EVENTS
The TASTE
Sept. 1-3. Top chefs and beverage purveyors take center stage for a celebration of the Southern California culinary scene at Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood. Five food-and-drink-centered events include wine seminars and cooking demonstrations. Event times vary. $65. Paramount Pictures Studios, 5555 Melrose Ave., Hollywood. events.latimes.com/taste
FYF Fest
Sept. 1-2. Nearly 100 musicians and comedians entertain at the two-day festival at the Los Angeles State Historic Park downtown. Featured performers include bands M83, Refused, Beirut, and Yeasayer and comedians BJ Novak and David Cross. Tickets via website and in-store at Origami Vinyl (213.413.3030), Vacation Vinyl (323.666.2111) and other retail locations. Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring St., downtown. fyffest.com
Los Angeles County Fair
Aug. 31-Sept. 30. Largest county fair in North America features rides, animals, live music, horse races. Musical acts include the Wanted, Karmin, the B52’s and Earth, Wind & Fire. Call for hours. $7–$17, under 6 free. Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, 909.623.3111. lacountyfair.com/2012
Labor Day Yacht Party, Mini-Cruise and BBQ
Sept. 3. Soak up the final weekend of summer fun by sailing out to sea on the Fantasea One, a luxury yacht that offers four decks of DJs, karaoke, games, bar, BBQ, cabanas, bottle service, VIP tables and more at the 10th annual Labor Day party. Check in at 2 p.m. Tickets $40+, includes an all-access boarding pass, four hour cruise and free BBQ. Cabanas, VIP and bottle tables available, call 310.821.5371. Fantasea One Mega-Yacht, Dock 52, 13509 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey. wantickets.com
Labor Day Weekend Dayclub at Drai’s
Sept. 2. Australian electronic superstar Tommy Trash headlines the poolside soiree atop the W Hollywood Hotel along with Travis Emmons and Soulre. Show up in your most stylish poolside wear and party the afternoon away. Doors are at 11 a.m. $30. W Hotel Hollywood, 6250 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 213.400.3133. drais.net
WET Pool Party at Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
Sept. 3. Party at the Roosevelt all day and night with a pool party at Tropicana from noon-8 p.m., featuring nine DJs and an official after party at Teddy’s, starting at 8 p.m. $35. 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.769.8887. fla.vor.us
Bach-BQ
Sept. 1. Hit the Hammer Museum for a festive end-of-summer courtyard concert as wild Up tackles a Brandenburg Cycle with six recomposed Brandenburg Concerti performed by virtuosic strings, screaming piccolo trumpets, baritone saxophones, and an electric bassoon. Five Concerti are composed by wild Up members and one by their frequent collaborator Mark Menzies. All of the composers were inspired by the idea that Bach had intended the Concerti to be improvised. All of the Concerti will feel unique, as they were written in each composer’s personal language and style. 3-5 p.m. 0899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood, 310.443.7000. hammer.ucla.edu
Hollywood Bowl
Aug. 31-Sept. 2. The movies come to life at the Hollywood Bowl all weekend long. Friday and Saturday offer John Williams: Maestro of the Movies, where renowned violinist Gil Shaham joins Maestro Williams in a program featuring some of Williams’ biggest and best loved movie hits. Sunday brings The Big Picture: Paramount’s 100th Anniversary, an evening that celebrates the oldest and only remaining major studio in Hollywood with scores from the studio’s history including The Godfather trilogy, Titanic and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, among many others. 2301 North Highland Ave., 323.850.2000. hollywoodbowl.com
Rock & Reilly’s White Party Labor Day Celebration
Sept. 2. Sunset Strip’s rock-n-roll Irish whiskey pub will be no work, all play Sunday at their Labor Day party where you can indulge in $5 Patron Specialty Cocktails, DJs, Ring Toss, Corn Hole and Darts all day long. 8911 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.360.1400. rnrpub.com
Music Spotlight Series at “5 Towers”
Aug. 31.-Sept. 3. Universal CityWalk’s free “Music Spotlight Series” at “5 Towers” culminates Labor Day Weekend with four energetic nights of non-stop music and entertainment. Performances kick-off on Friday with an appearance by Perez Hilton, and Bella Thorne, star of the hit TV series “Shake it Up!” The two join breakout acts IM5, All Day Everyday, Wellington and VanJess who will perform for a standing room only crowd at “5 Towers.” The party continues Saturday with Chilean band Sajama, and Sunday with retro band The Spazmatics. Monday’s finale features The Rocket Summer, headlined by singer/songwriter Bryce Avary. “5 Towers” on Universal CityWalk, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. citywalkhollywood.com
Serenity Sundays
Sept. 2. Start your Sunday with an hour-long sunrise beginners yoga session expert trainer Shelby Ho and follow it up with a beachside breakfast. Yoga starts at 8 a.m. and is donation basted. RSVP for a spot. Gladstones, 17300 Pacific Coast Hwy., Pacific Palisades, 310.454.3474.
Shoreline Jam
Sept. 1. The Queen Mary presents the second annual Shoreline Jam featuring top reggae, world, rock and pop artists including Ballyoo!, The Wailers, The Lions, Passafire, L.B.D.A. and Black Uhuru. Performances take place on the beautiful grass shoreline in front of the historic ship to celebrate Labor Day weekend. Specialty food and beverage vendors will be on-site during the festival. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0738. queenmary.com
EAT | DRINK
Sunday Supper at Mercato di Vetro
Sept. 2. Chef Danny Elmaleh offers a weekly market driven menu of antipasti, entrees and desserts, as well as wine, beer and cocktail specials. This week he features seared sockeye salmon with soft polenta and haricot verts. $24. 9077 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.859.8369. sbe.com/mercatodivetro
Southern Sundays at Wood & Vine
Sept. 2. Stop by Wood & Vine for a Louisiana-Style oyster roast on the patio. The full a la carte menu includes selections like crispy pork belly, oyster Po’boy, seared salmon, chicken and waffles and more. 11 a.m.-close. 6280 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., 323.334.3360. woodandvine.com
Pajama Breakfast at P’tit Soleil
Sept. 2-3. It’s perfectly acceptable to eat poutine in your PJs, at least at P’tit Soleil’s weekend pajama breakfast. In addition to poutine topped with a fried egg, you could start the day with their Le Quebecois Breakfast special that includes two eggs, bacon, roasted pork, cretons, potatoes, black beans and toast. 9:30 a.m.-noon. 1386 Westwood Blvd., L.A., 310.441.5384. soleilwestwood.com
Tavern Take Out for Labor Day Cookouts
Throw your Labor Day BBQ and let Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne handle the food. The Larder at Tavern offers a take out menu for the holiday brimming with ribs, brisket, bbq-ready burgers, sides and desserts. 11648 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood, 310.806.6460.