August 2024 events calendar for Los Angeles

The GRAMMY Museum celebrates hip-hop’s 50th anniversary with interactive DJing, rapping and sampling stations and instantly recognizable artifacts like LL Cool J’s red Kangol bucket hat and the Notorious B.I.G.’s red leather pea coat.

See how the Hairspray and Pink Flamingos writer and director’s delightfully filthy style has redefined the possibilities of independent cinema—as well as what exactly goes into making an indie movie—during this career-spanning exhibition at the Academy Museum. “John Waters: The Pope of Trash” includes costumes, props, photos, handwritten scripts, correspondence and memos, scrapbooks and more. Highlights include an original Pink Flamingos script and Debbie Harry’s exploding wig and Ricki Lake’s roach dress from Hairspray. Look out for related screenings as well as an adjoining installation on the American avant-garde and New Queer Cinema.

Radio-friendly, sort-of-hard, sort-of-soft, sometimes-Christan rock is back with a vengeance. Creed is embarking on a reunion tour, and here in SoCal we’ve been blessed(?) with the Creed-iest date of them all: a mini festival at San Bernardino’s Glen Helen Amphitheater that also features 3 Doors Down, Daughtry, Finger Eleven, Fuel, Vertical Horizon and the Verve Pipe.

Whenever, wherever—we’re meant to be with Shakira! Explore the history behind the global and social superstar in her new immersive exhibit, Shakira, Shakira, currently open at the Grammy Museum. Step into this enchanting space celebrating 33 years of Shakira’s career with never-before-seen outfits, exclusive interviews and videos, TikTok activations, an exclusive Instagram Gold Room and more. Head to the link below to purchase tickets and explore the other exhibits within the museum. 

I’m broke but I’m happy because Alanis Morissette is playing the Forum (and, let’s face it, we’ll be even more broke once we shell out for tickets). The singer-songwriter who we’ve all attempted to emulate during drunken karaoke is hitting the road, and she’ll be playing all the hits (and probably even more classic songs than you remember). Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and Morgan Wade open the August 10 show at the Forum. And I’m here to remind you that tickets go on sale Friday, November 17 at 10am, with presales starting as early Tuesday, November 14.

Dave Grohl and co. play a pair of dates at the Banc of California Stadium. The show follows last year’s L.A. tribute to the band’s late drummer, Taylor Hawkins, and includes a not-quite-as-but-still-impressive slate of support acts: the Hives, Amyl and The Sniffers, Pretenders and Alex G.

Every two years, Disnerds come together at the Anaheim Convention Center to celebrate all things Disney and see what sort of magic the company has been working on. Show floor highlights include a peek inside the Disney Archives and the latest ride designs and inventions from Walt Disney Imagineering. If you’re not afraid to stand in line, the weekend’s keynotes include the Legends induction ceremony and a look at upcoming releases from Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and both animated and live action Disney movies, as well as the latest from the Disney theme parks.

A little bit piano ballad a little bit pop-punk, the “driver’s license” singer hits the road in support of GUTS, the follow-up to her smash album SOUR, with a few nights at the Forum.