🍔 Art Fair, Pokémon, and Smash Burgers

Welcome to your weekly San Fernando Valley update: August 21–27, 2025.

In this week’s NoHo Nick:

• ⚡ Pokémon Party

• 🖼️ Art Fair

• 🍔 Smash Burgers

• 🥯 Bagels

This week, I drove to Joshua Tree to watch the Perseids meteor shower.

Beautiful! I saw lots of shooting stars.

Every August, Earth passes through the tail of a comet.

This causes “shooting stars” in the atmosphere.

Interested in seeing it, too? There’s still time!

Visit a dark park outside of LA until August 23.

🎸 California MusicBox (Northridge) offers after-school and in-school lessons for piano, guitar, drums, voice, ukulele, and more.

For the last 9+ years, kids of all ages have discovered their love of music through personalized lessons at California MusicBox.

Some of their programs count for college credit.

👉 Want to give it a try? Your first lesson is free. Tell them NoHo Nick sent you.

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Here’s what’s happening:

🚗 WeHo Lowers Speed Limits. West Hollywood is reducing speed limits by 5 mph on 28 streets to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety. New speed signs will roll out soon. (NBC LA)

🗳️ Plan Would Split Simi Valley from Ventura County. Governor Newsom is backing a proposed redistricting plan that would remove Simi Valley from Ventura County’s congressional district and place it into a new one with parts of the San Fernando Valley, Malibu, and Pacific Palisades. (VC Star)

These are my favorite upcoming events:

Ongoing

♟️ NoHo Chess Club (North Hollywood): Join chess players of all levels for weekly chess games. Boards and pieces are provided. Every Tuesday from 7 PM to 10 PM at Brews Brothers, 5140 Lankershim Blvd.

🥕 Woodland Hills Farmers Market (Woodland Hills): Regional farmers, curated prepared foods, and artisanal crafts at this weekly market. Every Thursday, from 9 AM to 2 PM at Kaiser Permanente.

🧠 Trivia Tuesdays (Northridge): Weekly trivia at Dave & Buster's. Fun prizes and arcade games. Free. Every Tuesday at 7:30 PM at Dave & Buster's.

Thursday, August 21

🏰 Disney Trivia Night (North Hollywood): Test your knowledge of all things Disney. Get quizzed about Disney songs and Pixar plot twists as you drink on the patio. Come solo or with a team. Free. Thursday, August 21, at 8 PM at Idle Hour.

🎸 Songwriter Night (Burbank): The Roguelike Refrain is a new singer-songwriter night featuring raw acoustic talent. Third Thursdays of the month. Thursday, August 21, at 7 PM at Roguelike Tavern.

🍷 Women’s Dinner (Studio City): This is a “structured dining experience for women.” Diners answer pre-written prompts at each table. Come as you are, leave with new friends. Sliding scale tickets. Donations support incarcerated women. Thursday, August 21, at 5:30 PM at Vintage Studio City.

Friday, August 22

🎬 How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (Santa Clarita): Get ready to quote every line at this free screening. Big screen under the stars. Bring chairs and blankets. Sit on the lawn. Pack a picnic or grab food from the food trucks. Free, Friday, August 22 at 6:30 PM.

Saturday, August 23

🎮 Pokémon Card Party (Sherman Oaks): Bring your Pokémon cards to this free trading party and swap them with fellow trainers. Get five free cards with any $10+ purchase. Decorate a custom top loader card binder. Free. Saturday, August 23, from 12 PM to 3 PM at Geeky Glamorous.

🎨 Toluca Lake Art Fair (Toluca Lake): Toluca Lake transforms into a vibrant outdoor gallery with local artists, vendors, and small businesses celebrating the creative spirit of the community. Free. Saturday, August 23, from 11 AM to 3 PM at 10120 Riverside Drive, Toluca Lake.

🏈 College Football Kickoff Tailgate (North Hollywood): Each Big Ten school gets its own designated tailgate spot. Plus, food trucks, flip cup, cornhole, and team-colored drinks. RSVP required. Saturday, August 23, from 1 PM to 5 PM at Lawless Brewing.

🚌 “Public Transit” Story Hour (Glendale): Local storytellers share their wildest, weirdest, and most wonderful tales from buses, trains, and everything in between. Whether you're a daily commuter or occasional rider, these stories will resonate. $7. Saturday, August 23, at 5 PM at The Glendale Room.

🎤 Rising Comics Charity Show (Sherman Oaks): Come laugh with rising comics from The Comedy Store, Hollywood Improv, Netflix, and more. This month's show is raising donations for animals affected by the Eaton Fire. Free. Saturday, August 23, from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM at The Aftermath Bar & Lounge.

🍔 Burgers, Brews, and Blues (Tujunga): Burgers, craft beer, and live music by LaRue Sounds featuring blues, classic rock, and pop. Free. Saturday, August 23, from 6 PM to 10 PM at McGroarty Arts Center.

Sunday, August 24

🎼 Family Concert: Popsical (Sherman Oaks): This is a classical concert for kids. Interactive string quartet performance encourages little ones to play, move, and explore with toys and puzzles. $25-45. Sunday, August 24, at 4 PM at Temple B'nai Hayim.

🎵 Bruno Mars Tribute (Woodland Hills): Dance the night away with Bella Brown & The Jealous Lovers. Celebrate all of Bruno's greatest hits. Free. Sunday, August 24, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Warner Center Marriott.

Happening Soon

🎬 Film & Music Happy Hour (North Hollywood): Network and mingle with creatives from film, music, games, and digital arts at Idle Hour pub. Open to professionals and beginners. Monday, August 25, from 5 PM to 7:30 PM at Idle Hour. Every 4th Monday of the month.

🚶 Wednesday Walk (Toluca Lake): Join fellow walkers for a social stroll around Toluca Lake. 4-5 mile route. Mostly flat with some gentle hills. Bring water and comfy shoes. Free. Wednesday, August 27, from 7 PM to 9 PM. Meet at North Weddington Recreation Center.

🎭 Musical Theatre Benefit Concert (Studio City): A cabaret honoring LA's immigrant heritage. Broadway, Off-Broadway, and original songs. Local musical theatre artists will share stories celebrating immigrant contributions. Proceeds benefit the Immigrant Defenders Law Center. Thursday, August 28, at 8 PM at Stellar Sound LA.

💿 Sabrina Carpenter "Man's Best Friend" Record Release Party (San Fernando): Celebrate Sabrina Carpenter's new album at this special record store listening event. Freebies, special treats, and copies available for purchase. Free. Friday, August 29, at 8 PM at Midnight Hour Records.

🍔 Valley Smash Burgers (New—Valley Village): A new smash burger spot on Laurel Canyon & Magnolia. Serving up serious Wagyu beef smash burgers in single, double, triple, and quad patties. Plus, a smashed falafel vegan option.

🥯 Wine & Bagels (North Hollywood): Sourdough Daddy is popping up with their homemade sourdough bagels and cream cheeses. Plus, a live DJ. The perfect Sunday combo of carbs, wine, and vibes. Sunday, August 24, at Haley's Wines.

🌱 Vegan BBQ Party (Woodland Hills): Send summer off right with this vegan BBQ party. Features plant-based dishes by Leaf Over Beef. Free entry. $20 for all-you-can-eat BBQ. Saturday, August 23, at 6:00 PM at Don’t Eat the Homies.

🔧 Fix Your Broken Stuff (Altadena): Free community repair event. Passionate volunteers help fix electronics, clothing, bikes, jewelry, and more. Free. Saturday, August 23, from 10 AM to 1 PM at Altadena Library.

🎭 One Man, Two Guvnors (Pasadena): Non-stop laughs at this Tony Award-winning farce set in 1960s Brighton. Follow Francis Henshall as he tries to work for two bosses without either knowing—comic chaos, physical comedy, and live skiffle band. Tickets start at $50. August 31 to September 28 at A Noise Within.

The Japanese Garden is a 6.5-acre public Japanese garden near Lake Balboa.

Features koi ponds, stone lanterns, and pruned bonsai trees.

Currently free. Usually $3 per person.

Thanks to Laura for the recommendation.

🎷 There’s a new jazz club in Hollywood called the Blue Note.

👰 This French startup allows couples to sell seats at their wedding to strangers.

🧸 Thieves stole $7k worth of Labubu dolls from a shop in La Puente this week.

❓️ What city is considered the “heart of the Valley?”

Last week’s question: What is the highest temperature ever recorded in the San Fernando Valley?

Answer: 121 degrees in Woodland Hills in September 2020.

Thank you for reading. See you next week!

PS Does anyone know why iced coffee just…hits different?

PPS Some of you emailed me and asked for more events in the north and west Valley. What are your favorite places to hang out?

I’d love to hear from you!

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