Diwali Night
Diwali—India’s biggest annual festival—celebrates the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Come prepared to dance all night long to the best of Bollywood, Bhangra & EDM with DJs Prashant and Dharam. While traditional Indian attire is encouraged, it is by no means a requirement. $9-$17; Friday, 9 pm – 2 am; West End, 1301 Fifth St, Santa Monica, CA
Grand Ave. Arts: All Access
Now in its fourth year, this culture-filled event showcases some of the best aspects of the city’s arts scene. Over 10 of DTLA’s premier cultural institutions including the Broad, Central Library, Colburn School, Grand Park, L.A. Chamber Orchestra, L.A. Opera, L.A. Philharmonic, MOCA, the Music Center and REDCAT—open their doors to the public for free family-friendly activities, interactive workshops and tours. Free; Saturday, 11 am 0 4 pm; Grand Ave. between Temple St. and Sixth St, Los Angeles, CA
Ice Presented by the Plaza at Santa Monica
The 8,000-square-foot outdoor skating rink in downtown Santa Monica is officially open and bringing holiday spirit to the beach. $15 (includes skate rental); Saturday (hours: Monday – Thursday, 2-10 pm; Friday, 2 pm – midnight, Saturday, 10 am – midnight, Sunday, 10 am -10 pm); 1324 Fifth St, Santa Monica, CA; 310.260.1199
Make Your Own Jam with Ren Leftwich
Accomplished cook and avid jam-maker Ren Leftwich will teach you how to make homemade jam in this hands-on workshop. Program will include demonstration of making a jam, using the jam in a savory and sweet recipe, a jar of jam and recipe printout to take home. $35 members; $45 nonmembers; Saturday, 10 am – 12:30 pm; 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Holiday Cooking Demo Class at L’Auberge Del Mar
Eat, drink and be merry as Chef Nathan Lingle shows you how to throw an easy holiday party with great success. He will share various methods for cooking a turkey to perfection and help participants create both traditional and non-traditional sides. The resort’s resident mixologist will whip up the perfect holiday concoction while the in-house wine guru will walk you through choosing the perfect wines for your party. To help you continue your culinary journey, you’ll receive a special edition recipe book as well as a custom-designed apron. $150; Saturday, 1 1am; 1540 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014; 858.259.1515
Old Pasadena Day of the Dead Weekend
Many Old Pasadena businesses create beautiful altars in their spaces to showcase during the self-guided Tour of Altars. The weekend also includes three Community Altars, a Salsa dance party with live music and calavera face painting, and more. Free; Friday – Sunday; Throughout Old Pasadena, CA; 626.356.9725
Tastings for Tigers
Join in “Tasting for Tigers”, a comedy dedicated to raising money for a good cause. They will also be doing a raffle with a chance to win great prizes! A portion of proceeds go to America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College Tiger Exhibit. $25 (includes entrance into the comedy show, one (1) glass of wine, exotic animal encounters with America’s Teaching Zoo); Saturday, November 3rd – Show starts at 7:30pm (Arrive early!); Malibu, CA
Brunch at Bacari W. 3rd
Make some brunch plans for this weekend at Bacari W. 3rd, newly opened neighborhood spot with Mediterranean inspired tapas. Bacari has all your favorites like Shakshouka with house rustic tomato sauce, bell pepper, sous vide egg, parsley, and baguette and Smoked Salmon Pita with caper, pickled red onion, cucumber, dill garlic crème fraiche, and fresh baked pita. Don’t forget to order “pancakes for the table” with the Gluten Free Dutch Baby Pancake, topped with seasonal fruit, crème fraiche, and mission fig honey. Of course, there isn’t a brunch in LA without a little booze – bottomless mimosa, sangria, and bellinis for $25! Saturday & Sunday, 10:30 am – 3 pm; 8030 3/4 W. 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA; 323.452.9149
Severance Brunch and Luau
Severance is launching weekend brunch plus a special luau and slow-roasted pig menu that’s only available on Saturdays. The bar will also begin serving new tiki cocktails created by Philip Ly, the bar director of General Lee’s in Chinatown. Every Saturday and Sunday, enjoy brunch favorites and unique spins on the classics like Fondue French Toast. Saturday, Noon-3 pm; 7274 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA; 323.424.7294
Smorgasburg Meltdown
Smorgasburg LA returns to Santa Anita Park with a celebration of all things cheesy. Vendors will be showcasing their best ooey-gooey goodies at the racetrack. Favorites include Big Mozz’s melty mozzarella sticks, decadent grilled cheese sandwiches and raclette from Cheezus, pizza bagels by Pop’s Bagels, a gruyere mac and cheese paratha quesadilla by Goa Taco, and more. $30-$110; Saturday, noon – 4 pm; 285 W. Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA; 626.574.7223
Japanese Whiskey Dinner
Chef Carlos Bojorquez has designed a five-course tasting menu pairing whiskeys such as White Oak Akashi with dishes such as Tempura Black Cod served with smoked shimeji mushrooms and Snake River Farms Wagyu Beef Tenderloin dished along side bamboo rice risotto. $150; Friday, 7 pm; 303 East Valley Boulevard, San Gabriel, CA 91776; Advance Reservations Required: 626.607.2012
Tocaya Organica Opens in the Beverly Center
With eight Tocaya Organica locations already successfully crafting fresh-casual modern Mexican cuisine in Southern California, The Madera Group launching their next outpost at the newly reimagined Beverly Center. Tocaya Organica Beverly Center will offer the versatile menu with locally-sourced organic ingredients. Tocaya takes a unique vegan-first approach to salads, tacos, bowls and burritos, while giving non-vegans the ability to opt in with their choice of grass-fed meat, free-range chicken and fish that is fresh, never frozen. 8500 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
World Vegan Month
In honor of World Vegan Month, by CHLOE brings back its Thanksgiving inspired The Gobble Gobble during the month of November. The Gobble Gobble is made with lemon-caper seitan, sautéed kale, rosemary gravy, harvest stuffing and fresh cranberry sauce served on a potato bun. For every Gobble Gobble sold, by CHLOE. will be donating $1 to no-kill rescue and adoption organization North Shore Animal League America. Sunday, 10 am – 10 pm, Monday – Tuesday, 11 am – 10 pm, Wednesday – Friday, 11 am – 11 pm, Saturday 10 am – 1 pm; Inside 365 by Whole Foods Market, 2520 Glendale Blvd, Silver Lake, CA; 424.675.7618
FEED Pop-In at Midland
Impact-driven lifestyle brand FEED will be making its West Coast debut at Culver City boutique Midland for the month of November. Throughout the holiday season, browse a wide assortment of FEED’s signature products. With each purchase of the limited edition Los Angeles City Tote (a local exclusive), FEED will donate five meals to the Los Angeles Food Bank. Sunday – Thursday, 11 am – 6 pm, Friday – Saturday, 10 am – 7 pm; Midland, 8634 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA; 424.298.8333
H. Merrick at Malibu Village Pop-Up Shop
Los Angeles-based designer Heidi Merrick opens her first beachside pop-up shop on Sunday. The airy 3,000-square-foot space featuring H. Merrick’s Fall/Winter 2018, Resort 2019 and Swim collections alongside a limited-edition collection of SRF PCH tees, sweats, windbreakers, and surf accessories including slides, surf wax and towels, all created especially for the pop-up. The shop will also feature a bespoke installation of Britt Merrick for H. Merrick surfboards and a rotating calendar of art installations featuring local photographers and sculptors. Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm, Sunday, 11 am – 6 pm; 3822 Cross Creek Rd, Malibu, CA; 310.424.5520
J Brand Sample Sale
Shop discounts on men’s and women’s ready-to-wear denim and accessories from J Brand, makers of sophisticated jeans with an emphasis on fit. Friday & Saturday, 10 am – 8 pm, Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm; 260LA, 301 N. Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA: 424.278.1257
