Grand Performances
Ongoing. This free outdoor summer concert series spotlights global performing arts with a lineup of high-quality music, dance, theater and more in downtown LA. This season kicks off with highlights including William Close and the Earth Harp Collective, the Secret City and a performance of Robert Xavier Rodriguez’s Frida. California Plaza, 300 & 350 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.687.2190. grandperformances.org
KCRW Summer Nights One Colorado Pasadena
Ongoing. KCRW Summer Nights kicks off its 8th season with a live performance from Chico Mann and Captain Planet at One Colorado in Old Pasadena. KCRW DJ Marion Hodges opens and closes the evening with DJ sets of some of her favorite tracks. Free. 7:30 p.m. 41 Hugus Alley, Pasadena. kcrw.com/summernights
Constellations
June 6-July 16. Playwright Nick Payne’s work about the universal truth of finding and losing love combines romance with physics. Ginnifer Goodwin (Once Upon a Time) stars in the play’s Los Angeles premiere. Gil Cates Theater, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood, 310.208.5454. geffenplayhouse.com
Playboy Jazz Festival
June 10-11. The 39th annual festival features master of ceremonies George Lopez, along with performances by Corinne Bailey Rae, Arturo Sandoval Latin Big Band, Gregory Porter, Common and more. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood, 323.850.2000. hollywoodbowl.com
Opening Night at the Bowl
June 17. The Hollywood Bowl launches its summer season by celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Moody Blues’ world-shattering album Days of Future Passed. Hear all your favorite songs like “Nights in White Satin” and “Tuesday Afternoon,” along with the Hollywood Bowl orchestra conducted by Thomas Wilkins, YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) and a fireworks finale. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood, 323.850.2000. hollywoodbowl.com
Twilight Concert Series
June 22-Aug. 17. Spend Thursday evenings ocean-side at one of the top LA tourist spots, the iconic Santa Monica Pier, for the 33nd annual Twilight Concert Series sponsored by KCRW. The weekly celebration kicks off just before sunset. The season kicks off with a neo soul/R&B performance from Khalid and Bibi Bourelly, hosted by KCRW DJ Anthony Valades. The month continues with indie pop bands Lemaitre and Coast Modern on June 29. Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica. kcrw.com/summernights
BET Experience at L.A. Live
June 22-25. Music Fest features headliners like Kid Cudi, Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa, Pusha T among others. Also find the BET Fan Fest with love entertainment and events. 1111 S. Figueroa St., downtown, 213.742.7100. bet.com
Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg
June 23-25. The Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg returns to The Music Center with Tchaikovsky, a grand artistic ballet exploring the intriguing composer’s life and creative drive. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.0711. musiccenter.org
Arroyo Seco Weekend
June 24-25. The inaugural Arroyo Seco Weekend festival is poised to bring some of music’s hottest bands to shady Brookside park, adjacent to Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Dawes, Mumford & Sons, Weezer, the Shins, Alabama Shakes and locals Fitz & the Tantrums are among the acts scheduled to perform on three outdoor stages, while an impressive culinary lineup—Barrel & Ashes, Broken Spanish, République and Union, to name a few participating restaurants—is on deck to keep the rocking crowds fed. Get your VIP passes ASAP. Noon. One-day pass $125; weekend pass $225, under 11 free. Brookside at the Rose Bowl, 1133 Rosemont Ave., Pasadena, 855.273.4481. arroyosecoweekend.com
Heisenberg
Opening June 28. 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
Archduke
Through June 4. The Taper 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
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
The Book of Mormon
All month. The irreverent, nine-time Tony Award-winning musical comedy from the creators of South Park and the co-creator of Avenue Q returns to the Pantages. Contains explicit language. Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com