This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: August 2 - 4
John Legend performs on stage at Spotify’s intimate evening of music and culture.
(
Antony Jones
/
Getty Images
)
Of all the Olympics opening ceremony memes, my personal favorite is the suggestion that in 2028 we should use the 405 Freeway the way Paris has used the Seine. Can’t you just see it – the freeway closed down with lowriders carrying the athletes across the Sepulveda Pass?
Maybe you’ve been inspired to do some surfing after watching the Olympians in Tahiti, or maybe you’re just glad the bacteria levels are better than the Seine’s for open-water swimming right here at home.
This week there’s tons to do, no matter your athletic ability. John Legend plays the Greek on Friday, and there’s a Charli XCX dance party at Zebulon. It’s also your last chance to catch some great exhibits and there are delicous eats at the Girl and the Goat chef brunch and Brew at the Zoo.
For more to explore, visit LAist.com, where we did the hard work and found L.A.’s best bakeries, checked out the area’s secret swimming holes, and visited a local school that consistently turns out Olympians.
Events
-
Sat, Aug 3'Kirbyvision': A Tribute to Jack Kirby
-
Corey Helford Gallery
571 S. Anderson St., #1, Boyle Heights
-
Corey Helford Gallery
-
Sat, Aug 3‘IdentificarX’: Celebrating ArtCenter’s Latina/e/o/x Alumni Community
-
ArtCenter College of Design, South Campus
1111 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena
More than 100 artists and designers from the ArtCenter’s LatinX alumni community are showing work in a range of disciplines through Sunday.
-
ArtCenter College of Design, South Campus
-
Sun, Aug 4'John Waters: Pope of Trash' + conversation with Ricki Lake
-
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
6067 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire
John Waters: Pope of Trash is the kind of exhibit you’re kind of shocked can even exist at a mainstream museum like the Academy.
-
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
-
Sun, Aug 4The Okee Dokee Brothers
-
The Getty Center
1200 Getty Center Dr., Brentwood
Slap on the sunscreen, pack a picnic, and bring the kids to the Getty Center for the annual free outdoor music series for families in the Central Garden.
-
The Getty Center
-
Fri, Aug 2'The Last Video Store'
-
Lyric Hyperion Theater & Bar
2106 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake
Aparna Nancherla is among a host of bold-faced comedy names coming to the Lyric Hyperion for a comedy variety show set.
-
Lyric Hyperion Theater & Bar
-
Sun, Aug 4CatCon
-
Pasadena Convention Center
300 E. Green St., Pasadena
Cat ladies are having a moment and nowhere will my fellow cat people be more at home than at the annual CatCon at Pasadena Convention Center. Miserable?
-
Pasadena Convention Center
-
Fri, Aug 2An Evening With John Legend
-
Greek Theatre
2700 N Vermont Ave., Griffith Park
John Legend at the Greek be anything other than…legendary?
-
Greek Theatre
-
Fri, Aug 2Charli XCX Dance Party
-
Zebulon
2478 Fletcher Dr., Atwater Village
Charli XCX dance party is brat.
-
Zebulon
-
Sat, Aug 3La Bulla
-
La Plaza de la Raza
3540 N. Mission Rd., Lincoln Heights
Lucha Libre wrestling matches take center stage at the La Bulla event in Plaza de la Raza, but there are also more than 150 artists exhibiting works to explore.
-
La Plaza de la Raza
-
Sun, Aug 4Boleros de Noche with Jose Feliciano
-
The Ford
2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood
The nine-time Grammy winner will perform bolero classics like "Poquita fe," "Cuando Pienso En Ti," "Como Fue, En Mi Viejo San Juan," and many more.
-
The Ford
Outdoor Pick
-
Sun, Aug 4L.A. River Sunset Walk
-
Lewis McAdams Riverfront Park
2944 Gleneden Street
Join L.A. River experts @nature_is_not_metal and @jasonjourneyman for a sunset walk along the river bank, home to tons of local birds and plants just waiting to be discovered by you.
-
Lewis McAdams Riverfront Park
Viewing Pick
-
Sat, Aug 3'Bye Bye Birdie'
-
Doctor’s House Lawn in Brand Park
1692 Brand Park Dr., Glendale
The 1963 musical Bye Bye Birdie shows just how much – and how little – teenagehood has changed through the lens of girls, their friends, and their teen idol obsessions.
-
Doctor’s House Lawn in Brand Park
Sponsored message
Dine & Drink Deals
-
Sun, Aug 4Avocado Fest
-
Angel City Brewery
216 Alameda St., Downtown L.A.
Head to Angel City Brewery for their 12th annual Avocado Fest, featuring their avocado and guacamole-inspired ales.
-
Angel City Brewery
-
Sat, Aug 3Brew at the Zoo
-
Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Dr., Griffith Park
Walk around the zoo grounds while tasting craft beers, spirits, cocktails and mocktails.
-
Los Angeles Zoo
-
Sat, Aug 3Girl and the Goat: Steph & Friends Brunch
-
Girl & the Goat Los Angeles
555 Mateo St., Arts District
Top Chef alum Chef Stephanie Izard has invited friends and fellow chefs to create a special Mexican and Italian-inspired brunch.
-
Girl & the Goat Los Angeles
-
Sun, Aug 4Harry’s Berries Benefit Dinner
-
Harry's Berries
5777 E. Vineyard Ave., Oxnard
Snag a ticket and enjoy a special experience with a farm-to-table meal.
-
Harry's Berries
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
