Gillian Glover

September may signal the end of summertime, but you’d never know it based on the weather. It’s arguably the optimal time to visit one of L.A.’s best beaches while the water’s still, relatively speaking, warm and not overrun by crowds. On the other hand, if you’re feeling like you already have a foot in the fall, it’s time to start making plans to go apple picking and visit the haunted houses that are already opening this month. If you’d rather skip town, take advantage of the long Labor Day weekend to squeeze in a day trip or road trip with the fam. But don’t worry, there’s no shortage of other local fun in L.A. in our September events calendar. RECOMMENDED: Full events calendar for 2025

Skim through the must-visit attractions in Los Angeles and you’ll notice a trend: It’s a lot of outdoorsy fun. So committing to a day inside of a museum might be a tall ask. In fact, choosing anything over a 75-and-sunny day at the beach is a hard ask—especially if you’re visiting from somewhere with a climate that’s not as consistently comfortable as SoCal’s.  But here’s the thing: No matter how good the weather, visiting L.A.’s museums is a must. In fact, not only are they among the city’s best things to do, but Los Angeles museums can increasingly stand toe to toe with ones in cultural capitals like New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C. And, lucky you, a handful of them have stunning outdoor campuses with hilltop views, sculpture gardens and sunny courtyards. I’ve spent the past decade-plus visiting all of L.A.’s museums (and revisiting them as each riveting new exhibition opens). There are even more institutions in the L.A. area than just the ones on this list (including plenty of quirky, off-the-beaten-path museums), but I think the 21 below are the very best—and I’d say the top five in particular are borderline essential for any trip to L.A. If you’re on a budget, don’t worry: L.A. is flush with free museums. In fact, of the ones on this list, nearly half of them don’t cost a dime, and most of the rest offer regularly scheduled free days. Sure, you might have to pay for parking or trek across town, but that’s nothing a Metro trip or ridesharing service can’t solve. Thi

We don’t know about you, but our mind is always focused on the weekend. It can never come soon enough—which is why we’re already thinking about what new restaurants we want to try or where we can drive for the day. Whether you’re looking to scope out the latest museum exhibitions or watch a movie outdoors, you’ll find plenty of things to do in L.A. this weekend. We curate an L.A. weekend itinerary of the city’s best concerts, culture and cuisine, every week, just for you. It’s Labor Day weekend, so start your summer farewell tour with outdoor movie screenings, pool parties and ice cream—whether it’s a scoop at Smorgasburg or gelato at a chilly competition. In the mood for some shopping? Head to Melrose Trading Post on Sunday, when Facebook Marketplace is popping up IRL, or to Prosperity Market’s farmer-forward pop-up at the California African American Museum. Musically speaking, Juanita & Juan and Redd Kross headline the last Levitt Pavilion show of the summer; Cyndi Lauper plays the Bowl; the Mt. Wilson Observatory hosts French vocalist Leelou; and one of my all-time favorite humans, “Weird Al” Yankovic, brings his high-energy parodies to the Kia Forum.

L.A. is great and all, but sometimes you need a change of scenery. If you only have one day to spare, consider one of these quick day trips from Los Angeles to some amazing nearby destinations. Luckily, living in L.A. means it’s an easy (well, depending on traffic) and often scenic drive to SoCal’s best beaches, small towns, wineries and gorgeous desert landscapes—all within three hours of the city. Oddly enough, taking advantage of the ease with which you can get out of L.A. is easily one of the best things to do in L.A. From wine tasting in Santa Barbara and vintage hunting in Palm Springs to camping in Joshua Tree or feeling the sand between your toes in San Diego, you’re sure to find a short trip (as opposed to a longer road trip) worth taking on this list. Note that all of our commute time estimates are based on a trip originating from Downtown L.A. in light traffic (so your mileage may quite literally vary). RECOMMENDED: The best weekend getaways from L.A.

If we could write the rules of living in Los Angeles this would be our No. 1, always at the top of our list: When you live in this city, there’s no excuse for boredom just because it’s a weeknight. There are hundreds of things to do in Los Angeles each week, whether you hit the beach at sunset or go for a morning bike ride, or catch a concert or a comedy show—and that’s really only scratching the surface. Well, we don’t make the rules, but we will provide you with plenty of ideas for your next free weeknight right here. Now go out and tackle these things to do in L.A. this week. We curate an itinerary of the city’s best concerts, culture and cuisine, every week, just for you. This week, the temperature is rising, but we’re starting to say goodbye to summer as we approach Labor Day weekend. That means lots of outdoor movie screenings—many of them poolside—and ice cream are in order. If you want to beat the heat with AC and stay inside, head to the Pantages for Tony-winning corn-y comedy Shucked, the Ahmanson for Shakespeare-meets-Britney musical & Juliet or the Writers Guild Theater for screenings of rare classic films at Cinecon Festival.

It’s just about Labor Day weekend, but summer sure doesn’t feel like it’s over yet. That’s kind of the blessing and curse of L.A.’s seasons: If anything, warm days are only heating up this time of year (hello, Santa Ana winds). But on the other hand, it means more weeks of outdoor movie screenings and all sorts of other alfresco affairs. With that bit of weather chat out of the way, here are the events you can look forward to over Labor Day weekend in L.A. RECOMMENDED: Labor Day weekend in Los Angeles

A few decades ago, DTLA never would’ve landed on any out-of-towner itineraries: There simply weren’t enough things to do in Downtown Los Angeles. Urban sprawl and L.A.’s car culture meant much of the city’s action shifted to the suburbs around the middle of the 20th century, and though the skyline sprang upward in the decades that followed, it wasn’t quite enough to revitalize the once-buzzing city center. These days, it’s a mostly different story—though one that’s been unquestionably impacted by the uncertainties of the past few years. Downtown’s momentum has slowed down since 2020, when it was arguably just hitting its stride: The area was in the midst of a retail, institutional and architectural resurgence that was turning the neighborhood into a more walkable, Metro-friendly destination dotted with museums, superlative restaurants and beautiful buildings. That’s still largely true on paper, but it’s definitely not quite as buzzing as it was a few years ago—and the recent protests, immigration raids and now-lifted curfews have only further slowed down business. Still, we think it’s worth getting to know Bunker Hill, the Historic Core and beyond with these things to do in Downtown Los Angeles. Just a heads-up: Though it’s home to L.A.’s biggest cluster of tall buildings, DTLA feels pretty different from most other cities’ downtown areas. For starters, L.A.’s cultural destinations are spread all over the city and not just in Downtown. And as for the neighborhood itself, it l

Who says L.A. lacks culture? Not only do we boast an impressive array of amazing museums, but almost every single one offers free admission, either on select days or all the time. Aesthetes and culture vultures can get their fix for free at the spots below, which even with their affordable price point removed from the equation would still rank among the best things to do in the city. Whether you prefer the greatest hits at LACMA or off-the-beaten-path museums, it’s easy to plan a free museum visit (especially if you have a library card)—as long as you keep some key dates and times in mind. Here are the best free museums in Los Angeles, whether they offer free admission year-round or free museum days.  RECOMMENDED: See the full list of free things to do in L.A.

August may signal summer’s home stretch, but that doesn’t mean the seasonal vibes need to end. Grab an ice cream cone, splash around in a swimming hole, see a movie outdoors or dine on a rooftop—and make sure to follow our August events calendar for the best activities in L.A. this month. RECOMMENDED: Full events calendar for 2025

Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles? We have you covered with the very best that L.A. has to offer. I’m a Los Angeles native and have lived here all my life, and take it from me: There’s always more to discover and explore. Whether you’re a culture vulture, an outdoorsy type or simply a lover of our fine city, you’ll find more than enough here to keep you busy. Even lifelong Angelenos can find something new to add to their to-do list, between the city’s landmark attractions, an ever-changing inventory of the best restaurants in Los Angeles, essential L.A. museums and even some off-the-beaten-path secrets. How many of the best things to do in Los Angeles will you try? August 2025: Summer is winding down, but our favorite alfresco movies, concerts and parties are still going strong—take advantage of the warm nights before things turn autumnal. The 626 Night Market pops up in Arcadia twice this month, with over 250 Asian street food and drink vendors to choose from. Also worth a visit is the new Photo Booth Museum in Silver Lake, where retro photography meets selfie culture. Or perhaps plan an island-getaway day trip to Catalina over Labor Day weekend? Note: In the wake of the Los Angeles wildfires, we’ve temporarily removed the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine, Temescal Gateway Park and Eaton Canyon Falls from our list, as at press time the beloved L.A. attractions were still closed. You can also find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things

Though we consistently cover new restaurants with killer cocktail offerings, new bars in L.A. are few and far between—but deserve just as much attention. To keep you up to date on the city’s bar scene, we’ve got a quarterly guide to the city’s best new bars, where you can find the city’s freshest places to drink that are actually worth checking out.  Plenty of newer drinking-oriented establishments straddle the line between bar and restaurant, but on this list we prioritize venues where it’s not strange at all to order a single nightcap or aperitivo—without your server trying to upsell you on bar bites when you aren’t hungry. We also strive to include establishments that stay open past 10pm on weekends, though we of course make exceptions for standout spots.  While these fledgling watering holes and lounges might lack the storied reputations of the city’s best bars and cocktail dens, they make up for it with stylish interiors and unique booze offerings. Some even have delicious bar bites perfect for whenever you’re feeling peckish, but this list focuses on destination-worthy venues with excellent drinks or first-rate atmosphere for going out (ideally, a combination of both).  So just how new are these drinking dens? We limit our list to bars, lounges and breweries that have opened in the past nine months. We check out each bar personally to make sure it’s worth your time and hassle—since there’s only so much booze money to spare. July 2025: This quarterly update includes four

The summer fun continues all August long in L.A. Warm nights provide the perfect canvas for outdoor movie screenings, as well as alfresco music and theater. And, lucky you, a plethora of the best free things to do this month are free. We’ve rounded up dozens here: You’ll find free films, concerts and new takes on Shakespearean classics, as well as dance parties, a parade, a free music festival and a coastal edition of CicLAvia, plus exhibitions at the city’s best museums.

Here’s a wild card for you: The hottest game at the card table this summer isn’t poker or blackjack, but the family-game-night mainstay UNO. The colorful card game is hosting a tour of UNO Social Clubs across the country, including one for one night only at Atwater Village dive bar Club Tee Gee, where you can try your hand at UNO, UNO Golf and UNO Teams. Entry is free, and once inside you can expect custom cocktails, prizes and live DJ sets, all hosted by local comic Dani Lyle. Space is limited, so show up early for your best chance at a spot at the game table.

After opening a Photo Booth Museum in San Francisco earlier this year, photo booth supplier Photomatica has brought the concept to the heart of Silver Lake. Styled as a 1970s living room, the “museum” is not a museum, as such. There are print-outs detailing the history of each machine, but beyond that, don’t expect to learn a ton about the inner workings of photo booths. But that’s probably not why you’re here, anyway. You’re here to take flattering photos behind the curtains of four vintage machines—made by L.A.-based photo booth manufacturer Auto-Photo in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s—that have been lovingly restored by Photomatica so they’re in pristine working condition. There’s also one retro-style (and adorable) digital photo booth from the 2020s.  Inside the vintage booths, be ready to strike a pose as soon as you push the button—you get very little warning. And afterward, expect to wait three to five minutes for your film strip to print. When the strip does come out, be careful—it’ll be wet with the chemicals used in the rapid, darkroom-style development process. There are blow-dryers plugged in throughout the space to help with that. There’s no admission fee to the Photo Booth Museum, but you can expect to pay $7.50 for each turn in a film photo booth or $6.50 in the digital booth. That adds up to $36.50 if you want to sample each once—plus an extra $10 if you want to hit up the key chain booth, where you can choose one of your shots to frame and decorate with charms. Tha

See the story of a man-child and his bike on the big screen for the 40th anniversary of Paul Reubens’s zany film—much of which was filmed in Los Angeles. Sadly, Reubens isn’t here to celebrate the milestone, but if you’ve watched his recent HBO docuseries, Pee-wee as Himself, chances are a rewatch of his breakout Tim Burton-directed flick is in order. The rest of the cast will be there for a Q&A after this special screening at the Alex Theatre, including E.G. Daily (Dottie), Diane Salinger (Simone), Mark Holton (Francis) and writer Michael Varhol. Plus, a live string quartet will perform Danny Elfman’s iconic score and themed photo ops will abound. What’s more, 50% of ticket proceeds will benefit Stand Up to Cancer. 

Catch some comedy and learn at the same time at this educational and interactive game show hosted by creator Chris Duffy and produced by the National Academy of Sciences’ LabX. The set-up: A panel of comedians play games and quiz a scientific expert on their work. This month’s installment tackles a universally beloved subject—ice cream—with the help of food scientist Dr. Maya Warren (and maybe some frozen treats). If you can’t make it to Dynasty Typewriter for the show, you can opt for a $7 livestream option.

USC’s independent student radio station is celebrating its 50th anniversary at the Echo this weekend. The relanched festival—the station’s first since 2016—will be a celebration of live music and college radio. This year, electronic artist 313d3p is headlining, joined by Miya Lowe, indigo forever, After and more. Past lineups have included Flying Lotus, Muna and the Growlers, so consider the show a crash course in forward-thinking music (and possibly a sneak peek at indie’s next breakout star).

Literature lovers, listen up: Reading Rhythms has arrived in L.A. Billed as a “reading party,” the event series started in NYC and got noticed by The New York Times and Good Morning America for its refreshing spin on book clubs: You bring a book of your own choosing to a central location, then alternate between peaceful reading time and chatting with fellow readers about what you’re reading. This month, Reading Rhythms is hosting an alfresco Mother’s Day outing at Griffith Park’s Mineral Wells Picnic Area (tickets here—and moms read free!), followed by a night of live readings and book shopping at Silver Lake’s Cafe Nido (tickets here) and waterfront reading at Marina del Rey’s Burton Chace Park (tickets here).

If you loved Greta Gerwig’s Little Women (or even, gasp, Louisa May Alcott’s original), head to the Heritage Square Museum and step into the lives of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy in this immersive ballet—the spring installment of a seasonal trilogy developed by Emma Andres, the resident choreographer for Pasadena Civic Ballet. It’s a triumphant return for the ballet, after its props, merchandise, decorations and many costumes were destroyed by the recent Eaton Fire. Choose from five site-specific performances in the museum’s Victorian mansions over the course of the weekend. A goodie bag and complimentary spring beverages and desserts are included with admission.  

L.A.’s own feminist punk rockers, the Linda Lindas, have had quite the trajectory: After being discovered by Amy Poehler and going viral after performing their single “Racist, Sexist, Boy” in not one but two L.A. libraries—when the members were between 11 and 17 years old—they’ve gone on to play Coachella and Lollapalooza, open for Paramore and the Rolling Stones, and tour with Green Day. You can catch the girls at two SoCal shows this month—at the Glass House April 1 and at the Novo April 5—screaming about injustice and growing up.  

Corey Helford Gallery regularly hosts fun shows highlighting the artistry of pop-culture subjects, and the lastest exhibit is no exception. Presented in partnership with Mattel Creations, “Toys as Art” celebrates eight decades of Mattel and the impact of its brands, from Barbie to Fisher-Price. See original toy-inspired artwork by over 80 artists from around the world—if you’ve got a cool million lying around, you can even take home a life-size Hot Wheels toy car. Free Saturday programming includes L.A. artist and cartoonist Gary Baseman signing his new UNO deck (March 22, 2pm), a panel of artists discussing toys and their creative processes (March 29, 2pm) and an inner-child workshop led by Case Kenny of Instagram fame (April 5, 2pm). 

Right on the heels of the release of his new film, Mickey 17, director Bong Joon Ho steps into the spotlight at the Academy Museum’s latest “Director’s Spotlight” exhibition (past subjects have included Spike Lee and Agnès Varda). The first-ever museum show dedicated to the Oscar-winning South Korean filmmaker will trace Ho’s career, creative process and cinematic influences. See over 100 storyboards, research materials, posters, concept art, creature models, props and on-set photos from the director’s archive and personal collection. On opening day, March 23, catch screenings of Okja (2pm) and Parasite (7:30pm) in the David Geffen Theater—Ho himself will be there in person.

Hollywood’s beloved British pub is back with its 43rd St Patrick’s Day celebration. The all-day party—part of Re:Her’s Women’s History Month Festival—kicks off at noon and runs till 11pm (get your food orders in by 10pm, when the kitchen closes). To eat, there’s traditional corned beef and cabbage, as well as split pea soup, corned beef sliders, a veggie roasted cauliflower option and, for dessert, Guinness chocolate cake. From 4pm to 6pm, there will specials on Irish beers Guinness and Harp, followed by a burlesque show by Miss Marquez at 8pm. We recommend showing up early in the day to stake out a spot—the pub isn’t taking reservations Monday.

File this under “the most picturesque dinner party ever.” At Tasting Color, the menu and decor are all determined by—you guessed it—color. The sensorial dinner series curated by Seven Senses brings together local artists, artisans and makers. Missing the inaugural event had us green with envy, but this weekend an indigo edition is popping up in a private Silver Lake event space. Don your best dark-blue attire to enjoy a creative, monochromatic menu by chef Tracy Tober.

Many of us think of Labor Day weekend as the end of summer (though fall doesn’t technically begin until September 22). But in Los Angeles, we know better. We’re in the midst of a heat wave, and we’re still in for weeks of sunny days and balmy, warm nights where we can keep summer alive. In the meantime, if you’re in need of ideas for the best way to spend your long weekend, we’ve got you covered with 18 picks, from alfresco films to pop-up markets, free concerts to stadium shows. Here are our top things to do this Labor Day weekend. 1. Watch a movie outdoorsFri–Mon Outdoor movie season isn’t slowing down yet—in fact, some series keep the fun going all year long—but this weekend is particularly full of fun films. On Friday, Dive-In Movie Nights presents Moana poolside at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown; the Huntington is showing Paddington 2 as part of its family-friendly Summer Movie Nights; and ​​Friday Movie Nights hosts a free screening of The Goonies at Ovation Hollywood. In DTLA, Rooftop Cinema Club has a reliably great lineup throughout the weekend: Amélie, When Harry Met Sally…, The Godfather, Pride & Prejudice, Crazy, Stupid, Love and La La Land. Meanwhile, Cinespia hosts The Princess Bride on Saturday and The Silence of the Lambs on Sunday; the Montalbán is showing Scream and Before Sunrise; and if there are any 1D fans in the house, Street Food Cinema will present One Direction: This Is Us at the Autry.   Photograph: Courtesy Smorgasburg 2. Cool off with

Ask the coolest person you know from Los Angeles if they’ve ever been to the Magic Castle, and you’ll get one of two responses: a longing “no” or a “yes” followed by them excitedly detailing the most magical night of their lives. Yes, even though L.A. can come off as jaded, there’s one thing we can’t resist—a mysterious Victorian mansion on a hill, with a strict dress code and a highly exclusive door policy. You see, you can’t buy a ticket to the Magic Castle. The club, opened in 1963, is the headquarters of the Academy of Magical Arts, and to get in for a meal and a show, you either need to be a magician, or to know one. (There are a few workarounds, including booking a stay at the adjoining Magic Castle Hotel or even signing up for a competitive blood drive to good-deed your way in.) But those not in L.A. are in luck. For its next trick, the Magic Castle has teamed up with Princess Cruises to offer a coveted peek behind the curtain and cast its spell over the ocean. After Magic Castle Enterprises launched its first-ever partnership with the cruise line’s Sun Princess ship, the two have reimagined a new, themed immersive space that brings the experience of visiting the Magic Castle to those sailing on new sister ship Star Princess. I got to preview what’s in store from the experience—and take a private tour of the castle with the president of Magic Castle Enterprises and granddaughter of the original founder, Erika Larsen (which ended up being one of the coolest things I’ve

Those who claim L.A. lacks culture clearly haven’t been to Grand Avenue. The Downtown thoroughfare serves as a cultural corridor rich in art museums, music venues and welcoming public spaces. As the Music Center’s CEO and president, Rachel S. Moore, says, “Only on Grand Avenue can you move from the soaring notes of a symphony to the pulse of a dance party and experience the range from timeless works of art to the cutting edge of human-machine collaborations—all within a single, walkable mile.” And one day a year, you can visit more than a dozen of these arts and culture destinations for free. Grand Ave Arts: All Access, now in its ninth year, will return on October 25, offering special access to and programming in the officially designated “Grand Avenue Cultural District” for five hours, from 11am to 4pm. Expect performances, workshops, tours, family-friendly activities and more. This year, 13 arts organizations on Grand between Temple and Sixth Streets are participating in the cultural open house: The Broad, Center Theatre Group, Colburn School, Gloria Molina Grand Park, LA Opera, the LA Phil, Los Angeles Central Library, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Metro Art (the transit agency now has a station just off Grand atop Bunker Hill), MOCA, the Music Center, REDCAT and the upcoming DATALAND. Photograph: Michelle Shiers Among the programming highlights are a singing workshop at the Colburn school and the chance for kids to conduct a live band; free LA Opera recitals at the Dorot

Here in L.A., we’re blessed with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to moviegoing. Think outdoor screenings in every picturesque location you can imagine, cult classics shown in theaters owned by Quentin Tarantino, blockbuster premieres along Hollywood Boulevard and special events in Downtown’s historic Broadway movie palaces. But seeing a classic film in the actual location where it was filmed isn’t an everyday occurrence. Enter the Griffith Observatory, which just announced that it’ll be hosting a special anniversary screening of Rebel Without a Cause—the most remembered of Hollywood icon James Dean’s three films—inside the venue’s Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater on October 27. The anniversary aspect here is twofold: First, the Griffith Observatory is celebrating its 90th anniversary and has been marking the occasion all year long with special public programming and events. Also, 2025 marks 70 years since Rebel’s theatrical release (meaning the observatory was only 20 years old when the movie was filmed there). The observatory features prominently in the 1955 tale of teenage angst—it’s the site of a field trip, the famous knife fight and the film’s final scene. Rebel also marks the first time a planetarium theater was used in a film (the same planetarium was later the stage for the dreamy dance scene in La La Land). Phtoograph: Phil Pasquini / Shutterstock.com Any time you visit the observatory, you can see a monument with a bronze bust of Dean on the landmark’s

Stand-up paddleboard (or SUP) yoga—a marine-meets-mindfulness workout—is a relatively new concept. The practice in itself feels very L.A.: heading to the water but incorporating a zen workout into your beach day. I’ve always liked the sound of it in theory but never had any serious plans to try a class—first, despite the common perception of L.A. that everyone here is obsessed with working out, I’m not much of a fitness girl. I’m also not a great swimmer, so I’ve especially never attempted any kind of aquatic workout. If you lose your balance in a regular yoga class, the worst that could happen is you topple over; in a SUP yoga class, you’d end up underwater. But when I got an invite to try a new SUP yoga offering at the luxurious Maybourne Beverly Hills hotel—previously the Montage Beverly Hills—my interest was piqued. Rather than in the ocean, a lake or a lagoon, it was being held in a pool, on a rooftop, in the middle of Beverly Hills. It definitely seemed more beginner-friendly than the beach—and besides, what could be more quintessentially L.A.? I decided to give it a shot. I arrived at the hotel for the morning class and took the elevator up to the ninth-floor rooftop, where there’s a bar, cabanas and a small, three-foot-deep pool that had been transformed into a floating yoga studio. I saw six paddleboards spaced out evenly atop the water and was relieved to see they were anchored in place. Maybe I could do this. I got to chat with the class’s teacher—Sarah Tiefenthale

If you found yourself not in the mood to celebrate Independence Day last month, you weren’t alone. Between wildfire concerns and the federal immigration raids, many of the city’s holiday festivities were canceled, postponed or altered in some way. That included the Music Center and Gloria Molina Grand Park’s annual block party, which was set to be the largest free Fourth of July celebration on the West Coast but ended up being rescheduled due to safety concerns amid Downtown unrest. But a new date has finally been announced for the event, which has been reimagined as a love letter to Los Angeles dubbed “Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Block Party: Celebrating L.A. Culture & Community.” Just over two months from its original date, the “park for everyone” will host a drone show, DJ sets, food trucks and art installations on September 6, taking over the park, from Grand Avenue to Broadway and surrounding streets, from 3 to 9pm. This year found several Fourth of July fireworks shows pivoting to drones for eco-conscious and fire safety reasons, but Grand Park was already ahead of the curve. It’s opted for drones over pyrotechnics for the past two years. And once again, a 3-D drone show from Grizzly Entertainment will light up the night at 8pm. The 12-minute-long display will “emphasize L.A. communities’ resilience and honor Angelenos’ capacity for joy amid hardships,” according to the Music Center. The party’s theme of homegrown resilience will also be echoed in its art installations a

L.A. is already full of great places to see concerts, but a new music venue opening is always great news. And one in arguably the most charming suburb of Los Angeles—we’re talking about South Pasadena—is even more exciting. And the best part: One of the city’s coolest concert bookers and promoters is behind the new space—the “fiercely independent” Sid the Cat—which promises a lineup of nightly concerts by both local and national acts. The San Gabriel Valley isn’t rich in options when it comes to live music, so Sid the Cat Auditorium will be filling a need for music fans of all ages when it opens this fall. The idyllic small city of South Pasadena is perhaps best known for its old-school Fair Oaks Pharmacy—which has sat on the corner of Mission Street and Fair Oaks Avenue since 1915—and the retro soda fountain is joined by a picturesque row of boutiques and eateries on Mission Street. And soon, right around the corner from the main drag, you’ll find Sid the Cat Auditorium, situated across the street from the South Pasadena Public Library (and boasting ample parking). The new club will bring life back to the former South Pasadena Elementary School, which was originally built in 1885, rebuilt in 1928 and decommissioned as a school in 1979—and now it’ll school Angelenos on up-and-coming bands to know. The shows will take place in the original auditorium in the school’s east wing, which has been upgraded with a state-of-the-art sound system and can fit an audience of up to 500. Th

The Force was strong in San Diego over the weekend as George Lucas made his Comic-Con debut. The Star Wars creator joined Oscar-winning artist and Lucasfilm senior vice president Doug Chiang, Oscar-winning filmmaker and Lucas Museum board member Guillermo del Toro and panel moderator Queen Latifah to talk about what Angelenos—and the scores of people the museum will undoubtedly draw to L.A.—have to look forward to from the eagerly awaited Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. “We’re here today because my dear friend Goerge wanted to create a space where anyone could come and be inspired by the same art that inspired him,” Queen Latifah said to introduce Lucas. And while it was light on concrete details (like a specific opening date), the panel featured an interesting discussion of the upcoming museum that drew over 6,000 to Hall H on the final day of this year’s Comic-Con. The creative minds assembled talked about the importance of narrative art—which “tells the story of a society” and its common beliefs, according to Lucas—and shared some of the highlights of the museum’s collection. Speaking to the Comic-Con crowd about the mission of the museum, Lucas explained that he’s worked with hundreds of illustrators in his career, but lamented the fact that they don’t receive enough recognition. To that end, he said his museum will be “a temple to the people’s art.” On his part, Chiang said he hopes that the Lucas Museum “will inspire the next Norman Rockwell or Frank Frazetta.”   Photog

In Los Angeles, analog photo booths have been growing in popularity, and these film photo booths can be increasingly found scattered throughout the city. It’s official: Vintage photo booths are having a moment. Over their digital counterparts, the cool crowd is opting for old-school photo booth portraits developed on the spot and printed on black-and-white film. I get the appeal—after a recent visit to Paris, a film strip of four shots of my fiancé and me from a 1960s Montmartre photo booth is one of my favorite souvenirs. The tactile strip captures a specific moment in time—and feels more significant than dozens of attempts for the perfect selfie. Leading the resurgence is Bay Area-based photo booth supplier Photomatica, which has seen its business boom in recent years—especially when Chrissy Teigen ordered one of its restored vintage booths for herself. Photomatica also custom-makes retro-looking digital photo booths, which can be found in venues like Desert 5 Spot, El Cid and the Fonda and El Rey theaters (it also just unveiled an analog booth at the Beverly Hilton last month). But after opening a Photo Booth Museum in San Francisco’s Castro District earlier this year, the company has brought the concept here, to the heart of Silver Lake. Starting Thursday, July 17, for the first time, you’ll have four analog photo booths in one place—plus one vintage-style (and adorable) digital photo booth from the 2020s—to choose from for your own personal photo shoot. Styled as a 1970

Nothing says the Fourth of July like barbecues, pool parties and… drones? With each passing Independence Day, drone shows are becoming the finale of choice for more celebrations, who are swapping out fireworks for the eco-conscious aerial displays. (The photo at the top of this story is from “Fireworks Could Never,” a Heads in the Sky Drones show in support of Altadena Girls, which was staged on July 1.) This year, for the first time, Pasadena, Burbank and Pacific Palisades are all opting for more fire-safe and environmentally friendly drone shows. The switch makes sense, especially given the wildfires that besieged the city just six months ago and L.A.’s continuing fire risk. Pasadena and especially the Palisades were directly in the fires’ path, so not taking unnecessary risks with pyrotechnics seems like a good call. Not to mention that fireworks, spectacular as they may be, do emit contaminants and contribute to air pollution. (Plus drone shows are infinitely more dog-friendly, and seeing words spelled out in the night sky is pretty fun.) In Pasadena, the long-running AmericaFest at Rose Bowl Stadium has been dormant for a couple of years now due to budget reasons. For the past two Fourths, the red, white and blue extravaganza was replaced with a hometown-rivalry soccer match—L.A. Galaxy versus LAFC—which still ended with a fireworks finale shot off from the adjacent Brookside Golf Course. This year, though, culinary fest FoodieLand will take over the Rose Bowl all three

Five and a half months after it shut its doors in the midst of the Palisades Fire, the Getty Villa—one of the city’s cultural crown jewels—has finally reopened. Thanks to the efforts of both security and facilities staff and firefighters, the museum is still intact—a beacon of hope amid the surrounding landscape. And as of June 27, the Getty Villa is officially welcoming the public again, albeit with limited hours: Friday to Mondays from 10am to 5pm. (You can reserve free tickets here, though the first couple of weeks are already booked solid.) We got to preview the grounds and the Villa’s new exhibition, “The Kingdom of Pylos: Warrior-Princes of Ancient Greece,” earlier this week. Here’s what you can expect from a visit to the newly reopened museum. Driving to the museum on Tuesday night, I felt a mix of anticipation and trepidation. I hadn’t been close to the Palisades since the wildfires, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. After turning a corner on Sunset heading toward the Villa, I suddenly found myself driving through swaths of destruction—innumerable burnt trees, barren hillsides, empty lots where houses once stood, crumbled and hollowed-out buildings. The drive up made me emotional—I was full of both sorrow and love for our city. Once I turned onto the cobblestones of the Getty Villa entrance from PCH, I felt on more familiar ground. At first glance, not much seemed different about the museum grounds. Thankfully, the art and buildings themselves were untouched and are s

One week after she imposed an overnight curfew on Downtown Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass has lifted that curfew, citing its effectiveness in preventing and suppressing crime in the wake of protests that broke out due to ongoing ICE activity in the city. Originally effective from 8pm to 6am—and reduced only yesterday to 10pm to 6am—the curfew covered less than eight square miles of the city. The affected zone stretched from the 110 and 10 Freeways to the point where the 5 and 110 Freeways merge and included the Downtown neighborhoods of Chinatown, the Arts District, Skid Row and the Fashion District, where the ICE raids began Friday, June 6. From the beginning, the mayor clarified that the curfew was not in place to discourage peaceful protests over the recent immigration raids in Los Angeles. Rather, it was aimed at “bad actors who do not care about the immigrant community”—a relatively small faction that was resorting to violence, vandalism and looting. The recent happenings in Los Angeles have greatly affected Downtown restaurants and small businesses, from the curfew limiting their hours and therefore their customers to ICE raids threatening their very workforce. There were some exceptions, though: Last Thursday, the Music Center’s venues were given an exemption for L.A. Opera and Center Theatre Group performances, and Downtown diners were still allowed to visit restaurants as long as they entered before 8pm. And in the Arts District, Bavel and Bestia kept their regular ho