Hey everybody,

Molly here, your KCRW Insider and your go-to for everything happening in and around KCRW. Here’s a preview of what you’ll get in the newsletter this week:

• In the studio: Remembering the remarkable Dolly Parton on MBE
• In the community: Dance Parties, Jazz, and a Community Festival
• Around the watercooler: KCRW’s Kerin Smith sees a screening of E.T. at the Mount Wilson Observatory
• In other news: A Good Food trip to Washington State’s Orcas Island

When I first heard about Make-a-Will Month, I was a little taken aback. I thought, I’m only 30. Why would I need to worry about a will at this age?

But then I realized: it’s never too early to be prepared. It’s never too early to think about the future and the legacy you want to leave behind. Life is precious, and planning for the future is one way of honoring the life I’m lucky enough to be living now.

Making a will not only allows us to protect the people we love when we’re no longer here, but also the places and organizations that made a difference in our lives — including KCRW.

If KCRW has brought fulfillment and joy to your life through our airwaves, events, newsletters, or community, you can leave a gift to KCRW as you plan for the future. It can be as simple as adding a line or two to your will or trust, or making KCRW a beneficiary of accounts like retirement plans or life insurance policies. Just fill out this short form to let us know, and we’ll guide you through the rest.

It’s still tough for me to think about, and it’s easy to write it off as something that doesn’t apply to me. But the “what ifs” are never fun to face, especially when it’s too late to make a change. While I’m on this Earth, I’m trying my best to live authentically, honor my values, and love my friends, family, and community deeply. And maybe my will is another way to carry those things forward, even when I’m gone.

-Molly

In the Studio

We are mourning the loss of the legendary country singer, actor, and philanthropist Dolly Parton, who passed away at the age of 80. When we got the news on Tuesday, we devoted the entire last hour of Morning Becomes Eclectic to her music and her memory.

We hosted The Sam Sanders Show in front of a live audience at KCRW’s Annenberg Performance Studio last week, and the episode featured the hilarious and talented actor and comedian Janelle James. She has been nominated for five Emmy awards for her role as principal Ava Coleman in Abbott Elementary, but before finding television success, she was grinding through the standup scene. She told Sam about what inspired her to try comedy years ago, and what she’s learned about herself from playing a larger-than-life character in a sitcom.

Will Poulter is an extremely diverse actor. Most recently, you might’ve seen him as pastry chef Luca in the series The Bear, and you can catch him in theaters playing a recovering opioid addict in his most recent film Union County. For his Treat, he shares what he learned about addiction and recovery from one of his co-stars and the film’s press tour.

KCRW In The Community

Friday, August 28th:

Come on out for our Summer Nights at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes! Groove to the sounds of Adrian Quesada’s Trio Asesino, plus sets from KCRW DJs Francesca Harding & Wyldeflower in the courtyard. Explore the galleries after hours, grab a bite from food trucks, and sip tasty drinks from the bar.

Saturday, August 29th:

It’s a KCRW Summer Night with the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana! Enjoy live sets from KCRW DJs Chris Douridas & John Tejada, then step inside for after-hours access to the galleries. Experience The American Quilt: Cloth & Commerce, an exhibition exploring the artistry and innovation woven through centuries of American life.

Attend the 7th Annual Leimert Park Jazz Festival and experience a fun, family-friendly day filled with exciting activities and an incredible artist lineup that celebrates jazz across generations! Plus, make sure to stop by the KCRW tent to spin the prize wheel!

KCRW will be hanging out at the Sticky Rice stage all weekend at Echo Park Rising, an annual free neighborhood event channeling the spirit of the community for the enjoyment of live music, independent art, local business, and good times. Saturday and Sunday!

Sunday, August 30th:

Are you a runner? Or maybe you want to accomplish your first 5K? If so, it might be the right time to join Team KCRW for the 2027 LA Marathon, Charity Half Marathon, or LA 5K! We’re hosting a kick-off informational hang this Sunday, 6-8 PM, at Benny Boy Brewing. Swing by to say hi, meet the team, and ask questions. Feel free to bring any friends interested in joining the team. Just email membership@kcrw.org to RSVP.

Around The Watercooler
(Staff Recs)

Rom (Art & Design team): A Delightful Brewery with Community Events
Besides hosting the most frequented section of the LA River, Elysian Valley (also known as Frogtown for its once-seasonal amphibian swarm during the summer) is also home to Benny Boy Brewing, where one can find some exceptional brews and great community events. Last Friday, I went to Live Band karaoke with Casual Encounters; pictured below is fellow Art team member Darius absolutely crushing Crazy Train by Ozzy. I dropped by again on Sunday for Manila Sounds, an OPM and disco party that was absolutely filled with Filipinos singing their hearts out. There's an event for everybody here. Grab a green tea cider and check this place out.

Kerin (Sponsorship team): Matinees on the Mountain
Last weekend, we took our daughter to Mount Wilson Observatory to see E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial as part of their Matinees on the Mountain series. About once a month, the Observatory screens films in its auditorium, usually with a sci-fi or space theme. The audience enjoyed a performance by Bob Baker Marionettes before the movie, which is always a delight. After the screening, we wandered around the grounds for a bit, checked out the ginormous telescopes there, and took in the breathtaking views. It was truly a special afternoon!

Tohar (Social team): A Tasteful and Tasty Cocktail Bar
Cocktail bars can commit many cardinal sins, like overpriced drinks or overly stylish interior design. No Smoking Bar eschews any of the pitfalls of "Designed for TikToks" food-tourist watering holes that those images conjure up. Instead, the Mid-City bar offers inventive and moderately priced original cocktails (I had one called Donkey Kong — let's just say rum and bananas were involved), a live DJ, and a back patio. In reality, the back patio is the heart of No Smoking (though ashtrays abound). Around the tucked-away charcoal grill, the priority shifts to providing grilled meat to the tipsy, which instantly makes No Smoking Bar a treasured locale.

In Other News

Good Food’s Evan Kleiman and Gillian Ferguson take a trip to Orcas Island, the largest of the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State. Evan takes us through the island’s natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and, of course, the food.

In the latest Backseat Babies Substack, Debbie Steingesser shares a look inside some of LA’s most celebrated restaurants and what you can secretly order your kid there. And even if you don’t have kids, you must check out these delicious spots! (Molly’s note: RVR and Two Hommés are top of my list!)

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