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Our Picks
- Events
- Outdoor Pick
- Viewing Pick
It feels like we’re all trying to squeeze every last minute out of this summer, and with something going on every night (and usually about 20 things going on), choosing just how to fill these warm end of August days is no small challenge.
Take this weekend, for example. Many summer concert series are wrapping up for the season, so get out there while you still can, whether it’s to the Music Center for a celebration with Sister Sledge or up to the Skirball Center for the dance party with Tosstones and Jauretsi. There’s also a live RuPaul’s Drag Race show at the Orpheum, a chill networking event in Santa Monica, and a big volleyball tournament in Manhattan Beach.
Events
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Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 12:00 PM
(
Courtesy Echo Park Rising
)
Echo Park Rising is back with free music all day long at venues across the neighborhood. What started as an “impromptu street fair” has grown into a full-fledged neighborhood festival, with food, music, performances, shopping, you name it. Highlights include Lealani at The Echoplex, Urika’s Bedroom at The Echo, and a showcase of opera and musical theater hits at The Chocolate Dispensary. Plus specials like $10 shooters at the Loney Oyster and vintage clothes deals at Sunday’s Last Vintage.
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Thursday, August 15, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Lego model of the wildlife crossing features trees and animals that are part of the Southern California landscape.
(
Courtesy of Living Habitats
)
Huge LEGO sculptures will welcome visitors to the L.A. Zoo this weekend for a special event celebrating the new LEGO DREAMZzz: A Wild Adventure TV series. The Zoo installation features creatures made by LEGO master builders and a live construction demo where kids can help stack bricks for a new piece – a giant narwhal – which will be completed on Sunday. And a bonus: Each weekend day, L.A. Zoo will offer free entry for the first 100 visitors.
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Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Comedian Brody Stevens (Chelsea Lately, The Hangover) died in 2019
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Courtesy 818 Benefit
)
When comedian Brody Stevens (Chelsea Lately, The Hangover) died in 2019, the comedy community in L.A. came together to push for better mental health awareness. The result? Brodyfest, which features a softball game, a wellness festival, and other activities on Saturday, and culminates Sunday in the annual benefit for Comedy Gives Back at The Comedy Store, featuring a lineup with performances by Jay Mohr, Doug Benson, and more.
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Sunday, August 18, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Counterpoint Records Founder's Day Event & Sale
- Counterpoint Records and Books
5911 Franklin Ave, Hollywood
Cost: Free ; MORE INFO
Celebrate the life of Counterpoint Books legacy of its founder, John C Polifronio, with a 50% off sale this weekend at the Franklin Village bookstore
(
Courtesy of Counterpoint Books
)
Polifronio died in 2022, but he left behind the store's legacy, where you can still find hidden music treasures and flip through vinyl -- even some 45 years after its founding in 1979. The event will include live performances and 50 percent off store-wide at the Franklin Ave hotspot.
- Counterpoint Records and Books
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Friday, August 16, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Sunset Concerts at the Skirball
- Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Brentwood
Cost: Free ; MORE INFO
(
Halline Overby
/
Skirball Cultural Center
)
The Skirball closes out its summer concert series with a free dance party for all ages featuring the Grammy-nominated TossTones, who merges salsa, hip hop, reggaeton, Caribbean music, afrobeats, jazz, and more. Cuban-influenced DJ and curator Jauretsi, who has collaborated with musicians like Pharrell Williams, Questlove, and Major Lazer, will also perform. Party-goers can take a break and walk through the current Skirball exhibitions, including Wild Things Are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak, Frank Stella: Had Gadya, The American Library, and Common Ground.
- Skirball Cultural Center
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Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 12:00 PM
(
Courtesy 310 Coffee Club
)
I know, I know, who wants to network on a Sunday, but the 310 Coffee Club is partnering with hip Santa Monica coffee airstream 7even Seas Coffee to provide drinks and food, plus there will be lawn games and live music. So ok, networking, but make it fun. The event promises to be a mix of meeting people for work and fun, dates and job opportunities alike.
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Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 8:00 PM
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Live
- The Orpheum Theatre
842 S. Broadway, downtown L.A.
Cost: FROM $48 ; MORE INFO
Mirage, Dawn, Q, Megami, Hershii LiqCour-Jeté, and Xunami Muse attend RuPaul's Drag Race Emmy nomination celebration.
(
Rodin Eckenroth
/
Getty Images
)
Sashay your way to the Orpheum to see Drag Race Queens Angeria, Jorgeous, Plastique Tiara, Roxxxy Andrews, Shannel, and Vanessa Vanjie show what it takes to be an all-star. Tons of charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent will obviously be on display – plus lip syncing galore and outfits to die for. Truly the makings of an outrageous evening.
- The Orpheum Theatre
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Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Singers Adrina McCreary, Kathy Sledge, and Kristen Gabrielle of Sister Sledge perform onstage.
(
Dimitrios Kambouris
/
Getty Images
)
Everyone is family at a Sister Sledge concert! R&B, soul, and disco hit the Music Center Plaza with a chance to dance, picnic, and celebrate the end of summer with music legends Sister Sledge.
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Outdoor Pick
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Friday, August 16, 2024 at 8:00 AM
AVP Manhattan Beach Open
Cost: Free ; MORE INFO
An aerial view of men's action during final games at the Charlie Saikley 6-Man Beach Volleyball Tournament.
(
Jay L. Clendenin
/
Getty Images
)
Missing Olympic beach volleyball already? The AVP Manhattan Beach Open has you covered. Slather on your sunblock and watch the top men’s and women’s players compete on the sand. Friday and Saturday are the main draw competitions; Sunday is the semifinals and finals.
Viewing Pick
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Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 8:00 PM
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Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
)
Disney’s Wish is the outdoor movie at Warner Park’s free movie night. Fun for kids of all ages, the 2023 flick features Ariana DeBose (West Side Story) voicing Asha, a teenager on a quest to save her kingdom using the magic of stars.
Dine & Drink Deals
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Saturday, August 17, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Watts Culture Fest
- Watts Labor Community Action Committee campus
10950 S. Central Ave. , Watts
Cost: Free ; more info
(
Courtesy Watts Labor Community Action Committee
)
Take the opportunity to explore the food and small businesses of Watts at the monthly Watts Culture Fest, happening at the Watts Labor Community Action Committee campus. The seven-acre space is home to visual and media arts studios to explore and the event hosts food vendors like Tortacos, Watts Waffles, Magnolia Street Kitchen, and more.
- Watts Labor Community Action Committee campus
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Saturday, August 17, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
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Kelsey Knight
/
Unsplash
)
You don’t have to drive to wine country to have a wine country experience. L.A.’s own San Antonio Winery is hosting a food, wine, and music pairing dinner with fourth generation family winemaker Dante Riboli-Colombatti. The menu features summer strawberry salad, and lobster ravioli; jazz, rock, r&b, and more are on the playlist.
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Sunday, August 18, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Ice Cream Dreams Paint & Scoop
- Grand Central Market
317 S Broadway, Downtown L.A.
Cost: 49.87 ; more info
(
Courtesy Painting & Vino
)
If you’ve been inspired by the cake paintings of Wayne Thiebaud or just dream of having a sundae on your kitchen wall, make a beeline for the Paint & Scoop event at Grand Central Market. You’ll be led by an art instructor to create your own ice cream-inspired masterpiece while enjoying McConnell’s ice cream. Just be careful not to drip on your art!
- Grand Central Market
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Saturday, August 17, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 11:59 PM
A beer sampler.
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Meritt Thomas
/
Unsplash
)
To celebrate nine years of 8one8 Brewing in Canoga Park, the brewery is hosting a free party with food from Osborne Pizza Kitchen, a cornhole tournament, live music, and, of course, tastes of a special beer release.
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August 16, 2024 through August 18, 2024
818 Day Topanga Social
- Westfield Topanga
6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills
Cost: Free ; more info
(
Westfield Topanga
)
Keep celebrating in the Valley with 818 Day festivities and deals at Topanga Social at Westfield Topanga. The food hall will feature games and specials all weekend long to celebrate the area code (get it?) and the people of the San Fernando Valley.
- Westfield Topanga
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