Best Things To Do This Weekend In Los Angeles and SoCal: June 2

Mar 31, 2023

We’re hoping we start heating up as we head into the days marking the unofficial start of summer (we’re still a few weeks away from the real thing). Whether you’re looking forward to warmth or looking to stay cool, we’ve got an event for you.

Celebrate the start of Pride Month. See a show as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival. Check out the first night of annual free summer concert series, Grand Performances. Read on for all the details.

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Silke Otto-KnappRegen Projects6570 Santa Monica Boulevard, L.A.This art exhibition opens Friday, featuring the work of artist Silke Otto-Knapp — who died last October. Her work depicts dancers and landscapes, utilizing a black-and-white palette. You’ll also find small watercolor studies, photocopied images, and newspaper clippings alongside her finished work. It runs through Aug. 12.MORE INFO

For the Love of a Glove: An Unauthorized Musical Fable About the Life of Michael Jackson, As Told by His GloveThe Carl Sagan & Ann Druyan Theater at the Center for Inquiry2535 W Temple St, L.A.This musical originally debuted just before the pandemic shutdowns. Now it's back to tell the story… well, a story of Michael Jackson. It supposes that Jackson's alleged child abuse, along with other strange behavior, was influenced by an alien glove. You can read more about the off-the-wall adaptation in this story about the original production.COST: $30 General Admission; MORE INFO

WeHo Pride WeekendMultiple locations in West HollywoodPride Month is getting underway. One of the most iconic Pride events is West Hollywood's Pride Weekend. Read our full guide for more on celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride this month, from the Eastside to Compton.COST: The parade is free, but other parts have varied costs; MORE INFO

LALIFF (The 2023 L.A. Latino International Film Festival)HollywoodThe festival started Wednesday and runs through this Sunday. Flamin' Hot and Problemista headline it, but there's much more. Among the films, premiering is Moe, based on a GLAAD Award-winning play, Dementia. It tells the story of a creator working on a one-person show who throws a going away party, because they’re dying of AIDS. The film was shot on a tight budget in 2005, but is finally being shown for a wider audience. It explores themes of spirituality, gender, and more. You can find more details about the festival in this piece from my colleague Gab Chabrán.COST: Tickets for screenings start at $15; MORE INFO

Flamin' Hot Community ScreeningLA Plaza de Cultura y Artes501 North Main Street, L.A.Outside the festival, you can find a free outdoor screening of Eva Longoria's Flamin' Hot biopic at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, telling the story of the Frito-Lay janitor who made Flamin' Hot Cheetos into a phenom. Longoria, who directed the film, will be on hand to introduce the film to members of the cast. She's also a founding member of the museum's board. The screening will also have a DJ, plus food and craft vendors — including Flamin' Hot Cheetos-inspired food. Plus, they’ll have interactive photo moments with classic cars, flower walls, and more.COST: Free; MORE INFO

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Grand Performances: Son Rompe PeraCalifornia Plaza350 South Grand Ave., downtown L.A.This year's annual free Grand Performances series kicks off Saturday with cumbia punk marimba rock group Son Rompe Pera. The outdoor events are a blast, offering a chance to enjoy excellent music in a scenic outdoor venue without you having to open your wallet.COST: Free; MORE INFO

Cadenza (Hollywood Fringe Festival)Hudson Theatre (The Guild)6539 Santa Monica Blvd, L.A.Get ready to get weird. This is a sci-fi thriller about four amnesiac murderers, trapped in a deadly escape-room-like test. It explores humanity and morality through science, humor, and spirituality. The show is presented by Christian-themed entertainment nonprofit Ezekiel Drama Ministry, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. But the show is designed to be enjoyed by audiences with any set of beliefs.COST: MORE INFO

An Evening In Paris with Edith PiafThe Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre10900 Burbank Blvd., North HollywoodThis fundraiser for the nonprofit The Group Rep company features a solo performance celebrating the story of legendary French singer Edith Piaf. Eleanora Owen wrote and performed it, with the performer delivering a night of Piaf's songs. A wine/cheese/fruits/sweets reception follows the performance. You'll also find both free lot and street parking.COST: $50; MORE INFO

5150… A Musical (Hollywood Fringe Festival)Stephanie Feury Studio TheatreThis show tells the story of performer Jenna-Rose Hannah's experience in a mental health hospital. It features original music as the audience sees her find her voice as she works to heal herself — and the mental health breaking point she had to face. Hannah recently released her first single, "Daddy's Little Girl," on Spotify.COST: $12; MORE INFO

Dear Cairo... My Dear CairoIn person at Beyond Baroque & live on YouTubeThis multimedia art show combines photos, videos, a Cairo soundscape, Egyptian pop, and a reading of the children's picture book Egyptian Lullaby. The show's goal: is to normalize Arab culture for people who are unfamiliar with it, while countering the demonization of Arabs and their negative portrayals in media. Author Zeena M. Pliska will present this show both in-person and live on Youtube, with a photo exhibition portion on exhibit at the L.A. Public Library Venice branch and at indie bookstore Village Well Books and Coffee.COST: Free; MORE INFO

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Constellation, an exhibition from Carla Jay HarrisXela Institute of Art2176 Pacific Ave, Long BeachCome check out this space-y art exhibition from a San Pedro-based artist. She blends techniques including traditional photography, painterly abstraction, and digital collage. She films friends and actors in her home studio as they portray various characters, then extrapolates digitally and places them in her own dreamy computer world. She’ll also draw or paint over prints of the work. This exhibition runs through Sunday, Sept. 3.Cost: Free (with reservations); MORE INFO

Living In A Wildlife CorridorBoddy House, Descanso Gardens1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge

This exhibition features photography capturing native creatures up-close, along with life-size sculptures giving dimension to the animals seen in these images. You’ll also find a curated selection of original paintings, prints, and drawings exploring the diverse wildlife found at Descanso Gardens. The show is informed by knowledge from Tongva Culture Bearers, scientific and research expertise from conservationists, and insights into conservation in the greater L.A. area. You’ll also be able to learn ways you can help protect and preserve the natural world. It runs through Oct. 1. MORE INFO

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Party On! A Sober Comedy ShowThe Crow2525 Michigan Avenue, Santa MonicaThis show presents sober comics as they explore sobriety through humor. The show has headliners who’ve appeared on HBO, Netflix, and late-night shows, sharing their experiences in a way that's universal. This month's headliner is Graham Elwood, joined by Mike Muratore, Kay Hanley, and Ally Weinhold, as well as show hosts Laura House and Kim Clevenger.COST: $20; MORE INFO

If I’m Good (Hollywood Fringe Festival)The Broadwater (Black Box)6322 Santa Monica Blvd., HollywoodThis is the West Coast premiere of If I'm Good, which follows two characters from opposite ends of the political spectrum in an exploration of how we got to our current polarized place in America today. The show dives into the absurdities many came to confront during the COVID-19 pandemic, from conspiracy theories to the fragilities of democracy. This is the first of seven performances, running through June 24.COST: $15; MORE INFO

Limited series Mrs. Davis recently wrapped its run on Peacock. It's a show that feels incredibly of the moment with its plot centered around a nun trying to destroy an AI in a world where artificial intelligence is widely beloved. What happens when you seek to destroy the voice that whispers comforting bedtime stories to you at night?

The balance of surrealism, religion, and the exploration of future tech feels hugely original. It's co-created by The Big Bang Theory comedy writer Tara Hernandez and Lost/Watchmen writer Damon Lindelof, and the show captures both of their energies in a great alchemical reaction. I’m sure this is too weird and specific for a lot of folks (and I understand if this recent Vanity Fair story about the working environment of Lost gives some pause about Lindelof, though he's also intentionally worked to improve since that time). But the show hit on some of my favorite themes, with a great cast, and nailed the landing on the finale.

Here are a few dine and drink options to indulge in this week.

Christine Ziemba is on vacation and will return soon.