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Here are 20 awesome events happening in L.A. this weekend. If you want other ideas,
please check out the April Guide.FRIDAY, APRIL 7
RANDY’S DONUTS + HOPDODDY BURGERS (Food)
It might not be what your doctor ordered, but it sure sounds fun: Hopdoddy Burger Bar teams up with Randy’s Donuts for an egg and bacon-topped burger sandwiched between two of Randy’s signature glazed donuts. The CODE 7 Burger (named after the code cops use for meal or donut break) will be available at Hopdoddy’s El Segundo and Playa Vista locations from Friday through Sunday. Quantities are limited. $11.
FIRST FRIDAYS (Science + music)
NHM’s 2017 First Fridays series continues this week. With the theme of "Serving Up Science: The Dish on Food,” the programs explore the intersection of science, culture and food. Starting at 5:30 pm, there are science talks, tours and demonstrations mixed with live music and DJs throughout the night. Friday’s panel discussion, moderated by Patt Morrison, features Josh Schonwald and Robert Puro discussing “The Future on Your Plate.” The music lineup includes: Tonstartbandht and Sunflower Bean. DJs: Anne Litt and Heidi Lawden. Tickets: $18.
REYKJAVÍK FESTIVAL (Music)
The LA Phil’s Reykjavík Festival highlights the creativity thriving in Iceland’s capital, and officially opens on Friday with a Made in Iceland - Live At Walt Disney Concert Hall concert on April 7 at 7 pm. Performers include amiina, múm, Skúli Sverrisson & Ólöf Arnalds, dj. flugvél og geimskip (Airplane & Spaceship) and JFDR. There’s also an installation by Shoplifter and a film screening of Driving at the speed of the Nordic sun by Xárene Eskandar. All tickets are $25.
DESERT GENERATOR FESTIVAL (Music + custom van show)
The Desert Generator Festival takes over Palm Desert/Pioneertown Friday and Saturday, bringing together a rock music fest and a custom van show. The festival is inspired by the “generator parties” of the early ‘90's made famous the desert rock band Kyuss and the campouts of the custom van craze of the 1970’s. Things kick off on Friday with a party called "Stoned & Dusted" featuring performances by Fu Manchu, Brant Bjork, Sean Wheeler, Yawning Man and Nick Oliveri. The fest continues on Saturday with food, drinks and a Rolling Heavy Van show and competition. The festival ends with music at Pappy & Harriets by Earthless, Brant Bjork, Orchid, The Shrine and Black Rainbows. Tickets: $55-$295.
COLOSSAL (Film + Q&A)
The sci-fi action comedy Colossal, starring Anne Hathaway and Jason Sudeikis, opens this weekend. It screens at the Cinerama Dome on Friday night, and after the 9 pm screening, there’s a Q&A with Hathaway about the making of the film. Adult tickets: $17.75.
AWESOMELY 80's DOUBLE FEATURE (Film)
Great Horror Movie Night presents an ‘80s double feature for the price of one film on Friday night in the Old Abandoned Zoo in Griffith Park. Up first is Fright Night, followed by Ghostbusters (1984). Pack a picnic and get scarrrrrred under the stars. Tickets: $17-$25.
SATURDAY, APRIL 8
WHEN WE WERE YOUNG (Music festival)
When We Were Young is a music festival at The Observatory OC Grounds in Santa Ana. It’s a throwback festival with music from our moody teen years. The bill features Morrissey, AFI, Cage the Elephant, Alkaline Trio, The Regrettes and many others on Saturday. Sunday’s lineup includes Descendents, Taking Back Sunday, Fidlar, Silversun Pickups, Dr. Dog, Foxygen and more. Tickets: $200 (two-day general admission). Tickets: $100 (Saturday only); $60 Sunday only. All ages show.
REX MANNING DAY (Button quest + film screening)
Fans of Empire Records (1995) remember Rex Manning—the aging pop star played by Maxwell Caulfield who makes an appearance at the record store, causing a big hubbub about town. This Saturday, April 8, is Rex Manning Day, and to celebrate the movie and the 90s, Nerds Like Us are holding a midnight screening / cosplay event at the Vista Theater (tix are $11.50). There will also be the first-ever Rex Manning Day Button Quest (button scavenger hunt) through Hollywood organized by Empire Records screenwriter Carol Heikkinen before the movie. There’s no charge to participate in the button quest, which begins at Groundwork Coffee on Cahuenga.
JASON REITMAN AND MR MUDD PRESENT A JUNO LIVE READ (Film read)
Writer/director Jason Reitman and Mr Mudd (production company) present a 10th anniversary Juno live read on Saturday at the Theatre at Ace Hotel. The reading will feature the film’s actors Ellen Page and Jennifer Garner, joined by an all-female cast onstage to benefit Planned Parenthood. Tickets: $25-$150. Doors at 6:30 pm, show at 7:30 pm. If you make an additional $105 donation at time of live read ticket purchase, you’ll get an invitation to the after-party at Ace Hotel.
MAC SABBATH, METALACHI & OKILLY DOKILLY (Music)
Spaceland presents a fun bill on Saturday night—the Mockstrosity Tour—with with Mac Sabbath—the Black Sabbath cover band that plays in McDonald’s costumes—headlining and Metalachi and Okilly Dokilly opening. Tickets: $20.50-$24.50. Ages 18+.
BROKE LA (Music)
Seventh Annual Broke LA Music & Arts Festival returns on Saturday to 4560 Worth St, Los Angeles, near DTLA. The day-long art and music festival (from 3 pm to 12 am) features more than 50 musical acts on four stages, including Brasstracks, James Supercave, Blood Boy, La Bouquet, Kid Wave, Kolaj, Ugly Sweaters, BRAEVES and more. The fest also includes up-and-coming comedians, art installations, street food, drinks, activism areas, boutique vendors, puppy adoption, merchandise and more. The ticket price—$25—certainly won’t break the bank. Ages 21+.
HARRY POTTER ROLLER SKATING NIGHT (Roller skating)
The 6th Annual Harry Potter Roller Skating Night at Moonlight Rollerway Skating Rink in Glendale takes place from 8-11 pm on Saturday night. Presented by The Los Angeles Dumbledore’s Army, the family-friendly party includes music from the films, a costume contest, merchandise for sale and raffle prizes. Attendees are encouraged to bring a used book to donate for nonprofit organizations. Tickets: $15 (includes skate rental).
YOGA (Stretching + Fundraising)
On Saturday at 9 am at the U.S.S. Iowa, CorePower Yoga teams up with Stretch 4 Vets and Embrace to hold a 60-minute yoga practice to support Embrace programs that assist disabled veterans. Registration: $25-$40. ($45 if you sign up the day of).
THE SCRIPT TEASE PROJECT (Comedy)
The Script Tease Project is at the Improv Studio Theatre on Saturday night with Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus. The duo has asked four renowned writers to pen the first two pages of a new play. The performers read the two pages cold and then improvise the rest of the show. This week, Sean Reycraft (90210, Killjoys) has penned the teaser story. Show at 9:15 pm. Tickets: $5.
There's an exhibition of artist-designed recycling bins in DTLA on Saturday night. See them before they ship off to Coachella. (Image: Global Inheritance)
TRASHED COACHELLA: THE ART OF RECYCLING 2017 (Art + earth)
Global Inheritance presents TRASHed Coachella: Art of Recycling Exhibit 2017, a one-night only exhibition of the artist-designed recycling bins that are headed to Coachella. The event is free and open to the public on Saturday night from 7-10 pm at 1736 Naud St., in DTLA. Check out a Mini Bin Art Studio, music and complimentary drinks. After the festival, the bins are donated to schools around California. Free.
YOU DID WHAT TO MY COMICS?!? (Comic book art)
You did WHAT to my comics?!? is an exhibition of Isaac Brynjegard-Bialik's latest work — including a series of protest papercuts — premiering at Brave New World Comics in Newhall (Santa Clarita).The series explores the Biblical Twelve Tribes by focusing on voices of protest in contemporary America. Brynjegard-Bialik features minority superheroes in these protest works, including Black Panther, America Chavez, Luke Cage and others. The works will remain on view through May 6.
OCTAVIA E. BUTLER: TELLING MY STORIES (Exhibition)
On Saturday, The Huntington Library opens the new exhibition, Octavia E. Butler: Telling My Stories, which examines the life and work of science-fiction author Butler (1947-2006). On view through Aug. 7, the exhibit includes about 100 items—”from the Pasadena native’s very first short stories, written at age 12, to book contracts, extensive drafts, correspondence, journal entries, photographs, and first editions of her books, including Kindred, arguably her best-known work.” Adult admission: $23-$25.
SUNDAY, APRIL 9
CALDER QUARTET (Classical music)
On Sunday at 4 pm, the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica presents Artists-in-Residence Calder Quartet. The quartet explores “the profound beauty” of Beethoven’s String Quartets. Beethoven’s works will be paired with with classical and contemporary works commissioned for the Calder Quartet. Ticket prices start at $36.
PUP-UP BREAKFAST (Food)
Frankie Lucy Bakeshop in Silver Lake is holding a Pup-Up Breakfast on Sunday from 12-2 pm. Guests can enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes and coffee for $12, and their dogs can enjoy complimentary, homemade dog treats. The Best Friends Mobile Adoption Truck will be on site with some furry friends, too. Owners Kristine de la Cruz and Annie Choi are dog lovers and even named the shop after their dogs, Frankie and Lucy.
DOLORES HUERTA'S BIRTHDAY PARTY (Music + party)
Resident LA holds a birthday party to celebrate activist Dolores Huerta's 87th birthday and the new documentary, Dolores (which recently premiered at Sundance). The event, which is on Sunday from 4-8 pm, includes performances by Dinamita, Funky Brewsterz, La Junta, Mas Exitos, Subsuelo, Southern Soul Spinners, Dj Sloe Poke, Cutty Flam and Tropi Corillo. There will also be live painting by Silvana Jeyd Paredes and artwork from Lalo Alcaraz will be on display. Tickets: $15-$25. Ages 21+.
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