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Here are 20 of our favorite events happening right here in L.A. this weekend. Think we missed something or you just want other options? We’ll be back tomorrow with our July Guide.
FRIDAY, JULY 1
KONA KITSCH + POSTER POP (Art)
La Luz de Jesus Gallery holds an opening reception for two shows on Friday night from 8-11 pm. Kona Kitsch Features the “Polynesian Pop Surrealistic Art with a Hawaiian twist” of Brad "Tiki Shark" Parker. Joining Parker at the reception are 14-year-old ukulele player Aidan James and Chef Sam Choy, for whom Parker has designed a line of kitchen accessories (available at the opening). The show runs concurrently with The Poster Pop Collection that features paintings by artists in the tiki, Hawaiiana, alternative and hotrod / kustom kulture genres.
ANIME EXPO (Anime)
Anime Expo (AX), the largest anime and manga convention in North America is being held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from July 1-4. Dedicated to Japanese pop culture, the expo features vendors, workshops, panels, cosplay, anime music video contest, concerts and more. Passes for AX start at $55. There are other ticketed events throughout the weekend.
BLACKFISH: LIVE (Screening + live music + panel)
The Hollywood Chamber Orchestra presents a screening of the documentary Blackfish with live accompaniment, conducted by the film’s composer Jeff Beal (House of Cards, Monk). Following the performance and screening, there’s a world premiere of the video, “The Blackfish Effect,” and then a panel with Beal and former Seaworld trainers. Blackfish: Live takes place at 8 pm at The Montalbán Theater. Tickets are available for $20-$22.50 on Goldstar.
ORANGE IS THE NEW MUSICAL: THE UNAUTHORIZED PARODY (Musical)
Kefi Studio’s Orange Is The New Musical: The Unauthorized Parody returns to the Whitefire Theater in Sherman Oaks every Friday night at 8 pm from July 1 to Aug. 19. The send up of the popular Netflix show features 15 original songs accompanied by The Live Prison Band. Tickets: $25+ fees.
(Video slightly NSFW)
LITTLE RED LUNG (Music)
L.A.’s own Little Red Lung headlines The Hi Haton Friday night. Joining them on the bill are Tuft, Alina Bea and Psychic Love. Doors at 8 pm. All ages shows. Tickets: $10.
MORLEY: BURN BLOOM SHINE (Art)
On Friday, eWKUKs opens the art exhibition Morley: Burn Bloom Shine at the eWKUKs store and gallery on Fairfax. The L.A. street artist Morley brings typographic posters, canvases, prints and a limited-edition hat, created with his “trademark humor, hope and irreverence—no longer relegated to the side of one of those electrical boxes.” The works will be on view through Sept. 30.
SATURDAY, JULY 2
WOOGIE WEEKEND PRE-PARTY (Pool party)
Do LaB teams up with New Belgium Brewery for a Woogie Weekend pre-party at the The Standard Downtown’s rooftop on Saturday from 1-5 pm. On the decks are funkmaster Captain Planet and 2016 LIB artist Henry Pope. The party is free for for anyone 21+ with RSVP. And fyi, The Do LaB’s Woogie Weekend (the campout music fest at Oak Canyon Park) is next weekend, July 8-10.
NOT HAMILTON: The American History Remix (Comedy + music)
Hamilton is going strong on Broadway and the touring production isn’t coming to LA until next year, so in the meantime, check out the Not Hamilton improvised musical at Nerdist School Stage on Saturday at 8 pm. The show is an unofficial hip-hop biography of someone from American history chosen by the audience. Cast includes: Jason Pickar, Lorn Conner, Lena Valentine, Kyle Klein, Jeremy Klein, Charles Park, Andrea Apuy, Shaun Fisher and Greg Smith. This show is free to Nerdist School Students and House Team Members with current student ID. $5 cash for the general public.
UNION STATION SUMMER NIGHTS (Music + art)
Union Station serves as the venue for Live Nation’s Ones to Watch Summer Concert Series, which begins on Saturday night and runs through Labor Day weekend. The free concert series features emerging artists and a DJ performing from 6:30-10 pm in the station’s South Patio Garden. Food trucks will be on site to feed the crowd, too. Headlining opening night are Michael Leier, Bloodboy, Figs Vision and DJ Grant Owens.
EAT SEE HEAR (Outdoor films)
The Eat See Hear series continues on Saturday night with a screening of Coming to America at the Autry Museum in Griffith Park. The dog-friendly evening is a mashup of films, food trucks and live music—and this week’s band is Cafune. Doors at 5:30 pm and the music performance starts at 7 pm. The movie screens at 8:30 pm. Tickets: $5-$21.
OTIS SPUNKMEYER (Pop-up)
Otis Spunkmeyer hosts a free, one-day pop-up event on Santa Monica Pier on Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. Perfect for families, the event features an inflatable obstacle course/ball pit—and samples of course. Taste free food samples - like Otis Spunkmeyer’s famous Chocolate Chunk Cookies, mini loaf cakes, crème cakes, muffins, mini-muffins and other treats.
SUMMER NIGHTS (Market + music)
L.A.’s Grand Central Market is now open until 10 pm seven days a week, and now along with the food, there’s free music every Saturday and Sunday night. This week, Australian folk/roots musician Jordie Lane performs on Saturday night at 8 pm, while on Sunday, Alma Y Alma bring their traditional Mexican folk music to the market, beginning at 7:30 pm.
CHUCK PALAHNIUK (Book signings)
Novelist Chuck Palahniuk has two book signing appearances this weekend for his graphic novel debut, Fight Club 2. The book was originally published as a 10-comic book series, following the life of Tyler Durden 10 years later, living a mundane life with a wife and kid. But that’s about to change. Palahniuk signs at 3 pm on Saturday at Book Soup and then at 11 am at Hypno Comics in Ventura.
FREAK SHOW (Variety)
Freak Show is a dark comedy variety show that incorporates performance art, sideshow acts, musical comedy, stand up and a band. Hosted by founder Tuesday Thomas, performers include punk band CXA, Professor Ed Jamison and Eegore (fire act), comedians Mateen Stewart, Cyrus Naderpour, Susann Ware, Lyall Behrens and Ramsey Badawi and Paul Flores. The show takes place at The California Institute of the AbnormalArts on Saturday night. Doors at 8:30 pm. Tickets: $10. Raffle and prizes through the night.
BOOGALOO ASSASSINS (Music)
The Latin Sounds series at LACMA (Hancock Park) presents a concert by L.A.’s Boogaloo Assassins on Saturday at 5 pm. The band brings their Spanish-Harlem style mixed with traditional Latin son/son-montuno/guaguanco/cha cha cha/Latin boogaloo/latin soul, blues and descargas—all perfect for dancing. Free.
THE CLIFTON’S CANTEEN (USO Tribute Shows)
CAC Studios and Clifton’s Cafeteria team up to present a full-scale U.S.O.-style party, harkening back to the 1940s. The Clifton’s Canteen - A Tribute to the 1940s USO Shows features live big band music and 1940s fashion is highly encouraged. Free Admission for Active Military and Veterans. Shows on Saturday and Sunday from 7-10 pm. Admission: $10.
SILENT WONDERMENT (Giant Robot Art)
On Saturday, the Vincent Price Art Museum at East Los Angeles College presents the closing event for Silent Wonderment: Exploring the World of Giant Robot. From 1-3:30 pm, there’s a Zine Workshop hosted by Tiny Splendor from 1-3:30 pm and Artist Talks with Albert Reyes, Rob Sato, Ako Castuera, Matt Furie, Yoskay Yamamoto and Tiny Splendor from 1-2:30 pm. The event is free, but paid parking at the college.
CINESPIA (Film)
Cinespia at Hollywood Forever Cemetery screens two classic films this holiday weekend. On Saturday, there’s a special tribute screening of Purple Rain that includes a number of special guests and surprises. And on Sunday, there’s a screening of Grease that ends in a fireworks show put on by the same team behind the Dodger Stadium, Hollywood Bowl and the Olympics, so you know they’re going to be good. Doors at 7:15, shows at 8 pm. Tickets start at $12.
SUNDAY, JULY 3
ANGEL CITY BREWERY: ‘MERICA FEST (Summer party)
On Sunday from 1 to 9 pm, Angel City Brewery presents its third annual ‘Merica Fest. Come dressed in your best "American" wardrobe for a chance to win Angel City prizes throughout the day. On tap: IPA, Pilsner, LAger and Social IPA; bites from Si Paletas, Peaches Smokehouse and Southern Kitchen and Dogtown Dogs, and music by Brown Shoe, Calvin Winbush, Wages and others starting at 3 pm. 21+.
U.R. ART FESTIVAL (Art + music + yoga)
UR Art Festival returns to Bergamot Station in Santa Monica for its July 4th party on Sunday from 1-9:30 pm. The fest combines music, live-painting, food, fashion and yoga. Music by John Tejada (Kompakt/ live hardware set), Hoj, Clint Stewart and WXC. The festival is 100% eco powered and the organizers are trying to create a sustainable festival so recycle, compost, carpool or take public transport to help out. Bike in and receive a free U.R.Art water bottle. The event is both kid- and dog-friendly. Tickets: $20-30 in advance.
Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
