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Best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California: July 20-23
'Mexodus' is at Pasadena Playhouse this week.
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Courtesy Pasadena Playhouse
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There’s been plenty of research lately saying that art is good for you — maybe even better for you than going to the gym! To combine the best of mental health and art, the Getty recently launched a free meditation app that encourages you to take a minute to stop, breathe and think about art. Sign me up!
For your listening pleasure, Licorice Pizza suggests starting your week off on a classy note with classical crossover pop star Josh Groban at the Grammy Museum. On Tuesday, indie icons Rainbow Kitten Surprise take over the Greek Theatre. On Wednesday, the Pacific Amphitheatre time-travels way back, with an oldies pop venue featuring The Association, The Troggs, The Cowsills and more.
Thursday is a big night, with blasts from the past and the present as actress-turned-indie pop chanteuse Suki Waterhouse plays Hollywood Forever Cemetery; Widespread Panic starts their three-night jam at the Orpheum; UK punks Bad Nerves are at Pacific Electric; and then there are TWO options for ‘80s new wave fans: Howard Jones with Wang Chung, the English Beat and Modern English at the Greek, or the Totally Tubular Festival with Thomas Dolby, Tommy Tutone and more at House of Blues in Anaheim.
Elsewhere on LAist, you can get tips on beating the heat, learn about a mystery at the Burbank Library and find the best cheap eats in Artesia.
Events
Mexodus
Through Sunday, Aug. 2
Pasadena Playhouse
39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena
COST: FROM $40; MORE INFO
Sponsored message
It’s not every day that friends recommend a show to me with such unanimous enthusiasm. Do what you can to get yourself to Pasadena Playhouse for Mexodus, a totally original show about the Mexican involvement in the Underground Railroad. The brainchild of Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, the performance includes music looped live on stage and a story about our collective history that’s been overlooked for too long. It comes to us straight from NYC, where it was a New York Times critic’s pick.
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40 Watts From Nowhere screenings
Through Wednesday, July 22
Laemmle Theatres NoHo, Glendale and Santa Monica
COST: $18.50; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Laemmle
)
Sponsored message
I saw 40 Watts From Nowhere at its Slamdance premiere last year and have been anxiously awaiting a wider release — and here it is. Take a trip back to the '90s and early 2000s in L.A., when pirate radio was how new bands went viral and Silver Lake was the epicenter of indie band cool. Our friend Lyndsey Parker from Licorice Pizza Records will host a conversation with some of the folks behind the film, including director Sue Carpenter, music supervisor Mara Kuge, plus DJs Chris Wagganer and Dana Childs on July 22 in Glendale.
Paws & Punchlines Comedy Show
Wednesday, July 22, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Wallis Annenberg PetSpace
12005 Bluff Creek Drive, Playa Vista
COST: $30; MORE INFO
Support rescue dogs and get your laughs in at this special dog-friendly comedy show at the Annenberg PetSpace. Featuring comedian Ian Bagg, you can bring your furry friend along to do the barking, er, heckling
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Backrooms UCB
Tuesday, July 21, 6 p.m.
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
5919 Franklin Ave., Hollywood
COST: $20; MORE INFO
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Courtesy UCB
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If you’ve ever wanted to see the inner workings of Upright Citizens Brigade — with a theatrical twist, of course — this is your one-night-only chance. Show up for an escape room like none other, where you’ll be assigned an entry time, get a map and set loose to make your way out of the storied theater while solving puzzles and encountering some unexpected surprises along the way.
Shakespeare by the Sea
Through Saturday, July 25
Various locations
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Sponsored message
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Courtesy Shakespeare by the Sea
)
The Bard’s best are making their way across the area with performances of Macbeth, for free, outside in various parks and public spaces. Shakespeare by the Sea goes through July 25; this week’s shows are at Roxbury Park in Beverly Hills and Soka University in Aliso Viejo.
iPalpiti Festival
Through Sunday, July 26
Beverly Hills
COST: FROM $44.80; MORE INFO
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Courtesy iPalpiti
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Called the “UN of classical music,” the iPalpiti Festival is on in Beverly Hills this week with performances from international laureates at Greystone Mansion and the Wallis. Hear works by Schubert, Chopin and many more.
World’s Fastest
Through Saturday, Aug. 22
Petersen Automotive Museum
6060 Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile
COST: FROM $23; MORE INFO
Vroom vroom over to the Peterson for three exciting new exhibits. First, the world’s fastest cars are on display through August 22, featuring cars that broke speed records from World War II to now. There’s also an art show — Flat Out — by L.A. artist Joshua Vides that imagines cars as black and white outlines in his signature style. And finally, in the vault (which is an extra ticket cost) one of the world’s largest collections of historic French art deco cars from the Mullen Collection is now on display.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
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