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Our Picks
- Events
- Viewing Pick
- Outdoor Pick
Welcome to the official start of summer, Best Things To Do readers!
It’s Memorial Day weekend and there are pools to swim in, parties to crash, music to get down to, and ships to board, so let’s get to it.
You have until 2025 to see the phenomenal Simone Leigh exhibit at LACMA and CAAM, but don’t sleep on this week’s opening party. There’s also a celebration for Pico Union Project’s tenth anniversary, Fleet Week events in San Pedro, new dinosaurs for dino-obsessed kids at O.C.’s Discovery Cube, and an outdoor screening of Almost Famous at the Rose Bowl.
For more to explore, visit LAist.com, where you can plot out your long weekend hike on the Park to Playa Bridge with our new series, LAist City Treks, get the first scoop on new food offerings at Dodger Stadium, and dive into the history of our beloved purple jacarandas (achoo!).
Events
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Sunday, May 26, 2024 from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Simone Leigh Opening Celebration
- LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)
5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire
Cost: Event is free with RSVP; Entrance tickets required for the exhibit ; More Info
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TIMOTHY SCHENCK
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California African Amercian Museum
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LACMA has teamed up with the California African American Museum downtown to be the last stop on the U.S. tour for Simone Leigh, who explores themes of Black femininity and history in her work and was the American representative at the Venice Biennale in 2022.
The opening event is sure to be powerful and joyful for art lovers of all ages, with DJ sets, art-making, and a somatic movement workshop. The exhibit itself runs through Jan. 20, 2025 and showcases Leigh’s work in ceramic as well as video, bronze, and installation.
- LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)
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May 22, 2024 through May 27, 2024
US Navy sailors ride on a double-decker trolley in Los Angeles.
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Patrick T. Fallon
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AFP via Getty Images
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Salute sailors in their whites, thank them for their service, and climb on board to explore active duty visiting ships – the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier and the U.S. Coast Guard Fast Response Cutter Terrell Horne – at this year’s Fleet Week. Nearby, the Battleship Iowa will be open to visitors as usual, so there’s plenty to see!
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Sunday, May 26, 2024 at 2:00 PM
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See AlsoThe Plumed Serpent | Project GutenbergNorth West earns STANDING OVATION as she performs in The Lion KingEasy Oven-Baked Baby Back Ribs Recipe Cooks Up Fall-of-the-Bone TenderThe best Memorial Day kitchen deals this weekend — score big savings on the Ninja Creami, air fryers, knife sets and moreGarett Mizunaka
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Unsplash
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It’s officially summer, so that can’t mean anything but a pool party! Country-themed Hollywood hotspot Desert 5 Spot launches its ongoing Sunday rooftop pool party, Swimsuits & Cowboy Boots, from 2 p.m. until close. Get your cowboy karaoke song ready.
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Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 9:30 PM
'Interrogation: True Crime Stories'
- The Lyric Hyperion
2106 Hyperion Ave. , Silver Lake
Cost: $10 ; More Info
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Korey David
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If you’ve been binging Baby Reindeer, maybe take a break and head to the Lyric Hyperion for Interrogation: True Crime Stories, an evening of true crime storytelling by comedians where you get to submit your own crime tale for a retelling.
Fancy yourself the next Sarah Koenig or plotting your own Only Murders in the Building podcast? See if you have the stuff when you spend the evening with hosts Korey David and Daniel Van Kirk and get to the bottom of these real cases.
- The Lyric Hyperion
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Sunday, May 26, 2024 at 12:00 PM
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Courtesy of the Pico Union Project
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Enjoy food from a dozen local vendors, hear from local leaders, take in a musical performance, and volunteer to distribute produce at the 10th-anniversary celebration of the Pico Union Project, a combination outreach organization and music and arts venue. The event is also an opportunity to explore the organization’s historic 1909 building, originally Los Angeles’ oldest synagogue and now a multicultural interfaith destination.
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May 25, 2024 through June 30, 2024
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discoverycube.org
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Grab the biggest dinosaur fan in your house and roar down to Orange County for a day filled with life-sized dinosaurs at the new Dino Quest at Discovery Cube. The show features an interactive fossil excavation activity and is recommended for families with kids ages three and up.
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May 25, 2024 through May 27, 2024
Topanga Days
- Topanga Community Center
1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga Canyon
Cost: Varies ; More Info
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Fadeout Media
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Missing Persons (of Walking in L.A. fame) headline the Topanga Days three-day festival on Sunday. The annual event feels like a time machine back to simpler days, with an eclectic parade and games for all ages, including water balloon basketball, an animal imitation contest, three-legged races, and more. Plan your transport accordingly – Topanga Canyon is still closed due to the landslide that shut it down back in March.
- Topanga Community Center
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May 24, 2024 through May 25, 2024 at 8:00 PM
'The Lion King': 30th Anniversary Concert
- Hollywood Bowl
2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood
Cost: $25 and up ; More Info
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Disney
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The beloved Disney classic The Lion King comes to life under the stars at the Hollywood Bowl, alongside many special guests from the newer 2019 live-action version (Billy Eichner), the Broadway cast (Heather Headley, Brian Gibson) and the original animated version (Nathan Lane, Jeremy Irons). The night features the original 1994 movie, plus an appearance by Jennifer Hudson.
- Hollywood Bowl
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Sunday, May 26, 2024 at 2:00 PM
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Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
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Charlie Chaplin’s 1917 silent film The Immigrant jumps seamlessly from the screen to the stage, as it’s shown alongside a live improvised performance by Venezuelan-born pianist Gabriela Montero. The combination of music and cinema is sure to be a special afternoon, as it wraps up the L.A. Chamber Orchestra’s latest season.
Listen • 26:35
Listen • 26:35
Social Calendar: Hacking The Hollywood Bowl
#279:Hey, How to LA listeners! We’re back with another social calendar to talk about the interesting, fun, new happenings in the city.
Guests: Imperfect Paradise host Antonia Cereijido and Janice Llamoca, an audio producer and host. You might have heard her work on Latino USA, Vice AND she was the host of the amazing LAist Studios podcast Party Crews: The Untold Story.
Here’s what each person pitched for YOUR social calendar:
- The Hollywood Bowl: check out Maestro of the Movies with John Williams
- Pro Tip! Get a shuttle pass and BYOB (wine and beer only)
- Theodore Payne Foundation: learn about native plants, take a garden tour, buy some plants, take a workshop!
- Check our your neighborhood bars that give the true down home vibe!
- In West Adams (Brian's hood), check out Chulita, Johnnys, Delicious Pizza and Alta
- Gold Room and Bar Flores in Echo Park
- Or Bar in WeHo
- Hot Dog at El Cid in Silver Lake
Viewing Pick
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Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 7:45 PM
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Dreamworks
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It’s all happening. Cinespia brings its outside movies to the Rose Bowl for the first time with Almost Famous, Cameron Crowe’s classic rock-fueled ode to aspiring music journalists everywhere. Bring a picnic; beer, wine and co*cktails will be available on site.
Outdoor Pick
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May 24, 2024 through May 26, 2024
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Courtesy of Yogaqua
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What better way to kick off summer by finally trying out SUP Yoga (that’s stand-up paddle boarding + yoga) in the Marina? YOGAqua hosts all-level 90-minute classes Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on the water. Even if you slip, you can’t beat the view!
How To LA
From the The Los Feliz 3 to Vidiots, there’s something for everyone playing this weekend.
Dine & Drink Deals
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Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 10:00 AM
Corvette Car Show And Chili Cook-Off
- Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum
610 Lairport St., El Segundo
Cost: $20 advance, $25 day-of ; More Info
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Avi Werde
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Unsplash
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Check out classic Corvettes while sampling (or even participating in!) a chili cook-off at the Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo. First prize takes home $150 and a gold sponsorship at the museum.
- Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum
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May 25, 2024 through May 31, 2024
National Burger Day Menu
- Irv’s Burgers - La Brea
1000 S La Brea Ave., La Brea - Irv's Burgers - Malibu
23401 Cross Creek Rd., Malibu - Irv's Burgers - West Hollywood
7998 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood - Irv's Burgers - Newport Beach
600 E Bay Ave., Newport Beach
Cost: Varies ; More Info
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Courtesy of Hungry In LA
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In honor of National Burger Day (May 28), Irv’s Burgers is teaming up with sriracha mayo experts Lee Kum Kee and L.A. influencer Eddie Sanchez (@HungryInLA) to launch “Hungry in LA’s Just For You Burger." The burger features a beef patty, pastrami, melted Swiss cheese and a special sriracha mayo slaw.
- Irv’s Burgers - La Brea
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May 24, 2024 through May 31, 2024
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Courtesy of Fly By Jing
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Chobani isn’t just for breakfast. The favorite yogurt brand is popping up at Larchmont’s Suá Superette for the month of May, pairing their Greek yogurt with spicy Sichuan chili sauce. Some of the featured menu options include a grilled chicken, roasted tomato spread, mozzarella with secret sauce sandwich and crispy Chongqing chicken tenders with secret sauce. Mix up your own version and you could win a year’s supply of Chobani and Fly By Jing products by sharing your concoction on social media.
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