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Best Of LA - Week Of July 20

NationalDanceDay610x200
(Credit: The Music Center)

It's a great week to be in LA! Trying out Sherman Oaks' new sushi hotspot is the perfect way to kick off a week full of concerts at the Greek and Skirball, a rock musical, and more. Start the weekend early with National Tequila Day on Friday, get in a little dancing at National Dance Day and Chinatown Summer Nights on Saturday, see a live-taping of a new comedy show, and cap the weekend off by celebrating the last day of DineLA's Summer Restaurant Week.

Monday, July 20
Kaiju
(Credit: Kaiju Sushi)

Restaurant Opening: Kaiju Sushi
Kaiju Sushi
13704 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 990-9939
www.facebook.com

Recently opened Kaiju Sushi is the newest restaurant to hit the increasingly popular foodie hotspot of Sherman Oaks. Headed by former Koi chefs Go Nakabayashi and Mark Hayashi, Kaiju places a strong emphasis on presentation and innovative fusion, while offering an intimate and authentic customer experience. Diners can enjoy one of their fresh signature dishes, or can personalize their experience and order a specially customized omakase menu. The restaurant opens for dinner at 5:30p.m., with lunch hours coming soon.

Tuesday, July 21
Greek Theatre
(Photo courtesy Greek Theatre)

Barenaked Ladies
Greek Theater
2700 N Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 665-5857
www.greektheatrela.com

Party like it's 1999 with the Barenaked Ladies this Tuesday at the Greek. Special guests the Violent Femmes and Colin Hay will join the band in their 2015 Last Summer on Earth Tour, which coincides with the recent release of their new album Silverball. With hits like "One Week" and "If I Had $1,000,000", as well as their famously witty on-stage banter, the Barenaked Ladies always leave audiences thoroughly entertained. As an added bonus, each ticket purchase comes with a free digital download of the album.

Wednesday, July 22
Girlfriend
(Credit: Alan Simons )

Rock Musical "Girlfriend"
Kirk Douglas Theatre
9820 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
(213) 628-2772
www.centertheatregroup.org

Set in 1990s Nebraska, Girlfriend is a rock musical about two teenage boys - one a social outcast, the other the quintessential jock - who explore a relationship during a summer of self-discovery between high school graduation and the rest of their lives. Featuring a book by Todd Almond, and irresistibly head-bopping music by Matthew Sweet, this musical takes audiences back to the terror and thrill of their first love. A lively post-show talk-back lead by the show's artistic staff will immediately follow tonight's performance, giving theatre-goers a unique chance to hear directly from the show's creators and actors.

Thursday, July 23
LaChivaGantiva
(Credit: Courtesy of the Artist )

Sunset Concerts at the Skirball
Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 440-4500
www.skirball.org

Skirball Cultural Center kicks off its nineteenth season of Sunset Concerts with the West Coast debut of La Chiva Gantiva. Comprised of members from Colombia, Belgium, France, and Vietnam, La Chiva Gantiva's sound is as eclectic as its roots. A large dance floor will cover most of the courtyard so concert-goers can get down to the Afro-Colombian rhythms, driving percussion, horn riffs, and funk this band is known for. In addition to taking in the tunes, guests are encouraged to dine al fresco, visit the museum's galleries, and explore the Skirball's distinctive architecture. The event is free; parking is $10.

Friday, July 24
DiaDeCampo
(Credit: Dia de Campo )

Celebrate National Tequila Day with Dia de Campo
Dia de Campo
1238 Hermosa Ave.
Hermosa Beach, CA
(310) 379-1829
www.diadecampohb.com

Is there a better way to end the workweek than by celebrating National Tequila Day? Modern Mexican surf lodge Dia de Campo will be offering $8 cocktail specials all day (don't miss the Rubi with tequila blanco, grapefruit, lemon, froth, and home spices), as well as tequila-based dishes from the kitchen. Complimentary tequila tastings run from 2:00p.m. - 4:00p.m. & 5:00p.m. - 7:00p.m., courtesy of Casamigos and Casa Noble, while Latin jazz funk band Machismo entertains the crowd.

Saturday, July 25
NationalDanceDay
(Credit: The Music Center )

National Dance Day
The Music Center Plaza
135 N. Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 972-7211
www.musiccenter.org

Dust off those dance shoes and get ready to get moving - National Dance Day is back! For the fourth year in a row, dance lovers of all ages and skill levels are invited to gather and perform either a beginner or advanced level dance routine, led by So You Think You Can Dance judge Nigel Lythgoe and show alumni. Aspiring dancers will also have the chance to learn repertoire from some of Los Angeles' best dance companies. Thousands are expected to attend and participate in this nationwide event promoting the joy and benefits of dance for everyone. Admission is free, and the event runs from 11:00a.m. - 3:00p.m.

ChinatownSummerNights
(Credit: Andrew Johnson )

Chinatown Summer Nights
Chinatown Central & West Plaza
From Broadway to Yale St. & College to Bernard St.
(213) 680-0243
www.chinatownsummernights.com

Chinatown Summer Nights is back tonight with food and fun for the family. Gourmet food trucks and craft beers will be on hand from 5:00p.m. - midnight, and Chinese chefs will be conducting cooking demonstrations. Check out the large-scale, outdoor video projections, take part in a hands-on Chinese cultural activity put on by local organizations and museums, and definitely don't miss the roaming magician (8:00p.m. - 10:00p.m.) and the capuchin monkey and trainer
(6:00p.m. - 9:00p.m.). And for those who want to keep the National Dance Day celebration going, KCRW DJs will be spinning on the Main Stage in Central Plaza.

Sunday, July 26
AfterDark
(credit: Second City)

After Dark with Julian Clark
The Second City Studio Theater
6560 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323)464-8542
www.secondcity.com

The next generation in late night talk show is here. Sponsored by Golden Road Brewing, the Second City presents a live-taping of the next big comedy show in LA: After Dark with Julian Clark. Special guests, a live band, and free prizes will all be part of this night of comedy. The $10 admission gets you into not only the show, but also the after party, where you can drink some of Golden Road's seasonal beers while schmoozing with the creative team behind the show, and special celebrity guests. The show begins at 8:00p.m., and runs once a month through the end of the year.

PlanCheck
Celebrate DineLA's Last Day with Plan Check
Plan Check Sawtelle
1800 Sawtelle Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 444-1411
www.plancheck.com

It's sad but true - today is the last day of DineLA's Summer Restaurant Week. That means it's your last chance to indulge in one of Plan Check's DineLA exclusive menu items like Raw Oysters (with wasabi root and frozen ponzu), Old Bay Fries, Peaches 'n Cream Donut, and Yuzu Citrus Soda. While there, enjoy one of their innovative cocktails, premium whiskeys, or craft beers in a sleek yet inviting contemporary industrial space. Prix-fixe menus are available for lunch ($25) and dinner ($40), and are also available at the Fairfax and Downtown locations.

Article by Kellie Fell.
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