From Netflix comedy specials and Mother’s Day traditions to national opera competitions, the historic women’s club offers a diverse month of Hollywood programming.
From high-profile comedy specials to legacy choral performances, The Ebell of Los Angeles has unveiled a sprawling May calendar designed to celebrate women, culture, and community. The month’s programming is anchored by six nights of the “Netflix Is a Joke Fest,” bringing a roster of heavy hitters to the Wilshire Ebell Theatre.
The nonprofit, founded in 1894 to empower women through arts and education, will transform its historic Wilshire campus into a hub for nationally touring talent and community-focused cultural sessions.
Comedy and Performance:
Netflix Is a Joke Fest at The Wilshire Ebell
May 4 – May 9
Tickets: prices vary; available via Ticketmaster
The Wilshire Ebell Theatre serves as a primary host for the citywide festival from May 4 through
May 9. The nightly lineup includes:
May 4: Cary Elwes presents “An Inconceivable Evening,” a nostalgic look at The Princess Bride.
May 5: Tom Papa Live.
May 6: Mike Birbiglia explores new material in “Working It Out with Friends.”
May 7: Social media sensation Matt Mathews brings his “Boujee on a Budget” tour.
May 8–9: Justin Willman concludes the week with two nights of his “One for the Ages” magic and comedy tour.
Heritage and Holiday Traditions:
Sassy Southern Stories (May 6): A Kentucky Derby-themed evening of live music and true storytelling hosted by Wendy Hammers and Suzanne Weerts.
Annual Mother’s Day Brunch (May 10): A lavish buffet featuring seafood, carving stations, and free-flowing mimosas. The event is hosted in the grand Dining Room and the historic fountain courtyard.
Second Annual Los Angeles Jewish Playwriting Contest (May 13): In partnership with the Holocaust Museum LA, guests can watch excerpts of new plays and vote for a winner.
Music, Film, and Civic Discourse:
“Coffee Talk: Pre-Code Series, A Free Soul with Darin Barnes” (May 9): Film historian Darin Barnes discusses the pre-Code Hollywood icon who redefined on-screen independence for women.
Loren L. Zachary 54th National Vocal Competition (May 17): Ten elite opera singers from across the country compete for top honors in a free concert open to the public.
The Ebell Chorale Spring Concert: You Were Only Waiting for This Moment… (May 17): One of the nation’s longest-running treble choirs performs a program themed around resilience and transformation.
Distinguished Voices: Juliann Rooke, CEO Descanso Gardens Foundation (+Luncheon) (May 20): Juliann Rooke, CEO of Descanso Gardens, discusses the future of environmental stewardship and water conservation in Los Angeles.
LA VOICES: Voices of Asia with Vibra Voce (May 31): A multicultural finale celebrating AANHPI heritage through the music and dance of India, Thailand, Korea, China, Japan, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
To view the full calendar of cultural event programming at The Ebell of Los Angeles, please visit https://www.ebellofla.org/calendar