Missy Elliott is coming to town. To see her put her thing down flip it and reverse it on stage, you'll probably want to buy a last minute FYF Fest ticket stat. Sure, a three-day pass might cost you three Benjamins, but with Frank Ocean, Nine Inch Nails, Flying Lotus, A Tribe Called Quest, Mac DeMarco and many (many) more on the lineup, we think it's worth the splurge. If you can't throw down for a ticket, totally groovy. There are plenty of affordable and free activities to distract your bleeding heart. Head to Hollywood Forever Thursday night to sway in the cemetery to Sufjan Stevens' poetic tunes or cruise to LACMA for live music and a show. Not one for nightly activities? Check out Yogi Stardust to get bendy to beats from Bowie or Bergamot Station for a summer celebration. Whatever your flavor, it's all happening Los Angeles!
Thursday, July 20
Planetarium: Sufjan Stevens, Nico Muhly, Bryce Dessner & James M
Composer Nico Muhly, singer songwriter Sufjan Stevens and guitarist/composer Bryce Dessner banned together to produce Planetarium Project, a record dedicated to the solar system, mythology and astronomy. Now, what better way to listen to the hauntingly beautiful album than under the stars surrounded by famous dead people?
Deets: 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.; Hollywood Forever; $50 GA; More info HERE
Image courtesy of @thewedelcollective
Bring the Noise: Weird Science with Live Music by Kinky
John Hughes' 1984 cult classic Weird Science greets Kinky in the latest Bring the Noise, a program where musicians choose a favorite film and produce an original score for it. Watch two geeks bring a doll to life in this sci-fi comedy as Kinky enhances the movie-going experience with their intelligence and instruments.
Deets: 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.; Los Angeles County Museum of Art - LACMA; $25 Members and Seniors; $30 GA; More info HERE
Image courtesy of LACMA
Friday, July 21 - Saturday, July 22
Composition Workshop
Get wiggly this weekend with Artistic Director Heidi Duckler and Associate Artistic Director Teresa "Toogie" Barcelo as they lead a two-day composition workshop. The workshop includes both indoor and outdoor dance and focuses on generating choreography that integrates the LA Landscape. If you're feeling brave, you can perform what you've learned Saturday, July 22 at 8 p.m.
Deets: 2 p.m. - 9 p.m.; Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre; $100 Both days; $75 One day; More info HERE
Image courtesy of @heidi.duckler
Friday, July 21 - Sunday, July 23
FYF Fest
The summer music festival of the year is finally here. Unfortunately, if A Tribe Called Quest and Frank Ocean were on your list of must sees, you'll have to crack open the piggy bank and buy a three-day pass. Ouch! Single day passes are still available for Friday and Sunday, and the lineups are almost as bitchin’. It's summer—so hydrate, lather on sunscreen, dress comfortably and think twice before accepting one of those mystery pills from the bottom of your friend's friend's fanny pack. Other than that, prepare for a weekend of "fuck yeah" kind of weekend.
Deets: Friday 5 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Saturday 2 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Sunday 2 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.; Exposition Park; $329 3 Day Festival Pass; $109+ Single Day Pass; More info HERE
Image courtesy of @findthespots
Friday, July 21
Barnsdall Fridays Wine Tastings
For everyone of legal drinking age, Barnsdall Park invites you to sip wine and watch the sunset overlooking the city. Feel free to stack a picnic basket with good eats or enjoy food from one of the many food trucks. The $35 tickets only grant you access to the tastings. If you would also like to tour Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House, cough up an extra $15. Your money is going to a great cause ... support the arts!
Deets: 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.; Barnsdall Art Park; $35-$50; More info HERE
Image courtesy of @barnsdallpark
Lights Down Low LA
If you didn't purchase FYF tickets, don't sweat it. You can still dance until the sun comes up this Friday night with DJ Stingray and more electro beats. Seriously, take a nap after work because this is a party you don't want to miss or leave early. Don't be a hero in your 6-inch stilettos because your dogs will be barking and the shoes will end up in the trash. Pro-tip: have your hangover kit ready on your nightstand before you go out.
Deets: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Location TBA; $20 General Admission; More info HERE
Image courtesy of Richie Panic
Saturday, July 22
Bergamot Station's Summer Celebration
Bergamot Station celebrates summer with food trucks, live music, dance performances, art exhibitions and more. Start the morning getting bendy with silent disco yoga followed up by an artist workshop or tap dance lesson. If those aren't your vibe, revel in the magic of hula hooping performances or chow down on grilled cheese from The Grilled Cheese Truck.
Deets: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.; Bergamot Station; Free; More info HERE
Image courtesy here @robertbermangallery
Mamma Mia! Old Pasadena Summer Cinema
Channel your inner dancing queen this weekend as Old Pasadena Summer Cinema serves up double the ABBA. Groove to an ABBA inspired DJ, learn the hustle or get your hair braided prior to the screening of Mamma Mia!, the story of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father. Fun fact, Meryl Streep demanded to sing live in all her scenes. What a queen!
Deets: 6:30 - 10:30 p.m.; Old Pasadena; Free; More info HERE
Image courtesy of Old Pasadena
Sunday, July 23
Yogi Stardust: A David Bowie Themed Yoga Class
The same folks who brought you Namasdrake are launching their newest class, Yogi Stardust: A David Bowie Themed Yoga Class. Don your best Lululemon get up and prepare to create positive ch-ch-ch-changes in your bodies and minds. If you're feeling wild, arrive an hour early and knock back a drink. Otherwise, please arrive 15 minutes early to sign photography and liability release forms.
Deets: 3 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.; UNION; $25; More info HERE
Image courtesy of @Namasdrake
Tony’s Saloon Summer Cookouts
Tony's Saloon brings back Sunday Cookouts for the summer. Join the crew on the patio for good grub and $2 Pabst Blue Ribbons. This year they're raising awareness and funds to The Spirited Coalition, a non-profit dedicated to Los Angeles homeless crisis. After you've done a good deed, school a stranger in ping pong, darts or billiards.
Deets: 7 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Tony’s Saloon; Free; More info HERE
Image courtesy of @tonyssaloon
50 Lady Bits: An Evening of Junk Jokes
This Sunday night, 50 bad ass females join forces to spit junk jokes for a show that benefits Planned Parenthood. Not only are they cracking funnies, they're describing their favorite wonders of their genitalia. Maybe you'll finally learn where the clitoris is. Note: this show is not for prudes or the faint of heart. Have fun!
Deets: 9 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.; The Nerdist Showroom at Meltdown; $15 General Admission; More info HERE
Image courtesy of @nerdmelt
Header image courtesy of Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre
