As always in this city, you can eat and drink your way from Thursday to Sunday and call your weekend a success, but there's so much more going on. After you fuel up at DineL.A. and Smorgasburg, make time for the important things, like rubbing elbows with some of Solange's favorite artists or seeing Dita Von Teese's burlesque number in the flesh. It’s all happening, Los Angeles.
Ongoing
Paul Simon: Words & Music Expanded Exhibit
This extension of the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2014 exhibit celebrates all things Paul Simon from his handwritten “Mrs. Robinson” lyrics to an exclusive interactive music lab and the actual diamonds on the soles of his shoes. Immerse yourself in the legendary musician’s world and feel the cultural impact through the artifacts on display. The exhibit is only making one stop on the West Coast, so check it out before you find yourself alone in your car listening to “The Only Living Boy in New York” with regretful tears streaming down your face.
Deets: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.; Skirball Cultural Center; tickets range from $0 - $12; More info HERE
Image courtesy of @skirball_la
Thursday, July 27 - Friday, July 28
DineL.A.
Now is your last chance to hit the restaurants on your to-do list and feast like the discounted royalty that you so proudly are. Over 300 restaurants around the city are still offering the creme of the crop in their special Dine LA menus at discounted prices. It’s strongly recommended to make a reservation ahead of time, so stop procrastinating and get it together before time’s up!
Deets: Times vary by restaurant; Los Angeles; $15 - $95+; More info HERE
Image courtesy of @cheztex
Thursday, July 27
Find Your True Fork
Join Chef Kevin Callaghan of Acme Food & Beverage Co. to put the human connection back in food. Wanderlust Hollywood hosts the Find Your True Fork pop-up dinner series with responsibly sourced food and community-oriented dining. Enjoy summery drinks and eats by Organic India, Neocell, Bonterra Vineyards, Lundberg and executive Chef Kevin himself. If you don’t remember what it’s like to eat a meal without reading emails, now’s the time to become human again.
Deets: 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.; Wanderlust Hollywood; $80; More info HERE
Image courtesy of @chefkevincallaghan
Golden Gopher’s 13th Anniversary
This thursday marks Golden Gopher’s 13th rotation around the sun. Hang out for an extended happy hour and beyond in the famed space that was once Teddy Roosevelt’s old saloon. Kick off the weekend with free pool, food from Kogi and balloon art by Balloonski so you can humbly brag about your historical experience for the rest of the weekend.
Deets: 5 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Golden Gopher; Free entry; More info HERE
Image courtesy of @goldengopherla
Friday, July 28
Halo Auragraphic Pop-Up
This is for any former proud owners of mood rings. Junior High hosts Michael and Sharon Walker’s Halo Aurographic, the LA-based portable photo studio that captures the energy behind a portrait. Using electromagnetic technology and vintage photography, the Walkers provide us with a souveneir much cooler than your average photo booth pic strips. It’s the perfect alternative selfie to explore the energy behind all that is you. Walk-ins are available but not guaranteed, so sign up ahead of time.
Deets: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.; Junior High; $35/photo; More info HERE
Image courtesy of @welcometojuniorhigh
Dita Von Teese’s “The Art of the Teese”
If you’re looking for Swarovski and sexy under one roof, look no further because Dita Von Teese is in town. The woman who reinvigorated and perfected the art of burlesque is on tour and stopping in DTLA for an evening of tease at its peak sophistication. “The Art of the Teese” invites spectators to witness Dita’s enchanting stage presence and glitzy costumes in the beautiful Ace theater.
Deets: doors open 7:30 p.m.; The Theatre at Ace Hotel; $45 - $125; More info HERE
Image courtesy of @ditavonteese
Fun Nihilist Magazine Launch Party
Minty Boi and Fun Nihilist present the first-ever issue of Fun Nihilist Magazine hot off the presses this weekend. Fun Nihilist brings to life art and music from every corner of the LA creative scene, so it's only right to celebrate with live music, plenty of drank and an opportunity to buy a copy of the zine. DM @funnihilist on Instagram for the address. Join the non-believers ... everyone’s doin’ it.
Deets: 8 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Minty Warehouse; $5 before 10 p.m.; More info HERE
Image courtesy of @minty_boi
DUBLAB Presents: All The Feels at Freehand Los Angeles
Broadcasting since 1999, Dublab is a non-profit radio station dedicated to bringing more to LA’s music scene than just music. In collaboration with DJs and bartenders who know what they’re doing, you can feel All The Feels at Freehand LA every Friday night. Stop by and stay a while for intercontinental beats and breezy rhythms by the dublab DJ of the week.
Image courtesy of @barlabcocktails
Saturday, July 29 - Sunday, July 30
California Watermelon Festival
Yes, the fruit of the summer deserves its own festival. The California Watermelon Festival is a 55 year-old tradition celebrating the San Fernando Valley’s prized agricultural possession. The entry fee includes food vendors, free watermelon, live entertainment and watermelon skiing; it is indeed a safe place to experiment with alternatives to your favorite winter sport using watermelon rinds. This weekend bring your family (or don’t) to the carnival with a watermelon-y quirk.
Deets: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Hansen Dam Soccer Fields; tickets range from $0 - $12; More info HERE
Image courtesy of Watermelon Fest
No)one. Art House & The 14th Factory present: AFTER
If you’re a fan of art as experience, The 14th Factory brings the immersive and engaging dance work of No)one. Art House to it’s unconventional space. The movement based collective is one of the only black run organizations of its kind in the country and has collaborated with none other than the visionary Solange. Go see No)one’s reverie of motion, diversity and humanity for 50 minutes of radiance in “After” followed by an afterparty.
Deets: 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.; The 14th Factory; $14 - $18; More info HERE
Sunday, July 30
Image courtesy of No)one. Art House
Smorgasburg LA
The best way to end anything is with every food vendor imaginable jam-packed into five acres of DTLA’s up and coming ROW development. It’s always fun to peruse the aisles to see what the latest food combination craze is—whether it be Asian inspired hot-diggities at AsiaDog, Peruvian tacos at Little Llama or the Mexican take on a classic at Viva Los Cupcakes. Smorgasburg has just about everything and at least a little something for everyone.
Deets: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Row DTLA; Free; More info HERE
Image of @palomaspaletas courtesy of @bernshappy
Monday, July 31 - Tuesday, August 1
WORLDZ: Meet the Startup Masters Program
WORLDZ is on a mission to unite superstars with rising stars to shape the world of tomorrow. To do so, they host stellar summits and invite ballers like Tony Hawk, Jeff Miller, will.i.am, Sharon Profis, Shaun White and dozens of other leaders in their respective industries to talk shop with plebs like you and me. This go-around, WORLDZ is hosting a "Meet the Startup Masters Program" in Hollywood to bring together top global brands, startups, thought-leaders and creators for two days of intimate sessions and Master Courses.
Deets: Programming and Registration info HERE
Image courtesy of WORLDZ
Header image courtesy of 14th Factory
