Best Things To Do This Weekend In Los Angeles And Southern California: June 14 - 16

The annual Hollywood Fringe Festival is L.A.’s unequivocal “yes” answer to "Is L.A. really a theater town?” From solo performances to immersive shows that take you out of your seat, to ones that are short and sweet (I’m here for the 30-minute one-act over the three-hour Dune movie any day, my friends), the Hollywood Fringe always has gems that surprise and delight. Take your pick from the dozens of shows on offer (it is overwhelming!) and support the many black box theaters along Santa Monica Blvd through the end of the month.

It’s not quite the dog days of summer yet, but Pershing Square is bringing the paw-ty downtown. Grab your furry friend (start with Bring Your Dog to Work Day on Friday) and then head to events like dog walking, dog caricatures, photo ops, and even puppy yoga on Saturday. Paid registration for that is here.

Who dat? You may have gathered in reading this column that I’m a bit of a jazz fan and New Orleans jazz specifically. So while you can wait for Trombone Shorty’s tour to hit the Hollywood Bowl in September (which will be great!), you can also head downtown and see the incredible Dirty Dozen Brass Band (for free) at Grand Plaza this weekend. I’m ready to Second Line all the way down the Expo Line.

Can’t wait for Comic-Con? Q Con, Southern California’s only LGBTQ+ comic convention, is happening in West Hollywood, featuring special appearances by X-Men ’97 cast members Holly Chou and JP Karliak. The event champions LGBTQ+ voices in comics and graphic novels and will feature comics creators, cosplayers, and panels. You can even bring your own work for a comics portfolio review by comics professionals.

James Joyce’s Ulysses follows the lives of three Dubliners over the course of a single day – June 16, 1904. And for years, avid readers around the world have taken to reading the modernist masterpiece aloud on the anniversary of that day. The Hammer is in its 15th year of hosting a Bloomsday party, and this year features songs, readings, and of course, Guinness on tap. Slainte!

What other city can say their mayor is doing a standup routine at UCB? Enough said. Go for guest monologist Mayor Karen Bass (who also recently made a cameo on John Mulaney’s Netflix series), but stay to enjoy comedy from improvisers including Evan Cleaver, Aricia Skidmore-Williams, Phil Augusta Jackson, Ronnie Adrian, Lamar Woods, and Caroline Martin, all doing variations on Juneteenth themes.

Gospel performances, African drumming, DJs, poetry readings, and a set by Anderson .Paak. All top off a full day of festivities at the Long Beach Juneteenth celebration.

Enjoy yoga, a sound bath, storytelling, and zinemaking at the California African American Museum celebration. While you’re there, make sure to see the Simone Leigh exhibit!

Head to Pasadena for a day of food, dancing, and celebrations of Black American culture. There’s an African arts and crafts table for kids, a group quilting activity, lessons on the origin of braids, and much more.

First, join a beach yoga class with Sarah Ann Suwanasung, then jump into the ocean for a donation-based (from $75) 90-minute surf class for beginners, hosted by Wondery Outdoors and Arc’teryx. Your contribution goes to helping Los Courage Camps, which provides outdoor activities for underprivileged kids across the L.A. area.

It’s finally warm enough by the beach to think about being in a pool at night, so head to the Fairmont in Santa Monica for their Poolside Cinema series and enjoy some swim-ema. This week they are showing Pretty Woman, but the Hulu-sponsored event runs through September with a range of films on offer.

Maybe the dad in your life is a beer lover? Or maybe that’s you? Either way, head to Long Beach for the L.A. Independent Beer Fest with more than 75 local brewers sampling 150 craft beers. Plus, a Red Hot Chili Peppers Cover band! Designated driver tickets are just $20, so plan accordingly.

Support local journalism and have all the tacos you can dream about while you’re at it. L.A. Taco is hosting its 15th TACO Madness Festival, with dozens of L.A.'s best taqueros behind the grill. Enjoy DJs, live art, micheladas and Boomtown ales, plus a Best In Show taco contest to award the best taco of the day.

City Experiences hosts a two-hour brunch and beer cruise around the Marina for Father’s Day with unlimited mimosas, entertainment, and more.

The thin crust pizza class is already sold out, but join the waitlist for a chance to get in, and even if you can’t throw dough on Sunday, Sounds of Santa Monica will have a special Father’s Day live musical performance by Sierra Sellers for families to enjoy 12 - 3 p.m.

The Spire offers insane views of the city, so try not to give dad vertigo if you head to the La Boucherie whisky tasting, featuring Oban, Lagavulin, and Mortlach samples.