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

Alex Aronson

August offers up a packed month of events to enjoy the final weeks of the summer season throughout the Los Angeles. Broadway’s hottest show, “Hamilton,” is finally making its way to the stage of Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre. And it is another big month for music as Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran and Kendrick Lamar all touch down in City of Angels and Sundance NextFest is back with a packed lineup of film and music. If you are looking to fill your appetite, look no further than L.A.’s largest gathering of great cuisine at the Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival. Of course, it wouldn’t be summertime without a little bit of “Jaws” on the beach. Whatever you’re looking for, The Bucket List has you covered.

Poolside Cinema at Mr. C Beverly Hills Hotel | Aug. 1 – Aug. 22
Experience an elegant evening upon the rooftop of one of Beverly Hills’ most elegant hotels. Relax in lounges and enjoy a delicious dinner as you watch a film on the big screen projector. August screenings include the 1986 cult classic, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (Aug. 1), “Pretty Woman” (Aug. 8), and “Back to the Future” (Aug. 15).

L.A. Shorts International Film Festival | Aug. 2 – Aug. 10
The short film festival is set to showcase over 280 films from over 25 different countries. The opening ceremony includes special guest appearances by John Stamos, Dean Cain, Matthew Modine, Michael Flatley, and Robin Wright of “House of Cards.” The festival closes with an awards ceremony that is officially recognized by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Some of the films you see here could be at the Oscars in a few months.

Shakespeare in the Park: “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” at Griffith Park | Aug. 2 – Sept. 3
Taking place at the Old Zoo in Griffith Park, Shakespeare in the Park is an outdoor theater experience for all ages brought you by Independent Shakespeare Co. “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” is one of Shakespeare’s brightest plays, following two young women determined to find their own way. But in order to do so, they must overcome broken hearts and betrayal.

“The Unauthorized Musical Parody of Bridesmaids” at Rockwell Table & Stage | Aug. 3 – Sept. 17
The Unauthorized Musical Parody has taken on cult-hits, including “Scream” and “Cruel Intentions.” This summer the 2011 comedy hit, “Bridesmaids” gets the “Unauthorized” treatment in what is sure to be a raunchy and hilarious good time.

Brew at the L.A. Zoo | Aug. 4 
Enjoy the animals at the L.A. Zoo while sampling beers from over 50 local craft breweries. Upgrade your tickets to get exclusive access to various V.I.P. lounges with hors d’oeuvres and specialty cocktails.

TV Noir “Let There Be Dark” Screenings at the Paley Center for Media | Aug. 5 – Sept. 3 
Travel back in time to enjoy screenings of some of television’s most bizarre and mysterious shows. Screenings include episodes from “Veronica Mars” and “Hannibal” (Aug. 3, Aug. 5), “Dragnet” and “Moonlighting” (Aug. 5, Aug. 13, Aug. 20), “The Twilight Zone,” “Twin Peaks,” and “The X-Files” (Aug. 6, Aug. 27, Sept. 3).

Kendrick Lamar at Staples Center | Aug. 6 – Aug. 9
Enjoy seven-time Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar on The DAMN tour. The tour follows the release of his critically acclaimed fourth studio album “DAMN,” which has accumulated over 340 million streams. Lamar is joined by Travis Scott and D.R.A.M.

Lady Gaga at The Forum | Aug. 8 + Aug. 9
If you didn’t get to catch the Grammy and Golden Globe winning performer at Coachella this year, now is your chance. Catch the singer, who performed at this year’s Superbowl half-time show, on her Joanne World Tour, named after her latest album.

Sundance Next Fest at The Theatre at Ace Hotel | Aug. 8 – Aug. 12
If you can’t wait until January’s annual celebration of all things film, music, and technology in Salt Lake City, Sundance Next Fest should satisfy your craving. The three-day festival features screenings of “Reservoir Dogs,” “Gente-fied,” and “Golden Exits.”

Ed Sheeran at Staples Center | Aug. 10 – Aug. 12
James Blunt joins Grammy Award-winning performer, Ed Sheeran, on his Divide tour. Sheeran’s third studio album produced hits including, “Shape of You” and “Castle on The Hill.” The chart-topping artist also recently made an appearance on the HBO hit, “Game of Thrones.”

Neil Diamond at The Forum | Aug. 10 + Aug. 12
Celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Neil Diamond’s first hit single, “Solitary Man,” which hit the charts when it was released back in 1966. Over the course of Diamond’s prolific career, the singer/songwriter has had 11 number one singles. His global tour kicked off in April and heads overseas in the fall, so this is an opportunity you surely won’t want to miss.

626 Night Market at Santa Anita Park | Aug. 11 – Aug. 13
Mingle amongst hundreds of food, beverage, and craft vendors in Santa Anita’s largest night market. Fun for the whole family, enjoy live performances and entertainment from a lineup that lasts until 1 A.M. on Friday and Saturday and 11 P.M. on Sunday.

“Hamilton” at Hollywood Pantages | Aug. 11 – Dec. 30
Broadway’s most expensive and hottest ticket finally comes to the West Coast. “Hamilton” is the story of America’s founding father, Alexander Hamilton, and features a mix of hip-hop, jazz, rap, and R&B. Don’t miss your opportunity to witness what is sure to become a contemporary stage classic.

Hans Zimmer at Shrine Auditorium | Aug. 11
Composer, Hans Zimmer has conducted some of Hollywood’s most iconic film scores including “Gladiator,” “The Lion King,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Inception,” and “The Dark Knight” to name a few. Cinema and music buffs alike will not want to miss the prolific composer on his Hans Zimmer Revealed global tour.

BrunchCon LA | Aug. 12 + Aug. 13
Get your insta-worthy brunch photos at Los Angeles’ BrunchCon event. Feed your appetite from over 50 vendors across Southern California’s best local restaurants, chefs, food trucks, and stands. The event also includes lawn games and a live DJ.

Willie Nelson & Family at Shrine Auditorium | Aug. 17
The music legend recently took a dip into the blues musical landscape for his latest release, “Milk Cow Blues.” The 67-year-old artist is joined on stage with special guest Kacey Musgraves for the one-night-only event.

Beachfront Cinema: “Jaws” at Huntington State Beach | Aug. 19
There is no better way to watch the 1975 classic “Jaws” than on the shores of the great Pacific. Experience the very first summer blockbuster in an atmosphere that will certainly leave you with chills running down your spine. Warning: you may never want to swim again.

Nisei Week Japanese Festival in Little Tokyo | Aug. 19 – Aug. 27
Celebrate a little bit of Japanese culture right in your back yard. The event includes a wide variety of activities, including art exhibitions, demonstrations, music, food, and fashion. Be sure to check the calendar for all the specific event dates and details.

A Universal History of Infamy at LACMA | Aug. 20 – Feb. 19
The exhibition features the work of over 16 Latino and Latin American Artists who collaborated on a multitude of projects. The installations include performance art, drawing, and video. The work focuses on Latin American culture and its diaspora in the United States.

“Halloween II” Screening in 35mm at Landmark’s Nuart Theater | Aug. 25
Get into the spirit of Halloween with a midnight screening of the sequel to the original slasher classic. The 1981 John Carpenter follow-up picks up right where the last film left off as Laurie Strode discovers the drive behind Michael Myers’ sinister actions.

Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival | Aug. 25 – Aug. 28
It’s time to break out the stretchy pants for L.A.’s ultimate food extravaganza. Indulge in four days of eats from some of the nation’s and Southern California’s best chefs. This year’s key events include “Live on Grand” hosted by Tyler Florence with a performance by Wyclef Jean and two days of their delicious Grand Tastings.

Artopia at Union Station | Aug. 26
Hosted by LA Weekly, Artopia celebrates the best of L.A.’s vibrant art culture. The event includes a lineup of musical performance artists, DJs, dance troupes, and artists. Dine on local cuisine and sip on some cocktails as you soak it all in.

Cinecon Classic Film Festival at Egyptian Theater | Aug. 28 + Aug. 29
Celebrate some of cinema’s greatest in one of the most iconic theaters in Hollywood. The festival features a wide variety of screenings, panels, conversations, memorabilia, and celebrity guests. Marsha Hunt, a star from Hollywood’s Golden Era is set to receive the Cinecon Legacy Award presented on Sept. 2.

OneRepublic at The Forum | Aug. 31
The Grammy nominated band responsible for such hits as, “Good Life,” “Apologize,” and “Secrets,” is joined by James Arthur and Fitz & The Tantrums. OneRepublic’s 2017 Honda Civic Tour hits The Forum for one night only so grab your tickets fast.