It’s only May, and it’s already starting to feel like there’s something worthwhile to do every night! I am on sensory overload after seeing Life of Pi at the Ahmanson, and the Jeffrey Gibson exhibition at the Broad — both of which are in the picks below and well worth a day downtown. We all need a bit of hope and joy, and these two experiences bring that tenfold.

For more to explore, visit LAist.com, where you can read up on a South Bay library’s new room that’s made just for neurodiverse families, get the latest on Orange County’s new light rail, and learn about the $1 bus ride that gets you up to Topanga Canyon to support business there post-fires.

Events

Thursday, May 15, 7 p.m. to  2 a.m.

Universal Fan Fest Nights: Back to the Future
Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City
COST: FROM $74; MORE INFO

Great Scott! Hop in your DeLorean and head to Hill Valley for the last Universal Fan Fest Nights event celebrating Back to the Future, with guest appearances from Marty McFly, Doc Brown and more.

May 6 – June 15

Life of Pi 
Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A. 
Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
COST: FROM $40.25; MORE INFO: AHMANSON; SEGERSTROM

Life of Pi might be the best thing I’ve seen at the Ahmanson all season. You’d think a story that was a bestseller and then a big, beautiful cinematic experience might not need a stage treatment — and certainly that’s been the case with some lackluster book-to-screen-to-stage experiments — but the opposite is true for Life of Pi. Puppeteers breathe incredible life into a menagerie of animals, from the star lion Richard Parker to orangutan Orange Juice, to dozens of fish and other surrounding creatures. The story is one of faith and survival, and the acting is as much a reason to see it as the set design.

After the play leaves the Ahmanson on June 1, it’s going to Segerstrom from June 3 to June 15, so no matter where you are, you can check it out.

May 12-13

Jack White
Hollywood Palladium 
6215 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 
COST: FROM $120; MORE INFO 

Jack White is a guitar genius. If you have any doubt, check out Davis Guggenheim’s 2008 documentary It Might Get Loud. White’s two upcoming shows on the No Name Tour at the Palladium will surely blow you away — and some tickets are still available. Plus, if you’re a student, try your luck in line at 5 p.m. for $20 seats.

Thursday, May 15 

Locals’ Night at Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier 
1550 Appian Way, Santa Monica
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

The last Local’s Night of the season is happening at Santa Monica Pier, with a free car show, kids’ activities, DJs, art shows and more. Bring the whole family and enjoy the warmer weather with a night out at the pier.

May 5 – June 2

11th Annual L.A. Billboard Show 
Multiple locations across Los Angeles
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

Drive around Los Angeles this month, and you may notice some billboards that go beyond your typical “FYC” or ambulance chaser lawyer fare. That’s because May brings this year’s L.A. Billboard Show, where dozens of artists get up high and make statement art that you can see in many places around town. This map can help you plan your drive, or at least make your commute a little more artful!

Through Sunday, May 18 

Venice Family Clinic Art Walk + Auction
910 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice
COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

The Venice Art Walk is taking over a space on Abbot Kinney to showcase dozens of works by both big-name and up-and-coming artists to raise money for the Venice Family Clinic. A special focus is on the cultural contribution of Black artists from Altadena and the creative communities in both Altadena and the Palisades following the wildfires earlier this year. Artists including Ed Ruscha, Frank Stella, Helen Pashgian and Kenturah Davis all have work on display and for sale at the auction.

Through Sunday, Sept 28

Jeffrey Gibson: the space in which to place me
The Broad
221 S. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A.
COST: $15; MORE INFO 

I was blown away by the joyfulness, bright colors and authenticity of the Jeffrey Gibson show at The Broad, which opened this past weekend. Gibson was the U.S. representative artist at last year’s Venice Biennale and the first indigenous American to be part of the annual event. His works have made their way here for his first solo show in Southern California, a celebration of native culture and resilience.

Gibson says part of his mission is to showcase the “diversity of native America” and that “the only way to move forward is in the multiplication of color.” Here, here. The exhibit is free on Thursday evenings, and tickets are always free to The Broad’s permanent collection.

Viewing Pick

Thursday, May 15, 8 p.m. 

Lightstruck presents ’16mm Brain Food’
2220 Arts + Archives 
2220 Beverly Blvd., Historic Filipinotown
COST: $15; MORE INFO

Selected on the premise that these 11 short films have “mind-expanding qualities,” come and bask in this 90-minute selection that includes “errant eyeballs, psy-fi animations, fragmented dancescapes, flickering abstractions, secret language rebuses, illusionary kinetic sculptures, hand-drawn hypervirtuosities, DIY lenscraft, optical surprises, undisciplined slime molds and the Capitol Records building launching a rocket into space.” Weird? Probably. Awesome? Also, probably!

Dine & Drink Deals

May 12-18

American Craft Beer Week 
Multiple locations, Anaheim
COST: FREE TO SIGN UP; MORE INFO

Celebrate American Craft Beer Week in Anaheim at award-winning breweries like Noble Ale Works, Brewery X and Unsung Brewing with the Visit Anaheim Brew Pass, a free, mobile-friendly passport to unlock exclusive deals and perks at top breweries throughout the city all week long.

Wednesday, May 14, 6:30 p.m.

Salvador Dali Surrealism Dinner 
VEFA Gallery 
21825 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance
COST: FROM $450; MORE INFO

In 1974, surrealist artist Salvador Dali wrote a cookbook, and now, guided by cultural historian Caroyn Tillie, the experience is coming to life at this gallery dinner in Torrance. A portion of the proceeds goes to Collage: A Place for Art & Culture, which hosts art and music programs in San Pedro and also donates musical instruments to people in need, including those who lost instruments in the fires. In addition to dinner, the event features a live Spanish guitarist during the reception and an illustrated presentation on edible surrealism. Start growing your handlebar moustache now!

Thursday, May 15, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Wine ’n Jazz
Canal Market
600 Mildred Ave., Venice
COST: $40; MORE INFO

Canal Market is a great spot to hit up after you check out the Venice Art Walk. Mosey over for live jazz by Babo, Italian grape varietals from Australian winemaker Deliquente and tasty snack pairings. Ticket includes wine sampling, snacks and music on the patio.