gettymuseum Archives

Circa’s Cultural Agenda: LA’s Top Exhibitions to See Now

This season, LA is bursting at the seams with extraordinary new experiences for art lovers. The big news is Southern California’s landmark arts event, PST ART (previously Pacific Standard Time), returns for the first time since 2018. Many participating institutions are in the Downtown Los Angeles area, with everything from galleries to theatrical performances, and one-offs taking place between this fall and early 2025. Another event you won’t want to miss is LUMINEX, an outdoor multimedia extravaganza taking place in South Park, near Circa. And mark your calendars for the first Thursday of every month, when DTLA Art Night opens its doors to over 25 galleries.

Getty Center art exhibitions near near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

PST ART: Art & Science Collide – Various locations

Southern California’s landmark arts event, PST ART (previously Pacific Standard Time), returns in September 2024 with 800+ artists, 70+ exhibitions, and 1 mind-blowing theme: Art & Science Collide. One of the most expansive art events in the world, PST ART is a Getty initiative in partnership with museums and institutions across the region. This “collision” will explore the intersections of Art and Science, both past and present, with diverse organizations activating exhibitions on topics like ancient cosmologies, Indigenous sci-fi, environmental justice, and artificial intelligence.

LUMINEX art exhibitions near near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

LUMINEX 3.0 1105 S Olive St. Los Angeles 90015

Save the date for October 5 when LUMINEX returns for a third year, bringing art and community together in an engaging outdoor exhibition using buildings as the canvas. For one night only, free and open to all, eight multimedia artists will transform a five-block radius in the South Park District of downtown Los Angeles. Featured artists this year include JOJO ABOT, Refik Anadol, Alice Bucknell, Nao Bustamante, Petra Cortright, Marc Horowitz, Carole Kim, and Sarah Rara, as well as special installations with Los Angeles Video Artists (LAVA). Don’t forget to book your pedicab!

Abstracted Light Experimental Photography at Getty Center art exhibitions near near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Abstracted Light Experimental Photography Getty Center 1200 Getty Center Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90049

Abstract imagery incorporating experimental lighting effects was of great interest to avant-garde photographers from the 1920s to the 1950s. This exhibition features photographs by international artists devoted to the practice, including László Moholy-Nagy, Francis Bruguière, Man Ray, Tōyō Miyatake, Asahachi Kono, and Jaromír Funke. The selection of works demonstrates the dynamic interplay between still photography, experimental film, and the dazzling time-based artworks by Thomas Wilfred called “Lumia instruments.”

DTLA Art Night art exhibitions near near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

DTLA ArtNight Emerging Artist Gallery 125 W 4th St. #102, Los Angeles, CA 90013

DTLA ArtNight is a cultural gathering and art walk organized monthly on first Thursdays where over 25 galleries debut new exhibitions from their fine arts collections. These collections encompass a wide array of mediums from artists across LA, the U.S. and the world. DTLA ArtNight is also an opportunity for emerging artists to display their art in participating galleries.

SCI-arc art exhibitions near near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Views of Planet City SCI-Arc 960 East 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Is it possible to design a socially and environmentally sustainable city for seven billion people? Views of Planet City imagines what the world might look like if humanity were to reverse the urban sprawl, and its entire human population were to be housed inside a single, hyperdense megalopolis. Drawing on the ideas of pioneering scientists and futurists and projecting on the basis of already gestating technologies, Views of Planet City challenges dystopian visions of the cities of tomorrow and offers an alternative vision in which urbanization at a planetary scale is not incompatible with the safeguarding of Earth’s biodiversity.

ED RUSCHA : NOW THEN art exhibition at LACMA near near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

ED RUSCHA / NOW THEN LACMA 5905 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036

As his first comprehensive, cross-media retrospective in over 20 years, ED RUSCHA / NOW THEN traces Ruscha’s methods and familiar subjects throughout his career and underscores the many remarkable contributions he has made well beyond the boundaries of the art world. The exhibition includes his early works produced while traveling through Europe, his installations—such as the Chocolate Room and the Course of Empire presented at the Venice Biennale in 1970 and 2005, respectively—and his ceaseless photographic documentation of the streets of Los Angeles beginning in 1965.

Ai Weiwei: Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads art exhibition at LACMA near near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Ai Weiwei: Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads LACMA 5905 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036

While you’re at LACMA, don’t miss The Zodiac Project, Ai Weiwei’s first major public sculpture. For this monumental new work, Ai has recreated the famous twelve bronze animal heads that once adorned the Zodiac Fountain in Yuan Ming Yuan, the Old Summer Palace, in Beijing. Cast around 1750, the original heads were looted by Anglo-French troops who took part in the destruction of Yuan Ming Yuan in 1860 during the Second Opium War. The heads remain a potent trigger for Chinese nationalist sentiments. Ai’s new work suggests a dialogue about the fate of art objects that exist within dynamic and sometimes volatile cultural and political settings. With his subversive wit, the artist adapts objects from the Chinese material canon going back to antiquity, twisting traditional meanings toward new purposes.

Olafur Eliasson: OPEN art exhibition at Geffen Contemporary near near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Olafur Eliasson: OPEN The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA 152 N Central Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson (b. 1967, Copenhagen; lives and works in Berlin) presents a new site-specific installation made for The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA. In line with Eliasson’s career-long exploration of light and color, geometry, and environmental awareness, the installation playfully engages with material and immaterial qualities of the museum’s architecture. A series of large-scale optical devices designed specifically for MOCA Geffen will respond to the building itself, as well as to the ever-changing atmosphere of Los Angeles. Visitors will encounter a dazzling range of sensory experiences that harness the laws of geometric optics to address feelings and concepts of embodiment, perception, and participation.

Breath(e) art exhibition at Hammer Museum near near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Breath(e) Hammer Museum 10899 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90024

Part of Getty’s region-wide initiative PST ART: Art and Science Collide, Breath(e): Toward Climate and Social Justice considers the connections between climate change, environmental justice, and social justice through the lens of contemporary art. The indoor/outdoor exhibition brings together approximately 100 works focused on climate change by a group of intergenerational contemporary artists, scientists, and activists, addressing anthropogenic disasters such as deforestation, ocean acidification, coral reef bleaching, water pollution, extraction, and atmospheric politics.

Storm Cloud art exhibition at The Huntington near near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Storm Cloud & Growing and Knowing The Huntington 1151 Oxford Rd. San Marino, CA 91108

Art and science collide in The Huntington’s new exhibitions, on view Sept. 14, 2024–Jan. 6, 2025. “Storm Cloud: Picturing the Origins of Our Climate Crisis” and “Growing and Knowing in the Gardens of China” trace the dovetailing histories of the relationship between humans and the environment and emphasize the significant role that close observation has played in art, science, and ethics. When viewed together, provocative questions emerge about our interconnectedness with the natural world. The exhibitions are part of PST ART: Art & Science Collide, a regional event presented by Getty featuring more than 70 exhibitions and programs that explore the intersections of art and science, both past and present.

Photo Credits:

Photo #1: NOW ART LA (LUMINEX LA)

Photo #2: Getty Center

Photo #3: LUMINEX LA

Photo #4: Getty Center

Photo #5: DTLA ArtNight

Photo #6: SCI-Arc

Photo #7: LACMA

Photo #8: LACMA

Photo #9: Geffen Contemporary

Photo #10: Hammer Museum

Photo #11: The Huntington

Music Under the Stars: Circa’s Soundtrack for Summer

One of the most anticipated rites of summer is music under the stars! The Hollywood Bowl has announced their summer season, with programs ranging from pop, to rock, multicultural, cool jazz, and more. Los Angeles Historic State Park and KCRW Summer Nights have great line-ups all summer long, not far from Circa. And many outdoor concerts are free, such as Grand Performances and The Music Center’s Dance DTLA. Major museums such as LACMA and The Getty Center are hosting free concerts as well. Come for the concert, stay for the art. So pack a picnic, bring your blanket, and celebrate Circa’s summer soundtrack with music under the stars.

Los Angeles Historic State Park music under the stars near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Los Angeles Historic State Park 1245 N Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Get ready to party in the park! Los Angeles State Historic Park provides an extraordinary opportunity for recreation in the heart of Los Angeles. All summer long, the park is offering an exciting program of events including outdoor concerts & movies, Art in the Park, wellness activities, and more. Within its 32 acres of open space directly adjacent to Chinatown, park visitors can wander pathways and enjoy a view of downtown, as well as discover and celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of Los Angeles.

KCRW Summer Nights music under the stars near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

KCRW Summer Nights Various locations, including Union Station & Chinatown

KCRW Summer Nights is BACK! Your favorite radio station has teamed up with some of the best cultural hotspots around Southern California to throw excellent summertime parties. These nights are free, all-ages, outdoors, and feature your favorite KCRW DJs, bands, exhibits, and more. So mark your calendar, put on your dancing shoes, and plan to party!

Hollywood Bowl music under the stars near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Hollywood Bowl 2301 N Highland Ave. Los Angeles, CA 9006

Since its opening in 1922, the Hollywood Bowl has been the premier destination for live music in Southern California, hosting everyone from Billie Holiday to The Beatles and Yo-Yo Ma under the iconic silhouette of its concentric-arched band shell. The Summer 2024 Season is jam-packed with performances by acclaimed artists, including John Williams with the LA Phil, Mozart Under the Stars, Barbie The Movie: In Concert, Herbie Hancock, The Gispsy Kings, and the ever-popular Tchaikovsky Spectacular with Fireworks.

Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival music under the stars near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival 2301 N Highland Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90068

June 15-16 The Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival returns for a music-filled two-day celebration driven by top acts in jazz and more. Come hang out in Kagan Patio for the Jazz Village Experience: A Tribute to Jazz/Art Fusion. Explore the rich history and relationship between jazz and art with special vendors, exhibitions, and art/photography displays.

Grand Performances music under the stars near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Grand Performances California Plaza 300 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90071

Grand Performances returns to DTLA for its 38th season of summer concerts at Historic California Plaza in downtown Los Angeles. Hailed as the “Best Free Outdoor Summer Concert Series” by Los Angeles Magazine, Grand Performances is the longest running presenter of free outdoor concerts, poetry, theater and dance in downtown Los Angeles, with the mission to inspire community, celebrate diversity, and unite Los Angeles through free access to global performing arts.

Dance DTLA music under the stars near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

The Music Center’s Dance DTLA Jerry Moss Plaza 135 N. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Join the thousands who love the chance to learn new dance styles and dance the night away under the stars. The Music Center’s Dance DTLA returns this summer for eight Friday nights of free in-person beginner dance lessons, starting with Bollywood on June 21, with easy-to-follow steps so guests can hit the dance floor to practice some new moves. Other dances include Salsa, Reggaeton, Colombian Cumbia, Samba, Hip Hop and more. No dance experience necessary!

Jazz at LACMA music under the stars near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Jazz at LACMA 5905 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036

Celebrate L.A.’s finest jazz musicians with Jazz at LACMA! Enjoy evenings of live music, picnicking, and community on the LACMA grounds. The free concerts are presented Friday evenings from May through October. Jazz at LACMA has featured such legends as Wayne Shorter, The Yellowjackets, Quincy Jones All Star Orchestra with John Clayton, Arturo Sandoval, Jeff Lorber, and many more.

OFF THE 405 Getty Museum music under the stars near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

OFF THE 405 Getty Center 1200 Getty Center Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90049

OFF THE 405 is the Getty Center’s annual free outdoor summer concert series, bringing some of today’s most exciting bands to the stage for a memorable experience amid stunning architecture and breathtaking sunset views. The concerts will take place from 6-9PM on selected evenings, and begin with various live DJ sets in the museum courtyard. Food and beverages are available for purchase before the show begins. The concerts are free to attend, but attendees need to RSVP for passes in advance.

Michael Feinstein Pasadena Pops music under the stars near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Pasadena Symphony & POPS LA Arboretum 301 N Baldwin Ave. Arcadia, CA 91007

Pasadena Symphony & POPS has announced their 2024 Rusnak Summer Pops Series at Los Angeles County Arboretum. The six-concert series runs from June 24 to September 9 with a stellar line-up of guest artists celebrating the American Songbook, plus Principal Pops Conductor Michael Feinstein in concert. Gates open at 5:30PM for picnicking. Concerts begin at 7:30PM.

The Ford music under the stars near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

The Ford 2580 Cahuenga Blvd E. Los Angeles, CA 90068

For sheer beauty and intimacy, it’s hard to beat The Ford for summer entertainment under the stars. Nestled in the Hollywood Hills, the open-air amphitheater is relatively intimate at just under 1,200 seats; no patron is more than 96 feet away from the stage. Purchase your meal from the new Bodega at The Ford or local curated offerings in the Grab & Go Market. You can also bring your own food and drinks and grab a table on the Zev Terrace, the entryway gardens, or in your seats.

The Greek Theatre music under the stars near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

The Greek Theatre 2700 N Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027

Located within Griffith Park, the historic Greek Theatre stands as one of the nation’s most beloved and recognized outdoor entertainment venues. Throughout its history, the Greek has played host to some of the biggest legends in music, including Sir Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Carlos Santana and many more. The Greek Theatre features a variety of food options to satisfy even the most selective of palates. So leave the cooking behind and enjoy fresh delicious food options, including the North & South Concession Stands and the Mango Cart Beer Garden.

Descanso Gardens music under the stars near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

Live outdoor performances and music add extra magic to the idyllic garden ambiance. Experience a synergy of culture and nature with Shakespeare, opera, puppet performances, global music, jazz, classical, and more. Some performances are included in the price of membership or admission. Others are ticketed events. Food and drinks are available for sale at two concession locations in the Courtyard: The Market and Jones Coffee at Descanso. Outside food and beverages, except for water bottles, are not allowed in the Gardens.

Photo Credits:

Photo #1: Hollywood Bowl

Photo #2: Los Angeles Historic State Park

Photo #3: KCRW Summer Nights

Photo #4: Hollywood Bowl

Photo #5: Hollywood Bowl

Photo #6: Grand Performances

Photo #7: The Music Center

Photo #8: LACMA

Photo #9: Getty Museum

Photo #10: Pasadena Symphony and POPS

Photo #11: The Ford

Photo #12: The Greek Theatre

Photo #13: Descanso Gardens

Celebrate Summer with Music Under the Stars

One of the best things about summer is enjoying music under the stars! LA’s favorite outdoor venues have announced their summer season, with line-ups ranging from classical programs to pop, rock and cool jazz. Many outdoor concerts are free, such as Grand Performances and The Music Center’s Dance DTLA, not far from Circa. Major museums such as LACMA and The Getty Center are hosting free concerts as well. Come for the concert, stay for the art. So pack a picnic, bring your blanket, and celebrate summer with music under the stars.

Hollywood Bowl outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Hollywood Bowl 2301 N Highland Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90068

Since its opening in 1922, the Hollywood Bowl has been the premier destination for live music in Southern California, hosting everyone from Billie Holiday to The Beatles to Yo-Yo Ma under the iconic silhouette of its concentric-arched band shell. The Summer 2023 Season is jam-packed with performances by acclaimed artists, such as John Williams and Dudamel conducting the LA Phil, and special events like the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 2 Concert, July Fourth Fireworks Spectacular with The Beach Boys, and A Live Presentation of 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Pasadena City Hall outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Concert Under the Stars Pasadena City Hall 100 Garfield Ave. Pasadena, CA 91101

June 10 Join the Pasadena Symphony & POPS for a free concert under the stars. Sing and dance to the best of Broadway, celebrating the music of Jerry Herman, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cy Coleman, Stephen Schwartz and more. The concert is performed on the plaza in front of city hall, so bring a lawn chair and/or blanket. Folding chairs may be rented for a small fee. This concert is free to the public, no tickets or reservations required. Gates open for food trucks at 7PM. Concert begins at 8PM.

Michael Feinstein Conductor of Pasadena Pops outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Pasadena Symphony & POPS LA Arboretum 301 N Baldwin Ave. Arcadia, CA 91007

Pasadena Symphony & POPS has announced their 2023 Rusnak Summer Pops Series at Los Angeles County Arboretum. The six-concert series runs from June 24 to September 9 with a stellar line-up of guest artists celebrating the American Songbook, plus Principal Pops Conductor Michael Feinstein in concert. Gates open at 5:30PM for picnicking. Concerts begin at 7:30PM.

Grand Performances outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Grand Performances California Plaza 300 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90071

Grand Performances returns to DTLA for its 37th year of free summer concerts at California Plaza. Hailed as the “Best Free Outdoor Summer Concert Series” by Los Angeles Magazine, Grand Performances presents world-class music, dance, theater, and more, in the heart of DTLA. Every Saturday from June to September 2023.

Dance DTLA outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

The Music Center’s Dance DTLA Jerry Moss Plaza 135 N. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Join the thousands who love the chance to learn new dance styles and dance the night away under the stars. The Music Center’s Dance DTLA returns this summer for nine consecutive Friday nights of free in-person beginner dance lessons, starting with HipHop on June 23, with easy-to-follow steps so guests can hit the dance floor to practice some new moves. No dance experience necessary!

OFF the 405 at Getty Museum outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Off The 405 Getty Center 1200 Getty Center Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90049

Getty Museum announces its free Off The 405 annual outdoor summer concert series, bringing some of today’s most exciting bands to the stage for a memorable experience amid stunning architecture and breathtaking sunset views. The concerts will take place from 6-9PM on selected evenings, and begin with various live DJ sets in the museum courtyard. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and can bring in their own picnic items. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase before the show begins. The concerts are free to attend, but attendees need to RSVP for passes in advance.

The Ford outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

The Ford 2580 Cahuenga Blvd E. Los Angeles, CA 90068

For sheer beauty and intimacy, it’s hard to beat The Ford for summer entertainment under the stars. Nestled in the Hollywood Hills, the open-air amphitheater is relatively intimate at just under 1,200 seats; no patron is more than 96 feet away from the stage. Purchase your meal from the new Bodega at The Ford or pick up some local curated offerings in the Grab & Go Market. You can also bring your own food and drinks. Grab a table on the Zev Terrace or the entryway gardens, or eat in your seats.

Rose Bowl outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Re:SET Concert Series Rose Bowl 1001 Rose Bowl Dr. Pasadena, CA 91103

June 2, 3, 4 Re:SET, a fresh take on the multi-artist outdoor concert, comes to Los Angeles at Brookside at the Rose Bowl Stadium, featuring headliners Steve Lacy, boygenius, and LCD Soundsystem. Re:SET was conceived as an artist and fan friendly alternative to the standard summer concert experience. The venue will feature food and drinks from local restaurants, bars, and breweries, including HomeState, Broad Street Oyster Co., Goldburger, and more.

The Greek Theatre outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

The Greek Theatre 2700 N Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027

Located within Griffith Park, the historic Greek Theatre stands as one of the nation’s most beloved and recognized outdoor entertainment venues. Throughout its history, the Greek has played host to some of the biggest legends in music, including Sir Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Carlos Santana, and many more. This iconic venue has also served as a site for numerous high school graduations, community events and backdrops for television shows and motion pictures.

Jazz at LACMA outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Jazz at LACMA 5905 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036

Jazz at LACMA is back! Enjoy evenings of live music, picnicking, and community on the LACMA grounds. The free concerts are presented Friday evenings from April to November. Jazz at LACMA is a celebration of L.A.’s finest jazz musicians and has featured such legends as Wayne Shorter, The Yellowjackets, Quincy Jones All Star Orchestra with John Clayton, Arturo Sandoval, Jeff Lorber, and many more. Concerts are broadcast on KJAZZ (88.1 FM) every Sunday evening from 7–9 PM and include interviews with featured performers.

Descanso Gardens outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Music in the Gardens Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

For three Fridays this July, enjoy the sound of live music wafting through the garden as you enjoy the summer blooms. Music in the Gardens is included in the price of admission. No reservations are required. Please note that chairs, blankets, outside food, and picnics are not permitted.

Photo Credits:

Photo #1: Hollywood Bowl

Photo #2: Hollywood Bowl

Photo #3: Pasadena Symphony and POPS

Photo #4: Pasadena Symphony and POPS

Photo #5: GrandPerformances

Photo #6: The Music Center

Photo #7: Getty Museum

Photo #8: The Ford

Photo #9: Rose Bowl

Photo #10: The Greek Theatre

Photo #11: LACMA

Photo #12: Descanso Gardens

Hello Summer: Music Under the Stars is Back

One of the most exciting things about summer is music under the stars! LA is pulsating with sounds of the season, from eclectic world beats to funky grooves, cool jazz, classical programs, and your favorite popular acts. Many outdoor concerts are free, such as Grand Performances and The Music Center’s Dance DTLA, not far from Circa. Come for the concert, stay for the art. Major museums such as LACMA, Skirball Cultural Center, and The Getty Center are hosting free concerts. So pack a picnic and head out to celebrate summer with music under the stars.

Grand Performances California Plaza 300 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90071

Grand Performances returns to DTLA for the 36th year of free summer concerts at California Plaza. Hailed as the “Best Free Outdoor Summer Concert Series” by Los Angeles Magazine, Grand Performances presents world-class music, dance, theater, and more at the breathtaking California Plaza in the heart of DTLA. Every Saturday from June to September 2022.

The Music Center Dance DTLA Jerry Moss Plaza 135 N. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Join the thousands who love the chance to learn new dances and dance the night away under the stars with The Music Center’s Dance DTLA. This highly popular free evening of dancing on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center takes place on Friday nights during the summer. Some of L.A’s top DJs and local bands play live while the crowd learns new moves in different dance styles – from Disco and Tango, to Bollywood and Salsa.

Hollywood Bowl 2301 N Highland Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90068

The Hollywood Bowl turns 100! Since its opening in 1922, our favorite outdoor amphitheater has been the premier destination for live music in Southern California, hosting everyone from Billie Holiday to The Beatles and Yo-Yo Ma under the iconic silhouette of its concentric-arched band shell. HERE is your guide to the Bowl’s centennial festivities, with everything you need to know about how to celebrate the 100 years of summer.

Getty Center music under the stars near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Off the 405 Getty Center 1200 Getty Center Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90049

Off the 405 is the Getty Center’s annual outdoor summer concert series, bringing some of today’s most exciting bands to the stage for a memorable experience amid stunning architecture and breathtaking sunset views. All performances take place in the Museum Courtyard, with a cash bar offering beer, cocktails, and bites. Arrive early to enjoy the Getty Center’s spectacular ambiance and explore the world-class art collection and exhibits. Free admission. Register for tickets HERE

Sunset Concerts at Skirball music under the stars near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Sunset Concerts at Skirball Skirball Cultural Center 2701 N Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90049

Marking twenty-five extraordinary years, this milestone season of Sunset Concerts brings an eclectic lineup of path-makers and bridge-builders from around the world to Los Angeles. Join in the fun this summer to sing, dance, and celebrate music’s unique power to bring people together and forge cultural bonds. Arrive early to eat, drink, shop, and enjoy complimentary access to the exhibitions. Concerts are free. Advance reservations are required.

Jazz at LACMA 5905 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036

Jazz at LACMA is back, with open seating and picnicking on the grounds. The free concerts are presented Friday evenings from April to November. Jazz at LACMA is a celebration of L.A.’s finest jazz musicians and has featured such legends as Wayne Shorter, The Yellowjackets, Quincy Jones All Star Orchestra with John Clayton, Jeff Lorber, and many more. Concerts are broadcast on KJAZZ (88.1 FM) every Sunday evening from 7–9 pm and include interviews with featured performers.

Pasadena Symphony and Pops music under the stars near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Pasadena Symphony and Pops LA Arboretum 301 N Baldwin Ave. Arcadia, CA 91007

Principal Pops Conductor Michael Feinstein and the Pasadena POPS announce the expansion of the POPS Summer Concert series to six concerts in summer 2022 at the Los Angeles County Arboretum. The six-concert series runs from June 25 to September 10 with a stellar line-up of multiple award-winning guest artists including Grammy-award winning singer Melissa Manchester, SAG Award winner LaChanze (The Help), Tony nominees Tony Yazbeck and Michael Cavanaugh and Tony Award winner Lillias White, plus Michael Feinstein in concert.

The Greek Theatre 2700 N Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027

Located within Griffith Park, the historic Greek Theatre stands as one of the nation’s most beloved and recognized outdoor entertainment venues. Throughout its history, the Greek has played host to some of the biggest legends in music, including Sir Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Carlos Santana and many more. This iconic venue has also served as a site for numerous high school graduations, community events and backdrops for television shows and motion pictures. Concert schedule HERE

The Ford 2580 Cahuenga Blvd E. Los Angeles, CA 90068

For sheer beauty and intimacy, it’s hard to beat The Ford for summer entertainment under the stars. Nestled in the Hollywood Hills, the open-air amphitheater is relatively intimate at just under 1,200 seats; no patron is more than 96 feet away from the stage. Bring your own food and drinks and grab a table on the terrace or garden for your picnic. You can also purchase your meal from The Ford Terrace Café or local curated offerings in the Grab & Go Market.

Photo Credits:

Photo #1: Hollywood Bowl

Photo #2: Grand Performances

Photo #3: The Music Center

Photo #4: Hollywood Bowl

Photo #5: Getty Center

Photo #6: Skirball Cultural Center

Photo #7: LACMA

Photo #8: Pasadena Symphony and Pops

Photo #9: The Greek Theatre

Photo #10: The Ford

Virtual Museum Tours! Visit the World’s Greatest Institutions in the Comfort of Your Own Home!

Staying in doesn’t mean you can’t get your culture fix! Thanks to Google Street View and the Google Arts & Culture site, you can virtually visit some of the world’s greatest museums from your cozy couch or favorite chair. Google Arts & Culture is an online platform through which the public can access high-resolution images of artworks housed in the initiative’s partner museums. In all, Google Arts & Culture has compiled over 500 virtual tours of museums around the world. HERE are 10 top museums you can explore right now. More exciting news – the Hollyhock House in LA’s Barnsdall Art Park and the Louvre in Paris offer online tours on their websites. So curl up, treat yourself to a nice beverage, and visit the some of the world’s greatest museums in the comfort of your own home!

To access your virtual tours, tap or click on each museum’s name which appears in bold below.

Hollyhock House Virtual Tour

The newly renovated Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece, Hollyhock House, was recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This virtual tour explores the building’s exterior and interior, with pop up notes and optional audio narration by a docent. The virtual tour was originally developed as a Virtual Accessibility Experience (VAE) to increase access to the monument, and to create immersive and inclusive experiences for visitors of all abilities.

Musée du Louvre, Paris

Visit the museum’s exhibition rooms and galleries and contemplate the façades of the Louvre. Come along on a virtual tour and enjoy the view from the comfort of your own home.

Musée d’Orsay, Paris

Once a Beaux-Arts railway station on the bank of the Seine, the Musée d’Orsay is now one of the largest art museums in Europe. Take a virtual tour of the impressive Art Nouveau building and admire a vast array of French art from 1848 to 1914, including masterpieces by Monet, Cézanne and Gauguin.

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York

The unique corkscrew design of New York’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum means that visitors can journey up its spiraling ramp and view its collection of art in one continuous, unbroken journey. The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building is home to a constantly expanding collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and Modern and Contemporary Art.

Pergamon Museum, Berlin

Berlin’s famous cultural hub, Museum Island, is where you’ll find the Pergamon Museum, one of Germany’s largest museums. Explore the ruins of ancient monumental buildings excavated from around the world, such as the Pergamon Altar (where the museum got its name), the Ishtar Gate of Babylon, and the Market Gate of Miletus.

Uffizi Gallery, Florence

The Uffizi Gallery is the legacy of the collection of Florence’s Medici ruling house. The U-shaped building contains works by Renaissance Old Masters such as Michelangelo, Leonardo, Botticelli, and Titian. The building was originally constructed to house the administrative and judiciary offices – uffizi means offices in Italian.

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam houses the largest collection of artworks by Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) in the world. The permanent collection includes over 200 paintings by Vincent van Gogh, 500 drawings and more than 750 letters. The museum also presents exhibitions on various subjects from 19th-century art history.

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

The J. Paul Getty Museum provides a backdrop of dramatic architecture, tranquil gardens, and stunning views of Los Angeles for its art collection. It houses works dating from the 8th through the 21st century, including European paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, and European, American and Asian photographs.

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul

Since opening its door in 1969, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) has established itself as a representative institution of Korean modern art. The museum’s four branches carry out MMCA’s commitment to the art and culture of Korea by enriching the first-hand cultural experience of the viewing public. Through its various locations, MMCA intends to function as a cultural platform that encourages communication and cross-pollination of contemporary art with other various disciplines of art, science, and humanities.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Explore this museum and you’ll find at its center at huge pond underneath a vast square concrete structure supported by a single pillar known as el paraguas, or the umbrella. Around this are 23 exhibit rooms displaying treasures, including Mayan civilization artifacts such as the Stone of the Sun and giant stone heads that were found in the jungles of Tabasco and Veracruz.

MASP, São Paulo

This architectural landmark in São Paulo was designed by Lina Bo Bardi and is Brazil’s first modern museum. The floating design is mirrored in its internal art displays, with its collection of artworks suspended in perspex frames that create the illusion that the canvases are hovering above the ground.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Musée du Louvre

Photo #2: Hollyhock House

Photo #3: Musée du Louvre

Photo #4: Musée d’Orsay

Photo #5: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Photo #6: Pergamon Museum

Photo #7: Uffizi Gallery

Photo #8: Van Gogh Museum

Photo #9: The J. Paul Getty Museum

Photo #10: National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul

Photo #11: National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo #12: MASP, São Paulo

LA Museums You’ve Never Heard Of, But Need to Check Out Now!

Sure, we all love LACMA. And The Getty Center is always great, especially when you need to entertain out-of-town guests. But sometimes it’s fun to branch out. LA is full of cool, unusual, and off-the-beaten track museums that are definitely worth a visit. From cryptic collections to interactive experiences, neon light tours, and even food museums, you’ll always find something new to discover in LA!

Museum of Jurassic Technology 9341 Venice Blvd. Culver City, California 90232

The Museum of Jurassic Technology is an educational institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and the public appreciation of the Lower Jurassic. This cryptic statement is left uncertain and unexplained. And that’s just the point! The museum contains a provocative mixture of artistic, scientific, ethnographic, and historic, as well as some unclassifiable exhibits, and the diversity of its offerings evokes the cabinets of curiosities that were the 16th-century predecessors of modern natural history museums. The factual claims of many of the museum’s exhibits strain credibility, so take it all in with a grain of salt and have fun!

Museum of Neon Art 216 S Brand Blvd. Glendale, CA 91204

The Museum of Neon Art (MONA) is the only museum in the world devoted exclusively to art in electric media, exhibiting electric and kinetic fine art, and outstanding examples of historic neon signs, for over three decades. MONA encourages learning, curiosity and expression through the preservation, collection and interpretation of neon, electric and kinetic art. A gateway between scientific principles and artistic expression, Neon illumination integrates electrical technology, creative design, and fundamental concepts of physics and chemistry. MONA hosts Saturday night Neon Cruises–a nighttime bus tour of neon signs, movie marquees and permanent installations of contemporary neon art through Downtown and Hollywood. Buy tickets here.

Desert X

Ready for a road trip? Desert X is a site-specific exhibition that first took place in Spring 2017. Artists from different parts of the world are invited to create work in response to the unique conditions of the Coachella Valley and project their vision based on the extraordinary natural and social history, matchless spectacle of the geologic epic, radical abstraction of the surrounds, and the singular incursions of humans into the seemingly barren landscape. Desert X will be held from Feb. 9 – Apr. 21, 2019 in the Coachella Valley. Free and open to the public. Plan your visit here.

Museum of Illusions 6751 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028

The Museum of Illusions was founded as a place where visitors could let their imaginations run wild! A great place for friends and family to express themselves in one-of-a-kind interactive art exhibits that make for a photo opportunity unlike any other. The friendly staff encourages you to take as many photos as you want in front of a wide range of exhibits, from climbing the highest mountain tops in the world, to playing Jack & Rose as the Titanic sinks, or running through the city during a meteor strike! The unique 3D paintings are created by some of the world’s leading artists, with new exhibits being added all the time.

Museum of Death 6031 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028

The World Famous Museum of Death was founded in June, 1995 when JD Healy and Cathee Shultz decided to fill the void in death education and made death their life’s work. With locations in Hollywood and New Orleans, the Museum of Death houses the world’s largest collection of serial killer artwork, antique funeral ephemera, mortician and coroners instruments, Manson Family memorabilia, pet death taxidermy, crime scene photographs, and more. The Museum of Death experience is a self guided tour lasting approximately 45 minutes to an hour. However, for intrepid souls with the stomach for it, there is no time limit, as there are hundreds of items to see. The museum shop carries a colorful collection of tees, hoodies, tarot cards, buttons, bandanas and other swag, which could give you a jump start on your Valentine’s Day shopping 😉

FIDM Fashion & Perfume Museum 919 S. Grand Ave. Suite 250 Los Angeles, CA 90015

You’ll find the Annette Green Perfume Archive on the second floor of FIDM Museum at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in DTLA. Discover a robust collection of fragrance and beauty objects, from luxuriously packaged Lucien Lelong lipsticks to the suggestive glass bottle of Schiaparelli’s Shocking perfume. The FIDM Museum and Library collects, preserves, and interprets fashion objects and support materials with outstanding design merit and fosters student learning, public engagement, and recognition of the creative arts and entertainment industries by providing access to the collections through exhibitions, publications, and other research opportunities.

The Foodie Space Pasadena Museum of California Art 490 Union Street Pasadena, CA 91101

Wait, let me take a pic first! If you’ve ever heard those words or said them yourself before being allowed to dig into your meal, then you’re probably a foodie.The Foodie Space pop up is the serial foodie photo-taker’s wildest dream come true. Imagine colossal glitter fries that you can marry, playing with a giant overflowing noodle bowl of pho, an over-sized tea set mad enough to make Alice jealous, and many more to interact with! Playfully poking fun at society’s obsession with social media and #foodporn, visitors will have a chance to take tons of glorious food pics to their heart’s content. Each interactive exhibit was made by hand by local artists.

Disgusting Food Museum A+D 900 E. 4th St. Los Angeles, CA, 90013

The Disgusting Food Museum is not just an exhibit, but a celebration of food from around the world, highlighting how different cultures may or may not view certain things as disgusting. First displayed in Sweden, the collection of 100 plus foods was conceived and curated by psychologist and innovation researcher, Dr. Samuel West, well-known as “Dr. Failure” after the runaway success of his Museum of Failure. Foodies, travelers, and the just plain curious can explore unfamiliar food creations, smell new and face-cringing aromas and take selfies at the far from usual grand finale tasting bar with select creations to sample! Amazing and bizarre Instagrammable moments are endless!