September 2020 events calendar for Los Angeles

Outdoor movie season isn’t canceled—it’s just headed to the drive-in. Seasonal fave Street Food Cinema is making some social-distancing–friendly tweaks to its schedule this summer and parking itself at a few locations for drive-in movie screenings. The series—which includes flicks like 500 Days of Summer, The Sandlot and The Princess Bride—will host free screenings at Ontario International Airport’s Lot 5, as well as paid ones ($20 per car plus $8 per person) at the Brandeis-Bardin Campus in Simi Valley, Oak Canyon Park in Orange County and King Gillette Ranch in Malibu (they’re also overseeing Level 8 Drive-In atop the Americana). And yes, the usual rotation of food trucks will thankfully still be showing up to screenings. There are some important rules you’ll need to follow: Guests must remain in their vehicles (except for when going to the restrooms or food trucks) and wear masks when interacting with staff. Cars must park one space apart from each other. And though outside food and beverages are permitted, dogs are not.

Even before the resurgence of drive-ins, this summertime tradition has been bringing screenings from the comfort of your car to the Valley for the past few years. Typically held at Lake Balboa, this year’s iteration—with includes The Sandlot, Grease, Jurassic Park and La Bamba—is making the jump to Sherman Oaks’ Westfield Fashion Square Mall. As a result, you’ll be able to order takeout options from the mall’s food court to eat in your car as you watch each flick on a 60-foot screen. My Valley Pass, the area visitors’ guide that runs the event, will also be donating funds to a pair of totally retro-inspired spots: the Valley Relics Museum and Neon Retro Arcade, both of which have been temporarily closed for months now. And if you’re really planning ahead, look out for a series of double features for Halloween, including Edward Scissorhands, Labyrinth, Casper, Scream and more.

Each summer, Bard fanatics watch their favorite works come to life at the historic Old Zoo in Griffith Park. But this year, Independent Shakespeare Co. is hosting a virtual “living room edition” of its seasonal tradition. The theater festival kicks off in August with weekly behind-the-scenes streams, followed by four nights of Romeo & Juliet in early September. ISC describes the performances as a hybrid stage production from its studio in Atwater Village that uses film, animation and social media.

The Music Center offers a free, joyous mash-up of music and dancing all summer long—though this year it’s being held online—with different themes (K-pop, line dancing, cumbia, etc.) and free dance lessons. Head to the Music Center’s YouTube channel every Friday night at 7pm and join in the Digital Dance DTLA fun—no dance experience required.

KCRW’s much-loved Summer Nights concert series hasn’t been able to make an appearance this season, but it’s getting a much more social distancing friendly makeover. Summer Club will assemble a different stream each week, including a trivia night, a virtual potluck and a behind-the-scenes tour of Lucha VaVoom. Events are free for KCRW members and open to non-members with a donation as low as a dollar.

It might be awhile before we’re all in concert halls again, but that’s not the case for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Members of the chamber music ensemble as well as some special guests will assemble for five concerts at Colburn School’s Zipper Hall—sans audience—that will be recorded and streamed for free.

See colorful abstract paintings from the pioneering New York School artist, with a specific focus on his works from 1960 to 1980. You’ll need a free, timed reservation to visit the gallery.

We consider this crowd-pleasing (and Ellen dance inspiring) ensemble the de facto Hall & Oates revival group with their finger-snapping pop-soul tunes. See them during this drive-in show in Anaheim.