This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: June 12-14
Catch Summer Nights at the La Brea Tar Pits before they close for a two-year renovation.
(
Courtesy La Brea Tar Pits
)
I’ll be honest: I have a major fear of bats. But I get how important they are for our ecosystem, and therefore I will overcome my fear to share with you how to participate in the annual backyard bat roost count — just don’t count on seeing me there! Pride also continues, with the big L.A. Pride Parade on Sunday and smaller events like Foothills Pride making your weekend rainbow-colored. And, of course, there’s World Cup action on every corner.
In music, Licorice Pizza’s picks include the Blue Note Jazz Festival taking over the Hollywood Bowl with a stellar all-star lineup Saturday and Sunday that includes Patti LaBelle, Wyclef Jean, Gregory Porter, Samara Joy, Robert Glasper, host Arsenio Hall and many more. Plus, on Friday, James Blake is at the Greek Theatre, and on Saturday, you can check out Sparta at the Belasco, Rico Nasty and friends at the Bellwether, or Hunx and His Punx playing an early free “Off the 405” show at the Getty Museum.
Two pop divas will also begin their two-night runs: Shakira at the Intuit Dome, and Ariana Grande at Crypto.com Arena. Finally, on Sunday, Ringo Starr is at the Greek, French Montana is at the Palladium, hyperpop sensation Dorian Electra plays the Echo and ‘80s powerpop veterans the Smithereens will be at McCabe’s Guitar Shop.
Elsewhere on LAist, you can get the lowdown on all the hidden L.A. gems our staff recommend you check out (as if I haven’t given you enough weekend ideas!), and maybe — just maybe — find out how to score yourself a last-minute World Cup ticket.
Events
Grand Performances 40th Anniversary
Saturday, June 13, 6 p.m.
California Plaza
340 S. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Sponsored message
(
Sandy Altamirano
/
VPE
)
Kick off a big summer of outdoor parties for the 40th Anniversary of the concert series Grand Performances at California Plaza downtown. First up: Grammy-winning L.A. institution Ozomatli, veteran Afro-Latin fusion powerhouse Jungle Fire, Healing Gems and DJ sets by Liza Richardson. Free concerts continue all summer through Aug. 29.
KCRW Summer Nights
Friday, June 12, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
La Brea Tar Pits
5801 Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
(
Courtesy La Brea Tar Pits
)
The La Brea Tar Pits are about to close for two years for renovations ahead of the 2028 Olympics, so head to KCRW’s Summer Nights dance party for one last hurrah there (well, for now). After hours, the iconic complex will host free, family-friendly programming that spans indoor exhibitions and lively outdoor spaces.
Sponsored message
Outdoor movie night at Skirball: The Punk Singer
Friday, June 12, 6 p.m.
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A.
COST: $20; MORE INFO
(
Courtesy Skirball Cultural Center
)
If you haven’t had a chance to see the awesome punk rock exhibit on at Skirball this summer, Outsiders, Outcasts, Rebels + Weirdos: Punk Culture 1976–86, this screening night is a great opportunity. Activist, musician and cultural icon Kathleen Hanna, who formed the punk band Bikini Kill and pioneered the "riot grrrl" movement of the 1990s, will be on hand for a screening of the movie about her life, 2013’s The Punk Singer, and a conversation afterward with Ms. Magazine Executive Editor Katherine Spillar, moderated by Skirball Chief Curator Cate Thurston. There will also be an opening DJ set from Allison Wolfe. If you can’t make it, don’t fret; the exhibit is on through Sept. 6, so you can bring all your visiting rebel friends.
Hollywood Fringe Festival
Through Sunday, June 28
Various locations
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
Sponsored message
(
Peter LoGreco
/
Amy Veltman
)
There are dozens of shows coming to the annual Hollywood Fringe Festival, and it always leaves me asking — where are all these fun theater people hiding the rest of the year? With plays, standup shows, musicals and more, the Fringe has a lot to offer. There seems to be a theme going this year, with several plays about women of a certain age (Pelvic Service Announcement, Perimenoparty). Most shows are about an hour, so it’s easy to plan a day and fit a couple in at the black-box venues up and down Santa Monica Blvd. Break a leg, Fringers!
Artist talk: Ellie Krakow and Deb Klowden Mann
Saturday, June 13, 4 p.m.
FOYER-LA
3920 Fountain Ave., Silver Lake
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
I’ve been lucky to know New York-based (but L.A.-born-and-raised) artist Ellie Krakow and her work for more than 20 years, but her L.A. solo show at the new — and very hip — FOYER-LA space in Silver Lake is a great introduction. She focuses on representing her experience with chronic illness through sculpture and other media, and will host a conversation with complementary writer and curator Deb Klowden Mann. Mann will read essays about moving through illness and patient advocacy, and will share information about something no one can escape: navigating our complex healthcare system. Krakow’s show is on through June 27.
Sponsored message
Los Angeles Youth Orchestra
Sunday, June 14, 6 p.m.
Encino Community Center
4935 Balboa Ave., Encino
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
(
Courtesy Los Angeles Youth Orchestra
)
The accomplished student musicians ages 8–18 of the L.A. Youth Orchestra will play a free concert at the Encino Community Center Auditorium in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The program features an all-American repertoire, conducted by Artistic Director Russell Steinberg and Assistant Conductor Jorge Padron.
Heated Rivalry Dance Party
Saturday, June 13, 10:30 p.m.
The Venice West
1717 Lincoln Blvd., Venice
COST: $24; MORE INFO
A 'Heated Rivalry' dance party is happening this weekend.
(
Sabrina Lantos
/
HBO Max
)
It’s Pride, so of course, there’s a Heated Rivalry dance party going on somewhere. This time it’s at the Venice West, where the intimate space will turn into an “emotionally charged dance party inspired by the tension, obsession, and enemies-to-lovers chaos of Heated Rivalry.” Featuring tracks from the show as well as iconic 2010s jams, bring your Canadian tuxedo and get ready to party.
Pride House x World Cup
Through Sunday, June 14
Beaches Tropicana
8911 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
(
Courtesy Girls, Gays & Theys
)
Beaches Tropicana in West Hollywood is hosting live watch parties, a Women in Sports Day conversation with USWNT legends Christen Press and Tobin Heath, the first-ever Gay MLS Players Reunion with Collin Martin and Matt Hatzke, moderated by Outsports co-founder Cyd Zeigler and much more. It’s all the best of Pride month and soccer mania!
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
