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Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: August 15-17
The Nisei Week Japanese Festival is back in Little Tokyo for its 83rd year.
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Toyo Miyatake Studio
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Our Picks
It’s a big weekend on the east side, with Echo Park Rising bringing record store fairs to the street, gallery shows to the sidewalk, bands out all day and after parties at night. A couple of picks beyond the festival include the Spinning Sunset vinyl fair in The Pink Dot’s parking lot on Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m. and the Punx Not Dead art and music event at the Hunt Vintage Gallery on Friday night from 7 to 11 p.m.
More from LAist: Get a look at how Dungeons & Dragons has evolved from the living room to the arena, and we find places in Southern California where you can still get your 35mm film developed.
Events
Through Sunday, August 17
Some Like It Hot
Pantages Theatre
6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
COST: FROM $45; MORE INFO
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Matthew Murphy
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Tap, tap, tap your way to the Pantages for the national tour of Some Like It Hot. If, like me, your reason to go to a big musical is the dancing, the sparkly costumes and the silly antics, Some Like It Hot is the perfect summer show for you. Catch it before it’s gone at the end of the weekend.
Through Sunday, August 17
Nisei Week Japanese Festival
Multiple venues
Little Tokyo
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Kevin Kuromi
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Little Tokyo comes alive with taiko drumming, ondo dancing, new cultural exhibits, traditional food and drink, and all kinds of entertainment for all ages during the annual Nisei Week Japanese Festival, now in its 83rd year. This weekend is the second of the festival and also features the Crazy Talented Asians showcase, a celebration of AAPI creativity across theater, television, poetry and music at East West Players (tickets are $45) and the free closing street party.
Sunday, August 17, 8 p.m.
Spin Doctors
Venice West
1717 Lincoln Blvd., Venice
COST: $55; MORE INFO
Musicians Chris Barron and Eric Schenkman of the group Spin Doctors perform at Queen Mary's Rock The Queen in 2017.
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Harmony Gerber
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Getty Images
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The Spin Doctors’ 1991 opus, Pocket Full of Kryptonite, really had some bangers — everyone (well, everyone of a certain generation anyway) remembers “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong,” but let’s not forget “Jimmy Olsen's Blues” and “What Time Is It?” The double header of Counting Crows this past Tuesday at the YouTube Theater and Spin Doctors this week is a '90s nostalgia moment that really can’t be topped.
Friday, August 15, 8 p.m.
Silverlake Scream Show’s Summer Shriek
El Cid
4212 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake
COST: $10 IN ADVANCE, $15 AT THE DOOR; MORE INFO
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Silverlake Scream Show
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Can’t wait till Halloween? Silverlake Scream Show, a new nonprofit supporting up-and-coming horror filmmakers, is hosting the Summer Shriek – part Halloween costume party, part horror film festival. Screen horror shorts, meet fellow gore fans and check out spooky (and tasty) wares from local vendors.
Saturday, August 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Letterpress Surplus Sale & Wayzgoose
International Printing Museum
315 W. Torrance Blvd., Carson
COST: $10-$12; MORE INFO
Before there were back-to-school sales at Target, there was “wayzgoose,” a tradition dating back to the 1500s, where printers marked the end of summer and the beginning of the printing season. So, stationary nerds, rejoice. The International Printing Museum in Carson is hosting their very own wayzgoose and a letterpress surplus sale just in time to go back to class, for all your organizing and thank you note needs. There will also be live printing demos, tours and activity stations.
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Saturday, August 16, 8 to 11 p.m.
PAST + FUTURE = PRESENT, PT. 1
The Broad
221 S. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A.
COST: $25; MORE INFO
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The Broad
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The Broad is turning into a Saturday night hotspot this summer. As part of the really vibrant exhibit Jeffrey Gibson: the space in which to place me, there will be a special concert featuring indigenous musicians, including Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Jlin, Glen Begay, Bearspring and DJ Noir. The exhibit admission is included.
Sunday, August 17, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
First-ever Venice Cars & Coffee
Wheres West
Little Lunch
50 Brooks Ave., Venice
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
I saw the ad for this first-ever Venice Cars & Coffee event while walking down my block; it was a flyer hand-taped to someone’s vintage beige VW Beetle, complete with surfboards on the roof. It was the perfect Venice image, and I can only imagine the actual meetup will see more of the same. Bring your car or just your enthusiasm for a parking lot hang at Little Lunch.
August 15-17, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
39th Annual Inter-City Cactus and Succulent Show and Sale
Los Angeles County Arboretum
301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia
COST: $18; MORE INFO
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Pick your prickly at the annual Cactus and Succulent Show and Sale. This “Comic-Con of Cacti” from the Long Beach Cactus Club, the Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent Society and the San Gabriel Valley Cactus and Succulent Society features more than 1,000 different cacti and succulents from six continents for perusing or purchasing. Pay regular admission for the L.A. County Arboretum and experience this event as part of your visit.
Outdoor Pick
Sunday, August 17, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
CicLAvia: Culver City meets Venice
From Washington Blvd. and McManus Ave. to Pacific Ave. and Windward Ave.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Nearly seven miles of Venice Boulevard will be open for CicLAvia’s Culver City meets Venice open streets event. Bring a bike, scooter, hoverboard, trike, or just your own two feet to see LA from a new perspective.
And LAist will be right in the heart of it! Find us at the Mar Vista Hub to meet our team and grab some swag.
Viewing Pick
Sunday, August 17, 3 p.m.
National Theatre Live: Hamlet starring Benedict Cumberbatch
UCLA James Bridges Theater
235 Charles E. Young Drive E., Westwood
COST: FROM $20; MORE INFO
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Courtesy L.A. Theatre Works
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You’ve seen him as Doctor Strange, but have you seen him perform the "to be or not to be" speech? The National Theatre Live broadcasts never disappoint; catch this recording from London with Benedict Cumberbatch starring in the Bard’s most famous role back in 2015.
Dine & Drink Deals
Sunday, August 17, 4 p.m.
Gnocchi & Wine Night
AJA Vineyards
1417 2nd St. #C, Santa Monica
COST: $125; MORE INFO
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AJA Vineyards
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New women-owned wine tasting room AJA Wines is a great addition to the downtown Santa Monica scene. They are hosting a gnocchi cooking class and wine night with private chef and female founder Chef Joanna. Your ticket includes the pasta-making class, cheese and charcuterie, and two glasses of wine.
Friday, August 15, 5 to 8 p.m.
Chef Alvin x Local Kitchens burger pop-up
Local Kitchens Studio City
3960 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Studio City
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Eggslut Chef Alvin Cailan brings his talents to a burger pop-up at the brand-new Studio City location of Local Kitchens. The surprise limited-edition burger comes with a side of DJ jams, cookbook giveaways and more.
Saturday, August 16, 1 to 11:30 p.m.
818 Legends Party
8one8 Brewing
8953 De Soto Ave., Canoga Park
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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8one8 Brewing
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8one8 Brewing celebrates its 10th anniversary this year with its annual bash in the front parking lot. Live music will be on the outdoor stage, beers will flow from the outdoor beer trailer and Osborne Pizza Kitchen is providing the eats. There’s even a family-friendly section.
Friday, August 15
Ferragosto
Superfine Playa
12746 Jefferson Blvd., Ste. 2200, Playa Vista
COST: VARIES, MORE INFO
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Federica Ariemma
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Unsplash
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This might be the best deal going: to celebrate the Italian mid-August holiday of Ferragosto, Superfine Playa has an aperitivo menu with $5 drinks and snacks all day on Friday. So get your Aperol spritz on!
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