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Best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California: June 2 - 5
Onya Nurve attends the 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Finale Watch Party at Hard Rock Hotel New York on April 18, 2025.
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Santiago Felipe
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Getty Images for MTV
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Our Picks
The first American walked in space on June 3, 1965, so it’s only fitting that we have a pretty space-themed lineup of events this week, from celebrity astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson in Riverside to an event in Santa Monica where you can meet astronauts and send a message to the moon. Far out!
Closer to home, we’re teaming up with Licorice Pizza’s LPTV every Monday, where music journalist Lyndsey Parker shares her list of the best shows to catch. This week, Lyndsey highlights the Black Keys at the Greek, a conversation with Toby Gad (hosted by Parker herself!) at the Grammy Museum, Ministry with My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult at the Hollywood Palladium, and much more.
Over at LAist.com, you can reserve your tickets for LAist’s Super-Fun Saturday on June 14 at the Autry. And if you were displaced due to the fires, make sure to update your address so your property tax refund isn’t lost in the mail!
Events
Through Saturday, June 28
'Simply the Best: The Power and Perseverance of Tina Turner'
Musichead Gallery
7420 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood
COST: FREE WITH RSVP; MORE INFO
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Tina Turner’s iconic legacy is celebrated through 20 photographs by 11 artists capturing her expansive career. From studio portraits to behind-the-scenes images, this exhibit at Musichead Gallery is, well, simply the best. The show also includes her groundbreaking Rolling Stone magazine cover, historic concert posters, and more.
Wednesday, June 4, 7:30 p.m.
Neil deGrasse Tyson: An Astrophysicist Goes to the Movies
Fox Performing Arts Center
3801 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside
COST: FROM $92; MORE INFO
Neil deGrasse Tyson at New York's Build Studio in 2019 to discuss 'MasterClass' Critical Thinking and Practical Element.
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Michael Loccisano
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Getty Images
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Are you that person who nitpicks the facts in sci-fi movies? Do you spoil the suspension of disbelief that some of us enjoy? Am I telling you too much about my relationship here?
Anyway, if you’re going to separate science fact from fiction, it's best to do it with renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. He'll be taking you through his favorite films — and favorite to pick apart — at the Fox Center in Riverside.
Tuesday, June 3, 3:30 p.m.
Moon Mission: Message to the Future
Fairmont Santa Monica
101 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Dr. Sian Proctor
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Speaking of space, send your message to the stars at this free event, Moon Message to the Future, at the Fairmont in Santa Monica. Your note will be etched onto a disc heading to the stars, courtesy of the Starborn Academy Moon Mission — no joke! The event will feature VR experiences, a demo of the FLIP Rover, message-writing stations, a talk from astronaut Dr. Sian Proctor and an opportunity to meet the Astrolab engineering team.
Tuesday, June 3, 7 p.m.
Happy Sad Confused podcast taping with Gary Oldman
Fine Arts Theatre
8556 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills
COST: $55.09; MORE INFO
Gary Oldman is the ultimate shapeshifter on screen, from Batman to True Romance to his latest role as curmudgeonly-but-brilliant Jackson Lamb in Slow Horses. He’s joining podcast host Josh Horowitz for a live taping of Happy Sad Confused at the Fine Arts Theatre on Tuesday night.
Wednesday, June 4, 6:30 p.m.
Pride 2025 In Focus: RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Onya Nurve + choreographer Jamal Sims
Neuehouse Hollywood
6121 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood
COST: FREE WITH RSVP; MORE INFO
Onya Nurve attends the 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Finale Watch Party at Hard Rock Hotel New York on April 18, 2025.
(
Santiago Felipe
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Getty Images for MTV
)
Support for LAist comes from
Sashay over to Neuehouse, where the Hollywood members club is opening up for a conversation with RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 winner Onya Nurve and choreographer Jamal Sims. Plus, see a screening of the fan-favorite episode from this season, “The Wicked Wiz of Oz: The Rusical!”
June 3-8
Seoul Festival: 'New Voices From Korea'
LA Phil at Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 S. Grand Ave.
Downtown L.A.
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
All week, Walt Disney Concert Hall is playing host to a curated series featuring Korean and Korean-born composers, including two world premieres on Tuesday: a new violin concerto by Yie-Eun Chun, performed by SooBeen Lee, and reflective - silky and rough, a flute piece composed by Dongjin Bae. Later in the week, Hankyeol Yoon leads the L.A. Phil in the world premiere of a new orchestral piece, and more.
Through January 2026
'Construction, Occupation'
The Fowler Museum at UCLA
308 Charles E Young Drive N., Westwood
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
"Construction, Occupation," the recently opened exhibition at UCLA’s Fowler Museum, looks at the relationship between São Paulo and L.A., exploring the intersections of art, activism, and social justice through the lens of urban transformation. The show includes 24 artists and collectives, primarily from Brazil, curated by Associate Professor Alex Ungprateeb Flynn (UCLA’s Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance) and São Paulo-based independent curators Juliana Caffé and Yudi Rafael.
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Viewing Pick
Now playing
The Phoenician Scheme
Multiple locations (special enamel pin at Alamo Drafthouse location)
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
To know me is to accept that I’m a huge Wes Anderson fan. So, apologies to readers for whom whimsy, symmetry and fun do not bring the same joy, but I’ve been counting the minutes to the release of The Phoenician Scheme. And Alamo Drafthouse seems to feel the same way I do, as they are offering a free, super cute enamel pin with your ticket purchase and hosting some fun film events and displays at various screenings.
Dine & Drink Deals
June 3-8
Toki Suntory Whiskey Highball Week
Multiple locations
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
Toki Highball Machine cocktail poured into three shot glasses that are centered between two bottles of Toki Suntory whiskey.
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Courtesy The House of Suntory
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Three downtown bars – Accomplice Bar (3811 Grand View Blvd), Spring Street Bar (626 S Spring St B), and LOST-DTLA (718 S Hill St, Rooftop) – are hosting specials for Japanese whiskey Toki Suntory this week, featuring highballs made by the “Toki Highball Machine” for the occasion, which creates “perfectly balanced, ultra-carbonated highballs with precision and consistency.”
Monday, June 2
Lalo Marg Night Pride Kick-Off Party
Bar Next Door
9159 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
Interior of a restaurant on the Sunset Strip.
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Stan Lee
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The Sunset Strip is the place to be during Pride, and Bar Next Door is celebrating the first week of Pride with discounted margaritas and a festive spirit.
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