Hi there, Tomatoes!  The month of June is upon us, and with any luck, June Gloom (sorry, sunworshippers, I’m in the “please stave off the heat ‘til August” camp).  But regardless of the temperatures, there’s no reason to be gloomy – not with so many happenings in L.A. to help you ring in your summer with ample fun and joy.  From ballet in a bank and a high time in a hospital, to cool jazz and hot soccer, along with wine, women (in theater) and song, here’s your Guide To The Good Stuff…

BALLET TO BANK ON

When you hear the name “Balanchine,” do you go weak in the knees (or the toes, in this case)? If so, then don’t miss this opportunity to see a bounty of beautiful Balanchine ballets…in a bank.  Okay, not exactly inside a bank.  But the American Contemporary Ballet company does perform at Bank of America Plaza in DTLA. And through June 20^th, you can revel in works by the revered “Father of American Ballet” set to George Gershwin, Hershey Kay and John Philip Sousa – all in one glorious grand jete of an evening. Shows run Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, at 333 S. Hope St.  Stay en pointe, now. GET THE DETAILS.

GOOD REASONS TO GO TO A HOSPITAL

I would assume that no one’s ever answered the question, “Whaddya want to do this weekend?” with “Let’s go to a hospital!”  But that was before a group of visionary artists pooled their talents to create the “Hospital Of Emotions” – a “large-scale immersive pop-up exhibition where art, architecture and human emotion come together inside a real hospital building.” 70 artists take over 80 hospital rooms over 4 floors, and visitors are encouraged to move at their own pace as they explore the emotional landscape. The exhibition runs 7 days a week from 10am to 6:50pm, at 2131 W Third St in mid-Los Angeles, with tickets available for purchase in time blocks.  And the best part: you don’t need insurance. GET THE DETAILS.

JAZZ UP YOUR SUMMER

If you like your art with a side of jazz – or vice versa – make your way to the LA County Museum of Art (LACMA, as we locals call it, especially when we have phlegm).  Every Friday night in June, the Plaza area of the museum hosts a different jazz ensemble for your listening pleasure.  If you’ve never been, it’s time you pull out your favorite blankie, pack a picnic, and make your way there. The music starts at 6:00 pm, and it’s a wonderful community event – singles, couples, and families all converge for a lovely evening of jazz, food and fun.  At LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd, LA.  Come early and visit the LaBrea Tar Pits.  Because, hey, it’s Casual Friday. GET THE DETAILS.

GOOOOOAL!

I confess, I’ve never been a rabid soccer fan — only because I’m American, and it seems like “we” only became aware of the World’s Biggest Sport a few years ago.  But things have changed here on the continent, and the people of the U.S. have joined the armies of fans across the globe who are OBSESSED with the sport. As luck would have it, the mother of all soccer – aka ‘futbol’ – tournaments, the FIFA World Cup, lands in Los Angeles this month (cue screaming fans). There are viewing parties aplenty, and of course live games, if you’re lucky enough to score tickets.  SoFi Stadium (renamed Los Angeles Stadium for FIFA rules) will host 8 matches, from June 15^th to July 10^th. And if you can’t make it to the actual games, make your way to the FIFA Fan Fest, happening at the LA Colisseum.  Either way, time to break out your cleats. GET THE DETAILS.

LIVING ON THE FRINGE

Alternative theater fans, rejoice!  The Hollywood Fringe Festival is back, and ready to play. The annual event “celebrates freedom of expression and collaboration in the performing arts, hosting thousands or artists from Los Angeles and around the world. Think “Edinburgh Festival” but without the 10-hour flight to Scotland. Or the haggis. The festival utilizes nearly 40 theatrical venues throughout the city, with shows happening through June 28^th.  Whether your taste runs toward comedy, drama, classical, campy, endearing, edgy or anything in between, you’re bound to find something that entertains, thrills, amuses or moves you.  Maybe all of the above. GET THE DETAILS.

 IT’S WINE O’CLOCK

Summer means long days, cool nights (usually), and any excuse to enjoy an al fresco glass of vino – especially when it’s accompanied by delicious food and good music. And you don’t have to cook, host, or clean up. Sound good? I got you. Welcome to the 17^th annual Wine Nights at Barnsdall Art Park. Every Friday from 5:30pm to 9:00pm through September 11^th, you can enjoy fine tastings from Silverlake Winery, delish bites from rotating local food trucks, get your groove on to DJ sets, and explore works at the The Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery and Barsdall Junior Arts Center Gallery on site.But wait, there’s more!  You can also tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House, “the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in L.A.”  Tickets for that tour are sold separately and are limited. Either way, a pretty impressive happy hour. All proceeds go to support programming at Barnsdall Art Park. 4800 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, on the West Lawn of Hollyhock House. A toast to summer – a votre sante! GET THE DETAILS.

A SINGING ITALIAN STALLION

I did not know that Andrea Bocelli had a son – much less one who sings like his papa and looks like an Italian movie star. His name is Matteo Bocelli, and he’s performing at The Ford on Sunday, June 21^st at 7:30 pm.  Matteo (yeah, we’re on a first-name basis) titled his show for his second album, “Falling In Love.” Check out his videos on the ticket website, and that’s what you’ll be doing.  A hot hunk with a voice like honey?  Yes, please.  At The Ford, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd East, off the Hollywood Freeway. Molto bene, and then some.  GET THE DETAILS.