Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: July 18-20
(
Pacific Resident Theatre
)
Our Picks
Another week, another downtown L.A. icon shuttering. I was so bummed to read about The Mayan theater planning to close this fall. Let’s make sure to get out and dance the night away at the historic venue while we still can. They have several jazz and Latin nights coming up throughout the summer.
In better news, the Getty Villa is back to its regular hours as of July 16, so book all your summer visits now.
LAist has even more for you to explore this week. Get the full list of Emmy nominees for all your summer binge-watching needs, learn about the history of small airports in L.A. (planes once landed in Fairfax, Glendale, and Griffith Park!), and don’t miss Nicole Rucker’s tips for making the best brownies for your summer BBQs.
Events
Thursdays to Sundays through August 10
Gaslight
Pacific Resident Theatre
705 1/2 Venice Blvd., Venice
COST: $45; MORE INFO
Support for LAist comes from
Tania Getty and Jaxon Duff Gwillim on stage in 'Gaslight.'
(
Pacific Resident Theatre
)
“Gaslighting” made its winding path into our modern lexicon thanks to the 1938 thriller Gas Light by Patrick Hamilton, which takes place in 1880s London and follows the story of a man slowly driving his wife insane through lies and deceit. The Pacific Resident Theatre's version, directed by Michael Rothhaar, is getting raves for its skillful lighting and sound design that remain true to the historic roots of the show.
Through Saturday, July 26
L.A. Louver Celebrates 50 Years
L.A. Louver
45 N. Venice Blvd., Venice
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
L.A. Louver has a big exhibit on through next weekend, celebrating 50 years of the iconic Venice space. Among the many artists exhibited in the show, which is well worth checking out, are Rebecca Campbell, Teamlab, Nick Cave and David Hockney. Hockney, who recently turned 88, has two works on paper in the show.
Saturday, July 19, 3 to 11 p.m.
Free '80s concert with Starship, The English Beat, Missing Persons and more
Pershing Square
532 S. Olive St., Downtown L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
(
Say Cheeze
)
Support for LAist comes from
Missing Persons may have written the ultimate L.A. song with "Walking in L.A.," which includes the iconic “nobody walks in L.A.” refrain. But you can prove them wrong by taking Metro down to Pershing Square in your best legwarmers and high ponytail for this free concert with major '80s stars The English Beat, Starship, Men Without Hats, Missing Persons and more. Did we mention it’s free?
Wednesdays to Sundays through August 31
Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival
Old Zoo
4801 Griffith Park Drive, Griffith Park
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Kick off Shakespeare in the Park season with Love’s Labour’s Lost through July 27, and follow it up with Doctor Faustus August 6 to 31 at the Dell at the top of the Old Zoo in Griffith Park. Next summer, the new Griffith Park Performing Arts Stage should be ready for the 2026 season, but the Zoo is an idyllic in-between spot for this season. Bring your picnic, a blanket, and a jacket for when the sun goes down.
July 18-19
Plumeria Festival
L.A. County Arboretum and Botanic Garden
301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia
COST: INCLUDED IN PAID GENERAL ADMISSION; MORE INFO
Get lei’d at the L.A. Arboretum’s annual Plumeria Festival! Enjoy Tahitian drumming, Polynesian dance, signature cocktails, and learn all about how to grow plumeria. The Arboretum’s Plumeria Grove is the largest public collection of the pretty flower in the continental western United States, and the event features a huge plant sale of plumeria and other exotic plants to get you started on your own garden. Plus, there will be tours, talks by experts, food trucks and more. And it makes a good pun, but there’s more to plumeria than Hawaiian leis — they are also native to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central and northern South America.
Support for LAist comes from
Friday, July 18, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Flamenco Friday
Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum
18127 S. Alameda St., Rancho Dominguez
COST: $35; MORE INFO
Summer Nights are on fire at the Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum with Flamenco Friday, where you can drink sangria, watch and learn about flamenco, and enjoy the museum space outside at sunset. The museum is the first Spanish land grant in California. There’s also a rose-pruning class there on Saturday in the garden if you want to make it a double!
Opening Saturday, July 19
Loteria XI
Cactus Gallery, Eagle Rock
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
The annual Loteria group show at Cactus Gallery is always a unique collection of artists’ interpretations of the classical 54-card Loteria deck. This year, featured artists will reimagine the images and present the show. You can see last year’s iteration online here.
Support for LAist comes from
Outdoor Pick
Sunday, July 20, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WalkUnited L.A.
Rose Bowl
1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena
COST: FROM $25; MORE INFO
Support recovery efforts for the Eaton and Palisades wildfires and the United Way’s work with low-income students, families and communities at the annual WalkUnited run/walk. Rams Quarterback Matthew Stafford and his wife, Kelly, are the honorary chairs, plus there will be early morning food trucks, live music and more.
Viewing Pick
Through Sunday, July 20
Do The Right Thing
Cinépolis
1233 District Drive, Inglewood
COST: $5; MORE INFO
(
Universal Pictures
)
Spike Lee’s 1989 masterpiece Do The Right Thing is back on the big screen at the comfy and luxe Cinépolis theater in Inglewood. The fashion, the music, the story — it's always worth a rewatch, or you can catch this joint for the first time!
Dine & Drink Deals
Sunday, July 20
National Ice Cream Day: Free Fudge Sauce at Jeni’s
All locations
COST: FREE WITH SCOOP PURCHASE; MORE INFO
(
Jeni's
)
Nothing makes Jeni’s Ice Cream better than free fudge sauce on top, so head to your local scoop shop on National Ice Cream Day for this deal. Their Sundae Fudge Sauce is a rich chocolate sauce with a hint of sea salt. Try it with Popcorn Brittle, Toasted S’mores or the drumstick-inspired Bomastix Sundae.
July 19-20, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
HexClad Serves Up: Mr. Beef at Uncle Paulie’s Deli
Uncle Paulie’s Deli
8053 W. Third St., Mid-City
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
Calling all fans of The Bear! Get your own Italian beef sandwich without going to Chicago. Uncle Paulie’s Deli is hosting the two-day event with sandwiches, limited-edition merch, Coco’s to Go-Go Italian Ice by The Bear culinary producer Courtney Storer, a complimentary pickle cart from HexClad and more. There’s sure to be a line, so get there early.
Friday, July 18, 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.
National Caviar Day Tasting Salon
Fairmont Miramar Lobby Lounge
101 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
(
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
)
Take your Friday night up a notch (or a caviar bump) at Fairmont Miramar’s caviar tasting salon experience. You’ll try flights of Beluga’s Noble and Gold vodkas served in frosted glasses, paired with a caviar tasting of kettle chips, crème fraiche, caviar pearls, and a chive brush.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist