Things to do in Los Angeles today
Discover these things to do in L.A. today—including free and cheap concerts, screenings, shows, parties and more
Looking for last minute plans tonight? Figuring out how to impress a date? Find out the best things to do today in Los Angeles with picks for our favorite concerts, screenings, comedy shows and more. Sometimes, you make plans to go out months in advance. Other times, you’re left scrambling for plans a few hours from now—consider this your social emergency savior for those situations. Whether you’re looking for last-minute ideas with out-of-town friends or trying to mix up your routine, get out there and explore the city with these things to do in Los Angeles today.
Time Out loves
L.A. Beer Week
It's baaaack. L.A. Beer Week returns with their annual kickoff party, taking place at Los Angeles Center Studios with live music, educational panels, a VIP tent pouring specialty beers, games, a photobooth, and more food and beer selections. Over 80 breweries will be in attendance, and you can expect to see a lot of your local favorites. And you can totally steal your glass because, uh, it comes with your admission ticket. Beer-guzzling Angelenos will have plenty of chances to chug throughout the week at events such as beer brunches, special releases and more. Keep an eye out for an exhaustive list of all beer week events on the official website.
“Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power 1963-1983”
Trying to condense decades of diverse contributions from communities around the country into the amorphous banner of “black art” is a preposterous pursuit. William T. Williams’s hard-edge abstract canvases have little in common aesthetically with Alice Neel’s expressionistic portraits, which look nothing like Betye Saar’s ritual-inspired sculptures. “Soul of a Nation” shatters that indefinable umbrella term by shining a light on the grassroots thought, leadership and art movements that arose out of communities in cities like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles over a two-decade period in the 1960s, ’70s and early ’80s. You’ll walk away from the exhibit not talking about “black art,” but the power of particular artists and pieces, like Barkley Hendricks’s eye-catchingly crimson Blood (Donald Formey), David Hammons’s X-ray–like “body prints” and the legacy of local institutions and movements like Spiral, BAM, JAM and AfriCOBRA (Wadsworth Jarrell’s psychedelic word clouds of activists are a colorful standout). Disagreements surrounding pieces at the time of their creation are still uncannily relevant to social discourse today: whether works were too radical or not “black enough,” if they should cater to a black audience or a universal one, and how they were often relegated to second-tier status in institutions. Though not organized by the Broad—London’s Tate Modern first hosted the exhibition two years back—it feels well-suited for the Downtown museum’s diverse, young audience
“The Allure of Matter: Material Art from China”
Exhibition organizer Wu Hung, of the University of Chicago’s Smart Museum, has categorized the creators at the center of “The Allure of Matter” as “material artists,” and, well, that’s a pretty to-the-point description: The 21 featured artists all employ unconventional materials to create their works (each installation includes photo documentation of the piece’s construction), like Zhang Huan’s use of temple incense ash to form a landscape of field workers or Wang Jin’s imperial robes made from PVC. But the use of materials goes beyond aesthetics and instead engages with China’s extreme economic changes, history of artmaking and government censorship. The unconventional material choices lead to some sublime surprises: Gu Wenda’s rainbow, tent-like United Nations: American Code is no Insta backdrop, but rather a symbol of international tolerance made entirely of strands and braids of human and synthetic hair. Most memorably, Xu Bing’s floor-covering 1st Class looks just like a massive tiger rug, but is in fact made of half a million loosely positioned cigarettes (the smell of tobacco is unmistakable). Make sure to peek at that one from both sides: The orange-and-white design changes to brown and white depending on where you stand.
Dogs! A Science Tail
We love their adorable faces, quirky behavior and unwavering loyalty. We bring them everywhere—particularly here in L.A. And they may very well make us better people. It’s no surprise then that dogs would get an entire exhibition dedicated to their canine skills and unique relationship with humans. “Dogs! A Science Tail” takes a colorful, hands-on approach to its subject and mainly targets kids. But dog lovers of all ages will delight in the displays at the California Science Center: You can squeeze between two pointed ears to listen to how dogs perceive the sounds of a street scene different than humans; you can put your face up against a dog-shaped viewfinder that simulates canine vision; and you can test your knowledge in a game of Jeopawdy! Kids will particularly love seeing how fast they are compared to dogs and sniffing scents that a dog might encounter—from coffee and bubblegum to, yes, poop and farts. The exhibition also includes a selection of dog-featuring works of art, mostly Norman Rockwell paintings and Charles Schulz Peanuts strips, on loan from the upcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Make sure to catch daily live demonstrations of dogs’ rescue, agility, sensory and service skills (i.e. a guide dog walking a sightless trainer through an obstacle course). You’ll find the demo area near the exhibition’s exit, just before the gift shop.
Popular
The Case for Birth Control
Songwriters Larry Goldings and Inara George lead this Planned Parenthood benefit show with an evening of their songs as well as an impressive lineup of special guests, including Feist, Garfunkel and Oates’ Kate Micucci and more.
L.A. Beer Week
It's baaaack. L.A. Beer Week returns with their annual kickoff party, taking place at Los Angeles Center Studios with live music, educational panels, a VIP tent pouring specialty beers, games, a photobooth, and more food and beer selections. Over 80 breweries will be in attendance, and you can expect to see a lot of your local favorites. And you can totally steal your glass because, uh, it comes with your admission ticket. Beer-guzzling Angelenos will have plenty of chances to chug throughout the week at events such as beer brunches, special releases and more. Keep an eye out for an exhaustive list of all beer week events on the official website.
Poolside Cinema at Mr. C Beverly Hills
Supplement your typical summer drink date with a little cinema at Mr. C Beverly Hills' poolside screening series. Grab a cocktail and settle in to enjoy a classic film, alongside alfresco eats, a special poolside menu and traditional movie snacks, like popcorn and candy. Films begin at sundown every Tuesday through Labor Day. This year's roster of crowd favorites includes A Star is Born (June 11), Bridesmaids (July 2) and Avengers: Infinity War (Aug 20), to name a few. You’ll need to book a dining reservation to secure a spot—and plan to possibly need an Uber home.
Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration
Who’s the leader of the club that’s made for selfies? Mickey Mouse, who, on the occasion of his 90th anniversary, has found himself at the center of a photogenic pop-up in Downtown Disney. Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration is the latest made-for-Instagram installation to swing by SoCal, though this one is filled with all things Mickey—plus a few of his friends. You’ll find seven themed rooms of varying size, including a heart-filled ode to Mickey and Minnie’s relationship, international-themed backdrops, a wall of Disneyland snacks, a gallery of Mickey sculptures and paintings “created” by Goofy, Donald, Chip and Dale and more. At Pop-Up Disney, Mickey gets in on the infinity mirror selfie funEven if you have no interest in taking selfies, the reflective, disco-inspired room in this Mickey Mouse pop-up is pretty great. https://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/things-to-do/pop-up-disney-a-mickey-celebrationPosted by Time Out Los Angeles on Friday, April 26, 2019 Like similar pop-ups, some rooms elicit nothing more than a “neat!” before you move on. But plenty of installations here should hold your attention, even if you don’t have the slightest interest in taking selfies: most notably a disco-inspired infinity room lined with mirrored walls and color-changing Mickey ears that bounce off an ultra-reflective chrome Mickey statue in the center of the space. In the very first room, you can lounge on an oversized couch in the shape of Minnie’s polka-dotted bow, and in the space t
“Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power 1963-1983”
Trying to condense decades of diverse contributions from communities around the country into the amorphous banner of “black art” is a preposterous pursuit. William T. Williams’s hard-edge abstract canvases have little in common aesthetically with Alice Neel’s expressionistic portraits, which look nothing like Betye Saar’s ritual-inspired sculptures. “Soul of a Nation” shatters that indefinable umbrella term by shining a light on the grassroots thought, leadership and art movements that arose out of communities in cities like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles over a two-decade period in the 1960s, ’70s and early ’80s. You’ll walk away from the exhibit not talking about “black art,” but the power of particular artists and pieces, like Barkley Hendricks’s eye-catchingly crimson Blood (Donald Formey), David Hammons’s X-ray–like “body prints” and the legacy of local institutions and movements like Spiral, BAM, JAM and AfriCOBRA (Wadsworth Jarrell’s psychedelic word clouds of activists are a colorful standout). Disagreements surrounding pieces at the time of their creation are still uncannily relevant to social discourse today: whether works were too radical or not “black enough,” if they should cater to a black audience or a universal one, and how they were often relegated to second-tier status in institutions. Though not organized by the Broad—London’s Tate Modern first hosted the exhibition two years back—it feels well-suited for the Downtown museum’s diverse, young audience
Free
Moonlight Movies on the Beach
The best things in life really are free—love, happiness and an evening spent watching movies on a giant inflatable screen at the beach. On select dates from June until August, pack up your folding chairs, grab your kids and head to Long Beach for this unique outdoor screening. Thanks to Alfredo’s Beach Club, you can give your babysitter the night off while you and the fam enjoy a host of kid-friendly flicks. Bring your own picnic, or munch on eats from the nearby snack stand. You’ll find the event hitting Granada Beach, Cherry Beach and Shoreline Village.
“Marco Castillo: The Decorator's Home“
Scope out geometric sculptures in this first U.S. solo exhibition from Castillo, a collaborator with the Cuban Modernist Los Carpinteros collective.
“David Hammons”
David Hammons is one of the most important American artists today, though you wouldn’t necessarily know it. An artist of his stature would have been recognized by now in major museum surveys, but as one of the first African-American artists to have emerged in the context of Conceptualism, he has always remained elusive and apart from the largely white art world as matter of strategy. This show at Hauser & Wirth marks his first L.A. exhibition in 45 years.
“Guillermo Kuitca”
The Argentine painter’s abstract-leaning canvases incorporate layers of architectural plans and cartographic maps.
‘Bauhaus Beginnings’
Dive into the founding principles of the influential German art school at this Getty Research Institute exhibition, which includes over 250 rare prints, drawings, collages, notebooks and ephemera from the Bauhaus’s founding and early years.
Movies
Moonlight Movies on the Beach
The best things in life really are free—love, happiness and an evening spent watching movies on a giant inflatable screen at the beach. On select dates from June until August, pack up your folding chairs, grab your kids and head to Long Beach for this unique outdoor screening. Thanks to Alfredo’s Beach Club, you can give your babysitter the night off while you and the fam enjoy a host of kid-friendly flicks. Bring your own picnic, or munch on eats from the nearby snack stand. You’ll find the event hitting Granada Beach, Cherry Beach and Shoreline Village.
Poolside Cinema at Mr. C Beverly Hills
Supplement your typical summer drink date with a little cinema at Mr. C Beverly Hills' poolside screening series. Grab a cocktail and settle in to enjoy a classic film, alongside alfresco eats, a special poolside menu and traditional movie snacks, like popcorn and candy. Films begin at sundown every Tuesday through Labor Day. This year's roster of crowd favorites includes A Star is Born (June 11), Bridesmaids (July 2) and Avengers: Infinity War (Aug 20), to name a few. You’ll need to book a dining reservation to secure a spot—and plan to possibly need an Uber home.
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.
2001: A Space Odyssey: movie review
Hazarding a wildly speculative guess, I think Stanley Kubrick would have loved Gravity. He would have been knocked out by Alfonso Cuarón’s zero-G realism and long-take panache. Secretly, he would have envied the movie’s grosses (Kubrick knew about the power that money could buy). He would have called someone in the middle of the night to talk about it. And finally, Kubrick would have leaned back with a sly smile (his only smile), knowing his classic’s reputation was safe. It’s not that 2001: A Space Odyssey doesn’t look dated—it does, a touch—but rather, it feels as intelligent and provocative as ever, bearing years of conceptual dreaming. Until today’s equivalent of novelist Arthur C. Clarke commits a hefty chunk of time to envisioning the beginning of human civilization, as well as the far ends of the future, there will be no new film that supplants it. Though it was showered with technical praise, 2001 lingers on the mind like a tall, black riddle: Where are the new bones, the new tools, that will take us higher? Do we even deserve them? And if The Shining can grow as a black comedy, so can this one. Douglas Rain’s clammy voice work as HAL 9000, the murderous machine, remains one of Kubrick’s snazziest pieces of direction. Of course, he’d tell us, Gravity is great. But I prefer Her. Follow Joshua Rothkopf on Twitter: @joshrothkopf
The Last Black Man in San Francisco
It starts with the city of San Francisco, famously a town of outsiders, freaks and countercultures. The Last Black Man in San Francisco, a sweetly mournful comedy that plays in a detuned register of its own, begins with an impromptu tour, motivated by the strange sight of two men on one skateboard, pumping their legs in unison like a set of oars. You’ll want to hop onboard with them (a random stranger has the same idea, chasing them down for a bit). The funky energy of this introduction—the sight of a people-mover platform gliding to a churning cloud of Michael Nyman’s horns and strings—is electric. Even though the cards will be stacked against our heroes, black and barely hanging on, you know the movie will treat them royally. They are Jimmie (soulful Jimmie Fails, whose life story becomes the film’s arc) and wannabe playwright Montgomery (Jonathan Majors, extraordinary), two adult friends who share an artistic bent. They draw, they paint, they wear the same clothes daily. They might as well be Akbar and Jeff. What Jimmie really wants is a gorgeous Victorian house—a place on Fillmore where the sun blasts through huge bay windows onto creaky wooden floors. He has one in mind; it’s the same house he grew up in, before his dad was bought out years ago. Jimmie does unauthorized touch-ups on it daily, to the chagrin of its whiny white owners. But when the property must be vacated in an ugly inheritance split (the film has compassion for even these gentrifiers, crying on their fr