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Best things to do in LA and SoCal: Aug. 5-11
RiverFest happens this Sunday at L.A. State Historic Park.
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Courtesy dubroWORKS PR
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At the Hollywood Bowl last week, I had the pleasure of sitting next to Jose Rizo, longtime afternoon host at our local jazz station, KJZZ. Jose is a walking history lesson in the California jazz scene and beyond. The encounter inspired a rewatch of La La Land and reminded me about the excellent jazz clubs — like Sam First by LAX — that we have at our fingertips. Plus, it’s extra fitting because this week kicks off the first-ever L.A. Jazz Festival, which is bringing a slew of mostly free concerts to venues across the area.
If you’re not a jazz person (and like Sebastian says, if you hate jazz, you just don’t have context), check out Licorice Pizza’s picks for some rock ‘n' roll.
Music
Patti LaBelle will be at the Pacific Amphitheatre this week.
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Erika Goldring
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Getty Images
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Wednesday
Thursday
- YG at the Grammy Museum
- Patti LaBelle and the O’Jays at the Pacific Amphitheatre
- Alejandro Aranda aka Scarypoolparty at the Echo
Friday
- Grupo Frontera at the Intuit Dome
- Macy Gray plays the first of her two nights at Blue Note
- Counting Crows begin their two-night run at the Hollywood Bowl
Saturday:
- Ed Sheeran with Myles Smith at SoFi Stadium
- Little Feat at the United Theater
- Yoko Only celebration at the Broad
Sunday:
- Lionel Richie with Earth, Wind, & Fire at the Intuit Dome
- Free Latin Grooves show at Pershing Square Park
Monday:
- John Mellencamp plays the Hollywood Bowl
- Benson Boone with special guest Ashe at Crypto.com
- Cruz Beckham — yes, David and Victoria Beckham’s son — at the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever
Tuesday:
- Rüfüs Du Sol continue their run at the Forum
- Jill Scott begins her two-night run at the YouTube Theater
Events
10 Years LA!
Through Saturday, Aug. 15; Summer Party event Thursday, Aug. 6, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Sprüth Magers
5900 and 6145 Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Sponsored message
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Spruth Magers
/
Sutton Comms
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Catch the expansive group show at Sprüth Magers (and the former Sizzler down the street) before it’s gone. The exhibit includes the gallery’s artists from the past decade who have represented Los Angeles in a variety of forms, from Jenny Holzer’s electronic messages to Barbara Kruger’s room-sized wall installations to L.A.-based artists like Sterling Ruby and Analia Saban. Thursday’s event at the Sizzler space includes 22 video works from the late 1960s to the present, plus there will be hot dogs by Tail O’ the Pup; music by Wormwood Star, Mo0d and Yacht; and a cash bar.
Two Gentlebots of Verona
Through Saturday, Aug. 15
Media Park
9091 Culver Blvd., Culver City
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Culver City
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Shakespeare in the Park … but make it robots? Welcome the most gentlemanly robot overlords into your theater life this summer as The Actors’ Gang does their (50-minute! You can handle this!) take on the Bard’s Two Gentlemen of Verona in Two Gentlebots of Verona. The action takes us to fair Culver City, where the bots’ friendship is tested over their love for Silvia Dot Matrix. Order your Coco to the park (or maybe not, the organizers may get mad at me for that one!) and see what happens.
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LA RiverFest
Sunday, Aug. 9, 2:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
L.A. State Historic Park
1245 N. Spring St., Downtown L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Courtesy dubroWORKS
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Friends of the LA River host their 5th annual LA RiverFest, full of arts (including an environmental art gallery), entertainment, family-friendy “eco-activities” and more at the L.A. Historic Park. Plus, there will plenty of treats from local food trucks. You can even sign up to volunteer here.
World Taste of the Anaheim Packing District
Tuesday, August 11, 5 p.m to 9 p.m.
440 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim
COST: $33.85; MORE INFO
Sponsored message
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Courtesy Anaheim Packing District
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The annual World Taste of the Anaheim Packing District coincides with the big Disney fan fest D23 this year, so they are making all the events D23-themed. Disney fans and fanatics of all ages will enjoy Disney-themed trivia and giveaways, plus you can punch your World Taste passport for all different bites at the wide range of restaurants along the way. LAist readers get 15% off using the direct link here.
Iceage
Thursday and Friday, Aug. 6 and 7
The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever
5970 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood
COST: $37.75; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Pitch Perfect PR
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Danish post-punk outfit Iceage returns to Los Angeles for a two-night residency at the Masonic Lodge in support of their new album, For Love of Grace & the Hereafter — one of the most critically acclaimed releases yet as part of the band's ascent. Their sound is hard to pin down, but there's an instant familiarity to each listen, paired with wry lyrics that feel sharply attuned to the moment — songs like "The Weak," "No Fear," and "Tender Blades" among them channel everything from Beggars Banquet-era Rolling Stones to Bends-era Radiohead, with a heavy dose of sardonic wit throughout, just enough to feel something. – Gab Chabrán
Sponsored message
Blueprints of Nature: A Cyanotype Sunprint, Tea Blending & Sound Journey
Sunday, Aug. 9, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
1451 Carroll Ave., Echo Park
COST: $80, sliding scale available; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Granada Events
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I remember making cyanotypes as a kid (I think we knew them better as sun prints back then), and in the past couple of years I’ve seen them making a resurgence both as craft — like this fun workshop in Echo Park — and even in fancy art galleries. Get your inner artist inspired by learning how to make your own cyanotypes alongside a relaxing tea blending and sound experience.
Yoko Only
Saturday, Aug. 8, 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The Broad
221 S. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A.
COST: SOLD OUT; MORE INFO
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The Broad
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Motormouth Media
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Artists from Rufus Wainwright to Sleater-Kinney to Silvan Esso will gather to give Yoko Ono her (long past!) due at this super-group tribute concert curated by Yuka Honda celebrating Ono’s solo show at The Broad. The show is sold out, but keep an eye out for last-minute availability. The exhibit is on through October and is well worth checking out!
National Oyster Day deal
Wednesdays in August
Evangeline Swamp Room
701 N. Spring St., Downtown L.A.
COST: $25 per dozen; MORE INFO
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Christy Linder
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National Oyster Day may only be one day (it’s today, August 5), but the Evangeline Swamp Room downtown is making it last all month. Every Wednesday in August from 5 to 9 p.m., the New Orleans-themed hot spot will be offering its signature Charbroiled Oysters for $25 per dozen (usually $25 per half-dozen). They’re charbroiled in a beer and butter sauce, topped with white cheese, breadcrumbs, Cajun spices, onion, bacon bits and served with lemon. Wash them down with an Abita beer or a classic New Orleans cocktail for a perfect summer dinner.
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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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