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Living in LA County means there’s always something to do, see, experience and this week is no different. Whether you want to celebrate May the Fourth, Cinco de Mayo, local and international artists or you want to expend your understanding of memories, emotions and spiritual realms, there’s something for you to check out.
Maze Of Memories
Arcadia Performing Arts Center | 188 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA 91006 | April 28-30 | ahsorchesis.com
Arcadia High School’s Orchesis Dance Company will be presenting its spring production, “Maze of Memories,” a show about “a journey of self-discovery and reflection,” explained Orchesis Dance Company Treasurer Athena Liu.“Throughout our lives, we encounter different emotions and obstacles that cause us to question our identity and values. We experience introspection, loss, love, and improvement. All these components are weaved into a collective human experience and are included in the different dances we are performing in this show,” elaborated Liu.
“Star Wars” Original Trilogy
El Capitan Theatre | 6838 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA, 90028 | April 28-30 | elcapitantheatre.com
Watch the original “Star Wars” trilogy at El Capitan ahead of May 4. Start with “A New Hope” on April 28, followed by “The Empire Strikes Back” on April 29, and finishing it all off with “Return of the Jedi” on April 30.
An Evening with Fran Lebowitz
The Broad Stage | 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, CA 90401 | April 28-May 1 | thebroadstage.org
The Broad Stage presents “An Evening with Fran Lebowitz,” star of the recent Netflix series “Pretend it’s a City,” directed by Martin Scorsese. Lebowitz will appear on stage for four performances only April 28 through May 1, 2022. A Q+A with the audience follows the performance with guest interviewers including Larry Wilmore (“The Daily Show”), KCRW’s Anne Litt, NPR’s A Martínez and producers/singer/songwriter Jon Brion (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”) and author/performer Sandra Tsing Loh (“The Madwoman in the Volvo”).
A Special Zócalo Music Presentation: How Immigrants Composed L.A.
ASU California Center at the Herald Examiner | 1111 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015 | April 28 | eventbrite.com
Cellist Evgeny Tonkha and violinists Roberto Cani, Ana Landauer and Erik Rynearson of the Los Angeles Opera perform the music of L.A.’s immigrant composers like Arnold Schoenberg, Stravinsky, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Reena Esmail.
ArtNight Pasadena
Pasadena | April 29 | ArtNightPasadena.org
Enjoy music, dance, visual art, theater, art-making, storytelling, history, and food trucks across the city during ArtNight. Some of Pasadena’s most popular arts and cultural organizations are opening their doors for the night and offering free admission. Shuttles will be available to transport visitors from venue to venue.
Florence + The Machine
Los Angeles Theatre | 615 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014 | April 29 | florenceandthemachine.net
The alternative, indie rock duo behind “Dog Days Are Over” and “King,” has won multiple award for their genre-defying music.
Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra
Walt Disney Concert Hall | 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012 | April 29 | laphil.com
Jeff Goldblum and his Mildred Snitzer Orchestra light up the stage with classic jazz.
“The Pilot Who Crashed The Party: A Dangerous Satire In Two Acts”
Odyssey Theatre | 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025 | April 29-May 1 | odysseytheatre.com
This is a workshop production of a new play written and directed by Tony and two-time Drama Desk Award winner Paul Sand. Sally celebrates her 50th birthday with a small but elaborate dinner party for three friends in her manor nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains. Their evening is interrupted and fully consumed by an unexpected visitor during a rare southern California rainstorm. As the long night progresses, Sally and her guests simultaneously learn more and understand less about each other as the storm brews outside, and within, the house walls. Who is this mystery guest really? Or better yet, who are these four seemingly close friends?
The Eclectic Music Festival And Arts Crawl
South Pasadena Mission District | 1121 Mission St., South Pasadena, CA 91030 | April 30 | theeclectic.rocks
The Eclectic celebrates the arts and features a diverse musical lineup, open galleries and studios, outdoor installations, food trucks and a beer and wine garden. “Artisans’ Alley is a curated outdoor marketplace featuring unique, handmade, and vintage items, which brings together makers of handcrafted jewelry, clothing, accessories, art, home goods, and specialty items,” according to event organizers.
Spooky Swap Meet
Heritage Square Museum | 3800 Homer St., Los Angeles, CA 90031 | April 30 | spookyswapmeet.com
Shop from eclectic vendors selling Halloween decor, props, costumes, furnishings, collectible and creepy antiques. Snack, get your fortune told, and trick or treat at the Victorian manors of Heritage Square.
Day At The Rocks
Vasquez Rocks Natural Area | 10700 Escondido Canyon Road, Agua Dulce, CA 91390 | April 30 | instagram.com/p/CcyQR5JvDeD/
Kids can spend the morning enjoying Fernandeño Tataviam storytelling and songs, guided hikes, animal presentations, food trucks, vendors, take-home crafts and activities.
Broadway Celebrates The Soraya
The Soraya | 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91330 | April 30 | thesoraya.org
Eden Espinosa, Joshua Henry, and Megan Hilty join forces with Richard Kaufman and the CSUN Symphony for a program which includes songs from the late Stephen Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park with George and Company,” plus numbers from “Wicked,” “Hamilton,” “Carousel,” and more.
What Is A Western? Film Series: “Boyz N The Hood”
The Autry | 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027 | April 30 | theautry.or
Introduced by Tyree Boyd-Pates, associate curator at the Autry, who will explain the film’s significance as a Western, commemorate the 31st anniversary of “Boyz n the Hood” starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Laurence Fishburne and Ice Cube. According to the Autry, the film series “explores the wide range of movies that can be considered Westerns, and the ways in which they shape our understanding of the American West.”
“Spider-Man: No Way Home”
LA State Historic Park | 1245 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 | April 30 | streetfoodcinema.com
Watch Peter Parker battle villains from the multiverse alongside old and new friends. The movie starts at 8 p.m. but show up early to enjoy a bite from one of various food trucks.
Latino Comics Expo
Museum of Latin American Art | 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802 | April 30-May 1 | molaa.org
The Latino Comics Expo returns in-person this year with guests, a chalk art workshop and approximately 45 vendors. Special guests will include Jorge Gutierrez (“Book of Life” and “Maya and the Three” director), Rafael Navarro (Sonámbulo), Xaime and Gilbert Hernandez (“Love & Rockets”), Jesse Hernandez (Urban Aztec) and many more.
626 Golden Streets
San Gabriel Valley | May 1 | 626goldenstreets.com
Beginning in South Pasadena and stretching for 5 miles to San Gabriel, 626 Golden Streets temporarily opens stretches of streets for people to walk, jog, skate, and bike. The free event will also feature carnival games, rock climbing, a public and professional chalk art zone and live music.
Cinco De Mayo At The Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Stadium | 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103 | May 1 | eventbrite.com
This free, family-friendly event aims to reconnect the community with a healthy lifestyle. The event features interactive activities like a Metodo M workout, live entertainment, food, arts, a marketplace and more.
Lila Downs
The Luckman Fine Arts Complex | 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA, 90032 | May 1 | luckmanarts.org
Grammy and Latin Grammy Award-winning Mexican singer Lila Downs brings her powerful throaty alto and dramatic performances to Los Angeles. Downs sings everything from jazz ballads and blues to norteñas and rancheras.
Psychic Faire
The Indigo Collective | 2990 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 101, Pasadena, CA 91107 | May 1 | eventbrite.com
The fair features discounted psychic readings, reiki healing, natal charts, astrology readings with aura reports, live music and vendors.
“Signs Of Life” Special Preview
Griffith Observatory | 2800 E. Observatory Road, Los Angeles, CA 90027 | May 2 | griffithobservatory.org
See “Signs of Life,” a new show coming to the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, before it opens to the public. Tickets to the preview include parking and special access to the exhibits and telescopes on a night when the Observatory is closed to the public.
Arsenio! Live From Netflix Is A Joke
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel | 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028 | May 2-5 | eventbrite.com
Arsenio Hall returns to his late-night talk show roots as he converses with LA icons, comedians, musicians, actors and other comedy legends.
Painting Your Path: Author Talk With Dr. Clarissa Castillo-Ramsey
Zoom | May 3 | Call the Pasadena Village Office at (626) 765-6037 to register
Author and artist Dr. Clarissa Castillo-Ramsey talked with 21 inspiring women over 40 from
different walks of life who answered questions about living life on one’s own terms, if it’s too late to try new things, and if they still ask themselves what they want to do in life. Her book, “Painting Your Path,” shares their diverse stories of personal struggle, life and career pivots, and more. In this presentation, Castillo-Ramsey will delve into her own story, why she wrote this book, and what she hopes others will gain from reading it.
Netflix Is A Joke Presents: Why Won’t You Date Me? With Nicole Byer
The Regent Theater | 448 S. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90013 | May 3 | regentdtla.com
If you’re a fan of Nicole Byer’s (Netflix’s “Nailed It”) comedy and relationship podcast, you’ll want to watch her live.
The Boulet Brothers Dragula
The Novo | 800 W. Olympic Blvd. a335, Los Angeles, CA 90015 | May 3 | lalive.com
The Boulet Brothers are taking season four of their AMC show on the road in this horror drag show full of extravagant performances.
May The Fourth Celebration
Scum and Villainy Cantina | 6377 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028 | May 4 | eventbrite.com
Don’t take too much time getting your Han Solo or Leia costume ready because organizers suggest showing up early to this Star Wars celebration featuring commemorative buttons, trivia, blue milk, and a themed menu.
Conan O’Brien
The Wiltern | 3790 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010 | May 4 |thewiltern.net
Conan O’Brien performs as part of the Netflix is a Joke Festival.
Craig Robinson
Troubadour | 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069 | May 4 | troubadour.com
Comedian and actor Craig Robinson (“The Office”) and his nine-piece band, The Nasty Delicious, perform a mix of funk, hip hop and R&B with a side of humor and improv.
Cinco De Mayo Tribute To Maná
The Mixx | 443 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101 | May 5 | themixxclub.com
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with this tribute to the kings of rock en español.
The Emo Night Tour
The Viper Room | 8852 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069 | May 5 | emonighttour.com
Contrary to popular belief, emo isn’t dead. Listen to your favorite bands like Taking Back Sunday, My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Panic! At the Disco and more all night long.
“On Gold Mountain” Opera In The Chinese Garden
The Huntington | 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108 | May 5-15 | huntington.org
The Huntington will stage “On Gold Mountain,” an opera based on author Lisa See’s bestselling book about her Chinese American family’s immigrant experience in California. The opera features a colorful musical score by Nathan Wang. Blending Western and traditional Chinese music, Wang’s musical score will be performed by an orchestra composed of members of the LA Opera Orchestra and student musicians from the greater Los Angeles community
Santa Fe Springs Art Fest
Clarke Estate | 10211 Pioneer Blvd., Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 | May 5-6 | artcrawlfest.com
The festival celebrates artists and creatives and raises funds for creative youth programs. The fest will also feature food vendors and films as part of the SFS Film Fest. There will also be a preview on May 5 from 5-8 p.m.
Netflix Is A Joke Presents: Jonathan Van Ness
Orpheum Theatre | 842 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014 | May 5 | jonathanvanness.com
Jonathan Van Ness of “Queer Eye” melds comedy with a message of love, self-discovery, self-expression and, of course, gymnastics!
The Supes “Multiverse of Madness” Fan Experience
AMC Burbank 16 | 125 E. Palm Ave., Burbank, CA 91502 | May 5 | eventbrite.com
Matt “Supes” Ramos and passionate Marvel fans gather for this screening of “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” featuring a live DJ, Q-and-A, prizes and some surprises.
Snoop Dogg’s F*cn Around Comedy Special
Hollywood Palladium | 6215 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028 | May 5 | thehollywoodpalladium.com
Snoop Dogg will host a ““night of legendary black comics” including Mike Epps, Katt Williams, Sommore and more.
Knott’s Boysenberry Festival
Knott’s Berry Farm | 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA 90620 | Through April 24 | knotts.com
Knott’s “food-inspired” festival features a lineup of dishes with a boysenberry twist, and desserts and drinks only available during this limited time. The festival also features local crafters, live music, stage shows and fun activities.
“Mixpantli: Space, Time, And The Indigenous Origins Of Mexico”
LACMA | 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036 | Through May 1 | lacma.org
LACMA is marking the 500th anniversary of the fall of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital and site of Mexico City. According to LACMA, the exhibition “subverts the traditional narrative of conquest by centering the creative resilience of Indigenous artists, mapmakers, and storytellers who forged new futures and made their world anew through artistic practice.”
Tupac Shakur. Wake Me When I’m Free
The Canvas at L.A. Live | 944 Georgia St.,Los Angeles CA 90015 | Through May 1 | wakemewhenimfree
Created in collaboration with the Shakur Estate, this exhibit delves into Tupac’s activism, music and revolutionary art through technology, art and artifacts from the rapper’s personal archives.
“Mapping Fiction”
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens | 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108 | Through May 2 | huntington.org
This new exhibit focuses on the ways authors and mapmakers have built compelling fictional worlds. The exhibit includes a first edition of James Joyce’s “Ulysses,” early editions of Lewis Carroll’s “The Hunting of the Snark, Robert Louis Stevenson’s maps from “Treasure Island” and “Kidnapped,” J. R. R. Tolkien’s map from the trilogy “The Lord of the Rings,” and science fiction writer Octavia E. Butler’s hand-drawn maps from notes for “Parable of the Talents” (1998) and her unpublished novel “Parable of the Trickster.”
“The Sound Of Music”
La Mirada Theatre | 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada, CA 90638 | Through May 15 | lamiradatheatre.com
The beloved musical of Maria and the Von Trapp family by Rodgers and Hammerstein comes to the Southland.
Renaissance Pleasure Faire
Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area | 15501 E. Arrow Highway, Irwindale, CA 91706 | Through May 22 | renfair.com/socal/
Huzzah! The Renaissance Pleasure Faire is back this year with its infamous lineup of bawdy and traditional songs, comedy shows (some rated NC-17 just for adults), jousting tournaments, aerial performances, magic shows and actors on different stages, ax throwing, archery, turkey legs, hand pies and more beer than you could ever imagine.
“Archival Intimacies: Queering South/East Asian Diasporas”
ONE Archives at the USC Libraries | 909 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007
| Through May 29 | one.usc.edu
Three artists-in-residence at ONE Archives at USC Libraries, Prima Jalichandra-Sakuntabhai, Vinhay Keo, and Pamila Matharu were invited to develop new works in response to the archive. Jalichandra-Sakuntabhai and Keo’s work investigates the remnants of embodied history, migration, exile, and queerness. Accompanying these works is “Satrang at 25: Queer South Asian Diaspora(s) in Context,” on view at ONE, examining the history of Satrang, an organization supporting queer South Asian communities in Southern California and placing its evolution in the context of broader queer diasporic histories.
Street Art Live
Magic Box LA | 1933 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90007 | Through July 3 | thelume.com
Embark on a multi-sensory trip through the world of street. With 360-degree moving visuals and a curated musical score, you will be immersed in the era and location in which the piece was created like New York, London, São Paulo, Melbourne and Berlin.
Lee Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse
LACMA | 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036 | Through Oct. 9 | lacma.org
Highlighting fashion designer Lee Alexander McQueen’s tailoring and dressmaking skills, the exhibition examines the different disciplines, imagination, innovation and artistic process that defined McQueen’s career. The exhibition will display McQueen garments from the Collection of Regina J. Drucker alongside artworks from LACMA’s permanent collection.
