View tropical butterflies at a new immersive exhibition. Listen to stories about gossip. Bid adieu to Pop-Up Magazine. Celebrate May the 4th at the Academy Museum (Lightsabers optional).
SOAR – Tropical Butterflies
South Coast Botanic Garden
26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula
The popular exhibition returns for its third consecutive year. Immerse yourself in hundreds of butterflies inside the pavilion or purchase an opportunity to feed the butterflies, too. Don’t forget to wear bright colors to attract the butterflies.
COST: $6 – $23; MORE INFO
Los Angeles StorySLAM: GOSSIP
Los Globos
3040 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake
Listen to a night of five-minute true and surprising stories about rumors, innuendos and things heard around the water cooler. Carlos Kotkin hosts. Seating is first-come-first-serve. Los Globos is a 21+ venue.
COST: $17.50; MORE INFO
An Evening with … Molly Shannon
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills
Listen to stories from comedian and actor Molly Shannon at the latest Film Independent @ the Wallis event. She’ll be interviewed by fellow Saturday Night Live alum Vanessa Bayer on her career (so far).
COST: $35 ($25 for Wallis subscribers); MORE INFO
Pop-Up Magazine: One More Time!
The Theatre at Ace Hotel
929 S. Broadway, downtown L.A.
Pop-Up Magazine — a night of live storytelling, music, multimedia presentations from filmmakers, podcasters, writers, artists — is on its farewell tour, stopping at The Ace. Listen to true stories about the world and live music from Magik*Magik Orchestra. The show features Pop-Up Magazine veterans Cord Jefferson (Station 11, Watchmen), Stephanie Foo (author, What My Bones Know), Brittany Spanos (Rolling Stone) and others.
COST: Tickets start at $39; MORE INFO
The Magic Castle with Erika Larsen
Los Angeles Breakfast Club
3201 Riverside Drive, Griffith Park
Join in the weekly tradition of breakfast, silly songs, club traditions and a special presentation — this week from Magic Castle owner Erika Larsen — at this early-morning gathering. Larsen will talk about the members-only magic club, which was founded in 1963 by her mother Irene Larsen, father Bill Larsen Jr., and uncle Milt Larsen.
COST: $25; MORE INFO
Cinco de Mayo Mercado
San Gabriel Mission District
320 S. Mission Drive, San Gabriel
The city of San Gabriel celebrates Cinco de Mayo a little early in the Mission Playhouse plaza. The family friendly event includes live music, crafts, food trucks, local artisans and vendors, plus a cocktail and beer garden. Watch live performances by Sol de Fuego Ballet Folkorico, Soto Band and Roosevelt Elementary School Music Immersion Experience Mariachi Ensemble.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
Cinco de Mayan
The Mayan Theatre
1038 South Hill St., downtown L.A.
Lucha VaVOOM’s variety show returns for two nights with Mexican masked wrestling — including DMT Azul, Rey Horus, Magno “The Man Mountain” Rudo — burlesque dancers, aerialists and comedians. The event is 21+.
COST: $45 – $65; MORE INFO
Emotionally Unreasonable
The Yard Theatre
4319 Melrose Ave., East Hollywood
Watch a new stand-up/musical comedy solo show by NYC-based comedian and actor Maria DeCotis (developed with Ryan Cunningham). DeCotis shares her experience as a professional wedding officiant who’s conflicted about marriage. She’ll tell tales about life, love and people that shouldn’t get married.
COST: $15; MORE INFO
May the 4th Celebration
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
6067 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire
Join in a Star Wars-inspired May the 4th celebration, featuring photos with R2-D2, art activities for all ages and a screening of Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi to commemorate the film’s 40th anniversary. Paul Hirsch, film editor of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) and Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Howard Kazanjian, producer of Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983), will be available for two book signings.
COST: $5 – $55; MORE INFO
Blacklist: The Hollywood Red Scare / Peter Krasnow: Breathing Joy and Light
Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Brentwood
The Skirball opens two exhibitions this week. Blacklist: The Hollywood Red Scare explores the actions of the House Un-American Activities Committee and those caught in the crosshairs— including the many Jewish creatives and executives who suffered under and enforced the blacklist. Peter Krasnow: Breathing Joy and Light features the artist’s “colorful and optimistic” post-WWII paintings from the Skirball’s collection.
COST: $7 – $18 admission; MORE INFO
VC x JANM Kickoff Party
Japanese American National Museum
100 N. Central Ave., downtown L.A.
The 39th edition of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival begins with a celebration of Asian Pacific Heritage Month. The party and the JANM’s exhibitions are free and open to all. The film program and screenings begin on Friday, May 5.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Golda Rosheuvel is a joy to watch in Bridgerton as the gossip-hungry Queen Charlotte. The series has also hinted at her early relationship with husband King George III before his mental illness set in. This new Netflix show explores Young Charlotte’s origin story with India Amarteifio in the lead role and also features appearances by Bridgerton cast members Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury) and Ruth Gemmell (Lady Violet Bridgerton). Queen Charlotte debuts on May 4 on Netflix.
Here are a few dine and drink options to indulge in this week:
