Los Angeles

Weekend roundup

April 29-May 2

Events

Private Cooking Classes at The Gourmandise School

Reopens May 1. Gather with your squad or fam for in-person private party cooking and baking classes at The Gourmandise School in Santa Monica Place. Sharpen your culinary skills and prepare dishes led by a renowned Gourmandise chef in a safe, limited capacity environment. Participants can choose a three-course meal or decadent dessert from the School’s specialty menu. A private class can host up to 12 friends or family members; reservations available now and can be booked online. thegourmandiseschool.com

Virtual Cooking Class to Support The Academy Project

May 1. The Academy Project and Happi Foodi join forces with The Wine House to virtually host a night filled with cooking, eating, drinking and fun. Leading the class is Food Network star chef Maiki Le (pictured) who will cook her favorite recipe with you while Jim Knight, owner and operator of The Wine House, talks about (and tastes) a wine that pairs perfectly. All of the proceeds from ticket sales will go toward the #FillTheTruck campaign to help bring healthy meals to foster and homeless youth in South L.A. 5 p.m. $50. theacademyproject.org

“Wellness Weekend”

Begins May 1. In collaboration with the National Alliance of Mental Illness Westside Los Angeles (NAMI WLA), Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. presents a series of mental wellness activities on the Third Street Promenade as part of a “Wellness Weekend” celebrating the beginning of Mental Health Awareness month in May. In-person events begin at 3 p.m. on May 1 on the Third Street Promenade’s Wellness Stage where fitness instructor and founder of Surf Sweat Serve, Purposeful Pixie, will lead a free yoga class. See website for more info. wellnessweekend.namila.org

Food + Drink

National Bubble Tea Day and New Sunright Tea Studio in San Gabriel

April 30. Calling all bubble tea fans! This Friday is officially National Bubble Tea Day and you’re invited to celebrate at Sunright Tea Studio’s newest location in San Gabriel. The menu features Sunright’s boba milk, Frosties, coffee, The Right Milk Tea (tea with a cream base), fruit teas and brûlée lattes with oat milk. Top off your drink with various add-on fruits and toppings such as Oreos, red bean, fresh taro, lychee jelly, cheese foam, crème brûlée, brown sugar, grass jelly, pudding, boba and more. Soft opening hours: Noon-5 p.m. 1245 S. San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabriel. snrtea.com

Weekend Brunch at Bull & Butterfly

Begins May 1. Kick start your weekend at Playa Vista neighborhood spot Bull & Butterfly to indulge in its all-new weekend brunch menu. The extensive SoCal-inspired menu is broken down into eggs, boards, sweets, salads and sandwiches. Highlights include steak and cheddar eggs; jumbo blue crab and poached asparagus; avocado toast; buttermilk fried chicken sandwich; and 10-ounce Hickory patty melt; sticky toffee pancakes; and bread pudding French toast. Wash it all dow with brunch cocktails, beer or wine. Sa-Su 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 12746 Jefferson Blvd., Suite 2200, Playa Vista, 213.267.2900. bullandbutterfly.com

“Proper English Market Tavern Sessions”

Begins May 2. Head to contemporary British pub Market Tavern this Sunday for the launch of its new “Proper English Market Tavern Sessions” series. Every Sunday, diners can enjoy live DJ sets starting at 5 p.m. spinning new wave ’80s, electronica and rock n’ roll. The dinner menu features signature items such as fish and chips, short rib ricotta gnocchi, the truffle burger (pictured), spicy chicken sandwich and more. Open daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Original Farmers Market, 6333 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.452.9299. markettavernla.com

The Barish by Nancy Silverton

Now Open. Elevate your date night with a decadent dinner at the new Italian steakhouse from renowned chef, author and James Beard Foundation Award winner Nancy Silverton. Named after her paternal grandmother’s family and located in the historic Hollywood Roosevelt hotel, The Barish is Silverton’s first new restaurant since 2013 and features variety of dry-aged cuts of beef and dishes inflected with the California-Italian flavors for which Silverton is famous. Reservations available via OpenTable. W-Su 5-10 p.m. 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.856.1970. thehollywoodroosevelt.com

Arts + Culture

Grand Park’s Celebration Spectrum

May 1-31. Immerse yourself in Grand Park’s audio-visual exhibition Celebration Spectrum that will showcase the work of more than 34 local artists in an on-site public art installation as well as digital programming. Featuring art by Tanya Aquiñiga with music curation by Mark “Frosty” McNeill, Celebration Spectrum reflects the multi-faceted ways in which L.A. County’s diverse populations celebrate, connect, and find and express their joy. Parts of the park will transform into a deconstructed party, unfolding in a progression of visual art and soundscape installations between Grand Avenue and Hill Street. whywerise.la

Los Angeles Ballet’s Virtual Gala

May 1. Watch Los Angeles Ballet (LAB) celebrate “15 Years of Outstanding Performances” at this year’s special virtual gala featuring stunning excerpts from the best of LAB’s performances over the years. Special guest presenters include Paula Abdul, Siedah Garrett, Nigel Lythgoe, Neal McDonough, Kenny Ortega, Jane Seymour and Adam Shankman, and the evening will be directed by Ryan Parma. Guests will enjoy a dinner provided by Crustacean of Beverly Hills that will be delivered or picked up from the restaurant. 7 p.m. See website to purchase tickets. losangelesballet.org

The Politics of Street Vendors in Los Angeles

May 1. LACMA presents a special short documentary series, in celebration of multi-disciplinary artist Ruben Ochoa’s project for LACMA × Snapchat: Monumental Perspectives, that follows street vendors as they unpack the history of the vending economy in L.A. Viewers will also witness these vendors’ efforts to organize and build sustainable businesses, the challenges and threats they face in this work environment, and the great impact the pandemic has had on this community. Noon-12:30 p.m. Free with RSVP. lacma.org

let me come in

Premieres April 30. Tune in to watch the premiere of L.A. Opera’s latest Digital Short, let me come in. Produced and directed by filmmaker Bill Morrison, this short film features a new song by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang performed by soprano Angel Blue (pictured) and incorporates rediscovered footage from the presumed-lost 1928 silent film Pawns of Passion. 11 a.m. Free. laopera.org

Cinco de Mayo

All-You-Can-Eat Tacos at Lanea

Upcoming | May 5. Stop by Santa Monica’s Lanea this Cinco de Mayo to feast on all-you-can-eat Barbakush street tacos and drink two Cazadores cocktails for $20. Pick from signature tacos such as the barbacoa, asada, pollo, cesina (thinly sliced and tenderized beef), pescado con mango (tilapia), camaron con mango (shrimp), Beyond Meat and vegetarian. To wash it all down, enjoy two Cazadores cocktails. Limited availability; purchase tickets now (one hour table limit). 4-9:30 p.m. 217 Broadway, Santa Monica, 424.265.7437. gotolanea.com | Tickets

Gracias Madre’s Party Kit For Four

Upcoming | May 5. Bring the fiesta home with Gracias Madre’s special Cinco de Mayo party kit for four! Priced at $100, this kit includes four canned margaritas, guacamole, salsa, chips, a deconstructed jackfruit taco kit, esquites (Mexican street corn salad) and a mini bottle of mezcal. Pre-orders now available for takeout and delivery on the website. 8905 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 323.978.2170. graciasmadre.co

Specials at Petite Taqueria

Upcoming | May 5. Celebrate this festive holiday at Petite Taqueria to enjoy Mexican comfort food with a contemporary twist. Available holiday specials include two-for-one margaritas, crispy tacos ($3), carne asada tacos ($10) and petite sundae ($6). For reservations, email reservations@petitetaqueria.com. 4 p.m.-close. 755 N. La Cienaga Blvd., L.A., 310.855.7223. petitetaqueria.com

Photo credits: The Barish courtesy The Hollywood Roosevelt. Los Angeles Ballet’s “Swan Lake” by Reed Hutchinson. “The Politics of Street Vendors in Los Angeles” courtesy Pete Galindo. Angel Blue by Sonya Garza. Lanea by Muse Media. Gracias Madre courtesy JS2 PR. Petite Taqueria courtesy Petite Taqueria/The h.wood Group. All other images are courtesy of the businesses and venues.

Let's Stay In Touch

with weekly roundups

Sign up for FREE to receive our exclusive Weekend Roundup!

Get the best things to do in our favorite SoCal spots delivered to your inbox every week

Los Angeles

Orange County

San Diego