Mark Peikert

Getting seats to the best Broadway shows usually requires quite a bit of advance planning. But that doesn’t mean you can’t wake up and desperately desire to attend a Broadway show tonight. In that case, you have plenty of options as long as you’re willing to put in the time to get last-minute tickets. It all depends on how much you are willing to pay and how much risk you are willing to take. If everything goes your way, you might even luck into cheap Broadway tickets, great seats or a chance to see hit shows that you would never have been able to get into earlier. Here is our insider guide for buying last-minute Broadway tickets. Insider tips Scour the internet for options before you do the legwork. Check the digital rush apps like TodayTix, look for a day-of digital lottery and check for last-minute tickets added to sites like Telecharge. Then make the rounds of the Broadway theaters to see if they have any rush tickets or tickets for standing-room only available. That way, you’ve done your homework before the TKTS booths even open, and you’ll know the range of available discounts and ticket prices. And remember, tickets to a weekday matinee are often easier to buy than for an evening performance. Start by checking for digital rush tickets. Before you get too invested in how to get Broadway tickets tonight, see if there’s anything available on the handy TodayTix app, which provides same-day discounted tickets (as well as up to a week in advance). You may also be able to tak

Is New England having a real estate moment? Realtor.com just released its list of the hottest ZIP codes in the country, and seven of the 10 are located along the Eastern seaboard.   Coming in at No. 1 is Beverly, Massachusetts, with a population of around 43,000. Beverly's place at the top points to a few current trends among buyers: It offers the kind of small-town charm, scenic coastline and solid commuter access to Boston that can seduce even the most dedicated big-city dwellers. RECOMMENDED: Five of the richest suburbs in the U.S. are located in Massachusetts, says study With headlines about the housing market popping up every week, it may seem like the worst possible time to become a homeowner. But savvy buyers are playing it smart. Instead of chasing splashy listings in overpriced cities, they're flocking to ZIP codes where homes are still relatively affordable (or at least affordable in comparison to the local metro median). The result? Dwellings in these sought-after neighborhoods are getting snatched up 30 to 42 days faster than the U.S. average, and the area's listings get more than triple the usual views. That doesn't mean there's suddenly more inventory. The listings in the hottest ZIP codes are down nearly 59-percent compared to pre-2020 norms. Unsurprisingly, the traffic is coming from metro hubs like New York, Washington, D.C. and Boston proper, and the buyers tend to skew older, richer and with better credit than the national average. (No shade, just facts.)

Stock up on carabiners, because a Labubu meet-and-greet night market is heading to Southern California. Just 45 minutes from the heart of L.A., a quirky and decidedly irresistible gathering is about to light up Anaheim. Craft-beer bar Villains Brewing Co. will host Labubu Meet Night Market—part night market, part Labubu fan fest—complete with themed cocktails and photo ops. This is the place to be for anyone who has ever felt their heart skip a beat at the sight of the mischievous, razor-toothed creatures that have taken the country by storm this summer. Just consider this the West Coast's rejoinder to Brooklyn's recent Labubu raves. RECOMMENDED: The best toy store options in L.A. to delight the little ones in your life View this post on Instagram A post shared by Villains Brewing Company (@villainsbrewingco) At the night market, which will take place on Thursday, August 28 from 5:30pm to 9pm at 555 S. Anaheim Blvd., vendors will peddle Pop Mart treasures and rare Labubu-inspired goodies, while a contest for the best-dressed Labubu gives you every reason and excuse to go all out in the weeks leading up to the event. And did we mention it's all free? Whether you're a serious collector or just looking to have fun, the Labubu Meet Night Market will offer a deep dive into the world of Labubus, the creatures with big ears and bigger teeth that look like Tim Burton tried his hand at designing toys. And the result has been the kind of virality that influencer

Hop on board the cultural express: L.A. Metro will honor the late, legendary Nipsey Hussle (who would have turned 40 this year) with a heartfelt tribute that blends transit with deeper meaning—perfect for a city that thrives on stories, beats and everyday hustle. Starting Friday, August 15, Metro will drop 12,000 limited‑edition TAP cards as part of its Metro x Culture series that honors “Angelenos who’ve shaped L.A. culture—especially those whose journeys began on Metro buses and trains.” One design pays homage to Hussle’s roots at Crenshaw & Slauson with a photo taken by Anthony Pham; another features a photo by Jonathan Mannion of Hussle riding the bus through Watts, a visual ode to the streets he rapped about. RECOMMENDED: A beginner’s guide to Metro in L.A. Photograph: Courtesy MetroNipsey Hussle TAP card “At its heart, the series recognizes transit as a narrative thread in the stories of iconic Angelenos, including the upcoming Nipsey Hussle card. Many of these figures grew up riding Metro — on buses like the 108 or trains like the Blue Line — and Metro played a pivotal role in their personal journeys,” per the Metro said Metro website. “Through this series, Metro aims to amplify L.A. culture by showcasing stories of real influence and legacy, boost engagement with TAP by inspiring riders to collect cards that hold personal meaning, and reinforce Metro’s role as a catalyst for everyday life and opportunity in Los Angeles.” The TAP cards will be available at the Hyde P

Cruise ships and true crime—they go together like Unsolved Mysteries and Robert Stack. And now, Virgin Voyages and iHeartPodcasts are giving murderinos the chance to come together for a true-crime-fueled cruise out of Miami. If you're someone who perks up from cold cases and not cold brew, this five-night, adults-only cruise may be just the thing to bring some zing into your October.  RECOMMENDED: The best cruises from the U.S. for every type of traveler Departing from Port Miami on Friday, October 10, Virgin's True Crime Voyage will see its Valiant Lady cruise ship sail to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and Virgin Voyages' Beach Club in Bimini over five days, before returning to Miami on Wednesday, October 15. Among the onboard activities are live podcast recordings of iHeartPodcast shows Betrayal, Stuff They Don't Want You to Know and Buried Bones, along with meet-and-greets, workshops (about making podcasts, not committing crime) and giveaways. "We're beyond excited to bring our investigations to the high seas as there's something deliciously twisted about discussing cold cases while sipping cocktails under the Caribbean sun," said Buried Bones co-host Kate Winkler Dawson in a statement. "Our fans are going to experience true crime storytelling like never before, and honestly, what better setting for mystery than the middle of the ocean?" "We're always looking for ways to craft experiences as bold and original as our Sailors," SVP of Fleet Experiences at Virgin Voy

We're now in that time of year when it feels like we may never feel cold again, but this is the home stretch! And what better way to suffer through air quality alerts and triple-digit temperatures than with a little armchair travel and/or vacation planning for when the weather finally cools? That's right, we're talking about fall foliage season day trips. This year is even more exciting than usual, because MarketBeat just announced its list of the best "bougie on a budget" vacation spots, and New York has three locales listed in the top 10. (Coming in at No. 2 is Kaunakakai, Hawaii, so we're guessing airfare doesn't get included.) RECOMMENDED: The 16 best upstate resorts in New York Sitting pretty at No. 3 is New York's own Cold Spring, which has the added benefit of being served by Metro-North's Hudson line. A vacation that doesn't require a rental car? An autumnal delight! As MarketBeat writes: "Just an hour from NYC, this Hudson River village is full of antique shops, art galleries, and stylish cafés — all nestled between leafy mountains and the water’s edge. Hike Breakneck Ridge, then reward yourself with rosé on a patio." But as the outlet points out, the list isn't about traveling on a shoestring budget. These are all destinations that are redefining what luxury means. The price point might be lower, but that doesn't necessarily mean the thread count is, too. Elsewhere in the Empire State, Saranac Lake clocks in at No. 6 ("Adirondack charm without Olympic crowds or pric

Who says Hollywood is only about skin-deep appearances? Would a place that shallow be able to look beyond the crumbling exterior of the Hollywood Premiere Motel to see the good bones beneath and award it with an invitation to join L.A.'s Historic-Cultural Monument List? The designation came during the July 30 city council meeting, at which everyone seemed to have a one-liner locked and loaded for the first motel to ever make the list.  “It may have a 1.7-star Tripadvisor rating, but we don’t judge our landmarks by thread count,” Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez said in a statement. Commission President Barry Milofsky was more skeptical, saying, “My initial response, looking at the nomination, was, really?” But in a town that lives and dies by good reviews, the motel at 5333 Hollywood Boulevard proudly defied the odds with a unanimous vote to add it to the list.  RECOMMENDED: The 16 best hotels in Los Angeles for a relaxing sun-soaked stay The Hollywood Premiere may be the first motel to land on the Historic-Cultural Monument list, but its architect, Joyce Miller, is only the third woman to have a building make the cut. Built in 1960, the Hollywood Premiere features 42 units and its now-iconic Googie-style neon sign. Like everything else in Los Angeles, it's served as a filming location for a wide variety of projects, including Twin Peaks, Season 3 of Fargo and the Justin Timberlake "Can't Stop the Feeling" music video.  The Historic-Cultural Monument List includes a wide variet

There's nothing more spectacular than an ocean at night. But there's only one place where you can go underwater after dark with jazz and a cocktail (and no sand): The Aquarium of the Pacific's annual Night Dives. This is your chance to enjoy the wonders of the Aquarium sans children (the event is for 18 and older only). Long Beach’s unofficial portal to the deep boasts over 12,000 creatures, from sharks to sea jellies, making the experience a bit like walking through a Blue Planet episode minus the voiceover.  RECOMMENDED: The 21 best museums to visit in Los Angeles Dedicated as much to education as entertainment, The Aquarium of the Pacific has more than 100 exhibits and 19 different habitats, like the shark lagoon and a sea otter habitat. Organized geographically, you can view sea lions in the Southern California section, colorful tropical fish in the Pacific area and a variety of exotic creatures in the Gulf of California exhibit. Night Dive allows attendees to experience the Aquarium in an entirely new way. The Good Time Jazz Band and dim lighting set a mood while highlighting the creatures swimming around you on all sides, and the event also includes DJs, art installations, food like smash burgers, tacos and esquites from local vendors and more.  All the exhibits will be available to stroll through, save the Lorikeet Forest. Night Dive begins at 7:30pm and runs until 11pm, but the Aquarium does start to dim the lights at 10pm to "ensure the animals get a good night’s

Warn your pets: One of Chicago’s most beloved (and most booming) summer traditions, The Chicago Air and Water Show, returns August 16 and 17. The 66th edition will feature all the high-flying, heart-pounding military and civilian stunts you’d expect, and, best of all, it’s completely free. From 10:30am to 3pm both days, be dazzled as the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds headline the action, slicing across the sky in their F-16 Fighting Falcons. They’re joined by the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights, the U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demo and a fleet of crowd-pleasing performers from across the armed forces, including A-10s, C-17s, Ospreys, and KC-135s. Civilian acts round out the show with aerobatic daredevils like Bill Stein Airshow, Kevin Coleman and the Warbird Thunder crew, plus stunt biplanes, mini jets and vintage aircraft performing choreographed chaos over the lakefront. And the Chicago fire and police departments get in on the action, too, with sea rescue demonstrations and helicopter flights, respectively. The official event is Saturday and Sunday, but don't sleep on the Friday, August 15, rehearsal. For prime viewing, North Avenue Beach is the main stage, but anywhere along the lakefront delivers solid views, with the city skyline adding a cinematic backdrop.  There are plenty of options to make it a full day out. Why not snag a reservation at Offshore, the world's largest rooftop (as certified by Guinness World Records), for panoramic views? Or skip the crow

There have been three Broadway productions of Cabaret since the 1996 revival of Chicago opened, but those aren't the only musicals composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb wrote. And for one night only, audiences will get to experience one of their best scores delivered by two of Broadway's best voices, when Beth Leavel and Jessie Mueller star in The Rink. The two Tony winners will take on the roles originated by Tony winners Chita Rivera and Liza Minnelli. A mother-daughter story set at a dilapidated, family-owned roller rink on Coney Island, The Rink finds daughter Angel returning home to Anna, as the two bicker, battle and ultimately reconcile, all the while belting out a slew of showstoppers. Directed by Dave Solomon, the September 15 concert staging will benefit Off-Broadway's Classic Stage Company.  The Rink opened on Broadway in 1984 and went on to win Rivera her first Tony Award. Terrence McNally contributed the book, and Kander and Ebb's score included such soon-to-be classics as "Colored Lights," "Chief Cook and Bottle Washer" and "Marry Me." And the cast included Jason Alexander and future directors Scott Ellis and Rob Marshall. Stockard Channing replaced Minnelli during the run. The CSC concert performance will feature choreography by TikTok's favorite, Just in Time choreographer Shannon Lewis, and music supervision by Sam Davis (Kiss of the Spider Woman). It's a good year to be a Kander and Ebb fan. In addition to The Rink concert, Cabaret continues to wow with

For K-Pop stans, Christmas comes in August when KCON returns to Los Angeles and the Crypto.com Arena for a weekend of fans and artists uniting in their love of the music, the choreography and the art. The global phenomenon is officially here to stay in the U.S., thanks to its slick dances, addictive hooks and rabid fandoms all wrapped in dazzling technicolor. And KCON brings it all together under one roof for unmissable performances—all boasting precisely choreographed moves, of course.  RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Koreatown Since its creation in 2012, KCON has welcomed hundreds of thousands of fans to celebrate K-Pop and Korean culture, including food, fashion and more. The 2025 KCON looks to build on the huge success of last year's installment, running August 1–3 with performances by top K-Pop stars including NCT 127, aespa, Baby Don't Cry, AllDayProject, MONSTA X, Hwasa, P1Harmony, ZEROBASEONE, RIIZE, Lee Young-ji, Roy Kim, Jackson Wang, MEOVV and many more. In addition to the performance, fans will also have opportunities to enjoy panel discussions, K-beauty workshops, and authentic Korean cultural experiences. (Not to mention that L.A.'s very own Koreatown is just a quick drive away from the arena.) Sung Han Bin will serve as MC for all three days, with additional MCs Seok Matthew, Ricky, and Zhang Hao joining for one day each.  Last year's KCON included a primetime live broadcast on the CW, the very first time a K-pop concert aired nationwide, as well as a div

The viral food of summer 2025 is coming to a secret L.A. pop-up August 2, and you don't want to miss it. Pop‑Tarts and B.J. Novak's cult-favorite foodie collective Chain are teaming up for a one‑day pop‑up on National Ice Cream Sandwich Day on August 2. And this isn't just Pop-Tarts celebrating its already released ice cream sandwiches. No, fans will get the chance to indulge in just 1,000 next‑level creations featuring viral flavors Strawberry Matcha and Dubai Chocolate. RECOMMENDED: The best new restaurants in Los Angeles to try right now Earlier this summer, Pop‑Tarts officially launched three packaged ice cream sandwich flavors (Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon, Frosted Strawberry and Frosted Chocolate Fudge), inspired by what Pop-Tarts aficionados apparently make at home. Now, Pop-Tarts has tasted viral success, and they want more. Enter: the Pop-Tarts Ice Cream Sandwiches by Chain pop-up. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pop-Tarts (@poptartsus) Imagine, if you will, biting into a Frosted Strawberry Pop‑Tart sandwich that’s hugging cool matcha ice cream with a swirl of bright strawberry. Or: nibbling on a decadent Frosted Chocolate Fudge Pop‑Tart filled with pistachio ice cream, topped off with crunchy toasted kataifi and rich tahini‑chocolate ribbons, riffing on the luxe Dubai chocolate craze. These are the kind of bold mashup flavors SoCal foodies (and anyone who chases viral trends) dream of.  Chain, the food collective from BJ Novak and chef

She's creepy and they're... greasy? At least for the Meals of Misfortune limited-edition menu coming to Wendy's, when Netflix's dark hit Wednesday takes over. Things get started July 31, with a 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. sneak peek at the 12138 Imperial Highway location in Norwalk, California. The rest of the country can taste the dread in August. “Normally I’d be against this kind of capitalistic corporate synergy,” Wednesday Addams said in a press release (presumably in a sinister monotone). “But when the fast-food-slinging pigtailed provocateur said I could do whatever I wanted to her customers, I couldn’t resist.” RECOMMENDED: This California chain was just named best fast-food burger—and it's not the one you think Wednesday didn't hold back, either. Menu items will include “Rest in 10-Piece” (nuggets), “Cursed & Crispy” (fries), “Raven’s Blood” (a Frosty served with a "Spoon of Gloom") and “Dips of Dreadm,” four inferno-inspired mystery sauces named You Can’t Hyde, This Will Sting, Grave Mistake and Nowhere to Woe. But don't fear (or possibly, do), because the Meals of Misfortune will spread across the United States on August 4, just in time for the long-awaited premiere of Wednesday's second season on August 6 on Netflix. (Part two of the season will stream on September 3.)  But regardless of where you live, you can get in on the world's spookiest pigtailed collab with “Escape from Wednesday’s Woe.” A Wendy's app exclusive (yes, Wendy's has an app), “Escape from Wednesday’s Woe