The 10 Best September Events in Los Angeles

Summer may be winding down in Los Angeles, but like the weather here, our town offers bright spots throughout the year in terms of special events, street festivals, food and wine tastings, movie nights, architectural tours, and even, yes, Beyoncé. Here are the 10 best September events in Los Angeles you won’t want to miss.

Barnsdall Art Park Outdoor Movie Nights, Los Feliz – In an exciting new partnership with The Cinefamily, Barnsdall Art Park will host wine and a movie night fundraising series throughout September. The Fall season of movies will take place on the lush West Lawn of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House, so this event is not just for wine and film lovers but architecture fans as well. Films include Jules and Jim on Sunday, September 11, Black Orpheus on September 25, and Fellini’s Satyricon on October 2. The weekly event runs from 5:30 p.m. until late with the movies beginning at sundown.

Beyoncé, Echo Park – Beyoncé is taking over Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, September 14 at 7:30pm. And tickets are still available! I’m sure the residents in and around Elysian Park and Echo Park won’t mind overhearing Beyoncé’s setlist from the stadium, which very well may be the only Los Angeles venue big enough to fit her throngs of fans. 

Roaring Nights at the LA Zoo, Griffith Park – A different kind of wildlife takes over the L.A. Zoo for Roaring Nights, the popular summer music series featuring live bands, full bars, and L.A.’s favorite food trucks, plus pop-up zoo keeper talks, special animal encounters, and—for the 2016 season only—the chance to experience Dinosaurs: Unextinct at the L.A. Zoo. The Friday, September 16 event is the final Roaring Nights of the season, so be sure not to miss it! It also happens to be ’80s Night! Legendary DJ Richard Blade will spin the best music of the era while cover band Betamaxx will have you singing and skanking with wild abandon. There will also be a special Prince and David Bowie tribute with a “silent disco” featuring ’80s tracks from these two musical greats, accompanied by photo ops. This nighttime event comes complete with vintage video games, a neon paint party, and more. 80s fashions are recommended!

Macbeth at Dorothy Chandler Pavillion, Downtown – Plácido Domingo and James Conlon unite again in a powerful adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic thriller. And people say there’s no worthwhile theatre in LA. Verdi’s score elevates the tragedy and horror through electrifying vocal lines and propulsive energy. Plácido Domingo takes on the title role with Ekaterina Semenchuk as the diabolical Lady Macbeth. Tony Award-winner Darko Tresnjak (director of 2015 hit The Ghosts of Versailles) creates the striking new production. Opening night is Saturday, September 17 with dates scheduled throughout September and October.

Gamble House 50th Anniversary Gala, Pasadena – On Wednesday, September 21 Pasadena’s historic Gamble House will celebrate its 50th anniversary as a museum with a fundraiser gala and a preview of the new documentary The Gamble House, produced by longtime Disney producer, Donald Hahn. In the half century since its opening to the public, The Gamble House has become one of the most beloved premier historic sites in America. The Gamble will also hold a 50th Anniversary public celebration on Sunday, September 25 and $1 admission throughout the week.

James Beard Foundation’s Taste America, Downtown – This cross-country food tour features exclusive dining events, cooking demonstrations, celebrity chefs, artisanal tastings, and much more! But my favorite aspect of this year’s event is its location: the beautiful Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles. You should take any opportunity to get to walk through Vibiana’s doors into the onetime cathedral. This year’s Taste America will feature a menu created by celebrity chefs Curtis Stone, Scott Conant, Hedy Goldsmith, Neal Fraser and tastings by local chefs Nyesha Arrington of Leona, Josef Centeno of Orsa & Winston, Jeremy Fox of Rustic Canyon, and Bruce Kalman of Union. I’m sure this will sell out so get your tickets for Friday, September 23 today!

Block Party of the Century, Culver City – Culver City celebrates 100 years on September 24, 2016. At their centennial party Culver will kick off the day with an Opening Day Parade and Ceremonies, followed by an afternoon at the “Block Party of the Century” in hip and historic downtown Culver City. Performing artists of all types – from a cappella to samba, indie rock to 3D chalk art, will fill the streets of hip and historic downtown Culver City as they compete for the coveted Culver Cup and $1000 grand prize. And, of course, the culinary stars of Culver City will be on full display as part of an outdoor ticketed tasting event. Restaurants including Akasha, K-Zo, Lucille’s BBQ, Janga, Wildcraft and more will be offering mouth-watering bites. In the evening restaurants all over town will offer discounted drink and dinner options. Maybe stay the night and book a room at the beautiful The Culver Hotel in the storied 1920s building.

Abott Kinney Festival, Venice – Now in its 32nd year, the Abott Kinney Festival will take place on Sunday, September 25th along the mile long stretch of Abbot Kinney Boulevard, arguably the coolest strip in America. The sunny and beachy boulevard’s eclectic boutiques, artisan eateries and influential art galleries infuse the festival with a local flavor that makes this event unique and not to be missed. Oh, and the best thing about it? There’s no entrance fee. 300 quality vendors, top food trucks, 5 live music stages, and 2 kids stages, and THREE beer gardens.

Fast Forward: The Architecture of William F. Cody, Arts District – On view at The Architecture + Design Museum Los Angeles until September 25, you have the the unique opportunity to see the best homes of Palm Springs without leaving the city limits. William F. Cody (1916 – 1978) was a legend in his own time. His architectural practice was prolific, diversified, and engaged a celebrity clientele that included Walt Disney, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby. His projects ranged from residential homes and condominiums, to commercial centers and industrial complexes, to city and community master planning. It is a tribute to one of the giants of the midcentury modern movement and celebrates Cody’s centennial.

MAK Architecture Tour, Silver Lake, Echo Park, Mount Washington – This event is sold out, but if you can somehow snag a ticket or two consider yourself one of the few lucky people in Los Angeles that will be able to go on this architectural tour of homes designed by star architects Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Neutra, and R.M. Schindler. The tour emphasizes the influences at work that made the city’s pre- and post-war architectural scene so groundbreaking. Of course, you can also tour the exterior of these homes at your leisure any time. The tour includes the following: 

Oliver House (R.M. Schindler, 1934)
Lipetz House (Raphael Soriano, 1936)
Ross House (Raphael Soriano, 1938)
Daniel House (Gregory Ain, 1939)
Alexander House (Harwell Hamilton Harris, 1940-41)
Orans House (Gregory Ain, 1941)
Birtcher-Share House (Harwell Hamilton Harris, 1942)
Jules Salkin House (John Lautner, 1948)
Scholfield House (James DeLong, 1953)

Happy September!

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