With the Olympic Games behind us, it’s time to get off the couch, put on some pants and get back outdoors to celebrate our gold medal weather. This weekend is all about festivals. We’ve got two big outdoor music fests, a massively tasty food and wine fest, a four-day comedy fest and a two-day commemoration of MJ and The Purple One. There’s a dinner party in Middle Earth — BYO Hobbit feet — and a whole host of Angeleno art will be displayed across town. It’s still summer. Vamos!
Thursday, August 25th - Sunday, August 28th
Sixth Annual Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival
We tell you incessantly that LA has the best food in the country and here’s where you can get up close and personal with it all weekend long and cozy up to some of our favorite local chefs. The Annual LA Food & Wine Fest returns with four days of epicurean delights all over the city. You can’t really go wrong, but our most anticipated event is the Lexus Grand Tasting, where you can sample creations from 25 celebrity chefs and taste over 200 wines in one very large aircraft hanger. Or grab a power lunch with Tim Hollingsworth over at Otium.
Deets: Grand Avenue, DTLA; The Barker Hangar, Santa Monica and various other locations; Tickets start at $125; get them HERE
Crab slammers: Bringing Angelenos together since 2015. Image courtesy of Los Angeles Food & Wine.
Made in LA’s final summer hurrah
It’s the last weekend for The Hammer Museum’s beloved biennial celebration of all things Los Angeles. Made in LA showcases local artists across all disciplines and holds up a mirror to Los Angeles’ diversity. Its primary focus is on emerging and under-recognized artists and runs the gamut of films, performances, sculptures, paintings, installations and more. With one of the most exciting art communities in the country, you really should check out your own backyard before it closes.
Deets: Made in LA wraps up Sunday evening. The Hammer Museum will be open Thursday and Friday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission is FREE.
He was such a prickly old bastard. Image courtesy of @hammer_museum
The Second Annual Comedy Comedy Festival
Two years ago, a (mostly) female Asian-American standup crew got together with the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC), laughter ensued and we were blessed with The Comedy Comedy Festival. A four-day extravaganza of knee-slapping in DTLA’s Little Tokyo that brings together the best Asian-American comedic talent for performances and some hysterical panel discussions. This is one you won’t want to miss.
You must be pulling my leg. Image courtesy of @filamcreative
Saturday, August 27th
Venice Beach Music Fest
What better way to make the most of another balmy August weekend than with an all-day music fest by the beach. And thanks to the support of some rather charitable local businesses, it’s absolutely free for the likes of you and me. Expect rock, soul, folk, ska, punk, a Grateful Dead cover band and, undoubtedly, more than a handful of quirky sightings. Yes, this is a perfect excuse to wear all of your Dead Head merch simultaneously.
There's no place like Venice Beach. Image courtesy of Venice Beach Music Fest.
Whimsic Alley Hobbit Dinner
Dig out your toe fur and capes, folks. Middle Earth is holding a feast for the ages and all ye Hobbits and friends are invited. You just have to be 18 or over and ready to take on an open bar. Sign me up, Bilbo Baggins!
Deets: Whimsic Alley; 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.; $70 includes dinner, open bar and entertainment. Tickets available in store or over the phone. Call 310-453-2370 for info.
Second Breakfast? Image courtesy of The Hobbit
Saturday, August 27th - Sunday, August 28th
The King of Pop and His Royal Purpleness
Questlove and Kiss-n-Grind present a weekend double tribute to two of the biggest talents the Earth has ever known. Friday night will celebrate the life of our dearly beloved Prince Rogers Nelson and Saturday’s set will be a thriller, celebrating Michael Jackson. Upside down noses welcome.
Deets: Prince: Friday 930 p.m. - 230 a.m. at DTLA’s Globe Theatre, Tickets $15 - $20 HERE. Michael Jackson: Saturday 4 - 11 p.m. at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. Tickets $15 - $25 HERE.
If only Questlove looked at us the way like he looks at the camera. Image courtesy of Kiss-n-Grind
Sunday, August 28th
FYF Fest
It’s just a jolly music fest kinda weekend, and once you’ve got the sand of Venice Beach out of all your crevices from Saturday, there are still some tickets up for grabs for Sunday at FYF Fest at Exposition Park. (Saturday is sold out, but we heard about this guy Craig who has a list …) Sunday’s lineup includes LCD Soundsystem, Grace Jones and Beach House with those dreamy Victoria Legrand vocals. We suggest you jump on those ticks pronto.
Deets: Single Day Festival Pass for Sunday only, $125, Exposition Park. Tickets HERE.
FYF 2015. Image courtesy of Tod Seelie and FYF Fest
Open House at Row DTLA
You’ve stuffed yourself stupid with a ‘Screaming Jesus On A Ferris Wheel’ grilled Cheezus, some chunky ribs from Barrel and Ashes and then washed it all down with a Lemon Weapon from Donut Friend. Now you find yourself in a Smorgasburg coma. What to do? Well, Row DTLA is holding an open house with beer, wine, live music and art from some of the best up and coming artists in the city.
Sunday has never looked so good. Image courtesy of Row DTLA.
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Header Image courtesy of FYF Fest
