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Best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California: March 31 - April 3
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Courtesy The Music Center
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Our Picks
If you have $250 burning a hole in your pocket, I can’t think of a better evening than heading to Disney Hall to see Yo-Yo Ma and Dudamel performing a series of John Williams classics. But for those of us on a budget, there are other great classical music performances this week too, particularly in the form of the 100 talented students of the L.A. Youth Orchestra performing a new piece commemorating the L.A. fires, “Palisades is Gone.” In some ways, the fires in January feel like they happened ages ago, but it’s easy to put things out of sight and out of mind, and it’s important to remember how many folks in our community are still suffering.
For more to explore, visit LAist.com, where you can find all the best late-night restaurant options in L.A. in every neighborhood, learn how some Boyle Heights residents are saving on egg prices by raising chickens, and read up on the big move Sundance Film Festival is making to Boulder, Colorado.
Events
Thursday, April 3, 7 p.m.
Twin Shadow's Georgie album release
Barnsdall Gallery Theatre
4814 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Feliz
COST: $44.99; MORE INFO
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Synth-pop artist and fashion influencer Twin Shadow — the stage name of musician George Lewis Jr. — will release his sixth studio album, Georgie, with a performance at Barnsdall Gallery. He produced this record outside the studio system and Pitchfork calls the effort “a stirring and, yes, stripped-down alt-R&B album that’s both beautiful and aimless.”
Thursday, April 3, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Downtown L.A. art night
Multiple locations
Downtown L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Todd Moyer
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Courtesy Bright Festival
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Dozens of galleries are participating in this month’s Downtown L.A. art night and with the sun going down later, it’s a great excuse to head out after work and see some exciting art across downtown. Three interactive, light-based works from artist Todd Moyer at 11 Dimensions Gallery are a highlight starting this month, and they'll be on at the May and June art nights as well.
Monday, March 31, 7:30 p.m.
L.A. Youth Orchestra: 'Palisades Is Gone' world premiere and Beethoven's Symphony No. 5
Alex Theatre
216 N. Brand Blvd.
Glendale
COST: ADULTS $32, YOUTH $12; MORE INFO
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Adin Palabiyikoglu
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Courtesy Los Angeles Youth Orchestra
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Los Angeles Youth Orchestra (LAYO), made up of talented students ages eight to 18, wraps up its 25th-anniversary season with a performance of classics — plus a new, powerful work, “Palisades is Gone,” commemorating the L.A. fires. Violinist Niv Ashkenazi will play the solo in Zigeunerweisen and several LAYO alumni are returning to perform in this special concert.
Monday, March 31, 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Leimert Park Music Series
The World Stage
4321 Degnan Blvd.
Leimert Park
COST: $16; MORE INFO
A night of hip hop and R&B returns to Leimert Park as World Stage welcomes Rapper Ac Wolf, singer NURD, singer Will Chapman, rapper Pookie Blow and rapper Deuceworld for the second show of the Leimert Park Music Series. Presented by 247 Live Culture, the series is aimed at uplifting rising Black artists and honoring the rich musical legacy of Los Angeles’ historic Black arts district.
Through May 24
Yorgos Lanthimos: Photographs
Webber Gallery
939 S. Santa Fe Ave.
Downtown L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Director Yorgos Lanthimos is best known for his dark, absurdist comedies that consistently earn critical acclaim and Oscar nominations, like Poor Things and The Favorite. His photography work, on display for the first time at the Webber Gallery, goes hand in hand with his films. The show is drawn from his latest photography books: i shall sing these songs beautifully, made during the filming of his latest feature Kinds of Kindness, as well as Dear God, the Parthenon Is Still Broken, which he shot during the making of Poor Things in 2023.
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Tuesday, April 1, 11 a.m.
Holding Onto Humanity: Israelis and Palestinians for Peace
Magnin Auditorium at Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
West L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Skirball Cultural Center
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In these fraught times, a conversation about empathy around the Middle East crisis is a welcome approach. Join the Parents Circle-Families Forum, a group of Israeli and Palestinian families who have lost loved ones in the current war, for a special discussion aimed at gaining understanding and compassion across borders.
Viewing Pick
April 1-6
Beverly Hills Film Festival
TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
6925 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
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A wide range of shorts, new screenplays, conversations with filmmakers and features are on view at the 25th annual Beverly Hills Film Festival at the Chinese in Hollywood. Catch a block of shorts during one of the weekday afternoon screenings ($23) or splurge and attend the star-studded gala on Saturday ($300).
Dine & Drink Deals
Wednesday, April 2, 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.
WeHappy Wednesdays
Multiple locations in West Hollywood
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Kelsey Chance
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Unsplash
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Free parking? In West Hollywood? Parking at all in West Hollywood? Is it a miracle? No, it’s WeHappy Wednesdays, a monthly initiative from the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce inviting folks to visit the neighborhood and park at meters and municipal lots for free from 4 p.m. to midnight. As a bonus, many local restaurants and bars are offering drink and food specials, like $9 margaritas at Gracias Madre, $8 wings at Rocco’s WeHo, and $15 pasta at Sur. Parking might be free, but drink responsibly and don’t drive if you’re taking full advantage of the deals!
Thursday, April 3, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Beyond’s Backyard
628 Crestmoore Place
Venice
COST: $28; MORE INFO
It's cookout season.
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arinahabich
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Getty Images/iStockphoto
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Plant-based pioneers Beyond Meat are hosting a cookout in Venice with exclusive tastings of new and classic Beyond Meat products, live music, limited-edition merch, custom chain stitching and more. 100% of the event proceeds will be donated to the Center for Biological Diversity.
Through April 1
Taco Madness voting
L.A. Taco
Virtual
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Fish tacos.
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Shan Li Fang
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Unsplash
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Ok, it’s not a meal deal exactly, but who would pass up the chance to vote on the best taco in L.A.? Is it fancy like Holbox or a more classic pick like Frontera Taqueria in Cypress Park? You call the shots in the March Madness-style bracket that our friends at L.A. Taco have put together of the 64 best taquerias in town.
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