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Arts & Entertainment

Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: July 26 - 28

SFV-OBON-FESTIVAL
Kira Matsuno, 25, left, Sarah Hankins, 26, right, dance during the San Fernando Valley Obon Festival.
(
Julie Leopo
/
LAist
)

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If getting around Los Angeles in traffic was an Olympic sport, I’d have a gold medal – as I’m sure many of you would, too.

So put those navigation skills to work for something fun and get out to see the Opening Ceremony for the Olympics in IMAX straight from Paris. You can also swing down to Long Beach for the Surf Guitar 101 Festival or take a drive up the coast for a hip pizza dinner in Montecito. And Broadway fans won’t want to miss MUSE/IQUE’s weekend show at the Wallis or the last weekend of Peter Pan at the Pantages (and then say that ten times fast!).

For more things to explore, visit LAist.com where you can find out the best spots to see the bioluminescence in Newport Beach, get a guide to trekking Inglewood on foot, and learn who got picked and who got snubbed in this year’s class of Emmy nominees.

Events

  • Fri, Jul 26

    Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony in IMAX

    • Multiple Locations

    Head to select IMAX movie theaters to catch the ceremony live on a (really) big screen.

  • Sun, Jul 28

    'Peter Pan'

    Acclaimed Native American playwright Larissa Fasthorse (The Thanksgiving Play) was brought in to write additional material and modernize the Jerome Robbins classic and the result is a much more inclusive version of the show.

  • Fri, Jul 26

    Jazz at LACMA: Bruns & Baché

    • LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)
      5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire

    Nine-piece retro-soul band, Bruns & Baché consists of musicians who’ve played with big names from Beck to Michael Bublé.

  • Sun, Jul 28

    Surf Guitar 101 Festival 2024

    • Crystal Ballroom at the Golden Sails Hotel
      6285 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach

    The classic California sound of surf guitar takes center stage at this festival in Long Beach.

  • West L.A. Obon Festival

    • West L.A. Buddhist Temple
      2003 Corinth Ave., Sawtelle

    Obon festivals across L.A.’s Japanese community are in full swing, and West L.A.’s Japantown is hosting a packed schedule of dance and celebrations.

  • Sat, Jul 27

    Something New: Local-ympics

    • Santa Monica Beach (Exact Location TBD)
      , Santa Monica

    Our friends at Something New have another Olympic-sized surprise up their sleeves with this event.

  • Sat, Jul 27

    Okwy Osadebe

    • Grand Performances
      350 S. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A.

    Dance to the beats of West Africa, followed by a performance from African highlife artist Okwy Osadebe.

  • MUSE/IQUE: 'Plenty of Heart, Plenty of Hope'

    • The Wallis
      9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd. , Beverly Hills

    MUSE/IQUE is one of the most innovative theater events and the current performance is sure to be stellar.

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  • Fri, Jul 26

    Book Signing and Bites with Olympic Medalist Tasha Danvers

    • Jerk Wings Cafe
      8300 Tampa Ave. , Northridge

    Two-time Olympian Tasha Danvers will share stories over light refreshments and sign copies of her book, Winning on Purpose.

  • Sun, Jul 28

    Swiss Fair Los Angeles

    • Swiss Fair Grounds
      1905 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier

    Pop over to Whittier to taste raclette, various sausages, spatzle and more.

  • Sun, Jul 28

    Baroo x Kato

    • Kato Restaurant
      777 S Alameda St., Building 1, Suite 114, Downtown L.A.

    Enjoy a collaborative five-course menu of Korean and Taiwanese cuisine and special cocktails.

  • Wed, Jul 31

    Brightland x Bettina

    • Bettina
      1014 Coast Village Rd., Santa Barbara

    Take a drive up the coast and check out hip olive oil brand Brightland’s partnership with Montecito Italian hot spot Bettina.

  • Sun, Sep 1

    Smorgasburg's Ice Cream Alley

    • ROW DTLA
      777 S. Alameda St., downtown L.A.

    Try treats from Wanderlust, Jeni’s, McConnell’s, Blast Ice Cream and more.

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