Here are 20 awesome events happening in L.A. this weekend, and if this list isn’t enough, then check out our July Guide for even more suggestions.
FRIDAY, JUNE 7
KILO KISH (Art opening)
HVW8 Gallery presents the exhibition Real — Safe, a multi-medium collection of installations by L.A.-based artist Kilo Kish. Kish creates film, performance and immersive soundscapes to create the “fabricated nature of our online interactions in real life.” The opening reception and performance is on Friday from 6-10 pm. RSVPs to rsvp@hvw8.com. The works will remain on view through Aug. 13.
AL FRANKEN + MARC MARON (Talk)
The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and Writers Bloc presentSenator Al Franken (D-MN) in conversation with comedian/podcaster Marc Maron (who replaces Kathy Griffin) on Friday at 7:30 pm. The event proved to be so popular that the Wallis/Writers Bloc have added a second talk with the two on Saturday at 2 pm (best seating options). The two come together at the Wallis’ Bram Goldsmith Theater for a discussion about Franken’s new book Giant of the Senate. Each ticket comes with a copy of the book. Tickets: $50-$60.
ONE MORE TIME WITH FEELING (Film + Q&A)
American Cinematheque presents a special screening of Andrew Dominik’s One More Time with Feeling at the Egyptian on Friday night and at the Aero on Saturday night at 8 pm. The concert film showcases Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ Skeleton Tree album, mixing live performance with documentary footage. Following the screenings, there’s a discussion of the film with Nick Cave and Dominik. Tickets: $40, $35 Cinematheque Members. No vouchers. Both shows have sold-out online, but there will be standby lines (so get there early).
OUTFEST: QUEEN SUGAR (Discussion)
Outfest Los Angeles, the LGBT Film Festival, continues through July 16 in several venues in L.A., screening 194 films from 30 countries. On Friday, there’s a Queen Sugar Directors Panel at 8 pm at the DGA. Filmmakers and Outfest alums Aurora Guerrero (Mosquita Y Mari), Tina Mabry (Mississippi Damned) and Cheryl Dunye (The Watermelon Woman) talk about directing OWN’s TV show Queen Sugar, created by Ava DuVernay (Selma) and executive produced by Duvernay and Oprah Winfrey. The trio talk about their work—and the show’s all-women directing team—and the impact on LGBT communities and beyond.
DANCE DOWNTOWN (Line + dance)
Yee haw! The free Dance Downtown series returns for the 2017 summer season on Friday night to Grand Park, with a focus on country line dancing and two-stepping. Dance under the stars with friends or take beginner dance lessons from seasoned instructors. The dance floor’s open from 7-11 pm.
SURE SURE (Music)
We don’t know much about the L.A.-based quartet Sure Sure, but we sure do like their latest song “Friends.” The band plays The Satellite on Friday with Street Joy, Emerson Star. Doors at 8:30 pm. Tickets: $8-$10. Ages 21+.
SUNSET ON THE PATIO (Drinks)
Nick + Stef’s in DTLA presents its Sunset on the Patio series from 4-7 pm on Friday. The event features a different spirit brand (it’s St. George’s Gin this week) in which guests can taste free spirit samples (until 4:30) and then purchase speciality St. George’s cocktails (including a Classic Gin & Tonic; Negroni; and Dry Rye Martini for $13); spirit flights (Terroir, Botanivore and Dry Rye for $25) and steakhouse bites. A rep from the brand will be at Nick + Stef’s to answer questions about gin and the brand.
SALT & STRAW POP-UP (Ice cream and views)
Boxwood on the Roof of The London Hotel in West Hollywood presents a Salt & Straw pop-up on Friday from 4-8 pm. Enjoy cocktails and views from the rooftop while cooling down with ice cream flavors like Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons, Freckled Woodblock Chocolate, Silencio Black Tea with Coconut Stracciatella and Honey Lavender ($5-$7).
SALSA AT THE STATION (Latin dance party)
Metro Art presents a free Latin music / salsa dance party on Friday night from 8-10:30 pm inside Union Station’s historic ticketing hall. The night features live music by the salsa orchestra Rumbankete, and kick off with a salsa dance lesson from instructor Kati Hernandez. DJ Walt Digz spins tunes between Rumbankete’s sets. Free.
SUMMER SOIREE SIX (Art show)
La Luz de Jesus opens Summer Soiree Six: A Six Artist Show on Friday night with a reception from 8-11 pm. The show features works by Vakseen, Annie Terrazzo, Tracy Lewis, Dos Diablos, Matt Adrian and Sean Stepanoff. If you miss the reception, the works will be on view through July 30.
SATURDAY, JULY 8
REGGIE WATTS (Performance)
The Getty’s Off the 405 series continues on Saturday with musician, comedian, beatboxer Reggie Watts, who’ll be joined by YACHT (doing a DJ set). Watt’s improvised show takes place at the Getty Museum Courtyard and runs from 6-9 pm. There’s a cash bar featuring local beer, agua fresca cocktails and bites. This sounds like a great time and place to watch the summer sunset. Just saying. Free.
THE FROGTOWN SHOW (Comedy)
The Frogtown Show is a free, monthly comedy show that takes place in the backyard of The Left Bank vintage/consignment shop in Frogtown. The next show takes place on Saturday with a lineup featuring: Cameron Esposito, Jay Larson, Brodie Reed, Nick Cobb and Ceda Xiong. Doors at 7:30 pm, show at 8 pm. Come early because tacos and beer will be available.
TIKI NIGHT 2017 (Tiki party + film screening)
American Cinematheque’s 13th Annual Tiki Night at the Egyptian Theatre takes place on Saturday with live music, tiki cocktails, vendors and more. The day begins at 1:30 pm when a pop-up marketplace opens in the courtyard. After 3:30 pm, only ticketed guests are allowed in the courtyard. Music from King Kukulele & The Friki Tikis begins at 5 pm, and there’s a screening of Rapa Nui (1994) directed by Kevin Reynolds at 7:30 pm. Tickets: $15, $12 Cinematheque members.
GR2 opens an art show featuring the works of Edwin Ushiro on Saturday night. (Image: Courtesy of the artist and gallery)
EDWIN USHIRO (Art)
GR2 Gallery presents A Survey: Drawings and Paintings of Strange Things by Edwin Ushiro, with an opening on Saturday night from 6:30-10 pm. The works are inspired by Japanese folktales and Ushiro’s own fascination with the supernatural. If you can’t make the opening, the works will remain on view through July 26 at GR2.
TAIX AND TOUR DE FRANCE (Viewing specials)
L.A.’s oldest French-country restaurant, Taix, celebrates its 90th anniversary and the Tour de France with wine specials and tour viewing through the end of the race on July 23. Enjoy $6 wine specials representing each region that the tour cycles through. This weekend, Taix features: Stage 7 (July 7th): Nuits-Saint-Georges - Santenay "Les Hates" Giraidin, 2011; Stage 8 (July 8th): Dole, France - Santenay "Les Hates" Giraidin, 2011 and Stage 9 (July 9th): Chambery, France - Bourgogne Blanc, Rully, Clos de Remenot, Domaine Michel Briday, 2011. Watch the tour as Taix plays and replays the Tour’s stages, too.
UNSCENE FEST 2017 (Music)
LA art rockers Goon have curated the lineup for Unscene Fest 2017 at the Hi Hat in Highland Park on Saturday as part of the Highland Park Art Walk. The fest features LA underground art and music with performances by Good, Hott MT, Young Jesus, Alyeska, Graag and Wolf Woodcock. 8-11 pm. All ages. Free.
NIGHT OUT WITH THE PINUP SQUIRRELS (Sketch and improv)
Night Out with the Pinup Squirrels is a mixed media sketch/improv show, hosted by Kristen Lucas at Second City Hollywood on Saturday night at 9:30 pm. Each show is completely different from the last as they’re inspired by each show’s special guest. This month, Night Out looks to Laganja Estranja (aka Jay Jackson, an American choreographer, drag queen, and cannabis activist from RuPaul’s Drag Race, season six). The show marks Estranja’s first improv experience, so it should be fun to watch. Tickets are $10 with no drink minimum.
LA COLLECTIONNEUSE (Film)
This month, Cinefamily’s La Collectionneuse presents her favorite summer films: Éric Rohmer's Six Morale Tales, which includes three 35mm prints from France. The series kicks off with an evening at Zebulon on Thursday (tonight) with The Bakery Girl of Monceau and Suzanne’s Career offsite at Zebulon (both from 1963), and La Collectionneuse (the 1967 film) on Saturday at 5 pm at Cinefamily. The rest of Rohmer’s series screens later this month at Cinefamily. Tickets to the event at Zebulon are $5 and $12 for the film screening on Saturday.
SUNDAY, JULY 9
BLONDIE + GARBAGE (Music)
Blondie and Garbage co-headline the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday for their Rage & Rapture Tour. The two bands are touring in support of their latest releases: Blondie’s Pollinator and Garbage’s Strange Little Birds. And get there early for the opening act—L.A.’s own Sky Ferreira. Tickets: $14-$155. 7 pm.
PETER STRAUSS RANCH SUMMER (Arts + performance)
The National Park Service hosts three events on Sunday afternoon at Peter Strauss Ranch (near Agoura Hills). Beginning at 3 pm, guests can enjoy an art talk and tour by Natalie Smith, who installed artwork along the ranch’s trail. The Alchemist Ballet from choreographer and director Chasity Ramsey follows at 4 pm and the afternoon wraps up with a Porch Concert series at 5 pm with Americana string band Moonsville Collective and openers Feisty Heart. Free.
Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
