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Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: May 2 - 4
Derby fans, it's time to break out your stunning outfits and hats again!
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Our Picks
I read a report last week from an organization called Remuseum, which found that most museums only get 9% of their annual attendance from the local community. We can do better than that, folks! And this weekend is a great opportunity to show your support for the great museums in our area. Six of them open their doors for free at the annual Museums of the Arroyo Day on Sunday.
If getting outside is more your thing, check out the retro-cool 25-year-old world of geocaching in Elysian Park this weekend for a hi-fi scavenger hunt or swing down to the Beach Life festival in Redondo for headliners Lenny Kravitz and Alanis Morissette.
For more to explore, visit LAist.com, where you can learn about the genius making those anti-Elon Musk Tesla bumper stickers, get the latest on the train that’s slowly but surely coming to LAX, and plan your Beyoncé night with tips on parking, food and more.
Events
May 3-4, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Brewery Art Walk
Spring Open Studios
1920 N. Main St., Arts District
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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The live/work spaces of the Brewery only open up to the public twice a year, and the 16 acres of art space represent some of the most dynamic and exciting work in the city. You may need the entire weekend to take it all in, so plan ahead and check out the map for a list of more than two dozen artists showing everything from painting to sculptures to photography and sound installations. Meet the artists, buy a new piece for your home or just enjoy the atmosphere.
Friday, May 3, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Pop-Hop 5th Anniversary Celebration
5002 York Blvd., Highland Park
COST: $5 - $50; MORE INFO
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The Pop-Hop has become a community hub in Highland Park, offering arts workshops and events alongside its primary function as a bookstore. Swing by to help celebrate Pop-Hop's fifth anniversary for a full day of events, including a vendor fair, live music, a dance party and of course books and zines.
Sunday, May 4, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Museums of the Arroyo Day
Multiple locations
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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The six museum of the Arroyo — The Gamble House, the L.A. Police Museum, the South Pasadena Historical Museum, Heritage Square, the Pasadena Museum of History and the Lummis Home — all open their doors for free. Plus, there will be a shuttle connecting them all afternoon. Each has special events going on: Get your mugshot taken at the Police Museum, try to find everything at one of the scavenger hunts or watch a blacksmithing demo at Heritage Square.
Saturday, May 3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kibō Nobori Children’s Day Festival
Terasaki Budokan
249 S. Los Angeles St., Little Tokyo
COST: FREE WITH RSVP; MORE INFO
The annual Children’s Day festival, Kibō Nobori, is a great way to kick off AAPI Heritage Month in Little Tokyo. The day honors the Japanese festival Kodomo No Hi, a holiday celebrating health and good fortune for all children. With music and dance performances, art from festival founder Faith-Ann Young and a market with local crafts, the festival is free and a great opportunity to bring the whole family to get to know Little Tokyo better.
Saturday, May 3, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Free Comic Book Day
Santa Monica Public Library
601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Do you have an aspiring Stan Lee in your house? Free Comic Book Day at Santa Monica Public Library is back with comic book giveaways, comics crafts, prizes and a mini “Creator Con.” The Santa Monica Comics Company (formerly Hi De Ho Comics) will be on hand, and there’s plenty for comic fans and creators alike, including free books and a crafting space.
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May 3-4
Jane Austen Spring Gala + Regency Ball
Hotel Dena, 303 Cordova St., Pasadena
The Huntington Library, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Jane Austen Society
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If the crowd around the life-sized Mr. Darcy cutout at the Festival of Books last weekend is any indication, The Jane Austen Society’s two-day spring gala is the place to be this weekend. Celebrating Austen's 250th birthday and the screen adaptations of her novels, the weekend has two main events.
First, at Hotel Dena, there will be speakers and a luncheon, followed by reticule and headdress workshops, an interactive regency ball, with caller James Hutson and musicians The Whirled Peas leading the merriment. On Sunday morning at the Huntington Library, there will be a preview screening of the first episode of the BBC’s Miss Austen, based on the novel by Gill Hornby, shown in partnership with PBS SoCal.
Friday, May 2
Black Future Newsstand Presents: Riot to Repair Soundscape Exhibition
Mid-City, address available on RSVP
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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VHR
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Black Future Newsstand’s latest project, “Riot to Repair,” is a public installation reimagining the classic newsstand as a space for Black imagination and creative resistance. Black-owned outlets and zines from L.A. and across the country will be displayed, and an audio installation including interviews with local residents will look back on the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, marking five years since the death of George Floyd. These stories were gathered as part of a pilot program with USC's Charlotta Bass Journalism and Justice Lab students.
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Sunday, May 4, 4:30 p.m.
LiveTalks L.A.: Chef José Andrés in conversation with Baratunde Thurston
Aratani Theatre
244 San Pedro St., Little Tokyo
COST: $56.05; MORE INFO
You all know I’m a José Andrés superfan — his philanthropic work with World Central Kitchen, his fun substack Longer Tables, and that’s not even mentioning all the amazing food at his restaurants like Zatinya and San Laurel. Plus, like yours truly, he’s a D.C. person who has come to love L.A. as his own. Andrés has a new book out called Change the Recipe. To talk about it, he’ll be sitting down with comedian Baratunde Thurston, who was a producer at The Daily Show alongside Trevor Noah and hosted PBS' America Outdoors.
Outdoor Pick
Through Sunday, May 4
60th Congressional Cup Regatta
Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier
35 39th Place, Long Beach
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
The Congressional Cup started in 1965 right here in Southern California. The races, often billed as the “gateway to the America’s Cup,” are some of yachting’s premier events, and you can watch for free right from the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, with live commentary. Hosted each year by the Long Beach Yacht Club, match racing teams come from around the world for daily competition, culminating in the winning “Crimson Blazer.”
Viewing Pick
Friday, May 2, 7:30 p.m.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin 20th Anniversary Screening
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
6067 Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile
COST: FROM $5; MORE INFO
Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, writer-director Judd Apatow and Steve Carell at the premiere of 'The 40 Year-Old Virgin' at Arclight Hollywood in 2005.
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Kevin Winter
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Get waxed and head to the Academy Museum for a special screening of the now 20-year-old film, The 40-Year-Old Virgin. The 2005 comedy is a who’s who of writer-director Judd Apatow’s favorite folks to work with, including Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann and many more. And of course, because this is an Academy Museum screening, expect a special treat: Apatow and Carell will be there in person to answer all your burning questions.
Dine & Drink Deals
All your Derby Day needs are right here!
Saturday, May 3, 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Kentucky Derby BBQ
Santa Anita Park
285 W Huntington Drive, Arcadia
COST: FROM $50; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Santa Anita Park
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Watch the race and get your BBQ on at Santa Anita Racetrack, where they’ll be grilling up hickory-smoked Angus Prime brisket, dry-brined free-range chicken, smoked hot links and all the sides.
Saturday, May 3
Derby Day at Baltaire
Baltaire
11647 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood
COST: FROM $85; MORE INFO
Don a big feather hat and enjoy a Derby Day brunch at Baltaire with a prix fixe menu, bloody Mary and champagne carts, mint juleps (natch) and even a caviar service. Fancy!
Kentucky Derby Specials
BOA Manhattan Beach
3110 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
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Courtesy BOA Steakhouse Manhattan Beach
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BOA in Manhattan Beach is offering classic Mint Juleps ($20) and decadent Derby Pie ($15), plus guests are encouraged to dress in their best race day attire!
Saturday, May 3, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Redbird’s Kentucky Derby Party
Redbird
114 E. 2nd St., Downtown L.A.
COST: $55; MORE INFO
Chef Neal Fraser is creating Southern bites, and bar director Tobin Shea is crafting cocktails. Plus, enjoy live music and, of course, “the most exciting two minutes in sports.” Wear your Derby finest and enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres, food stations and desserts; beverages are à la carte.
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