Your Ultimate Guide To August: 20 Cool Events Happening In Los Angeles

We found a number of notable happenings in August to help plan your social calendar. Read on for all our event picks and details. Did we miss something? Add your event in our comments section.

Mondays in August

FOURTH: The Bulls, a new project of violinist and multi-instrumentalist Anna Bulbrook (The Airborne Toxic Event / Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros) and guitarist Marc Sallis (The Duke Spirit), are in residency at the Satellite every Monday in August. #GIRLSCHOOL is the first all female-fronted residency at the club with the lineup that features White Sea, Gothic Tropic, Conway, Alex Lilly, Nightjacket, an Ana Rezende (CSS) DJ Set, The Bad Years, LA Girlfriend, Nancy, Pony Boy, Kerrigan, Ultra Violent Rays others. The Satellite's Monday Night residency is 21+ — and free.

Ongoing in August

REMEMBRANCE: This month marks the 50th anniversary of the Watts Riots. The race riots took place from Aug. 11 to 17, 1965, touched off when a black motorist was stopped for drunk driving and a scuffle with police ensued. (Does that scenario sound familiar 50 years later?) To remember—and hopefully learn from the civil unrest—there are a number of events happening in August, including a screening and panel discussion of the documentary I Build the Tower (about the tower and the city of Watts) at the Aero on Wednesday, Aug. 5, and a bus tour of Watts at meaningful sites of the riots on Aug. 23.

July 31-Aug. 2

MUSIC: KCON 2015 USA is the largest fan celebration of Korean entertainment and culture. Last year’s event was so popular that KCON has expanded to a third day at the Staples Center and the L.A. Convention Center. During the day, fans can attend the convention to immerse themselves in Hallyu (Korean Wave) and K-culture, watch panels, take workshops, sample Korean food and more. The evening concerts at Staples Center include Got7, Monsta X, Roy Kim, Sistar, Super Junior on Saturday and AOA, Block B, Red Velvet, Shinhwa, Zion.T and Crush on Sunday. Ticket / passes prices vary. Convention only tickets start at $25.

Aug.1-2

BACON: The Big Bite Bacon Fest returns to the Queen Mary on August 1-2 with more bacon and bacon-infused bites (including the Fry Fry Truck’s bacon filled Twinkies and bacon cheddar french fries and Dia De Los Puercos’ hog pocket, bacon churros and spicy bacon corn slaw). More than 15 local breweries (including Absolution, Ale Smith Brewing, Angel City Brewing, ACE Cider, Bootlegger’s Brewery, Coronado Brewing, Golden Road Brewery, Hangar 24, Lagunitas Brewing, Ninkasi Brewery, The Bruery, Green Flash Brewing, Sierra Nevada and Stone Brewing) will be onhand to help participants wash down the salty, savory goodness. The Big Bite Bacon Fest offers day or evening tasting sessions on Aug. 1 and a daytime session on Aug. 2. VIP gives participants an earlier entry. Tickets: $40-$80.

Aug. 1-2

JAPANESE POP CULTURE FESTIVAL: Moshi Moshi Nippon, a Japanese cultural festival, comes to L.A. for the first time on Aug. 1 (10 am to 10 pm) and Aug. 2 (from 10 am to 5 pm) to the Magic Box at the Reef LA. There will be Harajuku models, Japanese shops, pop culture vendor booths, photobooths, cosplay, DJs and … karaoke. Tickets: $10-12. All ages.

Aug. 2-8

COMEDY: Now in its 13th year, the Los Angeles Improv Comedy Festival, hosted by iO West, features improv troupes as well as featured performers such as Eric Stonestreet, George Wendt, Neil Flynn & Pat Finn, David Koechner, Marc Evan Jackson, Kate Walsh, Ike Barinholtz, Jack McBrayer, Paul F. Tompkins, Danny Pudi and Jim Rash. Most show tickets are $10 and are 21+.

Aug. 7-9

FILM FEST: Sundance Next Fest is an offshoot of the Sundance Film Festival’s NEXT section and returns to L.A. for its second year. Screenings take place from Aug. 7-9 at The Theatre at Ace Hotel, bringing together a mix of films, live music and film talks. It starts at the theater with a screening of Mistress America and a set by Sky Ferreira, and ends with a screening of Turbo Kid and a DJ battle between Neon Indian and Toro Y Moi. Tickets: $15-$25.

Aug. 8

MUSIC FEST: Goldenvoice & Roland present the Low End Theory Festival at the Shrine Expo Hall & Grounds with a great day and night of music that features the music of Flying Lotus, Earl Sweatshirt, Thundercat, Nosaj Thing, Daedelus, Jonwayne, Teebs, Ras G, Samiyam, House Shoes, Alix Perez & Eprom, Milo, Mndsgn, Dibia$e, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, Astronautica, Sister Crayon, Cazal Organism, Elusive, Mono/Poly, Open Mike Eagle, Free the Robots, Great Dane and Low End Theory Residents: Daddy Kev, Nobody, The Gaslamp Killer, D-Styles and Nocando. The all ages show begins at 4 pm (doors at 3:30 pm).

Aug. 8-9

SHOPPING: Unique LA’s Summer Market takes over The Penthouse at California Market Center from 11 am to 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Snack and shop until you drop because there are hundreds of vendors selling their wares as well as workshops and crafts. To keep the energy up, there will be free drinks from GT's Kombucha, Boxed Water, Ventura Spirits, The Naked Grape and more and free snacks from Luna and Clif Bar. Entrance fee is $10 at the door (cash) only, but skip the lines by buying ahead of time. The ticket is good for all weekend.

Aug. 9

FOOD TALK: To Live & Dine in LA: A Live Mixtape takes place on Aug. 9 at the Regent Theatre in DTLA. Part of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles’ To Live and Dine in L.A. project that explores L.A. history through the Library’s huge menu collection, the evening’s participants will try and answer the questions: How can we activate history to awaken the present? How can historic menus from the Library’s collection help spark new conversations about food access, raise awareness around food history, and draw attention to food injustice in contemporary Los Angeles? Leading the evening are USC professor Josh Kun and curator of the Library exhibition, chef Roy Choi, artist Rakaa Iriscience (Dilated Peoples) and special guests that include Jarocho musicians César Castro, Cambalache, and Son del Centro as as restaurateur Nes Abegaze and hip hop DJ Ras G with Ethiopian beats and food stories. Doors open at 6 pm and the show is at 7 pm. Tickets are $20 general admission and $60 VIP (includes reserved seating and a special cocktail reception). 21+.

Aug. 9

AVOCADO FEST: Angel City Brewery’s 3rd Annual Avocado Festival is at the DTLA brewery on Aug. 9 from noon to 8 pm. The day features Avocado Ale as well as foods, brewer led tours, beer flights, and fun and games. There’s live music scheduled throughout the day, too, in the beer hall. 21+. Proceeds from the day (and $1 from every pint of Avocado Ale sold) benefits the local nonprofit Food Forward.

Aug. 9

CICLAVIA: Culver City meets Venice when streets close from 9 am to 4 pm on Sunday, Aug. 9 for the next CicLAvia. The 6-mile route is a variation of the 2013 CicLAvia Westside route, and will allow walkers, bike riders, skaters to explore more Culver City neighborhoods. The open streets events connects to the Westside’s Mar Vista Farmers Market, Abbot Kinney and Venice Beach. Cirque du Soleil, a CicLAvia partner, will be at the Culver City Hub to promote their newest touring show: KURIOS - Cabinet of Curiosities, which debuts in Southern California this fall.

Aug. 13-Sept. 8

PHOTO: Echo Park-based photographer and filmmaker Jason House presents his Sanitarium series photos of the abandoned Rockhaven Sanitarium at Gallery 417 Downtown in the historic Los Angeles Subway Terminal Building. The show’s opening night is on Thursday, Aug. 13 with an artist reception from 6-8 pm to coincide with the DTLA Art Walk. The Rockhaven Sanitarium in Montrose was founded in 1923 by psychiatric nurse, Agnes Richards, as a place where women could be treated for “mild mental and nervous disorders.” House’s show will remain on view through Sept. 8.

Aug. 14-16

MUSIC FEST: Berserktown is an underground, punk, rock, noise & electronic festival that takes place at The Observatory in Santa Ana on Aug. 14-16. The festival features the reunion of 90's grunge band Royal Trux and also sets by Dead Moon, Thee Oh Sees, Total Control, The Mob, Destruction Unit & Friends and so many more bands. There are a number of side concerts and other events happening in and around the L.A. area in the days leading up to the show: On Aug. 7, Cinefamily screens It Follows, with director David Robert Mitchell and composer Rich Vreeland and a live performance by Disasterpeace. On Aug. 13, there’s a concert with sound artist Tim Hecker with Tyondai Braxton and Pod Blotz @ Teragram Ballroom. Individual festival tickets start at $55.

Aug. 14-16

MORE MUSIC: Now in its fifth year, Echo Park Rising returns to Echo Park with more than 300 bands/performers in tow from Aug. 14-16. Headliners include: Hanni El Khatib, Dengue Fever,Superhumanoids, Fever The Ghost, Man or Astro-Man?, Deap Vally and “up and coming locals” including Maudlin Strangers, Rat Fist, The Wild Reeds and No Parents. There are also shows featuring comedy and storytelling. The festival is free and mostly all-ages. Events are open to the public without tickets, depending on venue capacity. VIP passes are offered for $25-$30 with access to VIP viewing areas, line skipping, easy bar access and a goodie grab bag (while supplies last).

Aug. 14-16

DISNEY EXPO: Disney’s D23 EXPO 2015 is an ultimate Disney fan event that draws tens of thousands of people to the Anaheim Convention Center. The fourth expo brings together the worlds of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars under one roof. Check out sneak peeks of upcoming films, celeb appearances, and a first look at what’s coming from Disney theme parks, TV shows, game and music. The Walt Disney Archives exhibit will showcase rare props, costumes and ephemera. Tickets and passes: $74-$216 (adults) and $54-$156 (children ages 3-9).

Aug. 15-23

JAPANESE FESTIVAL: Nisei Week Japanese Festival is a nine-day celebration of Japanese Culture in Little Tokyo. Now celebrating its 75th anniversary, the festival showcases free Japanese cultural events, activities and exhibits, including music and entertainment, food and games over two weekends. On Aug. 22, the festival holds its World Gyoza Eating Championship on the JACCC Plaza, in which five-time gyoza eating champion Joey “Jaws” Chestnut (he ate 384 gyoza in 10 minutes in 2014) goes up against this year’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Champion Matt “Megatoad” Stonie.
http://www.niseiweek.org/

Aug. 27

DINNER: Dîner en Blanc LA returns to a secret location on Aug. 27. If you’re not a member or know someone who is, sign up and register for the waiting list. It’s an elegant evening where participants wear white, bring a white tablecloth, table and two white chairs and a picnic to join other like-minded participants. The location is revealed to participants at the last minute and happens rain or shine.

Aug 22-23

FYF FEST: FYF Fest returns to the L.A. Sports Arena & Exposition Park in its 12th year. Headliners include Frank Ocean and Morrissey, and additional sets by D’Angelo and The Vanguard, Bloc Party, Flume, Chet Faker, FKA Twigs, Solange, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Belle and Sebastian, Spiritualized and others. Only passes and VIP tickets are left: $175-$329. (There are also FYF Fest Sideshows with individual bands from the festival playing around town this month, including The Jesus and Mary Chain, Dinosaur Jr., Savages and more.)

Aug. 27-30

FOOD & WINE: The 5th annual Los Angeles Food & Wine Festivalreturns to L.A. from Aug. 27-30 featuring star chefs including Tyler Florence, Curtis Stone, Thomas Keller, Neal Fraser, Michelle Bernstein, Hannah An, Ray Garcia, Jessica Koslow and so many more. Cooking demos, book signings, mixology seminars and discussions take place in both Hollywood and DTLA, but the weekend’s main events take place directly in front of the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall. ?uestlove and The Roots perform at the Grand Tasting. Tickets for individual events start at $100. Grand Tasting tickets are $195-$350.

Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in L.A.? Follow @LAistor me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.