Weekend

M Cafe Melrose’s Summer BBQ
As a thank you to their customers and neighbors M Cafe on Melrose is throwing a summer BBQ and customer appreciation party! They will be grilling veggie, seitan and tofu kebabs, along with salad tastings and live music (DJ Jonas Abbs). In addition to all that, the first 50 guests will receive special M Cafe gift bags! Free; Sunday, 3-6 pm; M Cafe Melrose, 7119 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046; 323.525.0588

Genesis
The 1933 Group (Sassafras, Harlowe, Big Foot Lodge) and LA Event Curator Jeremy Fall are creating a dance party in a secret attic space. Stop by Saturday nights for their underground dance party featuring music from  DJ Smiles and a rotating roster of secret guest DJs. Through August 23, 9 pm,; 1231 N Vine St., Hollywood; RSVP@wtfisgenesis.com (does not necessarily guarantee entry).

SERENE Sunset Rooftop Yoga at Loews Hollywood Hotel
Get your yoga on this weekend. That’s yoga 20 stories above Hollywood! You will be surrounded by 360-degree views of the city during an hour-long sunset yoga session. Christi Christensen, one of exhale Spa’s master yoga teachers, will lead this class that is presented in collaboration with SERENE Social and exhale Hollywood at Loews Hollywood Hotel. Additional class is on August 31. 12 spaces per class. $45 /$35 members; Sunday; RSVP 1755 N Highland Ave., Hollywood; RSVP

Wally’s Central Coast Wine and Food Celebration
Sip wines from more than 50 acclaimed Central Coast wineries and indulge in from Cali coast restaurants at the ninth annual event. The event also brings Frank Ostini to LA and he will showcase the art of grilling on his traveling Santa Maria Barbecue pit from The Hitching Post II. Other restaurants include Full of Life Flatbread in Los Alamos; S.Y. Kitchen and Brothers Restaurant at the Red Barn in Santa Ynez; Republique; WP24 and Westside Tavern. Proceeds benefit the Michael Bonaccorsi Endowment at Hancock College. $99-$149; Sunday, 1-4 pm, VIP early entry at noon; Wally’s Wine & Spirits, 2107 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles; 310.475.0606

McConnell’s Ice Cream
The artisan ice cream out of Santa Barbara is hitting the streets of Los Angeles this weekend and officially serving in DTLA on July 28. This weekend they’ll be serving from their truck around town. On Saturday, they’ll scoop on Abbot Kinney starting at 10:30 am, then move over Whole Foods on 3rd and Fairfax, Larchmont and finally at Grand Central Market. They’ll serve free scoops of ice cream from 7-9 pm on July 31 to celebrate the opening. 317 Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Eat Up, Shop Up, Pop-Up
High Rooftop Lounge at Hotel Erwin is celebrating High’s new summer hours and menu with featured tastes from Paleta Provisions and trends from TOMS eyewear, all while overlooking the stunning Venice Beach boardwalk and Pacific Ocean. Paleta will feature “cocktail elixirs” with organic fruit and vegetable blended juices meant to be combined with spirits or enjoyed on their own. Also popping up will be the latest trends in eyewear from TOMS flagship Abbott Kinney store. TOMS will feature the new EYE Caramba shades collection, and each pair sold helps those in need. Sunday, 11 am-3 pm; 1697 Pacific Ave., Venice Beach, CA 90291

MPK Night Market
Join in a night of street food, shopping, live entertainment, art installations, carnival games and the city’s first beer and wine garden in a public park! It’s a perfect Los Angeles night! Friday, 5-11 pm; Barnes Park, 350 S. McPherrin Ave., Monterey Park

Central Avenue Jazz Festival
Celebrate Los Angeles’ jazz history from the ’20s through the ‘50s in the 19th annual music fest. Stop by to watch headliners like Kamasi Washington & Next Step, Patrice Rushen & Ndugu Chancler, Mongorama, Gerald Wilson Orchestra and more. Also enjoy a variety of local food from bbq to burritos. Saturday & Sunday, 11 am-7 pm; Central Avenue from 43rd Street to Martin Luther King Blvd., Los Angeles 

National Dance Day
Saturday is National Dance Day! Boogie, groove, get down, and shake what your mama gave ya! Get your sweat on and burn some calories in the heat at this downtown dance fest. Saturday, 10 am–3 pm; Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., Downtown

Healthy Junk Vegan Faire
Presented by Healthy Junk, our award winning vegan restaurant, go vegan for a day and celebrate a healthy lifestyle with live music and yummy food. This fest features workshops and booths focusing on food, environment, clothing, and fitness. They will be also setting the world record for the longest line of people in the Warrior Two yoga pose as a finale to the festival. Saturday, noon-6 pm; Healthy Junk, 201 Center St. Promenade Unit B, Anaheim

Summer Nights in the Garden
This is unlike any garden party you have been to. The Natural History Museum’s latest summer series takes you into the Nature Gardens—with an evening of art installations, botany, garden-inspired cocktails, premiere food trucks, and tunes spun by KCRW’s Anthony Valadez. Free; Friday, 5-9 pm; The NHM, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, 90007 

Angel City’s monthly Food Cluster Truck Event
This month’s theme is grilled cheese! Four trucks – Dogtown Dog, Slanging Corea,Canvas , and Midnight Mission will take on the classic gooey goodness and make it their own for a chance to be a food truck favorite, earning bragging rights and a fabulous trophy. Voting boxes will be at each truck for you to submit your favorites with the winner announced at 6:30 pm. Saturday, 12-6 pm; 216 S Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA 90012; 213.622.1261

Grilled Cheese for lunch at The Well
Seems that grilled cheese is making a come back. (Was it ever gone)? At The Well, you can get yours with jalapeños and some short rib sliders. Friday, 11:30 am; 6255 W Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; 323.467.9355

Willie Jane‘s Summer Afternoons
Head to Venice and grab a spot on their open patio for a sunny afternoon away from the office. Every Friday, start your weekend early by noshing on a selection of salads, sandwiches, and larger plates, and/or sipping on botanical cocktails. Or, play hooky and head to the beach after ordering online for pickup. The menu includes dishes like Southern Chopped Salad with smoked tasso, egg, fried cornbread, and buttermilk dressing; Grilled Cheese, with house-smoked brisket, grilled onion, peppers, and provolone; and larger plates such as the Cornmeal Crusted Catfish with spicy remoulade and Hickory Smoked Ribs with bourbon BBQ sauce, and potato salad. Cocktails include the Princess and the Pea, a blend of gin, citrus, agave, and sweet pea puree and the Daisy Duke with bourbon, raspberry lemon balm shrub, and soda brighten the afternoon. Fridays, 11:30 am-2:30 pm; 1031 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90291; 310.392.2425

Poolside Tequila
The Mondrian has the perfect way to spend your Saturday afternoon! Taste tequila and a soak it all up with a bunch of tacos. $40-60; Saturday, noon-6 pm; 8440 Sunset Blvd., 323.848.6025

“Roaring Nights at the L.A. Zoo”
This summer music series brings together popular indie bands, LA food trucks, full-service bars, pop-up zookeeper talks, animal encounters and a DJ dance party. Select animal habitats and exhibits, including the new “Rainforest of the Americas” that features endangered, rare and exotic animals from Mexico, Central and South America, will be open during the after-hours concert nights. $18 for regular admission; $15 for GLAZA members; Friday, 7 pm -10 pm; 5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles, CA  90027; 323.644.4200

Brick + Mortar Brunch
This Santa Monica hotspot is dishing out $15 bottomless mimosas to wash down brunch favorites like the fried chicken and waffles, pretzel croissant sandwiches and a kale apricot salad with a tahiti lemon dressing. Create your own bloody marys at the DIY Bloody Mary Bar which has vodka, tequila or michelada and ingredients like tempura green beans, deep-fried Brussels, cheese sticks, pickled jalapenos, bacon and nearly 20 hot sauces. Saturday & Sunday, 10 am-3 pm; 2435 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405; 310.450.3434

FIGat7th Downtown Festival
LA’s shopping, dining and entertainment destination FIGat7th presents the second of six outdoor concerts this weekend. The festival will feature performances by The Internet and BJ the Chicago Kid. Drink during the festivities at City Tavern’s Festival Bar on the top level near the stage and eat at TASTE. Parking is $5 on Friday nights after 4 pm with validation from one of the retail or restaurant merchants! Free; Friday, 4 -10 pm; 735 S Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90017

Fulfillment Fund’s 3rd Annual Taste of Summer, with Three Day Rule!
Enjoy ample tastes of top LA restaurants like Bestia and Bucato; generous pours of wines & spirits like Casa Noble Tequila, Deirberg Vineyard & Starlane Vineyard and meet the whole Three Day Rule team while receiving pours of Larceny Bourbon. $25 off Lyft with code TDR25OFF; $150, $195/VIP include: gift bag, specialty cocktail provided by Tito’s Vodka, reserved tasting from vendors and special experience with honorary chefs; Saturday; The Victorian, 2640 Main St., Santa Monica, CA

Old Pasadena Film Festival
On Friday, catch a screening on Life is Beautiful. In 1930s Italy, Jewish bookkeeper Guido, his wife and son have a fairytale life, that is until the German troops tears their lives apart. Guido attempts to hold his family together through humor and reimagining the Holocaust as a game that needs to be won. On Saturday, they are screening Lover Come Back. Jerry Webster (Rock Hudson) and Carol Templeton (Doris Day) are both in the advertising biz. Jerry uses alcohol and women to ensure contracts for his agency. This rubs Carol the wrong way and she sets off on a mission to boot him out. Attempting to save his hide, Jerry invents a bogus product, which he tries to get his nemesis Carol to buy into, without her knowing its Jerry that’s doing the pitch. 8:30 pm; One Colorado, 41 Hugus Alley

Celebration of the Mighty Crab
At this annual feast of crabby deliciousness, chef David Lentz flies in a planeload of Maryland crabs for a five-course feast enjoyed alfresco on the patio at The Hungry Cat in Hollywood. It’s as “summer’ as it gets. $75; Sunday; 1535 N. Vine St., Hollywood

The Vans U.S. Open of Surfing
Head to Huntington Beach to watch the world’s top surfers compete for a $100,000 prize. There are also BMX and skating competitions. Saturday; Main Street & Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Street League Skateboarding Nike SB World Tour
If the Vans U.S. Open wasn’t enough of a thrill, head to DTLA for the SLS Nike SB World Tour. It will be an international roster of skating’s elite pros as they compete for the chance to be named Street League Super Crown Champion. Sunday, 11 am-7 pm; Galen Center, 3400 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles 90007

Renegade Craft Fair
Score awesome home-decor pieces, stunning jewelry, and one-of-a-kind wares at this DIY celebration. In addition to shopping, you will find artisan food and drinks, art installations, interactive workshops and music. Saturday & Sunday, 11 am-6 pm; Grand Park, 200 N Grand Park Ave.

Shore Hotel’s Cool Down Series
Cool off with an artisan ice cream cone or an icy Popsicle when Coolhaus serves up architecturally inspired ice cream sandwiches made of all-natural handmade ice creams of classic and whimsical varieties packed between two cookies for a custom-created ice cream treat. Ice cream flavors include: Bourbon Pecan Pie, Cookies and Sweet Cream, Key Lime Pie, Red Velvet, Root Beer Float, and many more, with a wide range of cookie selections. Price: $4/scoop; $5/sandwich; Saturday, 11 am – 3 pm; 1515 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401; 800.599.1515

Empire Records at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery
One of my most favorite movies of all time, this group of kids who work at a record store, join forces to save the store from being bought by a big chain. Stars Renee Zellweger, Robin Tunney and Liv Tyler. Damn the Man. Save the Empire! $14; Saturday, doors: 7 pm, movie: 9 pm; 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA

Beach Bash
For 40 years, the Richstone Family Center has been dedicated to preventing and treating child abuse and trauma; strengthening and educating families; and decreasing violence in families, schools and communities. For one night only, Richstone Family Center is hosting a feast of tastes, cocktails and live music on an exclusive, private beach with a closing fireworks show. Saturday, 5:30-9 pm; The Beach at King Harbor, 208 Yacht Club Way, Redondo Beach, CA

Splendid Pasadena
The opening marks the brand’s first location in Pasadena and they will offer comfortable collections for women, men, kids and babies. To celebrate the new store, Splendid, along with Elizabeth Antonia of the littlest, will be throwing an afternoon of family fun! Make friendship bracelets out of colorful Splendid fabrics with little junebugs and enjoy delicious sips and snacks from Urban Palate. Bon Puf will also be on hand with a special sweet treat and receive 20% of all purchases! Saturday, 3-5 pm; 113 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91105; RSVP: RSVP_Pasadena@vfc.com

Raquel Allegra, Rails, Wren, More
Enjoy deep discounts on a host of designers, including Raquel Allegra, Isabel Marant, Rails, Wren, Corey Lynn Calter and many more during the summer sample sale and soiree. Sunday, 12-5 pm; 2646 Griffith Park Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039; 323.663.8049

Resurrection
Also still happening is the vintage boutique’s epic summer sale, which promises up to 70% off luxe designers like Chanel, YSL, Versace and more. The blowout runs until the end of this month. 8006 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046; 323.651.5516

Saturday Sake: CA Market Center
Score up to 80% off a bunch of contemporary and designer labels during the California Market Center’s monthly Saturday Sale. $2/Admission; Saturday, 10 am-3:30 pm; 110 E 9th St., Los Angeles, CA 90079

Sloane Rouge: Cooper Building
Enjoy deep discounts on the local label’s boho apparel during their two-day sample sale in DTLA. Friday; 860 S Los Angeles St., Los Angeles, CA 90014; 213.627.3754

Tarina Tarantino
Now until stock lasts, save 30-80% off the designer’s colorful accessories, cosmetics and more during her Melrose shop’s moving sale. 7957 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046; 323.651.5155

Black Orchid, More: Cooper Building
Enjoy major savings on denim from Black Orchid, clothing from Blue and Woo., and dreamcatchers from Dream Halos during the cash-only summer sample sale. Friday, 10 am-3 pm; 860 S Los Angeles St., Los Angeles, CA 90014; 213.627.3754

Esqivel
Enjoy up to 80% off LA designer George Esquivel’s luxe men’s and women’s footwear during his month-long sample sale. Every Friday-Sunday until August 10, 1-5 pm; 8309 W 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048

Eleven Paris: Cooper Building
Enjoy the French label’s women’s, men’s and kids merchandise for $15-150 during their first-ever sample sale. Friday; 860 S Los Angeles St., Los Angeles, CA 90014; 213.627.3754

Haati Chai, Love Nail Tree, More
Score up to 70% off merchandise from LA labels, like apparel from Love Nail Tree,Jessica Faulkner, Gypsum and Orion Theory and jewelry from Amarilo and Haati Chai. Aussie-based eyewear brand Quay will also be there. Saturday, 10 am-3 pm; 1980 N Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90031

FREECITY
Score the LA basic brand’s comfy hoodies, sweatpants, tees and more for up to 75% off during their one-day sale at their workshop in Hollywood. Saturday, 11 am-6 pm; 1139 N Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038

Frame Denim: Cooper Building
Score the London-based, LA-made denim brand’s shorts, overalls and boyfriend and skinny jeans (including their bestselling Le Skinny Colorblock) for $50-75 during their second sample sale. Friday, 9 am-4 pm; 860 S Los Angeles St., Los Angeles, CA 90014; 213.627.3754

B-Low The Belt
Enjoy deep discounts on the luxe accessory label’s bags, clutches, belts and more during their two-day sample sale. Friday, 10 am-5 pm; 7625 Hayvenhurst Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406

A Fine Line, Myne
Score up to 75% off both LA brands’ tops, dresses, shorts, jackets and more, including items from A Fine Line’s spring and fall 2013 lines and their latest spring 2014 collection. Friday, 11 am-6 pm; 112 W 9th St., Los Angeles, CA 90015

BCBG Max Azaria
The Cali brand’s summer warehouse sale continues with up to 70% off dresses, jumpsuits, tops, skirts, accessories and more. Friday; 2761 Fruitland Ave. Vernon, CA 90058; 323.589.2224

Three Dots
Score up to 80% off the LA label’s luxe basics during their one-day, cash-only sample sale at the New Mart in DTLA. Friday, 9 am-2 pm; 127 E 9th St., Los Angeles, CA 90015