Events
L.A. Taco Madness Returns to Grand Park With Top Taquerias
May 2. A citywide taco showdown lands at Gloria Molina Grand Park as L.A. Taco’s Taco Madness returns with a curated lineup of 14 standout taquerias, including Sonoratown, Evil Cooks, Tire Shop Taqueria, Los Dorados LA and Taquería Frontera. The annual event pairs tacos and craft beer with live art and DJ sets, building toward the crowning of the people’s choice and best-in-show winners. Entry is $25, with food and drinks sold separately. Saturday at 3 p.m. 200 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Get Tickets Now
May the 4th Celebration Brings Star Wars to the Academy Museum
May 3. A day of Star Wars–inspired programming takes over the Academy Museum, with festivities timed ahead of May the 4th. Guests can pose with R2-D2 and BB-8 in the lobby during scheduled appearances, create themed crafts like buttons, origami characters and porg puppets and attend science talks and interactive activities. The evening continues with a screening of The Empire Strikes Back featuring a special appearance by Billy Dee Williams, with standby tickets available on a first-come basis. Sunday at 11 a.m. 6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. academymuseum.org
CHAGEE x Laufey Private Performance Comes to The Americana at Brand
May 2. An intimate, surprise performance from GRAMMY-winning artist Laufey lands at The Americana at Brand, marking CHAGEE’s U.S. expansion and the launch of its “A Sip of Time” campaign. The event blends live music with immersive tea experiences, offering select guests a rare chance to see Laufey up close following her global tour. Tied to the opening of CHAGEE’s newest location, the collaboration highlights a shared focus on slowing down and turning everyday rituals into intentional, culture-driven moments. There will be activations for this special surprise. Saturday, store opens at 10 a.m. 889 Americana Way, Glendale. collaborations.chagee.us
GOLDA ZAHRA FREE: The Debut Album Project
Listen Now. Introducing Golda Zahra. Defying boundaries, the Los Angeles-born soprano is the embodiment of a modern diva unfettered by musical limits. “I love it all,” she says. Debuting in April with her first album project appropriately titled, “Free, Golda ventures out with a collection of beloved operatic arias showcasing her broad musical desires and spirit. Conducted and produced by internationally acclaimed Maestro Steven Mercurio, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra provides the sumptuous and passionate backdrop to this sublime and original recording project. goldazahra.com/performancesmagazine
Food + Drinks
Boxx at Night Brings After-Hours Coffee Cocktails to the Arts District
Now Serving. An after-hours experience launches at Boxx Coffee Roasters in the Arts District, transforming the daytime café into an evening gathering space centered on coffee and tea. Boxx at Night features a menu of non-alcoholic cocktails crafted with precision, including she wore a yellow ribbon with cold brew oolong, passionfruit and blood orange, 49 undefeated with cold brew, cucumber, dill, yogurt and lemon and grampus 8 with matcha, strawberry, raspberry and mint, each reflecting the brand’s focus on balance, technique and quality sourcing. Running Thursday through Saturday from 6-10 p.m. 950 E. 3rd Street, Los Angeles. boxxcoffee.la
Très LA Bistro & Café Debuts at Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood
Now Open. A new French-inspired dining destination arrives at the Pacific Design Center as Très LA Bistro & Café opens with a design-forward space that blends Parisian bistro charm with a distinctly Los Angeles sensibility. Created by Très LA Group founder Alan Dunn, the restaurant leans into a residential feel with layered interiors, while Executive Chef Julio Castorena leads a seasonal menu rooted in classic French technique. Dishes include grilled prawns provençale, beef tartare, pan-seared branzino and steak frites, alongside rotating salads, pastas and sides that balance lighter fare with bistro staples. Opening April 13, the café serves breakfast and lunch weekdays, with dinner and expanded service rolling out in the weeks ahead.
Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–3 p.m. 8687 Melrose Ave., Suite G180, West Hollywood. treslacafe.com
Milk Bar x Jade Leaf Matcha Debuts Limited-Time Drinks and Desserts
Starts May 2. A limited-time collaboration brings Jade Leaf Matcha into Milk Bar with a lineup that blends Japanese matcha with the brand’s signature nostalgic flavors. Highlights include the strawberry matcha cookie, balancing buttery sweetness with earthy matcha, alongside the cereal milk matcha latte, a playful take on the fan-favorite drink. Available at all Milk Bar locations from May 2 through June 27. Open daily, 10 a.m.-12 a.m. 7150 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. More Information
Dumpling Tasting with Chef Baobae
May 3. A multi-course tasting led by Chef Britney Wang explores dumpling traditions through a modern lens, with a seven-course progression that moves from shrimp mooncake to chimichurri short rib. The experience is paired with Steep’s tea and cocktail program, featuring selections like smoked plum black tea, peach jasmine green tea and pear aged white tea, alongside cocktails such as a smoked plum highball, black tea peach spritz and a baiju mango daiquiri. Sunday, 5:30-10 p.m. 970 N. Broadway, Ste 112, Los Angeles. Reserve Now
Last Call: A Prime Rib Celebration Dinner at Lawry’s
April 30. A limited-time bar offering puts a lighter spin on Lawry’s signature prime rib, introducing the Tiny Prime Celebration plate for National Prime Rib Day. The menu features a tokyo-cut prime rib with miniature sides of yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach and creamed corn, alongside a petite spinning bowl salad and a mini meat & potato martini. Thursday, 4:30-9 p.m. 100 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills.
Arts + Culture
María Dueñas Performs Korngold Violin Concerto at Walt Disney Concert Hall
May 1-3. A highly anticipated return brings Gen-Z violinist María Dueñas to Walt Disney Concert Hall for Korngold’s expressive and cinematic Violin Concerto, a work that blends virtuosic showmanship with melodies drawn from the composer’s film score legacy. Colombian conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada makes his LA Phil debut, pairing the concerto with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7, a powerful Romantic work known for its dramatic intensity and lyrical depth. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Sunday at 2 p.m. 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
The Music Center’s Very Special Arts Festival: Family Day
May 2. A free, all-abilities festival returns to The Music Center, celebrating the creative work of students through a day of performances, workshops and exhibitions. The event features both student and professional performances, hands-on visual and performing arts activities and a student art exhibit inspired by an annual theme, highlighting artistic expression across a wide range of abilities. Saturday, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. musiccenter.org
Santa Monica Symphony Blends Video Game Scores With Orchestral Classics
May 2. A live concert brings together iconic video game soundtracks and orchestral favorites in an immersive, audience-friendly program designed for both longtime concertgoers and newcomers. Led by conductor Pola Benke, the Santa Monica Symphony bridges traditional performance with contemporary sound worlds, creating a shared musical experience that spans generations and genres. Saturday, 7-9 p.m. 600 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica. Get Tickets Now
Photo Credit: Puppet Festival courtesy of Skirball. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
