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: May 1-3
'Master Harold and the Boys' is at the Geffen Playhouse in a revival that's drawing rave reviews.
(
Jeff Lorch
/
Geffen Playhouse
)
I spent the weekend in my other favorite LA — Louisiana, that is, at the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Seeing Stevie Nicks in the rain and the Pine Leaf Boys in the sun was worth the trip. But the jazz love doesn’t have to end now that I’m back home, because the first annual Santa Monica Jazz Festival kicks off this Friday at venues around the Westside (and one downtown).
If you’re not festivaled-out yet post-Coachella/Stagecoach/Jazzfest/wherever you got to in the past few weeks, BeachLife takes over Redondo Beach all weekend long. Headliners are Duran Duran, The Chainsmokers, James Taylor and The Offspring. Beyond that, Licorice Pizza has more music picks, including Health at the Hollywood Palladium and Helloween with Beast In Black bringing the darkness to the YouTube Theater on Friday.
Saturday, Lewis Capaldi is at the Hollywood Bowl, the Wedding Present performs their classic album Seamonsters in its entirety at the Lodge Room, Pup with Illuminati Hotties will be at Pomona’s Glass House and Shoreline Mafia plays Ontario’s Toyota Arena. Also on Sunday, L.A. club impresarios and drag pioneers the Boulet Brothers will bring their Dragula to the Fonda.
Elsewhere on LAist, you can take a look at the Natural History Museum’s new orca exhibit, read about a shipping container turned into art and get your tickets to celebrate 100 years of the L.A. Public Library with us on Saturday.
Events
L.A. TACO: Taco Madness
Saturday, May 2, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Gloria Molina Grand Park, Downtown L.A.
COST: $25; MORE INFO
Sponsored message
Get a taste of L.A.'s best tacos from favorites like Taqueria Frontera, Tire Shop Taqueria, Evil Cooks, LaSorted's and many more — so come hungry and support our fellow non-profit media friends at L.A. TACO. There’s also craft beer from Boomtown Brewery and DJ sets from Slow Jamz, Ambiente Central, Camilo Lara (Mexican Institute of Sound), Spiñorita, El Marchante and Sonrisita.
Irene Tu
Saturday, May 2, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Hotel Cafe
1623 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood
COST: $30; MORE INFO
Irene Tu will do two shows at Hotel Cafe.
(
Michael Tullberg
/
Getty Images
)
Comedian Irene Tu takes the stage for two shows at the intimate Hotel Cafe — one is a taping for a TV special, the other a late show. Tu’s relaxed comedy style often goes viral in social media clips; her stories focus on everyday life and her experiences as a lesbian Asian American woman. Tu was featured as one of Vulture's "Comedians You Should and Will Know,” and will also perform during the upcoming Netflix Is a Joke festival as part of the "Asian Nation" show hosted by Margaret Cho.
Sponsored message
Cinco de Mayo at UCLA Spring Game
Rose Bowl
1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
UCLA's spring game this Saturday will be the first for new coach Bob Chesney.
(
Luke Hales
/
Getty Images
)
The Bruins head across town for their Spring Game — less of a game game and more a preview of the upcoming fall football season under new head coach Bob Chesney. The free day includes a Cinco de Mayo Marketplace featuring handmade jewelry, clothing and local resources, plus lots of food and drink options. There’s also a boxing tournament in the Court of Champions and live music.
Teen Beat Live: '80s Movie Mixtape
Through Sunday, May 17
CineVita
1248 District Drive, Inglewood
COST: FROM $59; MORE INFO
Sponsored message
(
Courtesy Teen Beat Live
)
The '80s come alive at this immersive music experience at the new CineVita theater at Hollywood Park. The mirror-lined Spiegeltent brings the action to you, with jams from your favorite classic teen movies like Footloose, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Dirty Dancing, Back to the Future and more. Totally rad.
Master Harold and the Boys
Through Sunday, May 10
Geffen Playhouse
10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood
COST: FROM $45; MORE INFO
(
Jeff Lorch
/
Geffen Playhouse
)
South African playwright Athol Fugard’s now-classic 1982 play takes a deep look at race, power and betrayal during apartheid. The Geffen’s revival got a rave from the L.A. Times, where Charles McNulty noted the relevance of its message of hope in times of political darkness.
Sponsored message
Khorus Harmonia
Through Saturday, May 2
Hudson Theatres
6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood
COST: $65; MORE INFO
(
Courtesy Shelter PR
)
Fans of Sons of Anarchy will want to book in for this latest collaboration between the show’s masterminds (and married couple) Katey Sagal and Kurt Sutter. Khorus Harmonia is a 66-minute-long choral concert that Sagal conceived following the L.A. fires to build community. The result is an event that combines artists and instrumentalists performing music from favorites like Bon Iver and U2, with choral arrangement and direction by Steven Argila. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights & the Wounded Warrior Project.
HERITAGE BARBECUE X Genevieve Taylor Guest Chef Dinner
Friday, May 1, 5 p.m.
31721 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
COST: $200 per person; MORE INFO
(
Courtesy FWD PR
)
British barbecue expert and cookbook author Genevieve Taylor pays a visit to San Juan Capistrano’s Heritage Barbecue to celebrate the release of her newest book, How to BBQ: The Definitive Guide to Fire Cooking. The evening will feature a five-course menu prepared by Taylor using recipes from the book, including dishes like maple-cured cold-smoked bass crudo with lime and tequila dressing, smoked honey carrots, ribeye tagliata parmesan and more.
World Labyrinth Day
Saturday, May 2, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Various locations, including Peace Awareness Labyrinth and Gardens
3500 West Adams Blvd., West Adams
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
(
Courtesy Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens
)
Avid walkers and hikers in L.A. have been charmed many times over by the peaceful labyrinths amid the hiking trails and gardens in our fair city. Discover new ones and celebrate the world of meditative walking on World Labyrinth Day. The annual event includes time slots at the Peace Awareness Labyrinth in West Adams (which is designed after the one at Chartres Cathedral in France), as well as many others marked throughout the region on this map.
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
