Best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California: May 18-21

Add one more exciting museum opening to the pre-Olympics lineup in L.A. with the expansion of the California Science Center set to house a Korean Air 747 (as well as the Space Shuttle Endeavour). Our own Makenna Cramer got a sneak peek at the Korean Air Aviation Gallery this week. Before 2028, visitors will be able to take a simulated flight from LAX to Seoul — but don’t worry, it’s only five minutes long. Science is amazing!

The week’s music picks from Licorice Pizza are off the charts, starting with Tuesday, when Florence + The Machine play their first of two nights at the Forum, and Russian rock legend Aquarium hits the Whisky a Go Go. Also Tuesday, French psych-rock singer Melody Prochet is at the Belasco, indie-pop star Hemlocke Springs is at the El Rey and Book NOT Brooke with Jack Xander is at the Airliner (free with RSVP!).

Wednesday, the Afghan Whigs celebrate their 40th anniversary at the Bellwether, Estelle is at the Blue Note, and Japanese pop singer Anri plays the first of her two nights at the Wiltern. Moving on to Thursday, new British faves Dry Cleaning play the Belasco, and American roots band Josiah and the Bonnevilles are at the Fonda. Wrapping up Thursday, jazz saxophonist Grace Kelly plays the Sun Rose, while Latin superstars Romeo Santos and Prince Royce are at Crypto.com Arena. And, for something a bit harder, Gatecreeper with Eternal, Dying Remains and Denial of Life play the Echoplex.

Elsewhere on LAist, you can learn about the Sphere’s next-gen concert technology, Gab Chabrán looks at L.A.’s Puerto Rican food scene and find out how to sign up for traffic alerts as the World Cup approaches. And don’t forget to do your election prep homework with our Voter Game Plan.

Events

British Music Embassy showcase in L.A.

Wednesday, May 20, 7 p.m.
The Roxy 
9009 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 
COST: $35.25;  MORE INFO 

Buzzy British bands take the stage for a British Music Embassy showcase featuring the Molotovs, Red Rum Club, Coach Party and MT Jones. Can’t make the Roxy show? You can catch the Molotovs for free at Amoeba in Hollywood on Tuesday, May 19 at 5 p.m., where they will do a live performance and host an album signing.

Art Hang

Thursday, May 21, 6 p.m.
Scribble
5541 York Blvd., Highland Park
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

(

Elena Mozhvila

/

Unsplash

)

All you need to bring is your creativity to this weeknight art hang. Don’t let kids have all the fun with their imaginations; get to work on something you’ve been thinking about, or start a new project at this Scribble free-for-all. Feel free to bring your sketchpad, but some art supplies will be provided.

Sierra Club: Griffith Park Night Conditioning Hike 

Tuesday, May 19, 7 p.m. 
Merry-Go-Round Lot #2
Griffith Park
COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

Grab a flashlight and go on a night hike in Griffith Park.

(

Mario Tama

/

Getty Images

)

Build strength and meet fellow hiking enthusiasts at the Tuesday night Griffith Park Night Conditioning Hike, hosted by the Sierra Club. Hikes last from one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half hours and are meant for hikers of all experience levels — bring a flashlight!

Pub Choir: Eyes Up! 

Wednesday, May 20, 7 p.m. 
The Belasco
1050 S. Hill Street, Downtown L.A.
COST: $54; MORE INFO

The popular Australian-born Pub Choir series is back for a night at the Belasco, where you’ll spend 90 minutes learning the harmonies to popular songs and singing along with hundreds of your new besties. Led by Astrid Jorgensen, by the end of the night the choir is sure to be ready for prime time.

The Universe is Absurd!

Tuesday and Wednesday, May 19 and 20 
Saban Theater
8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills
COST: FROM $119; MORE INFO

William Shatner and Neil deGrasse Tyson on stage together at a Seattle show on their "The Universe Is Absurd" tour, which comes to the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills May 19 and 20.

(

Courtesy Daniel Fox

/

Future of Space

)

Spend an evening in the final frontier with William Shatner and Neil deGrasse Tyson as they answer your burning questions about the world beyond our world. They're doing two nights of their show, The Universe is Absurd! — you can do a double and check out both, as they promise a completely different experience each time. To be fair, seems like answering questions about the universe could take more than one session!

Sanctuary City 

Through Sunday, June 7
Chance Theater
5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim
COST: FROM $30; MORE INFO

(

Doug Catiller

/

Chance Theater

)

It may take place just after 9/11, but the uncertainty is as real now as it was then in Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok’s look at immigration and deportation. On at the Chance Theater in Anaheim, Sanctuary City tells the story of two undocumented teenagers in Newark, New Jersey navigating both politics and coming of age.

Lena Dunham with Rita Wilson

Wednesday, May 20, 8 p.m. 
Robert Frost Auditorium
4401 Elenda Street, Culver City
COST: WAITLIST AND ONLINE ONLY; MORE INFO

\Lena Dunham attends the 2026 Met Gala celebrating "Costume Art" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

(

Dimitrios Kambouris

/

Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

)

Whether Girls creator Lena Dunham is your cup of tea or not, there’s no denying she’s always unapologetically herself. It’s something I’ve always admired about her work, and it’s as true as ever in her new memoir, Famesick. She’s in conversation with actress Rita Wilson at Live Talks L.A.; the event is sold out, but there’s a waitlist, and you can stream the conversation online as well.