“LAX,” 1964, part of the Charles Phoenix Archive, is part of the presentation at the Getty Center. (photo courtesy of the Charles Phoenix Archive)

The Getty Center presents “Charles Phoenix: Southern California in Kodachrome” on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m.

The free event showcases the history of Los Angeles with the midcentury pop culture expert. “Charles Phoenix: Southern California in Kodachrome” is a retro slideshow performance celebrating the area in the 1950s and 1960s.

While thrift shopping in 1992, Phoenix discovered a shoe box full of Kodachrome slides marked “Trip Across the USA, 1957.” The contents of the box changed the course of his life. Phoenix has been collecting other people’s orphaned Kodachrome slides and performing retro slideshows ever since. With keen expertise, unbridled enthusiasm and an eye for oddball detail, Phoenix leads audiences on a colorful mid-century tour of Southern California’s space age suburbia, iconic landmarks, famous attractions, classic car culture, unique architecture and fun-filled theme parks.

The event will be held in-person at the Getty Center and online.

Admission is free, advance ticket required. The Getty Center is located at 1200 Getty Center Drive. To watch online, register via Zoom. For information, visit getty.edu/visit/cal/events/ev_4227 .html#:~:text=watch%20online% 2C-,register%20via%20Zoom.,- While%20thrift%20shopping.