Best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California: September 16 - 19

Surely this show features pictures of both Tudor mansions and four-door mansions…

The 1988 Steve Martin classic comedy L.A. Story is the focus of a new exhibit at Hauser & Wirth in West Hollywood. Martin, an avid art collector in his own right, said, “‘I’m thrilled that L.A. Story is the focus of so many wonderful artists and a wonderful gallery, Hauser & Wirth, which is just across the street from the Troubadour, where I first stepped foot on Santa Monica Blvd., which began my L.A. sojourn.” Expect paintings from L.A. artists like David Hockney as well as more out-there takes on the film’s inspirations.

Mid-2000s Brooklyn indie band The Babies — not to be confused with 1980s punk stalwarts The Babys — haven’t played together in a decade, so head to Teragram for their reunion performance. When we last checked, the show was sold out, but there were a few tickets available on resale.

Quirky Emmy-nominated comedian John Early is probably best known for playing Jenna Maroney’s (Jane Krakowski) egg-donor son Jerome on 30 Rock (and for the Swifties out there, you may have spied him in the “Anti-Hero” video), but he’s made a big name for himself in the comedy scene and his first album, Now More Than Ever, comes out this week. The album features covers from Early and his band The Lemon Squares and an appearance from his alter ego, “Vicky with a V.” Catch his new act at the Bellwether.

Labeled as a “Chicano Noir” satire, Whittier Boulevard is taking a second bow after a successful first run in 2023. The play asks the question, "Who are we without our elders?" and peers into a future L.A. that, in 2042, is facing wildfires (hmm, check), torrential rain (check), and anarchy and bloodshed (none of that to report in 2024, fortunately) that have all but killed off the city’s elderly residents. José Luis Valenzuela directs.

SEEN is a unique experiment in immersive journalism — an all-creator-led content organization that’s using AR and other new technologies to tell first-person human interest stories. One of their correspondents, Ahmed, became an unlikely war correspondent after Oct. 7 and his dispatches from Gaza, all starting with the powerful intro, “Hi, it’s Ahmed, I’m alive,” have been put together into a film. It’s sure to be an intense and moving evening.

If you haven’t signed up for a tufting class at the Tuft House L.A. yet, a trip to Arcane Space in Venice to see Irish artist Domino Whisker’s show is sure to inspire you. Her whimsical musings on her childhood in California are all portrayed in hand-done tufting and tapestry and hung throughout the small gallery.

It’s super moon time, and what better way to take advantage of one of the brightest nights of the year than with a full moon hike through Griffith Park? @jasonjourneyman leads the hike and will use some special tools to add to the experience, including a telescope to really see that super moon and a bat detector to learn about echolocation.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with FIG’s new menu spotlighting Latin cuisine with a modern twist. Founder of Cafe Lola and Saint Honore Donuts, Dr. Alexandra Lourdes, co-created the menu. The highlight: gluten-free, dairy-free churros. $1 from each dish on the menu will be donated to the Santa Monica Education Foundation.

You would think National Cheeseburger Day would fall somewhere closer to July 4, but whatever the date, it’s never a bad time to get a great deal on a burger. Smashed Station in Burbank will be giving out free cheeseburgers (smashed or regular) to the first 50 customers, plus they are hosting a giveaway on their Instagram, where the winner will receive a full year of free burgers. Not to be outdone, Barney’s Beanery in West Hollywood, Burbank, Santa Monica, Westwood, and Pasadena will be doing half-off their Juicy Lucy burgers from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fast food chains including Wendy’s and Carl’s Jr. are also planning promotions.