Friday
Spend a music and art-filled evening outside the Natural History Museum during the kickoff of Summer Nights in the Garden. Learn how to pickle, screen print and build bee houses while sipping on cocktails made fresh from the museum's garden at this free bimonthly series.
If you're willing to pause for a sobering discussion, head to MOCA for Zócalo Public Square's latest lecture, Can Urban Riots Cause Change? Harold Meyerson, a columnist at The Washington Post, moderates this panel about violent riots, peaceful protests and white flight with California State Senator Holly Mitchell and UCLA historian Robin D.G. Kelley.
Down the block at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, see the first night of the globe-spanning BalletNow. American Ballet Theatre principal Roberto Bolle leads an opening night program set to iconic European composers; come back on Saturday for a Latin America-inspired set from Herman Cornejo, followed by a combination of the two on Sunday.
Saturday
Brush up on the basics of broadcast as Song Exploder host Hrishikesh Hirway leads Podcasting 101 at Poketo at the Line Hotel. This three-hour workshop isn't cheap, but it is a chance to kickstart your own audio storytelling dreams with help from one of the most creative podcasters out there right now.
Gorge in an all-you-can-eat tasting as LA Street Food Fest returns to the Rose Bowl. A melting pot of the LA food scene, over 100 vendors will be serving up everything from refreshing summer cocktails to fancy foodie fare—make sure to check out these 10 essential food and drink pairings while you're there.
Stick around in Pasadena as Eat|See|Hear screens Back to the Future at City Hall. Or if you're looking for a free film in the area, head to Float for a screening of Wall-E paired with a "Plant in a Boot" float. Elsewhere in the outdoor screening universe, Cinespia is showing A Hard Day's Night while Street Food Cinema screens Old School and Purple Rain.
If you're more in the mood for live comedy, make your way to Largo for the latest Spontaneation. This spontaneous live podcast from Paul F. Tompkins unleashes the clever comedian's crazy characters onstage for an all-improv show; Tompkins welcomes Comedy Bang Bang pal Scott Aukerman to tonight's performance.
Sunday
Hot sauce and kombucha—both potent and both part of your Sunday itinerary. Starting off in Long Beach, burn away your taste buds at the inaugural California Hot Sauce Expo. Try to withstand 45 hot sauce samples and a couple of eating challenges, but take our advice—we know a thing or two about hot sauce—and pace yourself, lest you become a sweaty regretful mess.
Wash down that peppery inferno with a trip to the Los Angeles Fermentation Festival in Venice. Maybe kimchi and kombucha don't scream "refreshing," but this celebration of all things fermented is certainly unique, with workshops, a DIY pickle bar and more.
Close out your weekend at the Hollywood Bowl with a headlining set from Death Cab for Cutie. Former Angeleno Ben Gibbard comes to town in support of the band's latest album, Kintsugi. The wildly rhythmic and eclectic Tune-Yards opens what's sure to be a perfect summer show.
Find more things to do this weekend by clicking each day or by heading over to our weekend calendar.