Events
Lotus Festival
July 13-14. Celebrate the bloom of Echo Park Lake’s floating flowers at the annual Lotus Festival. This cultural event, now in its 43rd year, honors the contributions of Asian-Americans to L.A., with a special tribute to the Filipino community. The festival features a variety of activities, including food stalls, music performances, dragon boat races and lantern launches. Saturday and Sunday at 12 p.m. 751 Echo Park Ave. Los Angeles. laparks.org/lotusfestival
Roaring Nights at the L.A. Zoo
July 13. Experience the zoo in a new way with this after-hours series, featuring live music from the ’80s cover band The AstroYachts and a silent disco. For those 21 and up, explore the zoo independently or enjoy pop-up zookeeper talks and live animal encounters, plus dance the night away at the carousel party. Local food trucks and a full bar will be available to enhance your evening. Saturday at 6 p.m. 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles. lazoo.org
Ivy Station Night Market Backyard Barbecue
July 12. Celebrate summer at the Ivy Station Night Market Backyard Barbecue in Culver City. Discover unique finds from local artisanal vendors, indulge in gourmet food trucks and BBQ pop-ups and enjoy on-site dining. Sip craft beer from Los Angeles Ale Works, engage in lawn games and groove to the beats from the resident DJ. This is a dog-friendly event. Friday, from 5-10 p.m. 8840 National Blvd., Culver City. More Information
Flavors and Festivities: The South Bay Greek Festival Returns
July 12-14. Immerse yourself in Greek culture with a three-day celebration at St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Redondo Beach. Savor a variety of Greek culinary delights, including spanakopita, lamb chops and baklava, while enjoying live music and performances from award-winning folk dance groups. Entry is $5, with free admission for children 12 and under. Friday at 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at noon. 722 Knob Hill Ave., Redondo Beach. sbgreekfestival.com
All Aboard On The Garden Express
July 13. Descanso Gardens unveils the new Descanso Railroad this week, introducing a miniature train experience to complement its beloved passenger train. Visitors can watch model trains traverse various landscapes and depots. Additionally, a new platform will allow ticket holders to board the electric train for a scenic ride through the gardens. Open daily, 8:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Train rides will be available from 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. descansogardens.org
Food + Drinks
Experience Dine and Dazzle Friday’s at ALK
Now Open. Elevate your Friday nights with our exclusive Dine and Dazzle Fridays at ALK! Join us for a delightful dinner before your show and enjoy our specialty priced menu, complete with a complimentary appetizer to start your evening. Savor your favorite cocktails at 20% off and take advantage of our special valet rate all night long at the Godfrey Hollywood. After the show, return to ALK for a nightcap with more specialty priced cocktails at our bar. Make your Friday nights unforgettable with the perfect blend of dining and entertainment at ALK. 5-10 p.m. 1400 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles. Reserve Now
Celebrate Bastille Day at Bar Lis
July 14. The city’s French Riviera-inspired rooftop lounge teams up with Paris Loves L.A. for a lively evening hosted by French torch singer Adele Jacques. Enjoy Riviera Sunday at Bar Lis starting at 3 p.m., with aperol spritzes and a raw bar selection including fresh oysters, shrimp and scallop ceviche. In the evening, the lounge will present a cabaret show featuring Brigitte Bardot and Serge Gainsbourg songs, performed by top jazz musicians and special guests. Sunday, from 7-11 p.m. 1541 Wilcox Ave., Los Angeles. Reserve Now
PIKNIK at the Park
Now Open. Taking over Echo Park Lake’s Boathouse, PIKNIK is a new venture by the team behind The Lonely Oyster, Don Andes and Chef Dom Crisp. The boathouse will serve as the park’s all-day dining spot, offering coffees, juices, pastries, sandwiches and more. Additionally, they will provide to-go baskets with blankets for park visitors to enjoy picnics. This initiative aims to foster community engagement in the park. Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday-Wednesday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. 751 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles. piknikla.com
Summertime Specials at Majordomo
Now Serving. Executive Chef Tim Mangun unveils summer specials for Majordōmo, featuring smoked meats, a refreshing Dreamsicle slushie and the return of their corn ribs. The Bing menu adds five new dishes, including smoked eggplant and whipped bone marrow. New smoked meats include pork belly crispy rice and whole plate short rib. Proceeds from the Dreamsicle slushie, made with condensed milk, orange Kool-Aid powder and soju, benefit the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation’s Racial Justice Fund. Hours vary. 1725 Naud St., Los Angeles. majordomo.la
Be Bright’s US Barista Championship Tasting Experience
July 13. Enjoy five expertly crafted beverages by Be Bright’s owner Frank La, the 2024 U.S. Barista Champion. The tasting menu includes pour over, extract chilled espresso, lactose-free freeze distilled evaporated cappuccino, Kodawari signature beverage and cold brew. Guests will also receive a 30g dose of competition beans to take home. There are four seatings, priced at $95 per person. Saturday, at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. 7311 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. bebrightcoffee.com
Arts + Culture
Maestro of the Movies: The Music of John Williams and More
July 12-14. Legendary composer John Williams presents three enchanting evenings of film music with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Under the baton of Maestro David Newman, the orchestra will perform Williams’ iconic scores from Star Wars and Superman, along with selections from Hollywood’s Golden Age, accompanied by film clips for an immersive cinematic experience. Friday-Saturday at 8 p.m. Sunday at 7:30 p.m. 2301 Highland Ave., Los Angeles. hollywoodbowl.com
Ever Present
July 13-14. Take the tram to the Getty on select days for “Ever Present,” a series of ephemeral performances and listening sessions. Formerly known as Friday Flights, this series draws its name from an engraving at the entrance to Robert Irwin’s central garden: “Ever present / Never twice the same / Ever changing / Never less than whole.” This month, experience a recreation of Joan Jonas’s 1960s performance, Mirror Piece I & II, featuring 15 dancers moving mirrors in synchronization in the museum’s tram arrival plaza. Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m. 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles. getty.edu
Gordon Parks at Pace
July 12. A multifaceted artist known for his work as a photographer, filmmaker, composer and writer, Gordon Parks was one of the 20th century’s most influential figures. Curated by Kimberly Drew, Pace’s Curatorial Director, this exhibition highlights Parks’ nuanced approach to image-making and storytelling, offering intimate portraits that delve into his subjects’ inner lives and private spaces. This marks Pace’s first solo exhibition of Parks’ work in collaboration with the Gordon Parks Foundation. Hours vary. 1201 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles. pacegallery.com
Photo credit: Mirror Piece I, 1969, Joan Jonas. Performance view, Bard College, Annandale-on Hudson, New York, 1969. Courtesy the artist and Gladstone Gallery. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Thornton, Mobile, Alabama,1956, The Gordon Parks Foundation, courtesy Pace Gallery. BeBright Coffee pic by Stan Lee. PIKNIK courtesy of Photos by Brooke Olsen. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
