Best Of LA - Week Of September 21
It's art, food, music, repeat this week in LA. After years of waiting, the massive Broad Museum has finally opened its doors to the public, perfectly timed with Museum Day later in the week. New burger and brew joint Hopdoddy is also now open for business at the new Runway in Playa Vista. Blues musician Gary Clark Jr. makes a stop at Amoeba in Hollywood in honor of his new album, while the Los Angeles Master Chorale opens its 2015-2016 season with a night of Russian music. For a chance to indulge in all three at once, join the cultural celebrations of Latino Heritage Month at the zoo, or all things Italian culture at the Feast of San Gennaro.
Visit the New Broad Museum
221 S Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 232-6200
www.thebroad.org
The highly anticipated contemporary art museum The Broad is now open to the public. A $140 million dollar masterpiece years in the making, The Broad showcases the extensive and comprehensive collection of art collected by Eli and Edythe Broad. The architecturally stunning building is home to nearly 2,000 works of art - the most prominent holding of postwar and contemporary art worldwide. Spread across two floors of gallery space, artwork from some of the most expensive artists in history can be found in the 120,000 square foot museum. General admission to The Broad is free, and advance online reservations are encouraged, but not required.
Restaurant Opening: Hopdoddy Playa Vista
12746 Jefferson Blvd. #1120
Playa Vista, CA 90094
(310) 410-2337
www.hopdoddy.com
Hopdoddy is now serving its all-natural, hormone and antibiotic-free burgers and freshly baked buns at the new Runway in Playa Vista. In addition to traditional ground beef, burger lovers can sink their teeth into freshly ground bison, lamb, chicken, turkey, ahi tuna, and even a black bean patty. Menu highlights include the Goodnight for a Good Cause Burger (angus beef, cheddar, caramelized onions, jalapeño, hickory bbq, and sassy sauce), which benefits local charity Friends of Ballona Wetlands, and the SoCal exclusive K-Town Belly (braised pork belly, grass-fed beef patty, Korean rice krispies, house-made gochujang ketchup & mayo, house-made kimchi, and basil on an egg bun). Inspired salads, Kennebec fries with Green Chili Queso, handspun shakes, and a bar full of local craft beers and cocktails round out a menu guaranteed to leave you full and happy.
Gary Clark Jr. Record Release
Gary Clark Jr.
Amoeba Music
6400 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 245-6400
www.amoeba.com
Blues guitar virtuoso Gary Clark Jr. celebrates the recent release of his new album, The Story of Sonny Boy Slim, with a live set at Amoeba. Gathering influence from every corner of the music world, Clark has created a unique sound earning him noted fans like Alicia Keys, Beyonce, and even President Obama. His new album is a impressive mix of everything from acoustic ballads to soulful guitar driven blues to hard rock funk. The show is free and open to the public, but only purchasers of the album will be guaranteed admission and a limited-edition poster.
Casa Noble Tequila Single Barrel Release Dinner
Día de Campo
1238 Hermosa Ave.
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
(310) 379-1829
www.diadecampohb.com
Día de Campo is joining forces with Casa Noble tequila for a special evening of Mexican eats and sips. The evening starts at 6:30pm with tray passed appetizers in the lounge, and is followed by a four-course dinner and drink pairing. Courses include burrata fresco with chorizo marmalade, watercress, and truffle vin; a duck mole tamale with crispy okra, watercress, and fresh cheese; ancho braised lamb shoulder with crispy tomatillo potatoes and goat cheese crema; and a spiced choco ganache with white peach, mezcal jelly, lime sorbet, and buñuelo chips. Each course is thoughtfully paired with a neat taste of a corresponding tequila, or a mixed cocktail featuring the spirit. The four-course dinner is $50, or go big with dinner + VIP exclusive gift for $80.
Galbani Cheese Italian Feast of San Gennaro
1651 N. Highland Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
www.feastofla.com
Manjia! Manjia! The Feast of San Gennaro is back and taking over Hollywood with all things Italian. Inspired by Saint Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples who worked tirelessly to help people in need, the annual street festival helps support local charities through the celebration of Italian culture, entertainment, and cuisine. Adults can sip sangria and feast on an endless selection of Italian eats, while kids enjoy the petting zoo, pony rides, and fair games. Bingo, bocce, a ferris wheel, and of course all the zeppole you can stuff your face with are also on deck for the three day celebration. The fun kicks off tonight at 5pm, with a $5 entry fee for patrons 12 and over.
Museum Day Live!
Various Locations
www.smithsonianmag.com
If visiting the newly opened Broad museum has left you wanting more, you're in luck. Today is Museum Day Live!, where 1300 museums around the country are offering free admission. The annual event is hosted by Smithsonian magazine, and in the spirit of Smithsonian Museums that offer free admission every day, 12 museums in Los Angeles will be opening their doors to the public free of charge. If you haven't been yet, it's the perfect time to check out the Autry, GRAMMY Museum, or visit The Craft & Folk Art Museum for its reopening. Be sure to check the website for all participating museums, and to get your free entry ticket. Note that some museums like the Zimmer Children's Museum are closed Saturdays, and will be honoring the event the following day.
80's Double Feature: Some Kind of Wonderful & Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Exposition Park
700 Exposition Park Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90037
www.streetfoodcinema.com
Grab your leg warmers, pop that double collar, and throw your hair in a side pony, it's 80's night at Exposition Park. Street Food Cinema is treating attendees to not one but two iconic 80's flicks tonight: Some Kind of Wonderful, the classic story about a girl who discovers her feelings for her best friend are more than platonic once he gets a date with the most popular girl in school, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High, the story of a group of SoCal high school students who work hard at their most important subject - partying. Grab some food when doors open at 5pm, rock out to the band City City at 5:45pm, and enjoy the movie at 7pm.
Los Angeles Master Chorale Presents "The Russian Evolution"
Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 S. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 972-7282
www.lamc.org
Artistic Director Grant Gershon opens the Los Angeles Master Chorale's 52nd season with a program of grand and intimate Russian choral works. The choir will perform the West Coast premiere of Sofia Gubaidulina's The Canticle of the Sun, an intimate chamber choir piece featuring percussion and virtuoso cello. In contrast to Gubaidulina's ethereal piece, the Chorale will also perform powerhouse selections from Tchaikovsky's Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Rachmaninoff's All-Night Vigil and Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Grechaninov's Cherubic Hymn and Passion Week, and Andrei Ilyashenko's We Should Choose to Love Silence. Single tickets are available, or purchase a subscription package and enjoy more concerts throughout the year.
Latino Heritage Celebration
Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
5333 Zoo Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 644-4200
www.lazoo.org
Celebrate Latino Heritage Month at the zoo! Sponsored by ScholarShare, the weekend-long celebration includes performances by Grammy-winning Mariachi Divas, Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company, and a meet-and-greet with Dora the Explorer. A trip to the zoo wouldn't be complete without a visit to the animals, so in addition to a spotlight on native Latin American animals, keeper talks, mini-tours, and up-close animal encounters will be happening throughout the day. The celebration runs from Saturday to Sunday 10am - 4pm.
