This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Here are 20 of our favorite events happening right here in L.A. this weekend. Want other options? Check out LAist’s May Guide, too.
FRIDAY, MAY 20
SUPERSTAR (Film)
The Alamo Drafthouse presents the first-ever repertory screening of the 1999 SNL movie Superstar (in 35mm) starring Molly Shannon as Mary Katherine Gallagher at the Egyptian Theater. Director Bruce McCulloch (also one of the Kids In The Hall!) joins Shannon for a Q&A after the film. Food and drinks available, too: A pop-up taco stand from Stiff Peaks and beer and wine available. There’s a "Catholic schoolgirl" costume contest, too. Tickets: $15 General, $12 Members & Alamo Victory members.
FRUIT BATS (Music)
Fruit Bats (Eric D. Johnson) headlines the Roxy on Friday night in support of his sixth album Absolute Loser. The Mynabirds and Kyle Craft play in support. Tickets: $18-$20. All ages. Doors at 8 pm, show at 8:30 pm.
BAD ADVICE FROM BAD WOMEN (Readings)
The Last Bookstore presents the program Bad Advice from Bad Women on Friday from 7:30-9 pm. Some of L.A.’s “best bad women” read their inflammatory work to help upend traditional feminine mores. Featured authors include: Kathleen Hale, Heather Havrilesky, Drunk History boozehound Tess Lynch, Molly Lambert, Lorelei Lee and Charlotte Shane. Free, but RSVP to attend.
24 HOUR FREE-4-ALL (Art + performance)
The Standard, Downtown LA partners with artist Lisa Solberg for a 24 Hour Free-4-All this weekend. Solberg and her 24 Hour Psychic takes over a room at the hotel for 24 hours, and programs it with site-specific activations from nine artists that last three-hours each. Participating artists include: Jon Hartman, cocodisco, Tim Hughes, HAANA, Vivian Nguyen and others. There’s an opening reception on Friday from 8-11 pm in the lobby and the project runs from 11 pm through 11 pm on Saturday. RSVP to attend.
SATURDAY, MAY 21
CONNECT (Art)
The Gabba Gallery holds an opening reception for Connect: Four Solo Shows on Saturday from 7-11 pm. Curated by Jason Ostro, the exhibition features works by Jules Muck in Available; Jeff Kravitz in Photography for the Soul; Noah Emhurt in The Doheny Challenge and Stormie Mills in A Fish Tale. DJ Jonathan Williams spins tunes. Opening night parking $8 at 3001 Beverly Blvd. There’s also Uber/Lyft and rare street parking. Connect is on view until June 18.
WAX RECORD FAIR (Music + records)
WAX: The Los Angeles Record Fair returns to Capitol Records on Saturday and Sunday in celebration of the studios’ 60th anniversary. [Check out Juliet B. Rylah’s piece on Capitol Records if you haven’t already.] In addition to record vendors, there will be live bands, food trucks and adult beverages. Tickets: $10-$50.
BUG FAIR (Science)
The Natural History Museum celebrates its 30th anniversary of its popularBug Fair weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, the museum hosts more than 50 exhibitors—from exotic insect collections to honey, silk and bug-inspired artwork and jewelry. There’s also a bug chef cook-off with entomophagists David George Gordon and Zach Lemann. Guests will be able to sample the protein-filled snacks. Hands-on workshops are scheduled throughout the weekend as well as screen printing insect imagery with Self Help Graphics. Admission: $12 for adults, $9 for seniors and students with valid I.D., $5 for children (3-12). Museum Members and children under 2 are free.
CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL (Food)
Now in its 33rd year, the California Strawberry Festival in Oxnard celebrates the berry with food, art, live music and entertainment this Saturday and Sunday. The fest—which expects that 1.5 million strawberries will be consumed—features more than 50 food vendors, delights such strawberry pizza, strawberry beer, strawberry nachos, strawberry funnel cake, strawberry crepes, chocolate dipped strawberries, fried strawberries and more. General admission: $12, seniors 62+ are $8, and children ages 5-12 are $5. Kids 4 and younger are free. Active military and dependents with ID are $8. The festival runs from 10 am to 6:30 pm.
SATURDAYS OFF THE 405 (Art + music)
The Getty Center’s Saturdays Off the 405 series features spectacular views, art, DJ sets and live performances by emerging bands and artists. The series kicks off on Saturday at 6 pm with jennylee (of Warpaint). Her solo project goes a little darker, “toying with elements of ’80s goth rock interpreted with a languid, emotional edge.” Parking is $10 at the Getty after 4 pm. Free with RSVP.
CINEFEMALES (Film + discussion)
Cinefemales! An evening of celebrating women, film and connection takes place on Saturday from 5-9 pm at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica. The event begins with a panel discussion that includes Selma director Ava DuVernay and Thirteen and Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke who’ll discuss their inspirations and challenges within the current film industry. Following the discussion, Cinefemales’ organizers unveil short film winners. There’s also a networking reception followed by a screening of a special narrative feature. Admission: $30 ($100 for VIP).
SHADES AND SHADOWS (Reading)
Shades and Shadows, the reading/story series dedicated to dark fantasy, horror and science fiction, takes place at on Saturday at 8 pm at The Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Hosted by Lauren Candia and Xach Fromson, the evening brings together authors who read from their own works. On the program this weekend are readings by Christopher Farnsworth, Lauren Miller, S. P. Hendrick, Mercedes Yardley, John Skipp and Adrian Mendoza. Tickets: $10.
THE SNOWBALL PARTY (Adventure)
The Snowball Party is a social adventure where guests start at 64 different locations and end up at one. 128 Tickets are on sale for each event with two snowballers finding themselves as a randomly assigned location at 5 pm. They do a joint activity and meet up with another group of snowballers, and the adventure grows from there. Tickets ($57) are available for two upcoming Saturdays: May 21st (with musical guest Dustbowl Revival) and June 4.
THIS MODERN LIFE (Design)
This Modern Life: A Design Field Day at Helms Bakery District takes place on Saturday from noon to 6 pm. Participating showrooms and stores in the Helms Bakery District will feature workshops, demonstrations, tastings, sweepstakes and other surprises. Homepolish and Chairish host pop-ups for one day, too.
PIZZA MAKING (Class)
Take a Pizza Making Class with Alex Palermo at Pizza Romana on Saturday from 3-5 pm. Learn about making pizza and how to pair your creations with wine. (There’s a tasting of 3-5 wines included.) At the end of the class enjoy pizzas and baked lasagnas served family style. Cost: $60 per person (21+) all inclusive. Here’s the catch though because it’s a Gilt City event, you must use a MasterCard to make the purchase online. Other dates available are June 4 and July 9.
BEST FRIENDS SHOW (Storytelling)
The Best Friends Show is back at NerdMelt at 9 pm on Saturday to celebrate its one-year anniversary. The show invites comedians to tell a shared story with their best friend—because sometimes friends remember better than they do. Stories by: Nate Corddry and John Forest, Shauna McGarry and Lizzie Prestel, Colton Dunn and Phil Augusta Jackson, and The Cooties. Hosted by Kim Seltzer and Aliya Kamalova. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door.
BLUE MOON HIKE (Nature)
There’s a Blue Moon Hike scheduled for Saturday at 7:30 pm at both Charmlee Wilderness Park in Malibu and Franklin Canyon Park. Take a moderate two-hour hike under the full moon and find out why it’s “blue.”
LOS ANGELES VEGAN COMEDY FESTIVAL (Comedy)
Vegan comedians Kate Berlant, Zach Sherwin and Andrew Michaan are putting on an an all-vegan comedy festival(ok, just one show) at UCB Franklin on Saturday night. The show celebrates some of the best plant-based comedic performers in Los Angeles, including Jake Weisman, Allie Goertz, Andrée Vermeulen and a special guest headliner. The comedy will be 100% ethical. Cafe Gratitude provides the free snacks. 10 pm on Saturday. Tickets: $10.
NITE-FLIGHT BOOGALOO (Dancing)
El Condor Restaurant presents Nite-Flight Boogaloo with DJ E.HEHR. It’s a late night, all-vinyl dance party featuring hits and rarities from new wave, yacht-pop, disco, funk, new-wave, post-punk and beyond. Admission is free. The night begins at 11 pm.
SUNDAY, MAY 22
THE PATH FINALE (Screening)
Hulu holds an advanced screening of thefinale of its original series,The Path, on Sunday night at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The screening is free (with a small service fee) and is followed by a special conversation with the series cast and creators, including actors Aaron Paul, Hugh Dancy, Michelle Monaghan and Creator and Executive Producer Jessica Goldberg and Executive Producers Jason Katims and Michelle Lee. Come early for burgers and fries for free courtesy of Shake Shack (while supplies last). Unfortunately, there’s no beer, wine or spirits permitted at this screening. Doors at 6:45 pm, show at 8:30 pm.
KIMCHI AND WIENERS (Food)
There’s a Kimchi and Wieners food event on Sunday from 1-4 pm at The Theatre at Ace Hotel. The event celebrates Lucky Peach editor Chris Ying's latest release, The Wurst of Lucky Peach. Admission includes a copy of the book, a meal form Culver City's popular Hanjip Korean BBQ and chef Chris Oh, Tiger Beer, printed surprises by MOO, a DJ set by Them Jeans (The Stew Podcast), Baby Ketten Karaoke and more. Tickets: $39.50.
Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
