Jeez, the weekend is busy crazy to make up for all the get-away-weekends away with Coachella and Stagcoach.You've got film festivals, comedians, free comics, Star Wars Day and Cinco de Mayo!
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1
4:00 - 7:00 pm
Wolf & Crane
366 E 2nd Street
Sip the 1884 Cocktail and taste 140 years of Little Tokyo history. Celebrate our two historic grapefruit trees, remnants of the Wolfskill grapefruit orchard, and our historic Japantown.
$5–10 suggested donation
Benefitting Little Tokyo Community Council’s 25th Anniversary. Must be at least 21 years of age. Government-issued photo ID required at check-in.
May 1-10th
Multiple Locations
VC Film Fest going through May 1st-10th. Now, you might be saying, wait what's that? Because, it goes by a much older name -big reveal- Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF). Yes, our favorite too-long an acronym film festival has ditched its old moniker for VC Film Fest. Why, because Visual Communications been running it and it does seems easier to say aloud than LAAPFF.
A wonderful huge collection of Asian films to see. We like seeing the weirder and strange stuff, so nothing we can recommend just eyeing it, but they have many movies to see.
MAY 2-4 TIME THU-FRI, 8 PM SAT, 7 PM
Redcat
631 W 2ND ST,
LOS ANGELES, CA 90012
Free with reservation
The CalArts School of Film/Video presents a juried selection of special screenings that feature new short and feature-length films by BFA and MFA students in its four programs—a diverse collection of innovative cinematic works and a culmination of hard work and dedication throughout the year.
May 3-27
Fairplex 1101 W McKinley Ave
Pomona, CA 91768
$
The 16-day event opens May 3. Don’t miss new attractions, the thrills of the carnival, musical entertainment in every corner of the fairgrounds and, of course, lots and lots of food.
The RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach, is proud to announce its inaugural
Summer Event Series, set to kick-off May 3rd through June 2024. Packed with an exciting array of entertainment from captivating monthly Movie Nights to the Night Market, refreshing Margaritas on the Mary, and more, The Queen Mary's Summer Event Series promises to be a highlight of the season in Southern California.
Kicking-off the Summer Series is Margaritas on the Mary on Friday, May 3rd from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Indulge in $3 tacos and sip on refreshing signature margaritas while soaking in the scenic views from The Ship's historic decks. Plus, groove to the beats of a live music performance of steel drums by Banana Bunch. Complimentary ship admission included with reservation. Reservations are required and can be made here:
Margaritas on the Mary.
Fri, May 3, 2024
The 33rd season of Jazz at LACMA kicks off with a concert by the Bob Mintzer Big Band. Upcoming Jazz at LACMA performances include Billy Childs, the Lesa Terry Collective, Larry Nash & the Jazz
Symphonics, Keyon Harrold, Sweet Baby J’ai, and more. The Jazz atLACMA series runs from May through October on the Smidt Welcome Plaza at LACMA.
Visitors can enjoy open seating and picnicking on the grounds with no RSVP required. Museum admission is free to LA County residents during weekdays (including Friday) from 3 pm to 8 pm.
Friday, May 3, 5–10 pm
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007
$20 Non-members | Free for Members
The #FirstFridays 2024 season, “From Feelings to Pheromones” continues with its May edition, “The Plant Clones are Coming.” As always, the event will provide an unparalleled opportunity to explore NHM after hours with live performances, DJs, topical discussions, signature cocktails, food trucks, and more.
Chinatown Central Plaza, 943 N Broadway, Chinatown
Free Admission
May 1-5, 2024 at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Vidiots
$
*An all time favorite of the site.
"Embrace the absurdity of the circular strangeness of Quentin Dupieux’s Rubber. Spectators gather in the California desert to watch a “film” set in the late 1990s featuring a sentient, homicidal car tire named Robert. The onlookers watch as the wheel tears through the town on a murderous rampage. Audacious and surreal, Rubber is a one-of-a-kind experience in asphalt and terror, so roll on down to Vidiots for all the weird fun!"
May 6th & 7th
New Bev
$
Two utterly insane martial art movies, dang these next few days just has some amazing favs from the site.
The weapons and fights of these are just so over-the-top you'll just be in awe of them.
Slashercise" / DEATH SPA + Q&A with filmmaker Ama Lea and actors Vanessa Decker, Tiffany
Shepis, Sarah French, Kelli Maroney and Felissa Rose
Tue. May 7, 2024 | 7:30pm
Aero Theatre
World Premiere of SLASHERCISE
Co-presented by Etheria Film Festival
*These are utterly ridiculous horror movies best seen with an audience.
05.02.2024 (Thu.) – 11.03.2024 (Sun.)
JAPAN HOUSE Gallery, Level 2
Free
*This looks like a home run for Japan House with so weird looking interactive exhibits and super cute colorful art.
“Yes, KAWAII is Art -EXPRESS YOURSELF-” is the first exhibition in which Masuda, known as the “King of Kawaii,” brings together multiple artworks unravelling the concepts within the phenomena while introducing his personal story of sharing kawaii with the world. Through his collection of artifacts from the origins of the culture and dazzling immersive art installations, visitors are invited to explore the cultural context and significance of the kawaii movement and step into the colorful world to feel the aesthetic for themselves, emphasizing its role in fostering a sense of joy, innocence, and community as a tool for self-expression and representation of a worldwide tribe to which we can all belong.
05.04.2024 (Sat.)12:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Ovation Hollywood Courtyard
Free admission. Costs vary based on vendor.
Harajuku’s legendary kawaii culture is coming to Hollywood! To celebrate the opening of the “Yes, KAWAII is Art -EXPRESS YOURSELF-” exhibition, Harajuku Day LA will be held for a special, first ever popup in Hollywood. Harajuku Day LA will feature an array of local vendors showcasing their kawaii clothing, accessories, and other original items, as well as the special pop-up booth of leading kawaii brand 6%DOKIDOKI from exhibition creator and artist Sebastian Masuda.
ESAO ANDREWS
Beetle Shell (Gallery I)
MARIE-CLAUDE MARQUIS
Something Light (Gallery II)
AMY SOL
Dear Creatures (Gallery III)
BRAD WOODFIN
Hold On (Gallery IV)
Opening Reception:
Saturday, May 4th 6-10pm
THINKSPACE PROJECTS4207 W. Jefferson Blvd. + 4217 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90016
with DJ, refreshments, live painting, video projections and more
Giant Robot Store Presents:
Submerged 2024: An Underwater Themed Art ExhibitionMay 4 - 26th
Live Instagram Tour on @giantrobotstore and Art Available Online on Saturday, May 4th, 11:00 am PST
Closed Mondays, Open 12-6pm all other days
Giant Robot Store
2015 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Free
May 4, 2024 - May 5, 2024
Opening Reception / May 4, 5:00PM - 8:00PM
Free with RSVP
Artist Mariel Kinuko Cartwright will having an exhibition of original ink drawings in addition to a signing for the video game Clock Tower. She will be in attendance for a free signing and to greet fans. Don't miss out on this opportunity to meet the artist involved in projects such as Skull Girls or Scott Pilgrim!
OPENING RECEPTION: May 4, 2024 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
May 4– August 3, 2024
Vincent Price Art Museum
$ Admission
In her first solo museum exhibition in the United States, We Are Extraterrestrial, artist Alice Wang showcases recent prints and glass sculptures, alongside newly-commissioned ceramic sculptures, film, and an artist book. These works are the result of her immersive research trips to sites with similar conditions to extraterrestrial bodies in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and across Iceland and the Arctic.
Museums of the Arroyo (MOTA) Day, noon - 4pm, May 5, 2024. Five museums in Pasadena and Los Angeles open their doors to the public for a free admission along with cultural events, kid’s activities and family fun. Free shuttles connect museums: The Gamble House, Heritage Square, Los Angeles Police Museum, Lummis Home, Pasadena Museum of History.
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
6067 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles
$
This event includes art-making activities, tours, photo opportunities, and two movie screenings.
6377 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, California
it's very Star Wars like
Saturday, May 4
Participating Comic Book Shops
Free
Get some free comics at your local comic book shop. Usually a slew of signings and special sales.
In celebration of national Free Comic Book Day on May the 4th, and the upcoming Steelbook releases of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, Moon Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Andor, Disney has partnered with Golden Apple Comics and Pink’s Hot Dogs for a special fan event. Golden Apple Comics will be giving away series-branded posters all day to lucky fans for each series while supplies last. Those lucky fans can then head across the street to the iconic Pink’s Hot Dogs and get a FREE themed hot dog of their choice. Themed hot dogs include Obi-Wan Kenobi’s “The ReuBEN Kenobi Dog,” Moon Knight’s “Khonshu’s Fist”, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier’s “All American” and Andor’s “The Rebel Dog.” The hot dogs will also be available for purchase.
Additionally, lucky fans can participate in Golden Apple Comics’ Free Treasure Hunt including a stop at Pink’s Hot Dogs to secure the 2024 Free Comic Book Day issue of Marvel's STAR WARS #1, while supplies last.
Revenge Of
"Free Comic Book Day is THIS Saturday May 4th and we’ve got a boat load of free books to give away! The madness starts at 11am and goes until we run out! Limited to 5 books per person! SEE YOU SOON!! #freecomicbookday #freecomics #comicbooks #revengeof"
May 1 - May 12, 2024
*Every location in LA
$
Netflix has brought every comedian to LA...if they weren't already here. You have every podcaster, every stand-up, just everybody in town for multiple shows around the city.
The first episode debuts on May 3 at 7 p.m.,
with new installments airing nightly May 6-10
-a six-episode show featuring field pieces and special guests that will stream live during the Netflix Is a Joke comedy festival.
“John Mulaney explores the city of Los Angeles with his comedian friends, featuring people equal to, but not necessarily, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock and David Letterman,” they say in a succession of clips shot around the city. “No one is confirmed yet, but a lot of people are in play. Everyone who passed did it in a nice, very funny way. It’s a celebration of L.A. We’ll have music. We’ll have one of those delivery robots, fingers crossed. We’ll have local L.A. county officials talking to the biggest names in comedy.”
May 4
Little Tokyo
Free and $
Taking place May 4th, you can take tasting tours, do workshops and play J-Town Bingo, which has you exploring the area to earn bingo spots and possibly win prizes. Oh, and the ultra specific Little Tokyo Pop-Up shop, so people know where you go to eat.
There's also some Children's Day Festival activities to check out, so plenty to do.
Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day) Celebration11 am–4 pm | 244 S. San Pedro Street
Enjoy activities, performances, and more at JACCC’s celebration of Children’s Day weaving together Japanese and Japanese American traditions into a fun-filled day for children of all age
Terasaki Budokan | co-mrkt
Kibo Nobori11 am–4 pm | 249 S. Los Angeles Street
Stroll over to the Terasaki Budokan for the third annual Kibō Nobori Children’s Day Festival in partnership with Faith-Ann Kiwa Young and co-mrkt.
May 4th, 11am
8340 La Palma Avenue, Buena Park, CA 90620
Yes, the lazy egg character from Sanrio has his own cafe opening opening up near the theme parks. First 100 customers get a merch bag.
Cinco de Mayo On The Promenade on the 1200 block of the Third Street Promenade Sunday, May 5 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The community is invited to enjoy performances by UCLA’s Mariachi de Uclatlán, Academia de Danza BFFM and recording artist Danny Muñoz. Attendees will also experience outdoor dining from local favorites including Casa Martin, Cabo Cantina, 1212 and Ugo Trattoria. For more information visit downtownsm.com/events.
Further Out:
$50
May 4th
Pioneer Bowl
53613 Mane Street, Pioneertown, California 92268
"Opening sat May 4 at high noon!!....
{or 12 pm for you city folks...}
Bowling is $25 per person includes, socks, shoes and H20
No gratuity, no service charge, no resort fee , no sales tax, no added fees on de bowlin'! just pure fun!
Reserve your lane ahead of time for a non-refundable fee of $10. You kin take your chances at the door, but we usually sell out and you may not get to bowl without a reservation; so why take the chance ?
-but no money back for no-shows or cancellations. We will take yer money and use it for our new kitchen.
We will have gourmet pizza from Popping Off Pies, some cocktails, beer, wine & cider. See services below for available time slots. "
Extra:
UCB, a cheapo comedy show almost every night, see comedians before they make podcasts and have
stories about the UCB and before they hit the big time.
Smorgasburg Los AngelesEvery Sunday
10am-4pm at
@rowdtlaFree Entry, Family Friendly Beer Garden, No Pets.
Smorgasburg
is the largest weekly open-air food market in America, with markets in
Los Angeles attracting 50,000 people each weekend to eat from a hundred
local vendors.
Largo,
known for comedy shows. Grab some
tickets before everything sells out. Many new shows from some of LA's
top comedians. We see Bill Burr, Patton Oswalt,
Pete Holmes and Sarah Silverman performing here to name a few.
Film
Do
you have Cine Insomnia? We have the cure! Join us at Landmark's Nuart
Theatre for midnight weekend programs ranging from classic anime and
horror to sci-fi favorites, offbeat musicals, cult sensations and more!
American Cinematheque-A celebrated
independent theater
group that brings both the talent and catalog of films to make for some of LA's best movie nights
.
Check
out classics and cult movies just a few stories above street level.
Rooftop Movies at The Montalbán.
New Bev-Tarantino owned independent theater with old school style
Cinelounge - Hollywood based tiny theater, showing off indies you've never heard of
Brain Dead Studios-manages to fill its schedule almost every night
611 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Vidiots -A
one-of-a-kind hub for film lovers, filmmakers, and everyone curious
about cinema. A small theater is more than made-up for with the constant
content and special screenings.
4884 Eagle Rock Blvd
Art
March 2-Sept 1
Japanese American National Museum
100 North Central Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Admission $
Giant Robot Biennale 5 features artists Sean Chao, Felicia Chiao, Luke Chueh, Giorgiko, James Jean,
Taylor
Lee, Rain Szeto, and Yoskay Yamamoto, among others. Since 2007, JANM
has partnered with Eric Nakamura, founder of Giant Robot, to produce the
Giant Robot Biennale, a recurring art exhibition that highlights
diverse creative works celebrating the brand’s ethos.
March 9, 2024 – September 8, 2024
Bowers Museum
$ Admission
Never-before-seen
at a museum and making its American debut, Asian Comics: Evolution of
an Art Form presents the largest ever selection of original artworks
from Asian comics, displayed alongside their printed, mass-produced
forms. This exhibition is a vivid journey through the art of comics and
visual storytelling across Asia. From its historical roots to the most
recent digital innovations, the exhibition looks to popular Japanese
manga and beyond, highlighting key creators, cha
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