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Looking for something to do? Look no further than these 23 events happening this weekend. And don’t forget to check out our Outdoor Film Screenings and Summer Concert lists for more suggestions.
FRIDAY, JULY 31
ART: On Friday night, Gallery1988 (East) opens Evanimals, a collection of favorite beasts from film & TV, created by Evan Yarbrough. The opening reception will be held from 7-9 pm. The works will remain on view through Aug. 22.
PARTY: Caeden Sunset Fridays is a party that takes place on the pool deck of The Line Hotel on Friday from 7-10 pm. The event features music by DJs WaldoRules and Jamie Strong. RSVP needed.
SILENT FILM: Arthur Berthelet’s 1916 Sherlock Holmes silent film screens at 7 pm on Friday night at The Theatre at Ace Hotel in DTLA. The evening marks the L.A. premiere of the once-lost silent film. Come dressed in your best detective duds or Steampunk outfits for a night of history, games, fashion and mystery. Tickets: $20.
CANADIAN CINEMA: Film Independent at LACMA is collaborating with TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) to present the best in Canadian cinema and the diverse styles and themes from filmmakers up north. On Friday at 7:30 pm at LACMA, the CAN/LA program screens writer/director Albert Shin's award-winning 2014 drama In Her Place. Saturday’s films are Felix and Meira from writer/director Maxime Giroux at 1 pm and Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner) (2001), which was named the best Canadian film ever made, by director Zacharias Kunuk at 7:30 pm. All screenings are free. [Bonus: On Thursday night (July 30) CAN/LA Program #1 features actor Taylor Kitsch in conversation with TIFF Artistic Director Cameron Bailey at 7:30 pm at LACMA. Free.]
DANCE PARTY: On Friday, Metro Art teams with MALABOMBA! to present an international dance party at Union Station’s Fred Harvey Room from 8-10:30 pm. Free. The band Gonzo Lautari performs a live mix of jazz, funk and Eastern European dance music, while MALABOMBA! DJs spin Balkan brass, bellydance beats, psychedelic cumbia, Romany remixes and other sounds from around the world. Free.
MUSIC: Portuguese producer Moullinex (Luis Clara Gomes) is co-headlining a U.S. tour with Ben Browning of Cut Copy, and they’re making a stop at the Regent in DTLA on Friday night. Joining them on the bill are L.A. Girlfriend, Deep Chills and Maikol. Doors at 8 pm, show at 9 pm. Tickets: $20. 18+.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1
BOOK FEST: Baldwin Hills Crenshaw hosts the Leimert Park Village Book Fest on Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, which features book vendors, readings, special exhibitions including classic cars, vintage toys, photos/images from the ‘80s (this year’s theme), music performances and an exclusive panel discussion with writers from Fox’s television show Empire at 2 pm. The fest honors the literary legacy of African-Americans with more than 100 authors in attendance. Free and open to the public.
SUMMAH FEST: Nerdist Industries, NerdMelt Showroom and the Nerdist School presents the 6th annual Summahfest for a full day of comedy, music, waterslides, food trucks, free beer, water balloon fights, face painting and more. The party starts outside at 2 pm for food, drinks and activities. Bring your bathing suit or best summah costume. The live comedy show starts at 6 pm (inside), hosted by Howard Kremer and features comedy from Steve Agee, Paul Danke, Cornell Reid, Brooks Wheelan, Nick Rutherford, Jade Catta-Preta, John Roy, Brody Stevens and others. Music by rapper Nova Rockafeller. The night wraps up with a live improv show on the Nerdist School Stage.
FILM LOOPS: The animation mini-festival LoopDeLoop holds its Los Angeles screening at The Downtown Independent around the theme of “ritual” on Saturday night from 7:30-10:30 pm. Every two months, LoopDeLoop asks artists to submit looping animation on a theme, with the animations screened in hosts cities. Cartoon Network sponsors the event on Saturday night. Tickets are free but seating is limited so RSVP to Loop.Screening@gmail.com. Seating is first-come, first-served.
MUSIC: Grand Performances in DTLA welcomes Ghanian Afro-Roots star Rocky Dawuni on Saturday night. He’s currently on tour to support his latest album Branches of the Same Tree, and performs on the California Plaza with fellow Ghanaian Blitz the Ambassador, who brings his super funky brand of African Hip Hop. Free. 8 pm. Get there early and bring a picnic.
SCI-FI: The independently produced feature film Star Trek: Renegades (STR) premieres on Saturday at the Crest Theatre in Westwood. The film is essentially a pilot for a possible online series. Directed by actor/director Tim Russ, who reprises his role as Tuvok from Voyager, the film also stars Walter Koenig, Adrienne Wilkinson, Sean Young and Edward Furlong, among others. There’s a fan screening at the Crest (before the official premiere) at 4:30 pm. While there’s free standby seating at the door, a $20 donation to the film guarantees a seat.
OUTDOOR FILM: EatISeeIHear and Netflix team up to screen the comedy classic Wet Hot American Summer on Saturday at The Autry National Center. The night also includes a special preview of the new online series, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp after the film with creator David Wain in attendance to introduce the show. We hear he’ll also be bringing a few of the cast members along, too. Netflix will bring the WHAS: First Day of Camp school bus, and conduct giveaways, games, swag and more. Food trucks and live music make it a perfect night. Tickets: $12 in advance, $14 at the door (limited number). Doors at 5:30 pm. Live music at 7:30 by The American Spirit and the movie starts at 8:30 pm.
CAMPING: Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority and Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy host the first in a series of overnight camping trips open to the public from 4 pm on Saturday to 10 am on Sunday. This mini-expedition takes place in Marsh Park and gives people the opportunity to experience this section of the L.A. river overnight. Reservations required. Campsites: $20.
VARIETY: The Bootleg Variety Hour returns to the Bootleg Theater on Saturday at 7:30 pm. Hosted by comedian/magician David Kovac, the evening features the Yo-Yo skills of Farrah Siegel, the clowning of The Innocents, the musical comedy of Erin and MeLissa, and the magic of Sebastian Kraine. Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
MUSIC: The Annenberg Foundation and KCRW continue their Sound in Focus free concert series at the Annenberg Space for Photography at Century Park with hip hop veterans De La Soul headlining Saturday night’s show. Also performing: Quantic (DJ Will Holland), who brings a 10-piece band for a run through music from his 17 albums as well as new jams with guest singers from Colombia, Brazil and L.A. Doors at DJ Garth Trinidad at 5 pm and the live performances begin at 7 pm. RSVPs are closed right now, but there may be a standby line.
Artist Patrick McPheron presents the immersive sci-fi event 'Invasion' on Saturday night. (Image: Courtesy of the artist.)
SCI-FI ART: On Saturday at 7 pm, photographer and visual artist Patrick McPheron presents Invasion, an immersive sci-fi event to celebrate the release of his new book of the same name. The artist takes his inspiration from the films and TV shows of the 1950s and 1960s and turns the HNYPT space into an experience—complete with outrageous characters, big wigs and technicolor sets—for one-night only. Free.
MUSIC FEST: Hard Summer Music Fest takes place this weekend (Fri-Sat) at the Fairplex in Pomona with headliners The Weeknd, the Chemical Brothers, Dillon Francis, Porter Robinson headlining night one and Jack Ü (Skrillex, Diplo), Ratatat, Chromeo, Die Antwoord on the bill for day two. Tickets: $119 (sold out, so hit up your favorite ticket purveyor). But we see that tix are still available ($30-$50) for Hard Summer’s official After Party at the Fox Theatre in Pomona with Brodinski, DESTRUCTO, Salva, Wax Motif, Anna Lunoe and Mija Bones.
CATBARET: Celebs perform live cat-themed and other musical numbers for the CATbaret benefit for the feral cat rescue group Kitty Bungalow on Saturday night at 7 pm. Taking place at the Avalon in Hollywood, this year’s cast includes Fred Willard; Wendi Mclendon-Covey (The Goldbergs), Elaine Hendrix (Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll), Jaime Ray Newman (Mind Games), Autumn Reeser (The OC), Keith David (Community), Mo Collins (Parks and Rec), Elisabeth Harnois (CSI), Jon Huertas (Castle), Nia Peeples (Pretty Little Liars), choreographers Tabitha and Napoleon, Doriana Sanchez and the So You Think You Can Dance dancers and others. Tickets: $50-$125 and include pre-show Happy Hour. VIP Celebrity after-party tickets are available for $40 more.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2
FLEA MARKET: The Rock 'N' Roll Flea Market is held the first Sunday of every month from 10 am to 3 pm at the Regent Theater in DTLA. The RnR Flea brings together vintage collections and antiquities dealers, vintage clothing, jewelry makers, music memorabilia, vinyl, local food vendors, food trucks, craftsmen and used musical instruments dealers. This month’s market coincides with the Shop Walk DTLA event. In addition, the flea market also offers a Boozy Brunch Bingo in The Love Song Bar (inside The Regent) and a brunch deal that includes bottomless mimosas, a brunch item and a cookie for just $25. There’s a $2 admission price to the market, but waived if you’re eating at Prufrock.
PARTY: On Sunday from 3-8 pm, Becks beer presents The Kickback LA party at The Bar featuring four for $5 tacos, quesadillas, burritos by Paco Taco and beer and drink specials. Music by DJ R-TISTIC and more. Free cover. 21+.
NEXT FEST FILM: Sundance NEXT FEST kicks off this year with an outdoor screening of a Cop Car starring Kevin Bacon at Cinespia at Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Sunday night at 8:30 pm. Get there early because the doors open at 6 pm. In addition to the food trucks onsite, there will be complimentary food, beverages, and pre-screening activities will be provided by Acura, Stella Artois and ShopHouse. Tickets: $14. (Parking fees extra.)
COMEDY: The Groundlings Theatre takes audiences back to the ‘70s with its newest sketch comedy show Sundayzed & Confused every Sunday night at 7:30 pm through October. Directed by Alex Staggs, the cast includes Daniel Acker, Kimberly Condict, Josh Duvendeck, Heidi Gardner, Patty Guggenheim, Timothy Horner, Leslie-Anne Huff, Kiel Kennedy, Anne Lane, Andrew Leeds, Lyric Lewis, Harmony McElligott and Eliot Schwartz. Tickets: $16.
VARIETY: The periodic variety show Zulu Lounge returns on Sunday to King King in Hollywood with its show Vaudevillia. The night “blends the Zulu tribe's belly and world dance roots with American music including rockabilly, jazz, bluegrass, Hawaiian and more to delight longtime Zulu Lounge fans as well as those new to the tribe.” Performers include Janet Klein & The Parlour Boys, RJ Comer, Super Tall Paul, Bebo & His Bass, Les Petites Bonbons, Lumina Dance Company, Entropy Arts, Aubre Hill, Olu, Michaella Manning, Tiare Kaonohi and more. Featured DJs are Psychotropic, with Zulu and Isabel Omero. Tickets: $20 to $45. Doors open at 6 pm. Show at 7-ish. 21+.
Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
