By Atlas Novack
So you’re a resident of the Westside, and you spent all your money on groceries. The feeling isn’t as uncommon as you might think. Well, you can’t just lie around in your home all day doing nothing, right? You want to get out and do things! See a concert! But you’re one of those people who, despite living in west Los Angeles, have no idea what fun things there are to see. And yet you live here. Believe me, I take this city for granted myself. However, if you look closely, there’re events and locations that are tucked away, or in plain view, that can make west LA open up into something new, even for someone who’s lived here their whole life.
This is a top eight list of fun free things to do in West LA. Why eight? Because eight is infinity turned on its side. Los Angeles is a city with infinite possibilities, and these are just eight of them. Note: These are opinion based and thus are not based on votes. Anyway, down to brass tacks. Here are the top eight free things you can do on the Westside this summer! Did I mention they’re free?
- Go See Comedy West Of the 405
Well, most of the list takes place west of the 405, but this show is just a treat to attend. Run by comedian Lang Parker, this show meets at the Ye Olde King’s Head in Santa Monica once a month (the next show is Aug. 3). The venue itself is in a dining room off to the side of the bar, where the comedian him or herself stands under a painting of King Henry VIII with other famous British kings watching the show with the audience. Guaranteed to be full of laughs and fun, it even hosts some famous drop-ins, with some such as Leo Flowers (“Last Call with Carson Daly”), Ty Barnett (“Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”), and Dennis Regan (“King of Queens”). With its British location and its decidedly non-British host (Wisconsin represent?), it’s a great contrast and great entertainment. If you would like more information about West of the 405, you can visit their Facebook page: http://tiny.cc/w2r9zx. Located at 116 Santa Monica Blvd in Santa Monica.
- Then Go Up The 405 For Music
A short monorail ride above the 405 at the Getty Museum, you can find a concert full of soon-to-be your favorite bands bookended with DJ’s to complete the experience. Next in line is Waters (July 11), who will be playing in the museum courtyard from 6-9 pm.
Other great acts in the future soon cometh like Hundred Waters (Aug. 22), which, while confusing to have two bands in a row with “Waters” in the name, are worth the trip up the mountain. For more information, visit: http://goo.gl/6e0I4t
- The Music of the Century
You may have gone to Century City to see “Jurassic World” in IMAX 3D, but did you know you can also go there to see TV on the Radio? Starting July 25, the Sound in Focus concert series begins. Started by the Annenberg Foundation and KCRW, these all ages events feature acts such as the aforementioned TV on the Radio (July 25), but also features powerhouses like De La Soul (Aug. 1), Dwight Yoakam (Aug. 8), and Cold War Kids (Aug. 15). Annenberg plans for this to be an annual series, so be one of the first out there to catch it! Located 2000 Avenue of the Stars. Visit kcrw.com/events/sound-in-focus for free tickets and details.
- Go to a Concert at Twilight
Did you know that Jefferson Starship is still alive? And playing on the Santa Monica Pier on Aug. 27 from 7-10 pm? You didn’t? Well, they’re just one of the many bands playing this summer every Thursday for the Twilight Concert Series. They’re not the only big name either! Real Estate (July 16), JD McPherson (July 30), and many others are thundering onto the edge of the continent every Thursday now through Sept. 10. No, Edward Cullen will not be making an appearance, it’s not that kind of Twilight. Take Ocean, turn on
Colorado. If you drove into the ocean, you’ve
gone too far. If you would like more information on the Twilight Concert Series, visit santamonicapier.org/twilightconcerts.
- Be a Soul Man (Or Woman)
Westwood, where you can go for medical care at the hospital, get a burger at In-N-Out, attend a prestigious university, oh yeah, and see some amazing artwork at Armand Hammer’s master collection (he came before the baking soda). But that’s not all: The Hammer Museum presents The Summer of Soul. In collaboration with KCRW, four free nights of music are being offered at the Hammer, such as Sam Sparro (July 16), Dam-Funk (July 23), and The Suffers (July 30).
The shows are weekly for the month of July, on Thursdays at 7:30 pm, and are sure to resonate on a level that only soul can touch. Located at 10899 Wilshire Blvd. For more information, visit hammer.ucla.edu/summer-soul.
- Gimme Gimme
Beverly Hills is where you want to be for a concert series under the stars. The Cañon concert series features all sorts of musical talent from Les Zazous (July 16), The Hodads (July 23), and Rod Lightning & the Thunderbolts of Love (July 31). Plenty of seating is available, though it is first-come basis, with a big grassy area for picnic blankets, chairs, or whatever wacky thing you brought to sit on. Located 241 N. Cañon Dr. For more information, visit http://goo.gl/dLcejo.
- Two-Tone Tour
Thursdays you want to lament at the fact that it isn’t Friday yet. Saturday you want to rock out. Well, at the Marina Del Rey’s summer concert series, you can do both! Thursdays at 7 pm is the more symphonic acts like Vanessa Williams (July 30). Meanwhile, on Saturdays, they have the pop acts such as Ruben Studdard, Freddie Jackson (July 11) and KC & the Sunshine Band (July 25). That’s the way you like it, so why not come out and enjoy yourself down by the water for two different experiences depending on the day! Located 13650 Mindanao Way. For more information, visit http://goo.gl/VUbxzJ.
- All That Jazz
The Los Angeles City Museum of Art, or LACMA for short, hosts more than art exhibits and a giant rock you can walk under. It has jazz musicians too. For over 20 years, Jazz at LACMA has hosted high class acts such as Les McCann, John Clayton, and others. Over 42,000 visitors attend between the months of April and November annually. Now it’s your turn to be number 42,001. Upcoming acts include the Cannonball-Coltrane Project (July 10) and the Al Williams Jazz Society (July 17), and there’s more coming down the line, just waiting for you to show up and listen to the wonderful music wafting from within its walls. For more details, visit lacma.org/programs/music/jazz-at-lacma.
