If you are looking to entertain family and friends during graduation season, we highly recommend Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure at The Grand in downtown Los Angeles. If you are a student on a tight budget, there are a limited number of $15 Rush Tickets that are released on a first-come, first-served basis.  To access Rush Tickets, download the TodayTix app (for iOS and Android).

Jean-Michel Basquiat’s contributions to the history of art and his explorations of multifaceted cultural phenomena––including music, the Black experience, pop culture, Black American sports figures, literature, and other sources––are showcased through immersive environments that provide unique insight into the late artist’s creative life and his singular voice that propelled a social and cultural narrative that continues to this day.

Organized and curated by the family of Jean-Michel Basquiat, this exhibition of over 200 never-before-seen and rarely shown paintings, drawings, multimedia presentations, ephemera, and artifacts tell the story of Jean-Michel from an intimate perspective, intertwining his artistic endeavors with his personal life, influences, and the times in which he lived.

It is amazing to see the early development of a great artist and catch a glimpse of the early exposures and influences of a truly gifted and creative mind. The favorite story I learned from the exhibit was how Jean-Michel got his sisters to help him punk their babysitter, who loved to watch soap operas instead of the cartoons they wanted. His younger sister would turn off the television, and when the sitter went to turn it back on, he’d pull the cord out. When she went to plug it in, the game would start over again. 

Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure is a remarkable immersion into the life of an Artist. His playful rebelliousness was something that never diminished and is captured exceptionally in this exhibit. 

For more information and to reserve tickets, visit kingpleasure.basquiat.com.

Pricing - Monday, Wednesday – Friday
Adult – $32, Seniors, Students, Military – $28, Children (ages 3-13) – $25
VIP – $65 (Arrive any time you like, get 3 hours of free parking and a complimentary gift.)

Saturday, Sunday
Adult – $35, Seniors, Students, Military – $28, Children (ages 3-13) – $25
VIP – $65 (Arrive any time you like, get 3 hours of free parking and a complimentary gift.)

Hours - Monday, Wednesday-Friday: First ticket: 11AM, Last ticket: 6PM. Saturday and Sunday: First ticket: 10AM and Last ticket: 6PM.

Parking - Parking is available at The Grand in the lower-level parking garage. Self-parking with validation is Free for VIP ticket holders and available for $4.50 for three hours for timed tickets. After the three-hour self-validation, rates increase to $5.00 each hour to a max of $42.00.