"Hip-Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit" Photo: GRAMMY Museum |
However, like most major events, attending Coachella has its downsides - not the least of which is the cost, with general admission for just one weekend starting at $499 and VIP more than $1,000. Then there’s the two and a half hour drive from LA that can take double that with festival traffic. Nearby accommodations can be hard to find and dramatically hike their prices during Coachella. And there’s the stress of finding (and paying for) parking and walking for miles beneath the Sonoran Desert sun to likely join a long queue for entry.
Meanwhile, back in LA, the streets are less congested during the Coachella weekend of April and everything from restaurants to hotel pools can be a little more chill. So, forget your festival FOMO – the first weekend is already sold out, anyway – and consider some of these fun things to do in Los Angeles while your friends (and their finances) sweat it out at Coachella.
CELEBRATE A HALF-CENTURY OF HIP-HOP AT THE GRAMMY MUSEUM (THROUGH SEP. 4)
Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling dancing in Griffith Park in "La La Land" | Photo: Lionsgate |
ENJOY AL FRESCO FILMS AT OUTDOOR MOVIE SCREENINGS
Even in April, LA boasts sufficiently reliable fine weather to make outdoor movies yet another facet of the city’s lauded cultural landscape. Rooftop Movies at the Montalbán will be showing The Big Lebowski (Apr 19) and The Breakfast Club (Apr 20).BROWSE CURATED SMALL BUSINESSES AT SMORGASBURG (SUNDAYS)
Photo: Smorgasburg Los Angeles |
ATTEND “OFFICIAL” COACHELLA ALTERNATIVES (APR. 10-24)
Dubbed "Localchella" by regulars, Goldenvoice Presents April is a two-week concert series that brings Coachella acts to much smaller and more convenient stages around LA, the Bay Area, and San Diego. Presented by Coachella promoter Goldenvoice, this year’s lineup includes Blur at the Fox Theater Pomona (April 10), Hatsune Miku at the Shrine Auditorium (April 17), Bar Italia at the Fonda Theatre (April 18), and Innellea at Sound Nightclub (April 20). If you were considering attending Coachella for just one or a handful of acts, this “official” alternative can save you considerable time, money, and sunburn.RESTOCK YOUR LIBRARY AT THE FESTIVAL OF BOOKS (APR. 20-21)
Photo: Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Facebook |
MAKE A METAPHYSICAL ONE-STOP AT MAGIC MARKET (APR. 20-21)
Gathering 75 vendors amongst the stately Victorian homes of Heritage Square, Magic Market is a slightly surreal shopping experience where guests are highly encouraged to dress in theme (think fae, spring whimsical, vintage, and green witch). Celebrating the return of spring with its first event of the year, this edition of Magic Market features all manner of metaphysical products, tarot, palmistry, witch supply, plants, and vintage as well as workshops and classes including sound healing, yoga and more. There’s also vegan food, a picnic area, live music, and tours of the throwback homes. Bring a blanket – and friends!DO GOOD, FEEL GOOD AT EARTH DAY RIVER CLEANUP (APR. 20)
Great L.A. River Clean Up Photo: Friends of the Los Angeles River, Facebook |
SHAKE YOUR MONEY MAKER WITH THE BLACK CROWES (APR. 12)
Atlanta’s Black Crowes are one of those rare bands that can conjure an old-school rock fest aura all on their own, and only the more so in the balmy outdoor setting of the Greek Theatre. Through 35 years, three breakups and a couple of dozen come-and-go members gathered around founding brothers Chris (vocals) and Rich Robinson (guitar), the Crowes have retained their heyday Rolling Stones swagger, throwback Faces boogie, and a nostalgic love for extended jams and improvisational flourish that may sit well with fans less keen on Coachella’s more contemporary, eclectic bills.CELEBRATE CELLULOID GOAT AT THE TCM CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL (APR. 18-21)
TCM Classic Film Festival at the TCL Chinese Theatre Photo: Presley Ann, Getty Images |
INDULGE YOUR TV NERDINESS AT PALEYFEST (APR. 12-20)
For 41 years, the annual William S. Paley Television Festival, colloquially dubbed PaleyFest, has presented a weeklong program of exclusive television episodes, clips, and panel discussions with some of the brightest stars of the medium. Appropriately and conveniently located right on Hollywood Boulevard at the Dolby Theatre, the 2024 incarnation includes Avatar: The Last Airbender, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Loki, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and a 25th anniversary celebration of Family Guy. Celeb appearances will include Jennifer Aniston, Alex Borstein, Larry David, Cheryl Hines, Mila Kunis, Seth MacFarlane, Seth Meyers and Reese Witherspoon.DIVE INTO THE DIVINELY DARK AT "JOHN WATERS: POPE OF TRASH" (THROUGH AUG. 4)
Dubbed the “Pope of Trash” by William S. Burroughs, DIY filmmaker, author, and self-proclaimed “filth elder” John Waters is perhaps the ultimate self-made American iconoclast. Now on view at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, John Waters: Pope of Trash explores the nuances of Waters’ process behind cult classics like Pink Flamingos and Hairspray; and how he redefined the possibilities of independent cinema, serving as not only writer and director but also often producer, cinematographer, and editor. Amongst the costumes, handwritten scripts, photos, props and more on display are an original Pink Flamingos script and Debbie Harry’s exploding wig from Hairspray.IMMERSE IN UKRAINIAN ART & CULTURE AT THE PYSANKA FESTIVAL (APR. 14)
A pysanka is a traditional decorated Ukrainian Easter Egg. The annual Pysanka Festival at the Ukrainian Art Center on Melrose Avenue is the cultural center's largest outreach project to the local community, where attendees are entertained by dancers, musicians, and Pysanka workshops while exploring Ukrainian crafts, foods and libations. It’s a true immersive experience and celebration at a time when Ukraine is constantly making headlines for the most tragic of reasons. Admission is free but donations are welcome and these, alongside proceeds from food sales and some vendors, benefit humanitarian war relief through the Ukrainian Art Center and Post Angeles.BEHOLD BEAUTY & WHIMSY AT "WILD THINGS ARE HAPPENING" (APR. 18 - SEP. 1)
"Wild Things Are Happening" Photo: Skirball Cultural Center |
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