This weekend all the great things that make summer summer are going on: a gay day at the beach, evenings of music and culture and the Lotus Festival. So much to do, how can an Angeleno decide?
Friday, July 13
Presale for Beastie Boys at the Wiltern
Before I get into what’s going on for Saturday, I just wanna share this with you. The Beasties are playing the Wiltern in addition to the Greek. Sure, you might have gotten your tickets for one of the two nights they’re performing at the Greek, but they’re only doing one night at the beautiful Wiltern. Presale starts at 10am today and the password for Ticketmaster is MIXUP.
- Tickets: $49.50, general admission standing only on the floor and reserved seating in the loge and mezzanine.
Saturday, July 14
Echo Park’s 30th Anniversary of the Lotus Festival
The Inaugural Twilight Jazz Series starts on Friday but the opening ceremonies for the festival starts on Saturday. However, the fireworks display will be both on Friday and Saturday nights. And don’t miss the always entertaining dragon boat races on Saturday and Sunday. The festival is scheduled every year to coincide with the blooming of the purty lotuses in the lake and celebrates Asian cultures through food, music and arts & crafts.
- Saturday 12-9pm and Sunday 12-8pm, Echo Park Lake, 751 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles
All Ages Guerrilla Gay Beach Party
I don’t know how I feel about an all ages Guerrilla Gay Bar takeover. Anyhoo, takeover is down for Venice Beach, around Lifeguard Station 18. That lucky lifeguard! Bring your coolers, food and drink (no alcohol allowed on the beach though), sunscreen, volleyballs and frisbees, everything to enjoy your gay ol’ time on this straight and touristy beach.
Show your GGB pride by wearing a solid red or blue T-shirt or at least leave it on your towel if you’d rather go shirtless. And I know you do. Takeover begins at 1 and ends at 3:30 when everyone is invited to head to the boardwalk to Danny’s Venice Deli where there is a full bar…and food.
- 1pm. Lifeguard Station 18 behind Venice Beach police station, 23 Windward Avenue, Venice, 90291.
Summer Sessions at the Getty Center
The Getty’s annual summer concert series kicks off with a bunch of hot South Americans — Grammy-nominated dance band Los Amigos Invisibles, exciting Forro in the Dark, and DJ Dolores and Aparelhagem. Specialty cocktails created especially for the evening concert will be available from 5 to 8:30pm as well. If you want, you can bring a nice picnic blanket to spread out on the lawns of the Central Garden to enjoy an intimate picnic under the stars.
- 6-9:30pm. Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles.
The Section Quartet at NightVision MOCA
The first time I heard of Section Quartet was when they were going to perform their all instrumental version of Radiohead’s OK Computer at the Echo. Now they’re going to be doing their thang at MOCA’s late night summer program. There are only four more to go before the last show of the series so if you haven’t gone yet you should check this one out.
- 6pm. NightVision free, museum admission $8. Museum of Contemporary Art, 250 South Grand Avenue, Downtown. Click here for more info.
Sunday, July 15
Bastille Day Los Angeles Festival
Well if you must celebrate ze French, do it at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica where they will be throwing the sixth annual Bastille Day Los Angeles Festival. This all day event which runs from 2pm to midnight will have all things French from sidewalk cafes, to street performers (hopefully no mimes) to Parisian waiters race (?), et bien sur, ze French food and wine.
- 2pm-12am. $5 admission price includes a bottle of mineral water. Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Avenue, Santa Monica.
Groove Armada and Cafe Tacuba at the Bowl
This show sounds like it’s going to be groooovy: Groove Armada’s hypnotic dance beats and Cafe Tacuba’s ranchero electronica in one of the best venues in L.A. Dancing under the stars! I’ve already got my tickets in hand and Honey’s Kettle on speed dial! And Sunday’s weather forecast at the Bowl promises a balmy evening. Aaah. The $9 tickets in the nosebleeds are still available, so do it.
- 7pm. $9-$45. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Avenue, Hollywood.