Friday
Spend Friday night at the movies with a choice between two double features. The Egyptian Theatre is screening both Alien and Aliens tonight—that's over four hours of chest-bursting, flamethrowing sci-fi magic. Meanwhile, the New Beverly is showing the first two Scream movies, the only two worth watching in the '90s slasher series.
If all that sounds a bit too brutal, spend your night instead at the opening of the Los Angeles Modernism Show & Sale in Culver City. Skip the fancy gala and splurge on the after hours party, stocked with an open bar, DJ sets and desserts. If you're just interested scoping out the mid-century furniture and fine arts, come back on Saturday or Sunday for the public show.
Saturday
Raise a few glasses on Saturday to a good cause at the Hops & Hopes Craft Beer Fest. Head to the Coliseum to sample pours from Eagle Rock Brewing, Ladyface Ale and more at this beer-filled fundraiser for Beer Autism Hope.
Just up the 110—or the Expo Line, just saying—the Reef is hosting Artisanal LA, an eco-friendly foodie fest. Sip coffee from Copa Vida while learning how to make your own bitters or about raising backyard chickens.
If you're up for a drive to Arcadia, head to Santa Anita for an afternoon of dachshund racing. Watch a bunch of wiener dogs bound around the infield during this free, food truck-filled fan fest. And don't worry: These little guys are all voluntarily racing on behalf of their human parents.
Apparate over to Glendale's Moonlight Rollerway for the fourth annual Harry Potter Roller Skating Night. Lace up your Muggle skates, roll around the not-Quidditch pitch and down some (non-alcoholic) butterbeer at this public meet-up from fan group Dumbledore's Army.
Sunday
LACMA's turning the tables on Sunday and giving all of us something for its 50th birthday: free admission. Head to the 50th Anniversary Free Community Day at LACMA for campus-wide activities and free admission to all exhibits, including its brand new birthday show, 50 for 50.
Just across the street, dig through an eclectic treasure trove of textiles, jewelry, clothing at the Craft & Folk Art Museum's Annual Vintage Marketplace.
You may have noticed Silver Lake's creepy, derelict Sunset Pacific Motel (a.k.a. Bates Motel) completely covered in white paint recently. The limewash makeover is part of French artist Vincent Lamouroux's latest art installation, Projection. You'll be able to see the project for the next two weeks, but this afternoon's walkthrough marks the official opening.
Wrap up your art-filled Sunday at the Brewery ArtWalk. Peruse the PBR space turned artist lofts as over 100 of its residents show off their latest works. If you get hungry, stop in to the on-site restaurant, Barbara's Brewery, where you're more likely to find local craft brews than PBRs these days.
Find more things to do this weekend by clicking each day or by heading over to our weekend calendar.