Watch CBS News

Best Activities To Do This Week In L.A. - August 8

MusicCenterMovesAfterDark610x250 - verified (kellie fell)
(Credit: Michael Khoury for The Music Center)

With the summer olympics in full swing, it might be tempting to stay inside and binge watch the games. But, with so much to do and see this week, you can't stay planted on the couch! First up this week is an unconventional dance program that takes you around The Music Center after dark for a truly unique perspective. With so many great art exhibits happening around the city, it's the perfect week to check out what's on view around L.A. And, you definitely won't want to miss the opening of a new Italian eatery in Silver Lake. Thursday evening takes you back outside at night for an entertaining game of Bingo under the stars, followed Saturday by a specially paired performance from Lila Downs and Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company. A decades-old Watermelon Festival returns for some sweet summer fun, and a summer block party taking over Malibu Country Mart, offer a festively fun way to end the week.

Monday, August 8
MusicCenterMovesAfterDark - verified (kellie fell)
(Credit: Invertigo Dance Theatre. Photo by Sarvey T. Rector for The Music Center)

The Music Center's 'Moves After Dark'
The Music Center
135 N. Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 972-0777
www.musiccenter.org

The Music Center has amazing dance programs all year long, but 'Moves After Dark' goes completely out of the box and offers the chance to see performances in a totally new way. Now in its second season, 'Moves After Dark' features four contemporary dance companies performing in a variety of distinctive, non-traditional performance spaces around The Music Center campus and in Grand Park. Travel with a group down three different paths to where the dancers are performing, and create a truly unique and personal experience by choosing your own vantage point. Along the path you'll see contemporary Indian dance theatre ensemble Blue13 Dance Company, Brooklyn-based theatrical Hip-Hop crew Decadancetheatre, Invertigo Dance Theatre, and Afro-Brazilian Viver Brasil Dance Company. End the evening with a special presentation on The Music Center Plaza, and a free post-performance dance party complete with DJ and cash bar.

Tuesday, August 9
CamilleRoseGarcia - verified (kellie fell)
(Credit: Camille Rose Garcia)

See Some Great Art Exhibits Around L.A.
Various Locations

With no end in sight to this summer heat, it's the perfect time to head indoors and check out some of the great art Los Angeles has to offer. Local Angeleno artist and pop surrealist pioneer Camille Rose Garcia recently debuted her new collection of gothic-psychedelic nature paintings entitled "Phantasmacabre" at the Corey Helford Gallery in Downtown Los Angeles, debuting the biggest paintings of her career. The beautiful Huntington Art Gallery in San Marino is featuring some recently acquired 20th-century British art in a small focus exhibition called "Blast! Modernist Painting in Britain, 1900-1940," joined by a related display of Modernist drawings in the gallery's Works on Paper Room. The Getty, currently featuring "Unruly Nature: The Landscapes of Théodore Rousseau," is always a good bet for art viewing, as is LACMA, now presenting one of the finest existing collections of Chinese paintings in the United States, "Alternative Dreams: 17th-Century Chinese Paintings from the Tsao Family Collection."

Wednesday, August 10
Kettle Black, Ryan Tanaka 2016 - verified (kellie fell)
(Credit: RyanTanaka)

New Restaurant Opening: Kettle Black
3705 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 641-3705
www.kettleblackla.com

Opened just under a week ago, Kettle Black is Silver Lake's newest hotspot eatery. Rustic meets modern in this new Italian restaurant, with mid-century furniture, original tile and brick, vaulted wood truss beams, and even the original vault from when it was first built as a bank in 1922. Cozy up to the wood fired oven, which creates not only a warm atmosphere, but also tasty appetizers and pizzas. House-made pasta dishes are also on the menu, and include a braised lamb gnocchi, garganelli with wood fired bolognese, zucchini pesto-filled agnolotti, and much more. Delicious desserts and a curated wine program certified by European sommelier Dario Dell'Anno round out a meal fit for a king, or Angelino. Kettle Black also offers a daily happy hour from 5pm - 7pm with food and drink specials, as well as a late night happy hour from 11pm - 2am, Sunday - Wednesday.

Thursday, August 11
BingoUnderTheStars - verified (kellie fell)
(Credit: Tiffany Rose for The Americana at Brand)

Bingo Under The Stars
The Americana at Brand
889 Americana Way
Glendale, CA 91210
(818) 637-8982
www.americanaatbrand.com

This ain't your grandma's Bingo, as The Americana at Brand presents another installment of Bingo Under The Stars. Hosts Bingo Boy and Deven Green will have you laughing and fully entertained during this evening of raucous fun and fabulous prizes. Your $15 ticket includes games boards, as well as dinner from Katsuya, Trattoria Amici, or Frida Mexican Cuisine, with beer and cocktails available at an additional cost. Be sure to grab your tickets now, as they are only available online, and arrive early as table seating is first-come, first-served.

Friday, August 12
FordSignatureSeries - verified (kellie fell)
(Credit: Elena Pardo )

Ford Signature Series: Lila Downs with Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company
Ford Theatres
2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East
Hollywood, CA 90068
(323) 461-3673
www.fordtheatres.org

Committed to pairing world renowned performers with Los Angeles County artists for a one-of-a-kind experience, the Ford Signature Series is excited to join Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Lila Downs with premiere folklorico dance company Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company. Known for her innovative approach to music-making and fusion of international sounds, Downs will provide the soundtrack for several traditional Mexican celebration dances from various regions of Mexico. Downs' Mixtec Indian heritage and the dance company's exploration of indigenous dance make them a perfect pair to share the stage. The show will take place outdoors, so dress accordingly, and if you can't make it tonight, another performance will take place Saturday.

Saturday, August 13
WatermelonFestival - verified (kellie fell)
(Credit: Courtesy of Watermelon Festival )

54th Annual Watermelon Festival
Hansen Dam Soccer Park Complex
11480 Foothill Blvd.
Lake View Terrace, CA 91342
www.watermelonfest.org

Watermelon is truly one of the unsung heroes of summer, but this weekend, it finally gets the credit it deserves. Paying tribute to the early days when watermelons were the prized crop of the area, the Watermelon Festival is back for its 54th year, and ready to celebrate all things watermelon. In addition to plenty of free samples of the iconic summer fruit, the festival will offer food, carnival rides and attractions, games, contests, entertainment, a kids zone, and more. Highlights of the day include a seed spitting contest, a watermelon carving contest, and a watermelon relay race. A marketplace with an array of eclectic arts and crafts will also be set up for you to peruse between bites. The event runs from 11am - 10pm (starting an hour later at noon on Sunday), and proceeds benefit charitable projects in the community.

Sunday, August 14
MalibuCountryMart - verified (kellie fell)
(Credit: Malibu Country Mart )

Malibu Country Mart Summer Block Party
Malibu Country Mart
3835 Cross Creek Rd.
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 456-7300
www.malibucountrymart.com

Today, the Malibu Country Mart turns into a full-on street fair with the return of the Malibu Country Mart Summer Block Party. All ages will find something fun to do at this event, which offers activities like face painting, a petting zoo, caricature portraits, Henna tattoos, and Tarot card readings. Both locals and visitors are invited to come enjoy the day of free entertainment and complimentary carnival treats, including a selection of sundaes, slushies, root beer floats, and other frosty treats to help you stay cool during this day of fun in the sun. Don't miss various in-store activities taking place in the complex, and be sure to visit the mobile photo booth to take home a photo keepsake. The party runs from 12pm to 3pm, and is free and open to the public.

Article by Kellie Fell.
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.