Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: November 15 - 17

If you obsess over cult TV hits of the past couple decades or want to be the first to check out the next sure-to-be-cult-hit, the Vulture Fest has something for you. From a You’re The Worst reunion (my personal favorite; I definitely need to know what would have happened to those two!) to a Simpsons retrospective and a preview of the new season of The Sex Lives of College Girls, Vulture is bringing together some of the folks who have the most fun in Hollywood to dish about their shows all weekend long.

The whole family can learn about dinosaurs from Natural History Museum scientists, check out live performances, and preview the new collections as the museum officially opens its new wing, the NHM Commons. The free block party goes all day and will also be the launch for the NHM Commons Theater, which will feature daily presentations of a new T. REX 3D film and Ocean Encounters human-scale puppet performances.

Andy Warhol’s Factory held a mystical appeal in 1960s New York, bringing together the fashion and art worlds in a space that became the stuff of legends. Now you can time travel back and put on your Edie Sedgwick best for Nothing Special In Wonderland, an immersive theater night featuring a polaroid booth, live music, interactive art installations, and of course, screen tests. This weekend’s themes are “Eat Me” on Friday and “Winter Wonderland” on Saturday.

Poetry readings, workshops, and more are happening at the historic Beyond Baroque space in Venice at the Southern California Poetry Festival. Kicking off with performances by poet, lyricist, and musician Camae Ayewa, known for her exceptional work as Moor Mother, the event will also feature workshops on the craft of poetry led by Maya Salameh and a literary tour of Venice with poet Tom Laichas. The weekend closes out with California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick reading from his new poetry collection with David St. John, Sara Borjas, and Allison Hedge Coke.

• Renegade Craft 
• Pickwick Vintage Shop
• Torrance Craftsmen's Guild Fall Holiday Arts & Crafts Faire
• California Heritage Museum Book Sale and Flea Market 
• Berman Ceramics Weekend Marketplace

Get your holiday shopping done early as a ton of craft markets are on this weekend. From ceramics to vintage wares, there’s something for everyone from local makers. Avoid the Grove and head instead to seek out that unique find at one of these markets happening in several locations, from Torrance on up to North Hollywood.

Remember the scene stealer from Harry and Meghan’s wedding? No, not that insane lemon-elderflower cake although that also looked amazing, but the incredible gospel choir that was like nothing the Archbishop of Canterbury had ever seen. Catch The Kingdom Choir at The Luckman to kick off the festive season and hear the choir’s special sound that embodies both their faith and community spirit.

Regardless of how you’re feeling about capitalism lately, there’s no way you can’t love Tapitalism. This year’s show follows the story A Tap of the Creature’s Curse and asks: can tap dancing save the day? L.A. Times reporter Howard Blume leads this tap troupe in their residency at the Nocturne Theatre in Glendale. You can never have enough tap!

Australian indie band Vacations is hosting the inaugural stateside edition of their festival MATES at The Bellwether. The show goes late and will feature bands including Vacations, Ian Sweet, Yot Club, Claud, Waax, Puma Blue, Kacy Hill, Jaguar Jonze, and more over two stages.

Sting joins two other musicians — but no, not his Police bandmates — at The Wiltern for the last three of five nights in L.A. on his Sting 3.0 tour, featuring both the solo and Police songs he’s made famous in his decades-long career. I saw Sting play a small venue — the MGM in Boston — a couple years ago, and it’s always a treat to see him in an intimate space like The Wiltern if you can snag a ticket.

Showcasing films from 50 countries around Asia, including Korean and Japanese filmmakers as well as Turkish, Russian, and Indian auteurs, the 10th Annual Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) brings Asian cinema to Culver City. Featuring both shorts and full-length features, you can check out Oscar entries from a wide range of countries and new works as well.

L.A.'s Latino-owned brewery known for blending craft beer with cultural heritage is celebrating its anniversary with exclusive beer releases, live music performances, and pop-up kitchens from area food vendors. Special releases include barrel-aged beers and limited-edition merchandise.

If you’re heading to one of Sabrina Carpenter’s shows this week at Crypto.com or next week at the Forum, obviously you’ll need an espresso martini.

Golden Hour at Level 8 is hosting an "It’s Me Espresso Martini Happy Hour" before the concert featuring innovative cocktails and a curated playlist of Carpenter’s hits.

Taste Thai delicacies from nine local chefs including from Farmhouse Thai Kitchen at this celebration of Thai cuisine at Serra in Hollywood. Enjoy traditional Thai festivities, with samplings of each restaurant's signature dishes and libations.