Find the best Los Angeles things to do this weekend
Edited by Christina Xenos
EVENTS
Topanga Days
May 27-29. Enjoy music, a parade and old-fashioned fun at this 44th annual fair. Spend Memorial Day weekend listening to live music and participating in games like sack races, an egg toss and horseshoes. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; parade May 29, 8:30 a.m. $15-$25 per day; $40-$60 three-day pass, under 6 free. 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, 310.455.1980. topangadays.com
LA LA Land in Concert
May 26-27. See the beloved Los Angeles-set musical at an iconic LA locale: the Hollywood Bowl. Hear the Oscar-winning score performed live-to-film, followed by a fireworks show. (Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.) 2301 N. Highland Ave., L.A. hollywoodbowl.com
Live @ Descanso Beach Club
May 28. The summer concert series features an all-star lineup of popular rock, alt-rock and reggae acts. It kicks off this weekend with a performance from Michael Franti among with afternoon sets by DJs K Fresh and Elliott Thomas. DJs/dance party noon-5:30 p.m.; concert 5:30-10 p.m. $45+. Descanso Beach Club, Catalina Island. visitcatalinaisland.com
Fiesta Hermosa
May 27-29. This semiannual festival features some 300 artists and crafters, as well as food, live music, a “kiddie carnival,” a charity beer and wine garden and more. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. See website for free bike valet, parking and shuttle information. Downtown Hermosa Beach on Pier Plaza, Hermosa Avenue and lower Pier Avenue, 310.376.0951. fiestahermosa.net
Eat Drink Vegan
May 27. Indulge in top plant-based fare and craft beverages at this festival that celebrates everything vegan. Expect food from more than 100 restaurants like Badmaash, Butchers Daughter, Sage and more; along with unlimited pours of over 250 craft beers, wines and other drinks. Also find a vegan marketplace showcasing everything from clothing to skincare. Noon-9 p.m. Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Padadena. eatdrinkvegan.com
MAINopoly: Taste of Main Street
May 28. This interactive community event mirrors the classic board game, and gives you a culinary walking tour of Main Street’s finest restaurants, bars and more. Activities include the VIP lounge with hosted food and drink from local restaurants, Go To Jail photo booth, DJ, games and more. All participants are encouraged to dress in “Monopoly”-inspired or patriotic attire, and those who hit all of the locations on their game board will be entered to win a “Taste of Main Street” prize package. Main Street (Between Bay St. & Navy St.), check in at Areal Restaurant, 2820 Main St., Santa Monica. mainopolysm.com
AQUA Pool Party
Through Sept. 3. Spend summer Sundays poolside at Shade Hotel Redondo Beach. The new series comes complete with DJ tunes, cocktails, menu specials and sweeping ocean views. You can also take your party to the next level with their cabana and bottle service package. $20+. 1-7 p.m. 655 North Harbor Dr., Redondo Beach, 310.430.3974. rb.shadehotel.com
The Farmer and The Chef Festival
May 28. Ten Los Angeles chefs and 10 farmers pair up for the ultimate drinking and dining experience at Manuela for Los Angeles Times Food Bowl. Expect tray-passed food, food stations, open bars and plenty of craft beer. The event also features a Q&A and live music. All profits will be donated to the following charities: Farm Aid, No Kid Hungry and Inner-City Arts. 4-9 p.m. $150. lafoodbowl.com
Corona Electric Beach Party
May 27. Head to the W Hollywood’s rooftop pool for a party to get you ready for EDC Las Vegas. The afternoon features a DJ set from Autograf and more. Free. RSVP required. 6250 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. Tickets.
Cinespia
Continuing. Watch cult films projected on a mausoleum wall during this popular Amazon Studios-sponsored film series at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Also on hand are pre-movie DJs and themed photo booths. Highlights this weekend include North by Northwest and Clueless. See website for full schedule. Gates open 6:45 p.m.; movie 8:30 pm. $16. Parking $12-$15. (Photo Kelly Lee Barrett © Cinespia.org.) 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., 877.435.9849. cinespia.org
Illustractions Release Party
May 30. Celebrate the release of a new zine, Illustractions vol. 1, at Junior High in Hollywood. The evening features interactive art, live music, comedy, crafts and more. Proceeds benefit Junior High and the Women’s Center for Creative Work. 7-10 p.m. 5656 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. More Info.
FOOD + DRINK
Filifera
Hollywood’s newest destination for cocktails is 23 stories above the city. Head to the top for sweeping views in the poolside space designed by Kelly Wearstler. Filifera offers a selection of expertly crafted cocktails like the Passion Fruit Fizz with Maker’s Mark, passion fruit, aquafaba, lemon, pastis and wild fennel flower. Also enjoy wines and beers, alongside elevated bar bites made with artisanal ingredients. Reservations required. (Photo by White Oak Communications.) Hollywood Proper Residences, 1550 N. El Centro Ave., LA, 323.499.4009. filiferahollywood.com
Cosa Buona
The new modern pizzeria from Zach Pollack (Alimento) offers distinct antipasti, salads and pizza in Silver Lake. Menus signatures include chicken wings with Zach’s Red Hot and gorgonzola dip; white clam pizza; and baby octopus arrabbiata with gigante beans and spicy tomato broth. Also enjoy a selection of natural wines from Italy and France and three offered on draft. Dinner nightly with lunch starting on June 1. (Photo by Dylan + Jeni) 2100 W Sunset Blvd., L.A., 213.908.5211. cosabuona.com
C.O.D. Seafood House
Make the dynamic Asian-inspired seafood restaurant your late-night weekend destination. Their newly launched upstairs lounge offers high-end Japanese whiskeys and Champagne along with late-night bites from 10 p.m.-midnight. Also find DJs and complementary spirit tastings and an array of specialty cocktails on Saturday nights. (Photo by Jakob Layman.) 8408 W. Third St., L.A., 323.658.9188. codrestaurant.com
Gratitude
The new concept from the team behind organic, plant-based Café Gratitude, which has three LA locations, joins the already-existing Gratitude in Newport Beach. The upscale Beverly Hills restaurant serves a menu similar to the cafés’, with seasonally driven fare like blackened tempeh Bolognese. In addition to mixing up cold-pressed-juice cocktails, the full bar program will offer classic drinks such as Moscow Mules, margaritas and traditional Old-Fashioneds. Now that’s something to be grateful for. 419 N. Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills. cafegratitude.com
Katana Red Sun BBQ
May 28-Sept. 3. Spend Sunday summer nights dining on a special menu from the Sunset Strip restaurant paired with specialty cocktails and DJ tunes. Dine on special new dishes like shrimp and chips, lobster garlic noodles and salmon poke, along with carafes of cocktails and boozy popsicles. 8439 West Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 323.650.8585. innovativedining.com
THEATER
Jersey Boys
Through June 24. The award-winning musical about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons makes a stop in LA, bringing hit songs “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and more. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
Archduke
Through June 4. The Mark Taper Forum hosts the world premiere of Pulitzer Prize finalist and Obie Award winner Rajiv Joseph’s new play about a group of young men and their unlikely path to terrorism at the onset of World War I. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
