Celebrate Nisei Week in Little Tokyo and More Fun Things to Do in LA This Weekend
The Nisei Week Japanese Festival is one of the longest-running events of its kind in the US.
One of the old truisms about Los Angeles is that it’s a city composed of a bunch of tiny towns; once you’ve found your bubble, you’re unlikely to leave it unless something calls—like an amazing new restaurant or a Bumble hike date, or you decide to brave the beach (if you don’t live there already). But one of the things that they don’t tell you about LA is that summer is actually the best time to drive across town: the freeways are less crowded since school is out, and there’s amazing stuff all over the city nearly every day. That’s why the Thrillist Itinerary is here to make a lot more sense of your life—and your crosstown drive. And if you need more options, we’ve got plenty—like hitting a wild museum, trying the hot new tennis game liveball, heading to the mountains for the superbloom, or taking an amazing train ride up the coast.
Food & Drink in Los Angeles
Thursday, August 10–Saturday, August 12
Koreatown, Prices vary
This walk-in-only three-night pop-up at Red Room is from Next Level Chef winner Pyet DeSpain and focuses on her Native American and Mexican heritage with a menu featuring dishes like smoked tepary bean hummus and braised bison. There will also be a smattering of indigenous wines and a performance from Navajo Nation member Jamaal-Isaac Jones on Friday and Saturday.
Opens Thursday, August 10
DTLA, Prices vary
The geniuses behind Sunday’s beloved Smorgasburg are expanding into the booze game (and into Thursday and Friday nights) with this temporary pop-up bar at the Row in DTLA, which features cocktails on tap, a selection of micheladas, and nightly music-and-food pop-ups; check the website for the schedule.
Sundays and Mondays through August 21
Venice, Prices vary
This new pop-up biscuit concept serves Southern-style “drop” biscuits, which are soft, buttery, and sourced from soft winter wheat from Kentucky. You’ll be able to grab a fried chicken biscuit sandwich with lemon pickled cabbage, a spicy lamb and gravy biscuit with Summerhill goat cheese bechamel, and an organic strawberry jam and homemade honey butter biscuit as well.
Discounts for SAG, WGA, and AFTRA members
Ongoing
Various locations, Prices vary
The ongoing strikes may have shut down Hollywood, but some of the city’s best eateries are ensuring picketers have the energy to keep going until the studios back down. Show your card, and Akasha will drop its prices by 10% on the whole menu; AOC will give you a 20% discount on dinner and glasses of wine; Mo’s will drop 50% off axe-throwing and 40% off selected menu items, Barbrix will drop 10% from all retail and restaurant orders, The Roguelike Tavern will drop 10% off orders, and Granville will knock off 20% of parties of four or less who show their union, guild, or MPI insurance card. Additionally, Hamasaku is showing that it's Union Strong with a $25 sushi lunch special, and for those that want to take their minds off the strike, Artist Tree is offering 25% off the whole store of cannabis products for card-carrying members.
Festivals in Los Angeles
Friday, August 11–Sunday, August 13
Palm Springs, $70 and up
The first of two consecutive Splash House weekends is, per usual, a dance- and pool-filled extravaganza with a ton of huge names in the electronic music world, with headliners including Vintage Culture, LP Giobbi, and Wax Motif playing at three different resorts during the days. Afterhours at the air museum include DJ sets from Odesza and Maya Jane Coles. The whole thing happens with a different lineup next weekend as well.
Saturday, August 12–Saturday, August 20
Little Tokyo, Free
This week-long celebration of Japanese culture is one of the longest-running events of its kind in the US and features a ton of different activities, including parades, live music, dancing, food specials, and tea ceremonies. The whole thing is free, so check the website for the schedule, or just head down to Little Tokyo for the experience.
Arts & Entertainment in Los Angeles
Friday, August 11
Macarthur Park, Free
KCRW-fave retro-soul guy Nick Waterhouse is headlining this free show at Levitt Pavillion, which is an excellent deal for a dude who has played massive festivals like FYF. Later this weekend, there’s a free lineup of Mexican Folklorico at the stage on Saturday and Mayan music on Sunday.
Friday, August 11–Saturday, August 12
Little Tokyo, Free
Stop by this book fair at Lethal Amounts, known for supporting the vast Los Angeles underground movement and DIY culture from past and present, for a fantastic lineup of artists and local booksellers, including Johnny Ryan, Seosie, Tom Neely, and more. There will also be tarot readings available.
Friday, August 11–Sunday, August 13
Century City, Free
Hulu’s hit show Only Murders in the Building has partnered with The Escape Game for a weekend-long interactive whodunit. Puzzles include hidden bookcases, secret passages, and easter eggs for the just-released season three of the show.
Sunday, August 13
Various locations, Free
To promote the new Amazon movie Red, White, and Royal Blue, the streamer’s got an open-to-the-public double-decker karaoke bus making its way around the city on Sunday. The tour starts at Milk Bar, where they’ll be free slices of birthday cake, before stopping at Rocco’s and Hamburger Mary’s for additional singalongs and giveaways.