July happenings in Southern California

JULY

1: Backstreet’s back, all right! Nineties pop sensations New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys are playing the Staples Center tonight. This could be an interesting ticket — for so many reasons.

Link: https://www.staplescenter.com/wide.php?page=event_detail&event_id=2064

2: June gloom is over. It’s time to track down a friend with a pool and start the swimming season off right. Need inspiration? Here are a few of our favorite stylish pools for summer.

Link: https://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-summerpoollosangeles-pictures,0,2416266.photogallery

3: It’s a burger weekend. Just go with it. Earlier this summer we asked readers to submit their best burger recipes. We narrowed it down to our five favorites, including one that is perfect for the July 4 weekend: the red, white and blueberry burger.

Link: https://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-battle-of-the-burger-top-5-sg,0,6555067.storygallery

4: The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is extending its hours until 10 p.m. for the Fourth of July, allowing guests to browse the aquarium at night, watch fireworks from the lawn and dig into a BBQ picnic featuring home-style grilled entrees and desserts. Admission to the aquarium is $12.95 after 5 p.m., and dinner is $35 per person.

Link: https://www.aquariumofpacific.org/newsevents/eventsdetail/4th_of_july/

5: Summerize your make up bag with help from the L.A. Times stylist. She’s found makeup that won’t slide around in the heat, will keep your shine to a minimum and, most important, will protect you from the sun.

Link: https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/alltherage/2011/06/your-stylist-makeup-that-wont-suffer-a-hot-summer-meltdown.html

6: Looking for a midweek drink? Our wine critic suggests you embrace mood-altering sparkling rosés. Call it the Lambrusco of summer 2011.

Link: https://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-sparkling-rose-20110623,0,4849770.story

7: Fancy barbecue? Bring it on. Every Thursday night, Nick & Stef’s Steakhouse in downtown L.A. is hosting Girl and a Gril — authentic barbecue from chef Megan Logan.

Link: https://www.patinagroup.com/nickStef/girlandgrill

8: What’s better than Shakespeare in the Park? Shakespeare in Topanga. Tonight the Theatricum Botanicum performs “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” Our reviewer says, “Don’t forget the kids, cushions, for the wooden bleachers, and sweaters.”

Link: https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/06/theater-review-a-midsummer-nights-dream-and-the-merry-wives-of-windsor-at-theatricum-botanicum.html

9: In Los Angeles, a movie star might pop up around any corner, but thanks to smog and city lights, stars in the sky are harder to find. Look upward with the help of astronomers and their telescopes at the Griffith Observatory’s monthly star party tonight. It’s free.

Link: https://www.griffithobservatory.org/pstarparties.html

10: Indulge your love of ‘80s pop music with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles today and tonight at the Avalon in Hollywood. The all-’80s set list includes “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” “It’s Raining Men” and a thoughtful take on “Thriller.”

Link: https://www.gmcla.org/gmcla-currentperformances

11: Hot nights call for cool desserts. Tonight whip up a no-bake blueberry fool on a berry salad seasoned with mint. Looks fancy, takes 15 minutes.

Link: https://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-blueberryrec27b-2009may27,0,4860144.story

12: Looking for fun summer reading? Try Margaret Truman’s new mystery “Monument to Murder,” published this month. The plot involves a PI who takes on a 20-year-old case, thinking he’s got nothing to lose. Of course, he’s got it wrong. Find “Monument” in our summer reading guide.

Link: https://www.latimes.com/features/books/lat-summer-reading-html,0,6657508.htmlstory

13: Summer is the perfect time to explore the sites of downtown L.A., including Chinatown, Olvera Street and the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum. Here are 11 adventures to enjoy.

Link: https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-lamoments-20110130,0,5100108.story

14: It’s ‘80s pop night at the Santa Monica Pier. Featured bands include Caracol and — our personal favorite — the Bangles! The show starts at 7 p.m., and admission is free. Walk like an Egyptian…

Link: https://www.santamonicapier.org/twilight

15: Take a day off from work and jump on a train to San Clemente. Amtrak will drop you off right at the beach, and there are cute restaurants and an even cuter ‘50s motel nearby.

Link: https://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-tr-socalcloseups-20110529-photos,0,3011414.photogallery?index=lat-socal1_llpt2jnc20110524163616

16: You may not want to go anywhere today. Highway construction will shut down the northbound 405 Freeway between the 10 and the 101 freeways, and the southbound 405 between the 10 and the Getty Center. Traffic will be a mess, so spend the weekend making the best focaccia you ever tasted. The recipe is courtesy of Nancy Silverton.

Link: https://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-masterclass-20110526,0,1188913.htmlstory

17: It’s time for the annual Los Angeles Bastille Day festival at Elysian Park. What better way to celebrate the wonders of French culture than with a Parisian waiters race, true Provençal Petanque tournament and, of course, gastronomic delights. But give yourself plenty of time to get there — the closure of the 405 between the 10 and the 101 should make our weekend traffic … interesting.

Link: https://www.bastilledaylosangeles.com

18: Ever wanted to become a professional baker? Here’s your chance! Snag a seat at the Gourmandise School of Sweets and Savories for a class on the ins and outs of opening your own bakery business.

Link: https://thegourmandiseschool.com/class.php?id=546

19: Indulge in an evening of free jazz music with Barbara Morrison as part of the Hollywood & Highland summer jazz concert series. After giving your ears a treat, take your palette for a spin by participating in a $10 wine tasting to benefit the Angel Food project.

Link: https://www.jazzandblues.org/features/2011/05/hhJazz11

20: The circus is coming to town! The Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey circus will be at the Staples Center with its new show, Fully Charged. Witness death-defying acts and superhuman stunts that will entertain the entire family.

Link: https://www.ringling.com/SectionLandingPage.aspx?id=45125

21: What better way to spend an evening, if you’re single, than beer tasting and mingling? Meet your soul mate or some new friends at the Catch Matchmaking beer tasting and food pairing mixer at the Steingarten L.A. With all that beer and good cheer, anything is possible.

Link: https://www.catchmatchmaking.com/los-angeles-singles-event-beer-tasting-and-food-pairingjuly-21st-2011/

22: It’s the end of the work week, so why not blow off steam with some feisty, helmet-clad girls in kneepads at the Long Beach Roller Derby? Grab a seat and catch the elbow action as the Bixby Rollerettes take on the Belmont Hot Broads.

Link: https://www.longbeachrollerderby.com/

23: Celebrate the seventh annual National Day of the Cowboy (and cowgirl) at the Autry National Center with crafts, demonstrations and, of course, some classic barbecue. Yee-haw!

Link: https://theautry.org/programs/music-festivals/national-day-of-the-cowboy-and-cowgirl

24: Relax, get centered and maybe find a new yoga buddy at the Smart Water Wanderlust Yoga in the City event in Santa Monica. Celebrate healthy living by taking advantage of free yoga classes and rejuvenate at a pop-up stress-less lounge.

Link: https://santamonica.wanderlustfestival.com/home

25: Nothing says summer like taking in a ballgame under the summer sun. Get your cap ready and catch the Los Angeles Dodgers taking on the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Snack on a Dodger Dog or two and whatever you do, don’t forget the garlic fries!

Link: https://www.ticketsreview.com/baseball/los_angeles_dodgers_tickets/dodger_stadium_5210863.php

26: Finish the workday with some free foosball and $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon at the Cha Cha lounge in Silver Lake. Every night from 5 to 9 p.m., the bar, which features local art on the walls, draws a casual hippie crowd and those who appreciate a $2.50 well.

Link: https://www.chachalounge.com

27: Summer menus are full of fresh salads and grilled fish, but an Indian dinner party cooking class might be just what you need to bring some real heat into your kitchen. For $85, professional chef Amanda Cushman will teach you how to prepare dishes such as spicy garlic tomatoes, lentil dal, spice-infused ghee and pappadums with tamarind chutney.

Link: https://www.amandacooks.com/html/cooking-classes-los-angeles.htm#directions

28: Participate in true summer pastimes at the Leisure League lawn tournament in Fullerton. Grab some friends, pack a picnic and get ready for a few games of bocce ball or croquet. Guests are encouraged to wear white or traditional Sunday leisure attire.

Link: https://themuck.org/performances/upcoming-performances

29: Check out the El Segundo community theater scene with an outdoor Broadway performance festival. Travel back in time to a turn-of-the-century town square with barbershop quartets, popcorn lights and a performance of “The Music Man.”

Link: https://www.esbroadway.com

30: Put on your dancing shoes and celebrate National Dance Day with the “Boogie Up the Boardwalk” dance event. Join the block party dance parade and shake your booty from the Venice Beach Boardwalk to the Santa Monica Pier.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=117181878368848

31: If you’re a fan of vintage clothing and accessories, check out a one-stop shopping event extravaganza at the Vintage Clothing and Textile Show in Burbank. Featuring vintage material from 65 dealers, the show will give attendees the chance to find designer labels, draperies, Victorian lace and more.

Link: https://www.caskeylees.com/Vintage/Vintage.html