Weekend

Orange County Beer Fest
The 8th annual OC Beer Festival features dozens of international and domestic beers, a handful of food trucks (food sold separately) as well as live entertainment. The OC Beer Festival’s proceeds will benefit Noah’s B-ark, Inc (tax ID 95-4677862) whose aim is to rescue dogs from shelters and find permanent homes for rescued pets. Proceeds from the event will towards funding food, shelter, and veterinary bills for rescued pets. $43+; Saturday, 1-5 pm; Phoenix Club, 1340 S Sanderson Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806

Grand Park Book Fest
Book worm’s can celebrate independent Los Angeles-based authors and publishers. This year, the annual Grand Park’s Downtown Bookfest will explore, “Literary LA: Places, Spaces and Faces,” a celebration and reflection of where Angelenos love to read and write – past, present and future. So check out full spread of booths by independent publishers and local book stores. Saturday, 12 pm; Grand Park, 210 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA

Natural History Museum First Fridays
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) has a special addition to their lineup of its First Fridays lecture and concert series. In the Museum’s Nature Gardens, musician and icon Neil Young will present the first public playback of his upcoming release, EARTH, in its entirety (before its June 17 release). The album features “After the Gold Rush,” “Vampire Blues,” and an explosive 29-minute version of “Love & Only Love.” The listening party will take place as part of a full night of programming, including live folk rock performances by Escondido, Korey Dane, and Paul Bergmann; a DJ lounge with KCRW DJ Aaron Byrd and JEDI; and a panel discussion about dinosaurs in film with USC/NHM researcher Dr. Michael Habib and Assistant Curator of the NHM Dinosaur Institute, Dr. Nate Smith. $18/ non-Members, free/Museum Members with RSVP (first-come, first-served basis); 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90007; 213.763.DINO

Tam O’Shanter’s Saturday Night Concerts
Tam O’Shanter is delighting Angelenos with its tradition of fun-filled Saturday night concerts. All shows provide a combo of great food, awesome entertainment, and cool ambiance that’s perfect for date night, girls night out, or grabbing drinks with the guys. This weekend, enjoy Whisky Sunday (Irish folk with a hearty pour of Americana, prairie winds, and riverside cabin hymns) and the following schedule: Hot October (May 28) (bluegrass quartet), Ken O’Malley and the Ne’er Duwels (June 4) (rich tenor voice and engaging stage presence from this Ireland native), Whisky Sunday (June 11), and Homemade JAM (June 25) (this quintet brings alive some of the greatest songwriting including jug band music, acoustic blues, popular hits of the ’20s and ’30s and more). To complement the fun tunes, enjoy the Tam’s unique and special Ale & Sandwich Bar menu. The menu features a wonderful range of small bites, while the Tam’s modern pub fare also includes larger plates and accompanies the restaurant’s signature hand-carved plates, side dishes, premier meats which are freshly sliced to order at the bar’s cheese and charcuterie station, and other traditional items. Saturday, 8-11 pm; 2980 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039; 323.664.0228

Mast Brothers Chocolate Factory
Los Angeles now has its own chocolate factory! You can tour the facility and see your favorite chocolate being made. Founded in 2007 by Rick and Michael Mast, Mast chocolate is known for its craftsmanship (using locally sourced ingredients) and unique flavors like goat milk, maple, smoke and olive oil. The factory also has a menu of chocolate bars, hot and cold beverages and other treats. On opening day, there will be free hourly tours, DJs from Dublab and tastings of chocolate beer, bars and cookies. $5/tour; Saturday, 10 am-7 pm (tours 11 am-5 pm); 816 S. Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Demitasse Roastery & Kitchen‘s Tasting Menu
Every month, Demitasse Roastery & Kitchen in Hollywood will host a five-course tasting menu that is both seasonal and adventurous. Owner Bobby Roshan and Executive Chef Jeff Lustre are offering two evenings to enjoy five versatile courses that exemplify the flavors of Spring! Dishes include Peas and Beans with snap peas, haricot verts, wax beans, fava beans and almond dressing; Escargot from Mikuni Wild Harvest accompanied by braised taro leaves, and rainbow beets; and Squid Trio, featuring stuffed calamaretti, squid ink pasta, and fried calamaretti; Porchetta, made with Creek Farms pork belly, morel mushrooms, and pickled rhubarb; and Roasted Plantain comprised of banana mousse, jackfruit coulis, and Tanduay rum caramel. $60, $20/beverage pairing; Friday & Saturday, 7:30-9:30 pm; 1542 N Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028; 323.498.5155; reservations are required: email info@cafedemitasse.com with your full name, number of guests, and which date you would like (Photo Credit: acuna-hansen).

Cartwheel Art Tours’ Urban Adventure Bus Tour
Jump on the opportunity to discover, explore and experience British culture in Los Angeles through art and food during BritWeek 2016. Whether it’s been through music, film, literature, fashion, architecture, pop-culture, philosophy, or science, Britain has affected us. With the assistance of insider perspectives by makers and artists, Cartwheel Art founder Cindy Schwarzstein will lead her bus tour–curated specially for BritWeek 2016 through Los Angeles’ neighborhoods to celebrate the influence of British Culture in Los Angeles. You will visit three galleries currently featuring visual art created by UK and Los Angeles-based artists, who have been influenced by British Culture; explore murals influenced by British culture; experience Earl Grey Tea Pie at The Pie Hole in the DTLA; sausage rolls and chips at Echo Park’s British pub The Lost Knight; and Steve Grody, historian and author of Graffiti LA, will give a lesson on how Los Angeles’ Cholo gang writers. $58; Saturday, 1-6 pm; picks up and drops off at The Gabba Gallery, 3126 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057

Downtown Long Beach Bike Fest 2016
Love your bike?! Grab your helmet and get down to Long Beach for a celebration of bike skills and craft beer. Saturday, 12 – 7:30 pm; Long Beach East Arts District at 1st and Broadway               

Kentucky Derby at Baltaire
Baltaire hosts their second annual Kentucky Derby viewing party in the bar and lounge. Don your fascinator or fedora and watch the greatest two minutes in sports with a signature Baltaire Julep in hand (a customized take on the classic cocktail), along with Kentucky whiskey flights. Chef Strickland rolls out playful, Derby-inspired dishes like a Hot Brown Sandwich on toasted brioche with house smoked turkey breast, roasted Campari tomatoes, roasted garlic cream sauce, Hooks white cheddar, and braised pork belly; Benton Country Ham with House made Biscuits; and Deviled Eggs. Seating is first-come, first-serve and guests are encouraged to dress in their best Derby attire. Saturday, 1-4 pm; 11647 San Vicente Blvd, Brentwood, CA

Hats & Horses Derby Party
Celebrate in classic derby style! Your ticket includes Southern inspired bites, DIY Mint Julep bar, and a hat contest. Check out suggested attire here. $35; Saturday, 1-5 pm; Address provided with RSVP

Kentucky Derby at Shade Hotel
Join in their second annual Kentucky Derby Party! The luxury boutique hotel’s restaurant and lounge, zinc@shade, will transform into the perfect venue to watch the Run for the Roses and enjoy Mumm champagne, Mint Juleps and Derby-inspired cocktails, as well as hors d’oeuvres and small plates. Plus, you will have the chance to participate in contests and win prizes. Derby hats and attire are encouraged. A portion of proceeds from the event will benefit Richstone Family Center. Saturday, 12 pm; 1221 N Valley Drive in Manhattan Beach, CA; 310.469.3466

Club Tubthump
The ’90s are back with Club Tubthump ’90s party in Santa Monica. Join us as we pay tribute to the ’90’s featuring an assortment of favorites ranging from classic bands to one-hit-wonders, to hip-hop (Tupac, Snow), to grunge (Nirvana, Sponge) and pop (En Vogue, P.M. Dawn) to rock (Hootie, Spin Doctors). Bring your dancing shoes! Drink specials 9-11 pm. Free before 11 pm; Friday, 9 pm-Close; V Lounge; 2020 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90403

The Depressed Cake Shop
The shop will pop-up and sell gray cakes to raise funds for St. Joseph Center in Venice. “The Depressed Cake Shop believes that mental health issues will be more effectively managed when there is an open dialogue and that is what we are working to create,” says Van Galder.  “Our gray cakes are a visual metaphor for the cloud that can descend during a depressive episode. The energy and community created at our shops have proved transformative for the organizers as well as our customers.” The pop up shop will host a gallery opening reception filled with cake, photography, music and wine on Friday, 7-10 pm and will be open Sunday, 10 am – 3 pm; Streetcraft LA,2912 Main St, Santa Monica CA. 90405

Create & Cultivate
Join in this conference for female entrepreneurs. It focuses on millennials and offers mentor sessions, panels and talks by keynote speakers. The lineup includes Clique Media Group CEOs/founders Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power; Olive & June CEO/founder Sarah Gibson Tuttle; and keynote speakers Jessica Alba, Chelsea Handler and Rachel Zoe. Attendees will enjoy lunch from Sweetgreen, ice cream from CoolHaus, Sprinkles cupcakes, shopping at pop-up shops and a beauty loft. $300, $500/VIP; Saturday, 8 am-9 pm; Hudson Loft, 1200 Hope St, Los Angeles, CA

Artists & Fleas
Get some indie and vintage shopping this weekend. Brooklyn-bred, Artists & Fleas’s Abbot Kinney installment is once again transforming Westminster Elementary into a marketplace. Expect a stylish lineup of over 75 local artists, designers, fashion trucks, and vintage vendors. Falafel and hummus truck Falasophy and juice maker Zugo Liquitarian will be on hand, while the folks at Tintype Booth will capture your memories in an old-timey photo. Plus, be among the first 100 shoppers to arrive and score a free organic tote bag. Full roster of participants here. Saturday, 11 am-5 pm; Westminster Elementary, 1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

Spring Echo Park Craft Fair
Beatrice Valenzuela and Rachel Craven founded the Echo Park Craft Fair in 2009. They visualized a space that would showcase and nurture the talented artisans, designers and craftspeople that live in their inspired neighborhood on the eastside of Los Angeles. Originally held in Valenzuela’s backyard, the Echo Park Craft Fair has grown into a popular bi-annual arts and design event. New participants include Ace & Jig, Edible Gardens, and Gnome Life Records. $10; Saturday & Sunday, 10 am-6 pm; Mack Sennett Studios, 1215 Bates Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029