This is a weekend to celebrate the throw-backs; Cinespia is screening Friday the 13th at the Greek on Friday night, of course, and Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett are performing together at Sofi Stadium Saturday. Diana Ross will be at the Hollywood Bowl Friday and Saturday and Echo & The Bunnyman will be celebrating 40 years of performing at the Ace Hotel Friday Night.
Of course there’s plenty else to explore if music and 80’s horror isn’t your thing, from monster truck rallies, breakdancing competitions at a pizza parlor, BBQ Day at Smorgasburg or catching Ramy Youssef perform stand-up at Largo.
FRIDAY
Fourth Fridays at Long Beach: From 6 to 9pm you are invited to a Disco themed street festival at Retro Row.
Kikínceañera: Noche De Orgullo: A celebration of Los Angeles’ queer Lantine culture featuring local Drag Queens and musical artists, including Valentina, Neyva, Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Ángeles and much more.
Kard at the Wiltern: As part of their Wild Kard Tour, the K-pop group will perform in KTown.
Texas BBQ in Laguna: Over at the Ritz Carlton, Chef Daniel Castillo reintroduces the Culinary Cookout series with a showcase of Texas-style BBQ.
The Goonies in Santa Clarita: As part of the City Cinema in the Park series, families can enjoy the 80’s classic at Central Park.
We Three at the El Rey: The pop-rock group will perform in Mid-City.
Rachel and Rachel’s Big Half-Hours: Dynasty Typewriter will host Rachel Pegram and Rachel Joravsky’s stand-up for one night only.
Breakdancing and Pizza at RedBull’s Pop-Up: The finals for RedBull’s Breakdancing competition will take place at Delicious Pizza.
Chase Atlantic at YouTube Theatre: The Australian alternative R&B group will perform in Inglewood.
Friday the 13th at The Greek Theatre: Despite the date, Cinespia will screen the Jason Vorhees classic.
Open Stage at The Elysian: Comedians are welcomed to submit themselves to showcase at the Frogtown Theatre. There will also be free pizza.
SATURDAY
Storytime at the Bowers Museum: The theme this month is ‘back to school.’
Paddington 2 at the Academy Museum: For their family matinee, the museum will screen the beloved modern classic.
Dragari: A drag brunch hosted by The Alejandro Queen at Barcari Silverlake.
Purlisse Pop-Up at Carrera Cafe: The Asian-American beauty brand will give away goodies bags to the first 50 attendees, while everyone will have a chance to win prizes while enjoying Carrera coffee and shopping the cosmetics and skincare products.
Txotx Festival: Benny Brewing will be celebrating their Spanish-inspired cider Sidra by bringing a little bit of Spanish tradition to L.A. There will be cider ‘catching’ from the tap and Spanish/Basque cuisine served by Baserriko Peppers.
Leimert Park Jazz Festival: Starting at noon, the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall will host Patrice Rushen, Kamau Daaood, Pete Escoveda & Family and more.
End of Summer Bash Festival: Head out to Old Pasadena for this free festival sporting carnival games, a beer garden and even a back-to-school supplies drive.
Lasita’s Barrio Fest: The Chinatown Mexican restaurant will be hosting an anniversary party with beer from Homage Brewery, food from Little Fish, Amboy of course Lasita and more.
Mötley Crüe/Def Leppard/Poison/Joan Jett and the Blackhearts at SoFi: Revive your love for 80’s hair metal in Inglewood.
Now We’re Here Concert Series at The Broad: Fantastic Negrito will headline the concert also featuring performances by HPrizm + Kelly Caballero, Daviva Spain and more.
Fitz and The Tantrums at The Greek: The indie-pop band will perform at the Griffith Park amphitheater.
Echo & The Bunnymen at The Ace Hotel: Cayucas will open for the indie legends.
Raiders of the Lost Ark at Hollywood Forever Cemetery: Cinespia will screen the Indiana Jones debut.
The Killers at Banc of California Theatre: The indie rock group for Las Vegas will perform Downtown.
Dynasty Tonight: As part of their weekly stand-up showcase, Sarah Silverman, Beth Stelling, Luke Null and more will perform at Dynasty Typewriter.
Bad Bunny Night: The reggaeton dance party will be hosted at The Regent Theatre Downtown.
SUNDAY
15th Annual Thai New Year Songkran Festival: A parade, a Muay Thai pageant, food and more in Thai Town.
Jordan Crane Signing at Skylight Books: Crane’s latest graphic novel Keeping Two is about a couple who reads a novel to each other to kill time in traffic, but themes of the book within the book resonate a little too close to home, exposing insecurities and pitfalls in the relationship.
Happy Sundays Music Festival: Over in Long Beach, another music festival will take up E. Anaheim St.
BBQ Day at Smorgasburg: Don’t miss a chance to try a donut sandwich filled with brisket from A’s BBQ and Evil_Cooks Food.
Ramy Youssef at Largo: The stand-up and creator of Hulu’s Ramy will perform in West Hollywood.
Elvis Costello and The Imposters at Fred Kavli Theatre – BofA Performing Arts Center: The icon and his current band will be performing in Thousand Oaks.
Sasha Alex Sloan at The Wiltern: The singer-songwriter will perform in KTown.
The Lost 80’s at The Greek: Flock of Seagulls, The English Beat, Stacey Q and much more will perform.
ALL WEEKEND
This Ain’t No Picnic Festival: LCD Soundsystem, The Strokes, Phoebe Bridgers and Le Tigre will headline this indie/alternative rock festival.
Spidey and His Amazing Friends Glow Webs Glow: Young Spider-Man fans are invited to the Santa Monica Pier for obstacle courses, play zones and photo-ops.
Nintendo Switch Roadtrip: At Citywalk at Universal Studios, Nintendo will be showcasing a lineup of new games set to debut later this year including Nintendo Switch Sports, Kirby and the Forgotten Land and Mario Strikers: Battle League.
The Getty 25 Celebrates Watts: Enjoy drum circles, spoken word and poetry live, jazz, hip-hop and more at Watts Community Labor Action Committee.
Diana Ross at the Hollywood Bowl: On Friday and Saturday nights, the legendary singer will perform.
Larry Clark Screenings at the Hammer: One of the members of the LA Rebellion or Los Angeles School of Black Filmmakers, Larry Clark’s films Passing Through, As Above, So Below/The Horse/Hour Glass and Cutting Horse will be screened over three days at the Westwood museum. The presentation is put together by Clark’s Alma Mater, UCLA.
Fiesta La Ballona: Head to Culver City for the annual free festival, complete with live entertainment and food and artisan vendors.
DTLA Proud Festival: On Saturday and Sunday queer organizers will showcase everything from a Queer Mercado to Trans and Non-Binary celebratory dance parties. Sunday will have a family fun day in the morning for queer famlies to enjoy and local artists will perform throughout the event on the Main Stage.
Festival Chapin: The Guatemalan celebration will take place at Lafayette Park.
Summer Concerts at Levitt Pavillion: La Resistencia will play Friday, The New Respects on Saturday and Fiesta Pinolera Ft. Armando Vásquez Orquestra Guatao, Juan Solórzano, Rommel Ocampo on Sunday.
Monster Jam: The monster truck rally will be hosted all weekend at Crypto.com Arena.
Rogue One at the El Capitan: Starting this weekend, the Star Wars prequel will play at the historic Hollywood theatre. Fans will have the opportunity to get a first look at the new Disney+ series Andor, and take away a film poster.
Champagne on the Coast: This weekend at Paséa, the hotel will curate a champagne tasting from all over.