9 best bets for your L.A. weekend: Shakespeare, ‘Hadestown,’ jazz, fireworks and more

Shakespeare, Tchaikovsky, a local ballet company and the return of “Hadestown� make our shortlist of Southern California cultural offerings this weekend. Before you go, remember to call or check online for reservation requirements and COVID-19 protocols.

‘Tchaikovsky Spectacular With Fireworks’
The Los Angeles Philharmonic, under the baton of Ludovic Morlot, is joined by violinist Joshua Bell and the USC Trojan Marching Band for a program that includes a pyrotechnically enhanced rendition of Tchaikovsky’s rousing “1812 Overture.� Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $26-$185. hollywoodbowl.com

‘Hadestown’
Go to hell and back — again — as the national tour of Anaïs Mitchell’s Tony-winning, mythologically inspired folk musical swings back through SoCal for a short stay. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday; other dates through Aug. 21. $28 and up. scfta.org

Entertainment & Arts

A mesmerizing ‘Hadestown’ at the Ahmanson makes an old tale feel startlingly new

“Hadestown,� Anaïs Mitchell’s Tony- and Grammy-musical reimagining the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, arrives in Los Angeles with a cast that includes Tony-winner Levi Kreis as Hermes.

April 28, 2022

Raiford Rogers Modern Ballet
The L.A.-based dance company presents the world premiere of “Seeds of Rain,� a new multimedia-enhanced work featuring music by Philip Glass and Czech composer Zbyněk Matějů. Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Cal State Los Angeles, 5151 State University Drive, L.A. 8 p.m. Saturday. $25-$45. luckmanarts.org

‘A Salute to Sondheim’
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles wraps its season with a selection of favorite show tunes by the late, great Broadway composer. The program also includes the L.A. premiere of Andrew Lippa’s “Songs of the Phoenix.� Royce Hall, UCLA, 340 Royce Drive, Westwood. 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. $30-$95. gmcla.org

‘Macbeth’
Independent Shakespeare Co.’s annual Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival continues with the Bard’s tragic tale of a power-mad Scottish warlord and his scheming wife. The Dell above the Old Zoo, 4801 Griffith Park Drive, Griffith Park, L.A. 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; other dates through Sept. 4. Free; reservations required. iscla.org

Entertainment & Arts

The newest, coolest L.A. and O.C. museum shows to see in August

‘Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898–1971’ at the Academy Museum. ‘Cy Twombly: Making Past Present’ at the Getty. ‘Particular Histories’ at the Fowler.

Aug. 2, 2022

‘American Icons: Judy Garland & Friends’
Michael Feinstein and the Pasadena Pops are joined by guest vocalists including Melissa Manchester for a salute to Garland, Garland’s daughter Liza Minnelli, Peggy Lee and Doris Day. The Los Angeles County Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. 7:30 p.m. Saturday (gates open at 5:30 p.m.). $10-$152. pasadenasymphony-pops.org

33rd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival
Grammy-winning vocalist Ledisi, sax man Gerald Albright, singer-guitarist Jonathan Butler and the legendary Sérgio Mendes are among the slated performers. Rainbow Lagoon Park, 400 E. Shoreline Drive, Long Beach. 6 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $75-$275. longbeachjazzfestival.com

2022 Natsumatsuri Family Festival
This celebration of Japanese culture returns with live taiko drumming, storytelling, a scavenger hunt, hands-on arts and crafts and more. Japanese American National Museum, outdoor plaza, 100 N. Central Ave., Little Tokyo, downtown L.A. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Free; RSVP requested. janm.org

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
Bring a picnic, and the fam, as the Echo Theater Co. stages a stripped-down, kid-friendly 40-minute version of Shakespeare’s sylvan fantasy. Elysian Park, Angels Point Picnic Area, Angels Point Road, L.A. 4 p.m. Saturday (also Aug. 27). Free. echotheatercompany.com