonts in small caps, and just about anything French fit the bill to be included in the Instagram-era art genre “accidentally Wes Anderson.” Paying tribute to the king of cinematic symmetry, a new exhibit on Third Street Promenade features photographs of 200 destinations around the world that may as well be sets from The Royal Tenenbaums or Asteroid City.

Shake off the after-school energy by learning about the different musical genres and instruments used to celebrate Cinco de Mayo ahead of the holiday. Kids ages 5-12 and their families are invited to listen, learn, and make maracas to take home.

Art can be cute and cute can be art at Japan House’s latest exhibit, which shows the history and artistry behind the uniquely Japanese concept of “kawaii.” Translating literally to “cute” or “adorable,” the idea has exploded into a movement that touches on art, technology, and fashion. The gallery partnered with artist Sebastian Masuda to create a space and series of events capturing kawaii in all forms. The show will be on view until Nov. 3.

With so many performers in town for Netflix Is a Joke, extra shows are popping up, so take advantage! Popular Kids Club is an outdoor comedy event that happens every first and third Thursday of the month, and this week features Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), Dulcé Sloan (The Daily Show), and more.

Starting Wednesday, hundreds of tropical butterflies take flight at the South Coast Botanic Garden all summer long. You can even sign up to feed them, take professional-level photos with them, or learn more about their lifecycle in a Butterfly 101 class for parents and kids.

If you can name it, Dan Pashman can pasta-it. The noodle guru – who earned his moniker by creating the viral pasta shape cascatelli – joins comedian Andy Richter (Conan O’Brien) for a live recording of The Sporkful podcast to talk about his new book, Anything’s Pastable: 81 Inventive Pasta Recipes For Saucy People. KCRW Good Food host Evan Kleiman will also be featured. Plus there’s food from Wax Paper and drinks by Skyduster beer.

Get your very own kombucha baby going at this hands-on workshop from Casa Alquimista. You’ll learn the art of kombucha brewing, get help from expert fermenters, and taste unique, seasonally-curated flavors. Plus, take home your very own heirloom kombucha culture.

Shrimp from TransparentSea – an indoor, sustainable shrimp farm based right in Downey – are the focus of this bespoke dinner featuring chefs from award-winning restaurants including Holbox, Gjelina, Otium, and Yang’s Kitchen.