LA Chinatown Firecracker Festival
One of the longest-running and largest Lunar New Year charity runs in the country, the Firecracker run will use 100% of its proceeds to invest in the local community. With Chinatown already one of the most up-and-coming spots in LA, you’ll definitely want to check out one of the four events this year: the 20/40 mile bike ride, the 5K run/walk, the 10K run/walk, or the kiddie run. Y’know, if you’re a kiddie. $25-$60; Saturday & Sunday
Chinese New Year Night Market
Situated 24 floors above DTLA at The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, Nest at WP24 is a modern lounge by legendary chef Wolfgang Puck. Puck is featuring a Chinese New Year Night Market popup at Nest where you’ll enjoy a signature Far East-inspired cocktail and unlimited access to six different live cooking stations. Dishes include Chili “Dan Dan” dumplings, Whole Roasted Peking Duck with traditional accompaniments, and other auspicious dishes perfect for the Chinese New Year. While dining, enjoy a high-energy dragon dance, an ancient Chinese ritual that brings good luck. $65; Friday, 6:30 pm; 900 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Cassoulet Night
Lucques invites you to indulge in a one-night special celebrating the traditional southern France dish made up of slow-cooked duck confit, sausage and white beans. The three-course dinner also has a salad of young greens and a dessert prune armagnac ice cream and almonds. $65/dine in, $38/take away. Sunday, 5 pm; 8474 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA; 323.655.6277
Get Your Spin on With Spinfish Poke House
Known for its unique “spin” on the favorite healthy Hawaiian food, Spinfish Poke House is teaming up with SoulCycle Culver City for lunch. Spinfish will be providing fresh, healthy grab-and-go poke bowls for SoulCycle attendees to enjoy on the patio or take along with them following class. Choose from a selection of Signature Bowls like the Aloha 808 bowl with sesame shoyu, chili flakes and salmon or the Banzai Bowl with ponzu, cucumber, citrus zest, green onion and tuna. Sunday, 10:30 am-12:15 pm; 3847 Main St, Culver City, CA 90232; 310.202.7653
NoMad Brunch
Downtown’s new hotel and dining destination is now serving up weekend brunch in the Lobby restaurant. Helmed by Daniel Humm and executive chef Chris Flint, expect dishes like a Benedict with smoked salmon; a breakfast burrito with suckling pig, eggs, potatoes, spinach and chile de arbol; and avocado toast with soft-boiled egg, radishes and sunflower seeds. A variety of pastries and Bloody Marys are also available. 649 S. Olive St, Los Angeles, CA
Dine Out Long Beach, Restaurant Week 2.0
Nearly 50 restaurants are participating with a Chefs’ Cooking + Tasting Kick-Off (Free, Saturday, 12 noon, Friedmans Home Experience). Long Beach restaurants will offer two-option menus for breakfast and/or lunch starting at $10 and 3-option menus for dinner starting at $20. Some restaurants will also offer a shared menu where two guests can split an appetizer and dessert, but enjoy their own entrée. Others will do small plates and wine or beer pairings. As for settings and cuisines, California’s sixth largest city has an abundance of offerings. You simply can peruse the special, prix-fixe menus here. Participating restaurants include: Chianina Steakhouse, Open Sesame, L’Opera, VUE Bar + Restaurant, Michael’s On Naples, Pike Bar & Restaurant, Café Sevilla, Sweet Dixie Kitchen, The Crooked Duck, E.J.’s Pub Bixby Knolls, Papalucci’s, Naples Rib Co., Gladstone’s Long Beach, Sip Bar + Lounge at the Renaissance Hotel, Honduras Kitchen, Louisiana Charlie’s, Michael’s Pizzeria (Downtown and Naples Island), Kihon Sushi + Japanese Tapas, Taste Wine-Bar-Kitchen, Rance’s Chicago Pizza, Ocean Market Grill, Buono’s Pizzeria, Claire’s at the Museum, The Pizza Press, James Republic, London Boat Rentals, SuperMex, Crepe Crafters, Ellie’s Long Beach, Pietris Bakery, Steamed Cuisine, Famous Dave’s, Plunge at the Ocean Club, Alegria Cocina Latina, Gaucho Grille, Agaves, The Attic, Gallagher’s Pub & Grill, King’s Fish House, Pier 76 Fish Grill, Lasher’s Kitchen, Sir Winston’s aboard the Queen Mary, Great Society Cider + Mead, The Promenade Café, The Red Leprechaun, Chelsea Chowder House & Bar, and Russo’s Italian Ristorante. Sunday; Long Beach, CA
Milk Bar x Reformation Pop Up
Satisfy you sweet tooth while shopping the latest collection from Reformation. The sustainable apparel company is hosting Milk Bar’s famous cookies, truffle bites and more. Swing by for the chance to savor the new Crack Pie Latte, debuting for the first time this weekend. Saturday, 11 am-7 pm; Reformation, 8000 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Tea Mixology Workshop
Herbalist, author and educator Emily Han welcomes you to explore the art of tea-infused beverages. Learn about flavor profiles and infusion techniques while sipping on mocktails and creating your own tea syrup to take home. $35/members, $45/non-members (Advance registration required); Saturday, 1-3 pm; Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA; 818.949.4200
Runway To Rodeo
Celebrity stylists Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn host a street party in the 90210 to celebrate over 50 years of luxury. Food trucks, curated art installations, a champagne garden, live entertainment and more will take over the 200 and 300 blocks of Rodeo Drive for the evening. Free; Sunday, 4-8 pm; 200 and 300 blocks of Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, CA
Create & Cultivate
This trendy conference for female millennial entrepreneurs offers mentor power hours, workshops and speakers. At this year’s event, choose from two tracks: Track One is for entrepreneurship, advancing your career and growing your brand, and Track Two is geared toward social media, marketing and content creation. The lineup includes Kim Kardashian West, Lauren Conrad, Kelly Wearstler, Tia Mowry and Busy Philipps. Attendees receive breakfast, lunch, snacks, a starter kit and a gift bag. $350/General Admission, $550/VIP; Saturday, 8-am-8:30 pm; City Market Social House, 1137 S. San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show
The largest travel show in the nation features entertainment, live cooking demos and tips from TV’s travel experts, including keynote speakers Rick Steves, Samantha Brown and Phil Keoghan. $11-$15/One-day ticket, $18-$22/two-day ticket, under 17 free; Saturday & Sunday, 10 am-5 pm; Los Angeles Convention Center (South Halls JK), 1201 S. Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA; 203.878.2577, ext. 100.
Battleship IOWA’s 75th Birthday
One of L.A.’s waterfront celebrates its diamond anniversary this weekend with music, libations, barbecue from San Pedro Brewery and a birthday cake. Get discounted tickets with code 75BD. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $11/adults, military & seniors; $8 youth; Saturday, 10 am-4 pm; 250 S. Harbor Blvd, Los Angles, CA
Enzo Ferrari Birthday Cruise-In
The Petersen Automotive Museum welcomes car enthusiasts for a breakfast celebration honoring Enzo Ferrari’s achievements in motorsport, design and engineering. Museum members will have special access to the Seeing Red: 70 Years of Ferrari exhibit. Free; Sunday, 8-10 am; Museum Parking Structure Level P3, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
For The Record Presents Shoshana Bean
Shoshana Bean will perform her album release show – Spectrum, her fourth studio album.Spectrum is a fresh new take on the classic tradition of big band with arrangements by Grammy award-nominated arranger Alan Ferber. This concert will feature Bean along with an 18 piece big band performing a carefully-selected collection of standards, classics and modern favorites, while still including a few Bean-penned gems. Bean made her Broadway debut in the original cast of Hairspray before taking over for Idina Menzel as Elphaba in Wicked. Inspired largely by Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and Barbra Streisand, Spectrum promises to be Bean’s most impressive project to date. The concert is produced by the team behind Los Angeles’ beloved “For The Record” series as part of new programming titled, “For The Record Presents.” These concert presentations will highlight artists who have inspired For The Record’s unique brand and have been involved with the show’s development over the years. $35+; Saturday, doors: 7 pm, concert: 8 pm; The Theatre at Ace Hotel, 929 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015
