Weekend Events in Los Angeles: Art, Music, and Culture

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Experience the diverse events in Los Angeles this weekend, from art exhibitions to music festivals.

News Summary

Los Angeles is brimming with events this weekend, including a new art exhibition at The Broad showcasing Jeffrey Gibson’s work, free admission at USC Pacific Asia Museum, and the lively DylanFest 35. Enjoy indie band reunions at the ‘Just Like Heaven’ festival and outdoor movie screenings at Street Food Cinema. Families can explore the Venice Family Clinic ArtWalk and various performances celebrating Mother’s Day. This weekend promises a vibrant cultural experience for art enthusiasts, music lovers, and families alike.

Los Angeles is set to host an array of exciting events and exhibitions this weekend, appealing to diverse audiences. Key highlights include the opening of a new exhibition at The Broad featuring the work of Jeffrey Gibson, free admission at the USC Pacific Asia Museum, and lively performances at various venues across the city.

Starting on Saturday, The Broad will unveil its new exhibition titled “the space in which to place me”, showcasing works by Jeffrey Gibson, a queer artist of Choctaw-Cherokee heritage. This exhibition aims to critique systemic injustice and racial erasure through art, highlighting Gibson’s unique perspective. It features an impressive collection of ten paintings, seven sculptures, eight flags, three murals, and one video installation. The exhibition will run until September 28, 2025, with tickets available for adults starting at $15.

The USC Pacific Asia Museum is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by offering free admission every Saturday and Sunday in May. Visitors can explore the exhibition “Cai Guo-Qiang: A Material Odyssey,” which delves into the artist’s process of creating gunpowder art. The exhibit will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. without requiring a reservation, providing a unique opportunity to experience this captivating art form.

Music lovers can look forward to DylanFest 35, taking place on Sunday at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center. This event will feature over 60 songs by Bob Dylan, performed by around 50 musicians. Tickets for the festival are priced at $35. Meanwhile, comedian Fred Armisen will perform punk covers at the Permanent Records Roadhouse in Cypress Park, with two shows scheduled at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Sunday. Admission to these performances is available at the door for just $5.

This weekend also marks the return of the popular “Just Like Heaven” festival on Saturday, where indie band Rilo Kiley will reunite alongside Vampire Weekend and TV on the Radio, promising a thrilling lineup for attendees. Additionally, the Theatricum Botanicum will celebrate Mother’s Day weekend with special aerial arts performances designed to entertain families.

For those seeking a cinematic experience, Street Food Cinema will offer outdoor movie screenings accompanied by gourmet food trucks across various locations in Los Angeles throughout spring, summer, and fall. Similarly, the Natural History Museum’s Butterfly Pavilion invites guests to walk among hundreds of butterflies until August 24.

Art enthusiasts can participate in the Venice Family Clinic ArtWalk, now in its 46th year, which will benefit the Venice Family Clinic. Attendees will have the chance to view various artworks and bid on pieces from local artists through a silent auction. Various free opportunities will also be available to explore the local art scene in Venice.

For music aficionados, the annual jazz series at LACMA will feature outdoor performances every Friday evening, a great way to enjoy live music. The Skirball Cultural Center is also presenting a retrospective exhibition on the life and works of comic book artist Jack Kirby, inviting fans to learn more about this influential figure in the comic book industry.

Another exciting offering includes outdoor pop-up reading events as part of “Reading Rhythms,” which organizes community gathering in various parks for collective reading experiences. Additionally, visitors to the Sunday market at ROW DTLA can expect a diverse range of local food pop-ups featuring a mix of new vendors, showcasing the vibrant culinary scene of Los Angeles.

This weekend in Los Angeles promises to be an enjoyable experience with activities catering to art enthusiasts, music lovers, and families alike, making it an ideal time to explore the cultural richness of the city.