Best Things To Do This Week In Los Angeles And Southern California: May 6 - 9

The always relevant – but lately even more so perhaps – presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin comes to Live Talks in support of her new personal history about an earlier tumultuous era in America, the 1960s. An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s is Goodwin’s deep dive into her late husband Dick Goodwin’s collection of their shared memorabilia, diaries, and photos from the Kennedy and Johnson administrations.

You never know what you might see at the Electric Lodge MAX10 events. Artistic director Joel Shapiro hosts a monthly night at the iconic Venice space for 10 performers to share 10 minutes of their latest project live on stage. The show is followed by a reception to meet and learn more about the artists.

Big-voiced English singer-songwriter Jessie J was compared to Adele and Amy Winehouse early in her career, but now the “Bang Bang” artist has five studio albums under her belt and has led collaborations with artists like The Black Eyed Peas and Mike Posner. She comes to Teragram Ballroom for two nights of all-acoustic shows before heading back to the UK for the summer festival circuit.

Each Wednesday afternoon through the end of May, the Getty hosts live poetry readings in the Robert Irwin Central Garden. What could be better than sunshine, flowers, and inspired words to brighten up Hump Day? This week, author and visual artist Senon Williams will perform. The readings take place from 2 to 3 p.m.

From new animated films to documentaries, for the past 40 years the L.A. Asian Pacific Film Festival has featured films by and about Asian and Pacific Islanders. Dozens of films are screening from now through May 10 celebrating AAPI filmmakers and their stories, so plan an evening out this week to catch one of these exciting films; many of the screenings include conversations with the artists behind them.

By the way, VC Film Fest is also highlighting an upcoming LAist project ahead of some screenings. So you may get a sneak peek at what's coming down the pipeline from us, too.

Big week for British J-named musicians, I guess! David J of Bauhaus and Love & Rockets fame will premiere two new music videos as well as perform an acoustic, stripped-down set from his new album of previously unreleased songs, Tracks From the Attic. He will also answer audience questions at the intimate Philosophical Research Society.

While airplanes have not had the best buzz lately, Come From Away will restore your faith in the joy of flying and frankly – and I’m not saying this lightly – in humanity overall. One of my favorite Broadway shows of the past decade, the musical tells the story of the 9/11 flights that were stranded in Gander, Newfoundland and the community that bound together during a very uncertain moment. The Broadway touring company plays at the Pantages through the end of the week.

Sundance feature War Game comes to the Hammer Museum as part of the Hammer Forum, which brings together politicians, veterans, and legal scholars to discuss the future of American democracy. The “docu-thriller,” which got some buzz at Sundance, takes the events of Jan. 6, 2021, and turns them into a futuristic simulation game. It’s a scary (and arguably necessary) watch.

Directors Jesse Moss and Tony Gerber, film participants, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, former Governor of Montana Steve Bullock and more will be on a panel moderated by UCLA professor and legal scholar Rick Hasen following the screening.

Taste plant-based specialties, meet leaders in the vegan and wellness community, try out vegan beauty products, and learn more about the plant-based lifestyle at the Vegan Women Summit. But you don’t have to attend the summit to try some new plant-based specialties – dozens of local restaurants will showcase a wide array of vegan cuisines including West African, Italian, Asian, and more all week long. A list of participating restaurants is here.

Lounge by the pool at Caravan Swim Club and sip on natural wine selections at half off every Wednesday at Hotel June near LAX.

Get ready to whip up a gorgeous cake for Mother’s Day next weekend by learning how to make the Blueberry Jam Cake with Sur La Table ahead of time. It’s been tried and tested by the experts at America’s Test Kitchen and just look at it, who could resist?