Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: July 19 - 21

If you’ve seen the FX series Welcome to Wrexham, you’re already well-versed in the Cinderella story of Wales’ Wrexham soccer club. Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney invested in the ragtag footballers across the pond, and their leadership has led both the women’s and men’s teams to success over the past few seasons. This weekend, they come off your screen and onto the pitch at UCLA, where you can see the women’s team take on SoCal FC on Friday or Tigres Femenil’s Under 19s on Sunday.

The longest-running annual hip-hop event in the U.S. takes the stage at McArthur Park’s Levitt Pavilion – for free! – with performances from Egyptian Lover (Greg Brossard) and Special Ed. Plus, see an East Coast-West Coast rap battle and a locking & popping dance showcase. Learn more about the history of the BBoy Summit here. There’s a documentary out soon.

This year’s free Independent Shakespeare Co. play is As You Like It, performed at the old L.A. Zoo grounds in Griffith Park with a 1930s screwball comedy theme – complete with an immersive prologue before each show. Performances run Wednesday-Sunday every week until September 1, but this weekend, families are in for a treat with a special Players in the Park workshop at 6 p.m. Learn more about the history of outdoor Shakespeare in L.A. and more about this year’s show here.

Comedian Jen Kober (Hacks, Black Monday) brings her unique blend of Southern humor and storytelling to The Ice House in Pasadena. Get a preview by watching her comedy special No Flies On Me on YouTube. She recently won Best Comedic Performance on NPR’s Snap Judgement

Get inspired by both physical transformations and uplifting stories at SuperShow, a new bodybuilding competition at Culver City’s SixPax Gym. It showcases both incredible bodies and the challenges that these athletes overcame to reach their goals. Participants range from ages 20 to 60. It’s $99 to join the competition but free to watch these local elite athletes.

Celebrate Black expression in music and art at the beach this weekend with the first annual Venice Soulstice festival. Held on the historic First Baptist Church of Venice’s grounds, the event features live painting from artist Gakwaya, musical performances, a talk from a local historian about the legacy of Black communities on L.A.’s Westside, Jamaican food from Ozi’s Kitchen, and more.

Two big concerts take over The Broad’s East West Bank Plaza and first floor galleries this weekend. The first, on Friday, honors producer and rapper J Dilla with performances by artists who have been inspired by him, with a special focus on house and dance music that will have you grooving under the stars. The night also includes a show from Detroit’s Moodymann with Dames Brown on vocals. On Saturday, the plaza will be home to music inspired by the museum’s exhibit Mickalene Thomas: All About Love, with performances from rapper Flo Milli, alt-rock and soul songwriter Fousheé, and "Mama’s Eyes" performer METTE.

Head out to the Brand Library in Glendale any time before August 9 to see more than 100 exceptional artworks on paper that explore new ways to use the everyday medium. The show is curated by former L.A. Weekly arts editor and author Shana Nys Dambrot. Dambrot also highlights great L.A. art happenings every week in the 13 Things newsletter.

Couldn’t snag a ticket to one of the popular Barnsdall Art Park wine nights? No worries, this weekend’s movie screening gives you access to one of the most beautiful and historic spots in L.A. and a great film as well. Hollyhock House and French cultural institution Villa Albertine have teamed up for a screening of the indie film My Donkey, My Lover, and I, directed by Caroline Vignal. The French version (showing with subtitles) came out in 2020 and is being remade by American film director Catherine Hardwicke; the new version will star Toni Collette. Hardwicke will be at the screening to introduce the film.

Only happy bubbles are allowed at the Women’s Dive Day Party hosted by Eco Dive Center at the Hotel Figueroa’s pool. Mermaids of all dive experience levels are welcome. You can even slip on a mermaid tail and swim with certified instructors. There will also be a divewear fashion show, ocean conservation talks from Heal the Bay and Shark Allies, plus SCUBA gear try-ons, a DJ, and food and drink specials. RSVP required.

What, you’ve never had a “snow cone topped with chopped pickles, gummy bears marinated in Kool-Aid overnight, and a final Kool-Aid powder garnish”? There’s no time like the present to try this unique Piccadilly treat at a party hosted by Chapter House L.A., an Indigenous women-led community arts space. Plus there will be music and games!

Pizza pop-up Boy Blue is having an anniversary party with Jumbo Time Wines!

Happy summer! McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams is offering 15% off all pints on their site. To redeem use code NICD24 at check-out. And if you have a shop near you (Grand Central Market, Santa Monica’s 3rd Street Promenade, Studio City, Pacific Palisades), McConnell’s is offering a buy three pints, get one free sale in all their shops!