Best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California: August 25-28

It’s been hot outside, but inside, there’s cool jazz heating up Hollywood at the newest venue on the scene. The Blue Note’s legacy precedes it, and the new venue is already building buzz and reviving the brand beyond its New York City roots, with big jazz artists and more booked for the intimate venue. This week, catch Mayer Hawthorne at two shows on Monday night.

More music abounds beyond the Blue Note, too, with picks from Licorice Pizza, including John Oates solo at the Troubadour on Monday and two nights with Passion Pit’s Michael Angelakos at the Moroccan Lounge Tuesday and Wednesday.

More from LAist: prepare to slow down driving through WeHo as the city lowers speed limits, learn about the endangered tortoises in the Mojave, and enjoy our talk with Freakier Friday actor Manny Jacinto.

Events

Wednesday, August 27, 7:30 p.m.
LGBTQ+ night at Shucked 
Pantages Theatre
6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
COST: $39; MORE INFO 

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Pantages Theatre

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L.A. is a long way from the cornfields of Iowa (just ask Kevin Costner). But the cast of Shucked is bringing the farm to us with performances of the Broadway hit at the Pantages. This Wednesday, tickets support LGBTQ+ night at the show and include a drink in the lobby and a pre-show hang. Plus, keep an eye out, as rush ticket deals for upcoming performances are abundant!

Wednesday, August 27, 7 p.m.
Move, groove and connect through dance at MOLAA
Museum of Latin American Art
628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach
COST: $20; MORE INFO 

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Unsplash

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What could be hotter this summer than learning how to merengue? It's one of a series of classes this summer that also includes cumbia, bachata and salsa nights. Head to the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) to get a taste of merengue from Cielo Dance Events instructors. Learn about the history of these dances, check out the art while getting down to merengue beats and bring your favorite dance partner — or find a new one.

Wednesday, August 27, 7 p.m.
Dorian Wood: 'La nada que te ama'
Human Resources L.A.
410 Cottage Home St., Chinatown
COST: SUGGESTED PRICE $15; MORE INFO

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Keith Scott

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If you missed this performance at L.A. Dance Project’s ABUNDANCE show last April, don’t miss out this time. Performance artist Dorian Wood explores lust, solitude, grief and sensuality in an expanded version of the piece “La nada que te ama” — “the nothing that loves you” — at Human Resources. The show incorporates projection and dance to create an intimate connection with the audience.

Monday, August 25, 8 p.m.
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
The Ford
2580 Cahuenga Blvd. E., Hollywood
COST: FROM $62; MORE INFO

Béla Fleck and the Flecktones take the stage outside at The Ford for a night of intimate banjo and jazz stylings. The foursome draws from all sorts of musical backgrounds to create a unique sound blending classical, jazz, bluegrass, African music, electric blues and Eastern European folk that’s brought them to venues all over the world for decades.

Wednesday, August 27, 7:30 p.m.
After Dark Comedy Show benefit
Wilshire Ebell Theatre
4401 W. 8th St., Koreatown
COST: FROM $35; MORE INFO

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After Dark

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An all-star lineup is in the works for the annual After Dark Comedy Show, benefitting the local arts nonprofit Young Storytellers. The evening features comedians Patton Oswalt, The Bear’s Carmen Christopher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Chelsea Peretti, Aparna Nancherla, the Sklar brothers and more.

Wednesday, August 27, 7:30 p.m.
Match In a Haystack screening and Q&A
Laemmle Royal
11523 Santa Monica Blvd., West L.A.
COST: $17.50; MORE INFO 

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Joe Hill

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Making art is challenging even in the best of circumstances; those who do their work under the haze of war have an even more monumental task. The new documentary Match In a Haystack follows a female dance group in Ukraine putting on their first show after the Russian invasion in 2022. Executive produced by ballerina and activist Misty Copeland, the Los Angeles run is timed to coincide with Ukrainian Independence Day this week. The film runs through Sept. 4, but a Q&A moderated by Los Angeles Times film critic Katie Walsh with director Joe Hill follows the screening on Wednesday. Check out the trailer here.

Viewing Pick

Wednesday, August 27, 3:30 p.m.
The Insider 
The Vista Theatre
4473 Sunset Drive, Los Feliz
COST: $14.50; MORE INFO

I’ve been thinking a lot about The Insider lately. Michael Mann’s 1999 exploration of corporate greed and the first indictment of CBS News — long before the recent concessions made to the Trump administration — stuck in my head for years after seeing it, both for Al Pacino and Russell Crowe’s memorable performances as much as the timing of it coming out right when I was starting in the media world. And it’s still so relevant, even sparking a recent interview with the movie’s subject, former CBS News producer Lowell Bergman, on The Daily podcast.

Dine & Drink Deals

Tuesday, August 26
The Benjamin Hollywood, 'With Friends': Moo's Craft Barbecue
The Benjamin Hollywood
7174 Melrose Ave., Hollywood
COST: $99; MORE INFO

Texas BBQ comes to The Benjamin Hollywood as Michelin-recognized Moo’s founders Andrew and Michelle Muñoz join in for a one-night-only collaboration. Tickets include a multi-course family-style dinner, welcome cocktail and limited-edition Moo’s x The Benjamin T-shirt.

Tuesday, August 26, 9 a.m.
Raising Cane’s 'immersive art drive-thru restaurant' opening
Raising Cane’s
7204 Carson Blvd., Long Beach
COST: FREE TO SEE, MEAL PRICES VARY

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Raising Cane’s

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Yes, you read that right; even chicken fingers are going immersive. Raising Cane's new Long Beach location features bold murals by award-winning Long Beach artist Dave Van Patten that you can actually drive through, as well as LED screens lighting up a double-lane drive-thru for a futuristic way to place your order. The patio honors Long Beach with custom art, disco balls and memorabilia. Get there early for the opening day, where the restaurant is inviting folks for giveaways and a DJ party vibe.

Monday, August 25, 5 to 8 p.m.
Love Island Reunion watch party
STK Westwood
1100 Glendon Ave., Westwood
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

Megan Thee Stallion’s Chicas Divertidas tequila brand is getting the party started for the Love Island Reunion Watch Party at STK by giving every guest a complimentary Watermelon Chica-Rita. She’s clearly a Love Island mega fan, as her cameo this season showed. The evening features food and drink specials like the Girl Dinner — Caesar salad, parmesan truffle fries and a glass of bubbly for $25 — and insider styling tips from the show’s Emily Men and Sugared & Bronzed will give attendees exclusive cards for a free month of tanning services.