Events
Illustrium: A Cirque-style Cabaret
Starts May 24. AirOtic Soirée brings its cirque-style cabaret and aerial dinner show to Clifton’s Republic every weekend. The Illustrium show features acts reflecting Clifton’s Republic theme such as mermaids representing the Pacific Seas bar. Plus, enjoy a selection of cocktails, indulge in a menu crafted by Clifton’s chefs and interact with AirOtic’s performers after the show. First show starts this Friday at 7 p.m. 648 S. Broadway, Los Angeles.
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Fiesta Hermosa
May 25-27. Roam the stalls at this Memorial Day arts festival, sample the food, listen to the music and take a dip in Hermosa Beach. Recent logistical changes have streamlined the layout: on-the-street stalls and sidewalk vendors remain along Hermosa and Pier Avenues, while live music has moved to the beach. A proper carnival with a wine garden and arts festival will be held inland behind the Hermosa Beach Community Center. Saturday-Monday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Pier Ave., Los Angeles. fiestahermosa.net
Topanga Days Country Fair
May 25-27. Nestled in Topanga Canyon, this Memorial Day weekend festival is a beloved local tradition as locals gather to celebrate music, food, art and the environment. The event will have vegan food vendors, healing arts, a children’s activity section and live local bands. Don’t miss the DIY Memorial Day parade on Monday morning. Saturday-Monday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Los Angeles. topangadays.com
Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition
Now Open. Located steps from the ocean at the Santa Monica Art Museum, you can explore pastel-hued grandeur and idyllic landscapes through over 200 real-life images, celebrating Wes Anderson’s unique aesthetics. See photography from the popular Instagram account, featuring surreal symmetry and enchanting hues, discover stories behind each location and capture your own Accidentally Wes Anderson moments with exclusive merchandise. Hours vary. 1219 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica.
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Everyone’s Scottish at Scottish Fest
May 25-26. Get ready to don your tartan and join the excitement at Scottish Fest this May, at the OC Fair and Event Center! Revel in the heart-pounding highland games, soul-stirring bagpipes, and lively Celtic music. Indulge in authentic Scottish fare and enjoy exclusive whisky tastings. Kids will love exploring the all-new Family Glen, and everyone can enjoy a weekend of unforgettable fun! Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Get your tickets now at scottishfest.com
Food + Drinks
Star Leaf
Now Open. With over 43 meticulously designed locations across Asia, Star Leaf has opened its first U.S. location in Pasadena’s Playhouse Village. It offers a fine dining experience with a menu featuring exclusive Thai royal-style dishes, such as Tom Yum soup, Royal Crown fried rice, and Malay Captain’s curry chicken. Enhance the dinner with tropical-style cocktails, highlights include lychee martini and a “Bali” Mary. Open daily, hours vary. 641 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. starleafusa.com
Carmel on Melrose
Now Open. A new dining concept on Melrose brings the energy of Tel Aviv’s market place to L.A., showcasing a Chef’s Counter, cozy booths and casual bar seating, all with views of the wood-burning oven baking in-house breads. The menu highlights seasonal produce, sustainably sourced meats and seafood, featuring dishes such as grandma’s mushrooms cigar, kampachi tartar, Spanish octopus skewer, smoked eggplant masabaha, ribeye cap and knafeh. Tuesday–Sunday, 5 p.m.-11 p.m. 7383 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. carmelmelrose.com
Sirena at The Georgian
Now Open. A new oceanfront restaurant, Sirena, has launched at The Georgian, located above the Santa Monica waterfront. Executive Chef David Almany offers Italian-Californian cuisine, featuring dishes like sheep’s milk ricotta mezzaluna, linguine vongole amalfitano and jumbo scallops alla piccata. The extensive wine list is curated by award-winning sommelier Kristin Olszewski and Chef Thessa Diadem crafts the desserts, including coconut budino and pistachio semifreddo. Hours vary. 1415 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica. Reserve Now
UKA at Japan House
Open. The restaurant at Japan House offers a kaiseki menu by chefs Yoshitaka Mitsue and Shingo Kato, featuring nine courses from subtle to robust and classic to modern. Highlights include ainame fish cooked in dashi with sansho leaves and teriyaki hamachi with asparagus cream. The beverage pairing includes an assortment of sake and wine selections. Wednesday–Sunday, 5:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m. 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. japanhousela.com
Arts + Culture
Debbie Allen Dance Academy FREE Community Block Party
June 2. Come to the Debbie Allen Dance Academy FREE Community Block Party on Sunday, June 2nd from 12-7PM. Free entrance, carnival rides/games (first 5 tickets), dance classes and health screenings. Plus enjoy food for purchase from LA’s top food trucks. Sunday, 12-7 p.m. 1850 S. Manhattan Pl. Los Angeles and along Washington Blvd between Western Ave & Gramercy Pl. debbieallendanceacademy.com
The Lion King’s 30th Anniversary
May 24-25. Disney celebrates the 30th anniversary of “The Lion King” with an immersive live-to-film concert event. Featuring the original 1994 film on the Bowl screens, the event includes a live orchestra, fireworks, vocal performances of award-winning songs and special appearances by cast members from both the 1994 and 2019 films. Additionally, select performances from the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical will be featured for the first time at the Hollywood Bowl. Friday and Saturday at. 8 p.m. 2301 Highland Ave, Los Angeles. hollywoodbowl.com
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial with Drone Show
May 25. Hollywood Forever is hosting its own screening event, before Cinespia’s return to the cemetery. Similar to Cinespia, you can bring a blanket, picnic and beer or wine to the Fairbanks Lawn for a screening of E.T., with DJ sets before and after the film. Although Cinespia’s photo booth will be absent, the event will feature a colorful drone show during the credits. Tickets are $22. Saturday, 6:45-10:30 p.m. 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. hollywoodforever.com
Pico de Mayo
May 26. The Pico Union Project celebrates its 10th anniversary with a street fair and fundraiser at its historic 1909 building. It will feature food from Guelaguetza, Jitlada, Bé Ù, La Tecleña, La Pupusa and Panaderia Cuscatleca, plus pizza from a new brick oven. Plus live performances by The Bob Baker Marionette Theater, Mariachi Quinto Sol, Nita Whitaker, the Urban Voices Project and more. Anne Frank LA will donate a sapling from its Sapling Project. Sunday, noon-2:30 p.m. 1153 Valencia Street, Los Angeles. Get Tickets
Memorial Day at Forest Lawn
May 27. Forest Lawn will honor fallen veterans with free Memorial Day remembrances at its six locations: Cathedral City, Covina Hills, Cypress, Glendale, Hollywood Hills and Long Beach. This family-friendly event will commemorate the lives and valor of American veterans with patriotic music, wreath layings, flag presentations and retirements, keynote addresses, presidential proclamations, giveaways, arts and crafts, sweet treats and more. For specific hours and addresses, visit forestlawn.com
Photo credit: The Bowl courtesy of the Hollywood Bowl. E.T. courtesy of Hollywood forever. Band courtesy of Pico Union Project. Shrimp dish courtesy of Star Leaf. Step Through Curtain Photo courtesy of Wes Anderson: The Exhibition. Girl with Balloons courtesy of Topanga Days Country Fair. Illustrium courtesy of White Oak PR. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
