Ciclavia SFV
Maybe the marathon wasn’t enough exercise for you? Join in Ciclavia! For the first time ever, the hugely popular green, outdoors, active event is in the Valley, with 5.5 miles of Lankershim totally shut down for biking/hanging/partying. Sunday, 9 am-4 pm; Lankershim Blvd
Nowruz Festival
Celebrate Nowruz, the Iranian New Year and the first day of spring, with a full-day of exciting activities throughout LACMA. At 1 pm (Bing Theater)is the world premiere of The Sounds of a Persian Spring by renowned artist Zohreh Jooya and her ensemble. This program requires a ticket ($20). All other programs are free and not ticketed. At 3 pm, take part in dance and musical performances, children’s activities, the traditional Iranian costume parade and at 5 pm (BP Grand Entrance stage), enjoy Persian-inspired cusine and a live outdoor concert by groundbreaking Iranian rock band Kiosk. Sunday, 11:30 am-7 pm; 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90036; 323.857.6000
Five0Four Crawfish Boil
Head to Hollywood for a crawfish boil at Five0Four. You can spend the day listening to brass and jazz music, enjoying crawfish, and sip on bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys. Sunday, noon-6 pm; 6541 Hollywood Blvd., #102, Hollywood, CA; 323.960.0224
Cakebread Wine Dinner
Cakebread Cellars has been a Naple staple for many years, just like the Mission Inn and Spa—a national historic landmark—has been a SoCal staple (for last 112 years). Enjoy a night of wine and dishes like blistered tomato panna cotta, skate fish & seared scallop, and prime petite medallions. Nicole Gilberts from Cakebread Cellars will guide you through a four-course dinner complete with wine pairings at the inn. Future dinners include BV (May 22), Veuve Clicquot (July 24) and Caymus (Oct. 30). $175; Friday, reception/6:30 pm, dinner/7 pm; 3649 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, CA; 888.326.4448
Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour
Despite our drought, you can explore the unexpectedly lush side of Los Angeles during this weekend of self-guided tours of nearly 50 private and public landscapes across the county. Each garden contains at least 50% native plants. $35; Saturday & Sunday; 818.768.1802
Bach in the Subways
Every year on Johann Sebastian Bach’s birthday, musicians from New Zealand to New York celebrate Bach in the subways by offering performances in subway stations. In Los Angeles, drop in on performances across the city, in places like Union Station, the Central Library, Pasadena’s Memorial Park and additional gathering locales. The international movement was founded by cellist Dale Henderson. Saturday; more info here.
Simply Wine Fest
Get dressed up in your best cocktail attire and taste your way through wine from more than 40 wineries, five tequila purveyors and five breweries. The evening also has live music and food from local food trucks and restaurants. Saturday; CBS Studios, 4024 Radford Ave., Studio City, CA
Alton Brown Live
I have been a huge fan of Alton Brown for years. In the late 1990s Alton Brown reinvented the food show with his award winning Good Eats. Now the culinary guru brings his quirky humor and culinary-science to the stage. The two-hour show is a blend of stand up comedy, food experimentation, talk show antics, multimedia lecture and live music. Saturday, 3-8 pm; Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA; 323.468.1770
Dance Through the Decades: 80s Edition
Dress up in your best 80s get up and head over to this theme party at the House of Blues. The night includes booze, tunes (you all know), and neon outfits. Friday, 9:30 pm; House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., LA 90069
For The Record: John Hughes Extended
After a completely sold out six week run, For the Record: John Hughes at West Hollywood’s DBA will extend through May 31. The show/concert mash-up, includes iconic music and moments from the John Hughes’ movies Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, Pretty In Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. $39-59; Friday – Sunday, 8 pm; DBA, 7969 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046; 855.367.7969
Sweet Rose Creamery Pop Up at Venice’s Tortoise General Store
The small batch ice cream shop with locations in Santa Monica, Brentwood, and Mid-City, is hosting a monthly pop-up at Venice’s Tortoise General Store, a boutique dedicated exhibiting works by Japanese artists. The series is launching this weekend and Sweet Rose Creamery Co-Owner/Executive Chef Shiho Yoshikawa, a Japanese native, and General Manager Andrea Sung will offer made-from-scratch, ice creams, house made almond milk, and cool beverages. In addition to single ($4) and double ($6) scoops of classic and seasonal flavors like Fresh Mint with Homemade Chocolate Chips, Lemon Chiffon, and Kiwi Sorbet, guests can enjoy Japanese-inspired flavors like Kinkan (candied kumquat) and Hōjicha(Bancha leaf green tea)) in house made Vanilla or Sesame Waffle Cones ($1). Tortoise General Store has also partnered with local coffee roaster Arata Doyashiki, whose parents were roasters in her native Tokyo, to develop exclusive blends for the boutique and offer coffee drinks. Additional beverage options ($3) include Sweet Rose Creamery’s Iced Mint Tea and Kumquat Italian Soda. Saturday & Sunday (4th Sunday of every month from March-September) 1-5 pm; 1208 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291; 310.314.8448
solita Tacos & Margaritas Valencia‘s Weekend Brunch Menu
Composed of six dishes and sides, as well as eight cocktails, including shareable buckets of sparkling wine, sangria and beer, solita’s new brunch menu offers spicy dishes and tropical drinks. Dishes include Huevos Rancheros; Chilaquiles y Huevos with house made tortilla chips, onions, scrambled eggs, cheeses, crema, pico de gallo and a choice of salsa; Fruit Plate with Greek Yogurt & Agave; El Guero with two eggs (fried or scrambled), three strips of bacon; and Berry Cinnamon Bread Pudding topped with brown sugar, berries and Ceylon cinnamon, served with warm agave syrup, brown sugar sour cream sauce and a dollop of whipped cream. Beverage Director Colin Pflugradt is serving up Mimosa for just $3, as well as the colorful Rainbow Mimosa, sparkling wine with a choice of juice including watermelon, guava, mango, strawberry, pomegranate or pineapple. There’s also Sparkling White Sangria, Frozen Red Sangria, solita’s Bloody Mary, and solita’s Bucket Service, offering shareable Mimosas, Rainbow Mimosas, four beers, or solita’s Michelada Bucket with a carafe of house made Michelada. Saturday & Sunday, 11 am-3 pm; 24201 Valencia Blvd., Suite #3470, Valencia, CA 91355; 661.291.1399
Winner’s Circle BBQ Championship
For the fourth year in a row, the best in BBQ return to the Santa Anita Infield. Taste and vote on delicious barbecue samplings from the top grillers in the state, while you listen to live music and watch & wager on world-class Thoroughbred racing. Walk-up admission to the event is available on site for $5. Additional tasting scrip available on site for $1 per scrip (minimum purchase of 10). Use promo code SMOKE999 at checkout for 50% off BBQ packages! BBQ tasting packages available online only: $25 (2 general admission, admission into Winner’s Circle BBQ event, 10 BBQ Scrip Tickets (each tasting costs 2-3 scrip), and 2 Racing Programs; $50: 4 general admission, admission into Winner’s Circle BBQ event, 15 BBQ Scrip Tickets (each tasting costs 2-3 scrip), 2 Racing Programs, 2 Pony Rides, 2 Face Paintings, and 10 Carnival Games. Saturday, 10:30 am; Santa Anita Park, 285 W Huntington Dr., Arcadia CA 91007
Sweaty Saturday at exhale mind body spa
Sweaty Saturday brings together some of the finest fitness studios, health brands and wellness experts for a day of fitness fun…all for a great cause! All proceeds will benefit The Partnership for a Healthier America. Join in an 8 am Sweaty Saturday Core Fusion Yoga at exhale Santa Monica or a 4:15 pm Sweaty Saturday Core Fusion Barre at exhale Venice. $30 (receive a complimentary week of transformation).
Seismic Musical Comedy
SEISMIC! (Formerly Standup Schtick) is a comedy show that happens every 4th Sunday. They will have you laughing your butt off and tapping your feet. Sunday, 7 pm; Muse Cafe, 759 S. La Brea, Los Angeles, CA
40 Day Yoga Challenge
Ready. Set. Yoga! Yogis and newbies alike are encouraged to join The Springs’ 40 Day Yoga Challenge. You will receive a pass to 40 days of unlimited yoga classes at The Springs, located in DTLA. The individual who completes the most classes in 40 days will win a $50 gift card to The Springs redeemable for classes, wellness treatments, food and drinks. $100; Friday; 608 Mateo Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Opens
Los Feliz is receiving this spot just in time for summer. Founder, Jeni Britton Bauer, is offering flavors like wheatgrass, pear and vinho verde (green wine) sorbet. You can also get pints to stock up on at home. Friday; 1954 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA
Break Room 86 Opens
This 80’s club in the back corner of the Line Hotel is by the brothers Houston and has a hidden entrance under a neon sign, along with a decor of boomboxes, lockers, disco ball, cassette tapes, punk posters, graffiti, and old TVs showing Max Headroom, Pac-Man and He-Man cartoons. Grab one of the Karaoke suites or hit the dance floor and order up cocktails from barman, Joe Swifka. He’s created the Dr. J (like an Orange Julius), mixing whiskey with rum, lime, orange, and pineapple juice. Friday; 630 S. Ardmore Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90010
Return To Oz on the Big Screen
Rarely open to the public, the Palace Theatre has a decor (that may steal the show) of vibrant colors, murals, and ornate decorations. Check out thw world of Oz in this dark, inventive, and slightly scary screening. While Dorothy (Fairuza Balk) flees shock therapy and returns to find Oz in ruins, you will take in the beautiful set design, colorful characters and amazing special effects. There’s also a themed photo booth downstairs, DJs spinning before the screening and 3 full bars. $20+; Saturday, doors: 7 pm, movie: 8 pm; 630 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90005; 213.368.3056
Eat LBC, Long Beach Restaurant Week
Nearly 30 restaurants have signed up to participate, including: Simmzy’s, Open Sesame, La Strada, Brix at The Shore, La Parolaccia, Panxa Cocina, Bo-beau, The Federal Bar, Buono’s Pizzeria, The Auld Dubliner, Berlin Bistro, Parkers’ Lighthouse, Queensview Steakhouse, The Crooked Duck, Restauration, Fuego at Hotel Maya, Bay Street Bistro at Hyatt The Pike, Callaloo Caribbean Kitchen, The Red Leprechaun, James Republic, Lucille’s BBQ – Town Center and 2nd at PCH, Hof’s Hut, Naples Rib Company, Boathouse on the Bay, White Wasabi, and Russo’s Ristorante. Each restaurant will offer a three-course, prix-fixe menu with a few choices per course. Price points are $20-40 and shared menus—one appetizer, two entrees and one dessert—are also an option. March 22-28; Long Beach, CA
Latin Food Fest
Get ready for a festival that celebrates all things Latin America. With a Grande Tasting on Saturday, 100 vendors from restaurants, chefs, food and drink retailers, you will leave feeling full and cultured. Distilleries pour cachaca, mezcal, pisco and sotol, along with Baja beer and wine. $50/ VIP (early access at 11 am), $50/general admission; The Grande Tasting: Saturday, 12-3 pm (Hangar 8); 3223 Donald Douglas Loop S, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Connected Fest
The Connected Fashion Festival is a bi-annual shopping event featuring a mix of contemporary, luxury and street-inspired brands (all poolside). The fashion event is your “in” on wholesale prices of clothing, accessories, shoes and gifts. Exhibitors include: Again, Awakn, Be Honey Bee, Daniel Patrick, Jac Vanek, Love + Made, Nothing & Co, One Teaspoon, Rojas, Sahara Ray, See You Monday, Shakuhachi, Stussy, The Squad, The Well, This Is A Love Song, Vidakush, and Wildfox. Brunch and bottomless mimosas will also be available through the hotel’s Fig Street Café. Free; Sunday, 11 am-6 pm; Hotel Figueroa, 939 S. Figueroa St #930, Los Angeles, CA 90015
For Love & Lemons’s Warehouse Sale
Head to DTLA’s Arts District for two days of deals. Expect to score pieces from the brand’s fall/winter and holiday collections and racy lingerie from its SKIVVIES line for $100 and under. Friday, 12-7 pm, Saturday, 10 am-5 pm; 836 Traction Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90013
LOHO Bride Pop-Up
The San Francisco-based bridal salon is hosting a week-long, by-appointment-only pop-up in the heart of Hancock Park. Check out their exclusive range of designers, including NY’s Houghton, Australia’s Bo & Luca (AU), France’s Elise Hameau, LA’s Odylyne: The Ceremony, and New Zealand’s A la Robe. Saturday-Sunday, March 29, 11 am-5:30 pm (closed 23 & 24); Resys: hello@lohobride.com
Sales:
Catwalk Vintage
Score 25% off labels Givenchy, Saint Laurent, Missoni, Oscar de la Renta, and more during the designer vintage boutique’s first-ever VIP sale; mention VIP25 at checkout. Through Saturday, March 25; 459 North Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90048
Lucca Couture & Love Sadie
Score both LA labels’s clothing for $5-35 during the cash-only sample sale. Friday, 9:30 am-4 pm, Saturday, 9:30 am-3 pm; 29 E 30th St., Los Angeles, CA 90011
Nicole Miller
Save an extra 25% off all sale items at the designer’s WeHo boutique. Plus, score discounts for future full-price purchases; spend $250 to get $25, $500 to get $50, and $750 to get $75. Through Sunday, March 29; 8633 W Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90069; 310.652.1629
Saturday Sale at California Market Center
Snag 50-85% off men’s and women’s clothing and accessories by Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Botkier, Young Fabulous & Broke, and many other brands at the California Market Center’s monthly Saturday Sale. $2/admission is $2; Saturday, 10 am-3:30 pm; 110 E 9th St., Los Angeles, CA 90079; 213.630.3600
Free City
Get up to 75% off the colorful basics brand’s sweaters, sweatpants, tees, and more during the one-day, in-store sale. Saturday, 11 am-6 pm; 1139 N Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038
J Brand Outlet
Score 20% off all boyfriend, wide-leg, sateen, and men’s jeans, plus leather pieces for $99. Plus, get 10% off your entire order when you buy three items during the denim brand’s factory outlet spring sale. Through Sunday; 1225 E Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90021; 213.748.1408
Layla Grace & Zinc Door
Score up to 80% off home decor, furniture, accessories, and more from brands like Jonathan Adler, Dwell Studio, Trina Turk, Rebecca Minkoff, and others during the two e-shops’s warehouse sale. Friday & Saturday; 2031 E Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107
Karen Kane
Get up to 70% off the LA designer’s apparel during the sample sale. Friday, 10:30 am-4 pm; 2275 E 37th St., Los Angeles, CA 90058
Joe’s Jeans
Snag 70% off women’s and men’s denim and apparel from past seasons. Friday-Sunday; 2340 S Eastern Ave., Commerce, CA 90040
