{"id":430740,"date":"2026-08-12T13:30:33","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T13:30:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/430740\/"},"modified":"2026-08-12T13:30:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T13:30:33","slug":"best-things-to-do-this-weekend-and-beyond-in-los-angeles-and-southern-california-aug-12-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/430740\/","title":{"rendered":"Best things to do this weekend and beyond in Los Angeles and Southern California: Aug. 12-18"},"content":{"rendered":"

I have family in town this week, and since they\u2019ve been to L.A. many times over the years, I was trying to think of some new places for us to check out this trip. <\/p>\n

Our first stop was sister dreamer<\/a>, Lauren Halsey\u2019s \u201carchitectural ode to tha surge n splurge of south central los angeles\u201d \u2014 and I can\u2019t recommend it enough. The perfect detour on your way to or from picking up or dropping off someone at LAX (truly SoCal\u2019s highest form of saying you love someone), the installation creates an oasis in the heart of South Central. Halsey\u2019s portrait of the neighborhood is a feat of carving work that is part Getty, part street mural and part ancient Egypt, honoring both her neighborhood and artistic ancestors. Head to the corner of Western Avenue and 76th Street to check it out; the site is hosting regular events<\/a> like jazz jams, yoga sessions and more. Plus, Halsey will join Erykah Badu at the Bowl for a show this September<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere on LAist, you can meet the local scientists creating a “Noah\u2019s Ark” of tide pools<\/a> or share your thoughts on whether dogs belong in restaurants<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Music<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Colbie Caillat plays the Pacific Amphitheatre on Saturday. <\/p>\n

(<\/p>\n

Jason Koerner<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Getty Images<\/p>\n

)<\/p>\n

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

Licorice Pizza\u2019s<\/a> music picks for the week include:<\/p>\n

Wednesday\u00a0<\/p>\n

Thursday\u00a0<\/p>\n

Friday<\/p>\n

Saturday\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sunday\u00a0<\/p>\n

Monday\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tuesday<\/p>\n

Events<\/p>\n

Graffiti Towers Walking Tour<\/p>\n

Sunday, Aug, 16, 5 p.m.\u00a0
1101 Flower St., Downtown L.A.\u00a0
COST: SOLD OUT BUT MORE DATES TBD; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Three<\/p>\n

The so-called Graffiti Towers in 2024.<\/p>\n

(<\/p>\n

Mario Tama<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Getty Images<\/p>\n

)<\/p>\n

When graffiti artists took over the abandoned luxury building project Oceanwide Plaza in 2024, the subversive move became an instant skyline icon for anyone driving east on the 10. The group Rent Brigade has started offering tours of the site, looking at the design of nearby L.A. Live, and the \u201chistory of speculation, displacement, and resistance in DTLA.\u201d A debrief over drinks follows. This week is sold out, but check back as they are adding more dates.<\/p>\n

CHIMAC-FEST 2026<\/p>\n

Friday, Aug. 14 through Sunday, Aug. 16
Great Park Live
8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine
COST: FROM $17; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

(<\/p>\n

Courtesy Great Park Live<\/p>\n

)<\/p>\n

You had me at fried chicken and beer. CHIMAC-FEST takes the popular Korean pairing and raises it to the next level, while showcasing a wide range of Korean food, culture, live entertainment and more at Great Park Live in Irvine.<\/p>\n

SkyFest Big Bear<\/p>\n

Friday, August 14 through Sunday, Aug. 16, 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.\u00a0
Various locations in Big Bear
COST: FROM $15; MORE INFO\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Allow me a little leeway to share something beyond our usual L.A. and Orange County limits this week and encourage you to take a ride to Big Bear. The mountain town hosts SkyFest, a three-day celebration of science and discovery, featuring NASA and Caltech astrophysicists and DarkSky experts. You\u2019ll learn about black holes, NASA\u2019s next space telescope and the search for life in the universe. The festival features shows at the immersive AstroDome, rides to stargaze from the mountain summit, guided night hikes, a mountaintop forest sound bath and special events for kids.<\/p>\n

Dine LA Restaurant Week<\/p>\n

Friday, Aug. 14 through Friday, Aug. 28
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Dine LA Restaurant Week is here again, so make your reservations now, because hot tables go fast. Ranging from $35 to $65, deals include tasting menus and specials at some of the most popular new spots and old favorites. A few that caught food editor Gab Chabr\u00e1n\u2019s eye:<\/p>\n

Broken Spanish Comedor (Culver City)<\/a>
Dinner ($55): Three courses
MENU<\/a> | PHOTOS<\/a><\/p>\n

Jyan Isaac Bread (Santa Monica)<\/a>
Lunch ($25): Pastry, sandwich and bread
MENU<\/a> | PHOTOS<\/a><\/p>\n

Redbird (DTLA<\/a>)
Brunch ($45): Two courses
Dinner ($65): Three courses
MENU<\/a> | PHOTOS<\/a><\/p>\n

Citrin (Santa Monica)<\/a>
Dinner ($99): Amuse and four courses
MENU<\/a><\/p>\n

Spring Arts Tower Takeover<\/p>\n

Saturday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.\u00a0
The Last Bookstore
453 S. Spring St., Ground Floor, Downtown L.A.\u00a0
COST: $5; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

The Last Bookstore in DTLA is just one of the many places to purchase and get lost a book that can be found throughout the city.<\/p>\n

(<\/p>\n

Jonathan Hoffman <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

LAist<\/p>\n

)<\/p>\n

There\u2019s never a bad time to make a pilgrimage to The Last Bookstore, but this weekend you can see much more than books as the whole Spring Arts Tower is getting in on the action. There will be a pop-up market featuring hundreds of vendors across all 12 floors of the historic downtown building.<\/p>\n

Route 66 Film Series: The Grapes of Wrath (1940)<\/p>\n

Saturday, August 15, 4:30 p.m.
Norton Simon Museum\u00a0
411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
COST: FREE WITH MUSEUM ADMISSION; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Black-and-white<\/p>\n

(<\/p>\n

Courtesy 20th Century Fox<\/p>\n

)<\/p>\n

The Norton Simon is celebrating historic Route 66 with a themed film series. Saturday\u2019s pick: The 1940 classic The Grapes of Wrath. Based on the John Steinbeck novel, the Oscar-winning John Ford film stars Henry Fonda as Tom Joad, who heads west from the Dust Bowl during the Great Depression.<\/p>\n

Fool in the Pool\u00a0<\/p>\n

Monday, Aug 17, 8 p.m.
El C\u00f3ndor
3701 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake
COST: GA $25, VIP $40; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

Fool in the Pool is an immersive karaoke play at El C\u00f3ndor. There’s a live band, the audience sings as part of the narrative, and VIP ticket-holders perform on stage with the band. The story follows a washed-up child star turned karaoke host across one unraveling night \u2014 it opens as comedy and turns darker. No two performances are the same, and the night ends with open karaoke for everyone.<\/p>\n

Soul Jazz Sessions\u00a0<\/p>\n

Thursdays, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.\u00a0
State Social House
8782 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood\u00a0
COST: FREE; MORE INFO\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Soul Jazz Sessions is a new weekly live-music event on Thursdays. While the Sunset Strip may be better known for loud rock acts, check out this new \u2014 and decidedly more chill \u2014 jazz jam session at State Social House on Sunset Boulevard. There\u2019s no cover (rare for a jazz set in this town!).<\/p>\n

Netflix’s BEEF wellness-themed giveaways<\/p>\n

Through Friday, Aug. 14
Various locations
COST: FREE; MORE INFO\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Four<\/p>\n

We\u2019re deep into FYC season, and that means only one thing for us normies: free stuff. Netflix\u2019s series BEEF is taking the show\u2019s calm-down lesson to the masses by offering free wellness treats and experiences. From a limited-edition \u201cYogi\u201d smoothie at SunLife Organics to a sound bath in partnership with the Den at the London in West Hollywood, get in line early for your free dose of chill.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Mitchell performances<\/p>\n

Garden Concerts for Kids: Elizabeth Mitchell
Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15 and 16, 4 p.m.
The Getty Center
1200 Getty Center Drive, Brentwood
COST: FREE with reservation; MORE INFO\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Ida at Lodge Room
Monday, August 17, 8 p.m.
Lodge Room
104 N. Ave. 56, 2nd floor, Highland Park
COST: $32.50; MORE INFO\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

This week brings three opportunities to catch Elizabeth Mitchell\u2019s varied talent. Bring the kids to the Getty this Saturday and Sunday afternoon for family concerts celebrating the 20th anniversary of her Smithsonian Folkways children\u2019s music album, You Are My Little Bird. Joined by her husband Daniel Littleton and daughter Storey, Mitchell will put on performances that are true family gatherings, covering traditional songs and favorites ranging from Woody Guthrie to Bob Marley.<\/p>\n

On Monday, you can see Elizabeth and Daniel perform at the Lodge Room with Ida, the thoughtful and spare indie group they formed in 1991. Fun fact: While at Brown University, Elizabeth Mitchell played in a duo with Lisa Loeb, and she and Daniel later sang backup vocals on her hit \u201cStay (I Missed You).\u201d \u2014 Roy Lenn<\/p>\n