Find the best Los Angeles things to do this weekend.
Edited by Christina Xenos
EVENTS
626 Night Market
June 30-July 2. The original and largest Asian-themed night market in the country features hundreds of food and merchandise vendors, games, music and entertainment for the whole family. Tickets $3-5; Under 6, free. Event also happens July 21-23, Aug. 11-13 and Sept. 1-3. Santa Anita Park, 285 W. Huntington Dr., Arcadia. 626nightmarket.com
July 2-4. See the Grammy-winning a cappella group perform patriotic music and other songs in their repertoire with the Hollywood Bowl orchestra. Their hits include arrangements of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and “Daft Punk.” A stunning fireworks display caps off the night. 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary. Hollywood Bowl, 2301, N. Highland Ave., L.A., 323.850.2000. hollywoodbowl.com
July 1-29. The month-long movie series celebrates motion picture in all forms, offering a variety of favorite flicks in unique locales throughout the historic district of Old Pasadena. The series kicks off this weekend with Jurassic Park (July 1); additional highlights include The Sting (July 8), Wreck it Ralph (July 15) and Mamma Mia (July 22). See website for full schedule. oldpasadena.org
July 1-4. Fans converge at the LA Convention Center for this celebration of Japanese culture and all things anime. The annual convention is one of the largest in North America. Expect interactive experiences like a masquerade, anime music video contests, concerts and a fashion show. Also find late-night programming that includes gaming, video screenings and karaoke. 1201 S. Figueroa St., downtown, 714.937.2994. anime-expo.org
July 1. 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 Aug. 5 and Sept. 2. 5 p.m.-midnight. 943-951 N. Broadway, downtown. chinatownsummernights.com
July 2. Indulge in fare from local restaurants while you sip wines, beers and spirits from more than 25 purveyors. Participating restaurants include Hanjip, Mayura Indian, Public School and many others. Also enjoy live music, entertainment, a strolling magician and more. $60-$140. 4-8 p.m. Courtyard by Marriott, 6333 Bristol Pkwy., Culver City. Tickets
Rosaliné
Ricardo Zarate continues his return to the Los Angeles dining scene with the opening of his highly anticipated Peruvian restaurant. Expect a menu of family-inspired traditional Peruvian dishes alongside “street food” fare with a California sensibility—many of the dishes have been favorites of his since he was a kid. Menu highlights include Chicharron de Paiche with crispy Amazonian fish, popped kiwicha amaranth and yuzu aioli; Lomo Saltado with sautéed filet Mignon, roasted tomatoes and a sunny side up egg; and Camaron al Horno with oven-roasted blue prawns and charred lime. The restaurant’s cocktail menu is also inspired by Peru, incorporating ingredients like housemade plum jarabe and hand-smoked pisco. The restaurant was designed to bring the outdoors in with the installation of a greenhouse complete with skylight panels, an open ceiling and storefront. Dinner nightly from 5 p.m. 8479 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 323.297.9500. rosalinela.com
July 1-2. Chef Jesse Barber (Dudley Market, Tasting Kitchen) has re-emerged on the LA dining scene with two pop-up dinners—part of his Imperfetta dinner series. During his hiatus from LA, Barber was staging at culinary heavy hitters like Manresa and Chez Panisse, while also presenting a dinner at the James Beard House in New York. During his dinner series, he’ll present an Italian tasting menu inspired by offerings from local farmers markets. The menu includes live prawns cooked and crudo; uni with celery root, romesco and seared lemon; and Venetian black risotto with chanterelles and pork belly; among others. Each night is a different experience; on July 1 find an intimate affair of 20 people in a downtown LA loft, while on July 2 the party doubles at a Culver City location. 7-10 p.m. July 1, $200, 2121 E. 7th Pl., downtown, tickets; July 2, $125, 4424 Lindblade Dr., Culver City, tickets.
STK Los Angeles expands to offer a chic poolside restaurant and lounge at the W Los Angeles—West Beverly Hills. Expect a sharable menu of small plates, salads, sandwiches and artisanal flatbreads. Menu highlights include Dijon grilled Sonoma lamb loin, tea smoked free range duck and California white seabass with saffron quinoa. The menu is complemented by a creative selection of seasonal cocktails made with fresh herbs and fresh-pressed juices, classic cocktail twists, frozen concoctions and mocktails. 930 Hilgard Ave., L.A., 310.443.8218. thehideoutla.com
July 1-2. The Boyle Heights brewery’s tasting room debuts to the public. Stop by to check out their taproom, taste craft beers and chat with brewmaster Naga Reshi. Dry River will also offer brewery tours for each session. $15. F 4 p.m.; Sa 7 p.m. 671 South Anderson St., L.A. Tickets
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