Art Block Party, Puppet Improv, The Ants, Sushi Cravings & Lotus Festival...

Discoveries in Art, Culture & Cuisine Around Los Angeles

Fabrik Insider Los Angeles is the new digital weekly newsletter that connects us to the city we love. Join us on a trek from the hills of Hollywood to the outskirts of downtown, the beaches and areas north and south, as we uncover a curated selection of outstanding art exhibitions, cultural events, where to eat and fun experiences in the City of Angels.

Coming to your inbox weekly from the editorial team of Fabrik Magazine.

Gallery & Museum Exhibitions

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Craig Krull Gallery | Santa Monica
L.A.—Oaxaca
July 15—August 26, 2023
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 15 | 5–7pm
A selection of work by five artists – Javier Carrillo, Demián Flores, Dan McCleary, Fernando Sandoval and Claudia V. Solórzano – each exploring themes of Mexican culture and its integration in L.A. lifestyle and heritage.

Bergamot Station Arts Center | Santa Monica
Summer Block Party
Saturday, July 15, 2023 | 12–8pm
Fine art, live music, food and drink, family-friendly activities plus shows at this Santa Monica gallery scene.

Billis Williams Gallery | Culver City
The Metamorphosis of the Ascending Feminine: Megan Jaster and Zära Monet Curated by Mela M
July 15—29, 2023
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 15 | 4–7pm
Oil paintings by Monet and Jaster present an opportunity to experience subtle changes in perception – escaping the filters of traditional analytical and linear points of view, approaching an intuitive feminine consciousness.

Pace Gallery | Mid-Wilshire
Hank Willis Thomas: I’ve Known Rivers
July 15—August 26, 2023
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 15, 2023 | 5–8pm
For his inaugural show at Pace, Hank Willis Thomas showcases a selection of new retroreflective artworks, which reveal latent images depending on the perspective of the viewer.

Roberts Projects | Hollywood
Suchitra Mattai: In the absence of power, In the presence of love
July 15—August 26, 2023
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 15, 2023
New mixed-media paintings, tapestries and a soft-sculpture installation inspired by Mattai's Indo-Caribbean heritage.

Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery | Hollywood
2023 City of Los Angeles (COLA) Individual Master Artist Project (IMAP) Visual Artists Exhibition
July 13—September 16, 2023
Opening Reception: Thursday, July 13, 2023 | 6–8pm
Exhibition of works by this year's COLA fellows. Awarded annually to Los Angeles based artists, COLA IMAP supports the creation of new works by a selection of the City’s most exemplary mid-career artists. Visual art fellows for 2023: Patricia Fernández, Wakana Kimura, Michael Massenburg, Duane Paul, Elyse Pignolet and Kyungmi Shin.

Riverside City College Quad Art Gallery | Riverside
Reflexión
June 20—July 28, 2023
Official Reception: Friday, July 14, 2023 | 5–8pm
A collection of artwork originally exhibited at the inaugural opening of The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art and Culture. Guest curator Cosme Cordova.

Film, Music, Theatre & Festivals

FILM: OutFest Film Festival
Various Locations Around LA
July 13—23, 2023
Annual film festival that celebrates the fullness of queer and trans storytelling. Tickets: $16-20

FILM: Pinnochio
Vidiots Eagle Theatre | Eagle Rock
Sunday, July 16, 2023 | 1:30pm
A screening of the Disney classic presented by Vidiots and Bob Baker Marionette Theater. There will be a pre-movie puppet performance plus an exhibition of rare ephemera from the Bob Baker collection. Tickets: $9-12

FILM: Grease
The Roadium Drive-In | Torrance
Thursday, July 13, 2023 | 6:30–10pm
Experience a classic 50s drive-in at the Roadium. Enjoy a screening of Grease, stop by the Snack Bar for concessions and grab a plate at one of the food trucks. Tickets: $10-15

MUSIC: Soulection in The Park
Levitt Pavilion | McArthur Park
Saturday, July 15, 2023 | 7–10pm
Come out for a family-friendly evening of tunes selected by Soulection DJs. Part of Levitt Pavilion’s summer performance series.

MUSIC: Jimmy Eat World / Manchester Orchestra
Greek Theatre | Hollywood
Wednesday, July 19, 2023 | 6:30pm
This year, Mesa, Arizona four-piece band Jimmy Eat World celebrates three decades and 10 albums – featuring hit Billboard singles like Pain. Manchester Orchestra's latest film release The Valley of Vision, immerses the viewer in 180 degrees of 3D virtual reality. Tickets from $39.50

MUSIC: Brand Summer Music Series
Brand Library & Art Center Lawn | Glendale
Friday, July 14, 2023 | 7–8:30pm
Singer, songwriter, guitarist and drummer at heart, Maria Blues plays a fusion of ska, reggae and Latin American rhythms with a hint of soul. In addition to Manu Chao, she draws inspiration from Amy Winehouse, Juan Gabriel, Chavela Vargas and Mon Laferte. Bring a chair or blanket and pack a picnic! Family-friendly. Free + free parking.

THEATRE: The Ants
Geffen Playhouse | Westwood
Through July 30, 2023
Written by Ramiz Monsef, The Ants is a horror play infused with darkly humorous social commentary, asking why we spend so much money protecting ourselves instead of investing in our shared humanity. The luxury home of Nami's brother and sister-in-law, equipped with state-of-the-art security, should feel like a refuge, but on this dark and fateful night, a violent uprising outside leaves the three trapped in what they think is an impenetrable fortress. Tickets: $39 to $129

THEATRE: Puppet Up!
Henson Studios | Hollywood
July 14—July 23 2023
Brian Henson and Patrick Bristow present an uncensored puppet show for adults! Eighty of the MISKREANT puppets will take the stage for a night of improv and more. Tickets: $75

THEATRE: Leaky
Public Displays of Altadena | Altadena
Friday, July 14, 2023 | 7-8:30pm
Written and performed by Mak Shealy, this solo show is a comedic exploration into guts, anxiety, bravery and more. Tickets: $10

Fine Foods, Quick Bites + Bars

Maybe because we're in the swim of summer, we have sushi on our minds. For this week's restaurant round-up, we've selected a few sushi spots in Atwater Village, Silver Lake and DTLA. Be on the lookout for sushi suggestions from more SoCal areas in the next couple of weeks...

Morihiro | Atwater Village
The latest namesake sushi bar of Michelin-starred Chef Morihiro “Mori” Onodera, who created his own hand-painted ceramic dishes and the koshihikari strand of Japanese rice grown in Sacramento. A meal at the Atwater Village spot, with just six seats at the counter and a few tables, can range anywhere from $45 to $400.

Kombu Sushi | Silver Lake & Arts District, DTLA
Trendy, accessible, tasty and family-owned, Kombu first set up in Silverlake and recently opened a Downtown LA Arts District location. Catering to a variety of tastes and dietary restrictions, they also offer a wide selection of vegan and gluten-free rolls. Happy hour from 3 to 6 pm.

Mrs. Fish | DTLA
Definitely out of the ordinary, Mrs. Fish is not only a sushi bar, but also a lounge specializing in rare Japanese whisky and sake—not to mention an art gallery. The art collection—curated by the owner with guidance from Japanese art consultant Joni Waka—features a selection of contemporary works: photography by Araki Nobuyoshi, anime from Japanese pioneer Amano Yoshitaka, whimsical pieces by artists Kato Ai, I Yamaguchi Ai and a piece by Morimura Yasumasa, the Cindy Sherman of Japan.

Sushi Kaneyoshi | Little Tokyo
Michelin-starred sushi conceived with perfect attention to detail—once you figure out where it is. Location may be hard to find but the menu doesn't disappoint.

Bar Sawa | Little Tokyo
Offshoot of Sushi Kaneyoshi, this cocktail-oriented sidebar has a slightly less expensive menu and more subdued ambience. Located in the same hard-to-find office building basement.

Sushi Gen | Little Tokyo/Arts District
Sushi Gen—or some might say Gem—this Little Tokyo hang out since 1980 is a favorite but be prepared to wait. Lunch is a thing. Long lines and reservations scarce.

Shojin | Little Tokyo/Arts District
Love sushi but swore off fish? This vegan Japanese place on the third level of downtown's Little Tokyo Shopping Center features tasty beverages, vegetable sushi rolls, salads, ramen, seitan entrees and more.

Literary, Readings & Book Launches

Spiralbound Book and Record Fair
2220 Arts + Archives | Filipinotown
Sunday, July 16, 2023 | 12pm
A market for records, books and other physical media. There will also be DJs and food vendors. Free.

Things To Do & Workshops

Lotus Festival
Echo Park Lake
Saturday, July 15, 2023 | 12-8pm & Sunday, July 16, 2023 | 12-7pm
This year’s festival will highlight Indonesian culture. There will be dragonboat races, activities for children, food and more.

Thank you for reading!

Brought to you with ❤️ from the Fabrik team in Los Angeles.