The best things to do in Los Angeles this week

Indulge your inner foodie and shopaholic at this weekly food-focused market. The Brooklyn export has landed in the Arts District and become a hotbed of fantastic food and retail vendors, with some that are testing out their dishes before launching a full-blown brick-and-mortar in the city. Bonus: there is plentiful (and free, for two hours!) parking in the nearby parking garage. 

Every year, the non-profit arts organization Film Independent showcases some of the best up-and-coming filmmakers from around the globe at the annual L.A. Film Festival. If you’re trying to break into Hollywood, it’s an opportunity to take advantage of filmmaker-focused classes and coffee talks, but for the rest of us, the L.A. Film Fest means lots and lots of movie screenings.

Looking for a go-to Wine Wednesday option? Downtown's Everson Royce Bar offers a killer deal every Wednesday off the week: $25 for a flight of three wines and one of chef Matt Molina's culinary creations. Each week brings something new so you'll never get bored—though, let's face it, you'll probably get drunk. Cheers!

Dine out without digging too deep into your wallet at Little Dom's Monday night supper, where a three-course meal goes for an affordable $18. Each week the menu changes—some weeks it might feature pasta, others it could highlight roast chicken—but the lineup always includes an appetizer, entrée and dessert. Drinks are discounted, too: snag a bottle of red or white for $18, or a Pabst Blue Ribbon for $3. Check Little Dom's website for the most updated Monday night menu.

Every Saturday and Sunday, the UCB franchise's longest-running, most beloved showcase starts when a base cast of the theater's current top-brass—including founding UCB members Matt Walsh, Matt Besser and Ian Roberts—takes the stage. Then they introduce the surprise celebrity alumnae and friends who will be joining them (think Horatio Sanz, Ben Schwartz, Adam Pally). And finally, another special guest takes the stage, a non-improviser (think Flea, Cat Power, Rebel Wilson, Lena Dunham) who opens the show with a personal story, that's deftly mined for laughs by the players. But you have to go to find out who's there—that's part of the fun. Looking for a cheap night out? Sunday shows are free, but seating is first-come, first-served, so be sure to arrive early.

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.

Dive right into your favorite movies—and the pool—with the NoMad Hotel's new rooftop series. The stellar DTLA rooftop is opening its swimming hole (OK, it's more like the pool at an Italian villa)—normally reserved for guests—and now you . can enjoy it every other Tuesday, when you can swim, catch a movie screening and order from a poolside menu. The best part? Admission costs only $1. The series kicks off August 28 with a showing of The Beach; on September 11, catch Splash, then on September 25 it's Jaws. In October, stop by for Point Break to close out the season.

Start teaching your pooch how to carve waves because Huntington Beach’s annual surf dog competition is right around the corner. The event kicks off with a pooch party and four-legged fashion show on Friday, followed by the competition itself on Saturday and a post-competition surf ride and meet-up on Sunday. It's one of those have-to-see-it-to-believe-it events that you simply can't miss.

To kick off its 100th season, the LA Phil joins forces with CicLAvia for a car-free, music-filled fest that stretches from Downtown’s Walt Disney Concert Hall to the orchestra’s summer home at the Hollywood Bowl. Bike, skate or walk between Downtown L.A. and Hollywood as more than 1,800 musicians, artists and dancers will perform at six pedestrian hubs across the eight-mile route. The afternoon culminates in a show at the Hollywood Bowl, where Gustavo Dudamel will lead the Los Angeles Philharmonic with performances from Herbie Hancock, Kali Uchis, Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) and more. Free tickets to the show will be available via a lottery beginning August 20. “We wanted to thank the communities that make up our beloved home and bring the music of the LA Phil out of the concert hall for everyone to enjoy,” says Summer Bjork, the LA Phil’s centennial director. Pedestrian hubs in MacArthur Park (Park View St between Wilshire Blvd and 6th St, inside the park), Koreatown (Liberty Park at Wilshire Blvd between Serrano Ave and Oxford Ave), Melrose (Melrose Ave at N Windsor Blvd) and Hollywood (Vine St between Hollywood Blvd and Yucca St) will remain car-free from 9am to 4pm. A shuttle-serviced hub at the Hollywood Bowl (on the Kagan Patio) will wind down at 2pm to prepare for the evening’s concert. If you’re shut out of that free ticketed event, the Grand Ave Hub (Grand Ave between 1st and 3rd street, outside of the Concert Hall) will keep going until 8:30pm.

See this eccentric British bandleader belt out her now-famous tunes like a true superstar at the Hollywood Bowl (because a venue with no walls seems apropos for a voice like hers). Local saxophone wizard Kamasi Washington opens.

The masters of alfresco rooftop movie viewing have returned for their fourth season of screenings in Hollywood—and its second in 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. Taking full advantage of beautiful city views, RCC promises to offer some of the most unique and incredible movie-going opportunities for film lovers throughout 2018. 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. [Full disclosure: Time Out is the exclusive ticketing partner for Rooftop Cinema Club.]  

For dinner and a movie, all in one, just follow the food trucks. During the summer and fall, Street Food Cinema throws together a series of mostly outdoor parties that include screenings of some of our favorite movies, paired with an assortment of gourmet food trucks and even a live music performance from a cool local band. The screenings are held in venues across L.A., and  alternate from week to week, so make sure to check the schedule. Some of the outdoor venues are dog-friendly, allowing you to bring your four-legged cinema lover along. New this year are two overnight camping events that extend the movie screening into a fun summer camp experience for grown-ups. 

The third iteration of Ohana Festival once again lands at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, with sets from Eric Church, Norah Jones, Eddie Vedder, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Liz Phair, Johnny Marr, Mumford & Sons and Beck. The fest’s name, as Lilo & Stitch fans can tell you, comes from the Hawaiian concept of family, and as such the beachfront festival will give back to its own community by donating a portion of proceeds to the San Onofre Parks Foundation.

Far from those kid-friendly rides through a pumpkin patch, this hayride unleashes all sorts of demons, and bogeys on Griffith Park. It's an actual hayride—a long one—paired with a "scary-go-round" for wee ones (and 'fraidy cats), a number of scare zones and a pitch black maze filled with "demons and maniacs," and probably lots of frisky teenagers. This year, the attraction celebrates its 10th anniversary, so be prepared for an even more epic night that will haunt your nightmares to come. RECOMMENDED: Behind the scares at the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride

Every year, the non-profit arts organization Film Independent showcases some of the best up-and-coming filmmakers from around the globe at the annual L.A. Film Festival. If you’re trying to break into Hollywood, it’s an opportunity to take advantage of filmmaker-focused classes and coffee talks, but for the rest of us, the L.A. Film Fest means lots and lots of movie screenings.

Indulge your inner foodie and shopaholic at this weekly food-focused market. The Brooklyn export has landed in the Arts District and become a hotbed of fantastic food and retail vendors, with some that are testing out their dishes before launching a full-blown brick-and-mortar in the city. Bonus: there is plentiful (and free, for two hours!) parking in the nearby parking garage. 

Silver Lake's legit little music venue offers up some of the best local music in the city every Monday night... for free. Check out LA bands that are about to make it big (acts like Fitz & the Tantrums, Superhumanoids and even Local Natives have graced the residency stage) without spending a dime—well, except on maybe a beer, or a round for the folks onstage. Check the Satellite calendar to see who's on the bill each month. Acts often have a rotating cast of openers, so you can see different bands each week while watching the main act work on material, become more comfortable onstage and find their rhythm as the month goes on. Then a few years from now, you can say "I saw them when...."

Every Saturday and Sunday, the UCB franchise's longest-running, most beloved showcase starts when a base cast of the theater's current top-brass—including founding UCB members Matt Walsh, Matt Besser and Ian Roberts—takes the stage. Then they introduce the surprise celebrity alumnae and friends who will be joining them (think Horatio Sanz, Ben Schwartz, Adam Pally). And finally, another special guest takes the stage, a non-improviser (think Flea, Cat Power, Rebel Wilson, Lena Dunham) who opens the show with a personal story, that's deftly mined for laughs by the players. But you have to go to find out who's there—that's part of the fun. Looking for a cheap night out? Sunday shows are free, but seating is first-come, first-served, so be sure to arrive early.

It's free music every Monday when sponsored, up-and-coming local bands call the Echo stage home for a one-month stint, honing their stage presence and giving various opening acts a chance at the spotlight as well. If you're worried a Monday night will fill up to capacity, you can RSVP on the Echo website for VIP entry. When a band is on its third or fourth Monday and killing it, this is a pretty convenient way to make sure you're in on the action.

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.

The third iteration of Ohana Festival once again lands at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, with sets from Eric Church, Norah Jones, Eddie Vedder, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Liz Phair, Johnny Marr, Mumford & Sons and Beck. The fest’s name, as Lilo & Stitch fans can tell you, comes from the Hawaiian concept of family, and as such the beachfront festival will give back to its own community by donating a portion of proceeds to the San Onofre Parks Foundation.

See this eccentric British bandleader belt out her now-famous tunes like a true superstar at the Hollywood Bowl (because a venue with no walls seems apropos for a voice like hers). Local saxophone wizard Kamasi Washington opens.

There was a time when Donald Glover was just a sitcom star who released clever, embarrassingly confessional rap tracks under a moniker devised by a Wu-Tang Clan name generator. These days, he’s the creator of genre-defying FX show Atlanta, a part of the Star Wars universe (as young Lando Calrissian) and the creative voice behind the striking music video for his latest track, “This is America.” On tour behind his not-yet-titled “final” album, Glover will be joined by Mississippi hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd and Long Beach rapper Vince Staples.

A giant of weird pop, alt rock and anti-folk since the early ’90s, L.A.’s own Beck Hansen headlines an evening at the Hollywood Bowl.

The waterfront festival returns with a tasting tent of dishes from West Coast port cities as well as sets from New Order, James Blake, Broken Social Scene, Santigold and more.

It was a dark and stormy night for three siblings—and for the audience members gathered around them. Written by Rattlestick Playwrights Theater’s Daniel Talbott, this piece is described as part ghost story, part memory play.

The Miss Universe pageant is on the minds of teen girls at Ghana’s most exclusive boarding school. What does beauty look like to teens halfway around the world? Rebecca Taichman directs Jocelyn Bioh’s play.

Layoffs, promotions and strikes threaten to tear apart fellow factory workers who have spent their workdays and free time together. Written by Lynn Nottage (Intimate Apparel). Lisa Peterson (Electricidad) directs.

When a woman loses her twin sister, a strange business puts her in touch with a dying man. Their story leads into the afterlife in this magical-realism world premiere by José Rivera, inspired by Dante’s Inferno. Jo Bonney directs.

A baker must create a cake for her daughter, who comes home to marry a woman. Will Mom rise to the occasion? Debra Jo Rupp (That ’70s Show) stars in this world premiere by writer Bekah Brunstetter (Switched at Birth). Head to the Echo Theater Company at Atwater Village Theatre to catch the must-see production this season, which runs through August 6. 

Every year, the non-profit arts organization Film Independent showcases some of the best up-and-coming filmmakers from around the globe at the annual L.A. Film Festival. If you’re trying to break into Hollywood, it’s an opportunity to take advantage of filmmaker-focused classes and coffee talks, but for the rest of us, the L.A. Film Fest means lots and lots of movie screenings.

The masters of alfresco rooftop movie viewing have returned for their fourth season of screenings in Hollywood—and its second in 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. Taking full advantage of beautiful city views, RCC promises to offer some of the most unique and incredible movie-going opportunities for film lovers throughout 2018. 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. [Full disclosure: Time Out is the exclusive ticketing partner for Rooftop Cinema Club.]  

What to call this fiercely original movie? A Facebook thriller? A Google noir? Uniquely, the missing-girl mystery at its heart plays out almost entirely on computer screens, using social media apps and chatrooms in the same way Raymond Chandler used dive bars and dark alleys. The footprints being followed here are the digital kind, and they’re all the scarier for that. You’ll walk away with a new awareness of just how exposed we are to malign forces online. If you’re a parent, it may feel like a horror movie. The missing girl is L.A. high-schooler Margot Kim (Michelle La), a 15-year-old budding musician who seems like any other well-adjusted, plugged-in teen. But in a touching, Up–like opening montage of family photos and videos, we toggle through her childhood years and discover a sorrow that lingers like a shadow over her life and the film. When Margot vanishes without trace, her dad, David (John Cho, terrific), turns to her search history for clues as to her whereabouts. He quickly finds out that things are not what they’ve seemed. Not even close. From here, debut director Aneesh Chaganty shifts through the gears, dropping in the odd tension-breaker (look out for a killer Justin Bieber gag) and enough visual trickery to keep his extremely limited conceit cinematic. Strip away Searching’s tech trappings, though, and you’ll find the same propulsive joys that fueled classic ’90s thrillers like The Fugitive and The Game: red herrings, a tireless detective (played here by Deb

Sharper than your everyday mean girl since the beginning of her career, Blake Lively has always been capable of more than her opportunities have allowed her, while Anna Kendrick, a chipper “perfect” thing in movie after movie, has been overrated. So it’s gratifying to see them both earning their keep in director Paul Feig’s borderline-nutso crime comedy, one that won’t be confused for a new Gone Girl. But even second-rate trashy turnarounds are worth savoring. A Simple Favor opens in Kendrick’s kitchen: Her Stephanie Smothers (thank you, originating novelist Darcey Bell), a single suburban mom who regularly vlogs to a small audience of likeminded neurotics, has everything under control, yet she’s rattled by the disappearance of her friend, Emily (Lively). In flashbacks, we see that Emily, an acquaintance made while picking up their children at school, is an entirely different species: a Martini-drinking, power-suit-wearing toughie who’s married to Sean (Crazy Rich Asians’ Henry Golding), an unfairly handsome and successful writer. You wait for the two women to connect across the chasm of Emily’s sleekly designed living room; their attraction—nuanced, brainy and one you wish would go to the obvious place—is what makes the film such an identifiable product of the director of Bridesmaids and the all-female Ghostbusters. Stephanie becomes an amateur sleuth bent on hunting down her gal pal’s whereabouts or, barring that, sliding into her walk-in closet and marital bed. Once A Si

In the tradition of Amblin classics where fantastical events occur in the most unexpected places, Jack Black and two-time Academy Award® winner Cate Blanchett star in THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS, from Amblin Entertainment. The magical adventure tells the spine-tingling tale of 10-year-old Lewis (Owen Vaccaro) who goes to live with his uncle in a creaky old house with a mysterious tick-tocking heart. But his new town's sleepy façade jolts to life with a secret world of warlocks and witches when Lewis accidentally awakens the dead.