I’m not DJing this weekend, but there’s a lot happening in L.A. over the Labor Day holiday. Keep reading for some of the concerts, dance clubs and movie screenings going on between Thursday, August 28 and Wednesday, September 3.
Concerts
I don’t usually recommend big concerts here, but there are two people coming to town this weekend who are amongst the best live artists I’ve seen. Cyndi Lauper is on her farewell tour and will be at the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, August 29, and Saturday, August 30, and it looks like both still have some tickets available. I saw her once— opening for Cher on her farewell tour in 2002— and it is literally the only time I’ve seen the opener get a standing ovation and calls for an encore.
The other big ticket concert that I can personally recommend is “Weird Al” Yankovic at The Forum on Saturday night. I saw him play at the Hollywood Bowl years ago and it was just a top notch show. The music was on point the whole night and I think “Weird Al” might have had more costume changes than Kylie Minogue, who I saw at the same venue a few years earlier. Anyhow, it looks like there aren’t many tickets left, but if you can swing it, do it. Puddles Pity Party opens the night.
Saturday really is the night for shows this weekend. Over at Levitt Pavilion, Hawthorne’s own Redd Kross plays alongside Juanita & Juan, the duo comprised of original L.A. punks Alice Bag and Kid Congo Powers, and Kate Clover. DJ Keith Morris will be on the decks too. It’s a free show, but you might want to RSVP over on Eventbrite. For the industrial fans, Lead Into Gold is playing Slipper Clutch on Saturday night. Brood Faye, Devix Szell, Fact Pattern, Divider and Crash Davidian open, while Bractune and Industria Nova will be your DJs. Tickets are up on Resident Advisor.
Next Wednesday, September 3, Rex the Dog, maker of analog techno, plays live at Jungle for Clinic Wednesdays. Tickets are up on Dice.
Dance Clubs/DJ Events
Dress Down, the city pop night at Let’s Go! Disco helmed by DJ Tsugu Itagaki, is this Thursday, August 28. It’s 21+ with no cover and there will be a We Share Records pop-up. Check the Instagram post for more details.
As always, Underground is happening on Friday night at Grand Star Jazz Club with DJ Larry G. in the booth all night. Tickets are available on either Dice or Eventbrite. Also happening on Friday night is post-punk party Nag Nag Nag with DJs Unholy and Mr. Pharmacist at Gold-Diggers (no cover). Saturday is for the househeads with DYMK going down at Catch One. On Sunday afternoon, Soul Times features selectors Caveman Leo, Cassandra Dali and Knoe1, plus a special live performance from Zacky Force Funk, at Alex’s Bar in Long Beach.
Also happening on Sunday is the In Sheep’s Clothing x Japonesia x Homage Brewing Summer Market in Chinatown. I’ve picked up lots of killer records at this event and recommend checking it out if you’re in the area. It’s happening from noon until 6 p.m. and is walking distance from the A Line station in Chinatown.
Mid-week, get your goth fix at Alex’s Bar when DJs Felix, Ralphie Nigma, Steve Skeletal and Night Creature drop Disco Obscura on Wednesday, September 3. That same night, over at Zebulon, hear reggae hits and rare dubs for Rolling in My Grave with Ryan Pollie and Paul Cherry.
Movies
Troma takes over Brain Dead Studios for Tromawood this weekend, with screenings of fan favorites like Tromeo and Juliet (August 29) and Class of Nuke Em High (August 30), Q&A sessions, a Lloyd Kaufman book signing, exclusive merch and more. Check Brain Dead’s website for specific screening info and to get your tickets.
Saturday, August 30, is EndThis Summer, a special day-long surf film fest over at Philosophical Research Society. The afternoon starts with Psych Surf programming, featuring 1972 film Morning of the Earth, co-presented by EXP TV. Later in the day, catch the shorts collection Shredding: A New Lens in Surf Filmmaking and, in the evening, check out Surfer: Teen Confronts Fear. Festival passes are available, as well as tickets to individual screenings.
It’s a holiday weekend, so, obviously, there will be a ton of movie screenings. I’d recommend checking out Revival Houses to see what’s playing around L.A. Other than that, if you’re bummed because you aren’t going to see Oasis at the Rose Bowl the following weekend, maybe catch the screening of Oasis: Supersonic at Alamo Drafthouse on Tuesday, September 2.
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Liz O. is an L.A.-based writer and DJ. Read her recently published work and check out her upcoming gigs or listen to the latest Beatique Mix. Follow on Instagram or Bluesky for more updates.
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