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Best Things To Do In This Week In Los Angeles and Southern California: Apr. 1 - 4

Bruce Springsteen performs on stage with his arms outstretched. Fans reach up from the crowd.
Bruce Springsteen performing at the L.A. Sports Arena.
(
Kevin Winter
/
Getty Images
)
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It may be April Fool’s Day but the events going on this week are no joke! There’s music for kids and adults, with School of Rock’s kids jam camp underway and Bruce Springsteen headlining The Forum for two long-awaited shows. Get your dose of earnestness at The Moth mainstage or spend an evening with Stacey Abrams at Writers Bloc. And of course, we can’t forget about deals coming up for National Burrito Day (April 4).

Visit LAist.com for more things to explore, including the LAist community blood drive on April 4 and an interview with the Biryani Boys, who hope to build a Pakistani fast-casual empire.

Events

  • April 1, 2024 through April 5, 2024

    Three young students perform on stage. The two students in the background, wearing black t-shirts, are playing guitar.  In the foreground, a young woman in a shorts and a tank top sings.
    (
    Los Angeles College of Music
    /
    )

    The kids are off from school, so send them to School of Rock’s five-day Classic Rock Rewind spring break, where they can jam all week long and get an education in the classics, from The Beatles to Led Zeppelin. If only there was a version for the grownups!

  • Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 8:00 PM

    A digital poster for 'The Moth Mainstage' presented by KCRW. The photo is of a microphone with no audience visible in the background. White text is overlayed, sharing the April 2nd event date and The Moth logo.
    (
    KCRW
    /
    )

    Our friends at KCRW are hosting storytelling night The Moth at the United Theater (formerly the Theatre at the Ace Hotel). Always an evening of laughs, tears, and incredible true stories, this month’s theme is "Where the Heart Is" and features host Amir Baghdadchi and an array of talented storytellers.

  • Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 8:00 PM

    A black woman, Stacey Abrams, sits on stage during a conversation. She has short cily hair, and she's wearing a blue-gray long-sleeve jacket over a black top. The curtain behind her on stage is blue.
    Politician, activist, and author Stacey Abrams speaks during a conversation with Wilson Cruz at The 92nd Street Y on May 25, 2023 in New York City.
    (
    John Lamparski
    /
    Getty Images
    )

    You know Stacey Abrams from her high-profile run for Georgia governor and her work founding Fair Fight Action to reduce voter suppression in that state. But did you know she’s also a crime fiction author? Abrams joins actor Dulé Hill to discuss her 2023 thriller novel Rogue Justice (and surely some real-life politics as well).

  • Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 8:00 PM

    Two black men, actors Marcel Spears and Matthew Elijah Webb, embrace during rehearsals for the stage show 'Fat Ham.' The photo is in black and white.
    Marcel Spears as "Juicy" and Matthew Elijah Webb as "Larry" during rehearsals for the show 'Fat Ham.'
    (
    Courtesy of Geffen Playhouse
    /
    )

    Inspired by the success of Broadway’s Black Out Nights, which is dedicated to bringing Black-identifying audiences to the theater, the Geffen is hosting a Black Partners Appreciation Night preview performance of Fat Ham, the Pulitzer Prize-winning riff on Hamlet. The show, about a queer Black man visited by his father’s ghost at a family barbeque, is followed by an afterparty in the courtyard. All proceeds benefit the theater’s community partners.

    If you can’t make it on Tuesday, the show opens officially on April 4 and runs through April 28.

  • Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 7:30 PM

    A man who appears to be white and in his 60s or 70s performs onstage with a guitar. Two other men playing guitar flank him. A large crowd with their hands in the air can be seen in front of the stage.
    Nils Lofgren and Bruce Springsteen of the E Street Band perform at the Amalie Arena on February 1, 2023 in Tampa, Florida.
    (
    Octavio Jones
    /
    Getty Images
    )

    After a six-month pause due to a peptic ulcer that hindered his ability to sing at all, The Boss is back on tour and in the house for two nights at the Kia Forum this Thursday and on Sunday, April 7. Springsteen fans will be bandana-ed and ready to rock, so snag a ticket and get there early.

  • Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 7:45 PM

    Warm lights hang from a ceiling while the name of the venue "Edendale" in Silverlake, CA sits in front.
    (
    Courtesy Edendale
    )

    Jeopardy! and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire alum Muffy Marracco hosts Thursday night trivia at Silver Lake’s Edendale. The quiz starts at 8:30 p.m. and the winner takes a $30 pot – and of course, bragging rights. Reservations recommended.

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Outdoor Pick

  • Tuesday, April 2, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

    A green poster featuring people doing various park activities such as dog walking, a picnic and planting a tree. The poster features the text "Arts and Climate Collective Festival" happening at USC.
    (
    Courtesy USC Visions and Voices
    /
    )

    Art activations, murals, and student projects take over the lawn at the USC Arts & Climate Collective annual festival. Walk through and enjoy tacos from Chichen Itza while taking in creative efforts that respond to themes of environmental justice and sustainability.

Viewing Pick

  • Monday, April 1, 2024 from 8:00 PM to 11:30 PM

    A poster for the movie 'The Big Lebowski' with actor Jeff Bridges' face up close and wearing glasses with a psychedelic print.
    (
    Courtesy Gramercy Pictures
    /
    )

    It’s outdoor movie season again and Mama Shelter hosts films under the stars in Hollywood, starting with the Coen brothers' classic The Big Lebowski. Snuggle up with a blanket, a cocktail, and free popcorn.

Dine & Drink Deals

Enjoy these delicious eats and drinking deals this week.

  • Monday, April 1, 2024 from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM

    A red and pink rose wall with a sign that says Cafe Sheera Beverly Hills.
    (
    Courtesy Cafe Sheera
    /
    )

    Nowruz ends on April 1, but you can keep celebrating the Persian New Year now and all year round with delicious Middle Eastern-inspired coffees and treats at Cafe Sheera, including date shakes, chocolate-covered dates, and baklava.

  • Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 5:00 PM

    A hand holding a piece of sushi.
    (
    Isla
    /
    Instagram
    )

    Chefs Colin Whitbread and Cody Requejo are focused on fishing sustainability. They bring their dry-aged sushi to Isla in Santa Monica for a special dinner series paired with biodynamic wines.

  • Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 10:30 AM

    A burrito cut in half with beans, rice and other vegetables on a red plate.
    (
    Courtesy Tocaya
    /
    )

    Sign up for Tocaya’s email list and in honor of National Burrito Day (why not, we can get behind that holiday!) you’ll receive free chips and guacamole with any burrito purchase.

What questions do you have about Southern California?

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