Summer Stargazing
Join Descanso Gardens during the peak of the Perseid Meteor Showers when astrophotographer and telescope expert Bryan Cogdell will give a talk about meteor showers and how to identify objects in the night sky. Following the talk, stay to view the sky through telescopes. Arrive at the garden at 7:30 for a self-guided walk. Enjoy the sunset, then make your way to the Oak Woodland by 8:15 for the Night Sky Talk and Stargazing. Preregistration required; $25, $15/members; Friday, 7:30 – 9:30 pm; 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
8th Annual Movies All Night featuring The Craft
The summer tradition is back with Cinespia’s 8th Annual Slumber Party and The Craft. Three teenagers find a fourth to unleash their powers and turn high school into a bewitching scene. At midnight, it’s time for some Practical Magic with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman star as a sisterhood trying to break a family enchantment in order to find true love. At 2 am, The Witches of Eastwick caps the night with a show-stopping cast of Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Susan Sarandon. They unite to wreak delicious havoc on little devil Jack Nicholson to teach him a lesson he’ll never forget. It’s the ultimate battle of the hexes! The Slumber Party has loads of extras, giveaways and fun including their themed photo booth. Be sure to visit their beer, wine, and coffee bar for the witches brew of your choice! $12-$29; Saturday, 7:15 pm; Cinespia at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038
The 5th Annual Burbank Comedy Festival
This year, The Burbank Comedy Festival will expand to five show venues, spreading the laughter far and wide with 200 of the hottest talent from around the world converging on Burbank for five days of nonstop funny business. Performers include national headliners Jeff Garlin (The Goldbergs), Daniel Franzese (Mean Girls), Mary Lynn Rajskub (24), Carlos Alazraqui (Rocko’s Modern Life), Jimmy Pardo (Never not Funny), and George Gray (The Price is Right). New this year, the Burbank Comedy Festival will showcase the voice talent behind some of the most recognizable and beloved animated characters with the entire original cast of Animaniacs including Tom Kenny (Spongebob Squarepants), Billy West (Futerama), Jim Cummings (Voice of Winnie the Pooh), Bill Farmer (Voice of Goofy), and more. A majority of shows will be live-streamed courtesy of Laugh Lounge, the first standup comedy app for Apple TV and mobile devices. The red carpet for this year’s festival will be hosted by Nicky Paris (Wendy Williams, Mtv) where both the headliners and participants of the festival will be interviewed amidst the excitement. In addition to presenting live performances, the festival offers an opportunity for the next generation of talent to perform and connect with top entertainment professionals through workshops, panels, and networking afterparties. $250, $350/VIP; Sunday through August 18th; Flappers Comedy Club & Restaurant, LA Connection Comedy Club, Hilton Garden Inn, Barney’s Beanery, and Gordon Biersch.
All-Female Rendition of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
The Skyline Sundeck at The Kimpton Everly is hosting its first ever EDM-version of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” performed by an all-female cast and accompanied by a live guitarist. Naughty, tender, and transgressive, this modern interpretation of Shakespeare fuses together music and comedy for a cause, with proceeds being donated to The Good Shepherd Center. $10 (includes a light food buffet and cash bar sponsored by Grey Goose); Sunday, 1800 Argyle Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
W Sunday Jazz at The Living Room
Located within the iconic W Hollywood, you can groove to live music every Sunday with America’s Got Talent semifinalist Nikki Leonti and Brooke Lynn’s Burlesque. In honor of Whitney Houston’s upcoming birthday on August 9, The Living Room will be hosting a special Jazz Night dedicated to her this Sunday, with covers of some of Whitney’s best hits. Free; Sundays, 9 pm; 6250 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA, 90028; Table reservations: 310.849.3400 or bobby@justleveragela.com
Aki’s Pup Up Pawty Festival
Bring your furry friends to check out vendors and activities for both dogs and pet parents. There will be a canine fashion show, dog training demo and animal psychic. Special appearances by Aki the Akita and other celebrity Instagram dogs. Free; Sunday, 10 am – 3 pm; Japanese American Community and Cultural Center, 244 S. San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA; 213.683.7193
Beyond Toast: 2-Day Avocado Festival at Angel City Brewery
Now in its 6th year, Angel City Brewery is hosting their annual Avocado Fest that honors the California state fruit and celebrates the annual release of Avocado Ale. The hazy, straw-colored, Kölsch-style ale has an ABV of 4.2% and will be available exclusively at the Angel City Public House. The beer releases in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans a day early, on Friday, August 10th, starting at noon. Angel City works with local, family-owned, Fillmore-based King & King Ranch, raising and hand-selecting avocados for the beer. Utilizing a dry-guac technique, the ale is comprised of fresh avocado, honey, cilantro and lime juice. Keeping freshness top of mind, Avocado Ale drinkers are encouraged to enjoy the beer within 30 days of the launch date. The two-day celebration kicks off with music, food, including an Avocado Toast Bar by Lizzy, an avocado juggling, avocado-eating contest, and plenty of Avocado Ale to go around. Headlining Avocado Fest this year is hip-hop artist, Mac Lethal. Saturday, 11 am – Sunday, 8 pm; 216 Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Spring Street Bar’s Monthly Bottle Share
Your friendly neighborhood bar & sandwich shoppe with 26 domestic craft beers on tap is the perfect place to meet a friend at their new monthly bottle share. Every second Sunday of every month, head to DTLA to find your new favorite beer or wine. Sunday, 1 – 4 pm; 626 S. Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Mixology Class
Head to this California modern restaurant and master how to craft three tequila cocktails, the margarita, paloma and tequila martini. The interactive, hands-on class includes three courses of plates, themed to go along with the evening. $90; Saturday, 8 pm; Margo’s, 1534 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA; 310.829.3990
San Diego Beer & Wine Fest
The inaugural San Diego Beer and Wine Fest is a collaboration of the previously sold out San Diego Brew Fest and Uncorked Wine Festival, offering hundreds of brews and wines to sample from. The event features dozens of local and national craft beers, over 100 curated wines, live music, DJ, lawn games, as well as San Diego’s most popular food trucks (food sold separately). $55, $70/Early Admission (2 – 6 pm); Embarcadero Marina Park, 400 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
Outside Lands
Founded in 2008, San Francisco’s Outside Lands marrys local food and drinks with music, art and comedy. Outside Lands has become one of the most popular summer events for both the culinary and music enthusiast alike. The three-day festival features 83 restaurants, 40+ wineries, 30 breweries and 6 top cocktail bars, all local to California. It also showcases more than 90 legendary and emerging artists. To date, Outside Lands has raised nearly $17 million dollars for the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, and with a heavy emphasis on sustainability, boasts one of the best environmental records of all US festivals. Outside Lands was co-founded by Superfly and Another Planet Entertainment and takes place each August. In addition to checking out musical acts like Janet Jackson, The Weeknd and Florence and The Machine, this year, Outside Lands adds two more culinary attractions – GastroMagic and Cocktail Magic. Both experiences will take you on a fantastic voyage featuring food, music, comedy, dancing, and cocktails. $149.50+; Friday – Sunday; Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA
National S’mores Day
Gotta Have S’more celebrates their namesake holiday with a “buy one, get one half-off” deal for anything in the store. Flavors range from salted caramel and peanut butter cup to cookies and cream. Seasonal offerings include peanut butter and jelly, spicy Mexican hot chocolate, pumpkin pie and more. Also try the s’mookie—a s’more and cookie combo that replaces graham cracker with chocolate chip cookie. Friday, 9 am – 5 pm; 1066 S. Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA; 323.646.4114
PBJ.LA’s Anniversary
To celebrate their one-year anniversary, this spot in the Grand Central Market is serving up their house-made Old School PBJ sandwiches for $1. They’ve also got a superfood special this month with acai goji berry and blueberry jam with cacao chip almond butter for $8. Sunday, 6 – 9 pm; 317 South Broadway Ste C11, Los Angeles, CA, 90013
Gluten-Free Forever Magazine Dream Dining Series: Los Angeles at Barton G
Barton G is known for their incredible food and it’s equally extravagant presentations. This fully gluten-free, family style meal includes meeting Erika Lenkert, Founder of GFF Magazine; K.C. Cornwell, G-Free Foodie; Kyra Bussanich; 4X Cupcake Wars Winner + owner of Kyra’s Bake Shop; Aida Mollenkamp, Salt + Wind Travel and Food Network Personality; Kate Ramos, Hola Jalapeno; Elania + Alycia, We Love California; Alison Needham, A Girl Defloured; and Marilyn Geller, Celiac Disease Foundation. Dishes include Caesar a La “B” Salad with Little gem lettuce, grilled garlicky gluten-free crostini, Moroccan anchovy, Grana Padano, and cured egg yolk; Laughing Bird Popcorn Shrimp, Crispy laughing bird shrimp, old bay spiced popcorn, Sriracha aioli and sweet chili sesame dipping sauces; Don’t be a Jerk Chicken, Jerk rubbed chicken, roasted and glazed with Caribbean rum and a pickled peach chutney, crushed avocado, and gluten-free spinach fritters; Marie Antoinette’s Head – Let them Eat Cake, towering cotton candy pompadour, yesteryear gluten-free candies, and tiramisu; and more. Vegetarian meal available upon advance request. $129; Saturday, 12 – 3 pm; Barton G 861 North La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Second Saturdays: A Summer Block Party
Hayden Wine Bar is hosting a block party featuring live music from The Loud As Funk Band, as well as oyster and drink specials from the restaurant. Saturday, 5 – 8 pm; 8850 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
A Downtown HoeDown
California and Texascome together DTLA’s Arts District for live music, food, vintage Western clothing vendors, family-friendly activities and classic country DJ. $10+; Saturday, noon – 10 pm; Pearl’s Texas BBQ, 2143 Violet St, Los Angeles, CA
Tanabata Festival at Hinoki & The Bird
Hinoki & The Bird celebrates the Tanabata “Star Festival” with a five-course prix fixe Chef’s tasting menu. The exclusive menu inspired by the Japanese celebration of love will also offer an option to add a specialty cocktail and/or rare wine and sake pairing, and you will receive a traditional Tanzaku ribbon, on which you can inscribe a wish and hang it throughout the restaurant’s lush foliage. As the story goes, as the plants grow, the personal wishes will be released into the universe and brought closer to the heavens. Find the full story of Tanabata and its inception, here. $85, Friday & Saturday, 5:30-8:30 pm; 10 W Century Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Tanabata Festival
“Generations” is the theme for this year’s annual festival that showcases Japanese culture, exhibits, food and entertainment. Activities include Taiko, Geta Tap, martial arts, bonsai, calligraphy and more. Free; Saturday & Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm; Japanese American Community and Cultural Center, 244 S. San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA; 213.683.7193
KCON USA 2018
KCON USA—the world’s largest Korean culture convention and music festival—returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center and adjacent Staples Center with its all-star lineup of K-pop concerts and exhibitions. Additional K-beauty and esports offerings are new this year. Friday – Sunday; 1201 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
African Marketplace Pop-Up
The Fowler Museum located on the UCLA campus hosts LA-based designers offering clothing, bags, jewelry and home decor in conjunction with the exhibition Striking Iron: The Art of African Blacksmiths. Kay and Nyamo Anuluoha, owners of the oldest African-print clothing store in LA, will be on hand to discuss their business and their role in providing clothes for the Marvel blockbuster Black Panther. Sunday, market: noon-5 pm, talk: 2 pm; Fowler Museum at UCLA, 308 Charles E. Young Drive N, Westwood, CA; 310.825.4361
Simply LA
If you want to learn the latest social media tools and strategies to make it in the style industry, check out this day-long conference and networking event. Expert speakers include The Hills alum Lo Bosworth, The Bachelor vet Lauren Bushnell and The Real co-host Jeannie Mai. Actress/model Kat Graham is the featured keynote presenter. $50-$350; Saturday, 9 am – 6 pm; The Americana at Brand, 889 Americana Way, Glendale, CA 91210
