Friday
Satisfy your flair for all things vintage-inspired at ModCloth IRL, the first ever pop-up from the online indie retailer. Head Downtown on Friday to shop a summery selection of threads, have your measurements taken and meet the people behind the website.
Afterwards, spend a science-filled evening among the dinosaurs during First Fridays at the Natural History Museum. Tonight's highlights include a discussion about documenting LA's hidden wildlife through amateur photos as well as musical performances from White Fence and Cherry Glazerr. Technically tonight's the second Friday of the month, but we'll let that slide, Natural History Museum.
Saturday
Is it the stumpy legs? The size-too-big ears? The woolly rump? Whatever the cause, we love corgis, and so do the devoted dog owners at SoCal Corgi Nation. Bring your own pup or mingle with 500 others at the SoCal Corgi Beach Day in Huntington Beach—make sure to check out our photos from last year's meetup for a preview.
If you don't feel like making the trek, splash in the pristine waters of the LA River instead. Alright, so it's not quite there yet, but do your part in restoring the river during the Great Los Angeles River CleanUp. Saturday's work-play session focuses on four spots in the San Fernando Valley, with a mobile museum set up at the Bette Davis Picnic Area.
Make your way east and stock up on decorative designs and support local artisans at Eastside Handmade. As the name might suggest, this indie, Highland Park pop-up market features fashion, jewelry and trinkets from exclusively Eastside designers.
Our calendar says it's still April, but that hasn't stopped Electric Dusk Drive-In from rolling out its slate of summer movies. Catch an outdoor screening of The Goonies at an abandoned produce market in the Fashion District. Look for us—we'll be the ones doing the Truffle Shuffle in a Fiat.
Sunday
We'd venture to guess that the crowds at the Ace Hotel will be a bit thinner today as Coachella-goers flock to its Palm Springs sibling instead. Spend Sunday afternoon relaxing poolside at Upstairs during the Mandelbaum Bookstore Pop Up. Browse through the typically appointment-only bookseller's collection of art books from the likes of Warhol, Basquiat, Koons and other artists that Jay-Z likes to namedrop.
On the other side of town, toast to a half-century of the Westside's high-end harbor at Marina del Rey’s 50th Birthday Bash. The final afternoon of this three-day aquatic celebration features free tall ship tours, cannon battles and day sails as well as a boat and classic car show.
Farther up the 405, the Skirball hosts its annual, kid-friendly Puppet Festival. Though advance tickets are sold out, a limited number of walk-ups will be available. If you're completely shut out, make the most of the trip and scope out the nostalgic Rock & Roll Billboards of the Sunset Strip exhibition.
Close out your weekend in Hollywood for the return of Mental Head Circus. This sideshow at King King is more sinister than silly, with aerialists, jugglers, contortionists and sword swallowers strutting their stuff overhead, on the ground and in all sorts of other impossible positions.