Summertime — and the living is exciting! There's so much to explore this week! In the artworld, we round-up a few gallery shows, as well as an exhibition on the cultivation and use of cochineal dye at the Fowler Museum, and an otherworldly show on space and humanity at Mount Wilson Observatory. Also on our radar, free concerts, theatre under the stars, film screenings, a chalk fest and more...

Gallery & Museum Exhibitions

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Fowler Museum | UCLA | Westwood
Sangre de Nopal / Blood of the Nopal
July 19, 2024—January 12, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, July 19 | 6–9pm
The first of two PST ART exhibitions at the Fowler features contemporary works by Interdisciplinary fiber artists Tanya Aguiñiga and Porfirio Gutiérrez in an exploration of the Indigenous cultivation and production of cochineal, an insect-derived red dye developed by the Zapotec peoples around 500 BC. The opening will feature Filarmónica Maqueos Music, tacos de nopales from X’Tiosu Kitchen, paletas from Mateo’s and a prickly pear cocktail sponsored by Xicaru Mezcal.

Tierra del Sol Gallery | West Hollywood
Hugo Rocha: Grids, Colors, Worlds
July 20—August 31, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 20 | 6–8pm
Inspired by telenovelas, cinematic media and a range of visual experiences, Rocha translates dramatic encounters into colorful surrealist grids evoking landscape.

Lowell Ryan Projects | West Adams
James Busby: Busby Electric
July 20—August 17, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 20 | 6–8pm
Small-scaled abstract works on panel in a palette of black and white tonalities with hints of color. The title refers to the eponymously named motor repair shop of the South Carolina-based artist’s father. Also opening, Richard Dupont: 7 Islands.

Ochi Gallery | Arlington Heights
Ian Stanton: Assessments
June 29—August 10, 2024
Stanton’s first solo show with the gallery features paintings of singular subjects in various states of temporal suspension. 

Mount Wilson Observatory | San Gabriel Mountains near Pasadena
Rebeca Méndez & Stephen Nowlin: Of Sea and Sky
July 20—October 20, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 20 | 1–5pm
Straddling art and science, this exhibition features an immersive video piece by Méndez and large-scale print works by Nowlin, which examine human-to-nature relationships against the backdrop of space cosmology and Earth ecology.

Film, Music, Theatre, Festivals & Dance

FILM: Summer Night Cinema | Frida
Hammer Museum | Westwood
Tuesday, July 23, 2024 | 7:30pm
An intimate and magical journey through the life of Frida Kahlo drawn from her diary, the film is illustrated through lyrical animation inspired by the artist’s work. Directed by Carla Gutiérrez. Free with ticket

FILM: The Crimson Kimono
Academy Museum | Miracle Mile
Sunday, July 21, 2024 | 2pm
James Shigeta and Glenn Corbett depict two Los Angeles detectives who fall in love with the same woman in Samuel Fuller’s 1959 noir. Tickets: $10

FILM: LACE Screening Room
Philosophical Research Society | Los Feliz
Saturday, July 20 | 3–9pm
An in-person film marathon featuring a diverse selection of shorts, feature-length films and video art, centered around the themes of Black science fiction and Afrofuturism, curated by Black Revivalist, Camm Harrison. RSVP

FILM: The Narrow Margin
Vista Theater | Los Feliz
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 | 2pm
Video Archives Cinema Club presents a VHS screening of this 1952 noir centered on a woman who must be protected against potential assassins while traveling on a train from Chicago to Los Angeles for planning to testify against the mob. Tickets: $13

FILM: Gender Troublemakers
2220 Arts + Archives | Historic Filipinotown
Sunday, July 21, 2024 | 1pm
Presented by LA Filmforum, these films explore trans authorship, DIY and experimentation through film. Guest-programmed by Caden Mark Gardner and Willow Catelyn Maclay to celebrate the release of their book, Corpses, Fools, and Monsters: The History and Future of Transness in Cinema. Tickets: $15

MUSIC: Off the 405 | Helado Negro
Getty Center | Brentwood
Saturday, July 20 2024
DJ Set: 6pm | Performance: 7:30pm
The next in the Getty Center's annual outdoor summer concert series, multi-instrumentalist Roberto Carlos Lange (as Helado Negro) stitches together memories, impressions and atmospheres to make detailed dreamscapes. Free – tickets required

MUSIC: TheyHouse
Little Joy | Echo Park
Sunday, July 21, 2024 | 3–9pm
Resident sound selectors Colored Craig and Terrell Brooke will be joined by special guests IdealBlackFemale and Bodii. Tickets: $10

MUSIC: serpentwithfeet
Venue | City
Tuesday, July 23, 2024 | 7–7:30pm
serpentwithfeet is a Los Angeles-based experimental musician whose work reflects love, intimacy and queerness. The artist will perform a set within Tatyana Fazlalizadeh’s installation at Art + Practice. Free with RSVP. 

THEATRE: As You Like It
The Old Zoo in Griffith Park | Hollywood Hills
Wednesday to Sunday through September 1, 2024
Pre-show prologue at 6pm
Play starts at 7pm
Bring a picnic and experience the Independent Shakespeare Co. production of the classic screwball romantic comedy under the stars at the Old LA Zoo. Free! Register in advance

FESTIVAL: Afro-Latino Culture Fest
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes | DTLA
Saturday, July 20, 2024 | 1pm
Immerse yourself in the rich tapestries of Afro-Latinx and Caribbean cultures with food vendors, cocktails, artisan goods and more at this family-friendly event! Free with RSVP.

FESTIVAL: Glendale Chalk-A-Doodle Festival
Glendale Marketplace | Glendale
Saturday, July 20, 2024 | 1:30–6:30pm
Come out for a day of chalk artistry. There will be a doodle exhibition, live music and more. Free with RSVP.

Literary, Readings & Book Launches

Liars with Sarah Manguso and Myriam Gurba
Skylight Books | Los Feliz
Monday, July 22, 2024 | 7pm
Sarah Manguso’s new novel explores the intersections between art, marriage and motherhood. She will be joined in conversation by writer and activist, Myriam Gurba.

Happy Hour y Libros
Casita Bookstore | Long Beach
Sunday, July 21, 2024 | 3–5pm
Join Casita Bookstore for a happy hour pairing of books and cocktails/mocktails by Beautiful Poisons. Tickets: $35-40

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