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Best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California: August 18-21
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Matthew Murphy
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Center Theatre Group
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Our Picks
First, just a reminder that Thursday is California Public Radio Day — a great time to show your support for LAist and all our favorite California public radio friends.
We have lots of music on tap around town, handpicked by our friends at Licorice Pizza, including My Morning Jacket at the Hollywood Palladium on Tuesday and Reneé Rapp at the Grammy Museum — listen to her Modern Love reading from last week if you get a chance; it’s fantastic. Laufey is at the Grammy Museum and Herbie Hancock at the Hollywood Bowl on Wednesday, and you can catch Ethel Cain at the Shrine Auditorium on Wednesday and Thursday.
More from LAist: Get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of RuPaul’s Drag Race, learn more about L.A.’s “ghost kitchen” phenomenon and how it’s affecting neighborhoods, and grab your tickets for next week’s live taping of Go Fact Yourself with Lilan Bowden and A Martinez.
Events
Monday, August 18
818 Day
Multiple locations, San Fernando Valley
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
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Los Angeles sunrise in the San Fernando Valley. The San Gabriel Mountains, Burbank and North Hollywood, California are in the background.
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trekandshoot/Getty Images
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iStockphoto
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Like, totally support local businesses in the San Fernando Valley and learn about unique Valley history and landmarks all around the area on 818 Day. My Valley Pass has deals and info for Universal CityWalk and more. And check out this L.A. in a Minute video from 2023 to learn more about 818 Day and the history of the Valley. Or pay a visit to the Valley Relics Museum.
Thursday, August 21, 6 to 10 p.m.
Venice Art Crawl: Walk Streets
Walk streets between Abbot Kinney Blvd. and Lincoln Blvd., Venice
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
With the ongoing mystery surrounding the deaths of dogs in the Venice Canals, this quarter’s Venice Art Crawl has been moved into the walk streets. While the canal is always a favorite, the walk streets — Marco Place, Amoroso Place, and Nowita Court — are less explored by non-Venice dwellers, and the art crawl is a great way to check out some of these charming streets behind the popular stores on Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Find local artists, live music and more in this little undiscovered pocket of L.A.
Wednesday, August 20, 8 p.m.
Tennis with Cults
Greek Theatre
2700 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz
COST: FROM $25; MORE INFO
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Indie pop duo Tennis is retiring like Roger Federer and going out with one big album — April’s Face Down in the Garden — and now a big show at the Greek Theatre, with special guest (and longtime favorite of mine) Cults, probably best known for their hit "Go Outside."
Tuesday, August 19, 7 p.m.
Carly Rae Jepsen
Troubadour
9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
COST: N/A, MORE INFO
Okay, okay, this is definitely sold out, but (call me) maybe you’ll luck out last minute or find some tickets available via resale. Canadian pop star Carly Rae Jepsen is doing a small show for the 10th anniversary of her third album, E•MO•TION. The 2015 record includes “I Really Like You” and “Run Away With Me.” But I can’t imagine there won’t be a “Call Me Maybe” encore.
Through Sunday, September 7
& Juliet
Ahmanson Theatre
135 N. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A.
COST: FROM $51.75; MORE INFO
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Matthew Murphy
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Center Theatre Group
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& Juliet is a twist on Romeo & Juliet, told from Juliet’s perspective and featuring pop hits like "Oops I Did It Again," “Roar,” “Domino” and more from the brain of Swedish mega-producer Max Martin. It's arrived in L.A. for its first national tour at the Ahmanson. The show is reminiscent of the irreverent super smash Six and will have pop fans of all ages dancing in their seats (and singing along, I’m sure). It moves to the Segerstrom for a short run starting Sept. 9, so catch it in either downtown L.A. or Irvine.
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Through Monday, September 22
Los Trompos
Victoria Gardens
12505 North Mainstreet, Rancho Cucamonga
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Colorful, woven, interactive sculptures line the Victoria Gardens shopping complex in Rancho Cucamonga through Sept. 22. Created by Mexican designers Héctor Esrawe and Ignacio Cadena, the Los Trompos installation, which means “spinning tops” in Spanish, features eight different larger-than-life spinning tops that invite visitors to play and engage.
Monday, August 18, 7:30 p.m.
Writers Bloc presents Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker with Billy Ray
The Ebell of Los Angeles
4401 West 8th St., Koreatown
COST: $33.85, MORE INFO
It’s a little hard to get excited about political conversations of late, but this chat between screenwriter Billy Ray (The Hunger Games, Captain Phillips) and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is sure to be fiery and enlightening. Pritzker will discuss his thoughts on where the Democratic Party is headed and what’s next for Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
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Viewing Pick
Thursday, August 21, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Human Footprint: Vanishing Act
Natural History Museum Commons Theater
700 Exposition Park Dr., Exposition Park
COST: FREE WITH RSVP; MORE INFO
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Natural History Museum
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Join the Natural History Museum and PBS SoCal for a screening of the “Vanishing Act" episode of Human Footprint, featuring our very own prehistoric celebrities, the La Brea Tar Pits, at the Natural History Museum Commons Theater. A post-film Q&A will follow, featuring series host Biologist Shane Campbell-Staton with Associate Curator and Excavation Site Director Dr. Emily Lindsey, psychologist and science communicator Dr. Cara Santa Maria, and series director Nathan Dappen of Day’s Edge Productions. The evening ends with a free reception, complete with light bites, drinks and the opportunity to chat with scientists from the museum and local environmental organizations.
Dine & Drink Deals
Wednesday, August 20, 7 p.m.
Bonsai Bar at Laguna Beer
859 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach
COST: $85; MORE INFO
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Bonsai Bar
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Discover the art of bonsai over a brew at Laguna Beer. You’ll make your own bonsai to take home and meet new friends while learning the ancient art that encourages precision and meditation.
Starting Wednesday, August 20, 5 to 8 p.m.
Izakaya Sunsets
Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
244 San Pedro St., Little Tokyo
COST: $5; MORE INFO
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Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
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The garden at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center is a hidden gem in downtown Los Angeles. Once a month through November, you can enjoy evening drinks and bites in the green oasis. I’m not exaggerating; it’s one of the most incredibly designed places in L.A. The monthly pub will feature izakaya-inspired otoshi (snacks) from Chef Gay Matsumoto (Azay and Hansei) as well as sake, shochu, and beer.
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