To Do List:
There are many things going on in July, the official month of red, white and blue, in Los Angeles. In our monthly series All Things July, we bring you style inspiration on what to wear this coming Tuesday (Hello, 4th of July!), as well as our favorite clothing and accessory picks. Try the Hello Kitty inspired Ice Cream by Afters’ (Your tastebuds and Instagram feed will love you.) Watch the new crime drama Snowfall debuting on FX. Read the juicy beach novel, Secrets in Summer. Become a detective and solve a mystery at Escape Room LA. Find out what LA has to offer when it comes to celebrating the Fourth (it’s a lot). Relax while listening to new jams by Poolside, Bone Thugs, David Guetta x Bruno Mars and Plump DJs.
Must Haves
In need of some 4th of July style inspiration? Take a look at our favorite red white and blue looks and read our tips and tricks on how to recreate them this Tuesday. Then shop our favorite ‘American’ inspired clothing and accessories down below.
Who doesn’t love delicious ice cream and Hello Kitty? The California based chain, Afters Ice Cream is collaborating with Hello Kitty to create two flavors like Strawberry Cake (vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries, strawberry shortcake crumbs and house-made strawberry swirl), and Mama’s Apple Pie (vanilla ice cream, apple pie filling, cinnamon and applesauce). Choose between a Hello Kitty cup, a cone or Afters’ signature “milky bun” (a glazed donut stuffed with ice cream).
Afters’ will be serving up their yummy treats at all of their locations until the end of August.
While you’re nursing your Fourth of July hangover, tune into FX on July 5th for the debut of John Singleton’s (Boyz n the Hood, Baby Boy, Higher Learning) crime drama, Snowfall. Set in South Central and East LA during the 1980s, Snowfall chronicles the start of the crack epidemic and tells the story of several characters whose lives intersect and how they’re affected by it.
Secrets in Summer by Nancy Thayer (the queen of juicy summertime novels), takes place on the shore of Nantucket where Darcy Cotterill lives in the house she inherited from her grandmother. Darcy who normally enjoys meeting her new summer neighbors gets quite a surprise when her ex-husband, his new wife and stepdaughter move in next door. What follows is family drama, secrets, truths about love and life and friendship. Get out the SPF, pour a martini and enjoy this beachside read.
Image: skyelyfe.com
When it’s too hot to be outside but you’re sick of sitting on your couch, it’s time to get up and do something fun–in the AC. Escape Room LA offers just that. With three interactive rooms (The Alchemist, The Cavern, The Detective and The Theater) you play the detective in solving a puzzle in which you need to ‘escape’ before the timer runs out. Think of it as being apart of a real life mystery where the crime doesn’t get solved unless you solve it.
- $32 per person on weekdays, and $37 per person on weekends
- The whole experience is around 90 minutes
- You can book a private room for a private event
See: All The Fourth of July Events in Los Angeles
Image: CBS
No matter where you plan to celebrate the Fourth and whether you’re looking for a free event or an all out show, there are fireworks and events happening all over Los Angeles. Check out some of the best below.
HOLLYWOOD
- The Hollywood Bowl: 3 Day July 4th Fireworks Spectacular with Pentatonix
- Hollywood Forever Cemetery: Screening of Jurassic Park + Fireworks
LONG BEACH
- The Queen Mary: All-American 4th of July
- Aquarium of The Pacific: July 4th Late Night & BBQ
- Alamitos Bay Marina: Big Bang On The Bay Party, July 3rd
- Catalina King Yacht: July 4th Fireworks Yacht Party: Pier Pressure
THE VALLEY
- Studio City: July 4th Fireworks & VIP Celebration
- Woodland Hills: July 4th Extravaganza
ECHO PARK
- Dodger Stadium: 4th of July Spectacular
PASADENA
- Rose Bowl: 4th of July AmericaFest
DOWNTOWN
- Grand Park: 4th of July Block Party
THE WESTSIDE
- Pacific Palisades: Americanism Parade
- Marina del Rey: July 4th Fireworks
- Culver City: Fireworks Show at West LA College
- Santa Monica: Red, White & Brew PubCrawl
- Venice Beach: Mr. & Mrs. Muscle Beach
Listen To These Albums
Normally when writing “All Things,” we choose our favorite albums that were recently released. This month, however, there were to many good ones to choose from so here are our favorite four albums to listen to that you’ll be sure to want to add to your summertime playlist.
Poolside – Heat
Genre: Electronic
Dubbed “daytime disco” this is the kind of music you want to play at your next pool party.
Bone Thugs – New Waves
Genre: Hip-hop
For fans of real hip hop, Bizzy Bone and Krayzie Bone are back with an album that doesn’t disappoint.
Bruno Mars / David Guetta – Versace On The Floor
Genre: Pop
This remix is the definition of summer music that will give you good vibes as you dance the night away.
Plump DJs – LDN Selection
Genre: Breaks
This is the type of album you’ll hear at an after hours warehouse party.