{"id":424713,"date":"2026-08-05T18:56:18","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T18:56:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/424713\/"},"modified":"2026-08-05T18:56:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T18:56:18","slug":"best-things-to-do-this-weekend-and-beyond-in-los-angeles-and-southern-california-aug-5-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/424713\/","title":{"rendered":"Best things to do this weekend and beyond in Los Angeles and Southern California: Aug. 5-11"},"content":{"rendered":"

At the Hollywood Bowl last week, I had the pleasure of sitting next to Jose Rizo<\/a>, longtime afternoon host at our local jazz station, KJZZ. Jose is a walking history lesson in the California jazz scene and beyond. The encounter inspired a rewatch of La La Land and reminded me about the excellent jazz clubs \u2014 like Sam First<\/a> by LAX \u2014 that we have at our fingertips. Plus, it\u2019s extra fitting because this week kicks off the first-ever L.A. Jazz Festival<\/a>, which is bringing a slew of mostly free concerts to venues across the area.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not a jazz person (and like Sebastian says<\/a>, if you hate jazz, you just don\u2019t have context), check out Licorice Pizza\u2019s picks<\/a> for some rock \u2018n’ roll.<\/p>\n

Music<\/p>\n

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Patti LaBelle will be at the Pacific Amphitheatre this week. <\/p>\n

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Erika Goldring<\/p>\n

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Getty Images<\/p>\n

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Let us help you find the most interesting things to do<\/p>\n

Sign up for the Best Things To Do newsletter, our roundup of L.A.’s most interesting events.<\/p>\n

Wednesday<\/p>\n

Thursday<\/p>\n

Friday<\/p>\n

Saturday:<\/p>\n

Sunday:<\/p>\n

Monday:<\/p>\n

Tuesday:<\/p>\n

Events<\/p>\n

10 Years LA!<\/p>\n

Through Saturday, Aug. 15; Summer Party event Thursday, Aug. 6, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Spr\u00fcth Magers
5900 and 6145 Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile
COST: FREE; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

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Spruth Magers<\/p>\n

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Sutton Comms<\/p>\n

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Catch the expansive group show at Spr\u00fcth Magers (and the former Sizzler down the street) before it\u2019s gone. The exhibit includes the gallery\u2019s artists from the past decade who have represented Los Angeles in a variety of forms, from Jenny Holzer\u2019s electronic messages to Barbara Kruger\u2019s room-sized wall installations to L.A.-based artists like Sterling Ruby and Analia Saban. Thursday\u2019s event at the Sizzler space includes 22 video works from the late 1960s to the present, plus there will be hot dogs by Tail O\u2019 the Pup; music by Wormwood Star, Mo0d and Yacht; and a cash bar.<\/p>\n

Two Gentlebots of Verona<\/p>\n

Through Saturday, Aug. 15\u00a0
Media Park
9091 Culver Blvd., Culver City\u00a0
COST: FREE; MORE INFO\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

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Shakespeare in the Park \u2026 but make it robots? Welcome the most gentlemanly robot overlords into your theater life this summer as The Actors\u2019 Gang does their (50-minute! You can handle this!) take on the Bard\u2019s Two Gentlemen of Verona in Two Gentlebots of Verona. The action takes us to fair Culver City, where the bots\u2019 friendship is tested over their love for Silvia Dot Matrix. Order your Coco to the park (or maybe not, the organizers may get mad at me for that one!) and see what happens.<\/p>\n

LA RiverFest<\/p>\n

Sunday, Aug. 9, 2:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.\u00a0
L.A. State Historic Park
1245 N. Spring St., Downtown L.A.\u00a0
COST: FREE; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

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Friends of the LA River host their 5th annual LA RiverFest, full of arts (including an environmental art gallery), entertainment, family-friendy \u201ceco-activities\u201d and more at the L.A. Historic Park. Plus, there will plenty of treats from local food trucks. You can even sign up to volunteer here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

World Taste of the Anaheim Packing District<\/p>\n

Tuesday, August 11, 5 p.m to 9 p.m.\u00a0
440 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim
COST: $33.85; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

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Courtesy Anaheim Packing District<\/p>\n

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The annual World Taste of the Anaheim Packing District coincides with the big Disney fan fest D23 this year, so they are making all the events D23-themed. Disney fans and fanatics of all ages will enjoy Disney-themed trivia and giveaways, plus you can punch your World Taste passport for all different bites at the wide range of restaurants along the way. LAist readers get 15% off using the direct link here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Iceage<\/p>\n

Thursday and Friday, Aug. 6 and 7
The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever
5970 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood
COST: $37.75; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

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Courtesy Pitch Perfect PR<\/p>\n

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Danish post-punk outfit Iceage<\/a> returns to Los Angeles for a two-night residency at the Masonic Lodge in support of their new album, For Love of Grace & the Hereafter \u2014 one of the most critically acclaimed releases yet as part of the band’s ascent. Their sound is hard to pin down, but there’s an instant familiarity to each listen, paired with wry lyrics that feel sharply attuned to the moment \u2014 songs like “The Weak,” “No Fear,” and “Tender Blades” among them channel everything from Beggars Banquet-era Rolling Stones to Bends-era Radiohead, with a heavy dose of sardonic wit throughout, just enough to feel something. \u2013 Gab Chabr\u00e1n<\/p>\n

Blueprints of Nature: A Cyanotype Sunprint, Tea Blending & Sound Journey<\/p>\n

Sunday, Aug. 9, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.\u00a0
1451 Carroll Ave., Echo Park
COST: $80, sliding scale available; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

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Courtesy Granada Events<\/p>\n

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I remember making cyanotypes as a kid (I think we knew them better as sun prints back then), and in the past couple of years I\u2019ve seen them making a resurgence both as craft \u2014 like this fun workshop in Echo Park \u2014 and even in fancy art galleries. Get your inner artist inspired by learning how to make your own cyanotypes alongside a relaxing tea blending and sound experience.<\/p>\n

Yoko Only\u00a0<\/p>\n

Saturday, Aug. 8, 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.\u00a0
The Broad\u00a0
221 S. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A.\u00a0
COST: SOLD OUT; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

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The Broad<\/p>\n

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Motormouth Media<\/p>\n

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Artists from Rufus Wainwright to Sleater-Kinney to Silvan Esso will gather to give Yoko Ono her (long past!) due at this super-group tribute concert curated by Yuka Honda celebrating Ono\u2019s solo show at The Broad. The show is sold out, but keep an eye out for last-minute availability. The exhibit is on through October and is well worth checking out!<\/p>\n

National Oyster Day deal\u00a0<\/p>\n

Wednesdays in August
Evangeline Swamp Room
701 N. Spring St., Downtown L.A.\u00a0
COST: $25 per dozen; MORE INFO\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Oysters<\/p>\n

National Oyster Day may only be one day (it\u2019s today, August 5), but the Evangeline Swamp Room downtown is making it last all month. Every Wednesday in August from 5 to 9 p.m., the New Orleans-themed hot spot will be offering its signature Charbroiled Oysters for $25 per dozen (usually $25 per half-dozen). They\u2019re charbroiled in a beer and butter sauce, topped with white cheese, breadcrumbs, Cajun spices, onion, bacon bits and served with lemon. Wash them down with an Abita beer or a classic New Orleans cocktail for a perfect summer dinner.<\/p>\n