Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
7 fun ways to spend your weekend in SoCal
File: A butterfly is seen at the Los Angeles Natural History Museum on April 8, 2011 during the opening day for members at the Butterfly Pavilion.
(
Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images
)
You can get henna tattoos this weekend at the Downey International Food and Music Festival.
(
Kannan B via Flickr
)
(
Courtesy Green Festival Expo
)
Overall numbers of the black-and-orange butterflies have dropped from 1 billion to fewer than 60 million over the past two decades as milkweed nationwide has fallen prey to development and pesticides.
(
Axel Foley/Flickr Creative Commons
)
File: People playing Pokemon Go.
(
Ruby Wallau/NPR
)
Hang out with butterflies, get a henna tattoo or dance to Daft Punk on the Santa Monica Pier. The weekend train awaits, are you hopping aboard?
1. Butterfly Pavilion at NHM
Overall numbers of the black-and-orange butterflies have dropped from 1 billion to fewer than 60 million over the past two decades as milkweed nationwide has fallen prey to development and pesticides.
(
Axel Foley/Flickr Creative Commons
)
Support for LAist comes from
Butterflies are getting a new permanent home at the Natural History Museum of L.A. County. Twenty California-native species of butterfly including monarchs, mourning cloaks and buckeyes, along with 10 subtropical varieties like the grey cracker and malachite, will all be in the pavilion. The new space for these gentle creatures means more flight space, resting spots and natural light. Pro tip: Timed tickets to get into the butterfly pavilion are required, so buy in advance.
When: Opens Friday at 9 a.m. and runs through Oct. 16
Where: Natural History Museum of L.A. County | MAP
Price: General admission plus the butterfly pavilion $17 | Get Tickets
2. Savor Santa Ana 2016
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKQ8dMijEjN/?taken-by=dtsantaana
Support for LAist comes from
Get to know downtown Santa Ana, while tasting fare from a variety of restaurants. More than 40 restaurants are participating, including Yojie Japanese Fondue, Portola and Chapter One: TML. There's also live entertainment from Santa Ana High School's mariachis, plus a pop-up karaoke station for the late legend Juan Gabriel. Pro tip: You can stroll as you choose which spots you'd like to try, or hop on the trolley that will transport you around for free.
When: Friday, 5 p.m.
Where: Downtown Santa Ana Farmers' Market | MAP
Price: $10 for five tastings | Get Tickets
3. L.A. Green Festival
(
Courtesy Green Festival Expo
)
Support for LAist comes from
All about that healthy lifestyle? This is your alternative to festivals packed with fried foods. There will be 250 exhibitors filling the giant space in DTLA for three days of lectures, demonstrations and, of course, merchandise — all revolving around a green and eco-friendly theme. Hit up any of the organic cooking demonstrations, get your weekly yoga session in or just eat and shop some seriously green products. Check out the full program here.
When: Friday, noon-6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center | MAP
Price: Tickets are $12-$35 | Get tickets
4. Pokémon GO Gym Battles and Lure Fest
File: People playing Pokemon Go.
(
Ruby Wallau/NPR
)
Support for LAist comes from
We know it's been a while since the game flooded the streets with aspiring Pokémon trainers, but while the hype may have dwindled away for some, the goal of becoming a master is still real for others. The Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks is setting up lures at various parks this month to aid in your quest to be the very best — food, music and other activities are just an added bonus. Visit the website for other event dates.
When and where: Saturday 2 p.m.- 6p.m. at the Hansen Dam & Aquatics Center | MAP
Sunday 9 a.m.-1 p. m. at Griffith Park (near Shane's Inspiration Walk & Roll) | MAP
Price: Free
5. Downey International Food and Music Festival
You can get henna tattoos this weekend at the Downey International Food and Music Festival.
(
Kannan B via Flickr
)
Weekends can never go wrong with free street festivals jam packed with music, food and good company. Here's another chance to catch as many rays of sun as you can before summer is over for good, complete with face painters, photo booths and henna artists.
When: Saturday 4 p.m.-11 p.m.
Where: Downtown Downey | MAP
Price: Free
6. Chinatown Moon Festival
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKW51XQjdTS/?taken-by=lachinatown
Roam under the countless red lanterns scattered across Chinatown and indulge in craft beer gardens, mooncake tastings and bites from food trucks. Squeeze this and as many DIY workshops in before the 7 p.m. Saturn and Moon Harvest viewing. Telescopes will be provided by the Griffith Observatory so you can get the best view, to be followed by more food and live music. Apart from the food trucks and vendors, yes, it's really all free.
When: Saturday 5 p.m.-11 p.m.
Where: Central Plaza | MAP
Price: Free
7. HUSHFest: Santa Monica Pier
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gghh5byBETs
A silent concert might sound like an oxymoron, but for HUSHconcerts, it's the norm. At this end of summer show, DJs will be spinning Radiohead and Daft Punk — not blasted through giant speakers, but through headphones that everyone in attendance will be wearing. To people sans headphones, the sight of people dancing to seeming silence might be a bit ridiculous – but then again, they aren't the ones listening to "One More Time."
When: Saturday 7 p.m.
Where: Santa Monica Pier | MAP
Price: General admission is $10 | Get Tickets
What'd we miss? Let us know on Twitter @kellie_gal, @lizmoonyoz and @LeoHasACat.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist