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Best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California: September 2-4
Esperanza Spalding performs at the Blue Note Jazz Club on February 23, 2025 in New York City.
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Our Picks
Compton has a rich and varied history that includes — but goes far beyond — Dr. Dre, the Williams sisters and Kendrick Lamar, which LAist’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez explored when he reported on the upcoming expansion of the Compton Art and History Museum. This museum highlights the work of local artists and their impact in Los Angeles and beyond, and it's growing to more than five times its current square footage. It will be a home for the whole city to learn more about Compton and the neighborhood’s rich contributions and history. A great thing to keep an eye on for events and things to see.
More from LAist: Read about how the Hacks team makes L.A. a main character, pay a visit to the newly reopened Self Realization Center in the Palisades, and get a taste of the South at this popular O.C. fish fry pop-up.
Now, on to this week's events.
Events
Through Wednesday, September 3
U.S. Open broadcasts
COSM
1252 District Dr., Inglewood
COST: FROM $12; MORE INFO
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Naomi Osaka of Japan in action against Hailey Baptiste of the United States in the second round on Day 5 of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
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Just because you’re not in New York City for the U.S. Open doesn’t mean you can’t have a honey deuce and catch all the live action. Dome theater COSM is hosting live broadcasts of the tennis tournament, starting with this week’s quarterfinals.
Through Sunday, September 7
Esperanza Spalding
Blue Note Los Angeles
6372 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood
COST: FROM $60; MORE INFO
Esperanza Spalding performs with students at the Berklee College of Music Commencement Concert at Agganis Arena at Boston University in 2018.
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Ethereal bassist and singer-songwriter Esperanza Spalding kicks off a short residency at the brand new Blue Note L.A., with shows through next Sunday. I can’t think of a more perfect reason to get out to this new venue. Always evolving, Spalding’s latest work also includes collaborative projects, a focus on jazz and Black dance, and even a mockumentary.
September 4-27, 8 p.m.
Oedipus the King, Mama!
Getty Villa's Outdoor Theater
17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades
COST: $30; MORE INFO
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Last year, the Troubies put on one of the most fun shows I’ve ever seen in L.A., and definitely the most cleverly named: Duran Duran-thony and Cleopatra. How could we expect anything less for a follow-up? Their take on Oedipus is next, with an Elvis-inspired turn on Sophocles in Oedipus the King, Mama! With a setting at the recently reopened Getty Villa amphitheater, it is a night that definitely won’t leave you cryin' like a hound dog.
September 3-27
'Improper Ideology'
The Artists Gallery (TAG)
5458 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Pam Douglas ǀ Raya Yarbrough
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Music and art are natural bedfellows, but they're not often seen together in the gallery environment. Mother-daughter duo Pam Douglas, a visual artist, and composer-poet Raya Yarbrough are changing that, with a collaborative exhibition and concert series at The Artists Gallery, or TAG. Blending painting, sculpture, poetry and live music, they create “immersive experiences that speak to grief, cultural erasure, and environmental collapse — offering beauty and protest in equal measure.” Concerts run Sept. 5, 13, 20 and 26 at 8 p.m.
Thursday, September 4, 7 p.m.
Flaming Lips and Modest Mouse
The Greek Theatre
2700 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz
COST: FROM $65; MORE INFO
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips performs at O2 Academy Brixton on April 26, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Baker/Getty Images)
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A dream early 2000s indie rock lineup, if there ever was one. Wayne Coyne and the Flaming Lips bring their brand of zaniness to the Greek alongside Modest Mouse. Float on!
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Through Tuesday, October 28 (Artist talk: Thursday, September 4, 7 p.m.)
'Oasis: Be Here Now'
Musichead Gallery
7420 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood
COST: ARTIST TALK TICKETS FROM $50, EXHIBIT FREE; MORE INFO
Sorry, not sorry to anyone who is not a Britpop fan, but the next week is fully Oasis central ahead of their Rose Bowl shows on Sept. 5 and 6. This new exhibit at Musichead Gallery features images from British music photographer Kevin Cummins, who chronicles the Gallagher brothers’ rise to fame in their early days as a band.
Wednesday, September 3, 5 p.m.
Tough Guy Book Club
Stalking Horse
10543 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Real men read books. Pick up this month’s Tough Guy Book Club selection, the timely 1947 novel Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada, and join a manly chat about literature at The Stalking Horse.
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Viewing Pick
Tuesday, September 2, 7:20 p.m.
Oasis: Supersonic
Alamo Drafthouse
700 W 7th St., Ste. U240, Downtown L.A.
COST: $10.99; MORE INFO
I warned you about the Oasis coverage. This 2016 documentary about the forever-feuding brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher is playing at the Alamo Drafthouse and will get you in the mood for your "Wonderwall" weekend.
Dine & Drink Deals
Through Saturday, September 20
Alfalfa x California Olive Ranch
Multiple Alfalfa locations
COST: VARIES
These sound delish — and healthy, too. Your go-to olive oil (the one in the square bottle), California Olive Ranch, teams up with local salad chain Alfafa for two new dishes. The first is a summer harvest grain bowl with watermelon radish, kale, farro, sweet potato, pickled onion and avocado. The second is a berry and lemon olive oil cake.
Through September 30, Wednesdays to Sundays, 12 to 8 p.m.
Fiorelli Pizza
Cook’s Garden
1033 Abbot Kinney, Venice
COST: VARIES, MORE INFO
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Fiorelli Pizza
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It’s your last chance to enjoy the most magical pizza garden experience on Abbot Kinney. Low-key wood-burning pizza kitchen Fiorelli Pizza is moving to a brick-and-mortar location (mazel to them!) in Beverly Grove, but that means saying goodbye to the little Cook’s Garden space at the end of the month.
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