Music festivals for country and swing fans, Jazz at LACMA, a Tribute to Amy Winehouse and huge vinyl selections at a market in Chinatown, it’s a major music weekend. Movie fans also have options from everything from John Carpenter and Disney classics, to feminist film fest, and short films fests from Hollywood to Venice. Finally, food celebrations ranging from the Brea Fest in the OC, the Silverlake Jewish Festival and a tattoo and bbq fundraiser at Eszett.
FRIDAY
Seaside Storytime: The Santa Monica Public Library hosts an ocean themed storytime at the Annenberg Community Beach House for the whole family.
Learn to Dance K-Pop: Head to the Jerry Moss Plaza at the Music Center, Downtown for a free music lesson in the style of a K-Pop idol. Make sure to register online, and you can bring the whole family.
Jérôme Burnet Rock And Roll Photography Exhibition: The famed music photographer will host a book signing and photo exhibition at the Hotel Ziggy in West Hollywood.
Brew at the Zoo: From 5-11 p.m., those over 21 can taste a selection from one of 50 different breweries while listening to music and watching their favorite animals.
Brea Fest: This free festival in the OC has booze, food and music.
Queens of Destruction Short Film Festival: The UCLA Film & Television Archive presents “cinema’s first nasty women’s” with this series of international short films at the Hammer Museum.
Playhouse Masterpieces with Neil Campbell and Paul Rust: The comedians host an improv show featuring Fran Gillespie, Mitra Jouhari, Victoria Longwell and Kyle Mooney.
Tribute to Eddie Harris at LACMA: As part of their Friday night jazz series, LACMA is hosting Don Littleton playing tribute to famed saxophonist Eddie Harris.
Naomi Ekperigin at Largo: The comedian and friends, including Sarah Silverman, will perform.
Young Einstein Vinyl Set: The L.A. DJ will spin at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs.
Amy Winehouse Tribute Band: Watch Dear Amy at the Bourbon Room in Hollywood.
SATURDAY
Rocket Festival in Downey: The Columbia Memorial Space Center welcomes space enthusiasts to this free STEM event. Every 20 minutes families can participate in labs like rocket assembling and decorating and exploring the sites. There will also be food trucks and a rocket launch.
Pete’s Dragon at the Academy Museum: Come for a matinee screening of the Disney classic at the Mid-Wilshire museum.
The Bruery’s 14th Anniversary: The OC brewery will be serving unlimited pours of over 75 varieties of beer and raising money for the Boys and Girls Club of Central Orange Coast. General Admission is $120 and includes a souvenir glass, an artisanal meal from a food vendor, live entertainment and more.
Vroman’s Summer Music Series: The Megan Shung Quartet will play the famed Pasadena bookstore patio.
Dodgers’ Foundation Sunset Run: Register online for either the 5k, 10k or a kids fun run around Dodgers Stadium.
Venice Heritage Museum Film Festival: VHM hosts their annual film festival at Vice Media curating short films from Venice Arts, UCLA Film & Television Archives and more.
Les Femmes Underground International Film Festival: This experimental, feminist film festival will be hosted at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica.
I Gotta Crow Comedy Show: Catch stand-up from those on the rise at HBO, Netflix, Comedy Central and more at Bergamont Station in Santa Monica.
Margaret Cho and Friends: The comedian will perform at Largo.
Louis De Guzman Gallery Opening: The Filipino-American artist will debut his sculptural “In Between The Lines” series at the Row in DTLA.
Daddy Yankee at the Kia Forum: The reggaeton superstar will perform in Inglewood.
Rachel Bloom at Dynasty Typewriter: The co-creator and star of Crazy-Ex Girlfriend is performing her new special.
90’s Live Band Karaoke: Downtown at the Moroccan Lounge sing your favorite grunge, pop or R&B hit backed by an actual band.
SUNDAY
Inez Barlatier Concert at the Getty: The Garden Concert Series for Kids continues with a celebration of Haitain music from Inez Barlatier and her quartet.
San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival: Musical guests include Tunnel Vision, Saltwater Kings and more.
In Sheep’s Clothing’s Summer Market: The record store will be hosting a an outdoor market with a prime selection of vinyl, including selections from reggae and latin music specialists, and serving fresh sushi and sashimi from Whitefin Market. “Japonesia” fashion and music from local vendors including Hightide DTLA, Weshare Records, Uni Vintage and more.
Gracias Madre Cookbook Release Party: From 2-4pm, the vegan Mexican staple will host a launch party for their debut cookbook. RSVP includes a copy of the cookbook, a complimentary cocktail, passed bites, a giftcard and a cocktail demonstration from the book.
Silverlake Jewish Festival: This free festival offers Jewish music, cuisine, crafts and more.
Chrisol at TASTE Food Hall: As part of the Sunday Grooves Series Chrisol will perform. A local from Chino, Chrisol blends the sounds of Selena with The Talking Heads and Ella Fitzgerald.
Tattoos and BBQ at Eszett: This charcoal oven staple will be raffling off tattoos from Liz Kim to raise funds for abortion access.
Sprung Premiere at Hollywood Forever Cemetery: The new comedy thriller from Amazon Freevee will have a screening via Cinespia.
Elizabeth Waterman Photo Exhibition: Waterman’s exploration of exotic dancers and club life, MONEYGAME, will host it’s closing reception at ArtBar.
Comedy Bang! Bang! at The Ace Hotel: Comedian Scott Auckerman’s acclaimed IFC show and podcast celebrates its 13th anniversary with a completely improvised show.
KPCC’s Go Fact Yourself With Drew Carey: Hosts J. Keith van Straaten and Helen Hong welcome the comedian to a live taping of their show discussing passions.
Re’Creation at La Peer Hotel: Dance your heart out to a lineup curated by BABËL Music. Artists include Avi Snow, Wai & Greg Cerrone, Godmuthas and more.
Marc Maron at Dynasty Typewriter: The comedian and podcaster will perform.
Skin Contact 3.0 Drag and Performance Art Show: Candy Pain, Serena Infiniti, Siri and more will perform in Palm Springs.
ALL WEEKEND
Unique Markets: Shop small at the California Market Center in DTLA, complete with free drinks, photo booths, DJ lounges and more.
Bitchiest Bruch at Oscar’s: Catch either Sherry Vine, Jackie Beat or Billy L’Mour on Saturday or a different rotation of queens Sunday for an endlessly entertaining drag brunch, complete with the option of bottomless mimosas in Palm Springs.
OC Fair: It’s the last weekend to enjoy the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa.
Hollyshorts Screenings at TCL Chinese Theatre: Starting on Thursday, this festival will feature over 400 short films in contention for Oscar nominations. The top three prize-winning films will qualify for eligibility for 2023 nominations. This year’s festival features work from 161 female directors and 101 BIPOC directors.
Nisei Week Japanese Festival: This nine day cultural celebration kicks off Saturday in historic Little Tokyo. There will be food and entertainment, a Japanese car show, parade and more.
Splash House Music Fest: At three hotels across Palm Springs over two weekends, you can catch Dabin, Dombresky, a DJ set from Franc Moody and more.
The Getty 25 Celebrate Crenshaw: For their 25th anniversary, the Getty is hosting free localized celebrations, including this weekend’s event celebrating Black art and culture in Crenshaw. There will be artists demonstrations, vendors, food, music, photo booths and more at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.
Korean Liberation Festival: Maum celebrates Korean Liberation Day with this three day festival in collaboration with Live Love Create. There will be live comedy, music, dance and more.
Sunscoops Ice Cream Pop-Up: Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop brings something sweet to LA with several Pop-Ups around Los Angeles this weekend.
Acoustic Sculptures of Michael Brown: The Mount Wilson Observatory hosts the multi-sensory experience of Michael Brown’s soundscapes and art.
FYC Fest: Amazon celebrates it’s 30 Emmy celebrations with a free festival across Los Angeles and the valley, complete with music, food trucks and more.
Uprooted Playreading Festival: The Santa Monica Repertory Theatre presents works by women for their annual stage readings and discussions at Bergamont Station.
Roller Rink at the Santa Monica Pier: Benefit Cosmetics presents the Gimme Pink Roller Rink for this weekend only.
Tailgate Fest: Head out to Fontana Saturday and Sunday for your fill of live country music, featuring Jake Owen, Blanco Brown, Eli Young Band and more.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: The Echo Theatre Company will perform Shakespeare in Echo Park.
The Thing at the New Beverly: Watch the John Carpenter classic on the big screen.
Peaches at The Fonda Theatre: The electropunk artist will perform will in Hollywood Friday and Saturday.
Puppet Up! Comedy Show: A partially improvised show with puppets put on by Henson Alternative, the uncensored branch of the Jim Henson Company.
Best Coast at The Ford: Local rock duo Best Coast will perform in Hollywood.
Summer Swing Nights: The Swing Tones will perform live big band and swing music at the Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo all weekend.