Best Things To Do This Week In Los Angeles And SoCal: Aug. 14 - 17

Scope out an international mural festival in Long Beach. Check out a night of music and performance at Tuesday Night Cafe. Attend one of The Airborne Toxic Event’s hometown shows. Hear rapper Killer Mike (of Run the Jewels) talk about his life and career.

Events

Monday, Aug. 14 - Saturday, Aug. 20

Long Beach Walls and Art Renzei Festival 
Various locations in Long Beach
With the theme of “Follow Your Bliss,” this year’s festival brings together a series of experiential outdoor installations, murals and interactive events that encourage self-reflection and an exploration of your own passion and joy. The festival includes 24/7 viewing of the murals, bike tours, an exhibition at the Open Gallery, and a closing night party.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

Monday, Aug. 14 - Tuesday, Aug. 15; 8 p.m.

First Draft
Human Resources
410 Cottage Home, Chinatown
First Draft is an evening of experimental works-in-process for L.A.-based dance and performance artists. The evening serves as a creative laboratory for wide-ranging artistic investigations in movement-based mediums for artists at all stages of their creative development. Curated by Emily Barasch, the venue becomes a performance laboratory for artists whose practices encompass movement-based mediums. Monday’s lineup features Camirin Farmer, Mia Simonović, Cuahtémoc Peranda and Emily Barasch. Tuesday artists include Sam Wentz, Joey Navarrete-Medina, Andrea Soto and Stacy Dawson Stearns.
COST: $5 - $20 sliding scale; MORE INFO

Tuesday, Aug. 15; 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday Night Cafe’s Fundraising Kickoff Show
Union Center for the Arts + Livestream
120 Judge John Aiso St., Little Tokyo
The Tuesday Night Project presents the next installment of its flagship program, the Tuesday Night Cafe—one of the longest-running free art series in DTLA. Dedicated to highlighting the work of visual and performing artists from the LA and Asian American community, the evening doubles as a fundraising kick-off for the organization. The lineup features beats by DJ Waxstyles and performances by Grace Chikui, Dremagix, Ashley Lanuza, and Super Group (Shin Kawasaki, Priska, Paul Dateh and Goh Nakamura). Plus, an open mic lottery.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

Tuesday, Aug. 15; 7:30 p.m.

The Drop: Killer Mike
Grammy Museum
800 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown L.A.
The museum welcomes Killer Mike (of Run the Jewels fame) for a conversation on his creative process and career, followed by an intimate performance celebrating his newest album, Michael. The album marks his first solo album since 2012’s R.A.P. Music. 
COST: $30; MORE INFO

Tuesday, Aug. 15; 7 -10 p.m.

BMI Acoustic Sunset Sessions
Skybar at Mondrian Los Angeles
8440 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
Listen to a night of live performances at theSkybar, featuring Samyra, T.A. Thomas and Susan Carol. The event is open to the public, but 21+.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

Tuesday, Aug. 15; 7:30 p.m.

Golda 
Landmark Westwood Theatre
1045 Broxton Ave., #2803, Westwood
KCET Cinema Series and host Pete Hammond hold an in-person screening of Golda, followed by a Q&A with Academy Award-winning director Guy Nattiv. The film follows Israel’s leader Golda Meir — known as the "Iron Lady of Israel — during the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Helen Mirren stars in the titular role with Camille Cottin as Lou Kaddar, Rami Heuberger as Moshe Dayan, Ohad Knoller as Ariel Sharon and Liev Schreiber as Henry Kissinger.
COST: $15; MORE INFO

Wednesday, Aug. 16; 7:30 p.m.

Bad Behavior
Dynasty Typewriter
2511 Wilshire Blvd., Westlake
Listen to comedians divulge morally questionable stories and then get judged by a pair of etiquette “experts” — podcast hosts Sterling Mulbry and Blair Peyton — who determine if they exhibited bad behavior and need to be punished. Comics seeking redemption this week are Natasha Leggero, Mary Beth Barone, Dylan Adler and Alyssa Limperis. This event is 18+.
COST: $20 - $25; MORE INFO 

Wednesday, Aug. 16 - Saturday, Aug. 19

The Airborne Toxic Event
El Rey Theatre 
5515 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire
The band plays four hometown shows in L.A., part of a tour celebrating the 15th anniversary of their self-titled debut album. At the Saturday night show, the band plays the entire album from beginning to end.
COST: $49.50; MORE INFO

Thursday, Aug. 17; 8 p.m.

Popular Kids Club Two-Year Anniversary Show
Permanent Records Roadhouse
1906 Cypress Ave., Cypress Park
The outdoor comedy show celebrates its second anniversary with a lineup that includes Reggie Watts, Doug Benson, Dana Gould, Aparna Nancherla, Johnny Pemberton, Irene Tu, Andrea Jin and a surprise guest.
COST: $8 - $12; MORE INFO

Thursday, Aug. 17; 8 p.m.

Obitchuary Live!
Dynasty Typewriter
2511 Wilshire Blvd., Westlake
Spencer Henry and Madison Reyes are friends and co-hosts of the Obitchuary podcast, where they share “the wildest, most absurd, and sometimes scathing obituaries” along with macabre history and funeral facts. VIP tickets include a meet & greet at 6 p.m. and preferred seating. This show is 18+.
COST: $35 - $85; MORE INFO

Thursday, Aug. 17; 6 - 9 p.m.

Sizzling Summer Nights
The Autry
4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park
The salsa music and dancing series continues at the Autry on Thursday nights in August. There are free salsa lessons with an instructor, plus the museum’s galleries open for browsing when you need a break. Performing this week is the Colombian Latin Soul Band.
COST: $20 - $25; MORE INFO

Culinary Connections - What’s Good In DTLA Food With How To LA takes place at the Crawford Family Forum on Feb. 2.

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Courtesy of LAist

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Thursday, Aug. 17; 7 p.m.

Culinary Connections - Summer Cookout 
The Crawford Family Forum 
474 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena
Join LAist’s Brian De Los Santos, host of How To LA, and Gab Chabrán, LAist’s food and culture editor, who explore the role that cookouts play in bringing people together. Guests include SueEllen Mancini, owner of Sad Girl Creamery; Janet Kang and Robin Kloess, co-owners of Pizza Baby; and Gustavo Chavez, owner of Carnitas El Artista. Of course, there will be treats post-discussion, so grab a plate and come hang.
COST: FREE - $20; MORE INFO

Viewing Pick

Oldboy
Neon celebrates the 20th anniversary of Park Chan Wook’s 2003 thriller Oldboy by rereleasing it in theaters, remastered and in 4K. The mystery follows Oh Dae-Su (Choi Min-sik) who was kidnapped and in prison for 15 years without human contact. When he’s suddenly released without explanation and has five days to track down his captors and exact his revenge. The film screens at the Alamo Drafthouse in downtown L.A. beginning on Aug. 14.

Dine and Drink Deals

Here are a few dine and drink options to indulge in this week.

• For many Italians, the holiday Ferragosto marks the beginning of their summer vacations. This year, Eataly LA holds a Festa di Ferragosto on Thursday, Aug. 17 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Indulge in Ferragosto bites, classic summer spritzes, Italian wines, and live entertainment. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased here. 
• On Thursday, Aug. 17 at 6 p.m., the Orange County Museum of Art in Costa Mesa presents Women in Wine: Fried Chicken & Champagne. The evening includes summer bubbles and crispy golden bites (chicken or mushroom). ​Advanced reservations are required. Ages 21+. Tickets: $75.
• Pali Wine Co.’s natural wine label and Neighborhood Winery collaborate with hip-hop artist and music producer Jermtown for the release of Loveland — a 2022 natural Sangiovese. The release party takes place on Thursday, Aug. 17 at Pali’s Arts District outpost. The evening features bites from Pali Wine Co.’s kitchen and live music from DJ Vivalatina. Reservations are not required but can be made via Tock. Free.
• Gracias Madre West Hollywood offers a $15 ‘Gracias Meal’ to SAG-AFTRA, WGA and IATSE-affiliated members and guests in August. The meal (pictured above) includes the new Gracias Bowl and an agua fresca.
• Each Monday in August, Resy releases exclusive reservations to select local restaurants for dining on Wednesday. Those who score a Resy at participating spots can enjoy a free dinner (up to $99 per person, max six diners per party) on Resy. Terms apply. This week’s restaurant partner is Kismet, offering Mediterranean flourishes in Los Feliz on Wednesday, Aug. 16.