Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: March 27-29

Ahem. Please indulge this minor rant: I’m over this whole “location upon RSVP” trend with L.A. events. I’m not paying to go to something, only to find out it’s all the way on the other side of town at 7 p.m. on a Thursday — and I wouldn’t want you to have to do that either! Event organizers, I want to hear from you. Are things really getting that popular that you’re hesitant to share a location? Can we at least designate “Westside” or “Eastside” or “Orange County”? Is there an underground scene I’m not cool enough to know about that folks are afraid of outing? OK, rant over.

In more important issues, Saturday is the next No Kings Day protest, so please be safe if you’re heading out to any of the many rallies being organized all across L.A. and Orange County.

Music-wise, if you were lucky enough to snag a ticket to Sir Paul McCartney himself at the Fonda on Friday or Saturday, count me as jealous. Beyond that, Lyndsey Parker at Licorice Pizza recommends former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr at the Lodge Room and Nick Lowe at the Bellwether on Friday. Saturday, the Freestyle Explosion is at YouTube Theater, with Exposé, Lisa Lisa, Pretty Poison and more. Also on Saturday, the first-ever darkwave festival, Los Darks, has an amazing lineup at Santa Ana Stadium with Caifanes, Johnny Marr, Twin Tribes, The Adicts, London After Midnight and Mareux. Finally, Mariah the Scientist plays Saturday and Sunday at the Palladium.

Elsewhere on LAist, you can get the latest on Metro’s K Line plans and get a sneak peek at the designs for LA28.

Events

Dodgers Opening Weekend vs. Diamondbacks

Thursday, March 26 to Saturday, March 28
Dodger Stadium
1000 Vin Scully Ave., Elysian Park
COST: FROM $85; MORE INFO 

Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers are looking for a three-peat.

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Ronald Martinez

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Getty Images

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We made it to another baseball season! The Dodgers are at it again for what will maybe be a three-peat World Series season (we can dream). Head out to see Shohei Ohtani and the rest of the squad take on the Arizona Diamondbacks in their first home games of the year, or watch the games on the big screen at one of the many baseball bars around town.

Cole’s French Dip Closing Weekend Extravaganza

Saturday and Sunday, March 28 to 29 
Cole’s French Dip 
118 E. 6th St., Downtown L.A. 
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO 

Say it ain’t so! While downtown icon Cole’s French Dip has been threatening to close for a while now, this weekend is the last weekend that the 118-year-old establishment will be open. For real. Get your last orders in and celebrate the end of an era with other local chefs inspired by Cole’s, including special “dips” from Jitlada, Found Oyster, Little Fatty’s, Bay Cities and more. Proceeds will go to the Independent Hospitality Coalition in support of their efforts to save L.A.'s independent operators.

Women Who Create

Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
Runway Playa Vista 
12775 W. Millennium Drive, Playa Vista
COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

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Courtesy Runway Playa Vista

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Wrap up Women’s History Month by supporting local women makers, creatives and small businesses. Runway Playa Vista is hosting this artisan market, which also includes mahjong lessons, live music and an “interactive junk journaling table.”

California Native Plant Festival

Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
California Botanic Garden 
1500 N. College Ave., Claremont
COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

Get to know our native flora at the second annual California Native Plant Festival at the California Botanic Garden in Claremont. Featuring workshops on native plant gardening, talks and tours on ecology and plant restoration, family-friendly crafting, and live music, the day is a great way to explore the garden (for free!) and learn more about improving your corner of the ecosystem.

Green-House record release concert 

Sunday, March 29, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. 
Geoponika Greenhouse
3209 Fletcher Drive, Glassell Park 
COST: FROM $22; MORE INFO

Continue your plant-focused weekend with a visit to the Geoponika Greenhouse, where the (aptly named) band Green-House will be playing a record-release concert for their new album, Hinterlands. Their ethereal sounds follow a walk through “a labyrinth of rare and exotic cacti” alongside “visuals made by Michael Flanagan and the office axolotl.”

Mail-Art Making inspired by Raymond Saunders

Saturday, March 28, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
David Zwirner Gallery 
616 N. Western Ave., Melrose Hill 
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

Oakland-based artist Raymond Saunders marked his time in Los Angeles by collecting mementos and found objects. David Zwirner Gallery is currently showing his work (Notes from L.A. is on view through April 25) and hosting a special crafting activity in the gallery’s gorgeous garden. You can make your own “mail-art” with collage items and send postcards to friends and family. Plus, there will be matcha from neighborhood favorite Rocky's Matcha.

Cento Pasta Bar x Bravo Toast

Friday and Saturday, March 27 to 28, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Bravo Toast
632 1/2 N. Doheny Drive, West Hollywood
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO

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Max Shuster

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Cento Pasta Bar

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West Adams favorite Cento Pasta Bar is popping up at Bravo Toast on Doheny, bringing cult-favorite pastas to West Hollywood. Try the acclaimed beet pasta or spicy pomodoro with basil oil.

Octavia Butler Science Fiction Festival 

Friday, March 27, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
OEB Magnet Academy 
1505 N. Marengo Ave., Pasadena
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

Go on interplanetary adventures at the Octavia Butler Science Fiction Festival — from stargazing in an inflatable planetarium to upcycling a space-themed costume for the costume contest to earning free books by completing “missions.” This kid-focused event honors local Pasadena author Octavia Butler and aims to inspire the next generation of explorers.