Happy Thursday, CurationsLA Fam! MGM has named the next director of the new James Bond in that of Denis Villeneuve. And local Curators + us at CurationsLA are providing you with local, Good Vibes below. Check out the Activities + Events section, each has a button to explore more happenings. Reading this in your inbox/email client? Then be sure to read online for best viewing. I’ll see everyone back on Tuesday. Have a wonderful weekend! - Wyatt

McDonald’s is launching its new Lil McDonald's Happy Meal on July 1st, featuring 21 miniature toys like tiny fries, a teeny register, and a Boo Bucket designed to spark imaginative play. Los Angeles families can experience the toy-sized world in real life at Santa Monica Place on July 19th and 20th, where McDonald’s will host a free, life-size Lil McDonald's pop up with themed zones, photo ops, and a Chicken McNuggets ball pit from 11:00am to 6:00pm. Nationwide, families can also unlock digital games, printables, and app features to extend the fun beyond the restaurant 💌

Hall Pass is gearing up to open on West Sunset in West Hollywood, bringing nostalgic flavors and premium ingredients to the local ice cream scene. With signage already up and interiors nearly complete, the new shop looks close to launch and is drawing comparisons to Wanderlust Creamery for its artisan vibe. Its classic meets gourmet approach positions it as a potential standout on the Sunset Strip.

Cento Raw Bar quietly opened last month in West Adams, bringing a moody, marine-inspired seafood experience from the team behind Cento Pasta Bar. Designed by creative director Brandon Miradi, the space includes sculptural interiors and a modular seafood tower with oysters, uni, and crab legs. Chef Avner Levi’s menu reinterprets LA’s seafood scene with playful takes like a caviar sandwich on a warm roll and cold squid ink noodles with white soy and uni, all meant for sharing with wine or cocktails.

Corridor 18 is the newest addition to Pico Robertson’s kosher dining scene, serving up gourmet burgers and elevated comfort food in a retro styled space designed for quick pickup and delivery. Recently opened, the fast casual spot is already drawing crowds for its over the top creations like the Signature Corridor Burger with truffle aioli and beef bacon onion jam, crispy chicken sandwiches, and indulgent Messy Fries. Fully certified kosher under RCC, Corridor 18 offers a quirky yet focused experience Sunday through Thursday from 4:00pm to 10:00pm on W Pico Boulevard.

LOS ANGELES 🎞 WORLD CULTURE FILM FESTIVAL THURSDAY - SUNDAY: The World Culture Film Festival returns to Los Angeles with over sixty films from around the world, live performances, and conversations centered on uplifting global storytelling. Highlights include Rule Breakers with cast Q&A, Laapataa Ladies, and a keynote by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Visual artist Sahil Rohira also debuts The View Beyond, a meditative aerial photography exhibit presented in collaboration with the Art of Living Foundation.

SAN GABRIEL 🎬 FREE CONCERTS + MOVIES: STARTS AT 7:00PM: Summer in San Gabriel returns with free concerts and movies. This Thursday’s movie: Mulan (1998) with a concert by A Melody of China and Asian Arts Talents Foundation. Concerts at 7:00pm, movies at 8:30pm - Vincent Lugo Park. 💸 🎈

SILVER LAKE 🍷 THIRSTY THURSDAY 7:30PM: Thirsty Thursdays return to Kamp with a summer camp twist of bug spray, keychains, and wine by the glass. Enjoy bites from Superrad, temporary tattoos by Paper Head Case, and DIY crafts with Moon Canyon Studio, all paired with three pours of lake-glimmering natural wines. It's a nostalgic night designed to channel your inner arts and crafts counselor.

WEST HOLLYWOOD 🎬 FILM + TV MIXER 8PM TO 1AM: The Hollywood Film and TV Networking Mixer takes place at Skybar Los Angeles in West Hollywood. This event offers entertainment professionals a chance to connect with executive producers, filmmakers, writers, directors, and talent across film, television, and related industries. Attendees can expand their network in a vibrant rooftop setting designed for collaboration and industry growth.

HOLLYWOOD 🕺 GREASE SING-A-LONG 8:00PM: Grease returns to the Hollywood Bowl this Friday with a full sing along experience, complete with on screen lyrics and crowd participation. The movie starts at 8:00pm, with tickets starting at $18 🎈🪙

VENICE ☕ COFFEE & CLAY 10AM - NOON: Coffee & Clay brings a hands-on pottery workshop to Saba Coffee Shop in Venice from 10:00am. Hosted inside the surf-inspired café on Venice Boulevard, the two-hour session includes all materials of clay, glazes, tools, and firing, plus a fresh brew to sip while you craft. Led by a local artist, it’s a laid-back way to start your weekend with creativity and community.

CULVER CITY 🎬 MOVIE NIGHT: FERRIS BUELLER 8:30PM: Culver City’s Ivy Station is hosting a free summer movie night this Friday, featuring a screening of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on the lawn starting at 8:30pm. The lawn opens at 7:30pm, and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or low-back chairs; seating is first-come, first-served 💸 🎈

WEST ADAMS 🛝 PLAY DAY: 10AM - 3PM: Play Day 2025 takes over the streets of Historic West Adams from 10:00am to 3:00pm with a free community block party hosted by the LA84 Foundation. Expect live music, food trucks, giveaways, art, and interactive games for all ages. Plus appearances from LA sports mascots and youth play stations. 💸 🎈

SANTA MONICA 😋 EEEEEATSCON: SATURDAY + SUNDAY: A two-day foodie extravaganza, Saturday + Sunday at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. Music, food + a lineup of top-rated local and out-of-town restaurants with live industry panels. Saturday & Sunday, The Barber Hangar in Santa Monica. 🎈

INGLEWOOD 🛍 SIP & SEW SATURDAY, 10AM - 12:30PM: Sip & Sew LA hosts a free, beginner friendly tote bag workshop this Saturday at Sip & Sonder in Inglewood. Attendees will learn how to use a sewing machine and create a custom tote from start to finish, with all materials provided. The event takes place on South Market Street with early arrival being encouraged for parking 💸

PASADENA 🪄 MAGIC MARKET SATURDAY + SUNDAY 12PM - 5PM: Magic Market returns to the Heritage Square Museum offering a vibrant celebration of the Summer Solstice. This all ages event features a curated metaphysical market with local witchy vendors, live music, workshops, healing sessions, and historic home tours. Attendees can enjoy a whimsical community atmosphere with food, art, and unique spiritual experiences.

WEST HOLLYWOOD 👙 LA SWIM WEEK 1PM - 6PM: LA Swim Week brings its Runway Casting and Pool Party to Skybar in West Hollywood. This fashion-forward industry mixer features designer activations, live music, influencer appearances + a panoramic poolside setting. Presented by SwimClub x LA Today, the event welcomes models, press, and creatives for an afternoon of casting and celebration.

EXPOSITION PARK 🍷 UNCORKED SATURDAY, 7PM - 11PM: Uncorked returns to the California Science Center for its 8th annual LA Summer Wine Fest. Enjoy tasting over one hundred wines and bubblies from around the world, plus spirits and canned cocktails, while exploring expanded museum exhibits and dancing to a live DJ. This 21-plus event offers multiple ticket options with full museum access, local food trucks, and supports the K9 Youth Alliance 🙈

DOWNTOWN 🎻 DR. DRE CELEBRATION SATURDAY, 6PM - 10PM: Sly5thAve brings California Love: An Orchestral Celebration of Dr. Dre to Grand Performances with a thirty-piece orchestra reimagining Dre’s iconic catalog. This free concert features surprise guests and lush arrangements blending hip hop, jazz, and soul 💸 🎈

Mornings will stay cloudy and cool through Saturday thanks to persistent marine layer conditions and stronger onshore winds, especially along the coast and into some valleys. Inland areas will continue warming, with valleys in the 80s and interior regions near 100 degrees, while coastal highs hover around the upper 60s to low 70s. Expect gusty afternoon winds in the Antelope Valley and light Sundowner winds near Santa Barbara, with minimal day to day temperature change through early next week.

San Diego-based Lytx has released its 2025 Road Safety Report, analyzing over 300bn miles of driving data to identify rising collision rates and risky behaviors on U.S. roads, including Los Angeles, now ranked the second riskiest city for commercial driving. While industry-wide collision rates rose 24 percent since 2023, Lytx clients saw fewer severe incidents and reduced risky behavior thanks to coaching and tech-driven tools. California remains the nation’s riskiest state to drive, with fog and winter conditions doubling collision risk and Tuesdays peaking as the most dangerous day behind the wheel. Please drive safely, LA Fam.

CALABASAS: Calabasas secured over $865,000 from Caltrans to improve safety at thirty intersections and install guardrails in high-risk areas. Work continues through Fall 2026.

WEST HOLLYWOOD: West Hollywood joins Metro’s AI bus lane enforcement on July 1st, issuing warnings to vehicles blocking lanes on N. La Brea. $293 citations begin after a sixty-day grace period starting September 2nd. 💌 ℹ

METROLINK’S LOWER FARES: Metrolink’s new fare structure launches July 1 with $5 unlimited same-day rides between eight LA stations, plus a rebranded SoCal Day Pass, priced at $15 on weekdays, $10 on weekends. The six-month pilot also lowers most monthly pass prices and adds a 10% discount for veterans.

BURBANK LIBRARY: The Friends of the Burbank Public Library are marking 45 years with a $250,000 gift to fund a new bookmobile, set to launch by late 2025. The mobile unit will bring books, tech, and programming directly to neighborhoods across Burbank. A community contest to name the bookmobile will be announced later this year 💌

After nearly a decade in planning, Maxxam Enterprises has secured final approvals for a mixed-use development on East 5th Street in the Arts District. The eight-story project, designed by HansonLA, will bring up to 220 live work apartments, 46,000 square feet of commercial space, and a rooftop pool to the former industrial site, with 25 units reserved for very low income residents. A previous appeal citing environmental concerns was denied after a supplemental study, clearing the way for construction alongside Maxxam’s nearby Mateo Street project.

Blue Note Jazz Club is opening its first Los Angeles location on August 14th with Grammy winner Robert Glasper headlining opening week and serving as creative ambassador. Located on Sunset Boulevard, the intimate 200-seat venue will host twice-nightly performances and a full season lineup including Kamasi Washington, Andra Day, Esperanza Spalding, Killer Mike, and more. The club will also offer a full kitchen, cocktail program, and a secondary space launching later for additional programming.

UTA has appointed longtime partner and Head of Culture & Commerce Darnell Strom to lead its London office, marking a strategic push to expand the agency’s international presence across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Strom will oversee UTA’s UK operations while continuing to represent high-profile clients like Michaela Coel, Malala Yousafzai and Jon Batiste, and collaborate with Curtis Brown and ROOF Football Agency, both recent acquisitions.

This weekend’s domestic box office is led by F1, the Formula One epic from Warner Bros. and Apple starring Brad Pitt, expected to open between $45m and $55m as it capitalizes on racing fandom and PLF screens. Horror sequel M3GAN 2.0 follows with a projected $18m to $25m, though it faces tough competition and softer tracking than its viral predecessor. In third, How to Train Your Dragon continues its strong family run, projected at $16m to $20m in its third week, outpacing Pixar’s Elio and holding steady despite not breaking DreamWorks’ billion dollar curse.

Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond film for Amazon MGM Studios, marking a bold creative pivot for the franchise as it redefines itself under new leadership. With Amy Pascal and David Heyman producing and Tanya Lapointe executive producing, Villeneuve brings his visionary storytelling, seen in Dune and Arrival, to a franchise that has not seen a new release since No Time to Die in 2021 💌

The Dodgers weathered more than just a pitching duel in Denver last night, pulling off an 8-1 win over the Rockies after a storm disrupted what had been a scoreless battle. Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered five shutout innings before a 1-hour, 27-minute rain delay cut his night short, and Max Muncy’s grand slam, his second in three games, sealed the deal after a weather-aided two-run play opened the scoring. LA looks to carry that momentum into tonight’s series finale at Coors Field, with first pitch set for 12:10pm as they close out the road trip before traveling to Kansas City.

The Angels are off today and return Friday to host the Washington Nationals for a three-game weekend series in Anaheim. Washington enters the matchup last in the NL East and recently dropped two of three to the Padres, sitting at 37–42 with a team ERA ranked in the league’s bottom ten. Angels shortstop Zach Neto, who exited Tuesday’s game with a shoulder injury, is day to day but avoided structural damage according to imaging; with Monday also off, there’s a chance he rests through the weekend series before rejoining the lineup in Atlanta.