MUSIC + DANCE
Santigold
Jun. 1. On the heels of making her performance at South by Southwest into an “eccentric dance party,” (Billboard magazine), and wowing local crowds as she kicked off opening night of Transmission LA: AV Club festival at MOCA in April, Santigold performs tracks from her latest album Master of My Make-Believe at Club Nokia. Rolling Stone magazine calls “Disparate Youth”—the first single released off the album-a “party-starting blast of a single – which combines dub wobble, post-punk skronk and pop hooks into a 100 percent hands-in-the-air jam. 800 W Olympic Blvd # 335, downtown, 213.765.7000. clubnokia.com
Jazz Night with Jeff Goldblum
Jun. 6. Blockbuster actor and accomplished jazz pianist Jeff Goldblum and his band the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra drop by Hollywood hotspot Lexington Social House Wednesdays for an exciting evening of live music and entertainment over fine food and drinks. The band plays two sets. Advanced reservations recommended. Evening begins at 7:30 p.m., music starts a 9 p.m. 1718 Vine St., Hollywood, 323.461.1700. lexingtonsocialhouse.com/jazznight
Gustavo Dudamel Conducts The Gospel According to the Other Mary
May 31.-Jun. 3. In this weekend’s program, conductor Gustavo Dudamel leads the LA Phil in the world premiere of LA Phil commission: The Gospel According to the Other Mary. The work was composed by John Adams with a libretto crafted by Peter Sellars, offering their vision of a Passion, juxtaposing biblical narratives with contemporary meditations, images, and deeply challenging experiences. Sellars’ libretto includes words of five extraordinary women – Louise Erdrich, Dorothy Day, Rosario Castellanos, June Jordan, and Hildegard – which are set by Adams with vivid expressive power. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 South Grand Ave., downtown, 323.850.2000. laphil.com
Dance Downtown: Argentine Tango
Jun 1. Celebrate the joy of dancing with live bands and DJs. This Friday learn how to dance the Argentine tango as you try out your new moves on downtown’s only open air dance floor. Free. Every experience level is welcome, no partner necessary. 135 North Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.3660. musiccenter.org
EVENTS
Lola’s Sweet 16
Jun. 1. Lola’s and the apple martini are turning 16 and want you to celebrate with them over complementary Kettle One apple martinis and appetizers to the tunes of a live DJ. Party is gratis, all you have to do is RSVP LolasSweet16@gmail.com. 7-9 p.m. 945 N Fairfax Ave., West Hollywood, 323.654.5652. lolasla.com
First Fridays
Jun. 1. Live music, discussion and curatorial tours converge at this month’s First Fridays event at the Natural History Museum. Highlights include a tour “Traditions Under the Influence” with KT Hajeian and Chris Coleman; and discussion of human creativity called “The Imagination Is Made of Other People” with Jonah Lehrer. Also, see performances by Cut Chemist and Superhumanoids. Resident FF DJ, Anthony Valadez spins with DJ Garth Trinidad. 6:30-10 p.m. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., downtown, 213.763.DINO. nhm.org
Hester Goes Hollywood: Bite Size Food and Craft Festival
Jun. 2. New York’s favorite outdoor market is coming to Hollywood this summer. Its inaugural event—the Bite Size Food and Craft festival—features food from some of LA’s best indie food chefs and a select group of food trucks (Ludo Truck, Crepe’n Around, Mandoline Grill) in addition to more than 120 arts, crafts and vintage vendors. Also find a craft beer garden, live music, and comedian Andy Dick who will be creating poems for you for $1. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Lot on Hollywood Blvd. and Argyle Ave., Hollywood. hesterstreetfair.com/hollywood
Gilmore Heritage Auto Show
Jun. 2. The casual classic and vintage American car show celebrates its 18th year with a tribute to the ultimate California cruisin’ machine, the Pontiac GTO. View a sizable number of Pontiac GTOs, spanning the glory years from 1966 to 1969; in addition to 100 American classics, customs, hot rods, trucks and everything in-between. Free. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 6333 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.933.9211. farmersmarketla.com
Wellness Weekends at W Los Angeles-Westwood
Jun. 2-Sep. 9. Live well on the weekends this summer with poolside fitness classes by celebrity trainers Kit Rich and Tiffany Russo. Saturdays bring Rich’s unique approach to pilates training combined with yoga, cardio and weights, while Sundays offer Russo’s peaceful balance with a challenging yet playful yoga class. Lucy activewear provides yoga mats, as well as a unique surprise and delight amenity for each class and each session ends with a mimosa on the house, and 20% off brunch that day. 9-10 a.m. 930 Hilgard Ave., Westwood, 310.208.8765. wlosangeles.com/laweekends
LA Greek Film Festival
May 31-Jun. 3. The Los Angeles Greek Film Festival showcases new films from Greek filmmakers worldwide. Find premieres, features and short films that have received recognition in global film circles such as the Cannes, Venice and Sundance film festivals. Opening night feature is the world premiere of A Green Story, starring Shannon Elizabeth, Ed O’Ross, Billy Zane, Malcolm McDowell, and others. lagff.org
Cleopatra: The Exhibition
Through Dec. 31. This special exhibition at the California Science Center attempts to unravel the mystery of Cleopatra in its only West Coast appearance, displaying nearly 150 Egyptian artifacts. Archeologists Franck Goddio and Zahi Hawass uncovered colossal statues, jewelry and coins, creating the largest collection of Cleopatra-era artifacts from Egypt assembled in the U.S. The 13,000-square-foot exhibition shows how the team unearthed these treasures and explains what these relics reveal about the era. WHERE Magazine / WhereLA.com readers can save on admission to this exhibition by clicking here: Wherela.com/cleopatra. 700 State Drive, Exposition Park, downtown, 323.724.3623. californiasciencecenter.org
All Space Considered
Jun. 1. Los Angeles astronomical beacon, the Griffith Observatory offers a public lecture where you can get news on developments in astronomy, space science and space exploration; see beautiful astronomical images, and get your June sky report. Seating is first-come, first-served, up to the capacity of the theater. Free. 7:30 p.m. Griffith Observatory, Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater, 2800 East Observatory Rd., 213.473.0800. GriffithObservatory.org
ART
Made In LA
Jun. 2-Sep. 2. The first exhibition in an ongoing series about artwork created in the Los Angeles region is presented at the Hammer Museum in Westwood. Sixty artists, many emerging and under-recognized, show their paintings, performances, films, sculptures and installations. 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood, 310.443.7000. madeinla2012.org
Ends of the Earth: Land Art to 1974
Through Sep. 3. The first large-scale, historical-thematic exhibition to deal with land art comes to MOCA Geffen Contemporary in Little Tokyo. Featured artists include Hans Haacke, John Baldessari and Michael Heizer. Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, 152 North Central Ave., downtown, 213.626.6222. moca.org
Rebel
Through Jun. 23. Exhibition—conceived by James Franco to embrace and mine the main themes and events in the original Rebel Without A Cause—reinterprets the film’s legends, people behind-the-scenes footage and more, in a new, unconventional presentation of film, video installation, photography, painting, drawing, and sculpture. The exhibition is housed in and framed by iconic, Hollywood structures. Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 941 North Highland Ave., Hollywood. moca.org
EAT | DRINK
Chaya Japanese Beer Garden
Jun. 5-Aug. 31. Chaya Downtown puts its own spin on a Japanese Beer Garden in the restaurant’s spacious outdoor patio. Order pitchers of of specialty Japanese Biiru including Kirin beer ($10), housemade sake sangria ($6/glass), a sake flight ($15); or award-winning premium Japanese whiskeys (starting at $18). Chase them with special nibbles like a variety of Yakitori skewers such as bacon date skewers, such as grilled corn with feta cheese ($5); garlic fried soft shell shrimp with chipotle miso ($7); spicy tuna and shishito pepper tempura ($6); “Mozuku” somen noodle and more. Mon.-Fri., 4 p.m.-close. 525 S. Flower St., downtown, 213.236.9577. thechaya.com
Morso della Bestia at Locanda del Lago
May 31. Executive Chef Gianfranco Minuz celebrates the flavors of rabbit with a five-course meal for the restaurant’s ongoing Morso della Bestia, or ”Bite of the Beast,” monthly dinner series. The spring-influenced, “nose-to-bob” menu—prepared with influences from rustic Northern Italian cuisine—features highlights of roasted rabbit loin, rabbit shoulder and belly risotto, roasted rabbit leg and more. $48/pp. 7 p.m.-close. 231 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, 310.451.3525. LagoSantaMonica.com
LA Boheme
May 31, Jun. 2. LA Opera presents Giacomo Puccini’s classic love story about four young artists living in poverty together in a Paris garret, circa 1830. The production stars Ailyn Pérez and Stephen Costello-married in real life—as young lovers Mimi and Rodolfo. 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.8001. laopera.com
THEATER
Los Otros
Through Jul. 1. The uniquely Southern California experience is celebrated in the song cycles of a Mexican-American man growing up in Carlsbad and a San Diego native reminiscing about her encounters with the Mexican community. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
Follies
Through Jun. 9. A 28-piece orchestra and a cast of 41 bring to life the Broadway production about two couples remembering their past and facing the harsher realities of the present. The show is at the Ahmanson Theatre downtown for a six-week run. 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org