Ciclavia-Culver City Meets Venice
This massive bike-riding event closes down major streets to car traffic and becomes a huge, bike-riding, walking, skate boarding, running party all on the Westside.While you are enjoying your car free streets, swing by The Mar Vista, where Co-owner and Executive Chef D. Brandon Walker is serving up new signature brunch dishes like Egg Hot Pot with Applewood smoked bacon, Cured Salmon Loaded Potato, and Goat Cheese Chilaquiles (vegan alternatives available), while enjoying live music performed throughout the day. Free; Sunday, 9 am-4 pm; Culver City, Mar Vista, and Venice
Angel City Derby Doubleheader
Angel City Derby will host a double header featuring two visiting teams representing some of Southern California’s finest locales. First, the Wine Town Rollers from Temecula against Angel City’s scrappy traffic fighting Road Ragers! The second matchup is a between the Surf Betties of Beach Cities Roller Derby (from the South Bay) and Angel City’s scurvy Shore Shots! $8-$25; Saturday, 5:30-11 pm; Culver City Veterans Auditorium, 4117 Overland Ave, Culver City, 90230
Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion at the Palace Theatre
Cinespia presents a screening of the 90s comedy classic starring Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino. Airheads Romy and Michelle return to their high school reunion to convince the mean girls from high school that they are successful businesswomen, but…they’re not. Hilarious, this tale will have you laughing all night long. There will also be DJs and a dance floor. Dress in 90s fun fashion and visit their themed photo booth and four full bars featuring the ‘business woman’s special’. $25-$50; Saturday, doors: 7:30 pm, movie: 9 pm; 630 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA
Sleepless: The Music Center After Hours
The Music Center is transformed into a world of “spring awakenings” with DJ performances, a vine forest, multi-media performances, chill lounges, dancing and large-scale projections. $20/$30; Friday, 11:30 pm-3 am; 135 N. Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA; 213.972.0711
The League of Extraordinary Mutts’s Adoption Event at Malibu Country Mart
Help adorable dogs find loving homes and join in a kissing booth with the cute pups! The League of Extraordinary Mutts is a non-profit dog rescue in the Los Angeles area and they are a volunteer run organization that focuses on animals least likely to receive another chance due to physical, emotional and health issues. Saturday, 11 am-2 pm; Malibu Country Mart, 3835 Cross Creek Rd, Malibu, CA 90265
Head to Abbot Kinney for an artisan-focused flea market where you can shop vintage clothing, jewelry, and crafts. Food trucks like Falasophy and Zugo Liquitarian will also be there to keep you going. Saturday; Westminster Avenue Elementary School, 1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
7th Annual Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival
The 7th annual Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival presented by Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa and produced by Palm Springs Life is bringing together today’s top culinary talent and food enthusiasts for three days of extraordinary live cooking demos; grand tastings featuring over 42 renowned restaurants and 80 premium wineries, breweries, and spirits purveyors; cookbook signings from celebrity chef talent; and more. Kicking off the festivities on Friday, is the return of the James Beard Gourmet Luncheon featuring celebrated food expert and Bravo “Top Chef” judge Gail Simmons as the emcee, with four courses prepared by award-winning chefs from around the country. The festivities continue with two days of grand tastings and live culinary demos from a standout roster of chefs from the Coachella Valley and beyond. As a proud supporter of Coachella Valley’s FIND Food Bank, which provides food and essentials to those in need throughout the community, Palm Desert Food & Wine will donate 35 meals to the organization for every festival ticket purchased. $100; Friday-Sunday; Palm Desert’s El Paseo shopping district; 888.596.1027
Sample some of the city’s best vegan eats from local restaurants at this meatless street fest. Start at the beer garden at the Federal Bar, then make your way through under-$4 bites from places like CowHugger, Donut Friend, Hugo’s Tacos, and Soup Bazaar. Free; Sunday, 11 am-7 pm; 11223 Chandler Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601-2708
Latin Food Festival
Latin Food Fest is a celebration of the culinary diversity of Latin American nations. Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean, are known for savory and flavorful dishes and desserts. At this fest, you are treated to a variety of delicious dishes that are well-known throughout the world like sándwiches cubanos, tacos, tamales and arepas, as well as more regional fare like lomo saltado and llapingachos. You can also enjoy a diverse array of beverages from mezcals, piscos, sotols and tequilas to fine wines from countries like Argentina and Chile. $29+; Saturday & Sunday; 200 Santa Monica Pier Los Angeles, CA
OC Beer and Music Festival
The Orange County Beer and Music Festival is a unique event celebrating craft beer and live music. For 2017, they are having four different experiences and celebrating its fourth year in San Diego. The event will showcase multiple local and regional breweries and feature multiple bands. You will have access to complimentary samples of over 60 craft beers and listen to live music. The event will also feature a food vendor area and a crazy After Party at the Yost Theater! Saturday, 7-10 pm; Downtown Santa Ana Historic District, 307 N Spurgeon St, Santa Ana, CA 92701
So Long, Hi
David Tewasart (Sticky Rice, Side Chick, Matcha Matcha, Monkey Bar and the upcoming RBTA) and Bryan Sharafkhah-Sharp (White Guy Pad Thai) are bringing a taste of Thai street food to DTLA. The menu is a combo of Thai bar food and traditional comfort food and includes Thai jerky served with a spicy tamarind dipping sauce; green curry with deep fried roti (their version of chips and dip), and traditional pad Thai. Happy hour from 3-7 pm features $2 beer, $3 bar food and $5 pad Thai. Daily, 11 am-midnight; 518 W. 7th St, Los Angeles, CA; 213.537.0333
Ellie’s Pop-Up Dinner
This seven-course tasting dinner pop-up comes from two former MB Post chefs, and includes dishes like Omega Blue Sustainable Blue Fin with Black Truffle, Oyster Crema, Pistachio, and Poppy Seeds. $65, $20/wine pairings; Friday, 7-10 pm; Two Guns Espresso, 350 North Sepulveda Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
The Ponte Launches Brunch
One month following the grand opening of Beverly Boulevard’s newest contemporary Italian restaurant The Ponte, celebrated Chef Scott Conant and industry veteran Stephane Bombet announce the launch of brunch. The brunch menu includes Polenta and Eggs in Purgatory with sauce puttanesca; Citrus Cured Trout with beets, tarragon, pickled red onion, and mascarpone; a Benedict with poached eggs, prosciutto, tomato hollandaise, and mixed greens; Spelt Pancakes with espresso syrup and whipped ricotta; and a Chicken Parmigiano Sandwich with smoked tomatoes, burrata, and basil; as well as select signatures from the dinner menu. Head Bartender Ryan Wainwright, is serving up daytime-friendly cocktails, such as the Rabarbaro Spritz with Zucca Rabarbaro (a rhubarb-inflected amaro), Vergano Chinato, Monopolova Vodka, Dimmi liqueur, lemon juice, Sorelle Branca Prosecco, and club soda; Negreezi with Beefeater Gin, Campari, Alessio Vermouth di Torino, and orange juice; and his award-winning Lucano Correcto with coffee-infused Amaro Lucano, Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum, Café Moka, cream, chocolate bitters, and shaved bitter chocolate. Saturday & Sunday, 10 am-3 pm; 8265 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA. 90048; 323.746.5130
Eos Chocolates, Five Senses Tastings and V Wine
Go on a full-sensory tasting journey in celebration of Women’s History Month! V Wine will present boutique, small-batch California wines showcasing female winemakers. Five Senses Tastings will then expertly pair music – presented live from a wide variety of genres and female songwriters and performers – to bring out the essence and personality of each wine. And, as a special treat, custom chocolates by Eos Chocolates will also be presented and paired to both music and wine! Use coupon code “EOS” at checkout for 10% off your tickets! $35-$60; Sunday; V Wine Room, 903 Westbourne Dr, West Hollywood, CA 90069
TOMATOMANIA! at Descanso Gardens
Back by popular demand, TOMATOMANIA!, the world’s largest tomato seedling sale, returns to Descanso Gardens. Start your weekend off with a plant sale from 9 am to 5 pm, where you can select from hundreds of healthy seedlings, including heirloom varieties, old favorites and unusual offerings. From 11 am to 1 pm, join in Tomatoblasts and get quick tips from experts on growing great tomatoes at these 10-minute talks. There will be a Tomato Cooking Demo at 12 pm with Patina chefs prepare flavorful dishes featuring tomatoes. Tomato Exploration and Investigation is 10 am to 2 pm and Patina’s Tomato Faves for Purchase from 9 am to 3 pm on the Main Lawn. Saturday & Sunday, 9 am-5 pm; 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
