It’s another beautiful weekend in L.A. with more fun things to do – alas I won’t be able to do many of these because I’ll be out of town. So, have fun for me? @ me with all the cool L.A. fun you’re having, so I can cry in my hotel room.
CONTACT HIGH: A Visual History of Hip-Hop
Free
[dropcap size=big]T[/dropcap]he Contact High promises an inside look at the work of hip hop photographers; peep their unedited contact sheets. This exhibition includes 140 photos by 60 photographers. Pieces include the iconic Notorious B.I.G. portraits by Barron Claiborne and early pictures of Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, and Kanye West. There will also be a new and exclusive showing of a documentary short film featuring CONTACT HIGH’s photographers at work. Get more details here.
When: Saturday, April 26
Where: The Annenberg Space for Photography, Century City
'Terrible, Thanks for Asking' - LIVE at the Bootleg Theater
$30
[dropcap size=big]D[/dropcap]on’t ask me how I’m doing because I will probably tell you. I personally find Terrible, Thanks for Asking a breath of fresh air because podcast host Nora McInerny delves into the sad/uncomfortable/funny realities of life. McInerny, herself dealing with an enormous amount of loss shortly before the premiere of her podcast. This showing is the theatrical version of the Terrible, Thanks for Asking podcast, it involves multimedia storytelling and live music. (Too bad I’ll be 100 miles away.) If you find people talking about their honest and complicated feelings cathartic, definitely try to catch the live rendition of Terrible, Thanks for Asking. Get more details here.
When: Saturday, April 27
Where: Bootleg Theater, Westlake
F*ck Gentrification
$3-5
[dropcap size=big]W[/dropcap]e just wrote about how 13,000 people left Los Angeles. While we don’t know how many of those folks left due to housing costs, we do know that the rent is too damn high. Gentrification sucks, and it’s costly. F*ck Gentrification is a fundraiser for legal fees. Avocado Blood, Supreme Naim, Forced Identity, Magma Mind, Astral Jubilee will be providing music. There will also be beer, ceviche, vegan food and vendors! You can pick up a gift for a special someone AND support local artists. Get details here.
When: Saturday, April 27
Where: Casita del Barrio Este., East Los Angeles
Very Be Careful in Long Beach
$10
[dropcap size=big]I[/dropcap] recently played Very Be Careful’s “Cumbia De Valledupar” for my South American mom, it reminded her of all of the house parties she grew up with, needless to say she’s a fan – and so am I. Catch the “bad boys” of Vallenato in Long Beach alongside Santoros and King Steadybeat. Ever hear surf rock and think, “Wow, that would be way cooler if it had some Latin Am. vibes thrown in”? This might be the mood for you. Santoros is Mexican American garage surf band and I’m into it. DJ King Steadybeat will also be there spinning some dope records—he has some fire sets. Anyways catch all THREE of these great acts at in Long Beach. Get more details here.
When: Saturday, April 27
Where: Prospector Family Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge, Long Beach
ColdXela Craft Beer Festival
Special LA TACO Member Pricing
[dropcap size=big]C[/dropcap]elebrate the SoCal Cerveceros’s four year anniversary at ColdXela. Cerveceros is first and largest Latino-centric home brew club in California, and possibly the nation. ColdXela is the largest gathering of Latino and POC brewers, so support our beer makers. It will probably taste eons better than Budweiser and Miller anyways. There will also be goodies provided for cider drinkers. Latin American food will also be served. Super excited for tacos and here’s to hoping there will be pupusas, empanadas, tostones, and everything else delicious (all of it!) in the Latino food universe. There will be live music including cumbia, reggae, funk, and hip hop. In case you feel guilty about all of that fun, no worries, it’s actually a fundraiser for Gumball Foundation which helps middle school and high school students get the skills they need for college. Also, our friends Goat Mafia will be feeding one lucky winner that day. Peep this page for info on how to enter. Get more details about the event here.
When: Saturday, April 27
Where: LA Plaza, DTLA
Tropico Disco
$0-10
[dropcap size=big]W[/dropcap]ith April coming to an end, summer and rooftop pool party season are just around the corner! Ushering the new season is Tropico Disco, who is launching a summer pool party series this weekend at Hotel Figueroa. There will be DJ’s spinning daytime disco, drinks, and food. If you have a long week, why not party it up in the romantic af Hotel Figueroa. It’s free with RSVP, so like RSVP? Get more details here.
When: Saturday, April 27
Where: Hotel Figueroa, DTLA
Words Uncaged
[dropcap size=big]I[/dropcap]t’s rough out there for formerly incarcerated people. Dealing with trauma and getting back on one’s feet can be hella difficult for folks that have been locked up. That being said, support local formerly incarcerated artists and buy their prints. There will be music, drinks, and art of course. Words Uncaged is an organization that helps former incarcerated folks address their past trauma and create new narratives that will empower them and their communities through literary arts. More info here.
When: Saturday, April 27
Where: The Medallion, DTLA
Art Show for Nipsey Hussle
[dropcap size=big]T[/dropcap]he loss of Nipsey Hussle left Los Angeles with a giant void. In remembrance of the revered rapper and activist, the South Central Gallery is having an art show. The art gallery has curated pieces from locals honoring Nipsey Hussle. The show itself will stay up for 60 days. Support local artists and check it out. The opening reception is Sunday evening. South Central Gallery is a co-op off of Slauson, in between 5th and 6th. Get more details here.
When: Sunday, April 28
Where: South Central Gallery, South Central
