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Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: May 16 - 18
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Courtesy Konamon Fest
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Our Picks
Last weekend, I spent Sunday afternoon watching volleyball on Venice Beach — something that just a few months ago felt like a risky undertaking, due to both the interminable chilly weather of May Gray and the risk of debris due to the January wildfires’ aftermath. Fortunately, the weather is much improved and the Beach Report Card is pretty good, so it’s looking like a real L.A. summer.
For a more indoor activity, don’t miss your last chance to see artist Doug Aiken’s free installation at the Marciano Art Foundation, Lightscape, before it closes on Saturday. Or, head up to Pasadena for the second big fest in a row at the Rose Bowl – this time, '80s favorites like New Order and The Go-Gos headline Cruel World. And to make sure you’re in good health for summer, there’s the DTLA Spring Health Fair on Saturday, which gathers 25 healthcare organizations, including state-of-the-art mobile units to offer free eye exams and eyeglasses, dental exams, cancer screenings, general health screenings and healthcare educational sessions for Angelenos of all ages in Lafayette Park.
For more to explore, visit LAist.com, where you can get to know the latest Tiny Desk Concert winner, Bay Area artist Ruby Ibarra. Plus, find out how student volunteers are helping wildlife recover post-fires, and learn about the newly-approved "Entertainment Zone" bringing outdoor drinking to Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade.
Events
Through Sunday, June 1
A Man of No Importance
A Noise Within
3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena
COST: FROM $58.50; MORE INFO
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A Noise Within consistently puts on some of the best local theater. This month they have the charming musical A Man of No Importance, about a closeted bus driver and amateur theater director in 1960s Dublin who's trying to stage a production of Oscar Wilde's Salomé in his local parish. The show is by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens — the geniuses behind Ragtime — and the book is by Terrence McNally (Master Class). Post-show conversations with the cast are happening after the Friday evening and Sunday afternoon performances.
Sunday, May 18, 6 p.m.
LAFC vs L.A. Galaxy
Dignity Health Sports Park
18400 Avalon Blvd., Carson
COST: FROM $60; MORE INFO
The rivalry is on for the 25th edition of the El Tráfico soccer (ahem, fútbol) match between LAFC and the L.A. Galaxy. Get there early for a pre-game DJ set by Valentino Khan and to grab one of the 10,000 available L.A. Strong rally towels. Olé!
Friday, May 16, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Branded Arts Public Grand Reception
Augustus F. Hawkins High School
825 W 60th St., South L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Continuing their 9-year-long partnership with LAUSD, Branded Arts is wrapping up a week of curated programming at Augustus F. Hawkins High School with a public reception on Friday afternoon. World-renowned muralists collaborated to create an education component that empowers students to consider careers in the arts, and you can go and check out the school’s temporary, vibrant outdoor museum.
Saturday, May 17, 11 a.m.
Manhattan Beach Library Speaker Series: Chef Roy Choi
Mira Costa High School
1401 Artesia Blvd., Manhattan Beach
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
You’ve eaten his Korean tacos at the Alibi Room and the Kogi truck, you’ve watched him on TV, now join L.A.’s own Roy Choi for a free author talk with the Manhattan Beach Library to hear about his journey as a chef, entrepreneur, award winning host, cultural pioneer, and of course, cookbook author. He’ll join librarian Skye Patrick for a chat; the free event is currently full, but there is a waitlist at the link.
Saturday, May 17, 7 p.m.
The Living Tradition: James Lee Stanley
Anaheim Downtown Community Center
250 E. Center St., Anaheim
COST: $25 CASH OR CHECK AT THE DOOR ONLY; MORE INFO
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Bogomil Mihaylov
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The Living Tradition is an Anaheim organization dedicated to preserving folk and heritage music, and every third Saturday of the month, they host folk artists from around the world. This time it’s James Lee Stanley, who has over 30 albums to his name and is part of L.A. history, first getting his start through Mama Cass Elliot of the Mamas and the Papas and then opening for Les Paul at McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Santa Monica in the early 1970s. Fun fact for Trekkies: He was a regular extra on Deep Space Nine, according to his Wikipedia page!
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Friday, May 16, 8 p.m.
Jazz is Dead: Ebo Taylor and Pat Thomas
The Ford
2580 Cahuenga Blvd. E, Hollywood
COST: FROM $40; MORE INFO
Ebo Taylor performs on the Open Air Stage at the Womad Festival 2011 at Charlton Park.
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Samir Hussein
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Getty Images
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The Ford just announced its new season of events, but you can kick summer at the amphitheatre off right now with this "Jazz is Dead" series concert. Ghanaian guitarist Ebo Taylor and vocalist Pat Thomas bring Ghanaian, Afrobeat and highlife-inspired music to one of the best outdoor music spaces in the city for a night of jams and storytelling.
Sunday, May 18, 11 a.m.
Sketching with L.A.: Creatures of the Garden
Fountain Community Gardens
5620 Fountain Ave., East Hollywood
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Bring your sketchbook and pack your sunscreen for a day in the garden with Sketching with L.A. The group organizes weekly meetups of all skill levels to enjoy the natural beauty of Los Angeles, find new friends and experience your environment in a new way.
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Outdoor Pick
Sunday, May 18, 7:10 a.m.
Venice Half Marathon
Venice Boardwalk
COST: $156.06 FOR THE HALF MARATHON, FREE TO WATCH; MORE INFO
Are you one of the throngs I see every Thursday night gathering on Abbot Kinney in Lycra and heading out with the run club? Then you’re clearly ready for the first-ever Venice Half Marathon, starting and ending along the iconic Venice Boardwalk. There’s free ice cream for registered runners from Salt & Straw, a variety of shorter races — including a Grunion Run for the kids — and a big party by Windward Circle after the race.
Viewing Pick
Saturday, May 17, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Day of Black Docs
American Film Institute
2021 North Western Ave., Hollywood
COST: FROM $21; MORE INFO
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Courtesy BADWest
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Celebrating Black documentaries and the creatives who make them, this year’s Day of Black Docs lineup includes one short and three feature-length documentaries, including We Want the Funk, directed by Stanley Nelson and Nicole London; Billy Preston: That's the Way God Planned It, directed by Paris Barclay; It Was All A Dream, directed by dream hampton; and Shepherd's Calling, directed by Wubetu Shimelash. The films highlight the themes of music and first-person narratives, and organizers call the selections “stories of resilience, determination, and acceptance.”
Dine & Drink Deals
Fridays, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Weekly night market
Northeast L.A. Market
1159 Cypress Ave., Northeast L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
A weekly night market at @northeastla_market takes over every Friday and showcases local food vendors, artisans, live music, and more.
May 17-18
Konamon Fest
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica
COST: $10 IN ADVANCE, $15 AT ENTRANCE; MORE INFO
To be fair, sometimes it feels like you could fly to Japan in the time it takes to get across town, but this weekend it’s worth it to taste the delights at the Japanese Street Food Festival at the pier, featuring takoyaki, okonomiyaki, yakisoba, and more. Plus, many of the vendors are flying in from Japan specifically for this festival.
Friday, May 16, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Fig Tree Wine Night
Fig Tree
431 Ocean Front Walk, Venice
COST: $45; MORE INFO
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Rikkia Hughes
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Bobo Selections is talking over the Fig Tree with wood-fired tapas, a live DJ, wine selections from Venice Beach Wine Club and Vin on Rose and more. Your ticket gets you your first glass and unlimited eats. It's a great way to start summer at the beach.
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