Friday
Head over to LACMA early Friday evening for a Guillermo del Toro book signing. Pick up an exhibition catalogue—from his upcoming At Home with the Monsters exhibit—or another title from LACMA's store and the acclaimed director will autograph it. While you're there, hang out for another free installment of Jazz at LACMA and make sure to check out the Robert Mapplethorpe retrospective before it wraps up this weekend.
For dinner, take your pick between two sort-of-fancy Downtown food events. LUCKYRICE Feast takes over Vibiana with a night market-esque assortment of Asian fare like Seoul Sausage, Komodo, Bling Bling Dumpling and more. Right around the corner, Delicious Little Tokyo's Starry Night offers 50 different sake and small plate samples at the JACCC.
Afterward, pay homage to the last 60 years of variety entertainment at Le Bal. The era-spanning show is celebrating the art of drag on one of the most opulent stages imaginable, the Theatre at Ace Hotel.
Saturday
Take a city-spanning tour of some of the best pastrami during Pastronomy. Adam Gertler leads the tour, starting with a picnic at California Plaza to enjoy sandwiches from Langer's and Wexler's.
Chase off those carbs with an afternoon spent at National Dance Day. So You Think You Can Dance creator Nigel Lythgoe leads the West Coast contingent of the bicoastal bash in coordinated routines at Grand Park.
Travel to the tropics during Tiki Night. American Cinematheque celebrates all things tiki in the courtyard of the Egyptian Theater; come out in the late afternoon for a marketplace with new and vintage tiki-related art, or stick around for a fashion show, shave ice, cocktails and a screening of South Pacific.
Spend a late night at the Broad during Nonobject(ive): Summer Happenings. The after-hours series includes full access to the museum as well a series of performances inspired by its collection; tonight's lineup includes everything from a live reading by Richard Hell to a DJ set from Sky Ferreira.
Alternatively, take your pick between three top-notch comedy shows—or all three if you insist. Reunited! stages a faux sitcom reunion at NerdMelt with special guest Kyle Kinane; Tig Notaro takes to the stage at the Theatre at Ace Hotel for an evening of honest hilarity; and Ron Funches hosts a midnight show at the Roxy with Kumail Nanjiani, Bobcat Goldthwait and more.
Sunday
Go to the Getty on Sunday for the final day of Robert Mapplethorpe: The Perfect Medium. The retrospective of the late, provocative portrait photographer wraps up here—and at LACMA, if you didn't have a chance to see it on Friday.
Stop by Culver City's Maple Block Meat Co. for a late (and lavish) lunch at Crab Cake LA. Maryland natives, from Duff Goldman to Michael Voltaggio, are teaming up for this local classic crab boil and benefit meal.
Wash it down with a selection of carbonated bubbly beverages during Galco's Summer Soda Tasting. Highland Park's celebrated soda shop is bringing together bottles from Italy, France, England and more, all to fundraise for the Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition.
Head to over iam8bit for the opening weekend of Figures of Action. Artist Jason Brockert has painted stylish depictions of people who totally deserve their own action figures, from Beyoncé to Mr. Rogers.
Close out your weekend just up Sunset at El Cid for Sultry Sweet Burlesque & Variety Show. Tapas and topless are the first orders of business at this spirited dinner theater show, which tonight includes a round of burlesque bingo.
Find more things to do this weekend by clicking each day or by heading over to our weekend calendar.