Looking for fun this Cinco de Mayo weekend? Here are our top 10 picks
Commemorate Mexico’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 with our roundup of 10 arts-related events this Cinco de Mayo weekend — some free, some family friendly, some adults-only, all fun.
Lucha VaVoom’s ‘Cinco de Mayan’
Masked Mexican wrestlers grapple, comics crack wise, aerialists soar and burlesque performers strut their scantily clad stuff in the annual Cinco de Mayo edition of this saucy variety show for ages 21 and older only. 1038 S. Hill St., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. May 4 and 5. $45-$65. luchavavoom.com
Known for embracing camp, silliness and an element of awe, the indie lucha libre company Lucha VaVoom rings in two-plus decades of high-flying fun with a pair of Valentine’s Day shows.
Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
This free and family-friendly outing includes performances by youth ensembles Mariachi Garibaldi Juvenil de Jaime Cuellar and Ballet Folklorico Los Angelitos. 2nd & PCH, 6400 E Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach. 5 p.m. May 5. Free. 2ndandpch.com
The Last Bandoleros
The pride of San Antonio, this Tex-Mex country-rock trio shares the stage with special guests for an evening of original songs and classic tunes in English and Spanish. Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz at Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles, 10361 W. Pico Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. May 5. $30, $40. theatreraymondkabbaz.com
Original Lowrider Cinco de Mayo Weekend
Veteran rockers Malo and R&B group Midnight Star are among myriad acts featured at this two-day indoor extravaganza that also includes mariachis, folklorico dancers, DJ sets and cars — lots and lots of cars. Noon to 8 p.m. May 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 7. $35, $60. originallowrider.com
Have you noticed? Every weekend, caravans of lowriders and custom cars are cruising and hopping in a resurgent ritual. Van Nuys Boulevard is one of the city’s oldest sites of this resilient SoCal obsession.
Cinco de Mayo at the Rose Bowl
This free and family-friendly community event includes live music and dance performances, vendor booths, a youth soccer tournament and a stair-climb challenge, plus screenings of the hit films “Coco,” “Selena” and “Encanto.” Rose Bowl Stadium, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena. Noon to 8:30 p.m., May 6. Free. Register at rosebowlstadium.com
Historical Venice Cinco de Mayo Parade & Festival
This event has everything: live music and dance, DJ sets, food trucks, classic cars, vendor booths and mucho, mucho más. Oakwood Park, 767 California Ave., Venice. Parade: 10 a.m. May 6; festival: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free. eventbrite.com
Taco Madness 2023
Sample tacos crafted by some of the our fair city’s best taqueros, browse vendor booths and enjoy live music at the return in this annual foodie festival for ages 21 and over only. LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, 501 N. Main St., downtown L.A. 5 p.m. May 6. $10-$70. lapca.org
This week’s recommendations include three wildly different, satisfying tacos, including birria in the San Fernando Valley, Indonesian-inspired tacos in Echo Park and seafood tacos in downtown Los Angeles.
Cinco de Mayo Fest at Pershing Square
L.A. Orquesta Nueva Revolucion, La Revancha, El Mariachi Cielito Lindo and DJ Hem are among the acts slated for this free community event for ages 21 and older only. Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive St., downtown L.A. 3:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. May 6. Register at eventbrite.com
‘Viva Poesía!’
David A. Romero, Ceasar K. Avelar and Margaret Elysia Garcia are among the Latinx and Chicanx poets taking part in this celebration of poetry and the spoken word hosted by Cultura con Llantas. The Cheech (The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art at Riverside Art Museum), 3581 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside. 6 to 9 p.m. May 6. Free; RSVP at riversideartmuseum.org
The Cannabis & Movies Club Cinco de Mayo Celebration
This members-only event for ages 21 and older only includes music, food options and not one but two screenings of Robert Rodriguez’s action-packed 1995 thriller “Desperado” starring Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek. And yes, cannabis consumption will be allowed on the venue’s private outdoor patio. The Lyric Hyperion Theater, 2106 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake. 4 to 10 p.m. May 7. $20-$75; pre-registration required. cannabisandmovies.com
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