From award-winning theater productions to surf, avocado and dog festivals, discover the top Los Angeles weekend events for August 3-6.
Edited by Christina Xenos.
EVENTS
International Surf Festival 
Aug. 3-6. This summer festival, now in its 56th year, celebrates the South Bay beach cities and includes volleyball tournaments, swim races, surfing contests, a beach run and youth events. Check website for schedule and event locations. Free. surffestival.org
BOLD (Beverly Hills Open Later Days)
Aug. 3-31. Enjoy the best of Beverly Hills beyond regular business hours Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights this month. Nearly 90 retail businesses such as Chanel, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, to name a few, will stay open until 8 p.m., and the city will feature live entertainment from popular DJs, style sessions with fashion influencers and luxury car test drives along Rodeo Drive. Opening weekend includes a fireworks show on August 3. View full schedule of events on website. lovebeverlyhills.com
Dog Film Festival 
Aug. 5. This festival combines Angelenos’ love for film with their love for their four-legged friends. Choose from two programs of short films (“Outdoor Adventure With Dogs“ at 5 p.m. and “Who Rescued Whom“ at 7 p.m.). Each program: $15. Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. dogfilmfestival.com
Melrose Rooftop Cinema
Continuing. West Hollywood’s modern Asian eating and drinking house, E.P.&L.P., takes the concept of dinner and a show to new heights. Playing weekly through October, the event features over two dozen cult classic movies and new releases. Highlights this month include Grease (Aug. 6), The Fifth Element (Aug. 8) and The Big Lebowski (Aug. 30). $15-$59. Sun.-Weds. 8:30-11 p.m. 603 La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, 310.855.9955. Tickets
Brew at the L.A. Zoo
Aug. 4. Spend an evening sampling beer from local craft and microbreweries while enjoying music, pop-up zoo keeper talks and close-up animal encounters. 7-11 p.m.; VIP 6-11 p.m. $25-$125. 5333 Zoo Dr., L.A., 323.644.6001. lazoo.org
‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’—In Concert
Aug. 4-5. The classic swashbuckling adventure starring Harrison Ford is projected on the Hollywood Bowl’s big screen, as one of John Williams’ best-loved film scores is performed live by the Los Angeles Philharmonic. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood, 323.850.2000. hollywoodbowl.com
Angel City Brewery Avocado Fest
Aug. 5-6. Celebrate all things avocado at Angel City Brewery with the debut of their Avocado Ale, a Kölsch-style beer brewed once a year from avocados hand picked from family owned King & King Ranch. Festivities also include live music, an artist bazaar, avocado beer cocktails, a cake from Charm City Cakes, local food trucks, games and more. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Free. 216 Alameda St., downtown. angelcitybrewery.com
Chinatown Summer Nights
Aug. 5. Part food event, part summer party, Chinatown Summer Nights takes over Central Plaza this weekend. Taste the many culinary offerings of Chinatown and LA’s gourmet food trucks; shop the neighborhood’s wares; watch Chinese chefs perform cooking demonstrations; experience large-scale, outdoor video projections; take part in hands-on, Chinese cultural activities; sip on craft brews and dance in Central Plaza to tunes from KCRW DJs. Event occurs again September 2. 5 p.m.-midnight. Free. 943-951 N. Broadway, downtown. chinatownsummernights.com
FOOD + DRINK
Jane Q and Ever Bar
Opens Aug. 3. The Kimpton Everly Hotel makes its debut along with its dining and drinking destinations—Jane Q and Ever Bar. Jane Q features all-day dining from farm-fresh breakfasts and pastries, to unique shared plates, oven-fired pizza and entrees and indulgent desserts. Bartender Dan Rook makes his foray into the LA cocktail scene at Ever Bar. His drink menu features sophisticated cocktails inspired by classic recipes that highlight citrus and herbs. The ground-floor gathering place evolves throughout the day from living room to work hub to nightlife destination. 1800 Argyle Ave., L.A., 213.279.3532. everlyhotelhollywood.com
ARTS + CULTURE
Heisenberg
Through Aug. 6. Visionary playwright Simon Stephens (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) explores human connection in this acclaimed play, which finds Georgie (Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds) pursuing a much older man, played by Denis Arndt (Basic Instinct). Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Aug. 2-Sept. 10. Award-winning playwright Simon Stephens’ The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, based on Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel of the same name, follows brilliant but socially awkward 15-year-old mathematician Christopher, who sets out to find the real culprit when he is suspected of killing his neighbor’s dog. Along the way, he makes an earth-shattering discovery and sets off on a journey that changes his life forever. The acclaimed play won five Tony Awards in 2015, including Best Play, Best Direction of a Play and Best Actor. See for yourself what the buzz is about when the National Theatre’s production of the play, starring Adam Langdon, opens August 2 at the Ahmanson Theatre. 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
Chagall: Fantasies for the Stage
Ongoing. LACMA’s newest special exhibition spotlights the principal role music and dance played in Marc Chagall’s artistic career. The exhibit comprises of paintings, rare film footage and vibrant costumes, many of which are on view for the first time in the U.S. Enjoy musical accompaniments as you take in Chagall’s fantastical, colorful body of work. Free for LACMA members and guests under 18; $25 all others guests. Special Exhibition ticket includes general admission to the museum. 5905 Wilshire Blvd, L.A., 323.857.6000. lacma.org
International Surf Festival photo by Thomas Ashlock. Angel City Brewery Avocado Fest photo Nur Afni Setiyaningrum. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time photo by Joan Marcus. Heisenberg photo by Craig Schwartz. Chagall: Fantasies for the Stage photo by Christina Wiese.
