Coming Soon: The Best of LA May 19-25, 2025

The World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers are hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 19-21. The three-game homestand includes a Vin Scully Bobblehead giveaway on Monday, May 19; Mexican Heritage Night (May 20) and a Will Smith "Last Out" Bobblehead on Wednesday. First pitch for all three games is at 7:10pm.

They Call Her Death, the micro-budget Western from Kansas-based director Austin Snell, was shot on vintage 16mm cameras and has been garnering a cult following in screenings across the U.S. The movie makes its LA premiere on Monday, May 19 with a special 35mm screening at the New Beverly Cinema as part of a double-feature with 1972 Spanish film Cut-Throats Nine.

Mozart’s Horn Quintet and String Quintet No. 22 are part of the Mozart, Shaw & Smith program at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Tuesday, May 20. The night of small ensemble pieces will also include Caroline Shaw’s Entr’acte and Gabriella Smith’s Brandenburg Interstices. There will be a complimentary wine reception at 6:30pm. The performance begins at 8pm.

Celebrate the music of the late Quincy Jones at Catalina Jazz Club on Tuesday night with special tribute performances featuring Scherrie Payne and Lynda Laurence of The Supremes and Joyce Vincent of Tony Orlando & Dawn. Soul singer Freda Payne hosts the event.

On Sharon Van Etten & the Attachment Theory, the popular singer-songwriter has released her first full-length made in collaboration with her band, The Attachment Theory. This month, Van Etten and the band are on the road in support of the synth-heavy album. They’re playing The Wiltern on Wednesday, May 21 with Love Spells opening. Tickets at Live Nation.

Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s Grand National Tour reaches SoFi Stadium on May 21, where the two superstars will perform for three nights. Tickets for Wednesday’s show are running low and even fewer remain for the weekend dates, so this is your best chance to catch one of this year’s most anticipated tours. Tickets at Ticketmaster.

Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter, Miya Folick, who recently covered James’ ‘90s alternative classic “Laid” for the Peacock TV series of the same name, brings her Erotica Veronica tour to Highland Park’s Lodge Room on Wednesday, May 21, with support from Olivia Kaplan.

Head to Boyle Heights on Thursday night for LA-centric underground hip-hop when Pigeon John and Awol One’s current tour stops at The Paramount. Their hometown stop includes support from Abstract Rude and Gel Roc. Tickets at Dice.

London-based director Karan Kandhari will participate in a Q&A for a screening of his Fantastic Fest award-winning debut film, Sister Midnight at Alamo Drafthouse at The Bloc in Downtown LA on Thursday, May 22.

Local artist and filmmaker Brigid McCaffrey shot her latest film, Sanctuary Station, on black and white 16mm film and Super 16. The film, which is about women and youth living in remote regions of northwestern California, makes its LA premiere at 2220 Arts + Archives on Thursday, May 22, with McCaffrey in person for a post-screening discussion. Tickets at Dice.

Factory 93 and Stranger Than present Loco Dice’s Purple Jam World Tour stop in Los Angeles on Friday, May 23. The German tech-house DJ will be releasing his fourth full-length album, Purple Jam, on the same day as his appearance at Gloria Molina Grand Park in Downtown LA. Tickets at Dice.

The LA Sparks meet up with the Golden State Valkyries for the third time this month on May 23, but this time, the game is on home court. Catch the Sparks at 7pm on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures celebrates the work of production designer Sarah Greenwood and set director Katie Spencer, who earned their seventh Oscar nomination for their collaborative work on Barbie, with a special screening of the 2023 blockbuster on Friday, May 23. Greenwood and Spencer will be in attendance for this event.

On their latest album, Doggod, locals L.A. Witch recorded in Paris and tapped into a dark and unnerving psychedelic sound to make their strongest album to date. Catch the band’s hometown show at Lodge Room on Friday, May 23, with support from Daiistar.

On their latest album, True Electric, Norwegian duo Röyksopp includes contemporary reworks of fan favorites like “Do It Again,” “The Girl and the Robot” and “What Else Is There?” inspired by their True Electric DJ tour. The U.S. leg of this worldwide jaunt is happening this month and they hit Los Angeles on Friday, May 23. Tickets are running low for their DJ set at The Fonda, so act fast!

Cinespia launches their 2025 season at Hollywood Forever on Saturday, May 24 with The Big Lebowski. Tickets for the long-running outdoor screening series tend to sell out, so get your tickets ASAP if you want to catch the cult classic on Memorial Day Weekend. Gates at 6:45pm, the movie starts at 8:30pm.

Irish singer and NTS radio host Maria Somerville recently released the full-length album Luster, an exquisite collection of songs inspired by the rural landscape where she was raised, on the venerable indie label 4AD. A must-hear artist for fans of 4AD favorites like Cocteau Twins and Jenny Hval, Somerville plays Zebulon on Saturday, May 24. Tickets at Dice.

Etheria, the film festival centered on horror movies made by women, presents the West Coast Premiere of director Izzy Lee’s feature debut, House of Ashes on Saturday, May 24 at the Los Feliz 3. The supernatural screening will be followed by a Q&A session with Lee, as well as cast and crew members.

Shoegaze faves DIIV begin their three-night stand at Teragram Ballroom on Saturday, May 24. The hometown shows are your last chance to catch the band before they head out for a summer of touring Australia and Europe. Don’t miss out. Tickets at Ticketmaster.

Tickets are running extremely low for Angel City FC’s match against Racing Louisville FC at BMO Stadium, so act fast if your Memorial Day Weekend plans include Saturday night soccer.

San Francisco’s longtime DJ duo Gabriel & Dresden return to Los Angeles on Saturday, May 24 with their “Classics Only” set, where they play house, trance and techno bangers from the 1990s through today. Catch them at Sound, where they’ll be playing from open to close. Tickets at Dice.

Pool party season kicks off on Sunday, May 25 at Downtown LA’s Moxy Hotel with a headlining set from Flamingosis, the New Jersey-based producer whose sound recalls the vintage funk-heavy style of ‘90s hip-hop DJs. Head upstairs to Golden Hour at Level 8 for this afternoon bash presented by Orlove and Stereo Punks. Tickets at Eventbrite.

Cinespia is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Clueless with a Memorial Day Weekend screening of the 1990s teen comedy classic at Hollywood Forever. Gates at 6:45pm and the film starts at 8:30pm, so plan on a picnic dinner on the lawn beforehand.

Spend a soulful Sunday at The Paramount on May 25, when Adrian Carmine - whose latest slow jam, “Where Heaven Ends,” was released in April - plays alongside fellow local old souls Thee Illusions. Tickets at Dice.

Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend on a sunset cruise with Deep House Brunch. You’ll set sail on the Catalina King at 6pm and dance to the sounds of Drums of the Sun, Scotty Boy and more until you return to Long Beach at 9pm. Plan to arrive at 5pm for boarding. Tickets at Eventbrite.