Events
“Mr. & Mrs. Smith” Escape Game Takeover
Aug. 10-12. Amazon MGM Studios, celebrating 16 Emmy nominations for “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” announced a takeover of The Escape Game LA at Westfield Century City. Fans can experience life as secret agents through a free escape game, starting at the HiHi kiosk to receive assignments and embark on a mission with series easter eggs. Successful participants earn exclusive prizes. Hours vary. Reservations are available, with walk-ins also welcome. 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Space 2945, Los Angeles. theescapegames.com
Skate It Up in Santa Monica
Starts Aug. 10. Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. announces the grand opening of Roll @ Santa Monica, a seasonal 4,800 square-foot outdoor roller skating rink. The rink will have an inaugural celebration, in partnership with LA Skate Hunnies, featuring music, skate performances and entertainment. Saturday, 3-6 p.m. 1324 5th Street, Santa Monica. rollatsantamonica.com
ASSSSCAT
Aug. 10. A group of improv comedians from film and TV perform alongside a special guest monologist. After taking a suggestion from the audience, the monologist shares impromptu thoughts, feelings and true stories inspired by suggestions. Previous monologists include Will Ferrell, Mark Hamill, Tina Fey, Charles Barkley, Don Cheadle, Elizabeth Banks, Aubrey Plaza, Kumail Nanjiani, Amy Poehler, Robin Williams and more. Saturday, 8:30-10 p.m. 5919 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles. Get Tickets Now
L.A. River Fest
Aug. 10. This popular event inspires art of all sizes, showcased at the annual Friends of the L.A. River event. Visit L.A. State Historic Park for music, dance, a visual art gallery, eco-friendly activities, food trucks and a 50-booth marketplace. New this year is the Lewis Lounge poetry showcase, honoring FoLAR founder and poet Lewis MacAdams. Admission is free, but tickets are required. Sunday, 3-9 p.m. 1245 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles. folar.org
Upper Deck Golf at the Rose Bowl
Aug. 9-10. Enjoy an elevated golfing experience at the Rose Bowl with Upper Deck Golf. This premium event allows participants to chip, putt and drive balls from the upper deck of the Pasadena stadium. Plus enjoy access to special stadium access, drinks from the Clubhouse bar, complimentary set of golf balls and more. Saturday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Los Angeles. Reserve Now
Food + Drinks
Square Pie Guys x Hot Tongue Pizza
Aug. 8. Known for their Detroit-style pizza in the Bay Area, Square Pie Guys join forces with Hot Tongue Pizza for a special culinary event. This collaboration offers a unique menu featuring larger 10×14 inch Detroit-style pies like the cookout pie, samin’s summer pie and spicy pepperoni, all available by the slice. Guests can also enjoy a twist on Hot Tongue’s vegan cauliflower wings, seasoned with lemon pepper or Szechuan seasoning. Thursday, 5-9 p.m. 2590 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles. More Information
Food Trucks Delight with Amazon
Aug. 10. Celebrating 62 Emmy nominations, Amazon MGM Studios will bring themed food trucks for “Fallout,” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” and “Red, White & Royal Blue” to L.A. Offering exclusive, complimentary items like New York hot dogs and fish and chips, the trucks will make two stops each across the city before arriving at Cinespia’s screening of “True Romance” in Hollywood to serve moviegoers. For specific locations and times, visit website for more details. alloutforfallout.com
Providence–Retains Its Two Michelin Stars
Open. One of America’s longest-standing fine dining establishments, has retained its two MICHELIN Stars since 2008 and its Green MICHELIN Star in the 2024 California MICHELIN Guide. For those seeking an elevated experience, the menu includes delicacies such as oysters on the half shell with tarragon mignonette and the uni egg with champagne beurre blanc. The chef’s tasting menu offers dishes like amber kaluga caviar with crispy potato and crème fraîche, sashimi with celtuce and calamansi. Tuesday–Friday, 6– last seating 9 p.m. Saturday, 5:30-last seating 9 p.m. 5955 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. providencela.com
The Rose Venice Turns 45
Starts Aug. 8. Celebrating its 45th anniversary, The Rose Venice is showcasing a variety of seafood tower and a curated wine list. The towers, priced at $45 and $79, honor the restaurant’s 45 years in business and its founding year, 1979. The towers feature selections from the newly launched mariscos menu, including oysters, scallops, leche de tigre and crudo. A selection of wines by the bottle, priced at $45 and $79, includes options like Coutier brut tradition, Chanin Los Alamos Vineyard chardonnay and Mac Forbes riesling. Open daily, hours vary. 220 Rose Ave., Venice. therosevenice.la
Pizza Girl
Now Open. The SoCal-based e-commerce food business, founded by co-CEO Caroline D’Amore, debuts its first brick-and-mortar location at Venice Beach’s Hotel Erwin. The pizzeria offers a menu with options like super cheesy girl, pizza girl pepperoni, Marry Me margherita, Italian Girl, bella bianca and more. Guests can also create their own pizza or enjoy rotating seasonal specials. All pizzas, available in 12” or 16” sizes, come with a gluten-free dough option, with select flavors available by the slice. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.–12 a.m 1697 Pacific Ave., Venice. pizzagirl.com
Arts + Culture
Golda Zahra at Disney Hall
Aug. 16. Fresh off her sold-out performance at the BroadStage, award-winning opera singer and L.A. native Golda Zahra is set to return to the Walt Disney Concert Hall for a grand concert gala production of Puccini’s Turandot. Golda will make her professional debut as Liu in the Pacific Music Festival’s spectacular production celebrating 100 years of Puccini’s life and his opera masterpiece, Turandot! Featuring the Dream Orchestra led by renowned conductor Daniel Suk, Golda joins a world-class international ensemble and cast of 200 performers and the Opera Chorus of Los Angeles. Friday at 7:30 p.m. 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. dreamorchestra.org
Khruangbin
Aug. 10-11. Texas trio Khruangbin, known for their ’60s Thai funk-inspired sound, brings taut grooves and psychedelic riffs to the Hollywood Bowl alongside Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Over the past decade and four albums, Khruangbin has blended global musical influences, including Thai funk, spaghetti western scores, Bakersfield country, Kingston dub and more. Their latest album, “A La Sala,” invites fans on an intimate journey as they perform some of the biggest shows of their career. 2301 Highland Ave., Los Angeles. hollywoodbowl.com
Nisei Week Japanese Festival
Starts Aug. 10. Join the downtown L.A. community for the 82nd Nisei Week Japanese Festival, featuring free Japanese cultural activities, including music, entertainment and food, over two weekends. Highlights for this week includes The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center showcasing bonsai, ikebana, tea ceremony and calligraphy. Plus The Grand Parade will feature traditional dancers, taiko drums and special guests. Starts Saturday at 10 a.m. 244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles. niseiweek.org
HollyShorts Film Festival
Now Showing. The Oscar-Qualifying short film festival features a week and a half of networking events, filmmaker Q&As and screenings of short films from around the world. Most screenings take place at the TCL Chinese 6, showcasing 40-minute films (or shorter) from early afternoon to midnight. An all-access badge costs $160, while a single-day pass is $60. 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Level 3, Los Angeles. hollyshorts.com
Photo credit: Providence courtesy of John Troxell. Nissei Week courtesy of Toyo Miyatake Studios. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
