Thursday, Friday, May 7-8, 2026 Art Parties & Events will delight you with art openings, and exhibitions walkthroughs. Printed Matter’s LA Art Book Fair (LAABF) also starts on Thursday. Then on Friday, Venice Family Clinic Art Exhibition + Auction kicks off, while the LA Art Book Fair continues. And both days offer some excellent theatrical performances, and some comedy too.
May 7-8, 2026: Art Parties & Events
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Enjoy a a walk-through of Mountain Spirits: Rice and Indigeneity in the Northern Luzon Highlands, Philippines. Gassia Armenian, curator and researcher at the Fowler Museum at UCLA will spotlight the cultural traditions of the Ifugao of northern Luzon. Woven blankets, carved bowls as well as farming tools are all on exhibit which runs through January 2027; Walkthrough: 1-2pm; Fowler Museum at UCLA, 308 Charles E Young Dr N LA 90024; https://fowler.ucla.edu/exhibitions/mountain-spirits/
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Los Feliz
The Hansell Gallery at the Philosophical Research Society hosts an opening reception to celebrate Brain Drawings: The Art of Harry Smith. Furthermore the solo who features an eclectic mix of work from the late artist (1923–1991). Brain Drawings is curated by Rani Singh, Director at Harry Smith Archives, in collaboration with PRS. In addition to being a visual artist, Smith was an experimental filmmaker, a musicologist, as well as an anthropologist. A multimedia presentation for Mind Maps: Exploring Harry Smith’s Hermetic Allusions will also debut. Runs through May 31, 2026; Art Party: 5-7pm; Philosophical Research Society, PRS Auditorium, 3910 Los Feliz Boulevard, LA, 90027; https://harrysmitharchives.com/ https://www.prs.org/hansell-gallery.html
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Pasadena
Printed Matter’s LA Art Book Fair (LAABF) kicks off today at ArtCenter College of Design. It runs from May 7–10, 2026. It’s the first chance for visitors to explore the fair and purchase works from over 300 international and local publishers. David Zwirner Books will be represented with new and recent titles available. Event: 6-9pm; Admission $30; The Fair will be held at ArtCenter’s South Campus at 950 S. Raymond Ave., LA, 91105; https://www.printedmatter.org/
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Westwood
Master Harold…and the Boys opens at the Gil Cates Theatre at the Geffen Playhouse. Written by Athol Fugard, the play is directed by Emily Mann & Tarell Alvin McCraney.
Master Harold…and the Boys takes us back to a 1950s South African tea shop. On a rainy afternoon, Hally, a white teenager, passes the time with Sam and Willie, two Black waiters who have helped raise him by filling the gaps of a broken home with warmth, wisdom, and laughter. But as the day unfolds, playful memories give way to painful truths, and a single moment threatens to shatter the fragile bond between them forever. The cast includes: Ben Beatty, Nyasha Hatendi and John Kani. Performance: 7:30pm; Tickets start at$45.00; Fees may apply. Gil Cates Theater at Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., LA, 90024; https://www.geffenplayhouse.org/
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The Robey Theatre Company continues its run of Colored People’s Time: A History Play by Leslie Lee. The play, directed by Ben Guillory, is an examination of the lives of Black Americans from 1865-1958. By the way, this is a wonderful theatre founded by Danny Glover and Ben Guillory. The theatre is located on the third floor of the building, with nearby parking often listed at the Los Angeles Garage Associate Parking Structure. Performance: 8pm Admission starts at $34; The Robey Theatre Company is located at the Los Angeles Theatre Center (LATC) in Downtown Los Angeles at 514 S. Spring St, LA, 90013; https://www.therobeytheatrecompany.org
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Don’t forget it’s also Downtown Art Night from 6-10pm – visit the website for more info – https://dtlaartnight.com/
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Friday, May 8, 2026
In Venice…The annual Venice Family Clinic Art Exhibition + Auction kicks off today and runs through May 17, 2026. This year’s Signature Artist is the talented Alison Saar. The event will spotlight the work of emerging artists as well as well known creatives such as Ed Ruscha, Helen Pashgian, Kenny Scharf, Ed Moses, Frances Stark, as well as many more.
As always the proceeds from the auction support Venice Family Clinic’s innovative programs and services, providing high-quality health care to more than 45,000 people in need across the Westside of Los Angeles, Inglewood, and the South Bay. Visit the website for additional info. Gallery Hours: 11am-6pm; Venice Art Walk Gallery, 910 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291; http://venicefamilyclinic.org/artexhibition
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Pasadena
It’s the 2nd day of Printed Matter’s LA Art Book Fair (LAABF) at ArtCenter College of Design. It kicked off yesterday, but runs through the weekend.. It’s the first chance for visitors to explore the fair and purchase works from over 300 international and local publishers. David Zwirner Books will be represented with new and recent titles available. Event: 6-9pm; Admission: $30; The Fair will be held at ArtCenter’s South Campus at 950 S. Raymond Ave., LA, 91105; https://www.printedmatter.org/
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Downtown
ICALA presents a performance by Ron Athey and Carmina Escobar. Mouth Full of Spirit was commissioned to be performed in conjunction with the Speaking in Tongues exhibition.
The event will feature the pair chanting a live vocal ritual. Visit the website to RSVP. Event: 8-10pm; ICA LA, 1717 E.7th St, LA, 90021; https://www.theicala.org
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Westwood
You have another chance to catch Master Harold…and the Boys at the Gil Cates Theatre at the Geffen Playhouse. See Thursday’s post above for info. Performance: 8pm; Tickets start at $45.00; Fees may apply. Gil Cates Theater at Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., LA, 90024; https://www.geffenplayhouse.org/
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Downtown
BroadStage, SM Festivals and the City of Santa Monica present The SM International Jazz Festival. Curated by Jazz master Stanley Clarke, this nine-day celebration promises a masterclass in rhythm. Moreover the festival features events held in various venues. Moreover it honors 100 Years of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Route 66! The debut musical experience, Santa Monica International Jazz Festival: Route 66 Edition features world-renowned headlining performances.
Tonight’s event takes place at BroadStage Santa Monica. A Tribute to Coltrane features peformers/musicians Isaiah Collier, one Lakecia Benjamin. Also performing is Tenor Madness featuring with Hubert Laws, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Eric Reed, Aaron Shaw, Emilio Modeste, and Stanley Clarke. Visit the website to purchase tickets; Lobby & Plaza is open at 6pm; Performance 7pm; Admission starts at $81 and runs to over $300; BroadStage, Santa Monica, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, 90401; https://broadstage.org/
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Downtown
You have another chance to see Colored People’s Time: A History Play at the Robey Theatre, so hop to it. Check the listing above for additional info. Performance: 8pm Admission starts at $34; The Robey Theatre Company is located at the Los Angeles Theatre Center (LATC) in Downtown Los Angeles at 514 S. Spring St, LA, 90013; https://www.therobeytheatrecompany.org
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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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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.
