There's an eclectic mix of happenings this weekend, from a NSFK (Not Safe For Kids) puppet party to a walking tour of murals in Filipinotown. We found free music concerts with Quetzal, El Vez and Phranc, and not-so-free shows with Chromeo and Death Cab for Cutie. Festivals on tap will honor avocados, beer, Korean culture and Japanese Nisei Week.
FRIDAY, AUG. 10 - MONDAY, AUG. 13; 8 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Party with Puppets
The InkHole -- 1723 N. Hudson Ave., Hollywood
This pop-up offers an early peek at STXfilms' upcoming R-rated puppet comedy, "The Happytime Murders." The tattoo parlor and speakeasy features drinking, gambling and risque puppet performances, in honor of the film's puppet underworld. Attendance is free, but RSVP is required. Ages 21+.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, AUG. 10; 7 p.m.
Chromeo
Hollywood Palladium -- 6215 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood
The Canadian electrofunk duo headlines its first show in the band's adopted hometown since the release of the new album "Head Over Heels." Opening the show is musician-producer Littlebabyangel.
COST: Tickets start at $43; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, AUG. 10 - SUNDAY, AUG. 12
KCON
Staples Center -- 1111 S Figueroa St., downtown L.A.
L.A. Convention Center -- 1201 S Figueroa St., downtown L.A.
The world's largest Korean culture convention expects more than 120,000 people to attend and shop for Korean beauty products, network with fan clubs, take workshops on Korean arts and culinary dishes and listen to some of the hottest K-Pop artists. Featured performers include Ailee, Dynamic Duo + Crush, IN2IT on Saturday and Chung Ha, fromis_9 and IMFACT on Sunday.
COST: $30 (Convention tickets), $60 - $200 concert tickets per night; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, AUG. 10 - SUNDAY, AUG. 12
626 Night Market
Santa Anita Park -- 285 W Huntington Dr., Arcadia
The largest and original Asian-inspired SoCal night market brings together more than 250 food, craft and merch vendors, including Bao Bao, Kickin' Balls, The Milk Tea Company, Bizuri Ice Cream and Seoul Street. An art walk, performances and entertainment take place throughout the weekend.
COST: $5 (cash only at door); MORE INFO
FRIDAY, AUG. 10; 9 p.m.
Rebirth Jazz Band
Regent Theater -- 448 S. Main St., downtown L.A.
Laissez les bon temps rouler! This New Orleans brass band was formed in 1983 by musicians attending Clark High School in Treme. Various iterations of the original lineup have been playing and touring the world ever since. The show is ages 18+.
COST: $25 - $55; MORE INFO
FRIDAYS - SUNDAYS THROUGH AUG. 19
'Extremities'
The New Collective -- 6440 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood
The revival of William Mastrosimone's 1978 play (re)examines gender-based violence. In the suspenseful thriller, three roommates decide the fate of a perpetrator who tried to rape one of them. Select performances will be followed by discussions with guest speakers including Hope Hall, President Barack Obama's former principal videographer; Camilla Borel-Rinkes, one of the creators of the "Porn or #MeToo" docu-series; and the play's director, Tina Alexis Allen.
COST: $25; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, AUG. 10; 7 - 10 p.m.
Quetzal
Levitt Pavilion -- Northwest corner of MacArthur Park, near the intersection of W. 6th and S. Park View streets
The Chicano rock ensemble from East L.A. plays its socio-political tunes for a hometown crowd, reminding us all that the struggle is still real. The all-girls Chulita Vinyl Club spins between the live music.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 11; 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Everytable Block Party
Hoover Blvd. and 23rd St., South L.A.
The shop's concept is simple, yet awesome: Bringing ready-made, healthy food options to communities in food deserts. To celebrate the opening of its second South L.A. location, the party includes kid-friendly activities and giveaways from partners Beanfields, KPOP Foods, Barnana, Boxed Water, RxBar and Copra Coconut Water.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 11; 8 and 10:30 p.m. - SUNDAY, AUG. 12; 8 p.m.
Hasan Minhaj: Before the Storm
The Theatre at Ace Hotel -- 929 S. Broadway, downtown L.A.
A third show was added to meet the demand for "The Daily Show" comedian, who will share his wry observations on politics, immigration and culture. No cellphones, cameras or recording devices will be allowed at the show.
COST: $30 - $75; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 11 - SUNDAY, AUG. 19
2018 Nisei Week Japanese Festival
Various locations in Little Tokyo -- downtown L.A.
The long-running cultural festival celebrates the traditions of the Japanese American community. This weekend's highlights include a "Sunset on the Plaza" night-market event on Saturday, Aki's Pup Up Pawty (for your fur babies) and the Grand Parade on Sunday. The activities run concurrently with the Los Angeles Tanabata Festival, which celebrates Tanabata (Seventh Night of the Seventh Moon).
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 11 - SUNDAY, AUG. 12; 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Avocado Fest!
Angel City Brewery -- 216 Alameda St., downtown L.A.
The brewery celebrates the release of its Kolsch style Avocado Ale with vendors like Lizzy's Avocado Toast, Downtown Taco, Downtown Dogs and Pocho Pops as well as music, games and avocado juggling and eating contests. The festival is ages 21+.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 11; 3 p.m.
Walking Tour of HiFi Murals
Various locations in and around Historic Filipinotown
The Gabba Alley Project has added more than 100 murals by local and world-renowned artists to the walls, garages and fences in its neighborhood. Curator Jason Ostro and LA Art Tours team up for a 1.5-hour walking tour of new and notable works, made possible by Making LA program. The tour ends at the new cocktail lounge and gin joint Genever, which specializes in making drinks with traditional Filipino ingredients. While the tour is all-ages, the bar is 21+ only.
COST: FREE, buy your own drinks; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 11; 8 - 10 p.m.
El Vez & Phranc
Grand Performances -- 350 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A.
Robert Lopez -- better known as El Vez -- sings Elvis songs, mixing The King's style with Latin American touches. Also on the bill is longtime punk veteran Phranc.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 11; 8 p.m.
Frida Kahlo Under the Stars with Gregorio Luke
LA Plaza de Culturas y Artes -- 501 North Main St., downtown L.A.
Latin American and Mexican art expert Gregorio Luke leads a fully illustrated lecture about Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. It includes more than 300 slides of her paintings, documentary photos and rare film footage.
COST: $25; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 11; 5 - 8 p.m.
'Venice Beach, The Last Days of a Bohemian Paradise'
Venice Arts -- 13445 Beach Ave., Venice
Dotan Saguy's photos document the culture and people of the beach burg, even as gentrification swallows the neighborhood's soul. This exhibition, which will remain on view through Sept. 21, is part of Venice Arts' 25th Anniversary celebrations. It also corresponds with the publication of the monograph, "Venice Beach: Last Days of a Bohemian Paradise."
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 11; 6 - 9 p.m.
'How They Ran'
Over the influence -- 833 East 3rd St., downtown L.A.
The group show takes its name from the second chapter of Germaine Greer's 1979 book, "The Obstacle Race," bringing together a diverse group of artists including: Amanda Maciel Antunes, Lisa Anne Auerbach, Uta Barth, Jo Ann Callis, Barbara Kruger, Kerry Tribe, Lesley Vance and Kim Schoenstadt, who created a limited-run wetsuit jacket that features iconic L.A. architecture. The works remain on view through Sept. 5.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 11; 7 - 9 p.m.
'Thank You, East Los' opening reception
Las Fotos Project -- 2658 Pasadena Ave., Lincoln Heights
The nonprofit that inspires teen girls through photography hosts the opening reception for local youth photographer Metztli Garcia. Her work "poetically captures the culture, values and spirit of her community through her lens." The show includes more than 20 portraits, neighborhood photographs and writings. It's on view through Sept. 8.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 11; 8 - 11 p.m.
Mixology Class Featuring Tequila Cocktails
Margo's -- 1534 Montana Ave., Santa Monica
The interactive class teaches tips and tricks on how to craft three tequila cocktails, including a Margarita, a Paloma and a Cucumber Sage Tequila Martini. Libations will be served along with three courses, created to go with the evening's theme.
COST: $90; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 11; noon - 5 p.m.
Chalk It Up Festival
Cerritos Towne Center -- 12731 Towne Center Dr., Cerritos
Local Southern California artists will transform pavement walkways into works of art at this inaugural festival. In addition to 'Grammable art, the fest features kids crafts, face painting, glitter tattoos and a DJ spinning tunes throughout the day.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, AUG. 12; 4 p.m.
ALT 98.7 Summer Camp
Queen Mary Events Park -- 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach
The all-ages music fest features a great alt-pop lineup. Headliners Death Cab For Cutie are joined by ODESZA, CHVRCHES, Judah & The Lion, AJR, Sir Sly, Jungle, lovelytheband, Superorganism and Two Feet.
COST: $47.50 - $99.50; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, AUG. 12; 2 - 8 p.m.
The Los Angeles Handmade Bike Show
Montenegro Manufacturing -- 1821 Daly St., Lincoln Heights
Local maker MMFG (Montenegro Manufacturing) turns 5 and is throwing a party to celebrate. They've invited other L.A. County builders and bicycle brands to showcase their work. The party features music, food, drinks, an Alley Cat race, great bikes and bike-related products.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, AUG. 12; 10 p.m.
Night Coffee
Bigfoot Lodge East -- 3172 Los Feliz Blvd., Atwater Village
This new monthly comedy show might cure your Sunday night blues. Hosted by comedians Allen Strickland Williams and James Fritz, the lineup includes Laura Kightlinger, Peter-john Byrnes, David Rodriguez, Jil Chrissie and Maggie Maye.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, AUG. 12; 8:30 - 10 p.m.
My Mom is Dead ... and other fun things about me!
UCB Inner Sanctum, UCB Sunset -- 5419 Sunset Blvd., East Hollywood
The comedy ensemble WOCA (Women of Color Anonymous) presents the dark personal comedy of Pilar Valdés. Opening comics are Rebecca Aranda and Nikki Bailey.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, AUG. 12 - SATURDAY, AUG. 18
Burbank Comedy Festival
Several venues in downtown Burbank
More than 100 performances are scheduled throughout the festival, headlined by Jeff Garlin, Daniel Franzese, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Carlos Alazraqui and Jimmy Pardo. The fest also includes podcast tapings, workshops and special events, such as a One-on-One interview with Phil Rosenthal, creator of "Everybody Loves Raymond" and star of "Somebody Feed Phil" on Netflix.
COST: Individual shows vary, with two-item minimum per person; passes: $250 - $350; MORE INFO
How are you spending your weekend? Let us know on Twitter @christineziemba and @LeoHasACat.
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