From foodie-centric events to Pride, comedy and arts festivals, check out the top LA weekend events for May 17-20.
Edited by Christina Wiese.
EVENTS
L.A. Comedy Fest
May 17-20. Featuring film, live comedy acts and a screenplay competition, this showcase—which claims to be the largest comedy festival in the U.S.—attracts up-and-comers and established comics alike. Check website for schedule and ticket information. Let Live Theatre, 916 N. Formosa Ave., L.A. lacomedyfest.com
“L.A. Times” Food Bowl Film Festival
May 18-20, 25-27. Enjoy six nights of double-feature cult foodie films—Secret of the Grain, Mildred Pierce and more—atop the picturesque Kimpton Everly Hotel. Tickets include a family-style dinner during the screening and a complimentary glass of bubbly. 7 p.m. $55. 1800 Argyle Ave., L.A. Tickets
Friday Night Music Series
May 18-Aug. 31. All summer long, The Original Farmers Market plays host to a vibrant lineup of musical acts on Friday nights. Kicking off the series is The International Swingers, an energetic, punk 80s band comprising of Clem Burke (Blondie), Glen Matlock (The Sex Pistols), James Stevenson (The Cult) and the Farmers Market’s very own Gary Twinn (Bar 326, E.B.’s Beer & Wine). 7-9 p.m. Free. West Patio, 6333 W. 3rd St., L.A. farmersmarketla.com
30th Annual Garden Tour & Showcase Estate
May 19. Organized by the Friends of Robinson Gardens, the Beverly Hills garden party of the year returns with a tour, culinary tastings, luncheon, fashion show and much more. Guests will also have exclusive access to select private home gardens rarely on view to the public. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. Virginia Robinson Gardens, 1008 Elden Way, Beverly Hills. robinsongardens.org
EEEEEATSCON
May 19. Restaurant-discovery platform the Infatuation’s second-annual food festival, held at the Barker Hangar, plays off the company’s popular “#eeeeeats“ hashtag and features a highly curated group of local restaurants—along with exciting imports from across the country—including Loqui, Night + Market and Roberta’s. There’s also live music and panels from industry pioneers. Noon. $30, under 6 free. Early admission and lounge access for Amex card members. Food and drinks not included in ticket price. 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica. theinfatuation.com
“Fight Club” with a Live Score
May 19. The Dust Brothers and Jacob Maymudes come together for a one-of-a-kind experience at the historic Wiltern theater. Watch David Fincher’s American cult classic while The Dust Brothers live score the evening, plus enjoy eye-popping stunts and acrobatics on stage by fight coordinator Henry Layton. Doors 7 p.m., movie 8 p.m. $39.50+. The Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. wiltern.com
Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride Festival & Parade
May 19-20. Over 35 years, this fest has grown into the third-largest event of its kind in the country. More than 80,000 people participate in the two-day celebration of LGBTQ+ inclusion and pride, which features a parade with more than 200 marching groups and floats, as well as a festival with live music. The theme of this year’s event is “Remember the past, create the future.” Sheila E. brings her beats to the main stage on Sunday. There’s also a Teen Pride event on May 18, plus a Family Fun Zone and a Senior Fun Zone over the weekend. One-day admission $20-$25, under 12 and over 65 free. 11 a.m.-10 p.m; parade Su 10:30 a.m. Marina Green Park, 386 E. Shoreline Dr., Long Beach, 562.987.9191. longbeachpride.com
Flavor of L.A.
May 20. Enjoy sips and bites from some of L.A.’s best restaurants, as well as cool cars from the Television Motion Picture Car Club, at the second-annual edition of this event presented by the Studio City Chamber of Commerce. A portion of the proceeds supports local charity L.A. Kitchen. 1-5 p.m. $75. CBS Studio Center Back Lot, 4024 Radford Ave., Studio City, 818.655.5916. flavorofla.com
Heritage Music & Arts Festival
May 20. Now in its 6th year, this annual birthday bash at Angel City Brewery shines a light on the city’s vibrant arts and culture scene … with a side of beer, of course! Doe Paoro headlines with The Drizz, Earth Arrow Music and Spaghetti Cumbia in support. Also on deck for the day: live mural painting, an artist bazaar, performances by Aztec dancers and hip hop dancers, Native American drummers and more. Special can releases for the event include Strawberry Gose, Srirachelada, and the brewery’s flagship beer Angel City IPA. 21+. Noon-8 p.m. Free. Angel City Brewery, 216 Alameda St., downtown. Details
Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest & Folk Festival
May 20. Bring your instruments and dancing shoes to this old-timey festival at Agoura Hills’ Paramount Ranch. Expect everything from clogging, square and contra dancing to bluegrass performances and folk art vendors. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. GA $13+, free parking. Paramount Ranch, 2903 Cornell Road, Agoura Hills. topangabanjofiddle.org
FOOD + DRINK
“L.A. Times” Food Bowl Night Market
May 16-May 20. Eat your way through L.A.’s culinary scene at this one-stop-shop market featuring over 50 top restaurants and food trucks. Thursday night shines a light on all things donuts with activations from Blue Star Donuts, DK Donuts, Dreamy Creations, Glazed Donut Bar, and Monarch Donut; while Friday features special tastings from top fried chicken eateries. The party continues on Saturday with more tastings and live music from L.A.-based cumbia band Very Be Careful and DJ Scott Dallavo; and finally wraps up on Sunday with a charity bake featuring with pastries from Huckleberry Bakery & Cafe, Milo & Olive, Sweet Rose Creamery, Broken Spanish and Valerie Confections. See website for hours. Free, food and drink available for purchase. Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., downtown. lafoodbowl.com
Madre x Arette Tequila
May 17. Torrance’s Oaxacan eatery Madre—home to an expansive tequila collection—invites guests for a special tasting hosted by the son of Arette Tequila founder. Enjoy Madre’s signature appetizers while you sip on tastings and a specialty cocktail, plus learn about the history and tradition of tequila-making. 6 p.m. $25. 1261 Cabrillo Ave #100, Torrance, 310.974.8005. madrerestaurants.com
Friday PieDay Pizza Party
Starts May 18 | Every Friday. Countdown to the weekend with a pizza party power hour at Brennan’s in Marina del Rey. Did we mention the pizza is F-R-E-E? Yep, you read that right. Wash your pepperoni or cheese pizza down with a cold one. 4-7 p.m. Free. 4089 Lincoln Blvd., Marina Del Rey. brennansla.com
SPONSORED
Cattle & Claw
Now Open. Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills announces the arrival of Cattle & Claw. This pop-up has a single purpose: to give people a place to enjoy two of the world’s favorite foods – lobsters and burgers. Cattle & Claw is an easy-to-love restaurant where there is no stuffy vibe and no reservation is necessary, and is here only until end of August! Open daily noon-2 p.m. for lunch, 5-11 p.m. dinner. 8555 Beverly Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.278.5444. cattleandclaw.com
Paramount Coffee Project (PCP)
Now Open. PCP opens its second L.A. outpost with an indoor-outdoor space—complete with roll-up garage doors—at ROW DTLA in the Arts District. Expect single origin coffees and an all-day food menu from chef Ria Barbosa (Sqirl, Go Get Em Tiger, Forage). Open daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 1320 E. 7th St. #100, downtown. pcpfx.com
Hayden Wine and Retail Shop
Now Open. The all-day eatery, housed in Culver City’s lifestyle shopping destination PLATFORM, has relaunched its wine and retail shop within the space. Find a healthy stock of natural wines, plus locally made goods likes artisanal bitters, coffee table books, ceramic serving ware, jams, aprons and more. Future plans for the wine shop include classes, tastings and a Wine Club. 8820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 310.593.4777. hayden.la
STYLE + BEAUTY
Marine Layer x Lost & Found
May 18. A new collection of absurdly soft, surf-inspired clothing debuts this Friday at Abbot Kinney hot spot Marine Layer. To celebrate, enjoy 15 percent off the new collection, plus a happy hour with tacos and Fort Point Beer, and the chance to win a hand-shaped ML x LF surfboard. The new collection traces its roots back to 2007 when Doug Walker discovered a box at the Pasadena Flea Market filled with thousands of never-before-seen film negatives from the 70s golden age of surfing. 7-10 p.m. Free, RSVP. 1144 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice. Tickets
Gigi C Pop-Up
May 18-May 29. Just in time for summer, shop for chic separates and modern one-pieces at this pop-up shop at The Grove. A number of events complement the pop-up, including sunset yoga with Alo Yoga on May 23, complimentary manicures from Olive & June on May 26 (2-5 p.m.), plus a complimentary beach towel with every purchase and on-site monogramming. The Park at The Grove, 189 The Grove Dr., L.A. thegrovela.com
Luxury Garage Sale Pop-Up
May 18-June 28. The online upscale consignment store will be popping up in West Hollywood (May 18-June 18) and Glendale (June 1-June 28) this summer. Find luxe items like shoes, handbags, and clothing from brands such as Chanel, Gucci, Prada and more—all at the fraction of the original prices. Details
ARTS + CULTURE
Galerie Michael Spring 2018 Auction
May 19. Acquire artwork by some of the greatest artists of the past four centuries—Picasso, Dalí, Rembrandt, Chagall and more—at this semi-annual event. Peruse over 140 works in-person on Thursday, May 17 and Friday, May 18 before the bidding begins on Saturday afternoon. Saturday preview 11 a.m., bidding 1 p.m. Galerie Michael, 224 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310.273.3377. galeriemichael.com
Beverly Hills artSHOW
May 19-20. This long-running outdoor art showcase displays artwork by 250 exhibitors twice a year. Browse paintings, sculptures, watercolors, photography, ceramics, jewelry, drawings and more. Wine and beer gardens and food trucks are also on-site. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Beverly Gardens Park, along Santa Monica Boulevard from Rodeo to Rexford drives, Beverly Hills, 310.285.6830. beverlyhills.org
Venice Family Clinic’s Art Walk & Auctions
May 20. Google’s L.A. headquarters hosts the Venice Family Clinic’s annual fundraiser, where a silent art auction, live music and a craft beer and wine garden help raise funds to provide primary health care to people in need (ticketed artist-studio tours also are available for $50). See website for details. Noon-6 p.m. Google Los Angeles, 340 Main St., Venice, 310.664.7916. theveniceartwalk.org
“Die, Mommie, Die!”
Through May 20. This celebration of the L.A. theater scene spotlights three encore productions from outstanding local theater companies. It concludes this May with Die, Mommie, Die! See website for showtimes and pricing. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
“Promote, Tolerate, Ban: Art and Culture in Cold War Hungary”
May 20-Aug. 26. The Getty Research Institute and the Wende Museum of the Cold War have joined forces to explore a time in Hungary when the state cultural policy simultaneously celebrated freedom of expression while imposing censorship and promoting propaganda. Expect paintings, films, and items like political posters, scrapbooks and advertisements. F 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sa-Su 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. The Wende Museum, 10808 Culver Blvd., Culver City. wendemuseum.org
“Soft Power”
Through June 10. Having its world premiere here, this East-meets-West musical comedy from Tony winners David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly) and Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home) follows a Chinese executive who falls in love with a good-hearted U.S. leader after the 2016 election.See website for showtimes and pricing. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
Flavor of L.A. photo by Robert Hodson. Madre photo courtesy of White Oak Communications. Hayden photo courtesy of White Oak Communications. Galerie Michael Spring 2018 Auction photo courtesy of the gallery. Venice Family Clinic’s Art Walk & Auctions photo by David Crotty/PMC. Die Mommie Die photo by Craig Schwartz. “Promote, Tolerate, Ban: Art and Culture in Cold War Hungary” photo courtesy of The Wende Museum. “Soft Power” photo by Craig Schwartz.
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