Grilled Cheese Invitational
This once-underground event’s going huge this year, with gratis cheesiness from Tillamook for every attendee, grilling demos, and a brand-new category, Love American Style. Think white bread/orange cheese/butter-only. Saturday; 1201 W 5th St., Downtown
Dim Sum Happy Hour
As of today you can hit up Bao Dim Sum House (8256 Beverly Blvd.; 323.655.6556) for their daily happy hour from 5-7 pm. Enjoy $2.95 dim sum and $1.99 pints of Sapporo on draft. I know you have had a hankering for pork dumplings!
Get Thirsty
The ever popular whiskey bar, the Thirsty Crow (2939 W Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; 323.661.6007) is celebrating its first birthday party. On Saturday at 7 pm they will have $5 Thirsty Crows (rye, citrus, bitters, ginger beer), Southern munchies from the Willoughby Road food truck and pies in jars from All Jarred Up.
Sweet Saturdays at Fred Segal
Fred Segal Santa Monica just launched “Sweet Saturdays,” taking place once a month through the end of Summer. This coming Saturday, April 23rd, every shopper who spends $100 or more in a Fred Segal Santa Monica retail store will receive a gift voucher worth 20% of that purchase (excludes restaurants and only good at the salon for products, not services, Voucher can’t be be used the same day as original purchase; can be used starting the next day, can only be used in the store of purchase, is non-transferable and customers have 30 days to redeem). Speaking of sweet, from 12-4 pm enjoy complimentary, delicious treats from Cake Monkey including Inside Out S’Mores, Cake Monkey Moguls and more! All day at 420 Broadway and 500 Broadway, Santa Monica, 90401; 310.395.3099
Raymond Chandler’s Los Angeles
Jump on the downtown bus tour as it revisits the crime novelist’s old haunts as well as landmarks immortalized in his fiction. $58; Saturday, 11:30 am-4 pm; tour departs from Clifton’s Cafeteria, 648 S. Broadway, Downtown; 213.627.1673
3rd Annual IPA Festival in Redondo
Head to this festival featuring over 60 kegs and casks of the West Coast’s best and rarest craft ales. (Like the Tongue Buckler and Knuckle Sandwich). Starts today 2 pm-1am. Fear not! It runs thru the weekend. Free; Naja’s Place, 154 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach; 310.376.9951
Street Art Show To Benefit Japan
Always wanting to be a street tagger? Try it here while sipping free PBR, and catching live painting and DJ performances at this Japan relief fundraiser. Be one of the first 100 attendees to score a limited-edition screen print. Free; Friday 6 pm; Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd., Echo Park, 213.389.3856
To Japan: from L.A. with Love Fundraiser at Space 15 Twenty
Local designers and artists are selling their goods, with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Fund. Saturday, 7-10 pm, Sunday 10 am-6 pm; 1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood; 323.555.1212
Movies at the Wilshire Center’s Earth Day event
Enjoy the new warm weather with a free outdoor showing of Avatar, plus eco-friendly booths, face painting for the kiddies and more. Friday, 6 pm; 3700 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, 90010
The Runway Outlet
Get 25% off some of their eco-conscious selections by independent designers like The Battalion, Popomomo, Pi Organics and Prairie Underground. Sunday; 2395 Glendale Blvd #A2, Los Angeles, 90039
Topanga Earth Day Festival
Celebrate Earth Day with flower smoothies, yoga, and tree planting at this annual gathering. Enjoy live music from two solar-powered stages. Suggested donation is $12; Saturday & Sunday, 10 am-sunset; 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga
