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Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: August 9 - 11
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Toyo Miyatake Studios
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I saw a poignant documentary last weekend called Join or Die, which looks at how joining clubs and participating in our communities is the best thing we can do to connect with our neighbors and help our democracy stay strong. One of the things I learn every week in writing these picks is how diverse and vast the opportunities and offerings are of things to do in L.A. Who knew that just by checking out a new gallery or taking a cooking class you could be doing a small part for strengthening our city? Count me in.
This week, there’s tons to get involved in, from heading to the Friends of the L.A. River Festival to watching some great short films at HollyShorts, to meeting local artists at Sawdust in Laguna Beach. There’s also free braids and haircuts for kids as the back-to-school rush gets underway (already?! Can’t be!), a bunch of new pop-up entertainment experiences at Century City, and a magnificent concert and exhibit in the dome at Mt. Wilson.
For more to explore, visit LAist.com where you can snag a ticket to AirTalk’s FilmWeek screening of The Fast and the Furious, read up on the latest Michelin star awardees in the area, and learn the history of why MacArthur Park was split in two.
Events
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Sun, Sep 1Sawdust Art Festival
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Sawdust Art Festival Grounds
935 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach
Daily art classes, more than 180 local artists, live music, and more are all part of the summer-long Sawdust Art Festival in charming downtown Laguna Beach.
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Sawdust Art Festival Grounds
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Sun, Aug 18Nisei Week Japanese Festival
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Multiple Locations
Plan your visit and check out the dozens of shows and events in their online booklet or just take a ride downtown and wander through.
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Multiple Locations
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Sun, Aug 18'Company'
Stephen Sondheim’s Company is a uniquely adult musical about marriage, and this touring production of last year’s Broadway hit gender swaps the lead, Bobbie, and takes a revelatory modern take on an already groundbreaking show.
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Sun, Aug 11Concerts In the Dome + 'Of Sea and Sky' Exhibit
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Mount Wilson Observatory
Access via the Angeles Crest Highway (CA Hwy 2) from the 210 Freeway, La Cañada Flintridge
The dome has been transformed this summer into an immersive exhibit called Of Sea and Sky — open on weekends through October 20 — with video installations from Rebeca Méndez and large-scale prints by Stephen Nowlin.
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Mount Wilson Observatory
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Sat, Aug 31Century City Mall Movie & TV Pop-Ups
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Westfield Century City
10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City
You could spend all day navigating the entertainment-themed experiences that have taken over Westfield Century City.
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Westfield Century City
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Sun, Aug 11Olympics Closing Ceremonies watch party
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The Culver Steps
9300 Culver Blvd., Culver City
Meet up in Culver City to watch the end of the Paris 2024 Olympics on a huge LED screen and count down to the next summer Olympics happening right here in L.A.
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The Culver Steps
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Fri, Aug 9'Somos Los Angeles: Chicano Hearts'
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William Turner Gallery
2525 Michigan Ave., E-1, Santa Monica
Word Theatre brings their brand of immersive storytelling to work by Chicano authors at this special event at Bergamot Station.
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William Turner Gallery
Outdoor Pick
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Sun, Aug 11Friends of L.A. River Fest
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Los Angeles State Historic Park
1245 N. Spring St., Downtown L.A.
Join Friends of the L.A. River for their third annual celebration of the river with eco-activities, live performances, an art gallery, food trucks, and more at the L.A. State Historic Park.
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Los Angeles State Historic Park
Sponsored message
Viewing Pick
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Sun, Aug 1820th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival
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TCL Chinese Theatres
6925 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
The festival also has panels with filmmakers and expert sessions on marketing your short film, navigating legal questions, working with agents, and more.
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TCL Chinese Theatres
Dine & Drink Deals
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Sat, Aug 10Summer Luau
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Gladstones
17300 CA-1, Pacific Palisades
Get your luau on at Gladstones with traditional Hawaiian food, tropical drinks (mai tais served in pineapples and pina coladas in coconuts, yessss!)
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Gladstones
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Sat, Aug 10Rossmoor Family Food Festival
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Rush Park
3021 Blume Drive, Rossmoor
Rush Park in Rossmoor is the setting for this food festival, complete with a beer garden, live music, a carnival, and more than 50 gourmet food vendors.
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Rush Park
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Sun, Aug 11Back-to-School Braids and Buzz
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McDonald’s SoCal
6904 La Tijera Blvd., Inglewood
Book a free appointment and head to the McDonald’s on La Tijera for McDonald’s treats, music, games and free hair styling for students from Pre-K to Grade 12.
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McDonald’s SoCal
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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end 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.
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