Best Things To Do This Week In LA: May 14-20
This week brings so many interesting activities, from culinary celebrations, wine dinners and a beer festival to live plays, concerts and even a circus. In addition, a variety of festivals are also coming to Los Angeles this week, including those honoring comedy, folk music, women and gay pride.
Monday, May 14
Goat Yoga on the Lawn
Golden Road Brewing, Los Angeles
www.goldenroad.la
Take part in a hatha-style yoga class, complete with asanas and pranayama, alongside two Nigerian dwarf goats named Billy and Burlap. Be sure to wear a shirt that covers your back as these creatures love to climb—and they just might hop up on your back during the class.
Plato on the Beach Package
Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica
www.hotelcasadelmar.com
Following recent renovations at the Getty Villa, take advantage of the reopening with a specialty package at this nearby seaside hotel. In addition to a welcome cocktail reception, guests will enjoy access to "Plato in LA: Contemporary Artists' Vision" at the Getty Villa along with an exhibition catalog.
Circus Vargas
Westfield Promenade, Woodland Hills
www.circusvargas.com
As the company tries to reinstate the magic of the once-popular American pastime of going to the circus, they present a new show, "Dreaming of Pirates," complete with death-defying acrobatics, juggling, trapeze stunts, contortionism, comedy and heart-stopping tricks.
Tuesday, May 15
Cowboy Lunch with John Wayne
Autry Museum of the American West, Griffith Park
www.theautry.org
This installment of the Cowboy Lunch series will focus on one of the most famous Western actors of all time, John Wayne, with a look back at his career through the eyes of various filmmakers and friends of the movie star.
70th Anniversary Celebration
Factor's Famous Deli, Los Angeles
www.lafoodbowl.com
As part of the L.A. Food Bowl, join a slew of local chefs in celebration of this iconic deli's 70th year. The event includes a cocktail reception, a multi-course dinner with wine pairings and a live auction benefiting the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
L.A. Chef Conference
iPic Theater, Westwood
www.lachefconference.com
Enjoy a morning pastry session, a lecture, a family meal and two panels with panelists like Sherry Yard, Susan Feniger, Vartan Abgaryan, Michael Cimarusti, Curtis Stone and more. The event is free and sessions will also be live streamed.
Wednesday, May 16
U2
The Forum, Inglewood
www.msg.com
Irish rock band U2 brings its Experience + Innocence Tour to Los Angeles this week, performing songs from the last four decades like "With or Without You" and "Sunday Bloody Sunday" as well as the 2000 hit "Beautiful Day."
"Rigoletto"
L.A. Opera, Los Angeles
www.laopera.org
This San Francisco Opera production of "Rigoletto" opens on Wednesday night, highlighting themes of betrayal and revenge in a heartfelt and unforgettable story that features a father, a daughter and a self-righteous ruler.
"Wood Boy Dog Fish"
Garry Marshall Theatre, Burbank
www.garrymarshalltheatre.org
The last preview before the Friday premiere will take place on Wednesday at 8 p.m., offering a new spin on the classic story of Pinocchio. While it still features a wooden puppet looking for to be made real, this new take also includes a Dogfish monster and a blue poltergeist for a spooky twist with great special effects.
Thursday, May 17
Los Angeles Comedy Festival
Let Live Theatre, Los Angeles
www.lacomedyfest.com
Seasoned professionals and amateurs come together in one of the largest comedy festivals in the nation, which serves a dual purpose of promoting comedy and discovering new talent. In addition to film screenings and live comedians, there is a screenplay competition.
National Children's Chorus
Royce Hall, Los Angeles
www.nationalchildrenschorus.com
The National Children's Chorus will perform "Prism," a celebration of diversity and American identity. Songs include numbers from across the globe as well as a tribute to Leonard Bernstein as part of a centennial celebration taking place around the world.
"Cardboard Piano"
International City Theatre, Long Beach
www.ictlongbeach.org
As a local teen prepares to marry the daughter of an American missionary in Uganda, the wedding is disrupted by a child soldier wandering into the church. The play was written by Whiting Award-winning playwright Hansol Jung.
Friday, May 18
Taylor Swift
Rose Bowl, Pasadena
www.rosebowlstadium.com
Friday marks the first of two nights that country-turned-pop sensation Taylor Swift will take the stage at the massive Rose Bowl stadium, performing songs from her repertoire, including the most recent hits "Look What You Made Me Do" and "End Game."
Uncorked: L.A. Vintner's Market
Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles
www.uncorkedwinefestivals.com
More than 50 wines will be available for guests to sample from around the world, including varietals from France, Argentina and Portugal. There will also be appetizer pairings and live music during the event.
"Deathtrap"
Lonny Chapman Theatre, Los Angeles
www.thegrouprep.com
A suspenseful show that builds with the plot, expect twists and turns as you follow along with a playwright and his wife who work with a student to produce a new thriller. A startling story, it also provides some comic relief. The play runs through Sunday.
Saturday, May 19
Surf 'n' Suds Beer Festival
San Buenaventura State Beach, Ventura
www.surfbeerfest.com
For one day only, enjoy a beer festival near the beach in Ventura. It will feature more than 65 different breweries as well as a vendor fair with a variety of different booths in addition to food trucks and local surfboard shapers.
A Culinary Evening with the California Winemasters
Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank
www.californiawinemasters.org
Food and wine come together during this special event that benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Various stations will be set up where more than 50 international chefs will create dishes like smoked trout cannoli and pork miso ramen with recommended California wine pairings.
"Killer Klowns From Outer Space" Celebration
The Montalban, Los Angeles
www.themontalban.com
Watch a screening of the movie in honor of its 30th anniversary, while the Hollywood Chamber Orchestra performs the original score. There will also be a pre-show discussion with some of the writers and actors as well as a Kosmic Klown circus with balloon artists, fortune tellers, Killer Klowns and more.
Eeeeeatscon
The Barker Hangar, Santa Monica
www.theinfatuation.com
This one-day celebration of local food possesses the spirit of a music festival, with live music and educational panels from those working in the food industry. Stop by for full-size meals rather than sample portions from restaurants like Wexler's Deli, Loqui and Homegirl Cafe.
Pico Block Party
18th Street Arts Center, Santa Monica
www.18thstreet.org
Take part in a fun community event, now in its third year, that hosts art workshops including screenprinted banners, painted tote bags, collaged magazines, LED artwork and movement classes in addition to live performances, food booths, vendors and open artist studios.
Sunday, May 20
Los Angeles Ultimate Women's Expo
Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles
www.lawomensexpo.com
Sunday marks the last day of this two-day expo, where women can celebrate their gender by indulging in shopping and fashion, entertainment, beauty and cosmetics, food and even travel. In addition to retail therapy, enjoy relaxing spa treatments and talks from women like Tori Spelling and Vivica A. Fox.
Museums of the Arroyo Day
Various locations, Los Angeles
www.museumsofthearroyo.com
Six different museums will participate in this special cultural event. Visit the Gamble House, Heritage Square, the Lummis Home, the Los Angeles Police Museum, the Pasadena Museum of History or the Autry's Historic Southwest Museum for free between noon and 5 p.m.
Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest & Folk Festival
Paramount Ranch, Agoura Hills
www.topangabanjofiddle.org
On the third Sunday in May, celebrate folk music—specifically the banjo—at this exciting festival. Listen to everything from celtic fiddle and harp to high-energy bluegrass. There will also be clogging and square dancing as well as a Cajun dance workshop, instrumental competitions and a storytelling concert as well.
K.A.M.P.
Hammer Museum, Los Angeles
hammer.ucla.edu
Meaning Kids' Art Museum Project, this fundraising event is aimed at families with children. A variety of artists, dancers, painters, designers and architects come together to present interactive workshops at the museum's courtyard. There will also be readings of children's books and food from Tender Greens.
Long Beach Pride Parade
Various locations, Long Beach
www.longbeachpride.com
The weekend-long Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride Festival will host a parade on Sunday morning, after an iHeart Radio pre-show. Awards will also be given out, but stick around to see the parade afterward.
Ashley Ryan is an Orange County native that loves traveling, live music and photography. She works as an editor at Firebrand Media, blogs at Pure Wander and writes for a variety of publications including Newport Beach Magazine and Laguna Beach Magazine.
