• Olympic Surfing Watch Party and Morning of the Earth screening

Date: July 30

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Where: Dirk Braun Gallery – 23708 Malibu Rd. 

How Much: Free

For those who can’t travel to Tahiti for the Olympics’ surf competition, head to Malibu for a surfing watch party in the perfect setting – alongside their current photography exhibit featuring the 1972 surf film, Morning of the Earth. They will also screen the newly remastered movie at 7:00 p.m.

• Reefer Madness The Musical

Date: Special event July 30 through August 18

Time: 8:00 p.m.

Where: 6555 Hollywood Blvd.

How Much: Tickets start at $79 (plus ticket fee), July 30 event is currently listed as sold out, check alternative ticket sites for potential resale tickets

Reefer Madness originated as a harsh 1930s propaganda film about the horrors of marijuana. It has since been adapted for the stage beginning in 1998, as a musical, and then the musical was adapted for the screen in 2005. Reefer Madness is on its way out of L.A. after its August 18 show, but on July 30 former cast members and current producers Kristen Bell and Christian Campbell will host a one-night-only event. A portion of the ticket proceeds go toward the 40 Tons Foundation, a cannabis prisoner reform group.

• Outlaw Music Festival

Date: July 31

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Where: The Hollywood Bowl — 2301 N. Highland Ave. 

How Much: Tickets start at $69.13

Featuring Willie Nelson and Family, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, and Brittney Spencer, this folk, country, and blues jam is sure to delight fans of Americana and outdoor theatergoers alike. This is the festival’s one-stop in Los Angeles, so now is the time to snag tickets and enjoy these folksy greats. 

• Tea as Meditation

Date: July 31

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Where: Dessert Den – 70 Windward Ave. 

How Much: $48

Starting with a brief meditation, the traditional tea ceremony will feature summer flavors including soba cha from Japan and Puerh tea from Yunnan. Each libation will pair with a delectable treat and attendees may take home samples of herbal teas and Lavender and Truffles ice cream. 

• Comedians vs. AI: Stage Against the Machine

Date: July 31

Time: 8:00 – 9:30 p.m.

Where: Westside Comedy Theater – 1323-A 3rd St. (In the alleyway between Promenade and former parking garage)

How Much: Tickets start at $18

Allison Goldberg’s latest show will feature an experimental comedic clash like you’ve never seen. At the event, writers and stand-ups will attempt to outcompete AI in crafting pickup lines and fake bible verses. A to-be-announced lineup of comedians will guest on the show while past participant and current collaborator Brad Einstein will staff the AI. 

• Seek (immersive film)

Date: August 1 – Aug. 22

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Where: COSM – 1252 District Dr. 

How Much: Tickets $22

Nancy Baker Cahill, an L.A.-based multimedia artist brings her latest installation, a full 30-minute immersive film to the new venue COSM. COSM evokes the new Sphere in Las Vegas and an IMAX theater with a full 360-degree screen. COSM is set to host other types of events, but check out this environmentally-themed film that takes viewers on a journey through space and time, the human body, weather events, and more. 

• HARD Summer

Date: August 3 – 4

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Where: Hollywood Park — 1050 S. Prairie Ave. 

How Much: Tickets start at $190.73

This EDM festival has made its rounds around Southern California in recent years and returned to L.A. proper last year. In 2024 it will be hosted at Hollywood Park, next to SoFi Stadium. No matter the venue, the event is dedicated to bringing the best names in hip-hop and electronic music to the scene. This year’s lineup includes Disclosure, Nelly Furtado, Major Lazer, Jamie xx, and Zeds Dead among others. 

• Bullocks Wilshire Open House

Date: August 4

Time: Tours begin at 10:30 a.m. with the last tour at 12:30 p.m.

Where: 3050 Wilshire Blvd.

How Much: $35

This historic landmark, usually reserved for Southwestern Law School students, opens to the public one weekend a year. The former Art Deco department store has revamped its self-guided tour pamphlets to allow anyone to explore the building to its fullest. Tour shifts begin every half hour this Sunday. 

• Boleros De Noche

Date: August 4

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Where: The Ford — 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. E

How Much: Tickets start at $66 (and ticket fee)

The eighth annual celebration of romantic, Golden Age boleros returns with local favorites Los Caramelos and musical legend José Feliciano. Feliciano is a nine-time Grammy winner and has 45 gold and platinum records with his bolero standards bringing a fresh take on the genre. Los Caramelos come from Boyle Heights and will pay homage to Mexican trios such as Tres Ases and Los Tres Caballeros.

•   Dogtown and The Legendary Z-Boys

Date: Through Oct. 27

Time: 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Where: California Heritage Museum – 2612 Main St. in Santa Monica

How Much: Free

The Heritage Museum has curated a great exhibit with boards, photography, and art about the original founders of Venice skate culture, The Z-Boys. Venice is well known for its skate and surf culture, a vibe that still remains in the neighborhood with the best board sports legends of the present and the past showing off their skills at the skate park by the Breakwater. 

•    Honorable Mention: Brew at the L.A. Zoo

Date: August 3

Time: 6:30 – 10:00 p.m.

Where: 5333 Zoo Dr. 

How Much: $65 for members, $75 for non-members

With 35 craft brews at the Zoo’s annual beer-centric event, the L.A. Zoo lights up for adults 21 and over this Saturday evening. The gates will open for this special after-hours event where patrons can enjoy live bands, DJ sets, pub grub for purchase, close-up animal encounters, and beer galore. A five-ounce cup and samples are included with your ticket. 

•   Honorable Mention: Avocado Fest

Date: August  4

Time: 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Where: 216 Alameda St. 

How Much: Free

The Arts District’s Angel City Brewery returns with its annual Avocado Fest, where quirky beer enthusiasts can order a Kölsch-style avocado ale infused with the signature ingredient, cilantro, and lime juice. For a tropical take, try the Guavacado Ale. The relaxed afternoon will feature all sorts of avocado-themed eats and activities, including an avocado juggling contest and eating contests.

Photo by Fabio Principe on iStockphoto.com