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

Alex Aronson

Spring is officially here, which means that the music festival season is in full effect. Coachella makes its grand return to the desert this month, along with Stagecoach Country Festival. Horror fans will have plenty to cheer for at Monsterpalooza Horror Convention and Outdoor Horror Movies at the Old Griffith Park Zoo. There will also be plenty of fun events to tend to your taste buds, including the Food Truck Fetish and Beer Fest. Whatever you’re looking for, the bucket list has you covered.

Welcome! – Fundraising Concert for ACLU | April 3
Show your support for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and get your dancing shoes ready! Organized by Zedd, this concert is in response to the recent immigration ban; enjoy a massive show at Staples Center, including Daya, Halsey, Bebe Rexhaa, Imagine Dragons, Incubus, Macklemore, Miguel, Skrillex, Tinashe & Zedd.

Into The Woods at Ahmanson Theater | April 4 – May 14
The adventurous and magical stage production of “Into the Woods” heads to the Ahmanson Theater. The Tony Award-winning musical, created by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, blends everyone’s favorite fairy tales that will be sure to appeal to people of all ages. *Magic apple not included.

Rooftop Cinema Club | April 5 – May 31
Relax on giant lawn chairs as you watch some of your favorite characters, old and new, on the big screen atop various rooftops throughout the Los Angeles skyline. The films range from a variety of cult, classics, and new releases every night through May 31. Hurry up and book your tickets now. They’re selling fast.

TCM Classic Film Festival | April 6 – April 9
From lowbrow and slapstick to sophisticated comedies, come enjoy some of cinema’s greatest laughs at the TCM Classic Film Festival. Screenings include “Best in Show,” “Beat the Devil,” Bye Bye Birdie,” and more across some of Hollywood’s most iconic theaters.

The Encounter at Wallis | April 6 – April 16
At this one-of-a-kind event – witness a unique new media theater experience, presented using a variety of technology and virtuosic storytelling. Host, Simon McBurney leads you on an epic journey from the streets of London all the way to the lush and exciting Amazon rainforest.

Monsterpalooza Horror Convention | April 7 – April 9
Horror geeks and scream queens unite. Experience a collection of horror screenings, panels, venders, stars, and creators at Pasadena’s largest annual horror convention. Guests include actors and actresses from “Friday the 13th,” “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” “The Hunger Games,” “Star Trek,” “Final Destination,” and more.

Outdoor Horror Movies at Old Griffith Park Zoo | April 7 + April 21
Grab your blankets, and experience some of great horror films in one of the coolest places in the city! Enjoy classics like, “Fright Night,” “Ghostbusters,” and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” on the big screen inside the abandoned zoo at Griffith Park.

Food Truck Fetish Festival | April 8
Enjoy some delicious eats in support of a good cause. A portion of all proceeds will go to funding non-profit organizations that directly impact the community and aid the fight to end hunger. Because who doesn’t enjoy good food and charity work?

Los Angeles Beer Fest | April 8
Grab your friends and come on down to the 9th annual LA Beer Festival. It features over 200 beers, 80 breweries, a variety of food trucks, DJ, live music, piano bar and much more! The event will take place at LA Center Studios.

California Jazz and Wine Festival | April 9
Wine enthusiasts get your glasses ready. Enjoy an elegant afternoon with premier wine, microbrews, boutique spirits, and gourmet food at the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel. The event will include food and beverages that highlight California’s exquisite wine scene.

Goldenvoice Presents April Concert Series | April 13 – April 22
Goldenvoice event organization will be throwing their Annual “Golden Voice Presents April” concert series, featuring a variety this years Coachella artists performing different concerts throughout Los Angeles, Orange County, Santa Barbara and beyond. Musical artists include New Order, Bastille, , Lil Uzi Vert, Future Islands, Oh Wonder, Little Dragon, Bishop Briggs, Empire of the Sun, and Local Natives. Click here for more information.

Hans Zimmer at Microsoft Theater | April 14
You’ve heard his music on the big screen, now witness it for yourself. Multi-award winning musical composer, Hans Zimmer will be live at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. His works include, “The Dark Knight” trilogy, “Inception,” “Interstellar,” “The Lion King,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and more.

Coachella Music Festival | April 14 – April 16 + April 21 – April 23
Attention all party guys and party gals – the infamous bash in the desert is back. Major artists include Lady Gaga (replacing Beyonce and twins as the head performer), Radiohead, Kendrick Lamar, Lorde, Mac Miller, and more. It’s time to pack up all of your Coachella essentials and head to the polo field. Get your tickets by purchasing the Outstanding in the Field dinner package. Find passes for weekend one here and weekend two here.  

John Mayer at The Forum | April 21
From the radio to the concert hall – come experience one of the greatest young voices in music today. Grammy award-winner John Mayer performs at The Forum for one night only. Hits include, “Daughters,” “Say,” and “Waiting on the World to Change.”

The Pan Am Experience | April 22
Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to fly upon the iconic airliner? Relive the magic experience of flying onboard a luxurious, two-story Pan Am 747. The event also includes a museum that houses some of the iconic interior that used to fill the shell of the well-known airline.

LA Times Festival of Books at USC | April 22 + April 23
Artists, writers, readers, and creative people alike come together for the ultimate book experience. The festival, held at the University of Southern California, brings together both people who create books and those who love them. These year features speakers Megan Abbott, Kareem, Abdul-Jabbar, and more along with several musical performances.

LA Opera’s Tosca at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion | April 22 – May 13
Sondra Radvanovsky returns to reprise her acclaimed portrayal as Tosca in John Caird’s thrilling opera at the prestigious Dorothy Chandler Pavillion. Set in the late-1800s, the show originated in Rome. Performed in three dramatic acts, the show asks: how far would you go to save the one you love?

Colcoa French Film Festival | April 24 – May 2
Celebrate nine days of French cinema right in the heart of Hollywood. Awards and prizes will be given out to the festival’s top honors. Screenings and panels will be held at the Director’s Guild of America. “La La Land” director Damien Shazelle will also be in attendance, in a conversation with Carte Blanche.

Taste of Grand Central Market by Secret LA | April 26
Secret City offers guided food tours of all the diverse neighborhoods that make up Los Angeles. This specific tour will go through downtown’s historic Grand Central Market – which that has now been converted from grocery store to a world-class food hall.

Dine LA Happy Hour Week | April 27 – May 1
The ultimate Happy Hour is here! The five-day event features over 130 restaurants and bars that will showcase a wide selection of bar bites and drinks. Some selections are Happy Hour week exclusives – so you won’t want to miss it.

Stagecoach Country Festival | April 28 – April 30
Grab your cowboy hat and follow up your weekends’ of rocking at Coachella with a weekend full of country music’s best at Stagecoach Country Festival. Musical artists include Dierks Bentley, Shania Twain, Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson, Margo Price, Cyndi Lauper and more.

Brewery Art Walk | April 29 + April 30
Let your eyes gaze at the art walk – a twice-annual open studio weekend at the world’s largest art complex. Over 100 participating artists, old and new, share their newest creations in the realm of architecture, photography, ceramics, design, fashion, mixed media and more.

The Weeknd at The Forum | April 29 + April 30
The Weeknd will bring his “Starboy: Legend of the Fall” world tour to The Forum in Los Angeles. The musical artist splashed onto the scene in 2015, with his notable debut hit “The Hills” – which earned him several accolades at the Grammy’s. Openers are Rae Sremmurd, Belly, and 6LACK.