Saturday, September 5 2026 Art Parties & Events inaugurate a busy September in Los Angeles. While this is the first of many Saturdays that will feature new fall exhibitions, the next couple of Saturdays offer an unprecedented amount of art events. I also want to encourage everyone to take time to relax since it is a holiday weekend. Visit the museums, the parks, LA’s attractions. Cinecon Classic Film Festival is back for its 62nd year. Also today, FAFF (Fine Arts Film Festival) is a FREE event that features art films. Plus we have openings, closings, and all sorts of performances as well. Moreover, did you know that today is National Cheese Pizza Day? Find out more about it on our sister platform. EatTravelGo.com is an art inspired travel site – so be sure to check it out!
September 5 2026 Art Parties & Events
In Westwood…Skirball Cultural Center is open this weekend (closed on Labor Day), so take a moment to enjoy some culture. Stop into Outsiders, Outcasts, Rebels + Weirdos: Punk Culture 1976–86, as it closes tomorrow. Of course if you are a big fan of superheroes, you won’t want to miss The Comic Book Revolution. Read the Skirball, Inventing America: The Comic Book Revolution Feature to find out more about the exhibition. Hours: 10am-5pm; Admission: GA- $20; Kids 2-17/Full time Students with ID/Seniors – $15; FYI there is free parking available during museum business hours as well. Skirball Cultural Center, N. Sepulveda Blvd. off the 405 Freeway; https://www.skirball.org/sunsetconcerts
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Miracle Mile
Hannah Sloan (Art Advisor & Curator) hosts an art talk between Dan McCleary and artist, educator, and curator Tom Knechtel. The two have been friends for over forty years and will share many stories. The conversation features how each artist approaches printmaking. Techniques, traditions, as well as possibilities of etching will all be discussed. Art Talk: 11am; RSVP required; Coffee and pastries will be served; Hannah Sloan Curatorial & Advisory, 5613 San Vicente Boulevard, LA, 90019; https://www.hannahsloan.com/
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Beverly Hills
The Cinecon 62 Classic Film Festival continues today at the Nuart Theatre. For more than half a century, Cinephiles have gathered over Labor Day Weekend to celebrate the movies at the annual event. Cinecon is where archivists, authors, collectors, and film fans come together for four days of classic film & TV screenings, celebrity guests, and special programs. Event: 10am-10pm (or so); Admission: $103.22 or $427.60 for the entire weekend; Nuart Theatre11272 Santa Monica Blvd., LA 90025; https://cinecon.org/
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Torrance
It’s time for the 13th Annual Fine Arts Film Festival (FAFF), presented by the Venice Institute of Contemporary Art (ViCA).
This year’s event will be held at the Torrance Art Museum (TAM). The annual film festival will feature sixteen films from ten countries. These official selections will screen globally via Vimeo. FFAF screens ninety films from forty two countries. Event: 11am-5pm; Tickets are Always Free at TAM. Torrance Art Museum, 3320 Civic Center Drive, Torrance, CA 90503; https://www.veniceica.org/fineartsfilmfestival
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Downtown
MOCA hosts a Talking Tour today at 11:30am. The free tour is a wonderful way to learn more about contemporary art. Each tour is designed to provide visitors with the opportunity to discuss, ask questions, and dive deeper into the works on view. FYI The Expanding Field: MOCA’s Collection from the 1940s to 1970s is closing soon (Sept 20), so don’t miss it.
MOCA Talking Tour: 11:30am; Free with RSVP; MOCA, 250 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012; https://www.moca.org/
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Another Downtown…
It’s the final weekend of Very Well Read, which opened in May. Throughout the run a series of readings have been taking place at the Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles. Curated by Matt Gleason, the group show features over 400 artists who have each painted their favorite book. For example, today Gregg Gibbs is performing Professor Cootie’s Travelin’ Flea Circus and reading from Brendan Lehane’s THE COMPLEAT FLEA. Very Well Read ends tomorrow – September 6, 2026; Reading: 3pm; Mural Conservancy, 299 S. Main St., LA 90012; https://verywellread.net/
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More Downtown
Aabee Bleue Project presents Jiroft: Seven Valleys in Bloom by Hiva Alizadeh and Storyless by Anali Taherian. Alizadeh’s show is on exhibit in the main gallery. And you can find the latter in Gallery One.
Artwork by Hiva Alizadeh; Courtesy of Aabee-Bleue Project
While Storyless runs through September 19, Jiroft continues until October 3, 2026. Art Party: 4-7pm; Aabee Bleue Project, 1700 S Santa Fe Ave.,Unit #101, LA 90021; https://www.aabeebleue-project.com/
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One more downtown…Vielmetter Los Angeles celebrates the work of Patrick Wilson. His new solo show is titled Things I Like and features abstract paintings. The exhibition runs through October 17, 2026; Art Party: 4-7pm; Vielmetter Los Angeles, 1700 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90021; http://vielmetter.com
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Santa Monica
bG Gallery hosts the closing reception of Autumn Enchantment. Presented in collaboration with Vivid Art Studio Gallery and LarkGallery the exhibition focuses on the season autumn.
While utilizing Fall as a metaphor, the group shops highlights transformation, as well as deep seated reflection. An online presentation will also accompany the exhibition. Art Party: 4-8pm; bG Gallery, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave #A2, Santa Monica, CA 90405; https://santamonica.bgartdealings.com
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Venice
Beyond Baroque celebrates the photography of Michael Hyatt. In addition to the opening held in the Mike Kelley Gallery, a reading will also be held in the Wanda Coleman Theater. It will be hosted by Henry Mortensen and featuring X co-lead singer and poet Exene Cervenka, with S.A. Griffin, Brendan Constantine, Chris Morris, Iris Berry, and mike m mollet.
Both the exhibition as well as the book published by Perceval Press spotlights photographs of the legendary Los Angeles punk band X spanning 1980 to 2025. Hyatt first traveled with the band as their photographer during their debut tour in December 1980, continued documenting them on two additional early tours, and reunited with X to photograph four performances in Texas in 2025. The exhibition includes group and solo portraits, live performance photographs, and behind-the-scenes candid images.
Unfortunately at this time, it looks like the reading is at capacity. However, you are free to drop by the reception towards the end (near 5pm) to ensure there will be space to view the exhibition. Reading: 2pm (completely full); Art Party: 3-5pm; Check with the venue, they usually have a reception downstairs, but since the gallery which is upstairs is quite small, there will most probably be a wait or line to enter. Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice, CA 90291; http://beyondbaroque.org
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Mid City
LACMA’s Latin Sounds series takes place tonight and it spotlights Makina Loca. The band was founded in 1990 by vocalist and bandleader Ricardo Lemvo. The music is a blend of Afro-Cuban rhythms with pan-African styles. For a full list of venues on our sister site ETG Free Summer Concerts in LA article. Event: 5-7pm; Dorothy Collins Brown Amphitheater at Hancock Park just north of LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd (on the 6th Street side), LA, 90036; https://www.lacma.org/event/ricardo-lemvo-makina-loco
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Santa Monica
Time for another event from the Tongva Twilight Sounds & Cinema series. Tonight the event features a concert as well as a film with The Windbreakers. Enjoy the Yacht Rock band performing smooth ’70s sing-along classics + HBO Original Documentary Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentary. Director Garret Price will be in attendance to give the introduction. Don’t forget to bring a picnic. Performance: 7pm; Tongva Park, 1615 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica; https://www.santamonica.gov/events
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Hollywood
Music lovers can enjoy the 2nd night of Maestro of the Movies: A Tribute to John Williams at the Hollywood Bowl. The legendary composer is known for his iconic music & soundtracks for over six decades. Williams has conducted numerous times at the Bowl. However tonight conductor David Newman will lead the Los Angeles Philharmonic in his honor. Bryce Dallas Howard will host the event.
Some musical highlights with film clips include: Flying Theme from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, The Barrel Chase from Jaws, Superman March, and more. Gates Open: 6pm; Performance 8pm; Admission starts at $25; The Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N Highland Ave, LA, 90068; https://www.hollywoodbowl.com
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North Hollywood
Matt & Ben written by Minday Kaling and Brenda Withers is currently running at the Sherry Theatre. Directed by Max Downs, the premise is what if the script for “Good Will Hunting” fell from the sky into Ben Affleck’s apartment. What will he and Matt Damon do? The show stars Genevieve Lerner and Spring Ferrara. Runs Fridays & Saturdays through September 5, 2026; Performance 8pm; Admission is $35; Purchase tickets for MATT & Ben HERE; The Sherry Theatre, 11052 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood 91601; https://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/regional/Matt-Ben-4384595
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West Hollywood
The Troubadour presents Asleep at the Wheel with special guest The Doohickeys. Admission: $44.84 (fee included); Visit the website for more info, or to buy tickets; Doors open: 7pm; Show starts: 8pm; The Troubadour, 9081 N Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, 90069; https://troubadour.com
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For additional art exhibitions, and performances as well as culinary events, see LAArtParty’s Upcoming Events Page.
Read more about Arts and Entertainment throughout the world on our sister site EatTravelGo.com, an art inspired travel site.
Or enjoy artist / gallerist interviews on our Art Talk Page.
