July 17-18 2025 Arts & Entertainment Events

Thursday, Friday July 17, 18, 2025 Arts & Entertainment events kick off another glorious weekend in Los Angeles. In addition to art, we have music, beer and art, theatre, and stand up comedy. Don’t forget about LA’s free summer concerts. See the bottom of this past for the link to a list of venues

Thursday July 17, 2025

Downtown LA…Tonight, experience Native American creativity in conjunction with the exhibition – Jeffrey Gibson: the space in which to place me. This event is part of a series of live programs in collaboration with Gibson presented by the Broad.

This edition of Sunset Exhibitions will feature Desert Cahuilla Bird Singers, a fifteen-person ensemble that includes dancers; a Chumash Women’s Singing Group; Chumash and Tongva hip hop artist Jessa Calderon; Toveema, a three-generation singing group led by Virginia Carmelo (Gabrielino/Tongva and Digueno/Kumey); and emcee and storyteller Louie Robles (Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation).

Event: 7:30-8:30pm; Visit the website to RSVP; Plus admission to Jeffrey Gibson: the space in which to place me is free. East West Bank Plaza at The Broad, 221 S Grand Ave, LA, 90012; https://www.thebroad.org

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Also DTLA…The Art And Beer Night Market in Los Angeles is back at Boomtown Brewery. Enjoy local art while satiating your taste buds with craft beers and scrumptious food. The event will feature the work of over twenty artists. Event: 5-10pm; RSVP HERE for Art And Beer Night Market; Boomtown Brewery, 700 Jackson St., LA 90021; https://www.boomtownbrew.com

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Westwood

The Hammer Museum once again hosts free live concerts its courtyard. The galleries will stay open late. Tonight, the lineup includes Dummy with Maral and DJs Peaking Lights. Plus enjoy art-making, and more. Cocktails and food available for purchase all night. Although this is a free event, it’s a great time to become a member. Since you will receive priority entry and a free first drink. Whatever you decide, please RSVP as it helps the museum staff to gauge attendance to this event. RSVP does not guarantee entry if the event reaches capacity. Admission is granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and performances 7:30pm; RSVP for the Free Hammer Concert HERE. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., LA, 90024; https://hammer.ucla.edu/

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Friday, July 18, 2025

In West Hollywood…Nice Girl continues its run at Rogue Machine tonight at 5pm.

Anaïs Fairweather, Bailey Humiston in Nice Girl; Photo by Jacques Lorch

This poignant play was written by two-time Lecomte du Noüy Prize winner Melissa Ross, and directed by Ann Bronston.

Performance: 5pm; Tickets are $45 – $60; Seniors: $35; Students with ID: $25;  Call  for more information 855-585-5185 and reservations or visit the website; Rogue Machine at the Matrix Theatre, upstairs on the Henry Murray Stage, 7657 Melrose Ave., LA, 90046; https://www.roguemachinetheatre.org/

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The Gallery of Hermosa hosts an opening art party for FIVE MUSES. Artists include: Fumie Coello, Debbie Giese, Jen Hellman, Eileen Oda, and Anabella Rainer. The group show  features paintings as well as photography.

Art Party: 5-8pm; Gallery of Hermosa, 138 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach CA 90254; https://www.galleryofhermosa.com

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Downtown...ICA LA and artist Jackie Castillo host a special guest edition of Art Buzz tonight. Castillo and her longtime artist cohort—Sarita Schreiber, Hope Stutzman, Erica Vincenzi, and Dajon Yoon—will gather at ICA LA to discuss Castillo’s current exhibition, Through the Descent, Like the Return, and the role of friendship, critique, and community in art-making. Event: 6-7:30pm; ICA LA, 1717 E.7th St, LA, 90021; https://www.theicala.org

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Hollywood

The Tchaikovsky Spectacular with Fireworks takes place tonight and tomorrow at the Hollywood Bowl. This is a fantastic show running across two nights. I have attended this event – the music and fireworks create an out-of-this-world evening of blissful entertainment.

Photo Credit: courtesy of the LA Philharmonic Association

Read my Tchaikovsky Spectacular with Fireworks review. Performance: 8pm; Gates open: 6pm; Admission starts at $42; The Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068; https://www.hollywoodbowl.com

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Santa Monica

The Fantasticks opens tonight at the Ruskin Group Theatre for a limited run. This enchanting multi-award-winning musical, is still to this day the longest running off Broadway play. This is a wonderful show. I saw it when it when I lived in NYC (a very long time ago). The original off-Broadway production opened in 1960 and ran for 42 years. Although I didn’t catch the original cast (Hey, I’m not that old), I did thoroughly enjoy it.

Director Elina de Santos takes the story into the 21st century, keeping the same wit, sensitivity and beauty of the original story. Her staging brings fresh insight with an imaginative flair to a cherished classic. Actors include: Michael D. Cohen, Danny Bernardo, Rhett Hemingway, Kiel Kennedy, Sophie Pollono, Michael Redfield, Raven Scott, John Wuchte, and Silas Shultz. Run time is approximately 120 minutes (including one 10-minute intermission). The show runs through August 24, 2025; Performance: 8pm; Tickets are $45 (student/senior discounts $30 and groups 10+ $33) and can be purchased in advance at www.ruskingrouptheatre.com or by calling (310) 397-3244. Free parking available on-site. Ruskin Group Theatre, 3000 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405; https://www.ruskingrouptheatre.com/

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West Hollywood

Jetpack Comedy is LA’s best Friday stand-up comedy showcase. Comics from HBO, Netflix, and also SNL cast members, all drop-in for a night of laughter.

Headliners and surprise drop-ins have included: Sarah Silverman, Kevin Nealon, Fred Armisen, Bob Odenkirk, Pete Holmes, Hannibal Buress, Kumail Nanjiani, Maria Bamford, Hasan Minhaj, Jeff Garlin, Ali Wong, Demetri Martin, as well as many more. Event begins: 8:30pm; Admission starts at $20; Visit the website to RSVP for events (multiple dates); FB Page; Bar Lubitsch, 7702 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, 90046; https://jetpackcomedy.com/

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Don’t forget Free Summer Music Events are NOW happening, see our sister site for more info – EatTravelGo.com

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 also on ETG.