Memorial Day Weekend is the kick-off to a summery frame of mind. If you've never been to Topanga Days on Memorial Day weekend, it's a fun event that takes you back in time. We lead off with a sampling of intriguing art openings — some of which open tonight so we hope you're reading this soon after it drops in your inbox. We also highlight some cool films including the documentary, Taking Venice, which screens at the Hammer tonight, and then moves on to the Laemmle. Also, our picks of theatre, music, literary events and — for our readers who have a sweet tooth — chocolate chip cookies!

Gallery & Museum Exhibitions

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LA Louver | Venice
Rebecca Campbell: Young Americans
May 29—July 20, 2024
Opening Reception: Wednesday, May 29 | 6–8pm
Recent paintings by the LA-based artist explore converging metaphors of adolescence and the city of Los Angeles, bridging fantasy and reality. Opening concurrently at the gallery, a selection of paintings by Richard Nonas (1936-2021).

Hauser & Wirth | West Hollywood
Angel Otero: That First Rain in May
May 29—August 24, 2024
Opening Reception: Wednesday, May 29 | 6–8pm
Flavored with elements of magical realism and abstraction, the artist’s personal recollections of his upbringing in Puerto Rico are woven into his new paintings and sculptures.

Sprüth Magers | Miracle Mile
Gretchen Bender: The Perversion of the Visual
May 24—August 10, 2024
Opening Reception: Thursday, May 23 | 6–8pm
The artist’s career defining immersive electronic theater installation, Dumping Core, (1984) along with newly printed photo-collages that address the horrors of war and the fear of a collective numbness to its reality. Opening reception will feature cocktails by Lodestar Whiskey.

LACMA & California African American Museum (CAAM)
Miracle Mile & Exposition Park
Simone Leigh
May 26, 2024—January 20, 2025
Artist Talk | In Conversation:
Simone Leigh, Taylor Renee Aldridge, Naima Keith and Rita Gonzalez CAAM
Thursday, May 23, 2024 5–6:30pm
A traveling exhibition organized by the ICA Boston and co-presented in Los Angeles by LACMA and CAAM, this is the first comprehensive survey of the artist’s practice. Featured are works in ceramic, bronze, video and installation, as well as works from her 2022 Venice Biennale presentation, reflecting 20 years of Leigh’s production and her focus on Black Femme subjectivity.

David Zwirner | Hollywood
30 Years
May 23—August 3, 2024
Opening Reception: Thursday, May 23 | 5–8pm
For the gallery’s 30th anniversary, this expansive exhibition at the new LA flagship location features the artists who have shaped the gallery’s program since its was founded.

Film, Music, Theatre, Festivals & Dance

FILM: Taking Venice
Hammer Museum | Westwood
Thursday, May 23 | 7:30pm
The L.A. premiere of this new documentary surrounding the brouhaha that erupted in 1964 after American artist Robert Rauschenberg was selected as the winner of the Venice Biennale Grand Prize, during the height of the Cold War, when the U.S. government was determined to fight Communism with culture. Followed by a Q&A with director Amei Wallach. Admission free with ticket / first come, first served. *The film will be screened again (followed by Q&A) Friday and Saturday nights at the Laemmle Royal in West L.A. and Encino.

FILM: Lost Angel: The Genius of Judee Sill
Philosophical Research Society | Los Feliz
Saturday, May 25, 2024 | 7–9pm
PRS presents a screening of Lost Angel: The Genius of Judee Sill, a documentary about one of the most influential, and enigmatic, singer-songwriters of the 1970s. Sill’s close friend and collaborator Tommy Peltier will be in conversation with author and producer Pat Thomas after the screening. Tickets: $15

FILM: Velvet Goldmine
Vidiots | Eagle Rock
Monday, May 27, 2024 | 7pm
An investigative journalist traces down a former singer in Todd Haynes’ queer musical homage to the gender-bending glam-rock scene of the 70s. Tickets: $12

FILM: Queer Futures
The Art Theatre | Long Beach
May 25—26, 2024 | 5:30pm
The Queer Futures series focuses on joy and connection to radically imagine future visions of queer life. This edition features four short films that explore fat beauty and liberation, gender-affirming healthcare and more. Tickets: $13.50

MUSIC: Kraftwerk
Walt Disney Concert Hall | DTLA
May 24—May 30, 2024 | 8pm
Last week to see the German electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk during the 50th anniversary celebration of the groundbreaking album, Autobahn. Tickets: $69–$109

THEATRE: Girl from the North Country
The Pantages | Hollywood
Continuing through June 2, 2024
Written and directed by playwright Conor McPherson and featuring Tony Award-winning orchestrations by Simon Hale, this Broadway musical reimagines 20  Bob Dylan songs, including, All Along The Watchtower and Like A Rolling Stone. Tickets $45 and up

FESTIVAL: Topanga Days
Topanga Canyon
Saturday, May 25 through Sunday, May 27, 2024 | 10am–7pm
Held annually on Memorial Day weekend, this 3-day festival features artisans, food, beverages, a fun zone for kids and family games that raise funds for the Topanga Community Center. Admission: Various prices up to $65

Fine Foods, Quick Bites + Bars

There's something so satisfying about a good chocolate chip cookie! The slight crunch, the melted chocolate, the buttery salty chewy texture. The recipe originated with Ruth Wakefield of the Toll House restaurant in Whitman, Massachusetts in the late 1930s. We're happy it stuck around and migrated west! Since then, it's had several interesting spin-offs. Here's a mini round-up of LA area spots with versions of the classic... and not-so-classic. We even suggest a few gluten free and vegan options.

The Very Best Cookie In The Whole Wide World | Beverly Hills
This relatively new spot offers a range of cc cookies, starting with the O.G. – a concoction made with semi-sweet & dark chocolate and a sprinkle of sea-salt for flavor.

Cake Monkey Bakery | West Hollywood & North Hollywood
The Summer Camp Chip cookie is made with a combo of caramelized rice krispies, marshmallows and dark chocolate chips. Gluten-free and vegan versions also available.

Proof Bakery | Atwater Village
These chocolate chip cookies feature a molten dark chocolate-studded interior and crispy edges.

Fat & Flour | DTLA
If you’re not a purist, explore variations on the classic, such as the Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookie.

Healthy Indulgence Bakery | DTLA
Featuring the Chocolate Crookie – a hybrid made of organic chocolate chip cookie dough in an organic Straus butter croissant drizzled with organic chocolate.

Literary, Readings & Book Launches

Myriam Gurba and Cindy Macias
Midnight Books Art Space HP | Huntington Park
Friday, May 24, 2024 | 7pm
Writer and activist Myriam Gurba will discuss her latest essay collection, Creep: Accusations and Confessions. She will be in conversation with artist Cindy Macias.

Hyde Park Zine Fest
Hyde Park Miriam Matthews Branch Library | Hyde Park
Saturday, May 25, 2024 | 11:30am-3:30pm
Hyde Park Branch Library and Able ARTS Work present the first ever Hyde Park Zine Fest. There will be local indie creators, workshops, raffle prizes and more.

CARLA 9th Anniversary Launch Party
Luis De Jesus Los Angeles | Arts District, DTLA
Saturday, May 25, 2024 | 6–8pm
Celebrate the launch of CARLA’s 9th-anniversary issue. Grab a free copy and view solo shows by artists John Valadez and Karla Diaz. There will be music and drinks! Free with RSVP.

Black Lit Book Club: Take My Hand
Cellar Door Bookstore | Riverside
Friday, May 24, 2024 | 6pm
Participants will discuss Dolan Perkins-Valdez’s novel, Take My Hand. Inspired by a true story, the novel follows a nurse-turned-whistleblower.

Things To Do & Workshops

Erotic Devices Roundtable
Honor Fraser Gallery | Culver City Arts District
Saturday, May 25, 2024 | 2pm
Erotic Codex co-curator Jamison Edgar will be in conversation with three professionals in the field of video, TV and online sex work: Matthew McGaughey, Antigoni Tsagkaropoulou and Shae-Marie Walsh. Free with RSVP.

Thank you for reading!

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

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