Monday, May 4:
P.S. I Made This: Crafts, Cakes + Cocktails
For the first time ever, Erica Domesek and her DIYers are hitting the West Coast for two days of crafty fun. In the spirit of #cincoDIYmayo, you’ll be provided materials to make your own necklaces, bracelets, and cake servers to take home. There will also be cupcakes and margaritas. $45; Monday, & Tuesday; click here for session times; Duff’s Cakemix, 8302 Melrose Ave.; 323.650.5555
Bar Ilegal
For seven nights only the back bar at Harvard & Stone will be transformed into Cafe No Sé, L.A.’s outpost of Ilegal Mezcal’s Guatemalan home. Sip Ilegal Mezcal, a selection of mezcals, infused mezcals and Mexicali beer, all ranging from $5-10. You can also pair that with late night eats from James Beard Award-Winning Guelaguetza and live musical performances. Monday-May 10th, 8 pm-2 am; Harvard & Stone, 5221 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
Strand House Culinary Masters Series
Dine on a five-course menu from guest Chef Troy Guard of the acclaimed TAG Restaurant Group in Denver. The dinner menu will be paired with a selection of wines from La Sirena and Barrett & Barrett. In attendance will be winemakers/owners Heidi and Bo Barrett. Highlights include Spanish octopus served with corn pureé, pasilla chili and fava beans; Colorado lamb neck served with goat milk ricotta agnolotti, spring peas, Maui onion soubise and lemon balm; and Aspen Ridge strip loin with carrot salad, potato rosti, ramp green goddess and smoked beet reduction. $150; Monday, 6:30 pm cocktails, 7 pm dinner; The Strand House, 117 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, 310.545.7470
Eureka! Celebrates National Star Wars Day
They are partnering with Green Flash Brewing Company and tapping two dark beers and two “hoppy” beers from the Southern California brewery. “Give yourself to the dark side” with Green Flash’s limited release Ristretto Cosmic Black Lager and Double Stout or experience “Hoppy” beers include Soul Style IPA and Pacific Gem. Monday, 11 am; JetCenterLA, 12101 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Hawthorne, CA 90250; 310.331.8233
Howlin’ Ray’s Pop-Up
The food truck by Johnny Zone pops up for one night, to get your ready for a summer full of Nashville hot chicken. After popping up on a few menus around town over the years, the spicy chicken is now in a gourmet food truck called Howlin’ Ray’s. But first, the truck team is popping up inside of Barrel and Ashes in Studio City. Barrel and Ashes chef de cuisine Mike Kahikina will be hosting the evening event, in conjunction with chef Johnny Zone from the forthcoming Howlin’ Ray’s truck. The two both previously worked at Bouchon together, and will be teaming up again for the one night party that features the Nashville hot chicken alongside the regular Barrel and Ashes menu. $12, served with white bread, pickles, and a side; Monday; Barrel & Ashes,
“Smile! A Photo Anthology”
This exhibit’s 85 photos by different award-winning photojournalists showcase an amazingly wide range of smiles around the world. Go celebrate the power of a smile. Monday-Friday, July 17; Bank of America Plaza West Lobby and Concourse, 333 South Hope St., Los Angeles, CA; 213.330.8027
LUCHA VaVOOM
One of Los Angeles’ most celebrated variety shows since 2002 where mind-blowing Mexican masked wrestling, burlesque and comedy collide, has added a second night to their annual Cinco de Mayo celebration–billed as PSYCHEDELIC CINCO-this year. $40+; Monday & Tuesday, 7 pm; The Mayan, 1038 South Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90015
Tuesday, May 5:
David Sedaris
This author leaves me laughing for days. David Sedaris brings his stories, anecdotes and personal essays to UCLA’s Royce Hall. Sedaris is the author of bestsellers Barrel Fever and Holidays on Ice, as well as collections of personal essays, Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, When You Are Engulfed in Flames, and his most recent book, Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls. Tuesday; Royce Hall, UCLA, 340 Royce Dr., Westwood, CA; 310.825.2101
Mohawk Bend
Enjoy an affordable four-course vegan meal in celebration of vegan lifestyle guide author Gene Baur’s newest book. $40; Tuesday, 6:30 pm; 2141 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026; 213.483.2337; RSVP to authors@mohawk.la.
Wednesday, May 6:
Messhall’s R&D Bar
This weekly bar is launching today on the patio. You will learn about what goes into making those tasty libations. Bartender Austin Mendez will teach behind-the-bar secrets and, of course, share his innovative cocktails. Wednesdays, 7-10 pm; 4500 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027; 323.660.6377
SHOREbar’s Ha Ha Trivia
Their newest weekly event ‘Ha Ha Trivia’ is now every Wednesday! For the first time, starting this week, every Wednesday, from 8pm- 11pm, SHOREbar will be showcasing different comedic stand ups and trivia games! Wednesday, 8-11 pm; 112 W Channel Rd., Santa Monica, CA
Macrame Wall Hanging DIY Workshop
Learn how to fashion yourself a wall hanging using macrame and driftwood at this hands-on workshop led by the folks at Modern Macrame. Click here to reserve your spot. Wednesday; Bucks & Does, 3906 Sunset Blvd.; 323.515.7385
The May Mix-Off Returns to The Mixing Room at JW Marriott L.A. LIVE
Bartenders from some of Los Angeles’ most notable bars, restaurants, and lounges will compete in the third annual May Mix-Off, taking place at The Mixing Room at JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE every Wednesday throughout May. You are invited to sip in suspense while cheering on their favorite mixologists as they battle head-to-head for the winning title. The competition will include three rounds of on-the-spot cocktail creation, with an emphasis on recipes that showcase innovation and imagination by pairing mystery ingredients, mixers, and garnishes. The kick-off event, taking place May 6, invites bartending participants and you to mingle over signature cocktails and small bites from The Mixing Room’s new menu. May 13 begins the weekly competition where every Wednesday evening, participants create three specialty cocktails: two using the round’s featured spirits and one using an unidentified spirit for a splash of spontaneity. You will also have the opportunity to sample the competing cocktails. Winners from each week will advance to the final round on Wednesday, May 27, battling it out for bragging rights and the grand prize trip to Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans. Free; Wednesdays, 7-9 pm; 900 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015; 213.765.8600
Wine Noir Winemaker Dinner
Enjoy a 3-course dinner featuring Indigené Cellars Winemaker, Raymond Smith and specially prepared fare by Chef Govind Armstrong to compliment Indigené Cellars’ award winning wines. The menu includes: Just Baked Buttermilk Biscuit, Bacon Jam & Pimento Cheese; Soft Shell Crab, Pimento Waffle & Kentucky Fried Corn Salsa; and Smoked Certified Angus Beef Sirloin, Charred Garden Radishes, Chicory Roasted Carrot Puree & Chimichurri. $65; Wednesday; Willie Jane; 1031 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA, 90291
Thursday, April 7:
Maré Opens
Eric Greenspan, the former Patina/Foundry chef who is behind The Roof on Wilshire and his famous grilled cheese has opened up a brand new restaurant (secretly). Maré serves up an array of European dishes like whole branzino, mussels, and clams. If you’re wondering where this spot lives, it’s right behind the Melrose Umbrella Company. 7465 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles
Catch & Release
The Former Paiche is opening as a new seafood restaurant from Jason Neroni, who brings his New England influence to Marina del Rey. The menu serves up dishes from the raw bar with seasonal oysters and “bread & butter” mignonette and Nantucket bay scallops, with pistachio/meyer lemon dressing. Other items include red snapper dogs with b&b relish, colman’s mustard; uni carbonara with bacons; and bacon wrapped monkfish with fava beans, forest mushrooms, violet, bacon vinaigrette. To drink, Julian Cox has created a negroni variant dubbed the Neroni (ha), and another gin-based intoxicant called the Surf Report, with a sea-salt foam on top. 13488 Maxella Ave., Marina Del Rey, CA; 310.893.6100
“Bill Graham & The Rock-‘n’-Roll Revolution“
Behind boldfaced names like The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and the Grateful Dead, was manager and concert promoter Bill Graham. This exhibit is a comprehensive look at the fascinating life and career of the man who launched rock ‘n’ roll’s most famous bands. Thursday-Sunday, October 11 Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N Sepulveda Blvd.; 310.440.4500
