Snowball Party
This brilliant party concept is like a scavenger hunt mixed with a choose your own adventure, with experiences and locations unfolding as the day goes on. Basically, you just have to trust that you’ll have fun, and let go. $55; 5 pm (sharp)
International Surf Festival
The summer festival, now in its 55th year, celebrates the South Bay beach cities and includes volleyball tournaments, swim races, surfing contests, a beach run and youth events. Free; Through Sunday
Proud Festival
DTLA Proud Festival celebrates the profound revitalization of DTLA and the growing LGBT community. Through community partners, the festival will showcase the best that downtown has to offer through 40 community booths (10 local restaurants, 15 local retail shops and 15 LGBT community groups) , a main stage programed by the burgeoning and established LGBT nightlife, and grounded by a pop-up water park for all to enjoy. Our goal is to create a festival that represents the diverse LGBTQ population that lives, works and plays downtown. $10; Sunday, 12 pm; Pershing Square Park – 532 S Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Return of the Trilogy
Star Wars is just not my thing (I know, I know), but if it is your thing, catch A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi back-to-back-to-back. $40-$75; Saturday, 2 pm; The Ace Hotel Theater, The Theatre at Ace Hotel, 929 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015; 213.235.9614
Speed at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock star in this thriller with over-the-top action on the streets of Los Angeles. Guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat, Speed has a madman terrorizing the city with an elaborate plan that sends a sensitive cop on an impossible mission on the freeways of LA. Bring a picnic and beer or wine for an action packed evening under the stars! $12+; Saturday, doors: 7:15 pm, movie: 9 pm; 6000 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Tchaikovsky Spectacular with Fireworks
Los Angeles Philharmonic Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel take over the stage during this annual tradition. The USC Trojan Marching Band joins the LA Phil for the “1812 Overture,” along with pyrotechnics. Dancers from American Ballet Theatre will also perform. Friday & Saturday; 2301 N. Highland Ave, Hollywood, CA; 323.850.2000
Saturday Nights in August at One Colorado
One Colorado’s Saturday Nights in August concert series offers up-and-coming musicians in the Courtyard. This weekend, catch Ari Hest! Other Saturday Nights in August’s line up includes: Rivvrs (August 13), Jim and Sam(August 20), and Night Lights (August 27). Free; Saturdays, 7:30 pm; One Colorado – 41 Hugus Alley, Pasadena, CA 91103; 626.564.1066
Dance & Sing in August @ LA’s Tam O’Shanter
Tam O’Shanter is bringing back its tradition of fun-filled Saturday night concerts. Enjoy a great combo of food, awesome entertainment, and cool ambiance that’s perfect for date night, girls night out, or grabbing drinks with the guys. this weekend, catch Bracken Band, a Celtic guitar joins a fiddle with a backdrop of a percussionist. The future lineups include: Whisky Sunday (August 13th) is a combo of Irish folk with Americana, prairie winds, and riverside cabin hymns, Ken O’Malley and the Ne’er Duwels (August 20th) has a tenor voice and engaging stage presence; and Hot October (August 27th) is a bluegrass quartet. You can also enjoy the Tam’s Ale & Sandwich Bar menu that has a range of small bites and The Tam’s modern pub fare 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. Free; Saturdays, 8-11 pm; 2980 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039; 323.664.0228
626 Night Market
Thos night market, in its fifth season, has FOUR weekends this year, so you truly have no excuse to miss this always-fun-as-hell event. Enjoy the hundreds of unique vendors and attractions including food, merchandise, crafts, arts, games, music, and entertainment attractions in one jam-packed weekend of festivities. Friday & Saturday, 4 pm-1 am, Sunday, 4-11 pm; 285 W Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA 91007
Brew at the L.A. Zoo
Sip craft beer and meet the animals while you enjoy live music and pub-style grub at the zoo. You can taste from local craft and microbreweries, while you listen to live music from ‘80s arena rock band Wayward Sons and ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s by the Black Canyon Band. A new VIP lounge offers offers early entry, exclusive access to all breweries and complimentary food. $25-$75; $125/VIP; Friday, 7-11 pm; 5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA; 323.644.6001
American Family Housing Present: Ribs, Pigs & Watermelons BBQ Competition, Music Festival and Car Show
This Pro BBQ Competition, Music Festival and Car Show is a fundraising event for American Family Housing (AFH) that raises awareness and critical funds to support homeless veterans, families and individuals in Orange, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties. AFH plans to take the lead with Potter’s Lane, an innovative project in Midway City that will provide energy-efficient and sustainable housing for chronically homeless veterans. With 35 of the top nationally ranked professional BBQ teams competing, you will be feasting on the best. New this year is an all-day reggae festival on Saturday, featuring some of California’s best reggae bands: Pato Banton and the Now Generation, Arise Roots, CAL1FA, and Special Blend. Friday night’s music features country bands, and Sunday will showcase classic rock bands. Other activities include a classic and hot rod car show, kids activities, watermelon- and rib-eating contests, live music, craft beers and the nation’s best BBQ all weekend long. Friday, 5-10 pm (Country music bands), Saturday, 10 am-10 pm (BBQ competition and reggae festival), Sunday, 10 am-5 pm (Car show and classic rock bands); Huntington State Beach, Beach Blvd and PCH, Lot 10, 21601 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92646
Takami Sushi Celebrates Nine Years
Downtown’s Takami Sushi and Robata is nine years old and to celebrate they’re doing nine days of $9 items. Grab a table here for the Wildberry Martini, YukiNoBosha Sake by the Glass, Large Asahi, Agadashi Tofu, Japanese Tacos, Penthouse Roll, Sensational Handrolls, Arare Calamari, and Rock Shrimp Tempura all for $9. Through August 9th; 811 Wilshire Blvd, #2100, Los Angeles, CA 90071
The Greyhound’s Summer Wing Fest
Highland Park favorite The Greyhound sells a lot of wings. And to give back to all those wing-lovers, they’re going to have a little party tomorrow night with half-off all wing orders and cheapish pitchers of beer. It’s all day long, dine in only, and should be a hell of a time. Friday, all day; 5570 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90042; 323.900.0300
Terrine Introduces a New Brunch Menu
Grab a spot on one of Los Angeles’ most coveted patios and enjoy Terrine’s new seasonal California brunch dishes. The California brasserie’s Executive Chef/Owner Kris Morningstar is serving Pennsylvania Dutch pâté, a breakfast-friendly version of the restaurant’s truffle butter burger; Terrine Burger Benedict with brioche, watercress, red onion confit, Comté cheese, sunny egg, and béarnaise; Smoked Trout Potato Cake with frisée salad, horseradish crème fraiche, sunny egg, and trout roe; Mission Fig Toast with fresh ricotta, honey, and hazelnuts; House made Scrapple, a farro and quinoa Grain Bowl with Sungold tomatoes, basil, mint, radish sprouts, poached eggs, and feta; House made Granola with summer fruit and chia seed pudding; and Oysters with nuoc cham mignonette. In addition to the new brunch menu, Managing Partner and Wine Director François Renaud now offers rosé lovers $20 “Rosé All Day,” which consists of a bottomless glass of Pichard & Jourdan Chinon Rosé. Saturdays & Sundays, 10 am – 3 pm; 8265 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048; 323.746.5130
Eveleigh‘s Winemaker Brunch
They are partnering with Two Shepherd’s Wine to host a Winemaker Brunch. Dine on Eveleigh’s beautiful back patio while enjoying wine and dishes from Execute Chef Jared Levy. $85; Sunday, 11 am; 8752 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069; 424.239.1630
Celebrate the 2016 Rio Olympics at Public School
From the start to the finish of the games, all Public School locations will be hosting Gold Medal Nights which means you can watch the games, try out the new Gold Medal Cocktail, and play Olympic Bingo to earn free school snacks like their delicious Buffalo Cauliflower! Just ask for an Olympic Bingo Card during your visit and see if you can get BINGO while watching the Olympics on the restaurant screens. Let the games begin! Friday through August 21; locations here.
YNK Celebrates Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony
Join YNK for a festive evening celebrating the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. The bar will be live streaming the ceremony throughout the evening. Imbibers can enjoy specialty cocktails from around South America to get in the spirit, including the Jamaican Welcome Rum Punch, El Presidente from Cuba, and Mama Juana from the Dominican Republic. The first thirty guests will also receive a special gift bag of bottled Caipirinhas from Brazil. The menu includes Jamaican Welcome Rum Punch made with Jamaican Overproof Rum, Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Pineapple Juice, Jamaican #2 Bitters, Sliced Fresh Fruit, Jerk Seasoning Rimmed Glass; Caipirinha (Brazil) made with Espirito Cachaca, Simple Syrup, Quartered Lime, Cracked Ice, Lime Wheel; El Presidente (Cuba) made with Bacardi 8, Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth, Grand Marnier, House Made Grenadine, Vanilla Soaked Dehydrated Orange Wheel; and Mama Juana (Dominican Republic)Served as a bottled cocktail with Rum, Honey, Red Wine, Tree Bark and Herbs. Friday, 4 pm; Friday, 4 pm; 18000 Von Karmen Ave, Irvine, CA
Watch the Opening Ceremony at Paley
Hollywood’s Paley is projecting the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics onto a wall inside their courtyard. they are also serving up $10 caipirinhas from barman Ben Ferguson. Friday, 7-10 pm; 6115 Sunset Blvd, #100, Los Angeles, CA 90028; 323.544.9430
LEONA’s Seaside Cookout
Celebrate the first birthday of LEONA and its seasonally driven and globally inspired menu (Tyler can’t get enough of their food). For their first birthday, LEONA is throwing their first ever Seaside Cookout and Chef Nyesha Arrington will be cooking up a special feast by the beach. Your ticket includes the food and you can also enjoy $2 house beers and specials on champagne. $40; Sunday, August 7, 2-6 pm; The patio, 123 W Washington Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Arata at Plant Food + Wine Venice
Head to Plant Food + Wine in Venice for vegan Far East-inspired dishes from Matthew Kenney’s Arata. Dishes on the menu include smoked oyster buns; Arata ramen with pulled mushrooms, baby bok choy, sea palm and corn puree; kimchi pancakes with sesame chili sauce; toasted sesame cheesecake and a matcha ice cream sandwich. Through Sunday; 1009 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA; 310.450.1009
Ocean Prime‘s Summer Fridays
Summer Fridays mean $1 oysters, $10 sushi rolls, $10 cocktail special and $10 glasses of Veuve Cliquot and Moet Imperial Rose from 2-10 pm. This is in addition to the restaurant’s week night happy hour menu that offers $5 off small plates, sushi and raw bar offerings in the lounges, cocktail, beer and wine specials, Mondays-Thursdays from 5-8 pm. 9595 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA; 310.859.4818
Peninsula Beverly Hills
Celebrate the 25th birthday of the luxurious Beverly Hills hotel with afternoon tea, filled with scones, tea sandwiches, pastries, and free flowing Champagne (Mondays-Thursdays). Want to stay awhile longer? Book the recently refurbished Silver Suite, and get the keys to a striking new convertible coupe: The Rolls-Royce Dawn. All of August; 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA; 310.551.2888
Torrid Launches 2nd Annual Model Search
Torrid, the plus size fashion line, kicks off its 2017 MyTorrid Model Search tour with a live casting event at Del Amo Fashion Center. Torrid fans will get a unique opportunity to prove they’re Torrid model material live and in person, before representatives of the brand. Also on hand will be Torrid’s top models Georgina Burke and Lyanna Lynette, the winner of last year’s model search. Are you a confident, sexy and fearless women, ages 18 or older, who wear sizes 10-30? Then go for it and submit online by August 7. One lucky winner will receive the title “Face of Torrid 2017,” a Torrid modeling contract and a Torrid wardrobe. She will make appearances at Torrid stores and events as their brand ambassador and could appear in Torrid catalogs, on Torrid.com and the brand’s social media. Saturday, 9 am– 5 pm; Torrid at Del Amo Fashion Center, 21540 Hawthorne Blvd #524, Torrance, CA 90503
