If the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre is the nephew to the Hollywood Bowl, then TreePeople's S. Mark Taper Amphitheater is its toddler sister. It's a fancy endowment-sounding name for what is surely the cutest outdoor venue in town (sorry, Will S. Geer Amphitheater). Set among eucalyptus trees in Coldwater Canyon Park, the woodsy location feels a world away from anything citified. Every summer, TreePeople presents its “Once Upon a Canyon Night” performance series, an eclectic lineup of theater, comedy, film and music offerings. Everybody brings a picnic and wine, and people share their delectables with their neighbors. (Maybe keep the spray-cheese-in-a-can at home.) The vibe is super-friendly, like those small towns you've heard of. Even the parking lot is pretty charming. It must be the wood chips. 12601 Mulholland Drive, Beverly Hills. (818) 623-4877. –Libby Molyneaux

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