Things to do in Los Angeles this Sunday

Summertime drive-in series Electric Dusk and the Vista’s late-night Secret Movie Club are teaming up for some screenings in Glendale, held atop the old Sears parking garage. Most films are shown as double features, and you can purchase tickets to just one movie or both each night; either way, you’ll pay a flat car fee plus a per-person charge. And like other drive-in screenings, cars will be spaced six feet apart and you’ll need to remain inside of it during the film.

Some Oscar-nominated movies are easy to see. Others aren’t exactly playing at your local megaplex. Until now, that is. Take the time to support the little guy by heading to San Pedro’s Warner Grand to see the Oscar-nominated films in the “Shorts” categories—you know, the ones you hear about for the first time on Oscar night that look really good, and you swear you’ll Netflix but then can’t find and totally forget about and never see. Choose from a program of live action, animation or documentary short nominees—or all of them—which will be playing for one night only each, and you’re sure to gain a leg up on your at-home Academy Awards ballot this year.

The Hammer Museum’s excellent, ongoing series of biennial exhibitions ups the ante each year with its spotlight on emerging and under-recognized L.A. artists, and the fifth edition is no exception. The list of 30 artists includes practitioners across all sorts of mediums, including paintings, sculptures, room-sized installations, ephemeral creations, dance performances, a one-man show and more. And for those Eastsiders scared of venturing too close to the 405, this year the Hammer is partnering with the Huntington Library to present works from all of the artists at the San Marino institution, as well. We’d suggest swinging by the Hammer first; members and visitors to the Hammer will receive free passes to the Huntington to see the rest of the exhibition.

New name, sort-of-same beloved literary event: Bibliophiles typically flock to the USC campus for this L.A. Times-curated event, which has now added “Stories & Ideas” onto its bookish title. But for the second striaght year, the typically in-person book fair will now be held virtually. So while you won’t be able to roam stalls from booksellers, you’ll still be able to catch a week of streaming readings and panels. Zooey Deschanel, Don Lemon, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Meena Harris and more. Most panels are totally free to watch, though you’ll have the option of purchasing each book from a local bookstore.

Feeling like you and your four-legged friend are attached at the hip right now? Spend even more quality time together during this dog-friendly series at Palos Verdes’ South Coast Botanic Garden. Every third Sunday, you can roam the gardens’ 87 acres with your fur baby. You—the human—will need a reservation and a face covering, while your best friend—the pup—will need to remain on their leash at all times, including in the parking lot.  

Celebrate the 19th Amendment’s centennial anniversary with this exhibition (first held online and now in person) from the Natural History Museum about women’s fight for the right to vote. “Rise Up L.A.” follows the political and social impacts of everyday women involved in the suffrage movement via historical objects like buttons, an interactive 1920 California ballot, sign-making activities and a voter registration drive.

Walk through a pavilion of fluttering butterflies and peep a chamber with pupae and caterpillar’s at South Coast Botanic Garden’s new exhibition. In the spring and first half of the summer SOAR will feature tropical butterflies, while in the late summer and fall it’ll flip to monarch butterflies. Timed reservations are required.

Kogi’s kimchi quesadillas are an L.A. food truck classic, and now you can try your hand at making them at home with this cooking class from chef Roy Choi—and grandiose rock band Portugal. The Man because why not? All of the proceeds will fund a Kogi food giveaway in a to-be-named community in need.

The desert-spanning biennial is back, with premieres of site-specific works from a slate of 13 artists. For its third iteration, Desert X will once again stage outdoor installations across 40 miles of the Coachella Valley from March 12 to May 16. Admission is free and there’s an emphasis on visitor safety (with the exhibitions all being outdoors, that seems like a natural fit). Check out our preview of all of the installations.

The Hammer Museum’s excellent, ongoing series of biennial exhibitions ups the ante each year with its spotlight on emerging and under-recognized L.A. artists, and the fifth edition is no exception. The list of 30 artists includes practitioners across all sorts of mediums, including paintings, sculptures, room-sized installations, ephemeral creations, dance performances, a one-man show and more. And for those Eastsiders scared of venturing too close to the 405, this year the Hammer is partnering with the Huntington Library to present works from all of the artists at the San Marino institution, as well. We’d suggest swinging by the Hammer first; members and visitors to the Hammer will receive free passes to the Huntington to see the rest of the exhibition.

Summertime drive-in series Electric Dusk and the Vista’s late-night Secret Movie Club are teaming up for some screenings in Glendale, held atop the old Sears parking garage. Most films are shown as double features, and you can purchase tickets to just one movie or both each night; either way, you’ll pay a flat car fee plus a per-person charge. And like other drive-in screenings, cars will be spaced six feet apart and you’ll need to remain inside of it during the film.

Some Oscar-nominated movies are easy to see. Others aren’t exactly playing at your local megaplex. Until now, that is. Take the time to support the little guy by heading to San Pedro’s Warner Grand to see the Oscar-nominated films in the “Shorts” categories—you know, the ones you hear about for the first time on Oscar night that look really good, and you swear you’ll Netflix but then can’t find and totally forget about and never see. Choose from a program of live action, animation or documentary short nominees—or all of them—which will be playing for one night only each, and you’re sure to gain a leg up on your at-home Academy Awards ballot this year.