Happy Fourth of July!

Here's a recap of 4th of July events and other news and events for the next few days.

Author

Adam Kruze
July 03, 2025

Happy Independence Day! I don’t know why, but for some reason the illegal fireworks in my neck of the woods (Reseda) don’t seem to be blasting off as frequently as they have in years past. Which is fine by me! There’s a time and a place for M-80s and bottle rockets and it ain’t 2am on a Wednesday.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a great 4th. There’s lots to do as outlined in the previous issue. For those that are new to the newsletter or anyone that didn’t read the last one, below is a quick summary of what I covered in the last edition. Be safe!

4th of July Pancake Breakfast, North Hollywood, Sunland

Did You Know - According to Bloomberg, in 2020 Calabasas surpassed Beverly Hills as the richer city. The average household income in Calabasas is higher by about $4k.

💼 Tiny CEOs Take Over Glendale! Kids Entrepreneur Market Returns

Date/Time: Tuesday, July 9, 4:00–7:00 PM
Check-In: 3:00–4:00 PM
Location: 100 W Broadway, Glendale
Link: Sign Up or Learn More

Does your kid have a knack for crafting, baking, or convincing you to buy yet another bracelet? Put those skills to work at the Children’s Entrepreneur Market! This pop-up marketplace gives kids ages 5–17 the chance to launch their own business for a day — selling handmade goods, learning real-world skills, and making actual money (move over, lemonade stands).

Whether they're into jewelry, slime, cookies, or custom art, this is their moment to shine as a mini CEO. Parents, you’ll beam with pride — and probably leave with a bag full of adorable impulse buys. Spots fill up fast, so get your young mogul signed up today!

🎨 Get Paid to Intern in the Arts — Yes, Even in the Valley

College students: if you’ve ever wanted to work in the arts and get paid (gasp!), this is your moment. On July 1st L.A. County’s Arts Internship Program just listed some new opportunities. It’s like a golden ticket to the creative world, with gigs in everything from marketing to curation. Bonus: There are positions in Sylmar, Glendale, Canoga Park, Northridge, North Hollywood, and Burbank — meaning you can skip the 405 and still land a dream internship. Use their handy search tool (filter by Status: Open) to find something that vibes with your major (or your passion project).

🎭 Short+Sweet Hollywood: Big Opportunities in Bite-Sized Theater

Deadline to Apply: July 6, 2025
Link: Short+Sweet Hollywood Theatre Festival 2025

Got a monologue that slaps? A 10-minute masterpiece of a play? A flair for the dramatic (or comedic, or musical)? Then Short+Sweet wants you. This long-running international festival that will be taking place at The Victory Theatre Friday, October 17, 2025 to Sunday, November 23, 2025 is calling all directors, actors, and independent theater companies to bring the drama — but keep it under 10 minutes. Think of it as speed dating for the stage: fast, fun, and full of passion. Deadline is July 6, so break a leg (figuratively) and get your application in.

🏫 Burbank and Glendale Score Big for Arts Education

Burbank Unified and Glendale Unified just earned serious gold stars: both districts received Advancement Grants from the L.A. County Arts Ed Collective to beef up their arts programming. Burbank is using the funds to align visual and performing arts curricula across all grades. Glendale, meanwhile, is launching a new Arts for All planning initiative. Translation: more music, more theater, more art, and more glitter-covered projects coming soon to a backpack near you.

🎨 $350K Public Art Opportunity at LA General’s Restorative Care Village

The LA County Department of Arts and Culture is seeking an artist (or artist team) to create a large-scale exterior mural at the new Psychiatric Subacute Facility at LA General Medical Center in Boyle Heights. The mural will be made of digitally printed aluminum panels and is part of Phase 5 of the ongoing Restorative Care Village — a campus designed to support individuals experiencing homelessness with mental health and medical services.

This is a high-visibility public art commission with a budget of $350,000, and the finished work will be installed on a major street-facing wall, serving as a community-facing symbol of healing and hope. Artists working in any 2D medium (yes, including digital!) are encouraged to apply. The mural should promote inclusion, wellness, cultural connection, and storytelling, while avoiding harsh colors and imagery that may be triggering to the center’s residents.

🗓️ Deadline to apply: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 by 5:00 PM PST
💰 Budget: $350,000
📍 Location: LA General Medical Center, Boyle Heights
🔗 Full details & application link

Bonus: There’s a virtual info session on June 17 at 12:00 PM for anyone interested in learning more or asking questions.

If you're an LA-based artist ready to make a lasting impact on a space dedicated to care and dignity, this is your moment.

🏒 Got What It Takes to Chuck a T-Shirt in Style? LA Kings Ice Crew Tryouts Return

Date: Sunday, August 3rd
Location: Toyota Sports Performance Center, El Segundo

The LA Kings Ice Crew is looking for the next crop of sharp-skating, T-shirt-launching, fan-hyping legends. Think of it as the Olympics of rink-side energy — minus the medal ceremonies, plus a whole lot of Zamboni. Whether you can skate like a pro or just dream of twirling while holding a shovel, this is your moment. Bonus: you might get to wear a windbreaker on live TV. Spots fill fast — you snooze, you Zamboni lose.

It's a real job: hourly pay, part-time, home games only… sorry, no charter jet road trips.

There are two ways to join the Ice Crew, and both are co-ed:

🏒 Hockey Development Team
You’ll be out in the community coaching youth hockey at schools, rinks, parks, and charity events. On game days, you’ll scrape the ice, wave flags like a boss, and help with intermission antics.

🎉 Promotional Team
Think of this as the hype squad. You'll lead crowd energy at home games, toss T-shirts like your life depends on it, and help run contests and promotions. You’ll also represent the team at events as an LA Kings brand ambassador.

Whichever path you choose, you’ll be skating into an unforgettable experience — and probably a few selfies with Bailey the mascot. Apply now and bring the energy!

📽️ Burbank International Film Festival Announced

Dates: September 23–28, 2025
Location: AMC Burbank 16
Film Schedule & Tickets: View Full Schedule Here

The red carpet is rolling out once again — The Burbank International Film Festival returns for its 17th year of spotlighting bold, brilliant, and breakout films. This isn’t your average night at the movies. BIFF brings together indie filmmakers, industry pros, and film lovers alike for five days of screenings, panels, and cinematic magic — all in the Media Capital of the World.

Want to see what’s playing before Hollywood does? From world premieres and local gems to documentaries, comedies, sci-fi, and shorts, there's something for every kind of film fan. The films that are screening are too numerous to list, so I’ve got a genre guide for you below. If you want to learn more about the individual films themselves and watch some teasers, check out the full schedule to plan your perfect festival experience.

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now — so grab yours before your favorite screening sells out, and get ready to say “I saw it at BIFF before it was cool.”

📅 Tuesday, Sept 23

  • Theater 4: Documentary & Comedy

  • Theater 11: Films by Women & Drama

📅 Wednesday, Sept 24

  • Theater 4: Drama & Faith-Based

  • Theater 11: Documentary, Comedy, Feature Films

📅 Thursday, Sept 25

  • Theater 4: Comedy, LGBTQ, & Horror

  • Theater 11: Drama, Films by Women, Feature Films

📅 Friday, Sept 26

  • Theater 4: Sci‑Fi/Fantasy, Documentary & Comedy

  • Theater 11: Animation

📅 Saturday, Sept 27

  • Theater 4: High School Films & College Student Shorts

  • Theater 11: Drama & Feature Films

📝 World Premieres, Local Stage: Conundrum Theatre’s New Works Festival

Dates: July 18-20 and 25-27
Location: Victory Theatre Center in Burbank
Link: New Works Festival – Conundrum Theatre Company

Fresh from the minds of local playwrights, the New Works Festival is like a talent show for your most theater-obsessed friend — except it’s actually good. Hosted by Conundrum Theatre Company, this festival features original, never-before-seen plays and musicals that are raw, ambitious, and ready to wow. Catch the next big name before they’re Broadway-bound (or at least before they move to Studio City).

🎤 Secret Comedians. Secret Sherman Oaks Location. Unlimited Laughs.

Ready to laugh your face off… somewhere in Sherman Oaks? Enter the Don’t Tell Comedy experience — a pop-up stand-up show where the location is top secret, the comedians are unannounced, and the vibes are immaculate.

🤫 Here’s how it works:
When you buy your ticket, you’ll get the neighborhood — Sherman Oaks. That’s it. Then, at 8:00 AM on show day, the exact address hits your inbox (and yes, you’ll be able to find it online too if your spam folder betrays you). You show up, give your name at the door, and boom — you’re in.

🎙️ Who’s performing?
Not telling! That’s the point. But expect 4–7 surprise comedians, carefully curated for maximum hilarity. Could be a local legend. Could be your new favorite. Might even be someone you saw on Netflix last night. The mystery is half the fun — the other half is laughing till your face hurts.

🌴 This show is BYOB and backyard-based.
It’s an outdoor residential spot in Sherman Oaks, so bring your own drinks, some snacks if you like, and settle into a chair (they’re provided!) for 70–90 minutes of comedy gold. No drink minimums. No overpriced cocktails. Just jokes under the stars.

♿ Good to know:
Wheelchair accessible. 21+ only. No open tabs, no drama — just really good comedy and good vibes.

🎟️ Book your secret Sherman Oaks show
📧 Get the address at 8 AM the day of
😆 Show up, laugh it out, and leave wondering why every comedy show isn’t this cool.

😆 Comedy

  • Celebrate Independence Day with a Bang! GRILLCHELLA Fri, Jul 4 at 12:30 PM PDT at The Nitecap, Burbank

  • Jeff Garcia Sat Jul 5th 9:30pm Flappers Comedy Club, Burbank

  • 4th of July Weekend Show Sat, Jul 5 at 08:00 PM PDT at Ha Ha Comedy Club, North Hollywood

  • Moonlit Saturdays 8 PM Sat, Jul 5 at 08:00 PM PDT at The Nitecap, Burbank

  • Chateau Sundays 07/06/2025 7:30 PM Door Time: 6:30 PM, The Comedy Chateau, North Hollywood

  • GUYZ NITE COMEDY SHOW Sun, Jul 6 at 09:00 PM PDT at Ha Ha Comedy Club, North Hollywood

  • Tom Filline Mon Jul 7th 7:30pm Flappers Comedy Club, Burbank

🎭️Theatre and Performing Arts

📽️ Film

🎹 Music

🤷 Other

⚠️ BEACH AREA WARNINGS (as of July 2):

  • Avalon Beach at Catalina Island, 50 feet west of the pier - Swimming area west of Green Pleasure Pier.

  • Avalon Beach at Catalina Island, east of the Casino Arch (Steps Beach) - Step Beach swim area east of the Casino arch.

  • Wilshire Bl. storm drain at Santa Monica Beach. Santa Monica North Tower 12 - 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

  • Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove - 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

  • The Bel Air Bay Club at Will Rogers State Beach - 100 yards up and down coast from the club border fence.

  • Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey -  Entire swim area.

  • Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach - 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

  • Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica - 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

  • Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro - Entire swim area.

These warnings have been issued due to bacterial levels exceeding health standards when last tested.

 🧹 BEACH AREAS NOW CLEARED:

Warnings have been lifted for the following beach areas where recent sample results identified water quality levels within State standards:

  • Windward storm drain at Venice Beach