Events
AAPI LA Market at Smorgasburg
May 22. Commemorate AAPI Heritage Month at downtown L.A’s Smorgasburg. This one-day event features baked goods, bites and merchandise by local AAPI chefs and makers. Featured vendors include RiceBox’s shu mai dumplings, Dai Pie Dong’s British-Canto savoury pies, and Flouring’s variety of signature cakes. Live entertainment from AAPI artists including Hollis and Travis Atreo. Sunday at 10am-4pm. 777 S. Alameda St., Los Angeles. la.smorgasburg.com
EEEEEATSCON LA
May 21-22. Restaurant discovery platform The Infatuation returns with its annual food festival at Santa Monica’s Barkar Hangar. Sample a highly curated group of local restaurants, along with exciting imports from across the country. Live music performances and panels from thought leaders and industry pioneers are throughout the day. Sat. and Sun. at 12pm. 3021 Airport Avenue, Suite 203, Santa Monica. More Info
Off the 405 Concert Series
Starts May 21. The Getty Center’s free concert series is back with an impressive lineup, featuring artists such as Zsela, Bartees Strange, Los Retros, Hand Habits, and Standing on the Corner. Bring a picnic or purchase food and beverages onsite before the show. Arrive early and explore the Getty Center’s current exhibitions. Saturday at 6pm-10pm. 1200 Getty Center Dr., Los Angeles. 310.440.7360. Getty.edu
Food + Drink
World Whiskey Day at NOBU Los Angeles
May 21. Nobu Los Angeles is celebrating World Whiskey Day by showcasing a brand new specialty cocktail, The Beverly High Rye “Smoke over Beverly” mixed with their signature rye whiskey and Aztec chocolate bitters, smoked with maple wood garnish and Kuromitsu brushed orange wheel. Enhance the experience by pairing with their signature sashimis. Times Vary. 903 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles. noburestaurants.com
Flavors of India at Mélisse
May 22. Santa Monica’s chic French-American restaurant Mélisse features a tasting showcase, “Flavor’s of India.” In celebration of AAPI month, sous chef Shahzad Bhathena represents his Indian heritage with dishes such as Kerala Moilee, butter poached halibut in turmeric sauce, and Raan-E-Mastaan, a coffee-crusted lamb. Finish off with Falooda- pistachio ice cream with strawberry jelly. Sunday at 5:30pm. 1104 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica. 310.395.0881. RSVP
Succulent Building Brunch at Sugar Palm
May 22. Sugar Palm Ocean Avenue partners with local boutique nursery The Juicy Leaf to present a succulent building class with brunch. Create a succulent arrangement with Juicy Leaf owner Felix Navarro while enjoying brunch and plant-inspired cocktails like The Botanist. Tickets are $65. Sunday at 12pm. 1819 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica. 310.260.7511. RSVP
New Prix Brunch at The Bungalow Kitchen
Now Open. The Belmont Shore eatery unveils a new prix-fixe brunch menu from award-winning chef Michael Mina. Try the sweet potato pancakes with King Salmon gravlax, French toast with bourbon maple caramel glaze, and breakfast pizza topped off with pecorino Romano topped with a poached farm egg. $39 per person. Saturday and Sunday at 10am-3pm. 6400 Pacific Coast Hwy Suite 200, Long Beach. bungalowkitchen.com
Arts + Culture
Signs of Life
May 20. The Griffith Observatory showcases a new show in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, Signs of Life. Journey through an astronomical detective story about life in the universe, starting from the origins of life, to the explorations of planets beyond our Milky Way Galaxy. Times vary. 2800 E. Observatory Road, Los Angeles. 213.473.0800. griffithobservatory.org
Belonging: A Filipino American Arts and Culture Experience
May 20. In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, the LA Art Box gallery presents Belonging: A Filipino American Arts and Culture Experience. This collaborative exhibition explores cultural identities both past and present, from contemporary Filipino American artists. Free. Friday at 7pm– 10pm. 8020 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles. thelaartbox.com
Long Beach Opera presents Giustino
May 21. Long Beach Opera begins the season with a world premiere adaptation of Giustino by George Frideric Handel. Saturday at 7:30pm. 115 Pine Avenue, Suite 550. longbeachopera.org
All images are courtesy of the businesses and venues.