Best Events & Activities In Los Angeles This Week - September 5

This week literally starts with a party, as the South Bay celebrates Labor Day with the annual Fiesta Hermosa in downtown Hermosa Beach. Tuesday is for trivia and tacos, as Grand Central Market in downtown presents Trivia Tuesday as part of their new Summer Nights programming. A truly unique dining experience is on deck for Wednesday (think wine-fluid gel), while the Paley Center features an exhibit of classic moments and sets from one of history's most irreverent programs. A jazzy Friday night at LACMA welcomes the weekend, followed by a screening of 80s favorite Sixteen Candles, and the opening of August Wilson's "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."

Fiesta Hermosa
Downtown Hermosa Beach
On Pier Plaza, Hermosa Ave., and Lower Pier Ave.
www.fiestahermosa.net

Spend Labor Day partying in the South Bay with the return of Fiesta Hermosa. Touted as the "Largest Arts & Crafts Fair in Southern California," the event features almost 300 painters, photographers, jewelers, sculptors, ceramicists, and handicrafters. There is truly something for everyone at the annual event, including a wide selection of eats at the food court, a Charity Beer & Wine Garden, and two stages of live music. The fair is especially family-friendly, with not only an entire Kiddie Carnival where kids can get their faces painted, pet little critters, and scream down a 30 foot slide, but also a Fiesta Siesta zone - a staffed area where parents can change diapers, babies can be nursed, and moms and dads can take a load off.
 

Attend The L.A. County Fair
1101 W. McKinley Ave.
Pomona, CA 91768
(909) 623-3111
www.lacountyfair.com

Held until September 25, the LA County fair has always drawn tremendous crowds from all over since it began back in 1921. The L.A. County Fair is a favorite for contemporary musical artists, great wine tastings and craft beers, as well as unique foods that always amaze festivalgoers. There are many family-friendly event staples like the petting zoo and livestock beauty contests festival goers love as well. Take a ride on any of the dozen thrilling rides, or grab a seat for one of the featured artists performing like Bad Company, Blondie and Chicago, just to name a few.

Trivia Tuesday at Grand Central Market
Grand Central Market
317 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 624-2378
www.grandcentralmarket.com

Are you the friend who is always spouting off random facts and tidbits to everyone else in the group? If so, tonight's Trivia Tuesday at Grand Central Market is ready to put all that (sometimes useless) info to good use! Held every first and third Tuesday night at 8pm, the night has you team up and vie for cool prizes as you work together to answer fun trivia questions. The extended nighttime hours are new to the iconic location, as they rolled out their Summer Nights program earlier this summer. Along with the trivia night, you'll be able to enjoy some tasty dishes served exclusively during the night hours, like Horse Thief BBQ's Taco Tuesday special, or Olio's chocolate focaccia bread. The Market will be open until 10:00pm.

"Comfort Masters" Guest Chef Series
Plan Check Downtown
1111 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 403-1616
www.plancheck.com

Come see what it's like when comfort food gets a high-tech touch at one of the first "Comfort Masters" series events. Michelin-starred chef Chris Anderson launches the multiple-event series, and kicks things off with dishes featuring special techniques he learned working in some of Chicago's biggest molecular gastronomy restaurants. A few unique highlights include a corn bisque shooter made with micro-cilantro and a freeze-dried corn rim, and a 45-day dry-aged rib eye that includes a wine-fluid gel. The Chef will also discuss what it's like to transition from Chicago's modernist dining scene to the adventurous tables of Southern California.

South Park 20 Experience
The Paley Center for Media
465 N Beverly Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 786-1000
www.paleycenter.org

Always funny, often irreverent, and almost always inappropriate, South Park has been notorious since its inception nearly 20 years ago. With so much history and cultural relevance, the show has not only been added to the Paley Center's Public Archive, but is enjoying its own exhibit at the museum. A gallery of 20, 2-D and 3-D life-sized replicas of favorite characters and classic moments is on display, perfect for fun photo ops. You can also check out specially created artwork curated by world-renowned street artist and pop culture surrealist, Ron English. In addition to the new works, a gallery of original animation cells from the pilot episode and screenings of the series' previous 19 seasons will also be on display. The exhibit is free to the public, and closes September 25.

Jazz at LACMA + New Exhibit
LACMA
5905 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 857-6000
www.lacma.org

Jazz up your Friday night with an evening at LACMA. Legendary saxophonist and recording artist Azar Lawrence and his quartet will perform a jazzy set under the stars as part of the Jazz at LACMA series. Before the show, don't miss the exciting new exhibit Guillermo del Toro: At Home with Monsters, a museum retrospective by horror, fantasy, and science fiction filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. The first of its kind from del Toro, the exhibit dives into his creative process, and brings together elements from his films, objects from his personal collections, notebook drawings, and nearly 60 objects from LACMA's permanent collection. The jazz concert is free and open to the public; however, the new exhibit does require a special admission ticket.

Watch Sixteen Candles
Cinespia
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
6000 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
www.cinespia.org

Outdoor movie season is slowly winding down, and there are only a few more chances to see a film in the famous Hollywood Forever Cemetery. One of John Hughes' most beloved 80s films (and his first!), Sixteen Candles is the story of Samantha's 16th birthday, or lack thereof. Focusing on the upcoming nuptials of her sister, her entire family forgets about Samantha's big day, which only goes downhill from there. Teen angst, out of control parties, and every high school stereotype you can think of make this a supreme 80s classic. A themed photo booth, prom dance party, sunset picnic with beer and wine, and DJs spinning before and after the film, make this the perfect way to spend a Saturday night in a cemetery.

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"
Mark Taper Forum
135 N Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 628-2772
www.centertheatregroup.org

It's another exciting opening night at the Mark Taper Forum, as the theater welcomes August Wilson's "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." Directed by Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad, the play is set in 1927 Chicago, during the height of not only the roaring 20s, but racism and exploitation in the music industry. A recording session with a legendary blues singer inspired by the real-life Gertrude "Ma" Rainey becomes tense, as issues of race, art, and religion collide. With a powerhouse cast led by Lillias White, and others returning to the Taper from a previous production of Joe Turner's "Come and Gone," the play is sure to be a hit during its month and a half long run.