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Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: August 8-10
Buddy Guy performs during the 2023 Savanah Music Festival at Trustees' Garden Main Stage in Savannah, Georgia.
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Our Picks
(I’ll admit I still have the Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack stuck in my head.)
It’s hot, hot, hot out, so don’t forget to reapply sunscreen like I did last Saturday (oops!) and take advantage, whether that’s a beach day, a dip in your neighborhood pool or sitting in the A/C and binge-watching Too Much on Netflix (I liked it). Of course, that’s all in between any of the excellent choices around town, from taking in the Lumineers at the Forum to scoring a new backpack at the Backpacks2School giveaway in Rancho Cienega Park.
More to explore from LAist: where you can get a sneak peek at LACMA’s newest acquisitions and grab your tickets for Saturday’s Go Fact Yourself taping with Stephen Tobolowsky and Aparna Nancherla.
Events
Saturday, August 9, 5 to 6:30 p.m.
'Architecture Uncorked!' Edition 4
Barnsdall Art Park
4800 Hollywood Blvd., Los Feliz
COST: FREE to $25; MORE INFO
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There’s nothing like some hot architecture talk to go with a bold merlot. Join the Friends of Residential Treasures, or FORT, crew for a sneak preview of a new Rebel Architects series episode, and join architects Frederick Fisher and Thom Mayne and artist Chuck Arnoldi for a chat with art and design journalist Frances Anderton at Barnsdall Art Park. Of course, there will be wine!
Friday, August 8, 7 p.m.
Tell Me What You Like Book Launch w/ Author Katie Simon
The Pleasure Chest
7733 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Talking about sex and intimacy is hard. Talking about sex and intimacy after sexual assault is harder. Join sexuality journalist and SA survivor Katie Simon and Comprehensive Sex Educator and Trauma Expert Jimanekia Eborn for a discussion about Simon's new book, Tell Me What You Like: An Honest Discussion of Sex and Intimacy After Sexual Assault.
This important conversation will address all the things you wanted to know but were afraid to ask — and if it doesn’t, you can ask them yourself at the no-holds-barred Q&A.
Saturday, August 9, 7 p.m.
Angel City Chorale with the Marina del Rey Symphony
Burton Chace Park
13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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I went out to the Marina last Saturday for the Ozomatli show at Burton Chace Park, and I can’t recommend the wine, picnic and cute dog vibes highly enough. This weekend, the Angel City Chorale takes to the bandshell with the Marina del Rey Symphony, performing Christopher Tin's classical crossover song cycle, Calling All Dawns. Come early to grab a spot and visit the sea lions. Bring a jacket, tooo; it gets chilly out there when the sun goes down!
Saturday, August 9, 1 p.m.
The Female Gaze: Women Photo Gallerists in Los Angeles
Nazraeli Press @ The REEF LA
1933 S. Broadway, Downtown L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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PAC L.A.
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Three women who’ve helped define the photography scene in L.A. over the past 30 years — Tarrah von Lintel (Von Lintel Gallery), Theresa Luisotti (Gallery Luisotti) and Rose Shoshana (ROSEGALLERY) — join arts writer Jori Finkel for a conversation about the challenges and opportunities in the field. The talk, organized by the Photographic Arts Council Los Angeles, with the support of Eastman Museum L.A., will address the gallery’s place in the broader visual arts ecosystem and the role these spaces play in the development of an artist’s career.
Sunday, August 10, 7 p.m.
Buddy Guy Basks in the Blues
Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
18000 Park Plaza Dr., Cerritos
COST: FROM $79.20; MORE INFO
Buddy Guy performs at Whitney Hall in Louisville, Kentucky in 2024.
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Stephen J. Cohen
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I think Buddy Guy probably has a whole new generation of fans after his cameo at the end of Ryan Coogler’s blockbuster hit, Sinners. But the original bluesman has been here all along and continues to define the genre. Catch the 89 years young maestro at the Cerritos Center playing his new album — yes, new — released on his birthday, Ain’t Done With the Blues.
Sunday, August 10, 7 p.m.
Rack To The Future: A Burlesque Parody
Crown City Theatre (inside Crown City Dance)
140 S. Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena
COST: $20; MORE INFO
Do we need more of a description than Rack to the Future? Fire up the DeLorean and leave the kids at home.
Sunday, August 10, 4 p.m.
Broadway Babes Sing-Along
Beaches Tropicana
8911 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
COST: FROM $25; MORE INFO
Broadway vet Bruce Vilanch (Hairspray) joins Celebration Theatre for a musical sing-along and Sunday Funday fundraiser in WeHo. Proceeds support the world premiere of Matthew Scott Montgomery's upcoming LGBTQ+ comedy, Foursome, being produced with IAMA Theatre Company this winter.
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Outdoor Pick
Sunday, August 10, 8 to 10:30 a.m.
Beginner Birding
Ballona Discovery Park
113110 Bluff Creek Dr., Playa Vista
COST: FREE REGISTRATION REQUIRED; MORE INFO
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Friends of Ballona Wetlands
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During the pandemic, I read Jenny Odell’s amazing book, How to Do Nothing. While I have not become a birder myself, I appreciate the attention needed to listen closely and learn about our feathered friends. Take your first step to being a birder at Ballona Discovery Park’s free Beginner Birding class.
Viewing Pick
Friday, August 8, 11:59 p.m.
Reservoir Dogs
New Beverly Cinema
7165 Beverly Blvd., Beverly Hills
COST: $11; MORE INFO
What’s this? Quentin Tarantino’s own movie theater is hosting a midnight screening of one of his best? Doesn’t get more L.A. than that.
Dine & Drink Deals
Sunday, August 10, 1 to 4 p.m.
Half-price wine tastings for teachers
Vintage Wine + Eats pop-up
12023 Ventura Blvd., Studio City
COST: $20, $10 FOR TEACHERS; MORE INFO
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Kelsey Knight
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Unsplash
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No one needs wine more than teachers. The folks at Fuil Vineyards really get that and are hooking up educators before the school year even starts, with a wine tasting pop-up dedicated to teachers, who get free half price tastings all afternoon.
Saturday, August 9, 3 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Chez Jay’s 66th Anniversary
Chez Jay
1657 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica
COST: FREE to $66; MORE INFO
Chez Jay is celebrating 66 years in Santa Monica. The bar that inspired Three’s Company’s Regal Beagle has been a celebrity hangout and dive bar since its early days. Designated as a Santa Monica Historic Landmark, Chez Jay is hosting a big, retro-themed party for its community of neighbors, longtime regulars and visitors alike. Grab a strong drink and hang out at the wood-paneled bar or on the big outside patio.
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