The Bucket List • July 2017 • L.A. Edition

Alex Aronson

Get into the spirit of summer with a wide variety of events taking place from the coastline to DTLA. Music in the month of July is buzzing with the FYF Fest featuring Frank Ocean, Bjork and Missy Elliot, and heavy-hitters’ Metallica all touching down in the City of Angels. If food is what you desire you can find it at Dine L.A. or Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival or hit the beach for the Vans US Open of Surfing or Beachfront Cinema. Don’t forget to check out the highlighted events for Independence Day. Whatever you’re looking for, The Bucket List has you covered.

Culver City Centennial Westside Food & Wine Festival at Marriott LA Westside Hotel | July 2
Kick off the holiday weekend by enjoying great food and drinks from over 20 various vendors from across the city. The indoor/outdoor event features local celebrity chef, Kimmy Tang, and music by DJ Gabe of Culver City. Upgrade to the VIP ticket package for free chair massages.

Alejandro G. Iñarritu: CARNE y ARENA (Virtually Present, Physically Invisible) at LACMA | July 2 – Ongoing
The new conceptual virtual reality installation features a six-minute VR sequence for one person that employs state-of-the-art immersive technology to create multi-leveled narratives. Using human characters, the piece explores the human condition of immigrants and refugees.

Independence Day in L.A. | July 4
Celebrate America’s independence with a wide variety of events taking place across the city. Experience a spectacular fireworks display with Pentatonix at the Hollywood Bowl. If you find yourself closer to the coast, enjoy beautiful firework displays at Redondo Beach or the Santa Monica Red, White & Brew PubCrawl. Hit up the Rose Bowl for AmericaFest for a day full of family events. DTLA transforms into Grand Park’s giant block party full of music, food, and fireworks. Revisit the cinematic classic “Jurassic Park” at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery followed by a fireworks extravaganza.

Outfest Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival | July 6 – July 16
Celebrate 35 years of progression with the finest in LGBT cinema. Films to watch out for include “Behind the Curtain: Todrick Hall,” “Close Knit,” Freak Show” with Laverne Cox, “God’s Own Country” and “Strangers.”

Renegade Craft Fair at Los Angeles State Historic Park | July 8 + July 9
Weave through a market full of vibrant local food trucks, independent crafters, photo booths and music. Enjoy breathtaking views of the LA skyline as you explore your inner crafter at a number of DIY workshops.

Beachfront Cinema at Huntington State Beach on Newland & PCH | July 8 + July 15
Grab some friends and pop some popcorn. What better way to enjoy a summer movie than right on the beach? Enjoy “Beauty and the Beast” starring Emma Watson on July 8. The following weekend, return to the galaxy with “Star Wars: Rogue One” on July 15.

The ESPYS at the Microsoft Theater | July 12
Celebrate the best that the sporting world has to offer, and join an all-star lineup of top athletes and entertainers. NFL star Peyton Manning hosts the 25^th annual ceremony. Show up early to enjoy a free celebration as the stars walk the red carpet.

High Spirits Presents: Wine Tasting & Comedy at The Wiltern | July 13
Enjoy curated wine tastings with live performances from a few of the best Los Angeles comedians out there. Patrick Ney hosts the hilarious event that is equally full of laughs and wine. The night features Laurie Kilmartin, Kyle Kinane, and Ahmed Bharoocha.

D23 Expo Festival at Anaheim Convention Center | July 14 – July 16
This three-day event caters to the ultimate Disney fans. The convention is like Comic-Con, but for everything Disney. Meet like-minded Disney fanatics and explore the Walt Disney archives that feature exhibits and never-before-seen tidbits.

Dine L.A. Summer Roadtrip | July 14 – 28
Treat your taste buds to the summer road trip series of Dine L.A. and savor the flavors from the hottest restaurants across the city. The lineup includes a wide variety of cuisines from Mediterranean treats to French food and new Americana.

Los Angeles Soul Music Festival at Exposition Park | July 14 – July 16
Experience a weekend of soul at the three-day music event. Featured artists include Musiq Soulchild, Tony! Toni! Tone!, After 7, Yuna, Kindred The Family Soul, Avant, K. Michelle, Carl Thomas, RO James, Blackstreet Featuring Teddy Riley & Dave Hollister, Teedra Moses, Sevyn Streeter, Tyrese, Major, Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh, August Alsina, Anthony Hamilton, and BJ the Chicago Kid.

Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival at L.A. Waterfront | July 14 – July 16
Winner of four Guinness World Records, witness the home of the world’s largest lobster festival. The event includes fresh lobster, lobster rolls, lobster mac & cheese, lobster quesadillas and much more. Enjoy dancing, arts and crafts, food and musical performances. Come with an appetite.

Agenda Festival at Long Beach Convention Center | July 15
The ultimate summer festival includes over 500 pop-up shops from various skate, surf and lifestyle brands, and dozens of delicious food trucks. Live performances include Tyler The Creator, Ludacris, Cam’ron, Lil Dicky, Beat Junkies, House Shoes, 1AM Vibes and Taco.

The Classic West at Dodger Stadium | July 15 – July 16
Rock out to performances by Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles, Steely Dan, Journey, and Earth, Wind & Fire. The summer rock concert is set to be duplicated on the east coast with the same acts.

The Improvised Shakespeare Company at Largo | July 17 – July 18
The Chicago theater experience that critics have hailed as “staggeringly brilliant” and “smart, sophisticated, downright hilarious” comes to the Largo for a special two-night engagement. Based on audience suggestion, the show is a completely improvised play in Elizabethan style.

Our Great Tchaikovsky at The Wallis | July 18 – Aug. 6
Experience the time-bending tale of music, politics and one of the world’s most beloved composers. The story centers on the works of Tchaikovsky, who was known for his classic ballets “Sleeping Beauty,” “Swan Lake,” and “The Nutcracker.” His premature death, which occurred nine days after he conducted the premiere of Symphony No. 6, “Pathetique,” is still a mystery.

Comic-Con International 2017 at San Diego Convention Center | July 20 – July 23
Geeks unite! The ultimate annual fandom event is back. The three-day event features creative panels, exhibits and thousands of venders. Netflix is also hosting a secret screening, rumored to be the first episode of “Stranger Things” season two.

FYF Fest at Exposition Park | July 21 – July 23
Missy Elliot, who made a comeback on the 2016 Super Bowl half-time show with Katy Perry, headlines the musical event. Other acts include Frank Ocean, Bjork, A Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu, Nine Inch Nails, Iggy Pop, Solange, Kehlani, Anderson Paak and much more.

White Light Night at Continental Park | July 22
The special night honors the triumphant spirit of the annual Walk With Sally fundraiser, which celebrates its 11^th year. The event features live music, Taste of LA from amazing restaurants, auctions, and cocktails. Don’t forget to wear all white.

Vans US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach Pier | July 23 – July 31
What’s the summertime without a little bit of surf? Witness some of the world’s best surfers hit the west coast for the US Competition. Parking is very limited so be sure to arrive early enough to catch the shuttle bus system.

Los Angeles Feast at Vibiana | July 28
The annual event serves as the epicenter of culinary innovation and showcases the best of the city’s Asian-influenced chefs and mixologists. The festival features a unique mix of interpretations by up-and-coming chefs, food truck favorites, and popular pop-ups.

Fair Trade Fashion Show at CTRL Collective | July 29
The third annual fundraiser, titled “Fair Trade, Freedom & Fashion,” promises to be a fashion show for activists. Hosted by Free the Slaves, a leader in the growing global movement to end history’s greatest human rights abuses, and Bead & Reel, a strong believer in sweatshop-free fashion, the show combines fashion and ethics.

Metallica at The Rose Bowl | July 29
The iconic rock band, which recently performed with Lady Gaga at this year’s Grammy Awards, is hitting the stage with their “WorldWired 2017” tour. In support of their new album “Hardwired… To Self-Destruct.” the tour is the band’s first run in over eight years.

Chagall: Fantasies for the Stage at LACMA | July 31 – Jan. 7
The exhibition features Chagall’s most well-known costumes and set designs, as well as some never-before-seen pieces. The show focuses on the artist’s four productions for the stage – “Aleko,” “The Firebird,” “Daphnis and Chloe,” and “The Magic Flute.”

Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey at the Hollywood Bowl | July 31
The Grammy Award-winning singers join for their “All The Hits Tour.” The two are in the middle of their nationwide tour, which spans 22 shows and only runs until the end of the summer. As promised in the tour title, get your tickets now to see the performers play all of their biggest hits. It is a show you won’t want to miss.