April 2019 events calendar for Los Angeles
T.S. Eliot may have believed April is the cruelest month, but Angelenos have plenty of reasons to sing its praises: Concerts and festivals in L.A. kick into high gear this month as the weather warms up. A beer fest at L.A. Center Studios, cycling the city streets and our favorite music festival in the desert all have a place in our April events calendar, much-needed rain showers be damned.
RECOMMENDED: Full events calendar for 2019
Vince Staples
A clear-eyed West Coast MC, Staples eschews the glitz of mainstream hip-hop for biting critiques of life, backed by sinister beats from the likes of Kanye West, mentor No ID and electro crooner James Blake.
First Fridays at the Natural History Museum
If you’re sick of First Fridays only offering a high density of food trucks and lines at your favorite dive bars, check out something new—err, old rather—at the Natural History Museum, where First Fridays offer dinosaurs and DJs.
NightGarden
Stroll Descanso Gardens’ grounds as the sun starts to set during this inaugural after-hours series of workshops and performances. This month’s theme: spring blooms (floral attire encouraged).
Renaissance Pleasure Faire
The hour stands before another springtime, and the Renaissance Pleasure Faire is nigh. Good mistresses and masters, prepareth thy schedules and costumes for the return of the oldest Ren Faire in the country.
José González
The soulful, sensitive Swedish strummer returns with the Göteborg String Theory chamber orchestra in tow.
Young Literati’s Annual Toast
Listen to star-studded readings, comedy and music performances during this Library Foundation fundraiser.
Masters of Taste
Luxury food fest Masters of Taste is back for another year at the Rose Bowl with some of L.A.’s finest bars, restaurants and dessert shops.
“People”
Journey into the uncanny valley to see more than 50 contemporary, figurative sculptures constructed via a variety of means, like body casts and found objects.
Dave Barry
The prolific humorist shares lessons from aging alongside his dog, Lucy.
Earth Day LA
Celebrate Earth Day at Grand Park, the Music Center and DWP with green living demos and activities. If you live within the city of L.A., free trees will be available on a first come, first served basis.
Vince Staples
A clear-eyed West Coast MC, Staples eschews the glitz of mainstream hip-hop for biting critiques of life as a not-quite-famous rapper, backed by sinister beats from the likes of Kanye West, mentor No ID and electro crooner James Blake.
Malibu Wines & Beer Gardens Food Truck Extravaganza
Sure, the beaches are a real draw in Malibu, but have you considered the wine? West Hills’ Malibu Wines & Beer Gardens—the sibling concept to the ever-popular Malibu Wines tasting room—is throwing a food-truck party, which seems like the perfect opportunity to grab a glass of Malibu’s finest. Sip on Semler and Saddlerock label wines and more, and if you’re into craft beer, there’s also a California-focused beer list. Feeling peckish? The food roster includes Two Doughs Pizza Co., Cousins Maine Lobster, Artie’s Chokes, the Grilled Cheese Truck and, to finish on a sweet note, Blast Ice Cream. The beaches are crowded, anyway.
Fava's Prubechu Pairing Dinner
Jesse Friedman's dinner series is back, and this time, Fava and the former brewmaster are lining up a Guam-inspired dinner full of beer and wine pairings. Cooking the six-course meal is Shawn Naputi os San Francisco's Prubechu, bringing coconut, crudos and Motsiyas chicken sausage to L.A. for one night only.
“Annie Leibovitz: The Early Years, 1970-1983”
When you set foot inside Hauser & Wirth’s north gallery, you’re greeted with a wall-filling timeline of the 1970s that’s comically meticulous in its detail. But once you round the corner of the wall, it’s clear why: Annie Leibovitz was there for seemingly all of it. The artist dug through her archives to handpick this early-career collection of works that meant the most to her, arranged chronologically and thematically in the Arts District gallery. “I lived with my camera, I never went home,” said Leibovitz during an exhibition walkthrough, and the photos prove it. Her Rolling Stone cover photos from the ’70s are indelible parts of pop culture history, and those instantly recognizable shots are certainly on display (think David Cassidy nude, a fiery Patti Smith, and a naked John Lennon embracing Yoko Ono shot hours before he was murdered). But the most remarkable parts of this early-career retrospective are the moments in between, all captured with fly-on-the-wall candor (“No one paid me any bit of attention because I was a woman,” she says). Candid shots of Jerry Garcia and Dennis Hopper occupy the same space as behind-the-scenes photos of an always-smoking Hunter S. Thompson, with whom Leibovitz worked extensively. There’s Richard Nixon’s fall, Jerry Brown’s rise and the surge of cults. And then there’s her documentation of a 1975 Rolling Stones tour, with no drug-addled details spared. (“It took me a while to get off the tour,” remarked Leibovitz about the experience).
The Great Los Angeles River CleanUp
Sure, it doesn’t look so glamorous now, but give it a few years, a billion or so dollars and some much-needed rain, and the L.A. River will be a point of civic pride for Angelenos. Do you part in the process this April during the Friend’s of the Los Angeles River’s annual cleanup. Rather than focusing on one spot, the cleanup tackles a different branch each Saturday, with multiple meet-up locations at each. The annual “work party” will include live music performances, gift giveaways, family activities and refreshments.
Saddlerock Gardens Organic Farm Dinners
Find a farm-to-table experience right on the farm itself during Saddlerock Gardens’ outdoor dinner series. The monthly supper is back, and each edition of the event kicks off with a walking tour of the garden and grounds, where you can see the produce you’ll soon be enjoying in salads, grilled entrées and fresh-from-the-trees desserts. Take a seat at one of the rustic wood tables, then take in the scenery as you sip local wines made nearby. This season’s run, expect multicourse meals from resident chef Alina Hardin, with wine pairings and some of Malibu’s most stunning scenery. These afternoon-to-evening soirées usually run about five hours long—but in a setting like this, who’s keeping track of time?
Rose Bowl Flea Market
Perhaps the Los Angeles area’s most iconic flea market, this event around the exterior of the Rose Bowl is staggeringly colossal—but what else would you expect from a 90,000-seat stadium? The sheer size and scale of this flea market means that it encompasses multitudes: new and old, hand-crafted and salvaged, the cheap and the costly. On the second Sunday of each month, an odd mix of vendors populates the loop around the stadium: for every eye-catching artwork, there's a ratty $5 T-shirt, and for each elegant craft there's a competing "as seen on TV" demo. But you may have more luck in the rows and rows of old furniture, albums and vintage clothes and accessories that fill the adjacent parking lot. There are plenty of duds, to be sure, but come out early enough and you may go home with that perfect purchase. This destination flea market attracts bargain hunters, collectors, and antique aficionados from all over the county, so the organizers have instituted an extensive tiered entry/admission system, allowing professional and dedicated shoppers early access at a premium.
Fava's WesBurger Pop-Up
San Francisco's gloopy, piled-high, dripping-with-cheese WesBurgers are heading to L.A. for a special pop-up thanks to Jesse Friedman's dinner series, Fava. Head to Friends & Family on April 13 to snag à la carte burgers—such as the Hot Wes, topped with onion rings, queso and pickled jalapeños—plus tater tots, Fava-selected beer pairings and more.
For the Record: The Brat Pack at Break Room 86
Theatrical production company For the Record is back, and this time, it's bringing its soundtrack-inspired live show to Break Room 86—and it's bringing you back to the '80s (no hot tub time machine required). "The Brat Pack" show zaps you back to the era of acid-washed jeans with renditions of hit songs from cult-classic soundtracks like Sixteen Candles, Fast Times At Ridgemont High and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, all interspliced with moments and tropes from these and other '80s films. Each ticket includes entry to the 90-minute show, plus an '80s-themed pre-party and, of course, Break Room 86's own after-party. A handful of "hall pass" tickets are available for each performance, meaning you can snag a standing-room spot for $19.86—otherwise, GA seating will run you $86. Note that there's a two-drink minimum, but the already '80s-themed Break Room 86 is going all-out with a special menu for the show that includes concoctions like the Pretty in Pink Grapefruit (vodka, pink grapefruit, apricot and Peychaud’s bitters) and the Banana in the Tailpipe (scotch whiskey, solera rum, banana passion fruit and chocolate bitters). Doors open at 6:30pm, and the show starts at 7:30pm—be there or be square.
Young Literati’s Annual Toast
Listen to star-studded readings, comedy and music performances during this Library Foundation fundraiser. The exclusive event will explore the city’s literary roots and its cultural impact with readings from the L.A. Public Library. The night promises to be fun time too, with cocktails and appetizers along with a VIP after-party. Tickets are not cheap, but all proceeds going to the Los Angeles Public Library. Lovers of the written word: splurge to keep prose alive.
Vince Staples
A clear-eyed West Coast MC, Staples eschews the glitz of mainstream hip-hop for biting critiques of life as a not-quite-famous rapper, backed by sinister beats from the likes of Kanye West, mentor No ID and electro crooner James Blake.
The Great Los Angeles River CleanUp
Sure, it doesn’t look so glamorous now, but give it a few years, a billion or so dollars and some much-needed rain, and the L.A. River will be a point of civic pride for Angelenos. Do you part in the process this April during the Friend’s of the Los Angeles River’s annual cleanup. Rather than focusing on one spot, the cleanup tackles a different branch each Saturday, with multiple meet-up locations at each. The annual “work party” will include live music performances, gift giveaways, family activities and refreshments.
For the Record: The Brat Pack at Break Room 86
Theatrical production company For the Record is back, and this time, it's bringing its soundtrack-inspired live show to Break Room 86—and it's bringing you back to the '80s (no hot tub time machine required). "The Brat Pack" show zaps you back to the era of acid-washed jeans with renditions of hit songs from cult-classic soundtracks like Sixteen Candles, Fast Times At Ridgemont High and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, all interspliced with moments and tropes from these and other '80s films. Each ticket includes entry to the 90-minute show, plus an '80s-themed pre-party and, of course, Break Room 86's own after-party. A handful of "hall pass" tickets are available for each performance, meaning you can snag a standing-room spot for $19.86—otherwise, GA seating will run you $86. Note that there's a two-drink minimum, but the already '80s-themed Break Room 86 is going all-out with a special menu for the show that includes concoctions like the Pretty in Pink Grapefruit (vodka, pink grapefruit, apricot and Peychaud’s bitters) and the Banana in the Tailpipe (scotch whiskey, solera rum, banana passion fruit and chocolate bitters). Doors open at 6:30pm, and the show starts at 7:30pm—be there or be square.
Young Literati’s Annual Toast
Listen to star-studded readings, comedy and music performances during this Library Foundation fundraiser. The exclusive event will explore the city’s literary roots and its cultural impact with readings from the L.A. Public Library. The night promises to be fun time too, with cocktails and appetizers along with a VIP after-party. Tickets are not cheap, but all proceeds going to the Los Angeles Public Library. Lovers of the written word: splurge to keep prose alive.
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
Bibliophiles flock to the USC campus each spring for this annual two-day event. The outdoor book fair of sorts features stalls from a variety of booksellers as well as author readings, signings and culinary demos. The sheer variety and quality of talent the festival attracts is impressive and legendary, with past appearances by anyone from Dave Eggers and Batman comic book writers to Margaret Atwood and the late Ray Bradbury. Bring the kids and spend the weekend discovering new titles, watching screenings and enjoying live music and cultural entertainment. Tickets to conversations are free, with advance tickets available beginning April 7, with a $2.50 service fee; a limited number of speaker-series events are also ticketed, ranging in price (and often starting as low as $10). You can reserve tickets to 20 conversations before they go on sale with a festival pass for $40.
Masters of Taste
Luxury food fest Masters of Taste is back for another year at the Rose Bowl with some of L.A.'s finest bars, restaurants and dessert shops. Participants include Salazar, Faith & Flower, Momed, Lunasia Dim Sum House, Ramen Tatsunoya, Wax Paper, the Raymond 1886 and more, with sweets from Porto’s and Lady M, among others.
NightGarden
Stroll Descanso Gardens’ grounds as the sun starts to set during this inaugural after-hours series of workshops and performances. NightGarden kicks off in February with storytelling, shadow puppets and stargazing. As it starts to stay lighter later, the programming shifts with plant-related activities in March, spring blooms in April (floral attire encouraged) and a spin on a science class in May.
Picture This!
Animation meets live comedy at this stand-up series from Brandie Posey and Sam Varela. Comedians perform on-stage as local artists sketch them—and cross their fingers for a smooth reveal of the drawing. Of course, since this is L.A., you can expect top-notch talent among both the comedians and animators.
Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen
Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler host their variety show, Hot Tub, every Monday night at the Virgil. Expect a fresh, oddball lineup each week of stand-up comics, sketch performances and new music.
Bikini Kill
Most recollections of Bikini Kill—we suppose this one included—start with the trio’s legacy: their pioneering place among riot grrrl acts and the streak of fiery feminism they’ve inspired in music to this day. But the songs also stand alone; only a few seconds of female bonding anthem “Rebel Girl” is enough to convince you that Bikini Kill was onto something special. Bikini Kill will reunite for a select series of shows in New York and L.A. Frontwoman Kathleen Hanna, drummer Tobi Vail and bassist Kathi Wilcox (plus guitarist Erica Dawn Lyle) will play the Hollywood Palladium in April and early May. Outside of a small 2017 show, this’ll mark the band’s first major live shows together in two decades. Tickets for the final L.A. date go on sale Friday, January 25 at noon.
“Annie Leibovitz: The Early Years, 1970-1983”
When you set foot inside Hauser & Wirth’s north gallery, you’re greeted with a wall-filling timeline of the 1970s that’s comically meticulous in its detail. But once you round the corner of the wall, it’s clear why: Annie Leibovitz was there for seemingly all of it. The artist dug through her archives to handpick this early-career collection of works that meant the most to her, arranged chronologically and thematically in the Arts District gallery. “I lived with my camera, I never went home,” said Leibovitz during an exhibition walkthrough, and the photos prove it. Her Rolling Stone cover photos from the ’70s are indelible parts of pop culture history, and those instantly recognizable shots are certainly on display (think David Cassidy nude, a fiery Patti Smith, and a naked John Lennon embracing Yoko Ono shot hours before he was murdered). But the most remarkable parts of this early-career retrospective are the moments in between, all captured with fly-on-the-wall candor (“No one paid me any bit of attention because I was a woman,” she says). Candid shots of Jerry Garcia and Dennis Hopper occupy the same space as behind-the-scenes photos of an always-smoking Hunter S. Thompson, with whom Leibovitz worked extensively. There’s Richard Nixon’s fall, Jerry Brown’s rise and the surge of cults. And then there’s her documentation of a 1975 Rolling Stones tour, with no drug-addled details spared. (“It took me a while to get off the tour,” remarked Leibovitz about the experience).
The Great Los Angeles River CleanUp
Sure, it doesn’t look so glamorous now, but give it a few years, a billion or so dollars and some much-needed rain, and the L.A. River will be a point of civic pride for Angelenos. Do you part in the process this April during the Friend’s of the Los Angeles River’s annual cleanup. Rather than focusing on one spot, the cleanup tackles a different branch each Saturday, with multiple meet-up locations at each. The annual “work party” will include live music performances, gift giveaways, family activities and refreshments.
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
Bibliophiles flock to the USC campus each spring for this annual two-day event. The outdoor book fair of sorts features stalls from a variety of booksellers as well as author readings, signings and culinary demos. The sheer variety and quality of talent the festival attracts is impressive and legendary, with past appearances by anyone from Dave Eggers and Batman comic book writers to Margaret Atwood and the late Ray Bradbury. Bring the kids and spend the weekend discovering new titles, watching screenings and enjoying live music and cultural entertainment. Tickets to conversations are free, with advance tickets available beginning April 7, with a $2.50 service fee; a limited number of speaker-series events are also ticketed, ranging in price (and often starting as low as $10). You can reserve tickets to 20 conversations before they go on sale with a festival pass for $40.
LA Art Book Fair
Printed Matter presents LA Art Book Fair, a unique (and free!) event showcasing artists’ books, catalogues, monographs, periodicals and zines. Over 250 international presses, booksellers and independent publishers from twenty-one countries come together to hawk their wordy wares at this not-to-be-missed companion fair to New York’s Art Book Fair. Peruse naughty pulp paperbacks, catalogues full of fancy modern art, and books that you don’t really “read” so much as just admire.
An Encounter with Lux Prima
Listen to Karen O and Danger Mouse’s forthcoming collaborative album, Lux Prima, with accompanying visuals during this communal, multisensory experience at the Marciano. Free tickets are available on March 1.
Artists & Fleas Venice
The newest flea market on the block, the Venice outpost of this artisan/craft-focused flea market mini-empire is bringing records, vintage and vintage-inspired clothing, cosmetics, jewelry and more to the Westminster Avenue Elementary School. A handful of small batch confectioners provide sweet treats to snack on or take home, while food trucks and nearby restaurants provide heartier bites. Though relatively small in size, owing perhaps to its prime location bookending the neighborhood’s famed Abbot Kinney stretch, vendors hawk a diverse range of hand-made and expertly curated wares that seems to simultaneously fit in and stand out in one of the nation’s most unusual neighborhoods.
Picture This!
Animation meets live comedy at this stand-up series from Brandie Posey and Sam Varela. Comedians perform on-stage as local artists sketch them—and cross their fingers for a smooth reveal of the drawing. Of course, since this is L.A., you can expect top-notch talent among both the comedians and animators.
Earth Day LA
Celebrate Earth Day at Grand Park, the Music Center and DWP with green living demos and activities. Tour Grand Park’s sustainable landscaping, demo electric vehicles, drop off e-waste and join a yoga boot camp. If you live within the city of L.A., free trees will be available on a first come, first served basis.
“Piero Manzoni. Materials of His Time”
The exhibition focuses on the Italian avant-garde artist and early Conceptualist’s radical use of unconventional materials (including cotton balls, fur, straw and stones).
“People”
Journey into the uncanny valley to see more than 50 contemporary, figurative sculptures constructed via a variety of means, like body casts and found objects.
TCM Classic Film Festival
This must-visit for classic film buffs showcases four days of beloved movies—from the iconic to forgotten gems—courtesy of Turner Classic Movies. See these time-honored favorites on the big screen, the way they were meant to be seen, during this year’s festival, themed “Follow Your Heart: Love at the Movies.” Find a robust lineup of films—including When Harry Met Sally, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Steel Magnolias—and corresponding discussions, spread throughout Hollywood’s famous movie houses. Be on the lookout for celebrity guests, as well. Fesitval passholders gain exclusive access to Club TCM, a private meet-up space located at the site of the very first Academy Awards banquet in the Roosevelt Hotel.
Rooftop Cinema Club
The masters of alfresco rooftop movie viewing have returned for another season of screenings in Hollywood and Downtown L.A. Known for excellent film choices and a steady supply of snacks and booze, Rooftop Cinema Club is your snazzy, comfortable and less stressful alternative to other outdoor movie screenings. You don’t even need to bring your own blanket or camping chair—Rooftop Cinema Club provides you with your very own comfy lawn chair, as well as blankets on request for the ultimate cozy experience. And instead of listening to the movie over loudspeakers, you’ll get a set of wireless headphones so you never have to miss a word.
