From pop movies to high art and street food to fine cuisine, there is no shortage of cool things to do in L.A. this April. Here are 30+ picks.
Edited by William Yelles.
Month of Photography Los Angeles
All Month. Explore the art of photography with events and exhibitions at venues across the city. See website for complete list, locations, dates and times. monthofphotography.com
Rooftop Cinema Club
All Month. The U.K.’s “Number One Outdoor Cinema Series” returns to the rooftops of Hollywood’s private NeueHouse and downtown‘s Level for its fifth season in L.A. Enjoy street food and drinks while you take in views and watch acclaimed films. Highlights this month include a sing-along screening of Bohemian Rhapsody and a themed Bridesmaids night. See website for full lineup and schedule. Ages 18+. $17-$25. 6121 Sunset Blvd., L.A.; 888 S. Olive St., downtown. rooftopcinemaclub.com
I Like Scary Movies
Opens April 4. The multi-sensory immersive art installation inspired by some of Warner Bros. Pictures’ and New Line Cinema’s most iconic scary movies will lure fans into artistic reinterpretations of the worlds of the first chapter in the IT saga, The Shining, Beetlejuice, The Lost Boys, and A Nightmare on Elm Street. Noon-10 p.m. $39. The Desmond, 5514 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Tickets
The Reduced Shakespeare Company
April 5-6. In this “tale told by idiots,” The Reduced Shakespeare Company weaves famous Shakespeare characters, lines and speeches into a brand new Shakespearean smorgasbord. William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged) is a comic misadventure that will feel strangely familiar yet excitingly new. Recommended for ages 13 and up. 7:30 p.m. $39-$69. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, 310.434.3200. thebroadstage.org
Renee Taylor in My Life on a Diet
April 5-14. The Hollywood and Broadway actress looks back on a life full of memorable roles—and fad diets—in this funny show, having its Los Angeles premiere. See website for show times and ticket prices. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.746.4000. thewallis.org
Brewery Artwalk
April 6-7. This biannual art walk takes place in what organizers claim is the world’s largest art complex, which is inside a former Pabst Blue Ribbon brewery. Browse the personal studios of more than 100 resident artists. There’s also a restaurant on-site. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 2100 N. Main St., L.A., 323.638.9382. breweryartwalk.com
Renegade Craft Fair
April 6-7. This celebration of the DIY and maker spirit features over 200 artisans selling their wares, plus vinyl DJ sets, craft drinks, food trucks and interactive features. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring St., L.A., renegadecraft.com
Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour
April 6-7. See why L.A. is renowned for its indoor-outdoor lifestyle with a self-guided tour through 29 of the county’s private and public landscapes, each of whose plants are at least 50 percent native to Southern California. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $15-$80. See website for locations. nativeplantgardentour.org
Masters of Taste
April 7. This premier food and beverage festival lets you stroll the 50-yard line at the iconic Rose Bowl while feasting on fare from some of L.A.’s top chefs and restaurants (including Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken and Kass Wine Bar + Restaurant), sipping handcrafted cocktails by the city’s master mixologists and tasting offerings from eclectic California wineries and local craft breweries. The fourth annual event will be hosted by chef Michael Hung of Faith & Flower. All proceeds benefit Union Station Homeless Services. 21+. 4-7 p.m.; VIP 3-7 p.m. $105; VIP $165. Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, 626.240.4550. mastersoftastela.com
The Niceties
Opens April 9. This play about a university professor and her brilliant student engaged in an academic debate about race grapples with who gets to determine American history. See website for show times and ticket prices. Gil Cates Theater, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood, 310.208.5454. geffenplayhouse.org
Backstreet Boys: The Experience
Opens April 10. Relive the ’90s at the Grammy Museum’s fan experience that pays tribute to the legendary boy band’s nearly three-decade career. Su-M and W-Th 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., F-Sa 10 a.m.-8 p.m. $15 GA; $13 students, children and seniors. 800 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown, 213.765.6800. grammymuseum.org
Earth Day LA
April 11. Celebrate Mother Earth with performances, art projects, plant tours, green-tech demonstrations and giveaways. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. at Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.8080. grandparkla.org
Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles
April 11-14. The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) will present a diverse and prestigious lineup of narrative and documentary features, shorts, and gala events during its 17th annual event. See website for film titles, schedule and ticket prices. Regal Cinemas L.A. Live 14, 1000 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown. indianfilmfestival.org
TCM Classic Film Festival
April 11-14. Now in its 10th year, the event brings beloved movies and the people who made them to iconic venues in the heart of Hollywood, including the Egyptian Theatre, TCL Chinese Theatre and Hollywood Roosevelt. This year’s theme is “Follow Your Heart: Love at the Movies,” celebrating love in all of its forms. See romantic classics including From Here to Eternity, Gone With the Wind and a special 30th-anniversary screening of When Harry Met Sally with Meg Ryan, Billy Crystal and director Rob Reiner in attendance. See website for show times and ticket prices. filmfestival.tcm.com
Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
April 12-14. Expect car races, concerts, a Grand Prix 5K run, car displays, rock-climbing walls, racing simulators and more fun, family-friendly options, plus a lifestyle expo featuring green technology, at this 45th annual event. See website for schedule. One-day admission $27-$90; three-day pass $65-$147. 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, 888.827.7333. gplb.com
Record Store Day
April 13. The annual global celebration of the culture of the independent record store includes dozens of participating merchants in the L.A. area. Special vinyl releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day. Many stores feature pop-up performances and other festivities. See website for complete list of locations. recordstoreday.com
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
April 13-14. Authors, booksellers and readers mingle on the USC campus during this celebration of the written word, billed as the largest literary festival in the world. Expect conversations with high-profile authors, live bands, poetry readings, chef demos, cultural entertainment, artists creating work on-site, over 200 exhibitors, film screenings followed by Q&A’s and discussion panels on hot topics. This year’s lineup of over 500 authors includes Chelsea Clinton, Roxane Gay, Dave Barry and Eva Chen. See website for schedule. Sa 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Su 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Parking $12. events.latimes.com
Black Super Hero Magic Mama
Through April 14. Los Angeles-based playwright Inda Craig-Galván’s new play—world-premiering here—follows Sabrina, a mother who copes with her teenage son’s police-shooting death by getting lost in the comic-book fantasy world he had created. See website for show times and ticket prices. Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood, 310.208.5454. geffenplayhouse.org
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Through April 14. Roald Dahl’s story comes to the stage, featuring songs from the original film, a new score from the songwriters of Hairspray and, of course, Oompa-Loompas and the great glass elevator. See website for show times and ticket prices. Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com
Spa Week
April 15-21. Biannual event sees participating spas around the city offer signature treatments (massages, scrubs and facials that usually cost $100-$500) for just $50. See website for participating spas and wellness locations. spaweek.com
Falsettos
Opens April 16. The Lincoln Center Theater Production of William Finn and James Lapine’s groundbreaking, Tony Award-winning musical about a gay man, his wife, his lover and his son was recently nominated for a Tony for best revival of a musical. See website for show times and ticket prices. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
Fiddler on the Roof
Opens April 16. This version of the beloved theatrical classic is directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher and features the Broadway hits “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Sunrise Sunset” and “Tradition.” See website for show times and ticket prices. Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com
Cheech & Chong: Still Rollin’—Celebrating 40 Years of Up in Smoke
Opens April 20. Fans of the legendary comedy duo and music act can get a look at what led to their fame through master recordings, original movie scripts and items from Cheech’s guitar-art collection. It opens, fittingly, on 4/20. Su-M and W-Th 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., F-Sa 10 a.m.-8 p.m. $15 GA; $13 students, children and seniors. Grammy Museum, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown, 213.765.6800. grammymuseum.org
Lackawanna Blues
Through April 21. Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson both wrote and performs this personal work, taking on more than 20 colorful characters from the eccentric boarding house he grew up in in the 1950s. See website for show times and ticket prices. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.com
Pasadena Showcase House of Design
Starts April 21. Gather design inspiration at the 55th annual Pasadena Showcase House of Design—one of the country’s oldest and largest house-and-garden tours. This year, more than 24 top designers will reimagine the historic, 12,000-square-foot, Hollywood Regency-style Boddy House on the grounds of Descanso Gardens. Tu-Th and Sa-Su 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., F 9 a.m.-7 p.m. $35-$60. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, 714.442.3872. pasadenashowcase.org
Queen Mary Easter Celebration
April 21. Hop aboard the Queen Mary’s famed decks to celebrate Easter Sunday including brunch, a petting zoo, face painting, three egg hunts, a “bunny bounce house” and much more. See website for schedule and ticket prices. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0738. queenmary.com
Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop
Opens April 26. There are key photographers who have documented the hip-hop movement, and this exhibition celebrates their important contributions. Glimpse some of the genre’s most iconic images—including the “King of New York” Notorious B.I.G. portrait taken by Barron Claiborne in 1997 and Salt-N-Pepa shot by Janette Beckman in 1987. Also on display are unedited contact sheets, videos and memorabilia. W-Su 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Annenberg Space for Photography, 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Century City, 213.403.3000. annenbergphotospace.org
Street Food Cinema
Starts April 27. Street Food Cinema returns for another season of movies, music and food trucks at L.A. State Historic Park and other area venues including Exposition Park and Griffith Park. Opening night film is L.A.-set cult classic romantic comedy 500 Days of Summer. See website for complete list of films, locations and ticket prices. streetfoodcinema.com
CicLAvia Wilmington
April 28. Miles of L.A.’s normally congested streets turn into a car-free park for a walk and bike tour of the city during the country’s largest open streets event. This edition of CicLAvia takes place in the Los Angeles Harbor Region neighborhood of Wilmington. See website for additional route details. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 213.355.8500. ciclavia.org
Taste of the Eastside
April 28. Ninth annual food and drink festival showcases established culinary hot spots and buzz-worthy newcomers from neighborhoods such as Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz and Atwater Village, with proceeds benefiting local nonprofits. Taste dishes from eateries including Ample Hills Creamery and Same Same Thai. 4-8 p.m. (VIP 3 p.m.) $50-$60 GA, kids 2-12 $15, under 2 free; VIP $85-$95. Los Angeles River Center & Gardens, 570 W. Ave. 26, L.A. tasteoftheeastside.com
Block Party 2019
Through April 28. This third-annual celebration of the L.A. theater scene spotlights three encore productions from outstanding local theater companies. Rotterdam runs through April 7; Native Son runs April 18-28. See website for show times and ticket prices. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
Photos: Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach courtesy Grand Prix of Long Beach. “When Harry Met Sally” courtesy TCM. Cheech & Chong: Still Rollin’ courtesy The Recording Academy/Photo by Rebecca Sapp, Getty Images ©2019.
