From outdoor film screenings to new ice cream scoop shops, check out the top LA weekend events for April 26-29.
Edited by Christina Wiese.
EVENTS
TCM Classic Film Festival
Apr. 26-29. View classic films on the big screen at iconic Hollywood venues—oftentimes with the people who made them—at this annual film festival. This year’s theme is Powerful Words: The Page Onscreen, celebrating the representation of the written word on the silver screen. See screenings of films including His Girl Friday, Kramer vs. Kramer and To Have and Have Not. Director Martin Scorsese will receive the inaugural Robert Osborne Award at the fest’s Opening Night Gala. Check website for schedule and venues. Individual tickets $20-$30, students $10-$15. Festival passes $299-$2,149. filmfestival.tcm.com
Happy Place
Apr. 26-May 27. Smile and laugh your way through L.A.’s Instagram-worthy destination, now open downtown for a limited five-week engagement. Created for all ages, expect one-of-a-kind installations, multi-sensory immersive rooms and too many selfie moments to count. 1242 Palmetto St., downtown. happyplace.me
City Nature Challenge
Apr. 27-30. Co-Founded by NHMLA, over 70 cities—including Los Angeles—will participate in this premier community science event. It’s simple: get outside, snap photos of local wildlife (plants, animals, fur, tracks, etc.), and then share your observations to the free app iNaturalist or by using the hashtag #NatureinLA. Meet other nature enthusiasts at one of four City Nature Challenge events hosted by the NHMLA around L.A. county. See website for complete schedule. nhm.org
Street Food Cinema
Apr. 28. This outdoor summer film series hosts screenings every Saturday night at various locations across L.A., plus features live music and food from the city’s top trucks. Kicking off the series is Richard Linklater’s cult classic Dazed and Confused, with special guest appearances from Sasha Jenson “Don” and Wiley Wiggins “Mitch.” Alright, alright, alright. See website for the full season schedule. Doors 5:30 p.m.; band 6:30 p.m.; movie 8:30 p.m. $6-$22, under 6 free. 323.254.5068. streetfoodcinema.com
The Eclectic
Apr. 28. Grammy nominated and multi-platinum selling artist Big Bad Voodoo Daddy headlines the 10th edition of South Pasadena’s free music festival and art walk. Other acts on the bill include Maureen and The Mercury 5, Mexico68 and Twanguero, among others. See website for more details. theeclectic.rocks
Festival of Colors
Apr. 28. In the midst of being covered with colored powder, enjoy dance, live bands and DJs, yoga and free hugs at this festive spring event. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $6-$8. Van Nuys’ Woodley Park, 6100 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys. festivalofcolorsusa.com
Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair
Apr. 28-29. This free and family-friendly event returns to Central Park in the heart of Pasadena. Find over 200 artisans from the handmade community offering unique gifts, birthday presents and a variety of wares. Try your hand at DIY crafting workshops or grab a bite from an on-site, local food truck. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 275 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. jackalopeartfair.com
Fiesta Broadway
Apr. 29. Celebrate an early Cinco de Mayo at Fiesta Broadway—a free event featuring live music, food, carnival rides and games around City Hall. See website for complete details. allaccess-la.com
Taste of the Eastside
Apr. 29. This eighth annual food and drink festival showcases established culinary hot spots and buzzworthy newcomers from neighborhoods such as Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz and Atwater Village, with proceeds benefiting local nonprofits. Taste dishes from restaurants including Little Dom’s and Mohawk Bend. 4-8 p.m. (VIP 3 p.m.). GA $45-$55, kids 2-12 $15, under 2 free; VIP $75-$85. Los Angeles River Center & Gardens, 570 W. Ave. 26, L.A. tasteoftheeastside.com
9th Annual Run for Hope
Apr. 29. Find strength and hope at this annual event presented by OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center. Community highlights include personalizing t-shirts to commemorate loved ones, participating in the In-Memory Ceremony or lacing up your shoes for a 5K run/walk. 6:30 a.m.-noon. See website for registration fee and schedule of events. West Los Angeles Civic Center & Bandshell, 1645 Corinth Ave., L.A. ourhouse-grief.org
COLCOA French Film Festival
Through Apr. 30. Presented by the Franco-American Cultural Fund, partake in the largest festival in the world dedicated to French films and series. Programming for the week-long affair includes features, happy hour talks, television series, VR series and more. See website for pricing and venues. colcoa.org
FOOD + DRINK
Halo Top Creamery Scoop Shop
Now Open. Halo Top has been amassing throngs of obsessed ice cream eaters ever since it launched its low-calorie, low-sugar, high protein pints. At their new scoop shop at Westfield Century City, enjoy their roster of favorites alongside new soft served options—available exclusively at the Scoop Shop. Enjoy them in cups or a variety of cones, and show off your creative side with 50+ toppings. Westfield Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. halotopscoopshop.com
Cocktail Classes
Apr. 28. Spice up your summer mixology game with a cocktail class from Margo’s head bartender Anthony Mylott. Vodka kicks off the monthly series, with guests learning tips and tricks to creating Margo’s signature Frosé; a plated three course dinner prepared by chef Tristen Villafane will accompany the interactive, hands-on class. Mezcal (May 19) and Rum (July 14) themed classes are also set for the summer. 8-10 p.m. $75. Call for reservations. Margo’s, 1534 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, 310.829.3990. Tickets
Sidecar Doughnuts and Coffee x Playa Provisions
Apr. 28. In celebration of famed Santa Monica culinary destination Sidecar Doughnuts and Coffee’s 5 year anniversary, their new Sidecar Truck will be popping up at South Bay’s Playa Provisions. Top Chef season 14 winner Brooke Williamson (Small Batch Ice Cream, Playa Provisions) herself will be slinging dough in the truck for guests to taste her exclusive Passion Fruit Matcha Doughnut with candied kumquats. Proceeds will benefit No Kid Hungry. 8-11 a.m. 119 Culver Blvd., Playa Del Rey. sidecardoughnuts.com
Speakeasy Yoga and Bootlegger Brunch
Starts Apr. 29. A new weekly series at Hotel Indigo brings yoga and brunch together with a prohibition twist. Find your flow poolside with a 1920s soundtrack featuring Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and many more, before swapping your mat for a boozy brunch of prohibition-inspired dishes. 10 a.m. yoga, brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $12 yoga class, includes one complimentary beverage at Metropole Bar + Kitchen. Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown, 899 Francisco St., downtown. Tickets
Kali Supper Klub
Apr. 29. Enjoy a Sunday Funday fish fry on the Eastside, themed to the music of Lil Wayne. Po Boys, local New Orleans beer, fried food galore and more are on deck for Kali Supper Klub’s first daytime and outdoor event. Bon Appetit! Noon-4 p.m. $45. Parkman Woodsworks, 3709 Medford St., L.A. Tickets
One Colorado Happy Hour Week
Through May 1. Sip and savor the evening away at this new, week-long happy hour extravaganza in Pasadena. Singer-songwriters will fill the courtyard with tunes while you choose from different specials from neighboring restaurants like Sushi Roku, Sage Vegan Bistro and Brewer, Prawn and Il Fornaio. Music starts at 7 p.m. 41 Hugus Alley, Pasadena. onecolorado.com
ARTS + CULTURE
“Leonard Bernstein at 100”
Apr. 26-Sep. 2. Making its West Coast debut, explore the most comprehensive retrospective of world-renowned American composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein (Candide, West Side Story). The traveling exhibition will showcase over 150 photographs, personal wares, scores, costumes and more; exclusive to the L.A. presentation are items that highlight Bernstein’s political activism. Tu-F noon-5 p.m., Sa-Su 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $12 GA; $9 65+, full time students with ID, children over 12; $7 children 2-12. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A., 310.440.4500. skirball.org
“Blues in the Night”
Apr. 27-May 20. Theater luminary Sheldon Epps’ Tony- and Olivier Award-nominated musical revue features 26 numbers by icons like Bessie Smith and Duke Ellington. See website for showtimes and ticket prices. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.746.4000. thewallis.org
TAO: Drum Heart
Apr. 28. Feel the beat of Taiko drumming, a revered Japanese tradition. Athletic artists take to The Broad Stage with giant traditional drums and will perform innovative choreography in a spectacle that showcases energy, stamina and precision. 4 p.m., 7:30 p.m. $65+. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, 310.434.3200. thebroadstage.org
“Noises Off”
Apr. 28.-May 20. A raucous, side-splitting crowd favorite returns to A Noise Within—Pasadena’s acclaimed classical repertory theatre company—for a month-long run. Michael Frayn’s joyfully out-of-control production introduces the audience to an under-rehearsed and over-worked cast and crew, readying themselves for the world premiere of a new play with the auspicious title Nothing On. As the production progresses, the bumbling cast brings down the house … literally! See website for showtimes. $25+. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, 626.356.3121. anoisewithin.org
Art Garfunkel
Apr. 29. The Grammy-winning singer takes the stage at Walt Disney Concert Hall to perform both solo hits and Simon & Garfunkel favorites from his half-century career. 7:30 p.m. See website for ticket prices. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown. laphil.com
“Stomp”
Through Apr. 29. See what all the noise is about when this percussive hit returns with new surprises, like updated and restructured sections of the show and the addition of two new full-scale routines that utilize props like tractor tires, inner tubes and paint cans. See website for showtimes and ticket prices. Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com
Happy Place photo courtesy of Happy Place. City Nature Challenge photo courtesy of the Natural History Museum of LA County. Halo Top Creamery Scoop Shop photo by Christina Wiese. Leonard Bernstein photo courtesy of the Leonard Bernstein Office, Inc. “Blues in the Night” photo courtesy of The Wallis. TAO: Drum Heart photo courtesy of TAO. “Noises Off” photo by Craig Schwartz “Stomp” photo by Steve McNicholas.
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