IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU,
LOS ANGELES FAM
👋 HEY CUTIE!
It’s been a little while since CurationsLA brightened our day. I’ve missed you + your inbox messages, especially those asking if CurationsLA was turning into a paid newsletter due to over a month-long silence. SPOILER: CurationsLA will always be free. Good Vibes belong to everyone
This past month, I finally sat down and sketched out a new chapter for our parent organization, CURATIONS. We’re building a team, but not just any team as ours includes actual AI members you can email, brainstorm with, or simply marvel at their digital charm. Human or AI, our goal is the same: lift up the LA community and offer creative help to anyone who needs it.
My inner nerd couldn’t resist a makeover, so you’ll spot some fresh branding, too. But your favorite LA stories and Local Good Vibes? They’re right here, waiting below, just as you remember.
We’re back to the morning groove every Tuesday and Thursday. Here’s to more connection, more community, and plenty of fun ahead. I can’t wait to share what comes next.
Avoiding stupidity is easier than seeking brilliance.
🧠 Quote via Sunday Brain Food, #647
🔙 ON THIS DAY | 1949 Hollywood holds a groundbreaking ceremony for the new sign, replacing the old Hollywoodland with Hollywood after the original is demolished.
🗳️ TODAY'S TRIVIA | What unique fundraiser recently took place in Pasadena, encouraging people to submit intentionally silly artwork?
- Pet-pic Costume Parade
- Poorly-Drawn Pets Fundraiser
- Rose Parade Doodle Off
- Chalk Art in the Park
Answer located at bottom of today's publication in a toggle-down.
🌴 COMMUNITY | 🏡 DEVELOPMENT
💼 BUSINESS | 🎬 ENTERTAINMENT
🛣️ HOV LANES
| NATIONAL |
|---|
| 🎵 SPOTIFY now lets free users pick and play tracks |
| 🎤 KIMMEL Sinclair ends boycott, show resumes immediately |
| 💵 AMAZON Prime settlement—here’s how to get your refund |
| 📈 EA STOCK closes up 15% on $50bn go-private deal |
| ⛳ RYDER CUP begins today at Bethpage in New York |
| LOCAL | FUN |
|---|---|
| L.A. Zoo welcomes two baby girl chimpanzees | Design Weekend and free LA Opera headline local festivals |
| Santa Monica celebrates Sustainable September with volunteering events | Downtown Los Angeles prepares for LA Comic Con with 800 vendors |
| Big Sunday Volunteer Day in LA features hands-on community projects | Enjoy LA Opera's free West Side Story broadcast in Altadena and Santa Monica |
| The Other Art Fair brings 150+ artists to Barker Hangar | Over 150 Artists to Participate at this weekend’s Montana Avenue Art Walk |
| Watts Towers Festival returns with live music and local culture | Diving into Jaws: The Exhibition begins today at The Academy |
🍟 EATS
SANTA MONICA 🍕 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES PIZZERIA
Santa Monica is about to get a major slice of nostalgia as entrepreneur Andy Nguyen prepares to open the city's first official Ninja Turtle themed pizzeria on 3rd Street Promenade, blending classic New York style pizza, playful Turtle references, and exclusive merchandise in a fresh, family friendly hangout. The menu and opening date are still under wraps but locals and tourists are already buzzing with anticipation, and with Nguyen’s proven success bringing Hello Kitty Cafe and Afters Ice Cream to life, expect a pizza party worth shell-ebrating soon.
HOLLYWOOD 🇲🇽 LA POPULAR
La Popular, one of Mexico City’s most celebrated restaurants, opened this week in Hollywood, bringing modern Mexican cuisine and vibrant cocktails with a view of the Hollywood Sign. Backed by Grupo Carolo and led by Chef Jhon Arevalo, the new spot features inventive dishes, a lively indoor outdoor bar, and design that honors Mexican roots while welcoming the LA community.
ARTS DISTRICT 🍟 THE SHNITZ
The Shnitz has landed on Willow Street, serving up schnitzel sandwiches nestled in fresh challah, paired with crisp Mediterranean salads and bold house made sauces that showcase the diverse flavors of LA’s Arts District. With reviewers touting its warm hospitality, vibrant setting, and menu that includes vegan options alongside classic chicken, this newcomer quickly draws crowds for quick lunches and flavorful bites, building a loyal following in the heart of the city’s creative scene.
HOLLYWOOD 🇩🇪 BROT+ BERLINER DONER HAUS
BROT+ Berliner Doner Haus is bringing Berlin’s celebrated döner culture to the heart of Hollywood, serving up juicy beef and chicken doner with fresh bread and vibrant sauces crafted in-house. Since opening on Hollywood Blvd, the team has won over Angelenos with late-night hours, warm hospitality, and a menu rooted in Germany’s multicultural street food legacy.
| EATS LINKS |
|---|
| 🍴 Los Mochis and Casa Tua prepare to bring global flavors to One Beverly Hills, debuting as two top openings at LA’s $10 billion destination, via Eater LA. |
| 🍕 Highland Park gets a fresh slice, one of LA’s best bakeries launches Grandmas Pizzeria with crispy pies and laidback vibes, via Los Angeles Times. |
| 🌟 Monsieur Dior by Dominique Crenn opens doors in Beverly Hills this fall, bringing Michelin-star magic to Rodeo Drive, via WhatNow Los Angeles. |
| 🍔 LA’s hottest new restaurants from Hollywood to DTLA now open for cravings, fresh picks on the city’s hit list, via The Infatuation. |
| 🥗 These Los Angeles spots made the first-ever North America’s 50 Best Restaurants ranking, shaping what and where we’ll eat next, via Eater LA. |
📆 EVENTS
| TODAY'S EVENTS |
|---|
| 5:30PM 🎹 PULP W/ LCD SOUNDSYSTEM & DJ HARVEY Iconic Britpop and electro legends join forces for an unforgettable night at HOLLYWOOD BOWL |
| 6:00PM 🎸 ANGRY SAMOANS W/ THE RASKINS, THE TRAGICS, TELL TALE HEARTS, & STEALING SOCIETY Raw punk legacy erupts with classic tracks and high energy at WHISKY A GO GO |
| 6:00PM 🎷 JAZZ AT LACMA W/ ALEXIS LOMBRE Local jazz standout fills the plaza with bold improvisation and soulful energy at LACMA - SMIDT WELCOME PLAZA |
| 7:00PM 🎸 TATE MCRAE W/ ZARA LARSSON Pop powerhouse delivers chart-topping hits and emotionally charged dance at KIA FORUM |
| 7:00PM 🎸 THE HOLD STEADY W/ NEAR BEER Indie-rock storytelling and honest anthems animate the stage at TERAGRAM BALLROOM |
| 7:30PM 🎻 LAUFEY W/ SUKI WATERHOUSE Captivating jazz and dreamy vocals light up a city night at CRYPTO.COM ARENA |
| 8:00PM 🎵 MAGDALENA BAY W/ OXIS Futuristic synth-pop duo spins lush landscapes and interactive visuals at FAIRBANKS LAWN AT HOLLYWOOD FOREVER CEMETERY |
| 8:00PM 🎸 YURI Latin pop icon brings powerhouse vocals and electric charisma to YOUTUBE THEATER |
| 8:00PM 🎸 ALEX G W/ NILÜFER YANYA Lo-fi indie favorite explores vivid soundscapes and personal lyrics at GREEK THEATRE |
| 8:00PM 🎹 PINO PALLADINO & BLAKE MILLS (FEAT. SAM GENDEL & CHRIS DAVE) Jazz and soul masters create an exploratory night at THE FORD |
| 8:00PM 🎸 CHEVELLE W/ ASKING ALEXANDRIA & DEAD POET SOCIETY Hard rock thunder and soaring riffs ignite fans at HOLLYWOOD PALLADIUM |
| 9:30PM 🎸 JOON W/ FANFAN LA Storytelling blends hip-hop and community vibes late night at MOROCCAN LOUNGE |
| TOMORROW'S EVENTS |
|---|
| 3:00PM 🚿 S2O LOS ANGELES W/ AFROJACK, STEVE AOKI, R3HAB, ELEPHANTE, & MORE Massive EDM water festival drenches BMO STADIUM in wild dance and light shows at BMO STADIUM |
| 7:30PM 🎻 LAUFEY W/ SUKI WATERHOUSE Enchanting nighttime jazz with star power and smooth melodies at CRYPTO.COM ARENA |
| 7:30PM 🎙️ JONAS BROTHERS W/ BOYS LIKE GIRLS & FRANKLIN JONAS Pop rock reunion brings signature harmonies to HONDA CENTER |
| 8:00PM 🎵 BIG THIEF W/ NONAME Revelatory indie stories and poetic songwriting create magic at HOLLYWOOD BOWL |
| 8:00PM 🎷 KIESZA W/ BONNIE MCKEE & MELANIE PFIRRMAN Energetic dance pop unleashes infectious positivity at EL REY THEATRE |
| 8:00PM 🎸 SE SO NEON Korean indie sensations fuse rock, groove, and cultural edge at THE WILTERN |
| SUNDAY'S EVENTS |
|---|
| 6:00PM 🎸 THE HOLD STEADY Alt-rock anthems and punchy live energy kick off Sunday at MOROCCAN LOUNGE |
| 7:00PM 🎸 THE HEAD AND THE HEART Folk-pop harmonies and roots warmth create a communal evening at GREEK THEATRE |
| 7:30PM 🎹 JOHN LEGEND Award-winning soul singer brings heartfelt vocals to HOLLYWOOD BOWL |
| 8:00PM 🎙️ ICE CUBE West Coast rap legend commands the room with history and presence at CRYPTO.COM ARENA |
| 8:00PM 🎵 SPIRITUALIZED Space rock universe envelopes listeners in ethereal sound at ORPHEUM THEATRE |
| 8:00PM 🎸 KALI UCHIS R&B star delivers hypnotic artistry and fearless stage presence at INTUIT DOME |
| ACTIVITIES + GUIDES |
|---|
| 🌴 WEEKEND This weekend's events, September 26th - 28th, via LAist. |
| 📆 LOS ANGELES Things to do this weekend in Los Angeles, via We Like L.A. |
| 🎉 MORE LOS ANGELES 37 best things to do this weekend, via Secret Los Angeles. |
🌴 COMMUNITY
LOS ANGELES 🤝 COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER DAY
Families across Los Angeles are coming together tomorrow for Good+Foundation’s Community Volunteer Day, an uplifting event where neighbors unite to support local parents working to provide stable homes. Volunteers will assemble care packages filled with essentials—everything from diapers and hygiene products to children’s books—making a real difference for families facing economic hardship. The foundation’s approach turns compassion into action, mobilizing community energy to break cycles of poverty, brighten family futures, and foster deeper connections among Angelenos from every walk of life.
SANTA MONICA 🛝 CITY AS HABITAT
Santa Monica’s new City as Habitat vision aims to more than double local parkland, addressing one of the lowest per-capita green space rates in Los Angeles County. With strong resident backing, the city is targeting up to 165 acres in expanded parks, walking trails, and gardens, prioritizing public health, climate goals, and holistic urban belonging for 93,000 neighbors. The ambitious 25-year plan arrives as Santa Monica grapples with affordability, social equity, and the promise of open space for every resident.
DOWNTOWN LA 🃏 COMIC CON 2025
LA Comic Con 2025 takes over downtown tomorrow, inviting cosplayers, artists, and pop culture fans to the Convention Center for a weekend of pure creative energy. The event features celebrity-led panels, comic book signings, hands-on workshops, and a sprawling exhibitor hall bustling with new releases and rare finds. From superhero costumes bringing color to the city to energetic fan meetups and pop-up experiences, Comic Con unites L.A.'s diverse fandoms, celebrating imagination and community connection at one of the country’s largest conventions.
| COMMUNITY LINKS |
|---|
| 🌊 Locals can help shape Marina del Rey's future at this upcoming open house on Saturday, via Santa Monica Mirror. |
| 🎨 Discover immersive local art and music vibes at The Other Art Fair, running through the weekend, via NBC Los Angeles. |
| 🎉 Cosplay, comics, gaming, and pop culture fans: Los Angeles Comic Con kicks off this weekend, via Downtown LA. |
🏡 DEVELOPMENT
SANTA MONICA 🏗️ MIXED-USE PROJECT BREAKS GROUND
Construction is underway on Pico Boulevard, where the former Pico Bowl site is being transformed into a mixed use apartment complex with 186 homes and 11000 square feet of retail. Nineteen units will be designated as affordable housing, preserving a piece of local history as the iconic Googie BOWL sign returns to welcome future residents and visitors in Santa Monica.
WEST ADAMS 🏠 142 APARTMENTS
A six story development is planned for West Adams Boulevard, replacing the longtime Advance Food Market with 142 apartments above street level retail and a landscaped terrace for residents. Designed by Kevin Tsai Architecture and backed by CIM Group, the project sets aside thirteen units for extremely low income renters, reflecting the evolving character of West Adams with added density and community investment.
META HOUSING 💸 FAST-TRACKING AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Meta Housing Corporation is fast-tracking a vibrant 395-unit affordable housing development for seniors in Warner Center, Canoga Park, transforming old office space into six stories of secure, welcoming homes for LA’s older residents. This deeply local project, designed by Y&M Architects and backed by the Foundation for Affordable Housing, champions accessible rents for low- and moderate-income households, stitching together the city’s fabric through empathy and action. Find more on the mission and partners at Meta Housing, Foundation for Affordable Housing, and Y&M Architects.
| DEVELOPMENT LINKS |
|---|
| 🏙️ Seven-story mixed-use at 55 N. La Cienega Blvd moves forward after key design approval, via Beverly Hills Courier. |
| 👜 Louis Vuitton flagship with rooftop dining gets green light from Beverly Hills planners, via Beverly Hills Courier. |
| 🏗️ One Beverly Hills retail corridor takes shape with new Dolce & Gabbana and Casa Tua Cucina, via Vernon Proper. |
💼 BUSINESS
VAN NUYS 🏦 FINTECH STARTUP, PAYMENT LABS
Van Nuys–based fintech startup Payment Labs has secured $3.25 million in seed funding, nearly doubling its initial $2 million goal. Led by Aperture Venture Capital, with participation from Capital Eleven and ESPMX, the funding will support Payment Labs’ growth in high-velocity markets like sports, gaming, and the creator economy. Co-founder and CEO Han Park says the company’s SaaS platform enables fast, tax-compliant global payouts across more than 150 currencies, working with clients such as the X Games, AVP, Microsoft, and Sega. Recent executive hire Paul Brewer will lead new sales and sports partnerships as Payment Labs aims to be the go-to payment solution in its space.
LOS ANGELES 👾 SALT AI x HEALTHCARE
Salt AI, a Los Angeles startup, just landed $10 million to tackle the bottlenecks slowing healthcare’s most complex workflows. Their platform helps local life sciences teams quickly create and launch new tools without writing code, making it easier for researchers and clinicians to focus on real care instead of red tape. This investment is a step toward freeing up time and energy in an industry where every minute can matter.
TORRANCE ✈️ BILL GATES-BACKED STARTUP
Aviation startup Heart Aerospace, backed by Bill Gates and a roster of climate tech investors, is accelerating LA’s future with its new Torrance facility dedicated to building the X2 prototype—a hybrid-electric regional airplane designed to cut emissions and transform short-haul travel. The relocation of Heart’s global headquarters to Los Angeles signals the city's rising stature in sustainable tech and marks a local milestone in the push to decarbonize flight.
| BUSINESS LINKS |
|---|
| 🏗️ White Cap opens a 332,340-square-foot distribution center in the Inland Empire, marking a major investment in regional construction supply logistics, via Los Angeles Business Journal. |
| 🚀 Southern California defense and aerospace startups like Anduril and Impulse Space have drawn $4 billion in venture deals so far this year, more than double 2024’s total, via Los Angeles Times Business. |
🎬 ENTERTAINMENT
TOP STREAMING 🍿 FILM + TV
| FILM | TELEVISION |
|---|---|
| The Wrong Paris Watch on Netflix |
Black Rabbit Watch on Netflix |
| Zack Snyder’s Justice League Watch on HBO Max |
The Pitt Watch on HBO Max |
| Luca Watch on Disney+ |
Marvel Zombies Watch on Disney+ |
| The Map That Leads to You Watch on Prime Video |
The Summer I Turned Pretty Watch on Prime Video |
| Bodyguard of Lies Watch on Paramount+ |
Tulsa King Watch on Paramount+ |
| Swiped Watch on Hulu |
Only Murders in the Building Watch on Hulu |
| Highest 2 Lowest Watch on Apple TV+ |
The Morning Show Watch on Apple TV+ |
| Praise This Watch on Peacock |
Love Island Games Watch on Peacock |
The Wrong Paris tops Netflix’s film chart this week, leaning into a fish out of water romance as Miranda Cosgrove’s art school hopeful lands in Paris, Texas, not Paris, France, while viewers chase easy comfort and small town charm. Hulu’s Swiped picks at the roots of modern dating with a Whitney Wolfe inspired rise-and-retaliation story as awards talk gathers elsewhere for Paramount+’s Afghanistan war exposé Bodyguard of Lies, now dated for theaters and streaming. For LA streamers, this slate reads familiar and social ready, but its traction is measurable: Netflix set a September 12th launch for The Wrong Paris and pushed the trailer across Tudum and YouTube, which correlates with its placement on weekly most streamed lists.
FACEBOOK 💻 THE SOCIAL RECKONING
Aaron Sorkin returns with The Social Reckoning, landing October 2026 and drawing fresh focus on the real-life whistleblowing that rocked Facebook nearly two decades after its rise. Filmed with a powerhouse cast and rooted in the true story of Frances Haugen and Jeff Horwitz’s revelations, the sequel captures a pivotal moment when corporate power, youth innovation, and community trust collided, reminding us how digital choices ripple across our shared lives.
TIKTOK 🎥 AMERICAN-OWNED
TikTok is set for a seismic shift as a $14bn deal, puting 80% of its U.S. operations in American hands through Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi’s MGX. This move shrinks ByteDance’s stake below the line that would have forced a U.S. ban, while Oracle’s Larry Ellison continues expanding his media portfolio with recent acquisitions of Paramount and a move for Warner Bros. Discovery. Community reactions are mixed as cultural and commercial futures hinge on final approval from Chinese authorities. TikTok's North American headquarters are located here in Los Angeles.
NEW YORK 🗽 FILM FESTIVAL
The New York Film Festival returns today, lighting up Lincoln Center with 74 films and a community spirit that sets it apart from the exclusivity race. Running through October 13th, its lineup curates the best from Cannes, Venice, and Toronto, making NYFF a launchpad for Oscar hopefuls and a hub for industry buzz. With A24, Neon, and MUBI based locally, the festival transforms into a mini-market where proven films meet eager buyers in the heart of the city.
| ENTERTAINMENT LINKS |
|---|
| NBCUniversal could pull their NBC channels from YouTube TV over dispute, via The Hollywood Reporter. |
| Amazon MGM Studios snags former Netflix executive, Peter Friedlander, as new head of global television, via Variety. |
🏈 SPORTS
DODGERS 🧢 AT SEATTLE
- Fri 9/26, 6:40 PM PDT – Sheehan (LAD) vs Kirby (SEA)
- Sat 9/27, 6:40 PM PDT – Dodgers vs Mariners
- Sun 9/28, 12:10 PM PDT – Kershaw (LAD) vs Miller (SEA)
ANGELS ⚾ HOME VS. ASTROS
- Fri 9/26, 6:38 PM PDT – Hendricks (LAA) vs Alexander (HOU)
- Sat 9/27, 6:38 PM PDT – Dana (LAA) vs Blubaugh (HOU)
- Sun 9/28, 12:07 PM PDT – Aldegheri (LAA) vs Javier (HOU)
RAMS 🐏 HOME VS COLTS
CHARGERS ⚡ AWAY AGAINST GIANTS
🤙 GOODIES
ANSWER TO TODAY'S QUESTION: What unique fundraiser recently took place in Pasadena, encouraging people to submit intentionally silly artwork?
Answer: Poorly-Drawn Pets Fundraiser
