Get ready to strut your stuff this Memorial Day Weekend. RuPaul's DragCon LA returns. Community festivals pop up all around the city. There's a Godzilla movie marathon, a Silk Road Dinner and Corgi races. Plus, several cities will hold Memorial Day events to honor those who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces.
Through MONDAY, MAY 27
We Rise 2019
We Rise -- 1262 Palmetto St., downtown L.A.
The immersive event, which uses the arts to promote mental wellbeing and connection, ends its limited run this weekend. It's your last chance to catch live performances, music, interactive programming and thought-provoking art. On the schedule this weekend: silk screening workshops, beats workshops for girls, tunes spun by the Chulita Vinyl Club, meditation and an advanced screening of Ava DuVernay's four-part series, When They See Us, about five African-American and Hispanic teenagers who were wrongly convicted in 1990 of raping a jogger in Central Park.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Opens FRIDAY, MAY 24
Tacotopia Pop-up
Tacotopia -- 1254 3rd St. Promenade, Santa Monica
Are we living in the peak selfie era or have pop-up selfie museums jumped the shark? You decide at this taco-themed experience sponsored by Cholula Hot Sauce. It features 25 environments including a mechanical taco you can ride, a Goddess of Tacos installation, an oversized bowl of guac and a Chihuahua infinity room. The experience ticket includes a hot sauce bar, a Jarritos soft drink and a taco from Azulé Taqueria.
COST: $20 - $30; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, MAY 24 - SUNDAY, MAY 26
RuPaul's DragConLA 2019
Los Angeles Convention Center -- 1201 S. Figueroa St., downtown L.A.
The world's largest all-ages, family-friendly celebration of drag returns. In addition to vendors and special guests (including Supermodel of the World, RuPaul), the weekend features a Kids Zone with Drag Queen story hour; a Werk Room photo opp; panels from fan-favorites Trixie Mattel and Katya; a drag makeover with Carson Kressley; and live podcast tapings of "The Official RuPaul's Drag Race Podcast," "Why Won't You Date Me? With Nicole Byer," "Homophilia" with Matt McConkey and Dave Holmes and "The Betches Sup Podcast: The F*ck Mike Pence Show."
COST: $40 - $300, kids 10 and younger get in free; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, MAY 24 - SUNDAY, MAY 26
Postmortem Fairy Tales exhibit
Lethal Amounts -- 1226 W. 7th St., downtown L.A.
Mothmeister, an art duo based in Belgium, presents its dark and goth-y art at this pop-up gallery. The works often depict eerie masked characters accompanied by stuffed animals from their private collection. The opening night reception features video work as well as a soundscape performed live by Zach Wager and Eric 'Zerø' Bergen of the industrial metal collective Dead Animal Assembly Plant.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, MAY 24 and SUNDAY, MAY 26
New Kids On The Block: The Mixtape Tour
Honda Center -- 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim
Hollywood Bowl -- 2301 N Highland Ave., Hollywood
It's a weekend of nostalgia when the '90s boy band returns to the stage along with Salt N Pepa, Naughty By Nature, Tiffany and Debbie (fka Deborah) Gibson. The tour stops at the Honda Center on Friday and at the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday.
COST: Tickets start at $20; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, MAY 24; 8:30 p.m.
Spike & Mike's Sick & Twisted Festival of Animation
Fox Performing Arts Center -- 3801 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside
The traveling film fest comes home. (Craig 'Spike' Decker and the late Mike Gribble named their Mellow Manor Productions after the Victorian house in Riverside where they lived communally.) Watch beautiful, subversive animations on the big screen. This show is 18+.
COST: Tickets start at $14; MORE INFO
RAGNAR KJARTANSSON: Bliss (short clip) from i8 Gallery on Vimeo.
SATURDAY, MAY 25; noon
Ragnar Kjartansson's Bliss
REDCAT -- 631 W. 2nd St., downtown L.A.
The experimental Fluxus movement of the 1960s and '70s broke down walls between art and life, emphasizing process over final product. The L.A. Phil's season-long tribute to Fluxus continues with Kjartansson's tribute to the final aria of Mozart's Marriage of Figaro. Mozart's moving work is one that you want to listen to over and over again, and that's what happens in this 12-hour piece. The fully staged production will be accompanied by the experimental classical ensemble wild Up, under the direction of Christopher Rountree. This performance marks the West Coast premiere. (Audience members will be permitted to come and go during the performance.) If Kjartansson's name sounds familiar, he's the Icelandic composer/artist behind The Visitors, 2012, which was on view at The Broad.
COST: $25; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, MAY 25 - MONDAY, MAY 27; 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Fiesta Hermosa
Pier Plaza -- Hermosa Ave. and lower Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach
With more than 300 artists and makers, showcasing paintings, photos, ceramics and sculpture, jewelry and handrafters, this is purportedly the largest arts and crafts fair in Southern California. Now in its 48th year, it features live music stages, a beer garden and a kids' carnival. There's free parking and a shuttle bus runs from the Northrop Grumman Parking Lot in Manhattan Beach.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, MAY 25 - SUNDAY, MAY 26
St. Elmo Village's 50th Anniversary
Mid-Town Shopping Center -- 4830 St. Elmo Drive, Mid-City
The village that helps people tap into their creativity celebrates its 50th anniversary with a festival of art, music, spoken word, crafts and food trucks. Live performances by Dwight Trible and Sandra Booker.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, MAY 25 - SUNDAY, MAY 26; 6 p.m. doors
Schitt's Creek: Up Close and Personal
The Wiltern -- 3790 Wilshire Blvd., Koreatown
The breakthrough comedy, co-created and starring Dan and Eugene Levy, focuses on the lives of the Rose family who've lost their fortune and are forced to live in a podunk town. It also stars Catherine O'Hara, Annie Murphy, Noah Reid, Emily Hampshire and Chris Elliott. Expect lots of laughs at this live panel.
COST: $53 - $153; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, MAY 25 - MONDAY, MAY 27
The Queen Mary's Salute to Service
The Queen Mary -- 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach
This event honors those who died while serving in the United States military lost while paying homage to the legendary ship's role in WWII. Family-friendly activities include historical reenactments and demonstrations, historical figures and lectures.
COST: $20 - $40, veterans, active military and first responders get in free; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, MAY 25 - SUNDAY, MAY 26
Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival
5005 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley
The local Rotary Club presents a weekend of heritage and food with live Cajun, Creole, zydeco and blues music. Performances on multiple stages also feature pop-rock headliners Jefferson Starship and The Spin Doctors. There are more than 150 food, craft and vendor booths. We love jambalaya and crawfish so much we'll forgive the fact that the fest does its Mardi Gras parade a few months late.
COST: Single-day tickets start at $25; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, MAY 25 - MONDAY, MAY 27
Topanga Days Country Fair
Topanga Community Club Grounds -- 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga
The bohemian festival nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains features live music on two stages, food and games for the entire family. Music performers include Fantastic Negrito, Orgone and Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real.
COST: $15 - $70 (for non-club members); MORE INFO
SATURDAY, MAY 25; 6 - 10 p.m.
5th Annual Viva La Muxer Festival
Plaza de la Raza -- 3540 N. Mission Rd., Lincoln Heights
The nonprofit Las Fotos Project, which teaches photography to teen girls, holds its annual arts and music benefit. You'll get live performances, more than 100 curated exhibits, family-friendly workshops, resource booths, food, drinks and dancing.
COST: $15 $25; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, MAY 26; 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Patchwork Show: Modern Makers Festival
125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana
Calling all crafters and makers! The rain-or-shine festival selects unique vendors who sell clothing, handbags, accessories, jewelry, art, ceramics, home goods, crochet, knit items and pet gear. Workshops include zine-making, creating roller derby gear and bow-making with Alma Santiago.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, MAY 25; 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Anaheim Japan Fair
Center Street Promenade -- 201 W. Center St. Promenade, Anaheim
This new festival celebrates Japanese and Japanese-American food, art and culture. Taste dishes from more than two dozen vendors, sip beer and sake, experience Japanese calligraphy and buy Japanese goods.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, MAY 25; 1 p.m.
Godzilla-thon
Egyptian Theatre -- 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
The American Cinematheque and Beyond Fest screens six Godzilla films back-to-back at a movie monster marathon. It opens with Gojira (1954), the original Japanese Godzilla movie, followed by Destroy All Monsters,1968; Godzilla's Revenge (aka All Monsters Attack), 1969; Godzilla vs. Monster Zero (Kaijû Daisensô), 1965; Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (aka Godzilla Vs. The Cosmic Monster), 1974; and Godzilla vs. Megalon, 1976. Most films are dubbed in English.
COST: $20 - $25; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, MAY 26; 12 - 6 p.m.
LA Zine Fest
Helms Bakery parking garage -- 8711 Washington Blvd., Culver City
More than 200 zine creators and vendors sell their self-published literary masterpieces. Activities include readings, workshops, talks, zine libraries, indie arcade games and works of art.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, MAY 26; 1 - 6 p.m.
MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street on Sunday,May 26th
Main Street Check-in -- 2810 Main St., Santa Monica
The culinary walking tour doubles as an interactive version of the classic board game. Attendees exchange "Mainopoly" bucks for tastings at restaurants, cafes and ice cream shops, working their way around the board to win prizes. Stops include Ashland Hill, Astro Donuts & Fried Chicken, Birdcage, Blue Bottle Coffee, Dhaba of India, Dolcenero Gelato, Enterprise Fish Co., Finn McCool's, La Vecchia Cucina and Lula Cocina Mexicana. (GA tickets includes 20 tastings, a game board and discounts at participating locations.)
Cost: Tickets: $25 - $50; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, MAY 26; 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
2019 Corgi Nationals
Santa Anita Park -- 285 Huntington Dr., Arcadia
So Cal Corgi Nation, the group of Corgi enthusiasts behind Cal Corgi Beach Day, hold the second annual racing event for these furry, four-legged, low-riders. The day features Corgi- and dog-themed vendors, food, drinks, carnival rides and races on the track.
COST: $5 admission; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, MAY 26; 12 - 6 p.m.
Heritage Fest
Angel City Brewery & Public House -- 216 S. Alameda St., downtown L.A.
The brewery celebrates its birthday and the neighborhood with live mural painting, music curated by Jam in the Van and beers from Angel City's cellar. Food options include Downtown Taco Co. and Craft Pizza. The day also include special flights (for those 21+) and an educational tasting/tour of the building and its art.COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, MAY 26; 6:30 - 9 p.m.
Silk Road Supper
Friends & Family -- 5150 Hollywood Blvd., East Hollywood
This dinner pays homage to the ancient routes that spanned 7,000 miles and connected China, Iran, Italy, Greece, India, Egypt and Europe. Main courses include Afghan mantu beef dumplings, turmeric chicken and vegetarian fesenjoon. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.
COST: $60; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, MAY 26; 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Rear Window
Hollywood Forever Cemetery -- 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood
The classic 1954 Hitchcock thriller makes for a perfect date night under the stars, along with a few hundred perfect strangers. Watch as Jimmy Stewart plays a man who begins spying on his neighbors and gets an eyeful when he thinks he spots a murder. Grace Kelly co-stars as his girlfriend.
COST: $18; MORE INFO
MONDAY, MAY 27; 11:30 a.m.
JazzReggae Fest
UCLA Sunset Recreation Center -- 111 Easton Dr., Westwood
The student-run festival, now in its 33rd year, combines music, art and good vibes for a day under the sun. Freddie Mcgregor, Tobi Lou, Etana, Rayana Jay headline after sets by various UCLA student ensembles.
Cost: Tickets start at $25;MORE INFO
MONDAY, MAY 27; 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Battleship Iowa Museum's Annual Memorial Day Tribute
Battleship Iowa Museum-- 250 S. Harbor Blvd., Berth 87, San Pedro
The remembrance ceremony begins at 10 a.m. with local elected officials. After the ceremony, the museum offers family-friendly activities and music. There's a scheduled performance by the San Pedro City Ballet, patriotic songs by local rock band U.S. 99 and military vehicles on display. Food truck goods and beer tastings will also be available for purchase.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
MONDAY, MAY 27; 2 - 7 p.m.
Official RuPaul's DragCon Pool Party
Hotel Figueroa -- 939 S. Figueroa St., downtown L.A.
Sashay along the coffin-shaped pool deck with music by DJs JD Samson, Seth Bogart and Jodie Harsh. Mingle with hotel guests and DragCon attendees or sit back and watch the glorious parade of humanity.
COST: Open to hotel guests and DragCon attendees only; MORE INFO
MONDAY, MAY 27
Memorial Day Events
Various locations
Memorial Day marks the start of summer but it's also a day to honor those who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces. Many cities and neighborhoods are holding their own ceremonies, including:
How are you spending your weekend? Let us know on Twitter @christineziemba and @LeoHasACat.
