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The 22 Coolest Events For Your Hot, Hot, Hot Southern California Weekend
A woman walks past a mural of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo at Mesones street on August 30, 2017 in Mexico City. The mural is part of a municipal government program aimed at restoring public spaces in Mexico City's historic center. (Photo by Alfredo Estrella/AFP/Getty Images)
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The July 4th holiday is over but the fun hasn't stopped. You could be spending your Southern California weekend at a "Hamilton" sing-along, a Night Train dance party, a summer night bat walk and, for food fans, a vegan food fest, a mac and cheese beerfest and a sugar-rush inducing dessert fest.
Band of Vices Art Gallery presents an exhibition by artist Sharon Louise Barnes. (Image: "Again and Again" by Sharon Louise Barnes, courtesy of the gallery and artist)
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FRIDAY, JULY 6; 6 - 9 p.m.
Sharon Louise Barnes: "Process & Materials"
Band of Vices Art Gallery -- 5376 W. Adams Blvd., West Adams
The new solo exhibition by Sharon Louise Barnes includes more than a dozen new abstract sculptures and multimedia works on canvas as she explores "marginalization, social class and willpower, while the process of creating them connects her to her heritage as an African American." The opening reception is on Saturday and the works remain on view through Aug. 4.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
A Brazilian supporter poses ahead of the 2018 World Cup quarter-final football match between Brazil and Belgium at the Kazan Arena in Russia on July 6, 2018. (Photo by Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images)
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FRIDAY, JULY 6 - SATURDAY, JULY 7; 11 a.m.
World Cup Broadcasts
Hammer Museum -- 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood
The museum screens the last fútbol matches of the 2018 World Cup, beginning with the second quarterfinal games this weekend. Although we don't have a dog in this fight, it's an excuse to join other soccer fans at an international celebration. Cash bar onsite.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, JULY 6; 5:30 - 9 p.m.
NY Night Train Dance Party
Zebulon -- 2478 N. Fletcher Dr., Elysian Valley
DJ, producer, writer and party maestro Jonathan Toubin brings his dance festivities to the West Coast. OC Hurricanes and Crush, the new band from The Black Lips' Cole Alexander and Zumi Rosow, opens the night. Ages 21+.
COST: $8 - $10; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, JULY 6 - SATURDAY, JULY 7; 7:15 - 9:45 p.m.
Summer Evening Bat Walk
Sea and Sage Audubon Society -- 5 Riparian View, Irvine
The San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, a 300-acre freshwater wetland, is a great place to spot our favorite flying mammals. The program starts with a presentation by bat biologist Stephanie Remington and ends with a walk along the ponds in search of the creatures. Participants should be able to walk 1.5 miles on unpaved paths at night. Children younger than 7 are not allowed. There's a waitlist for this weekend's walks, but there a number of other date options throughout the summer.
COST: $10 - $18; MORE INFO
The popular sing-along "Hamiltunes" returns to Three Clubs. (Photo courtesy of Hamiltunes LA via Facebook)
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FRIDAY, JULY 6; 8:30 p.m.
Hamiltunes
Three Clubs -- 1123 Vine St., Hollywood
Don't throw away your shot! This fun sing-along to Lin-Manuel Miranda's award-winning musical has 30 onstage singing spots. You're also welcome to sing along with the crowd or just sit and watch. The night includes a Revolutionary Raffle, a costume contest and surprises. RSVPs are necessary and there's already a waitlist.
COST: FREE;MORE INFO
FRIDAY, JULY 6 - SATURDAY, JULY 7; 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 p.m.
Camp Whitsit
Zombie Joe's Underground Theater -- 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood
This is a "whimsically haunted" immersive trip to summer camp led by Zombie Joe's counselors. The show is a moderately intense, nonviolent experience that's meant for people 18 years and older. You'll have to sign a release at the door before entry.
COST: $15; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, JULY 6; 7:30 p.m.
Boleros de Noche
Ford Theatres -- 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood
The Ford's ongoing series celebrates Latin American bolero music. This lineup features music from romantic trio Los Tres Reyes and Grammy-winner Rosalie Rodriguez (formerly of Mariachi Divas).
COST: $34 - $60; MORE INFO
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FRIDAY, JULY 6; 7:30 - 9 p.m.
First Friday Campfire
Los Angeles State Historic Park -- 1245 N. Spring St., Chinatown
The downtown L.A. park holds a campfire underneath the park bridge (roundhouse area) onthe first Friday of the month. One of the rangers will lead a program on urban wildlife, downtown L.A. history or another community topic. There will also be s'mores.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
The Impro Theatre holds its 30-hour, improvised "pledge drive" this weekend. (Image: Courtesy of the Impro Theatre)
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FRIDAY, JULY 6 - SATURDAY, JULY 7; 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Pledge Drive UnScripted
Impro Theatre -- 1727 N. Vermont Ave., #208, Los Feliz
The theater's annual benefit features a 30-hour improv marathon. There are 30 shows scheduled and each one begins with a suggestion from the audience. Most shows are pay-what-you-can except for a showcase performance of the fully improvised musical, "Jane Austen Pop."
COST: FREE - $50; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, JULY 6 - MONDAY, DEC. 31
Museum of Illusions
Museum of Illusions -- 6751 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
If you have family and friends in town, or if your social media feeds need a pick-me-up, head to the Museum of Illusions, where you can snap selfies at picture-ready installations.
COST: $10 - $25; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, JULY 7; 9 p.m.
Killer Unicorns
The Ruby -- 7518 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood
L.A.'s new feminist comedy space, which took over the Nerdist School, presents a stand-up show hosted by Kim Kalish, Wyatt Gray and Julia Pels. The lineup includes Ahmed Bharoocha, Emilia Barrosse, Ify Nwadiwe, Alex Powers, Todd Masterson and Lauri Roggenkamp.
COST: $5 ; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, JULY 7; 7 - 10 p.m.
Grand Central Art Center Openings
Grand Central Art Center -- 125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana
The art center at Cal State Fullerton's College of Art opens three solo shows. Artist-in-residence Lucas Murgida's "None of This is Real" takes over the storefront gallery. Nery Gabriel Lemus's "Yearning to Breathe Free" examines immigration through the Emma Lazarus poem "The New Colossus." The night also features a performance by laub in "Voice(full): A participation within the liminality of becoming." The performance is conducted in association with the current exhibition by Kim Zumpfe, "outside the length of a room | OR | diving into the blue sun."
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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SATURDAY, JULY 7; 7 and 9:30 p.m.
Trevor Noah
Orpheum Theatre -- 842 S. Broadway, downtown L.A.
"The Daily Show" host brings his brand of comedy and commentary to L.A. for two shows. We bet the South African-born comic has a few things to say about all the things you're not supposed discuss at the Thanksgiving dinner table -- race, politics and maybe a little religion.
COST: $39 - $65; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, JULY 7; 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Long Beach Vegan Food and Music Festival 2018
Cal State Long Beach (Walter Pyramid Lawn) -- 1250 N. Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach
Dozens of vendors -- including Compton Vegan, The Big Cheese, The Falafel Truck and The Donuttery -- are ready to feed festival-goers while others will sell vegan-friendly products. The day also includes a chili cook-off, a drum circle, a yoga session, art installations and music by Kelsey Auria, Slushbox, Baz Francis and Alarma.
COST: $10-$15, FREE for children ages 12 and younger; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, JULY 7 - SUNDAY, JULY 8; 12 and 2 p.m.
Family Amphitheater Performances
Skirball Cultural Center -- 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Brentwood
The "Sunny Days" summer performance series for families kicks off this weekend with the West African drum and dance company Le Ballet Dembaya on Saturday. The ensemble Bula takes to the stage on Sunday with Puerto Rican bomba music and dance. The series continues on weekends through August.
COST: $7 - $12; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, JULY 7 - SUNDAY, JULY 8; noon - 7 p.m.
Los Angeles Dessert Festival
Cooper Design Space -- 860 South Los Angeles St., Floor 11; downtown L.A.
Dessert Goals returns with its second sweets festival, expanding to two days. The entry ticket includes a 1.5-hour session, a salt bar to cleanse your palette between sweet bites, coffee from Bodum and complimentary drinks from Boxed Water, Zico and Sparkling Ice. You'll buy dessert items separately from vendors such as Honey & Butter, Gotta Have S'more, Stuffed Cookies and Rockiie's Cakes.
COST: $10 - $35; MORE INFO
Bootsy Collins brings the funk for an outdoor house party at Grand Performances on Saturday night. (Photo by Jasmine Safaein for Grand Performances)
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SATURDAY, JULY 7; 8 p.m.
Bootsy Collins' House Party
Two California Plaza -- 350 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A.
Get ready to dance the night away as Grand Performances presents one of the founding fathers of funk. In addition to Collins, the bill includes music by DJ Lance Rock, DJ Mona Lisa, Money Mark and The Urban Voices Project.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, JULY 7; 2 - 5 p.m.
Los Angeles Mac & Cheese Beerfest
Globe Theatre -- 740 S. Broadway, downtown L.A.
Taste free samples of more than 60 craft beers and buy small portions from 12 of the city's top mac and cheese dishes, which run about $3 - $5 each. The event features live bands and DJs. VIP includes entry at 1 p.m.
COST: $35-$50; MORE INFO
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Wajatta, a new electronic music project by Reggie Watts and John Tejada, plays the Dirtybird BBQ on Sunday at the LA Memorial Coliseum Plaza. (Photo by Allister Ann)
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SUNDAY, JULY 8; 12 - 6 p.m.
Dirtybird BBQ
LA Memorial Coliseum Plaza -- 3911 S. Figueroa St., Exposition Park
The electronic music label brings its BBQ to L.A. for the first time, with a performance lineup that includes Claude VonStroke, WAJATTA (Reggie Watts and John Tejada), Justin Jay, Christian Martin, Dateless B2B Lucati and a surprise guest. The 18+ party also features costume and dance contests.
COST: $40-$45 with a $20 BBQ add on; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, JULY 8; 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Poncho Sanchez and His Latin Jazz Band
Warner Ranch Park -- 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills
The renowned percussionist and his band bring a mix of Latin jazz, swing, bebop and salsa to the Valley.L.A.-born singer-songwriter Eva B. Ross opens the night.
COST: FREE - $20; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, JULY 8; 4 - 7 p.m.
Taste of Eagle Rock
Corner of Hill Blvd. and Eagle Rock Blvd., Eagle Rock
The neighborhood party features beer and wine tastings and food from Eagle Rock establishments including Red Herring, Max City BBQ, Spitz, Colorado Wine Company, Milkfarm, Chipotle, Capri and My Vegan. Live music is provided by Sidetracs, playing classic rock, R&B, Latin rock and danceable favorites. Adult (21+) tickets include two alcoholic beverages.
COST: $15-$45, free for children 5 and younger; MORE INFO
Cristina Dorsett, director of a Mexico City doll factory that makes dolls that look like Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, arranges one of her creations on December 9, 2005. (Photo by Susana Gonzalez/AFP/Getty Images)
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SUNDAY, JULY 8; 12 - 6 p.m.
Frida Fest
Casita del Pueblo -- 13100 Philadelphia St., Whittier
Celebrate the late great Mexican artist Frida Kahlo's birthday by supporting the work of more than 100current Latinx artists and vendors. The day includes music, live art installations, food and raffles. Get in the spirit and channel your best Frida to win prizes.
COST: FREE - $20; MORE INFO
Looking ahead: Tickets went on sale this week for the Aug. 4 FilmWeek screening of "Chinatown" at the Theatre at Ace Hotel, hosted by Larry Mantle. MORE INFO
How are you spending your weekend? Let us know on Twitter @christineziemba and @LeoHasACat.
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