Media Relations

July 14, 2018

Economic update for the week ending July 14, 2018

Stocks up for a second straight week – Stocks rallied again this week as investors expect a robust second quarter profit reporting season. Fueled by tax cuts and a strong global economy, many companies are expected to report double-digit profit growth. Stock markets are now just 3% below their all-time highs reached in January. The only thing holding them back is fears of trade wars and tariffs, according to analysts. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 25,019.41, up from 24,456.58 last week. It is up 1.2% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,801.31, up from 2,759.83. It’s up 4.8% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed the week at 7,825.98, up from 7,688.39 last week. It’s up 13.8% year-to-date.

Treasury bond yields mixed this week – The 10-year and the 30-year treasury yield ended the week just 0.10% apart. It’s unusual for the 10-year and the 30-year yield to be so close. Usually an investor would want a higher rate when investing for a longer period of time. This tells us that investors may feel that rates will come down in the coming years. The 10-year Treasury bond closed the week yielding 2.83%, up from 2.78% last week. The 30-year Treasury bond yield ended the week at 2.93%, almost unchanged from 2.94% last week. We watch bond rates because mortgage rates follow bond rates.

30-year mortgage rates unchanged, while shorter term rates were slightly higher this week – The July 12, 2018 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 4.53%, unchanged from 4.52% last week. The 15-year fixed was 4.02%, up slightly from 3.99% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.86%, up from 3.74% last week.

We will have June sales figures next week. The number of sales have been lower this year than in 2017–this is due to tighter inventory. The reduced number of homes for sale has also pushed price increases up at a faster pace than over the last few years. Year-over-year price increases have been almost 9% for a median priced home in California. In May, there was just a 3-month supply of homes for sale–a normal market would be six to seven months. We may be beginning to see some pressure in the higher price ranges in all of our areas. This may be because sellers have been too aggressive in pricing. Unfortunately, when one or two sellers push the price above what is realistic, others look at what’s listed instead of what is selling. We are seeing homes in many areas beginning to reduce. Let’s see if this impacts the inventory levels when the reports come out.

Have a great weekend,

Syd

July 13, 2018

Amazon Prime Day 2018: Everything You Need To Know

Being an Amazon Prime member has its perks all year long, but there’s one day in particular when it pays big time to be a subscriber. We’re of course referring to Amazon Prime Day, when the e-commerce behemoth unleashes hundreds of thousands of crazy-good discounts on everything from gadgets to gift cards — well beyond the scope of deals it offers on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

Prime Day 2018 will be a bit different than in years past in that it will actually last for a day and half. Things will kick off on Monday, July 16 at 3pm ET and continue all day Tuesday, July 17, though they’ve decided to get a slightly early start and are already rolling out some great deals in the days leading up to the big event. So, to ensure you scoop up all the best possible loot, we’ve assembled this handy Prime Day, errr, primer.

If you aren’t a Prime subscriber, sign up for a free 30-day trial

As the name of the event suggests, Prime Day deals are only open to Prime subscribers. However, if you aren’t already ponying up the $119/year fee (it recently went up from $99/year), you can still get in on the action by signing up for the 30-day free trial. Just remember to cancel before you actually have to start paying (or don’t — trust us, there are plenty of perks that make it worth the money).

Download the Amazon app and track your favorite deals

APD brings with it a ton of great deals, but many of them don’t last long. Fortunately, you can easily set up Amazon’s app to tell you when the price drops for a particular item(s) you’ve had your eyes on by adding them to your Shopping List.

When an item in the List changes in price, you’ll get an alert on your phone. Just be sure you have your notification settings adjusted accordingly (open the app, head to Settings > Notifications, and toggle on “Your Watched & Waitlisted Deals.”) And even if you don’t want to track any deals, it’s still worth downloading because Prime subscribers get $10 for downloading and signing into the Amazon app for the first time. You’d be wise to also download the Amazon Assistant browser extension on your computer to keep track of deals (if you do, you’ll get $5 off your next Amazon order over $25)

Keep tabs on pre-scheduled deals

In addition to tracking a custom list of products you’re interested in, the app also makes it easy to browse and “watch” the thousands upon thousands of specific deals that are scheduled to go live throughout the day, without having to constantly monitor the app or site. To do this, head to the Deals page, look through the products under the “Upcoming” tab, and tap “Watch this deal” for any that you think you might be interested in. The moment a deal you’re watching goes live, you’ll get an alert on your phone.

Ask Alexa about special and exclusive deals

If you have an Echo, Echo Dot, or any other device that relies on Amazon’s AI voice-activated assistant, Alexa, you’d be wise to hit her up for special deals throughout the day. That’s because, like last year, Amazon will be offering a handful of deals that you can only snatch via Alexa. All you have to do is ask “Alexa, what are your deals?” and she’ll give you the scoop. If you haven’t picked up an Echo yet, Prime Day may be the perfect time to splurge, since prices on a whole slew of Amazon devices will likely slashed.

Check competitors’ prices for better deals

Since Prime Day has eclipsed Black Friday as one of Amazon’s biggest deals days of the year, competitors like Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and others have taken notice, dropping their own prices below Amazon’s during the day in hopes of poaching potential customers. To compare prices without tediously toggling between four different tabs, download the browser extension Priceblink, which will automatically let you know if a particular item you’re looking at on Amazon (or any one of 4,000 other online merchants) is available cheaper elsewhere on the Web at the moment.

Swing by Whole Foods for special in-store deals

Prime Day 2018 will not only run longer than any previous one, but this year it will also include big deals on Whole Foods items now that Amazon owns the premium grocery chain. The company has already announced some special WF discounts ahead of the big day, but it’s likely there will be some surprise sales going on in-store at locations around the country that day as well.

Story courtesy of Thrillist.

July 12, 2018

Weekend Events: July 13 – 15

Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome. Since time is precious in this fast paced city we curate a list of things to do in L.A. for every weekend that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).

This weekend, from Friday, July 13 to Sunday, July 15, features Outdoor Movies at the Skirball, ‘Summer of Salsa’, Colorado Street Bridge Party, Summer Train Fest at Union Station, the Lotus Festival, Swingin’ Summer at The Wiltern, Ice Cream Ally at Smorgasburg LA, Sunday Sessions at Grand Park and MUCH more.

Hope you find the rundown useful and, as always, enjoy your week!

Friday July 13th, 2018

1. Celebrate summer in Los Angeles watching some beloved films during Outdoor Movies at the Skirball. This Friday Labyrinth will be screened. We suggest you arrive early to check out The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited exhibit where costumes, sketches and more of Labyrinth are displayed.

2. ‘Summer of Salsa’ concert series is a monthly free concert series at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes running now till September 7, 2018. This month La Verdad, a West Coast nine-piece salsa group, under the musical direction of Gabriel Gonzalez will peform. FREE

3. Union Station in DTLA will host Filmmm, a series of food-centric films, this summer. The series continues with the documentary City of Gold where Pulitzer Prize-winning food writer Jonathan Gold, takes viewers on a gustatory journey through the City of Angels. FREE

4. Back for the 15th year in a row, The Independent Shakespeare Co. presents Shakespeare in the Parkat the Old Zoo in Griffith Park with free performances Wednesday through Sunday of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. FREE

5. The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum will host Late Night Fridays where guests can enjoy free general admission from 5 to 8 p.m. and gain access to special activities, 3D movies, behind-the-scenes tours, live excavations, and more. FREE

6. The South Bay Greek Festival, at St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church taking place July 12-15 in Redondo Beach, will offer Greek food, music and dancing.

7. Old Pasadena Summer Cinema continues with several screenings at One Colorado, Central Park and Distant Lands this weekend. The series brings free movie screenings to the Old Pasadena area at select venues from July 5 to 28. FREE

8. The Music Center’s annual Dance DTLA series is back for 2018 with a series of Friday-night events at Grand Park. This week features DJ Nights an evening curated by some of the city’s best and most influential DJs. Enjoy music, dancing, and more from 9 p.m. to midnight . FREE

9. dineL.A. will have food-lovers and connoisseurs taste, explore and enjoy various prix-fixe menus from restaurants across various L.A. neighborhoods from July 13 through 27 .

10. For over 30 years, Grand Performances has offered a variety of performance events at California Plaza, for free. Their 2018 summer series runs June 1 through August 18. This Friday they’ll present Now More Than Ever: Protest Songs Sing-Along. Lyrics will be projected on a screen behind the performers so the audience can join in. FREE

11. There’s a Friday The 13th Part VI screening with filmmaker Tom McLoughlin in person at the Landmark’s Nuart Theatre.

12. Shakespeare By The Sea will once again offer a ten-week program of admission-free performances. The series continues with performances of The Winter’s Tale at Monte Verde Park in Lakewood on Friday andThe Winter’s Tale at Rush Park in Los Alamitos on Saturday. FREE

13. The Department of Beaches and Harbors presents Beach Movie Nights at Dockweiler Youth Center this week screening Coco. FREE

14. Perfect for dog lovers, Mutt House is a musical centered around a doomed animal shelter, a boy named Eddie and six zany mutts working together to save the shelter they all call home. Performing at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City from July 15 through August 5 with previews beginning this week on July 10. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

15. Are you a Chase bank customer? Got a freebie you might want to know about. Coolhaus is teaming with the Forum and Chase to hand out free ice cream sandwiches to Chase customers on Fridays all summer long. Locations will change every Friday, and the offer is ice cream sandwich per cardholder. Get more info here.

16. Barnsdall Fridays returns to Barnsdall Art Park for the tenth year in a row, with evening tastings of boutique wines and music from KCRW DJs perched atop a hill with incredible city views.

17. WP24 by Wolfgang Puck’s Summer Supper + Show returns every Friday and Saturday, July through August, with a Asian-inspired dinner at WP24 by Wolfgang Puck followed by a movie screening on the private 26th floor hotel rooftop. This weekend they’ll screen Top Gun.

18. The Sorting Room nightclub housed within the Wallis Center’s Lovelace Studio Center presents a new season of unpredictable performances from poets, composers, jazz singers, cabaret veterans and more in a variety of genres alongside happy hour drink specials. This week For The Record: Tarantino a musical performance celebrating the famous directors films will take the stage July 12-15.

19. Beyond the Streets is a fully immersive exhibition of street and graffiti art comprised of over 30 artist in a massive 40,000+ square feet exhibits. Artist are an eclectic mix of street and beyond including Retna, Shepard Fairey, Kenny Scharf Dennis Hopper and Jenny Holzer. Open Tuesday through Sunday this week. Open Tuesday through Sunday this week. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

20. Rooftop Cinema Club returns to the rooftops of LEVEL in DTLA and NeueHouse in Hollywood with multiple screenings this week that include Hocus Pocus, The Lost Boys, CLUE and more.

21. Jazz at LACMA welcomes Scotty Barnhart at the BP grand entrance at 6 p.m. FREE

22. The South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes will host a family friendley movie night on their 87 acre property. This Friday they’ll screen Coco. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

Saturday July 14th, 2018

23. Colorado Street Bridge Party returns to Defenders Park in Pasadena on Saturday for a night of music, dancing, vintage cars, free kids activities, food, wine and treats atop one of the most picturesque bridges in the world.

24. Union Station in DTLA is hosting their second annual Summer Train Fest. Fun for all ages, guests can tour vintage train cars, enjoy 360° virtual reality stations, shop local vendors, grab a bite at popular food trucks, dance to live music and much more. FREE

25. The 38th Annual Lotus Festival from July 14-15 at Echo Park Lake will include live entertainment, arts and crafts, a boat race, an asian food court, dragon boat races and of course and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the blooming flowers on the lake. FREE

26. Marina Movie Nights returns to Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey for free Saturday-night screenings of beloved musicals. This weekend it’s La La Land with tap dancing lessons. FREE

27. The 9th Annual Reggae On The Mountain returns to Topanga Canyon’s Topanga Community Center on July 14-15 for two jam-packed, fun-filled days of roots reggae from Toots and The Maytals, Derrick Morgan, The Lions, Pato Banton and more. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

28. FX presents a Snowfall Summer Kickback on July 14-15 to celebrate season 2 of the show through a free immersive arts space, featuring live DJ sets, art installations, interactive experiences inspired by LA in the 80s, food from In-n-Out and Homeboy Industries. FREE

29. Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra is hosting a pug-a-palooza celebrating the adorable Puglie. Pets and children are welcome to this all ages party featuring Puglie installation, ice cream, boba, swag and a meet and greet with Puglie creator Euge Leung.

30. Off the 405, free concerts at the Getty will host a performance by FEELS and a DJ set by Boss Harmony in the museum courtyard. FREE

31. Enjoy free movie screenings under the stars when the Amazon Treasure Truck heads to DTLA this weekend for a screening of Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs. FREE

32. Tiki Night returns to the Egyptian Theatre this Saturday with a Tiki Marketplace, a Tiki Bar, Tiki cuisine, Tiki music, Polynesian Paradise Dancers and film screenings of “Bosko” and “The Whimsical Imagineer.”

33. Street Food Cinema returns this weekend with a screening of Romeo + Juliet at Brand Library Parkin Glendale and 500 Days of Summer at Marriott Golf Course in Manhattan Beach Select screenings are discounted via Goldstar. DISCOUNTED

34. Visit Austin heads to Los Angeles for a day of complimentary food and drink inspired by The Live Music Capital of the World. Chef Jonathan Whitener from Los Angeles’ Here’s Looking at You and Austin’s Chef Callie Speer of Holy Roller will be on deck handling food while Blackillac will be spinning tunes. FREE

35. Beautycon Festival returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center July 14-15 for a two-day beauty convention with Kim Kardashian West and many other personalities.

36. Celebrate summer in the SGV during Movies in the Park, a free outdoor film series screening at Alhambra Park. This weekend they’ll screen Jumanji (1995). FREE

37. Sri Lanka Day 2018 returns to Pasadena City Hall Centennial Square on Saturday, for its annual celebration and tribute to the Sri Lankan culture and heritage. FREE

38. KCRW’s Summer Nights offers free all-ages outdoor music shows over the course of the summer throughout Los Angeles and this weekend they’ll takes over the California African American Museum with KCRW DJs Aaron Byrd and Garth Trinidad. FREE

39. Eat|See|Hear returns for 2018 with two screenings at LA State Historic Park. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind on Friday and The Warriors on Saturday. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

40. Get Fit an inaugural Workout Week Los Angeles Festival happening July 14-21 will bring 100+ classes at participating boutique gyms and studios for $10 per class.

41. Presented by Downtown Long Beach Alliance, Summer and Music (SAM) continues with Twisted at The Pike, a free music event at The Pike Outlets with headliner hypnotic punk band, L.A. Witch. FREE

Sunday July 15th, 2018

42. For three nights in July, August and September, The Wiltern hosts Swingin’ Summer, a series of vintage-style evenings with swing dance lessons, drinks, and dancing to live music. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

43. #NationalIceCreamDay is July 15, and one of the best ways for Angelenos to celebrate this special day is at the launch of Ice Cream Alley. This new area at Smorgasburg LA will feature vendors like Wanderlust Creamery, Yellow Business – HK Egg Waffle, Churro Boss, Sweet n’ Hollow and more.

44. Sunday Sessions, at Grand Park, is a celebration of Los Angeles House music. Highlighting music and dance culture the event continues with performances by Doc Martin, Tara Brooks, and Anton Tumas. FREE

45. Events and activists company SameSide will host a cannabis infused brunch prepared by Cheftoferin Koreatown this Saturday where guests will fight to legalize cannabis on a federal level while enjoying tasty bites and mocktails.

46. The Hammer museum will host a live broadcast of the FIFA World Cup this Sunday during the final showdown. FREE

47. Hot Mama Mommy Fitness Day at Cheviot Hills Park is a work out day with your kids for a good cause. There will be a Mommy and Toddler Bootcamp, Fun & Fit- Mommy and kid workout, a kids play area, crafts tables, healthy snack samples and more. Dad’s are also welcome. This event is free but they’re asking for new pairs of shoes to help out charity partner “Shoes That Fit.”

Schedule provided by We Like LA.

July 12, 2018

The Best Waterfall Hikes In Los Angeles

With its canyons, parks, nature preserves, and forests, Los Angeles boasts a ton of hikes, but not many end with the reward of a majestic waterfall (thanks, drought). And since we can all agree there’s something magical about watching a stream of water cascade over rocks, especially after sweating your way there, here are 10 excursions that lead to terrific tumblers, with a difficulty-out-of-five scale for each.

Millard Canyon Falls

Altadena
Short and sweet is the best way to describe this abbreviated hike to Millard Falls. The trek takes you alongside a picturesque stream that you occasionally do have to cross, but it’s easy enough to bring the kids. At the end, you’ll find a pretty waterfall splashing from a massive boulder — a rewarding sight considering the mere 1.5 miles it takes to get there. Pro tip: Before you go, look into purchasing an Adventure Pass parking permit, which allows you to park your car in a private lot.
Difficulty level: 1

Solstice Canyon Falls

Malibu
Hike less for the exercise and more for the bragging rights? This 2.1-mile nature walk masquerading as a hike is your jam, with a kid-friendly path leading to a modest 30ft waterfall (it’s dried up a bit these days, but there’s still a trickle) and creek. You’ll also find the ruins of the Roberts Ranch House that burned down in a 1982 wildfire — meaning you get to play Indiana Jones and explore the crumbling remnants of the estate. For a more serious workout, continue onto the Rising Sun and Sosotmo Trails, two slightly more taxing hikes with an ocean view payoff, or the Dry Canyon Trail, which ends in a taller seasonal waterfall.
Difficulty level: 1

Sturtevant Falls

Sierra Madre
City dwellers yearning for an escape will find it on this picturesque and mostly shaded 3.5-mile hike, starting at the Chantry Flats trailhead in sprawling Angeles National Forest. Along the way, you’ll spot rich foliage, occasional wildlife, and a handful of privately owned rustic cabins nestled in the forest. Be prepared for a few obstacles — like shallow stream crossings and a hilly incline toward the end — that make you feel as if you’re in a real-life Super Mario Bros. game.
Difficulty level: 3

Hermit Falls

Sierra Madre
Located just downstream from Sturtevant Falls, this 2.5-mile hike starts in Chantry Flats at the same spot as its neighbor. Though Sturtevant is a longer trek, this one demands a slightly more treacherous journey through a lush canyon; you’ll navigate narrow trails with a sheer drop-off at certain points and handle some rope-climbing action (a must if you want the most scenic views of this 30-foot tumbler). In the summer, watch out for cliff jumpers and swimmers taking advantage of the refreshing swimming hole created by the falls.
Difficulty level: 4

Eaton Canyon Falls

Altadena
Just when you think you’ve aced this moderate 3.4-mile hike it does a big 180, switching to rocky, rugged terrain that’s trickier (but admittedly more fun) to navigate. You’ll never be lonely on this trek, which is wildly popular with slow-moving families and dogs on the weekends, so be prepared to share the stunning sight of the 40ft-tall cascade with a crowd of other waterfall-seekers.
Difficulty level: 4

Monrovia Falls

Monrovia
For proof that size doesn’t matter, head to Monrovia Falls. What this 30ft cascade in the San Gabriel Mountains lacks in height, it makes up for in consistency thanks to an underground spring that keeps the water flowing no matter what time of year. That same water source also means verdant foliage flourishes everywhere, providing a shaded canopy (and relief from the sun) along the mostly level, less-than-two-mile trail.
Difficulty level: 2

Paradise Falls

Thousand Oaks
Pro: 40-foot Paradise Falls in Wildwood Regional Park flows impressively year-round, even when it’s not rainy season. Con: Because its source is sewage runoff (yep, gross), the water isn’t clean, so refrain from allowing your dog (or anyone else) to splash around in there. Numerous routes can lead you to the falls, with most trails ranging from a few miles to over four.
Difficulty level: 3

Trail Canyon Falls

Tujunga
Though the infamous Station Fire ravaged this area in 2009, the all-levels trail has since reopened and been repaired. The approximately four-mile hike in a quiet, secluded canyon includes a handful of stream crossings, gorgeous greenery, and 700 feet of elevation gain — all leading to a pretty 30-foot waterfall.
Difficulty level: 2

Switzer Falls

La Canada Flintridge
To see a waterfall without putting in a lot of work, try this hiker-approved excursion in the San Gabriel Mountains. Clocking in at just over three miles, the easy-in, easy-out path snakes across a photogenic stream lined with oak trees. Unlike other waterfall hikes, this one doesn’t quite lead you to the base (unless you’re a somewhat skilled climber), but enjoying the 50-foot tumbler from a short distance is good enough for most.
Difficulty level: 2

The Grotto

Malibu
Brush off your bouldering skills for this truly unique three-mile expedition, which takes you to a small, slightly hidden grotto surrounded by giant rocks. You’ll find a mini waterfall (best right after it rains) at the grotto’s base and — as long as you’re willing to get a little dirty — plenty of opportunities to explore.
Difficulty level: 3

Article by Thrillist.

July 11, 2018

Schedule of Free Museum Days in Los Angeles For July

The intent of this “cheat-sheet” is to denote specific free days in any given month where Los Angeles museums that normally charge an admission waive their entry fees (not including parking). For this post we’re detailing July, 2018.

A reminder for this month that The Natural History Museum and the La Brea Tar Pits Museum both skip their free admission first-Tuesdays for the months of July and August. That said, La Brea Tar Pits offers free late-night Fridays (5 to 8 p.m.) starting this month and ending in August. NHM and La Brea Tar Pits Museum will also have free admission days on every Tuesday in September.

As always remember there are over two dozen museums in and around Los Angeles that offer free admission ALL the time which are not listed here.

Enjoy!

Free Museum Days in Los Angeles – July 2018

[JULY 1] Museum of Latin American Art

[JULY 1] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[JULY 5] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 5] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 5] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[JULY 5] USC Pacific Asian Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 5] Huntington Library (note that you have to reserve passes for the free day in advance, and it books up fast. For this reason we’d suggest you take a look at the free day for August and start planning when you need to be online to grab the tix)

[JULY 5] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 6] Norton Simon Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 6] Pasadena Museum of California Art (noon to 5 p.m.)

[JULY 6] Long Beach Museum of Art (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

[JULY 6] Free late-nights at La Brea Tar Pits Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 8] Museum of Latin American Art

[JULY 8 ] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[JULY 10] Los Angeles County Museum of Art (also free for L.A. County residents with valid I.D. after 3:00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays all month long)

[JULY 10] Autry Museum of the American West

[JULY 12] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 12] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 12] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[JULY 12] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 12] USC Pacific Asian Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 13] Long Beach Museum of Art (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

[JULY 13] Free late-nights at La Brea Tar Pits Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 15] Museum of Latin American Art

[JULY 15] ] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[JULY 17] Los Angeles County Arboretum (note: the tram doesn’t run on this day)

[JULY 17] South Coast Botanic Garden

[JULY 17] Descanso Gardens

[JULY 19] Japanese American National Museum (all day)

[JULY 19] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 19] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[JULY 19] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 19] USC Pacific Asian Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 19] Pasadena Museum of California Art (5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 20] Long Beach Museum of Art (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

[JULY 20] Free late-nights at La Brea Tar Pits Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 22] Museum of Latin American Art

[JULY 22] ] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[JULY 26] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 26] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 26] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[JULY 26] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 26] USC Pacific Asian Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 27] Long Beach Museum of Art (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

[JULY 27] Museum of Latin American Art (5 to 9 p.m.)

[JULY 27] Free late-nights at La Brea Tar Pits Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 29] Museum of Latin American Art

[JULY 29] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

Article courtesy of We Like LA.

July 10, 2018

10 Cool Spots in L.A. That Are Worth Visiting

Let’s face it, it’s hard finding things to do or places to visit that are a guaranteed good time. With so many venues, activities, and noteworthy spots in the city of angels, there’s an overwhelming amount of options.

Luckily, here’s a list of the top 10 cool spots in L.A. that actually live up to the hype. Consistently referenced, Instagrammed or recommended, these spots are actually worth the notoriety and renown, even enough to justify braving a crowd on a weekend.

And if it so happens you haven’t yet checked these off your L.A. bucket list just yet, it’s time to get planning!

Griffith Observatory at dusk

Griffith Observatory at dusk. Photo by Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.

1. Griffith Observatory

There’s a reason this epic location is featured in countless TV shows and movies (ahem… La La Land). One of the oldest, most unique and best things you can do in L.A. is visit the Griffith Observatory. Stop by the observation deck atop the mountains overlooking the city or hike the various trails to the Bronson Caves or Amir’s Garden. If hiking isn’t your thing, visit the observatory itself for a look through their powerful telescope during a star party, or walk through the history of astronomy and take in a show in their riveting planetarium. Bonus Tip: This a great spot for a first date, as well as a fun day with the kiddos. -> More information

2. Hollywood Bowl

While L.A. does contain many eccentric, fun, and historical music venues, the Hollywood Bowl never disappoints. With a venue full of great seats (honestly, there are no bad views), attendees can watch their favorite musicians, actors, and entertainers on stage. It’s situated at the bottom of the Hollywood Hills against a perfect backdrop. You can currently visit their site for a list of lease events, but check back in March when their summer series line-up is announced. Don’t forget, you can also bring a picnic to enjoy before the show! -> More information

Hollywood Bowl Performance

Credit: Margaret Napier via flickr cc

3. Sandstone Peak

Sandstone Peak in Malibu is one of the most referenced hikes in the greater L.A. area and for good reason. Modern Hiker calls it, “perhaps the single best day hike in Southern California.” Guiding beginner and experienced hikers alike, the trail takes adventurers to the highest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains. But don’t worry, the prize at the end is breathtaking coastal and inland views. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities to branch out and explore some of the less-beaten paths. This is a hike you can do over and over again, experiencing different pathways, views, and more. -> More information

Sandstone Peak

Mount. Allen, aka Sandstone Peak. Photo by Mitch Barrie via flickr cc

4. In-N-Out

If you live outside the U.S. and plan to visit California, chances are you’ve been told about about the deliciousness provided by In-N-Out Burger. Foreigners from around the world come to California with the hope of tasting one of In-N-Out’s epic food options. From their juicy burgers to their drool-worthy animal fries and sweet milkshakes, In-N-Out always lives up to its reputation.

In N Out Double Double

Double Double with fries. Credit: stu_spivack via flickr cc

5. Philippe The Original

The story goes that in 1918, the owner of Philippe The Original accidentally dropped a french roll into a used roasting pan. From there, the French Dip Sandwich was born. On weekends, you’ll find a long line of regulars waiting for their French dip fix, along with a quick cup of coffee and deep food satisfaction. Stop by and see for yourself. This delicious sandwich will not disappoint. -> More information

Phillippe Original French Dip

Credit: Phillippe The Original on Facebook

6. Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Even if you’re not a fan of the undead, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is always a good option for both cold and warm nights. Hosting a wide variety of outdoor events from concerts to Cinespia movie screenings, groups of friends, romantic lovers, or adventurous individuals can enjoy eerie, but fun, evenings in this unique venue. The cemetery also hosts a wide variety of cultural events, including their annual Día De Los Muertos celebration. -> More information

Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Credit: anokarina via flickr cc

7. Huntington Library

The Huntington Library in San Marino is home to extensive art collections, engaging cultural events, and one of the most impressive botanical gardens in Southern California. The gardens, the most popular offering, feature a Japanese garden, lily pond, rose garden, children’s conservatory, and other more exotic sections. Springtime is especially colorful, but families and couples can visit the garden year ’round for a dose of greenery and calming serenity. -> More information

Huntington Library Bridge

Japanese Garden Bridge at the Huntington Library. Credit: Michael Saechang via flickr cc

8. The Cinerama Dome

One of several historic theaters in Hollywood, the Cinerama Dome has been very well maintained over the decades and provides a one-of-kind movie watching experience. The first and only geodesic dome theater in the world, this venue includes over 800 seats in front a deeply curved screen. Whether it’s an action-packed or romantic movie, you’ll feel a part of the imaginary world you’re viewing. -> More information

Cinerama Dome Los Angeles

The Cinerama Dome. Credit: Christopher Paulin via flickr cc

9. The Broad

If you’re an Instagram user, chances are you’ve seen a few Infinity Room selfies. Hosted at The Broad, this famed exhibit is one of many inside of the contemporary art museum. While lines are long and pre-purchased tickets are highly recommended, we’re here to tell you that it’s all worth it. Their interactive, thought-provoking and sometimes funny exhibits are a guaranteed fun afternoon with friends. Plus they really are Instagram-worthy experiences and art. -> More information

Infinity Room

Infinity Room selfie at The Broad. Photo credit: Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.

10. The Getty

Last, but certainly not least, The Getty is a perfect spot for a full afternoon of activities with family or friends. Located off the 405 freeway, this free museum offers art exhibits, an education center for kids, and sprawling grounds featuring benches, grassy areas, and gorgeous viewing spots. Visit here for a full day of art, or bring a picnic and spend a sunny afternoon outside. -> More information

The Getty Center Exterior

The Getty Center. Credit: Ayleen Gaspar via flickr cc

Story by We Like LA.

July 9, 2018

Rodeo Realty's Studio City agent Laura Piller-Plourde sales home of “Let’s Make a Deal” host Wayne Brady

Game show host Wayne Brady has sold his Sherman Oaks home for $2.65 million. Laura Piller-Plourde of Rodeo Realty Studio City listed the modern residence, which made headlines in the Los Angeles Times.

The updated home is located behind gates up on a private drive. Built in 1954, the one-story property features hardwood floors, high-beamed ceilings, and a skylight-lit entry within the open floor plan.

The home comes with five bedrooms and five bathrooms. The house also contains a living and family room, a chef’s kitchen, a dining room, and an office.

Outdoors, there’s a swimming pool and spa, a barbecue center, fire pit, and a grassy play area.

To read the LA Times article on this sale, click HERE.

July 7, 2018

Economic update for the week ending July 7, 2018

U.S. economy adds 213,000 new jobs in June – Unemployment rate ticks up to 4% – The Department of Labor Statistics reported that U.S. employers added 213,000 new jobs in June. Experts had predicted 194,000 new jobs, so this was a very positive report. The unemployment rate increased to 4% as more workers entered the workforce. Average hourly wages were just 2.7% above last June’s level. This was below the 2.8% expected.

Stocks snap a three week losing streak and end the week higher – A better than expected June jobs report, and expectations of a strong second quarter earnings reporting season, helped stocks shrug off fears of a global trade war. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 24,456.58, up from 24,271.41 last week. It is down 1.1% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,759.83, up from 2,718.37. It’s up 3.2% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed the week at 7,688.39, up from 7,510.30 last week. It’s up 11.4% year-to-date.

Treasury Bond Yields drop again this week – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 2.78%, down from 2.85% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 2.94%, down from 2.98% last week. We watch bond rates because mortgage rates follow bond rates.

Mortgage Rates down this week – The July 5, 2018 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 4.52%, down from 4.55% last week. The 15-year fixed was 3.99%, down from 4.04% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.74% down from 3.87% last week.

Have a great weekend,

Syd

July 6, 2018

The Best Action Movies So Far For 2018

Despite the range of fiery, computer-generated explosions on display at your local multiplex, this is a peculiar historical moment for the action movie. As major studios increasingly devote their resources to spectacle-filled comic book tentpoles like Avengers: Infinity War or sci-fi extravaganzas like Ready Player One, the more grounded punch-fest has become a specialized commodity for fans who keep track of streaming debuts, OnDemand releases, and the latest international exports. It’s a solid, creatively rich time for action movies. You just need to know where to find them.

Hopefully, the list below, which we will be updating throughout the year — like our other movie lists — will make the task of keeping up with what’s new (and good!) manageable. As you’ll soon find out, we consider the “action movie” to be an elastic concept that can be stretched to encompass genre-blurring stories that some might also describe as thrillers, spy dramas, superhero movies, buddy comedies, or horror films. What makes them action movies? Well, they’re on this list.

13. Deadpool 2

Released: May 18
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin, Julian Dennison, Zazie Beetz
Director: David Leitch (Atomic Blonde)
Why it’s great: There’s an obnoxious aside in Deadpool 2, the latest chapter in the ultra-violent (and ultra-smarmy) X-Men spin-off series, where Ryan Reynolds’s red suit-wearing anti-hero turns to the audience and says there’s a “big CGI fight scene coming up.” He’s not kidding — the Russian tin man Colossus brawls for a while with an animated villain I won’t reveal here — and that’s the irritating part of the gag: The filmmakers are just acknowledging a cliché instead of upending it! In the first Deadpoolmovie, the comedic “too much-ness” of the character was often used to cover up some perfunctory, uninspired action sequences. Luckily, the sequel, which centers around Deadpool’s efforts to save young Firefist (Dennison) from the clutches of badass time traveler Cable (Brolin), delivers sharper one-liners and more dynamic set-pieces, including a bloody X-Force raid that turns into a Rube Goldberg-like show-stopper for the luck-prone Domino (Zazie Beetz). The CGI battles, meta winks, and constant pop culture references can be exhausting, but there’s an entertaining 90-minute Shane Black-ish comic book movie lurking beneath all the clutter.
Where to see it right now: In theaters (watch the trailer)

12. Beirut

Released: April 11
Cast: Jon Hamm, Rosamund Pike, Dean Norris, Shea Whigham
Director: Brad Anderson (The Machinist)
Why it’s great: This is a film made by seasoned professionals. Anderson is a big screen and TV veteran, and the movie’s screenwriter, Tony Gilroy, was responsible for Michael Clayton and the best entries in the Bourne series. The script for the 1980s-set Beirut, which follows a former US diplomat (Hamm) as he gets pulled back to Lebanon by shady intelligence officials to handle a tense hostage situation, was actually written in the early ’90s and sat on the shelf for ages. (If it feels like a vintage Blockbuster rental, that’s why.) The film’s politics are often glib and reductive — it doesn’t have a keen interest in the Lebanese people or the history of the region — but, if you like spycraft stories in the vein of John le Carré’s work, this is a briskly paced, occasionally clever thriller featuring a winning performance from Hamm, who has struggled to find the right star vehicle since the end of Mad Men. His character is a familiar type: a wounded, hard-drinking negotiator who can talk himself out of any situation. He’s only slightly less morally compromised than the CIA sharks he swims with. The pleasure comes from hearing Hamm turn Gilroy’s cynical, punchy dialogue into a sales pitch.
Where to see it right now: Rent on iTunes, Amazon Video, VUDU, and YouTube (watch the trailer)

11. Tomb Raider

Released: March 16
Cast: Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Walton Goggins, Daniel Wu
Director: Roar Uthaug (The Wave)
Why it’s great: Not enough modern action movies have lengthy sequences where scrappy adventurers face down certain death as they rush to solve elaborate puzzles. It’s a problem. Luckily, Tomb Raider, the latest cinematic reboot of the long-running video game series centered around the gun-toting Lara Croft (played by Vikander here), has plenty of those scenes, along with a range of fun, thrilling, and invigorating non-puzzle detours. There’s a heart-pounding bicycle race through the streets of London, a disaster-movie worthy shipwreck on the high seas, a gravity-defying escape from an old plane perched on a waterfall, and a MMA-style brawl on a ladder strewn across a giant cliff-like hole. Does the melodrama connecting these set-pieces totally work? Not really — a second-act twist involving a bearded Dominic West is both predictable and baffling — but Vikander sells the preposterous plot with the same Oscar-winning gusto she brings to pondering ancient riddles. Maybe next time they’ll crack the whole code.
Where to see it right now: Rent on iTunes, Amazon Video, VUDU, and YouTube (watch the trailer)

10. Upgrade

Released: June 2
Cast: Logan Marshall-Green, Betty Gabriel, Harrison Gilbertson, Benedict Hardie
Director: Leigh Whannell (Insidious: Chapter 3)
Why it’s great: As the writer behind first Saw movie and the Insidious series, Whannell has proven he knows how to dish out gruesome twists and find tension in spooky places. Upgrade, a thriller about a mechanic (Marshall-Green) implanted with a chatty microchip in his brain following a tragic accident, finds the filmmaker adding a bit of John Carpenter-esque social commentary to the mix, along with a healthy dose of Terminator-style action mayhem. The revenge aspect of the story is one-note and familiar — Death Wish and John Wick cover similar territory — but Marshall-Green’s lead performance is darkly funny and he brings a startling degree of vulnerability to the role. When the microchip takes control of his body, his limbs flail about like they’re being pulled by a digital puppet-master and the movie discovers a mischievously absurd tone. The shifts between Silicon Valley satire and body horror can be jarring, but it makes sense that a project this tricky would have a few bugs built into it.
Where to see it right now: In theaters (watch the trailer)

KICKBOXER: RETALIATION | WELL GO USA ENTERTAINMENT

9. Kickboxer: Retaliation

Released: January 26
Cast: Alain Moussi, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, Mike Tyson
Director: Dimitri Logothetis (Wings of the Dragon)
Why it’s great: It’s been almost three decades since Van Damme’s Kurt Sloan faced off against Tong Po in Thailand at the climax of 1989’s Kickboxer. After four sequels, the series was rebooted for the modern MMA era with 2016’s Kickboxer: Vengeance, which cast former stuntman Alain Moussi as the neck-snapping Sloane and gave Van Damme the role of fedora-wearing Master Durand. Kickboxer: Retaliation is the next entry in this super-formulaic but reliable series — reportedly, there’s another sequelcoming next year — and it’s a cut above your average direct-to-DVD slugfest, putting an emphasis on tightly choreographed fights and cleverly executed camera work. (There’s a ridiculous prison brawl that plays like a B-movie take on The Raid: Redemption.) The story inevitably runs out of gas by the time Sloan faces off against The Mountain from Game of Thrones in a lengthy, deadly bout at a muay thai temple, but it feels like a fair trade for all the bone-breaking chaos that comes early on. It’s hard work for an aging fighter to stay this spry.
Where to see it right now: Stream on Netflix; rent on iTunes, Amazon Video, VUDU, and YouTube (watch the trailer)

8. Manhunt

Released: May 4
Cast: Zhang Hanyu, Masaharu Fukuyama, Ha Ji-won, Angeles Woo
Director: John Woo (Face/Off)
Why it’s great: Any movie with a Jet Ski chase gets an automatic spot on this list. Luckily, Manhunt, the frequently ludicrous chase thriller from action filmmaking master John Woo, is more than simply one good scene where grown-men pursue each other on personal water crafts. It also has motorcycle rampages, sword fights, gun battles, and a secret super-soldier serum that can turn a senior citizen into a grizzled, roided-out warrior. The pharmaceutical conspiracy plot about wrongly accused lawyer Du Qiu (Hanyu) running from noble detective (Fukuyama) is merely a way to connect all the pieces in this insanely elaborate, goofy puzzle. The film has been described as a greatest hits collection for Woo, a showcase for all his favorite narrative tropes (Convoluted backstories! Orphans!) and his visual tics (Slow-motion! Pigeons!), but it’s really more like a return-to-form record from an aging rock band: He knows what works and has delivered a slick, dutiful version of it. Manhunt can’t touch his Hong Kong classics like Hard Boiled or The Killer — and it’s not as gleefully absurd as his Hollywood work like Face/Off or Broken Arrow — but it’s an impressive hybrid with style to spare. (And jet skis!)
Where to see it right now: Stream on Netflix (watch the trailer)

7. Incredibles 2

Released: June 15
Cast: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Huck Milner
Director: Brad Bird (The Incredibles)
Why it’s great: After over a decade in hiding, Brad Bird’s Incredibles, a superpowered family of neurotic do-gooders, return for a sequel that takes a little while to get going but still delivers the visual goods. Following a pair of live-action blockbusters, including the ridiculously entertaining Tom Cruise vehicle Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol, Bird’s animation comeback displays a commitment to making his action sequences as kinetic and thrilling as possible. There’s a train rescue mission led by Holly Hunter’s Elastigirl in this movie that would make James Cameron and George Miller weep. Unfortunately, some of the connective tissue that gets us from spectacle to spectacle is distractingly flimsy — Screenslaver, the masked villain of the movie, is a dud — but you might be so knocked out by the frenzied set-pieces that you don’t even notice.
Where to see it right now: In theaters (watch the trailer)

6. Braven

Released: February 2
Cast: Jason Momoa, Garret Dillahunt, Zahn McClarnon, Stephen Lang
Director: Lin Oeding
Why it’s great: The main character in this movie is named “Joe Braven” and he’s played by Jason Momoa. That simple fact alone should convince you to watch this scrappy, low-budget action movie about a logger tasked with fighting off a heavily armed gang of drug dealers who stash some primo shit in his log cabin. If the protagonist had a less goofy name, the movie would still be effective — the director is a former stunt coordinator and he knows how to properly stage all the gunfights, bow-and-arrow deaths, and snowmobile chases — but the stupid grin that you get on your face every time someone says “Joe Braven” really elevates this throwback outdoors thriller. Momoa has the sturdy, low-key charisma of the best ’80s action heroes, and it’s a shame that the the laws of modern blockbuster-dom mean he’ll likely spend more time starring in CG monster throw-downs like Justice League when he could be snapping necks in gruff B-movies like Braven. In a just world, the Braven-verse would be rapidly expanding every year.
Where to see it right now: Stream it on Amazon Prime; Rent on iTunes, Amazon Video, VUDU, and YouTube (watch the trailer)

5. Ant-Man and the Wasp

Released: July 6
Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Peña, Michael Douglas
Director: Peyton Reed (Ant-Man)
Why it’s great: The first Ant-Man was a rambunctious and clever take on the familiar Marvel origin story, introducing audiences to shrinking superhero dad Scott Lang (Rudd) and his extended family of friends and reluctant crime-fighters. The sequel is an even funnier and sillier refinement of the first chapter, ditching some of the heavier elements and going all-in on the gags. Though other entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have been filled with sitcom-ish banter — and Taika Waititi’s Thor: Ragnarokwas happy to deflate its own self-important genre trappings — this is the first one that really plays like a proper comedy. (It recalls Ghostbusters in the way it combines special effects and irreverence.) Rudd has a way of putting an absurd spin on even the most mundane lines, Peña again steals every scene he’s in, and Reed approaches the pint-sized action beats with the goal of upending viewer expectations. Luckily, it’s the rare blockbuster with charming human moments that doesn’t feel the need to overcompensate with scenes of mass destruction or constantly apologize for its modest scale.
Where to see it right now: In theaters (watch the trailer)

4. A Quiet Place

Released: April 6
Cast: Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe
Director: John Krasinski (The Hollars)
Why it’s great: It’s reasonable to be skeptical of John Krasinski’s tastefully composed, PG-13 rated, Michael Bay-produced horror contraption, which also works as a sneaky action movie. There was little in his previous two directorial efforts, the indies Brief Interviews With Hideous Men or The Hollars, that suggested Jim from The Office was a budding genre filmmaker. And yet: A Quiet Place is a top-notch roller coaster in the Spielberg-ian mold. After sound-hating monsters take over the planet, a husband (Krasinski) and wife (Blunt) live a life of extreme caution with their two children, protecting them in a carefully maintained world of hushed whispers and relative silence. As you’d guess, the monsters have other plans. The political allegory component of the story isn’t particularly compelling — it’s been interpreted as a commentary on the hysteria of the Trump era — but as a movie about parental anxieties, it’s steely and effective.
Where to see it right now: In theaters (watch the trailer)

3. The Commuter

Released: January 12
Cast: Liam Neeson, Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Jonathan Banks
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra (The Shallows)
Why it’s great: The last thriller from the team of Neeson and Collet-Serra was Non-Stop, a bracing and clever whodunit on an airplane. The pair are back in high-octane Agatha Christie mode with The Commuter, a mystery that begins with Farmiga’s chatty passenger Joanna presenting Neeson’s haggard ex-cop (and loyal transit-enthusiast of the title) Michael MacCauley with a bizarre hypothetical: If you could perform a seemingly insignificant task that would have disastrous consequences for another commuter in exchange for a generous financial reward, would you do it? It’s a convoluted twist on Richard Matheson’s “Button, Button” short story that was adapted into a classic Twilight Zone episode and the bonkers Richard Kelley movie The Box, but Collet-Serra is less interested in the moral dilemma. Instead, he simply wants to strip the giant locomotive — and his star’s lumbering frame — for parts, finding Hitchcockian tension in each padded seat, empty corridor, and nervy patron. It’s action filmmaking as controlled demolition — and the best train potboiler since Steven Seagal’s Under Siege 2: Dark Territory.
Where to see it right now: Rent on iTunes, Amazon Video, VUDU, and YouTube (watch the trailer)

2. Black Panther

Released: February 16
Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira
Director: Ryan Coogler (Creed)
Why it’s great: Coogler’s deft balancing of a high-tech spy gadgetry, ceremonial palace intrigue, fantasy action mayhem, and subversive political critique is unparalleled in the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe that Black Panther springs from. In the same way Creed, his propulsive and knowing reboot of the Rocky franchise, paid tribute to and upended boxing iconography, Coogler’s take on superhero-dom is both pleasing and probing. Basically, he’s got Soundcloud jokes, rhino battles, and takes on imperialism. The larger ideological conflict between the new king T’Challa (Boseman) and the American revolutionary Killmonger (Jordan) has been seen before in the pages of history books and comics, but it’s never been given this type of eye-popping, brain-scrambling, heart-pounding blockbuster treatment.
Where to see it right now: Rent on iTunes, Amazon Video, VUDU, and YouTube (watch the trailer)

1. Annihilation

Released: February 23
Cast: Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson
Director: Alex Garland (Ex Machina)
Why it’s great: Writer Jeff VanderMeer’s hallucinogenic, Kafka-like science-fiction novel proves to be fertile ground for filmmaker Alex Garland in this unsettling and surreal adaptation. Garland doesn’t stick to the book’s plot but he keeps the core concept: A team of women, including Portman’s grief-stricken biology professor, venture into a quarantined territory of Florida known only as “Area X” to investigate a series of unexplained phenomena and disappearances. The journey quickly turns perilous and it becomes clear that the group won’t make it out alive. Working in the same white-knuckle register as John Carpenter’s The Thing, the movie unnerves and stuns in equal measure. Refusing to provide the type of puzzle-box solutions viewers have been trained to look for, Garland leaves us with psychedelic images: grotesque animal hybrids stalking their prey, quizzical humans transforming into flowers, and shiny doubles performing interpretative dance moves. Like 2001: A Space Odyssey, it dares to dream in a language we can’t quite comprehend.
Where to see it right now: Rent on iTunes, Amazon Video, VUDU, and YouTube (watch the trailer)

Story by Thrillist.

July 6, 2018

Weekend Events: July 6 – 8

Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome. Since time is precious in this fast paced city we curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles for every weekend that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).

This weekend, from Friday, July 6 to Sunday, July 8, features Old Pasadena Summer Cinema,Late Night Fridays at the Tar Pits, Los Angeles Salsa Festival, The Dessert Goals Fest, Summertime in the LBC and MUCH more.

Hope you find the rundown useful and, as always, enjoy your week!

Friday July 6th, 2018

1. Old Pasadena Summer Cinema continues with screenings on Friday and Saturday that include Sunset Boulevard, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure and more. The series brings free movie screenings to the Old Pasadena area at select venues from July 5 to 28. FREE

2. Back for the 15th year in a row, The Independent Shakespeare Co. presents Shakespeare in the Parkat the Old Zoo in Griffith Park with free performances Thursday through Sunday of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. FREE

3. The Hammer museum will host a live broadcast of the FIFA World Cup this Friday and Saturday during the quarterfinals. FREE

4. The Music Center’s annual Dance DTLA series is back for 2018 with a series of Friday-night events at Grand Park. This week features Dance DTLA an evening dedicated to line dancing. FREE

5. Anime Expo 2018 returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center July 5-8 , giving anime experts and beginners alike the opportunity to meet some of anime’s greatest creators, voice actors and more.

6. Shakespeare By The Sea will once again offer a ten-week program of admission-free performances. The series continues with performances of The Winter’s Tale and The Merry Wives of Windsor from Friday through Sunday. FREE

7. Mexican bolero icons Los Tres Reyes and Grammy award-winning recording artist Rosalie Rodriguez will take the stage of the Ford Theatre this Friday for a concert featuring bolero music a style considered to be the most romantic music genre of Latin America.

8. Are you a Chase bank customer? Got a freebie you might want to know about. Coolhaus is teaming with the Forum and Chase to hand out free ice cream sandwiches to Chase customers on Fridays all summer long. Locations will change every Friday, and the offer is ice cream sandwich per cardholder. Get more info here.

9. Barnsdall Fridays returns to Barnsdall Art Park for the tenth year in a row, with evening tastings of boutique wines and music from KCRW DJs perched atop a hill with incredible city views.

10. For over 30 years, Grand Performances has offered a variety of performance events at California Plaza, for free. Their 2018 summer series runs June 1 through August 18. Performing this Friday is Ginkgoa; The Vignes Rooftop Revival performing the music of Django Reinhardt and Bootsy Collins of Parliament-Funkadelic fame on Saturday. FREE

11. Rooftop Cinema Club returns to the rooftops of LEVEL in DTLA and NeueHouse in Hollywood with multiple screenings this week that include The Shape of Water, Mystic Pizza and more.

12. Beyond the Streets is a fully immersive exhibition of street and graffiti art comprised of over 30 artist in a massive 40,000+ square feet exhibits. Artist are an eclectic mix of street and beyond including Retna, Shepard Fairey, Kenny Scharf Dennis Hopper and Jenny Holzer. Open Tuesday through Sunday this week. Open Tuesday through Sunday this week. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

13. The Department of Beaches and Harbors presents Beach Movie Nights at Dockweiler Youth Center this week screening Big Hero 6. FREE

14. The Griffith Observatory hosts a monthly forum where some of the most amazing phenomena in the known universe are explained and discussed. It’s called All Space Considered and it takes place on the first Friday of every month. FREE

15. Madame Tussauds in Hollywood is throwing a 80’s style midnight party. In collaboration with 1987 Juices the event is a workout party with live music by DJ Lalaland and cold pressed juices. 80’s workout wear is suggested.

16. Since its the first Friday of the month check out all the cool events happening around town including block parties and art walks for First Fridays.

17. Jazz at LACMA welcomes Louis Van Taylor at the BP grand entrance at 6 p.m. FREE

18. Free museum days: Norton Simon Museum (5 to 8 p.m.), Pasadena Museum of California Art (noon to 5 p.m.), La Brea Tar Pits Museum (5 to 8 p.m.) and Long Beach Museum of Art (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Saturday July 7th, 2018

19. The 3rd annual Los Angeles Salsa Festival 2018 returns to Pershing Square in DTLA July 7-8 for a fun-filled cultural event honoring salsa. An array of salsas will be available to sample, along with local food vendors selling their best dishes both days of the festival.

20. Enjoy a free outdoor concert featuring music from Broadway, Hollywood, and the Great American Songbook when the Pasadena Symphony and POPS brings Music Under the Stars to the plaza in front of Pasadena City Hall. FREE

21. The Dessert Goals Fest heads to Cooper Design Space in DTLA July 7-8, with the theme: the Moon + Stars. Attendees are encouraged to dress around the theme. Expect 20+ dessert vendors selling their wares, an Instagram Garden, complimentary coffee courtesy of Bodum, free candy, and more. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

22. Enjoy free movie screenings under the stars when the Amazon Treasure Truck heads to the Santa Monica Pier this weekend for a screening of Hotel Transylvania. FREE

23. Summertime in the LBC returns to the Queen Mary in Long Beach for a daylong music festival showcasing many of your favorite hip-hop artists of the last few decades. Snoop Dogg will perform his seminal record Doggystyle and you can expect Ice Cube, The Game, Ja Rule & Ashanti, The Isley Brothers, Method Man & Redman, E-40 & Too $hort, Warren G & Dove Shack, DJ Quik & Suga Free, Mack 10 and more to bring down the house.

24. Celebrate summer in the SGV during Movies in the Park, a free outdoor film series screening at Alhambra Park. This weekend they’ll screen the animated version of Beauty and the Beast. FREE

25. Eat|See|Hear returns for 2018 with a screening of Rear Window at The Autry Museum. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

26. The Long Beach Vegan Festival will feature delicious vegan fare from hundreds of vendors, live music, creative art installations, a kids play zone, a vegan chili cook-off and earth-friendly vendors. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

27. The Mac & Cheese Beer Festival heads to the Globe Theatre for the ultimate comfort food pairing. Guests will have access to complimentary samples of 60+ craft beers, live music and over a dozen chefs will offer small size portions of their signature Mac and Cheese creations for $3-$5.

28. Street Food Cinema returns this weekend with a screening of My Girl at Central Park in Glendale and E.T. at Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades. Select screenings are discounted via Goldstar. DISCOUNTED

29. Picture This!, L.A.’s only live animated comedy show, is back with another free show at The Virgil in East Hollywood. During this show, see standup comics perform as talented animators, cartoonists and artists draw them live. FREE

30. Celebrate the glories of Los Angeles art with Made in L.A. at the Hammer in Westwood. On view now till September 2, 2018. FREE

31. Cinespia is back for its 17th summer season, at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery for screenings of films modern, cult, and classic. This Saturday they’ll screen Austin Powers International Man.

32. Outdoor theater Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, located in Topanga Canyon summer 2018 season begins on June 2 with a performance of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus.

33. There’s no better place to explore the history of our city than inside Becoming Los Angeles, the Natural History Museum’s newly revamped (and just reopened) exhibit that details the culture, events, geography, movements, art, and diverse peoples that have shaped the city of angels.

Sunday July 8th, 2018

34. Take a free dance lesson with famed dance veteran Debbie Allen every second Sunday of every month now through August at The Wallis in Beverly Hills. This month she will lead a salsa class. FREE

35. There’s a free Union Station Art & Architecture Tour this Sunday. Led by Metro Art Los Angeles Docents the tour will help guest discover art works, architecture and spaces not generally open to the public. Tour begins at the information booth inside the Alameda Street entrance and no reservations required. FREE

36. Silver Lake’s female-driven wine shop, Vinovore, is teaming up with non-profit animal rescue organization, MaeDay Rescue, to host a pop-up dog adoption event. Hangout with furry friends and enjoy donation based wine tastings poured by certified sommelier and owner Coly Den Haan.

37. Check out the Rose Bowl Flea Market — one of the most beloved markets of its type this Sunday.Taking place at the Rose Bowl on the second Sunday of each month, the flea market features a staggering 2500-plus vendors and 20,000 shoppers.

38. E.P. & L.P. in West Hollywood continues their stylish cinema series Melrose Rooftop Theatre with a screening of The Greatest Showman.

39. Shakespeare’s most magical play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream returns to the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga Canyon for 12 performances throughout the summer, from June 3-September 3.

40. The exhibit “Satoyama: Evolving with the Forest” celebrates epicurean ecology through a collaboration between Michelin-starred chef and Japanese cooking pioneer Chef Yoshihiro Narisawa and leading food photographer, Sergio Coimbra. The food photography exhibition will feature many interactive moments including educational workshops throughout the till July 29, 2018.

41. Free museum days: Museum of Latin American Art and Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)