LA Life: All the Good Stuff in July
Hi there, Tomatoes! The month of July is here, and with it comes two hard-to-believe facts: 1) 2026 is officially half-over already, and 2) America is officially 250 years old on the 4th. Yep, time flies. But certain things remain constant, like the dizzying array of interesting things to do in our land of LaLa – and this month is no exception. Whether you fancy Elizabethan drams al fresco, an arty twist on technology, a theatrical tribute to an 80s TV legend, or an unscripted homage to Tennessee Williams, here’s your Guide To The Good Stuff…
SHAKESPEARE IN THE (OTHER) PARK
One of the best things about summer in NYC is being able to see Shakespeare plays in Central Park with amazing actors for FREE. (I saw “Othello” with Chrisopher Walken and the late/great Raul Julia when I lived there). And in case you didn’t know it, Angelenos have the same privilege. The Independent Shakespeare Company has been performing the Bard’s greatest hits in Griffith Park for some years now. If you’ve never been, I highly recommend. This month’s featured drama is “Coriolanus” – a timely tale about the meaning of democracy, and how a society embraces it (or doesn’t). “Coriolanus” runs Wednesday through Sunday evenings at 7:00 pm (no performance on July 4th), at the Old Zoo area in Griffith Park. Tickets are free of charge, but reservations are suggested. Thou would be wise to bring a blankie and a picnic. GET THE DETAILS.
DATALAND
If your tastes run more toward the drama of the digital age rather than the 16th century, this one’s for you. Media artist Refik Anadol has put together L.A.’s first immersive “museum of AI arts,” aptly named Dataland. Of course, the terms “art” and “AI” make for a prickly pair, one that’s a topic of furious debate. But whatever side you stand on in the cultural/political AI discussion, Dataland looks to provide visitors with a fresh (and wild) perspective on the marriage of artistic impulse and machine learning. You might find it cool, creepy, controversial, or some combo platter of these, but either way, it should make for some lively post-exhibit coffee talk. Dataland is open Sundays from 10:00am to 8:00pm, Tuesday thru Thursday, 11:00am to 8:00 pm, and Friday/Saturday from 10:00am to 10:00pm. Closed on Mondays. Tickets priced from $49-$59. Bot voyage! GET THE DETAILS.
July 22-25. MURDER, SHE WROTE – LIVE!
It’s been a while since any of us have seen Jessica Fletcher – aka Angela Lansbury, indomitable star of the crazy-popular (1984-1996) TV series “Murder, She Wrote.” In the show, Jessica/Angela was a senior citizen mystery writer with an uncanny knack for stumbling onto real-live murder mysteries…and always solving them before the cops could. And now thanks to “Solve-Along-a-Murder-She-Wrote,” an interactive theatrical event, you can indulge all your own sleuth-y impulses even if you’ve never seen a single episode of the original show…or you don’t know who Angela Lansbury is (may she rest). Described in reviews as “raucous, silly, and wonderfully weird,” this sellout production plays the Montalban Theater in Hollywood from Wednesday, July 22nd through Saturday the 25th at 1615 Vine St. Expect campiness and laughter – and you might want to bring a notepad to keep track of suspects. GET THE DETAILS.
July 26. GO FACT YOURSELF
Attention podcast fans! “Go Fact Yourself” is a pop-culture trivia show podcast that tapes live with an audience. Hosted by J. Keith van Straaten and Helen Hong and featuring surprise guests, it’s a fun cocktail hour (or two) show in Pasadena. And general admission tickets are free…though you can also pay $20 if you want guaranteed seats closer to the stage. I went to a taping a few months ago, and it was highly entertaining. One of the surprise guests was Shani Wallis, aka “Nancy” from the musical film “Oliver!” At 92 years old, she sang an impromptu acapella number from the movie and brought the house down.
Taping on Sunday, July 26th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at The Crawford, 474 S. Raymond in Pasadena. And after the show, you can tell everyone you know to ‘go fact yourself!’ GET THE DETAILS.
July 13. TENNESSEE WILLIAMS UNSCRIPTED
Stelllaaaaaa!!!!! My goodness, It’s so hot. So very, very hot. Steamy, really. If you’re longing to feel all the sweaty, nasty, lie-soaked intrigue and innuendo of a Tennessee Williams play – but without an actual script – you must see this improvised interpretation of the master’s works from Impro Theater. Featuring a crack cast of improv savants (including Edi Patterson, of “The Righteous Gemstones”), the troupe takes audience suggestions of random situations and/or things, and crafts an original, one-time-only Williams-esque drama around them – for laughs. Think of it as “Cat On A Hot Glass Menagerie Named Desire.” This show debuts (and closes) on Monday, July 13th, at 7:00 pm at Dynasty Typewriter, 2511 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. BYOMJ (Bring Your Own Mint Julep). GET THE DETAILS.
L.A. – WE HAVE THE MEATS!
Wondering where you can get a great burger in L.A.? Me, too. But not anymore, since I found out that we have 6 – count ‘em, SIX – beef patty emporiums that were named to the prestigious “101 Best Burger Places” list. That’s not just the best in California, or the west coast, or the United States. That’s 6 of the best burger purveyors on EARTH.! Not bad, for a town full of vegans. Coming in at #9 was Amboy Quality Meats in Chinatown, followed by Camphor in the Arts District at #15, then Petit Trois (#32), Hermon’s (#70), Simonette (#99), and bringing up the rear at #101 was Hi-Ho Cheeseburger. I’m sorry – and sad – to say that I’ve never been to any of these places, but I am going to traverse this burger trail, by golly! But first I’m gonna fetch me some elastic britches. Cholesterol be damned! GET THE DETAILS.
PHANTOM STRIKES AGAIN
I can still remember the very first time I saw the giant chandelier shaking from the ceiling and heard the haunting organ music. It was thrilling – even before the guy in the mask showed up.
That’s right – the Phantom of the Opera is there…inside your mind! And live at the Pantages Theater all this month. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s magnum opus — about a smooth-singing creeper who lives in the cellar of an old opera house that somehow has a river running through it – ran for 35 years on Broadway, and will probably tour for another 35. Because people just can’t get enough of the music of the night – especially those crazy high notes. You can get your Phantom fix Tuesdays through Sundays at the Pantages Theater, 6233 Hollywood Blvd. And when you go, think of me…think of me fondly. GET THE DETAILS.
FIREWORKS
Last but not least, since Independence Day is on its way, you probably don’t want to wait ‘til 7:00 pm on Saturday to figure out where your nearest fireworks displays are. No worries, Los Angeles Magazine has curated a list, which I happily share here with you. Happy 250, America. And a happy and safe 4th of July to you! GET THE DETAILS.
Stefanie Novik
From Midwest roots to Hollywood hustle, Stefanie Novik has spent the past 40 years soaking up the sunshine and stories of Los Angeles. She came for summer school at UCLA and stayed for the earthquakes, traffic, and endless inspiration. Her path has zigzagged through showbiz—casting assistant, talent manager, sitcom writer, and TV marketing pro—before pivoting to real estate, where she now helps Angelenos find their dream homes (cue the tearful key handoffs). As your Guide to the Good Stuff, she’s thrilled to share the delicious, delightful, and downright dazzling sides of L.A. Life’s a wild ride—let’s enjoy the view.
