With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
Best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California: July 21-24
The 2025 O.C. Fair is open through August 17!
(
Michael Goulding
/
OC Fair
)
Our Picks
It’s been a rough week for public media. We’re reporting on the Congressional cuts and what you can do to help.
Over at Licorice Pizza, Lyndsey Parker has music recs for your week ahead, including Midnight Cowgirls at Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace if you fancy a drive out to the desert, Ben Kweller at the Troubadour on Tuesday, and Father John Misty with Lucinda Williams at the Greek Theatre on Friday.
And more to explore from LAist: we reminisce about Clueless and its fashion impact for its 30th anniversary, look into the expansion of youth sports in L.A. thanks to the 2028 Olympics, and visit the city’s first modern distillery.
Events
Now open
Photomatica: The Photo Booth Museum
3827 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake
COST: FREE TO ENTER; MORE INFO
Support for LAist comes from
Retro is cool again, and nothing says it more than the newly opened Photomatica photo booth museum in Silver Lake. Joining its sibling in San Francisco, the new museum features all things analog photobooth, with vintage machines where you can strike a pose and make a keychain to bring your memories with you anywhere you go.
Thursday, July 24
Art House Theater Day 2025
Multiple Laemmle locations
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
(
Courtesy Art House Convergence
)
Oscar-winning director Sean Baker (Anora) has used his many platforms to champion independent cinemas and filmmakers. This week, he’s dedicating a whole day to celebrating some classic indie films on the big screen. Art House Theater Day is going on at Laemmle venues all around the region. Catch favorites like The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe starring Lily Tomlin in Santa Monica, Baker’s own Tangerine in NoHo, Tomboy in Glendale and Whispers of the Heart in Claremont.
July 23 through October 27
& Juliet: The Music of Max Martin and Friends
Grammy Museum
800 W Olympic Blvd., Downtown L.A.
COST: GENERAL ADMISSION $22.50; MORE INFO
Support for LAist comes from
Juliet gets to tell her side of the story in &Juliet, the jukebox musical coming to the Ahmanson in mid-August. Before then, you can check out the pop songs that bring the show to life at a new exhibit at the Grammy Museum. Timed to coincide with the touring production’s summer run, the pop-up exhibit pays homage to producer Max Martin, the force behind huge hits from superstars like Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Ariana Grande, The Backstreet Boys, Céline Dion and many more. Check out rare memorabilia and recognizable recent history from some of the world’s biggest pop acts.
Through Sunday, August 17
O.C. Fair
88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa
COST: FROM $13; MORE INFO
Find all kinds of delicious eats at the O.C. Fair.
()
Of course, the Orange County Fair has every weird and delicious thing you can eat — from bacon cotton candy to bacon cheddar donuts — but there’s also produce growing and food competitions, rides, games and live music. This week, check out Herman’s Hermits on Wednesday or Fitz and the Tantrums on Friday.
Wednesday, July 23, 8 p.m.
Women Aren’t Funny
El Rey Theatre
5515 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire
COST: FROM $40; MORE INFO
Not that these comics have anything to prove to anyone, since I’m pretty sure we know they’re funny, but the Women Aren’t Funny show is sure to be anything but unfunny. Comedians Drew Afualo, Whitney Cummings, Robby Hoffman, Fatimah Taliah and Subhah Agarwal are set to take the stage at the El Rey.
Support for LAist comes from
Viewing Pick
Thursday, July 24, 6 to 10 p.m.
The Hayden Tract Sunset Cinema Series: Elf
3528 Hayden Ave., Culver City
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
It’s Christmas in July at Culver City’s free movie night at Hayden Tract. Bundle up in your holiday best for Elf, starring Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel. There’s free popcorn — and free parking! Expect holiday decor and North Pole cheer no matter how high the mercury goes.
Dine & Drink Deals
Tuesday, July 22, 5 to 10 p.m.
Holbox x Si! Mon
60 N. Venice Blvd., Venice
COST: $216; MORE INFO
Support for LAist comes from
(
Courtesy Holbox x Si! Mon
)
Chef Gilberto Cetina of the Michelin-starred restaurant Holbox will be cooking with Chef José Olmedo Carles Rojas of Si! Mon for a special six-course tasting menu and a cantina-style a la carte experience. The menu will showcase premium quality seafood with each restaurant’s unique perspective.
Wednesday, July 23, 6 p.m.
Treasure Wine Estates Dinner
Gelson’s Westlake Village
2734 Townsgate Road, Westlake Village
COST: $125; MORE INFO
(
Kelsey Knight
/
Unsplash
)
Taste wines from vineyards including Stag’s Leap, Etude, Frank Family and more at this wine pairing event at Gelson’s in Westlake Village. Dine on short rib, yellowtail and more chef’s specials alongside wines with each course.
July 21-27
Burrata Celebration
Pasta Sisters
Culver City, Pico locations (dine in), Costa Mesa (take-out/delivery)
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
Nothing says summer like burrata, so indulge in Pasta Sisters’ tomato spaghetti with burrata for just $19.99 this week. Plus, enter a social media giveaway for a chance to win free pasta for a year.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent. -
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places. -
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures. -
It will be the second national day of protest against President Donald Trump.
Best of LAist