Wildfires, Amazing Grace, Block Party, BBQ & 4th of July...

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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Wilding Cran | DTLA
Francesca Gabbiani: Mutations
June 29—July 29, 2023
Opening Reception: Thursday, June 29, 2023 | 5–7pm
An exploration of Southern California and the vulnerable narrative of paradise consumed. Captivated by the phenomena and mythology of wildfires, the LA-based Canadian artist continually revisits this theme in an effort to dissect its psychological impact upon our social, environmental and emotional landscapes.

Japanese American National Museum | Little Tokyo, DTLA
Glenn Kaino: Aki’s Market
June 30, 2023—January 28, 2024
Opening Day: Friday, June 30 | 11am–5pm
Inspired by Akira and Sachiye Shiraishi’s small neighborhood East LA market (1957-70), artist Glenn Akira Kaino (Akira’s grandson and namesake) looks at the trans-generational trauma from the World War II Japanese American incarceration experience through the stories of Kaino, his family, and the community explored in a virtual reality recreation and a sculptural installation. Admission: $16

NOON Projects | Chinatown
Mother
July 2—August 5, 2023
Opening Reception: Sunday, July 2, 2023 | 2–5pm
A group exhibition in which 14 artists investigate the maternal through ceramics, photography, textiles and sound.

Artspace Warehouse | Mid-Wilshire | Fairfax District
About Face
July 1—28, 2023
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 1, 2023 | 4–6pm
A group exhibition exploring the power of flatness, challenging conventional perceptions of beauty and dimension.

Reisig and Taylor Contemporary | Culver City
Saun Santipreecha’s Dandelye—or, Beneath this River’s Tempo’d Time We Walk
July 1—29, 2023
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 1, 2023 | 5–10pm
Debut solo show of LA-based Thai artist Saun Santipreecha, including mixed-media paintings and sculpture, sound installations and a collaborative performance piece.

Film, Music, Theatre & Festivals

FILM: Alien
Electric Dusk Drive-In | Glendale
Friday, June 30, 2023 | 8:30-10:30pm
LA’s longest running pop-up drive-in presents a screening of Ridley Scott’s Alien. Tickets: $8-92

FILM: Amazing Grace
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures | Miracle Mile
Saturday, July 1, 2023 | 4-5:30pm
Shot at the Los Angeles New Temple Missionary Baptist Church, Aretha Franklin performs her iconic live album, Amazing Grace. Part of the series Summer of Music: Concert Films 1959-2020. Tickets: $5

FILM: Framing Agnes
Philosophical Research Society | Los Feliz
Thursday, June 29, 2023 | 7pm
Chase Joynt’s acclaimed film about a pioneering transgender woman who participated in an infamous gender health study at UCLA in the 1960s. Her clever use of the study to gain access to gender-affirming healthcare made her a fascinating and celebrated figure in trans history. Tickets: $10

MUSIC: Tonalism
Descanso Gardens | La Cañada, Flintridge
Saturday, July 1, 2023 | 8pm-1am
Inspired by La Monte Young’s Dream House, Tonalism is a late night ambient experience. Visitors are encouraged to bring pillows and sleeping bags and relax while listening to live performances and DJ sets. Tickets: $30-35

DANCE: Ajani Brannum and Jimena Sarno
Redcat | DTLA
Thursday, June 29, 2023 | 7-10pm
Movement artist Ajani Brannum and interdisciplinary artist Jimena Sarno will perform new pieces that engage with the Redcat exhibition Lisa Alvarado: Pulse Meridian Foliation. Free with RSVP.

THEATRE: Blue
Rogue Machine at the Matrix | Fairfax District
July 1—2, 2023 | Saturday: 8pm; Sunday: 3pm
Last weekend to see June Carryl’s play about a detective investigating the shooting of a Black motorist. Tickets: $20-30

Fine Foods, Quick Bites + Bars

Don't feel like setting up the grill for the Fourth of July? Not to worry! We have a selection of tasty dine-in or take-out barbecue spots lined up to take off the pressure:

Battambong BBQ | Long Beach
This Texas – Thai mash-up by Chad Phuong, dubbed the Cambodian Cowboy, is a Long Beach favorite. Headlining fresh California ingredients, this marriage made in BBQ heaven stars dishes like tri-tip bánh mì and extra spicy ribs.

Maple Block Meat Company | West LA
Best known for its smoked meats. Some might go for the brisket or tender ribs but you can also pick up a wood-smoked free-range chicken. Catering too if you don't plan to barbecue your own for the 4th!

Bludso's BBQ | Fairfax District
James Beard award-winner Kevin Bludso came from Compton and grew up spending his summers in Texas - where he absorbed the Texan barbecue tradition. Even vegans will find something – with jackfruit on the meat menu. Eat-in and catering. Santa Monica location opening soon…

Phillips Bar-B-Que | Crenshaw
Accessible straightforward BBQ at this stand on the west side of Crenshaw just south of Adams.

Moo’s Craft Barbecue | Lincoln Heights
This Cali-Mex-Tex inspired barbecue spot started as an underground pop-up in a small East Los Angeles backyard in 2017. Accompanying sides include dishes with a twist like the Esquites (Mexican street corn) and Frito Pie.

A’s BBQ | East LA
East LA barbecue that breaks tradition with a rotating menu that might feature brisket quesatacos, smoked beef cheek, or birria sausages.

The Memphis Grill | North Hollywood
Authentic reliable Memphis style barbecue in the heart of NoHo.

Zef BBQ | Simi Valley
Smoked meat cooked up in a Simi Valley garage! This weekend pop-up posts its menu Wednesday mornings for limited edition pre-orders!

Literary, Readings & Book Launches

Skew Magazine | Issue #4 Launch Event
Stories Books & Cafe | Echo Park
Friday, June 30, 2023 | 7-8:30pm
Celebrate the launch of Skew Issue 04: Black Embodiment! There will be a live poetry reading and screening of short films.

Boom Chicago at Gold Diggers | Book Launch
Boom Chicago: the 30 Most Important Years in Dutch History
Gold Diggers | Echo Park
Thursday, June 29, 2023 | 8pm
Presented by Book Soup, improv theatre Boom Chicago celebrates the new Akashic Books publication of Boom Chicago Presents the 30 Most Important Years in Dutch History, by founders Andrew Moskos, Pep Rosenfeld and Saskia Maas with co-author Matt Diehl and comedy icon Ike Barinholtz (History of the World, Part II) at a special evening with a cast of Boom alumni. Admission: $38.58 (includes a copy of the book).

Things To Do & Workshops

626 Night Market
Santa Anita Park | Arcadia
June 30—July 2, 2023
This California festival features 250+ vendors, including food, merchandise, crafts, arts and more. Tickets: $5-6

No Sesso x Basic.Space Carry Bag Launch
Basic.Space | West Hollywood
Friday, June 30, 2023 | 12-6pm
LA-based brand NoSesso launches their Carry Bag, available exclusively at their marketplace event hosted by Basic.Space. Free with RSVP.

Real Cool Time Day Market
Knucklehead Bar | Hollywood
Sunday, July 2, 2023 | 11am-5pm
The first day market event at Knucklehead Bar will feature local food and vintage vendors, including Bruiser Burger, Kenotic Youth and more.

4th of July Block Party
Gloria Molina Grand Park | DTLA
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 | 4–9:30pm
Reinventing DTLA’s Fourth of July celebration, a drone-based light show will illuminate the night sky instead of fireworks. Spread across the six city blocks that comprise Grand Park, with gourmet food trucks, music performances (Georgia Anne Muldrow, Cut Chemist, Chali 2na, the Beat Junkies, Maya Jupiter, DJ Ethos, and more) on two stages, and a digital playground by EYEJACK with AR experiences, arts, crafts and games. Free! 

Thank you for reading!

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