Best things to do in LA and SoCal: Aug. 19-25

I can’t believe school is already back in session across much of the area. What happened to summer? I’m still only halfway through my TBF summer reading pile…

To celebrate the start of the new school year, you can’t go wrong heading out for a DineLA deal one evening (through Aug. 28) or hitting up one of the many Dudamel farewell shows at the Hollywood Bowl.

Elsewhere on LAist, you can follow what’s next for Shadow after the loss of Jackie, check out FilmWeek's review of the new thriller The End of Oak Street, and take a look at where to see the work of late L.A. artist Betye Saar.

Music

For non-Dudamel music this week — and there’s tons — check out highlights from Licorice Pizza’s picks, including a free in-store performance by Bleu at their location in Studio City on Saturday.

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Francesco Prandoni

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Getty Images

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Wednesday

• Herbie Hancock celebrates Miles Davis at the Hollywood Bowl
• Brett Dennen at the Venice West

Thursday

• Mt. Joy at the Greek (they’ll be there Friday too)
• Men at Work, Toad the Wet Sprocket and Shonen Knife at the United Theater

Friday

• The Maine with Hellogoodbye at House of Blues Anaheim
• Knocks at the Bellwether

Saturday

• Just Like Heaven festival with LCD Soundsystem, the Strokes, Chromeo, Feist, George Clanton at Brookside at the Rose Bowl. Wear sunscreen!
• Goldfinger, the Vandals, the Suicide Machines, and more at Hollywood Palladium
• Free “Freestyle Fools” festival with Lisa Lisa and others at Pershing Square

Sunday

• Benefit for Venezuela earthquake relief with Gustavo Dudamel, Beck and others at the Hollywood Bowl
• Free “Maldita Vecindad” show with Kinky, Tijuana at Pershing Square Park
• Slayyyter at Shrine Expo Hall

Monday

• Melissa Etheridge at the Grammy Museum
• The Breeders at the Hollywood Palladium

Tuesday

• Tori Amos at the Greek
• Jeff Goldblum with his Mildred Snitzer Orchestra at the Blue Note on Tuesday (and Wednesday)

Events

Letterpress Surplus Sale and Wayzgoose Celebration

Saturday, Aug. 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
International Printing Museum 
315 W. Torrance Blvd., Carson
COST: $12-$15; MORE INFO

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Courtesy The International Printing Museum

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It makes sense that back-to-school season is also historically “printing season,” so celebrate all things letterpress at the annual Wayzgoose Celebration at Carson’s International Printing Museum. From workshops on paper marbling and foil printing to demos and more, you’ll be making your own hipster greeting card line in no time.

Christian Marclay: The Clock

Through Sunday, Aug. 23
LACMA 
5905 Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile
COST: Included in museum admission; MORE INFO

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Courtesy LACMA

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In a time before AI video editing and easy access to all the videos ever made, artist Christian Marclay made The Clock, a 24-hour film that follows a complete day with an image of a clock — spliced from TV shows, movies, commercials, you name it — of the exact time in every scene. LACMA hasn’t shown the film since 2015, so head over and catch it during regular museum hours or for a full 24 hours until the weekend. I saw 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. last week, but I want a full report from anyone awake enough to catch the 4 a.m. session!

Nelson German: Caribbean Cocktails book tour

Thursday, Aug. 20, 6 p.m. 
Williams Sonoma South Coast Plaza
3333 Bear Street Ste. 155, Costa Mesa
COST: $24, includes book; MORE INFO

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Nelson German

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Eventbrite

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Top Chef alum and chef-restaurateur Nelson German will host a live cocktail-mixing demonstration at South Coast Plaza in celebration of his new book, Caribbean Cocktails. German will sign books and discuss his recipes that bring flavors of the Afro-Latino diaspora to the table. Tickets include a copy of his new book.

Philip K. Dick Festival 

Through Sunday, Aug. 23 
Fullerton Marriott at Cal State University 
2701 Nutwood Ave., Fullerton 
COST: Varies; MORE INFO

PKD flyers outside the Pollak Library, where his papers are housed.

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Robert Garrova / LAist

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The author behind near-future pop culture touchstones like Minority Report and The Man in the High Castle spent the last 10 years of his life in Santa Ana, so it’s only fitting that Fullerton would host a festival celebrating one of its most unique denizens. The fourth annual Philip K. Dick festival is this weekend; LAist’s Robert Garrova previewed the event and learned more about the beloved — and out-there — author.

Anthony Hopkins and Dudamel 

Tuesday, Aug. 25, 7:30 p.m.
Grammy Museum 
800 W. Olympic Blvd., Downtown L.A. 
COST: SOLD OUT, waitlist available; MORE INFO

No one in L.A. is busier this week than Gustavo Dudamel, who has his last few performances at the Hollywood Bowl before he heads to the New York Philharmonic next season. Catch him at one of the many farewell shows at the Bowl, or head downtown and hopefully score a ticket to hear him in conversation with actor Sir Anthony Hopkins. The two collaborated on 88-year-old Hopkins’s newly released first album as a composer, Life Is a Dream.

VinylCon 

Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22 and 23  
California Market Center
110 E. Ninth St., Downtown L.A. 
COST: FROM $12.45; MORE INFO 

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Courtesy VinylCon

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Whether you’re looking to round out your record collection or have a specific LP in mind, head to VinylCon at the California Market Center, where rows and rows of records will greet you. Crate-diggers, unite!

Mindfulness Mornings 

Saturday, Aug. 22, and Sunday, Sept. 13, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Natural History Museum 
900 Exposition Blvd., Expo Park 
COST: $30, includes museum admission and parking; MORE INFO

Start the weekend off with mindfulness among the wonders at the Natural History Museum. Yoga practices and sound baths are on the agenda monthly before the museum opens, but stick around to check out the exhibits once your calming session wraps up. This week’s is sold out, but plan ahead for the Sept. 13 event.

Los Feliz Writers Festival 

Through Sunday, Aug. 23
Various locations
Los Feliz
COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

Learn about the writers of Los Feliz — past and present — at the Los Feliz Writers Festival. From a personal essay workshop to spoken-word performances; a food-and-sensory writing experience at Bar Covell to a zine hangout at Barnsdall Art Park; there’s something for writers and readers of all stripes at this free, volunteer-run festival.

Save the Woman’s Club of Hollywood: Old Hollywood Variety Show

Saturday, Aug. 22, 6 p.m.
1749 N. La Brea Ave., Hollywood 
COST: $33.85; MORE INFO

Come for the stand-up comedy, the magic and Bob Baker Marionettes; stay for the good cause — a fundraiser for the Hollywood Women’s Club. The club is 121 years old and donated the land for what’s now the beloved Hollywood Bowl.