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Best things to do in LA and SoCal: Sept. 23-29
Kehlani will perform with Durand Bernarr, TheARTI$t and Waseel at the Intuit Dome on Thursday.
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Scott Legato
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Getty Images
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The big day is finally here: The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opened its doors in Expo Park on Tuesday. But have no fear if you missed the big, celeb-studded bash last weekend (I’m just here scrolling through the Vanity Fair photos of Justin Trudeau and Katy Perry, too, my friends); the museum is here to stay. Keep those reviews coming, and I’m planning to work remotely from that gorgeous reading room one day soon.
Elsewhere on LAist, you read up on Long Beach Aquarium’s plans to save an endangered frog and find your favorite fat bear to vote for during Fat Bear week.
Music
Tove Lo will be at the Greek on Sunday.
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Nykieria Chaney
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Getty Images
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Licorice Pizza’s music picks this week include:
Wednesday
- Beck at the Greek Theatre
- Cut Chemist (Vernal Equinox Candlelight Set) at Townhouse Venice at Del Monte Speakeasy
Thursday
- Kehlani with Durand Bernarr, TheARTI$t and Waseel at the Intuit Dome
- Laurie Anderson at the Orpheum Theatre
Friday
Saturday
- Jay Park with LNGSHOT at the Shrine Auditorium
- Rilo Kiley with Beachwood Sparks at Fairbanks Lawn at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
- Latino Carnaval 2026
Sunday
- Tove Lo with Mallrat at the Greek Theatre
- Brujeria with Section H8, Auditory Anguish, Plagas and more at the Paramount
Events
Tacita Dean: Film
Through Feb. 2027
Marciano Art Foundation
4357 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire
COST: FREE WITH ONLINE RESERVATION; MORE INFO
Sponsored message
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Tacita Dean
/
Marciano Art Foundation
)
One of my favorite things about writing this column every week is that over time, I get to see how art and culture are on a continuum in L.A. This was one of those weeks. I went to the opening of the new Tacita Dean installation, Film, at Marciano Art Foundation. Dean is a British artist and champion of analogue film (it’s no surprise that she counts Christopher Nolan among her many fans and friends). In April, her work was shown at the now-closed Marion Goodman Gallery, and it’s been a joy to get to know a new-to-me artist this year who has such deep ties to film and L.A. culture. While you’re there, the Foundation also has an enjoyable new exhibit from Belgian artist Pierre Leguillon on artists and advertising.
The Women of Lockerbie
Through Sunday, Sept. 27
The Actors’ Gang
9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City
COST: FROM $28; MORE INFO
This play, first produced in the early 2000s, looks at one woman's search for her son's remains years after he was killed in the attack on Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Presented loosely as a Greek tragedy and inspired by true events, the drama looks at the ties that bind people through loss and stars Actors’ Gang regular Kate Mulligan.
Sponsored message
Free pancakes at Redbird
Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26-27
Redbird
114 E. 2nd St. Downtown L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Redbird
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I hope these pancakes look like Leia’s buns! To celebrate the opening of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, Redbird is offering a free short stack for your table; just show a ticket from your visit to the newest art museum in LA. And don’t worry: If you’re brunching pre-museum, just use the passphrase “may the force be with you” to secure the sustenance.
Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival + Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival
Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26-27
Watts Towers Arts Center
1727 E. 107th St., Watts
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Sponsored message
The Watts Towers will be the backdrop to two festivals this weekend.
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Carolyn Cole
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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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Two festivals are on at Watts Towers, with both days featuring music and culture at Simon Rodia’s ship-shaped temple of tile. Saturday is the 44th Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival, and Sunday brings the 49th Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival.
Mr. Wash’s First Decade Bday Bash
Saturday, Sept. 26, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
HVW8 Gallery
661 N. Spaulding Ave., Fairfax District
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Art by Wash
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President Barack Obama granted clemency to Mr. Wash in 2016 after 21 years of wrongful incarceration. Self-taught while in prison, Mr. Wash has seen his work shown and collected across L.A. at the Hammer Museum, LACMA and the Huntington Library; his latest work is on view at David Zwirner Gallery. Celebrate his first decade out and support his Art By Wash Studio and Community Center in Compton, which will offer all-levels art classes and workshops, creative residencies and “reintegration resources for individuals returning home from prison” at the HVW8 party.
Sponsored message
Catch Me If You Can
Through Sunday, Oct. 18
Colony Theatre
555 N. Third St., Burbank
COST: $60; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Colony Theatre
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The Colony puts on consistently fun, solid shows, and Catch Me If You Can is no exception. This version of the musical adaptation of the 2002 Leonardo DiCaprio movie is directed by Colony regular Michael Donovan, who most recently directed the theater’s The Wedding Singer. The original musical about con artist extraordinaire Frank Abagnale scored four Tony nominations.
Art of Storytelling in Admissions
Friday, Sept. 25, 6 p.m.
Zibby’s Bookshop
1113 Montana Ave., Santa Monica
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Zibby's Bookshop
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It’s that time of year again, and Zibby’s Bookshop in Santa Monica has gathered some student-essay-writing experts to help your teenager through the application process, whether that’s a personal statement for college, a local private or boarding school or any other application. The art of the essay is in self-discovery, so bring your budding writer and strap in.
35 Years of Speed: The Sonic Art Exhibit
Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26-27, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
ARK/8
115 S. La Brea Ave., Inglewood
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Courtesy fortyseven communications
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I’ve missed iam8bit’s shows, so I’m delighted to see this new partnership with SEGA for all the other '90s gamers out there. It celebrates 35 years of Sonic the Hedgehog with 35 Years of Speed: The Sonic Art Exhibit, and will feature original works from more than 30 renowned artists who pay homage to Sonic’s journey throughout the years.
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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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