Vans U.S. Open Of Surfing
This is what California life is all about. Expect nine jam-packed days of fun at this Huntington Beach event, which will feature surfing, skating, and BMX competitions, plus movie nights, art exhibitions, beach activities, pop-up shops, and lots more. Saturday through Sunday, August 2; Huntington Beach Pier, Main St., Huntington Beach, CA; 714.536.5281
Sangria Sundays
Enjoy a Sunday filled with laid-back vibes, DJ sets, cocktails, small bites, and views in Downtown’s South Park neighborhood at the Westin Plaza Deck. Sunday, 4-9 pm; Westin Plaza Deck, 404 S. Figueroa, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Roaring Nights at the Zoo
See the LA Zoo in a whole new light during the LA Zoo’s Roaring Nights music fest. Enjoy live music, a DJ dance party, food trucks, full-service bars, pop-up zookeeper talks, animal encounters and much more. The event continues on August 21. $20, $17/GLAZA members; Friday; 5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles, CA; 323.644.6042
National Dance Day
Shake your groove thang and celebrate with a day of dance. Join So You Think You Can Dance creator Nigel Lythgoe and celebrities from the show as they lead you in the official National Dance Day routines. The day continues with short classes for all ages and interactive performances by some of the best and brightest young dance talent in the city. Free; Saturday, 11 am-3 pm; The Music Center Plaza, 135 N Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA; 213.972.7211
Tchaikovsky Spectacular with Fireworks
Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel commands the stage during this annual tradition of of classical and cannons. The USC Trojan Marching Band joins the LA Phil for the “1812 Overture,” complete with instrumentation and pyrotechnics. Friday-Saturday; 2301 N Highland Ave., Hollywood, CA; 323.850.2000
Round Up @ LA Live
L.A. LIVE hosts Round Up: the ultimate country street party featuring games, a live band, line dancing (and lessons), a beer garden, mechanical bull, and $5 food and drinks at participating restaurants. Wear your cowboy hat and boots! Friday, 6-10 pm; L.A. LIVE, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015
They Will Skate Again
Get to the Venice Skate Park this weekend because Ezekiel, Active and the Life Rolls On Foundation will be hosting the 5th annual They Will Skate Again event and contest. The skate brand joins forces with LRO every year to host an adaptive skating workshop, pro skate exhibition, and adaptive skate competition. Saturday, 9 am-4 pm; Venice Beach, 123 Venice Beach, CA 90291
Wanderlust Opens
This is a new yoga spot, right in Hollywood and they are having a two-day party to celebrate. They will have Thievery Corporation DJ and a beer and wine bar for members. $15+; Friday-Saturday; 7-10:30 pm; 1357 N Highland Ave, Hollywood, CA; 323.967.8855
Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015
The Special Olympics World Games will be taking place in Los Angeles and will be the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in 2015. The Opening Ceremony, to be held on Saturday in the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, is expected to attract 80,000 spectators. Sports competitions taking place throughout the Games are open to the public and free to attend. Ceremony tickets: $30+; Saturday through August 2; L.A. Coliseum, 3911 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA
Tender Greens’ Hollywood – Harvest Dinner
Chefs Oliver Plust and Charlie Knowles will be serving a family style, 5-course meal with fresh, seasonal produce and free-flowing wine and beer. Entrées will include seasonal ingredients like sustainable fish, zucchini, tomatoes, eggplant, corn and stone fruit with select produce harvested from the location’s aeroponic towers & patio garden. $60 (including dinner, beer & wine); Sunday, 5:30 pm; 6290 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood CA; rsvp@tendergreens.com.
Sunday Funday at Rascal
The dice are hot and the drinks are cold every Sunday night at Rascal! The board games are out, happy hour eats are just $6 between 5-7 pm and $6 happy hour house libations are available all night long. Order up classics like the Moscow Mule mixed with Gruven vodka, lime juice and Reed’s ginger beer; a Margarita crafted with Zapopan tequila, Bols triple sec, and fresh lemon and lime juice, or; wine cocktails like the house-made Red Sangria and the Cold Duck, a blend of red sangria, topped with fizzy cava. All of these crafty cocktails are also available by the pitcher for just $15. Executive Chef Andy Lee is serving up tasty comfort foods like crispy Fried Chicken & Gravy, made of buttermilk marinated boneless chicken drizzled with spicy Italian sausage gravy and a classically gooey Grilled Cheese with caramelized onions, vine ripe tomatoes, sharp cheddar and American cheese. Rascal is also serving up a burger topped with beer-deglazed caramelized onions, sharp cheddar, wild rocket arugula, vine ripe tomatoes and an herb remoulade. Sunday, 5-10 pm; 801 S La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036; 933.3229
Sweet Rose Creamery’s Pop-Up
Head to Venice’s Tortoise General Store, a boutique dedicated to exhibiting works by Japanese artists, this weekend for a Sweet Rose Creamery Pop Up. Sweet Rose Creamery’s Co-Owner/Executive Chef Shiho Yoshikawa, a Japanese native, offers made-from-scratch ice creams, house made almond milk, and cool beverages. Enjoy single ($4) and double ($6) scoops of Japanese-inspired flavors like Yaki-morokoshi (Roasted soy sauce corn), Wasabi, Kombu Ribbon (with Sea Kelp ripple), Yogurt with Anzu (Frozen yogurt with apricot swirl) and Plum Sorbet in housemade Kokuto (Muscovado sugar) and Kuro-goma (Black sesame) cones ($1). Tortoise General Store has also partnered with local coffee roaster Aarata Doyashiki to develop exclusive blends for the boutique and will feature pour over and cold brew coffee drinks. In addition, sample or mix in Shiho’s famous house made almond milk (made from Fat Uncle Farm almonds and Bautista Ranch organic dates). Sunday, 1-5 pm; 1208 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291.
Summer is Pop’n at Rosenthal
Shop from J.D. Luxe, Peach Pop Fitness, sip on wine, listen to live music, taste food, and get flash tatts with Love & Madness. It’s everything that screams summer. Saturday, 12-6 pm; 18741 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA; RSVP@Popyourshop.com
A Taste of Wine, A Touch of Jazz
Do you enjoy wine? Do you enjoy Jazz music? Lets bring these two perfect things together! The LA Jazz Society will be hosting nine wineries and seven Jazz acts at their A Taste of Wine, A Touch of Jazz event. This charity event helps benefit the jazz education programs in the Greater Los Angeles school district. $75; Saturday, 4-8 pm; 903 Noble Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91411
iPic Theaters’ Guest Chef Seris
VP of Culinary Direction, Sherry Yard, continues her guest chef series in both Westwood and Pasadena by inviting some of the best chefs to create a special food offerings for that month as a supplement to the menu already available while you watch the latest movie release. This month, enjoy Mindy Segal’s Hot Fudge Thumbprint Cookie & Banilla Boozy Milkshake (hot fudge, chocolate cookie with smoked sugar, paired with a banana-vanilla milkshake with optional Atlantic Rum float). In August, Eric Greenspan’s Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich (challah, pimento cheese, pickles, red hot mayo, slow cooked greens) will be on the menu and September, Elizabeth Falkner’s Smoky Bro Pizza with San Marzano tomato sauce, smoked mozzarella, broccolini, garlic, fresno chilis will take center stage. As for cocktails, (created by iPic Theaters Mixologist Adam Seger), this month, get the Illegalito made with rum, coconut, pineapple, mint. August will have the Bespoke Buck made with house made ginger beer with choice of fruit and your preferred spirit, bourbon, vodka, gin or tequila and September, enjoy Bubbly Sangria made with prosecco, citrus apple relish. Make it Ultimate with Champagne. 10840 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024; 310.307.7003
George Levkoff Hosts Wine-Paired Dinner at Westside Tavern
Westside Tavern is partnering with George Levkoff of George Wine Company to offer a six course seasonal menu. Executive Chef Ben Cohn created the following prix fixe menu paired perfectly with Pinot Noirs from California’s Sonoma County: Chilled Jonah Crab with peach gazpacho, cucumber, basil; Chicken Liver Mousse; House Made Spaghetti; Salt Roasted Scottish Salmon with a corn puree, smoked sauce choron; Roasted Duck Breast with poached plums, spinach, natural jus; and a Cheese Course of Marin Triple Cream & Laura Chanel Crottin. $65; Friday, 7 pm; Westside Tavern, Westside Pavilion Mall, 10850 W Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064; Resys: 310.470.1539 or kbrady@westsidetavernLA.com
The Royal Tenenbaums Outdoor Screening
Watch Gwyneth Paltrow decked out in eyeliner and a fur-coat at this outdoor screening of Wes Anderson’s classic 2001 flick. The dog-friendly event will also feature a live band and food trucks galore. $12; Saturday, 8 pm; Will Rogers State Historic Park, 1501 Will Rogers State Park Rd.; 310.454.8212
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory at the Hollywood Cemetery
“Come with me and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination.” Delightful, funny, scary, exciting, and, most of all, a genuine work of imagination, this is one of my all time favorite movies. Take a tour of the famous magical factory with Gene Wilder in this children’s classic. Oompa Loompas, chocolate rivers, fizzy lifting drinks are just some of the things you’ll find on this journey. $15; Saturday, doors/7:15 pm, movie/9 pm; 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
National Tequila Day at Día de Campo
Hermosa Beach’s modern Mexican surf lodge, Día de Campo, will celebrate National Tequila Day with a fiesta featuring food and drink specials, live music, and more! Casamigos and Casa Noble tequila will offer complimentary tastings, while Latin jazz funk band, Machismo, provides musical entertainment. To honor the agave-based spirit, Executive Chef Ken Johnson will utilize tequila in the kitchen as well, with dishes like Tequila Chicken, and a house made mescal jelly. All-day $8 cocktail specials include: Clasico and Skinny traditional margaritas; Sophia (agua de santa, tequila blanco, Patrón Citrónge); Rubi (tequila blanco, grapefruit, lemon, froth, home spice); and La Leona (Maestro Dobel, peach, lemon, mescal). Friday, 2-4 pm & 5-7 pm; 1238 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA 90254; 310.379.1829
National Tequila Day at 41 Ocean
Santa Monica’s exclusive private club, 41 Ocean, will open its doors to non-members for a special tequila tasting event. With varieties such as Blanco, Represado and Anjeo, guests can enjoy from more than 15 tequila brands enhanced with Mexican-inspired pairings. $15/members, $35/non-members; Friday, 6-10 pm; 1541 Ocean Ave., #150, Santa Monica, CA 90401; 310.566.3870
National Tequila Day at Alley Lounge
Embrace south-of-the-border flavors with Alley Lounge this National Tequila Day where Barman Russell Thomas is pouring out an aptly named cocktail, called the Jalisco Breeze. A refreshing chiller served up in a frosty martini glass, this libation is crafted with Casamigos silver tequila, elderflower liqueur, Serrano chili, fresh cucumber and lime ($12). Friday, 6 pm-2 am; 12223 W Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90066; 310.398.8611
National Tequila Day at Downtown Johnny’s
A spicy spin on the classic margarita, the Tequila Mockingbird, created by Daniel Ponsky, is crafted with reposado tequila, muddled jalapeño, agave, lime juice and topped with an IPA beer float ($10). Friday, 11 am-2 am; 14649 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403; 818.205.1616
National Tequila Day at FIN
A timeless classic with a tequila kick, the Tequila Old Fashioned from Beverage Director Ken Whang is mixed up with Milagros silver tequila, sugar and old fashioned bitters and garnished with an expressed orange peel ($12). Friday, 11:30 am-2:30 pm, and from 5-11 pm; 12223 W Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90066; 310.398.8611
National Tequila Day at Magnolia House
Bar Manager Brian Klemm is mixing up the Revel In Raspberry cocktail crafted with a signature raspberry-infused ‘Revel’ avila, Amaretto, cacao and lime juice, with an absinthe rinse and garnish of fresh mint ($10). Although not technically classified as tequila, avila is harvested from the Weber Blue Agave plant, which is nearly identical in flavor and definitely goes down smooth with the way Klemm is shaking it up. Neat or on the rocks, sip on two more specialties of American Oak Barrel-Aged Avila Reposado ($12) or French Oak Barrel-Aged Avila Añejo ($14)! Friday, 4 pm-2 am; 492 S Lake Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101; 626.584.1126
National Tequila Day at Rascal
Why mess with an ice-cold classic when it is so good? Especially, when it is just $6 during Rascal happy hour from 5-7 pm. Swing by Rascal, your favorite mid-town gastropub and commemorate National Tequila Day with their Rascal Margarita by Sandy Clark. Crafted with Zapopan tequila, Bols triple sec and lemon and lime juice, this icy sipper is the perfect way to celebrate the day. Friday, 5-11 pm; 801 S La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036; 323.933.3229
National Tequila Day at solita Tacos & Margaritas Valencia
Bright and creamy, the latest Seasonal Tequila Infusion from Beverage Director Colin Pflugradt is a delicious mix of pineapple vanilla. A blend of Agavales blanco tequila, fresh pineapple, Madagascar vanilla beans and lime juice, this tasty mixture is infused for a minimum of 72 hours. Enjoy this special tequila as a shot ($7), on the rocks ($9) or up in a chilled martini glass ($11). Friday, 11 am-11 pm with the bar remaining open until midnight; 24201 Valencia Blvd., Suite 3470, Valencia, CA 91355; 661.291.139
National Tequila Day at The Corner Door
Bar Manager Beau du Bois will be shaking up his new Exorcist cocktail crafted with green bell pepper-infused tequila, aloe vera liqueur, lime juice, orange oil, cinnamon cordial and an “interactive” garnish of cucumber slice dusted with ghost pepper salt resting atop a juicy orange slice ($12). Dare to dunk the ghost pepper? Decide how much heat you want to add to this deliciously demonic drink! Friday, 5 pm-2:00 am; 12477 W Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90066; 310.313.5810
National Tequila Day at Tipple & Brine
Bar Manager, AJ Korchak is serving up a specialty cocktail for National Tequila Day called Once Upon A Time In Mexico! Crafted with Sieta Leguas blanco tequila, Del Maguey Vida mezcal, yellow Chartreuse, Velvet Falernum, fresh lime juice, grapefruit juice and Scrappy’s Orleans bitters, it will have you celebrating all night ($10)! Friday, 4:30 pm-1 am; 14633 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403; 818.528.2550
National Tequila Day at Tunnel Bar
For those who love tequila “berry” much, swing by Tunnel Bar in Sherman Oaks to sip on the Berry Spicy cocktail from Bar Manager Victoria “Ninja” Ortiz on National Tequila Day. This vibrant and spicy sipper is mixed up with jalapeño strawberry tequila infusion, agave and lime ($11). Friday, 7 pm-2 am; 14633 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403; Access to Tunnel Bar is granted through Tipple & Brine; 818.528.3434
Sales:
BoConcept
Enjoy 15-30% off modern home furnishings, seating, storage, accessories, decor, and showroom floor models during the contemporary Danish design company’s end-of-season sale. Through August 30th; 434 N La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036; 310.866.5177
Burning Torch
Score 50% off the luxe-bohemian label’s dresses, tops, bottoms, and more during the two-day sample sale. Friday, 10 am-6 pm, Saturday, 10 am-5 pm; 860 S Los Angeles St., Los Angeles, CA 90014; 213.627.3754
Frame Denim
Score up to 80% off women’s and men’s denim and apparel. Friday, 10 am-5 pm, Saturday 10 am-4 pm; 3621 Hayden Ave., Culver City, CA 90232
J Brand Factory Outlet
Now until the designer denim outlet closes (July 27th or sooner), score everything for $60 and under during the LA denim brand’s factory outlet closing sale. 1225 E Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90021; 213.748.1408
Just One Eye
Starting Friday, enjoy up to 80% off luxury labels like Valentino, Proenza Schouler, Chloé, and more during the avant-garde boutique’s warehouse sale. 7000 Romaine St., West Hollywood, CA 90038; 888.563.6858
Stacey Todd
At the Studio City boutique only, score 75% off James Perse, J Brand, A.L.C., and more luxe designer labels during the shop’s extended summer sale. Friday; 13025 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604
Ulla Johnson
Get 50-70% off the NY-based designer’s spring ready-to-wear collection during the one-day sample sale. Friday, 11 am-7 pm; 12623 Gilmore Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90066
Wildfox
Friday and Saturday in Mezzanine 3, snag the retro LA label’s apparel, swimwear, sunnies, and more for $10-50 during the two-day warehouse sale. 860 S Los Angeles St., Los Angeles, CA 90014; 213.627.3754
Rachel Pally
Score 60-75% off the LA designer’s jersey dresses, tops, bottoms, and more from her spring/summer lines, including White Label, baby, and swim. Prices start at $10 for baby and $20 for womenswear; plus there’ll be $25-75 discount racks. Friday & Saturday, 10 am-6 pm, Sunday, 11 am-4 pm; 201 S Anderson St., Los Angeles, CA 90033
Lotta Stensson
Get 50% off kimonos, kaftans, dresses, and more during the fest-ready designer’s store closing sale. Through August 30th; 8372 West 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048
Daniel Patrick
Enjoy up to 70% off the LA designer’s edgy-cool basics for women and men. Through Sunday; 1039 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015; 213.765.8089
Current/Elliot, Equipment, & Joie
Get an additional 50% off already-discounted merchandise during the trio’s friends and family sale. Through Saturday; 5201 S Santa Fe Ave., Vernon, CA 90058
