Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: September 13 - 15

Ahoy, matey! Get an up-close look at the Port of Los Angeles with free 50-minute narrated boat tours along the L.A. Main Channel throughout the day. The tours take you through the inner workings of the nation’s busiest port, including active vessels, cargo terminals and cranes. But it’s not just infrastructure. In addition to cargo and cruise ships, tugs, barges and fireboats, visitors can often see active marine wildlife. The tours show a unique perspective of L.A. Harbor, showcasing both sides of the Vincent Thomas Bridge. Can’t make it down there? Two livestream cameras give a sneak peek. Advance reservations are recommended and can be made here.

Art world legend Hans Ulrich Obrist knows his stuff — and after curating more than 350 shows, he should. He is the artistic director of the Serpentine Galleries in London’s Kensington Gardens and will be in L.A. to discuss artist Gustav Metzger’s first-ever Los Angeles exhibition as part of PST. Metzer’s work bridges art and science and activism, so the conversation is sure to be lively, and lunch (if this heat breaks!) in the garden at Manuela after is always a fun treat.

The oldest and largest Latin parade in the country hits 78 years running this year and will kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with music, food, dancing, and celebrations showcasing the vibrancy of Mexican heritage in East L.A.

Record-breaking artist P!nk brings her carnival of a show home to Dodger Stadium this week. The “What About Us” singer always throws a great party; Sheryl Crow opens.

More than 70 exhibits, films, and talks are part of this year’s PST ART collaborative, helmed by the Getty and incorporating shows at institutions throughout Southern California during the fall. This year’s theme is “Can art keep us connected?” so expect a variety of takes on art, science, AI technology and more. One of the first events on opening weekend (coinciding with the start of Hispanic Heritage Month on Sunday) is at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, which is serving as a PST ART Community Hub. There are activities all weekend long, including workshops, performances, two exhibits, food vendors, tours and more.

Check out the full schedule of PST and plan your art-full fall! I’m hoping to check out many of these and will certainly highlight more in the column in the coming weeks.

It’s like someone whispered the magic words to me: what if U2’s 2023 album Songs of Surrender was a ballet? Ask and you shall receive. On the 30th anniversary of Complexions Ballet Company, the troupe is putting a contemporary spin on classical ballet and reinterpreting the Irish lads’ latest release for the stage. Dwight Rhoden has put together an immersive dance piece – titled “For Crying Out Loud” – with 16 performers that push boundaries.

SNL alum Melissa Villaseñor may have been on the late shift until she left the show in 2022, but now she’s an early riser, hosting her Fresh Coffee, Fresh Bits show at 10 a.m. Saturday morning at PDA Space in Altadena. Laugh your way into the weekend with Villseñor’s unique blend of quirky humor and unique guests; you never who she’s convinced to get up early with her.

Pick your beach and get in the water! Wavehuggers is hosting three simultaneous, beginner-friendly surfing classes at beaches up and down the coast. So the next time a heat wave hits, you’ll know what to do. Surf’s up.

It’s another day of sun (frankly, a little too many days of sun these past couple weeks) and what better way to enjoy a fall night after the heat breaks than watching La La Land outside at the L.A. State Historic Park? Jewel tones and sunshine and crushed dreams await.

KazuNori is marking 10 years by introducing a private hand roll bar for one month. Diners can reserve the bar and enjoy a special set menu of three sashimis and eight hand rolls on Friday and Saturday nights in the Santa Monica location for parties of seven to 12 guests.

Oaxacan restaurant MADRE! is bringing together more than 50 mezcal producers to celebrate the history of the spirit along with food, music and more. There will be discussions with producers, talks and of course tastings.

Gab Chábran, LAist's food editor, wrote all about how the festival came to be.

Atwater Mediterranean favorite Momed is celebrating 10 years with a series of dinners from “immigrant chefs” throughout the fall. The seven-course menus will be $80 per person. Secure your ticket for the next one – Sept. 16’s dinner with Chef Nakul Mahendro from Badmaash.