From a plethora of new restaurant openings to festivals around the city, check out the top LA weekend events for March 22-25.

Edited by Christina Wiese.

EVENTS

LA International Women’s Film Festival
Mar. 22-25. Celebrate the cinematic achievements of women both behind and in front of the camera at this 14th annual fest. Natalia Beristáin’s The Eternal Feminine (Los Adioses) opens the festival which hosts four days of narrative and documentary features, short films and panels. See website for venues and ticketing. L.A. Live Regal Cinemas, 1000 Olympic Blvd., downtown. goelevent.com

 

 

 

¡Latin Food Fest! 
Mar. 23-24. This sixth annual Hispanic culinary celebration consists of a festival kickoff party, “Chefs Night Out,” and its signature event, “Gran Tasting,” featuring food, wine, spirits and beer tasting tents; demos by chefs Aarón Sánchez, Marcela Valladolid and Enrique Olvera; live music; a michelada bar; and a spirits expo. F 6:30 p.m.; Sa noon, VIP entry 11 a.m. Tickets $19-$99, VIP $149. 21+. Santa Monica Beach, Pacific Coast Hwy., Santa Monica. latinfoodfest.com

 

 

 

Waffles and Beer Festival
Mar. 24-25. Spice up your weekend plans with sweet and savory waffles, cold brews, mimosas and live music in downtown’s Pershing Square. All ages welcome. Noon-8 p.m. GA $5 pre-sale, $7 day-of. 532 S. Olive St., downtown. wafflesandbeerfest.com

 

 

 

 

 

‘DOLORES’
Mar. 25. PBS SoCal and the Museum of Tolerance join forces for a special, one-night screening of DOLORES, which debuted at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival before playing across the globe at 30+ festivals. DOLORES offers an intimate portrayal of activist Dolores Huerta who co-founded the first farm workers unions with Cesar Chavez. 4 p.m. Free, must RSVP. Museum of Tolerance, 9786 W. Pico Blvd., L.A. museumoftolerance.com

 

 

 

La Carretera Show
Mar. 25. View luxurious vehicles from the 50s, 60s and 70s at this DTLA gathering inspired by the La Carrera Panamericana races in Mexico. DJs are on deck to spin both American and Mexican tunes from the 50s and 60s era, plus BBQ, coffee, beer and more refreshments to keep the party going all day long. 100 percent of the profits will be donated to L.A.-based charity Para Los Ninos. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. $12. Arts District, downtown Los Angeles. lacarreterashow.com

 

 

 

Trancas Country Market for Easter
Mar. 25. Hop off the PCH for a day of family-friendly Easter activities in Malibu. Adults can enjoy an in-store Easter egg hunt with 25 coupon-filled eggs while kids participate in a traditional Easter egg hunt on The Green. Crafts, kid art classes, a new spring tasting menu from Vintage Grocers and more offerings round out the day. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Trancas Country Market, 30745 Pacific Coast Hwy., Suite 24, Malibu. trancascountrymarket.com

 

 

 

Vegan Street Fair
Mar. 25. The largest single-day vegan event in the world returns to L.A. for another delicious year. Traverse a mile’s worth of activities and music while you try samplings from 200 plant-based vendors from Southern California and beyond. Returning vendors include Trejo’s Tacos, Bling Bling Dumpling and Donut Friend, plus The Federal plays host on-site to the popular beer garden featuring craft brews, margaritas, mimosas and games. 11 a.m-7 p.m. Free. 11223 Chandler Blvd., North Hollywood. veganstreetfair.com

 

 

 

Mermaid Museum
Through Mar. 25. Capture both the beauty and mystery surrounding mermaid lore at this immersive pop-up inspired by Freeforms’ new show Siren. Drift in an underwater garden, submerge in a 360-degree animated underwater projection complete with an ethereal soundscape, plus interact with a live mermaid. See website for tickets. Goya Studios, Stage C, 1541 N. Cahuenga Blvd., L.A. popsugar.com

 

 

 

 

PaleyFest 
Through Mar. 25. The Paley Center for Media hosts this annual event—celebrating its 35th anniversary this year—with screenings and panels featuring creators and stars from top TV shows. This year’s lineup includes The Handmaid’s Tale Riverdale, and Stranger Things, plus a conversation with PaleyFest’s 2018 Icon, Barbra Streisand. Visit website for schedule and tickets. Dolby Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 310.786.1000. paleyfest.org

 

 

 

FOOD + DRINK

Craft Beers on the Half Shell
Mar. 22. Boomtown Brewery teams up with Broad Street Oyster Co. for a three-course beer and shell pairing. Savor a welcome brew before indulging on Ico oysters paired with Gros Chat Saison, Wellfleet oysters paired with Nose Job IPA and Mookie Blue oysters paired with After Hours Stout. 7-10 p.m. $37.50. 700 Jackson St., downtown. boomtownbrew.com

 

 

 

 

Sustainable Wine + Dinner Series
Mar. 22. The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association kicks off its annual pairing series with a farm-to-table menu from Zoo executive chef Brad Robertson and wines from Fiddlehead Cellars. Animal keeper Kevin Gorowski will be on-hand while you visit koalas in the Australia habitat and learn about the marsupials’ diet. 21+. 6-9 p.m. $150. Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Griffith Park, junction of Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. lazoo.org

 

 

 

The Pacific Food & Beverage Museum (PacFAB)
Opens Mar. 24. This new cultural destination in San Pedro shines a light on the rich culinary traditions from California, the Pacific Rim and beyond, with a special emphasis on the contributions immigrants and indigenous people. Opening exhibitions include: The Age of Elegance on Victorian-era food and drink artifacts; Shakers, Knives, and Irons spotlighting bartender and chef tattoos; and Stirred, Shake, Still highlighting cocktail artifacts. Th-Su noon-5 p.m. Admission is by donation. 731 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro. natfab.org

 

 

 

Paella Week
Through Mar. 25. Redondo Beach’s A Basq Kitchen is turning up the flavor in honor of National Paella Day. Typically only served on Thursdays at the restaurant, indulge on different preparations of the traditional Spanish dish each day this week. Highlights include paella negra with garlic aioli (Thursday) pork belly paella (Friday) and chicken with chorizo and chicharrones (Saturday). See website for complete list of daily offerings. W-Th 4-9 p.m.; F 3-9 p.m.; Sa-Su noon-9 p.m. 136 N. International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach. abasqkitchen.com

 

 

 

Wagyu Flights at ROKU Sunset
Through Mar. 25. For a limited-time only, indulge on premium-grade Bungo beef in skewer, sushi and steak form. Three distinct Japanese spirits—Ginza no Suzume Kohaku Shochu, Soto Sake and Akashi Whisky—elevate the flavor profile of each appetizer. Full portions of Wagyu will be available à la carte all week. ROKU Sunset, 9201 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood.
310.278.2060. innovativedining.com

 

 

 

Mendocino Farms x Cassia
Through Mar. 25. Feed a person in need this week by purchasing a lemongrass chicken sandwich and chickpea curry from Mendocino Farms. The chef from Santa Monica’s Cassia helmed the culinary creation, with 100% of the proceeds going towards L.A.-based charitable organization The People Concern to help those who are food insecure, homeless or victims of domestic violence. See website for restaurant locations. mendocinofarms.com

 

 

 

Coffee Manufactory Capsule x Hammer Museum
Now Open. The coffee brand from world renowned San Francisco-based bakery Tartine is bringing caffeine power to one of L.A.’s most progressive arts and culture institutions. Choose from filter coffee, Americanos, espressos and more. Tu-Su 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. coffeemanufactory.com

 

 

 

 

N. 10 Restaurant
Now Open. Beloved Italian soccer legend Alessandro Del Piero joins forces with restaurateur Emanuele Romani to serve up regional, authentic Italian cuisine in WeHo. Two large fireplaces and an open kitchen set the mood while seasonal dishes and sophisticated Italian staples flourish on the menu. Su-Th 5-11 p.m.; F-Sa 5 p.m.-midnight; Happy Hour Su-F 5-7 p.m. 8436 W. 3rd St., West Hollywood. n10restaurant.com

 

 

 

 

Somni
Now Open. The latest dining concept from acclaimed chef José Andrés landed this March at the luxurious SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. The 10-seat counter gives guests a front row seat to a culinary experience that pushes the boundaries of traditional techniques through a tasting menu of 20+ courses. Tu-Sa, seatings at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. $235. Somni, SLS Hotel Beverly Hills, 465 S. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.246.5543. slsbeverlyhillshotel.com

 

 

 

Sweet Rose Creamery
Now Open. Santa Monica is in for a sweet treat with the arrival of local, small-batch ice cream purveyor Sweet Rose Creamery. The new destination will serve both classic and seasonal scoops, sundaes and milkshakes from their new, rustic-inspired digs. M-Th noon-10 p.m.; F-Sa 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Su 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 2726 Main St., Santa Monica, 310.260.2663. sweetrosecreamery.com

 

 

 

 

STYLE + BEAUTY

Poketo
Now Open. The trendsetting lifestyle brand debuts its new flagship location this month at ROW DTLA. To mark the celebration, Poketo has joined forces with Garmentory, an online marketplace dedicated to indie boutiques and emerging designers, for an exclusive pop-up shopping experience through June 1. Expect goods from over 40 designer labels including VereVerto, Micaela Greg and Waltz, among others. ROW DTLA, 777 S. Alameda St., #174, downtown. garmentorypoketoprojectspace.splashthat.com

 

 

For Love & Lemon Warehouse Sale
Mar. 24-25. Counting Beyonce, Gigi Hadid and Selena Gomez amongst its celebrity fans, this L.A.-based brand serves up their biggest sale of the year with 50 to 75 percent off clothing and accessories. Cash or credit accepted. ROW DTLA, Old American Apparel Retail Space, 747 S. Alameda St., downtown. forloveandlemons.com

 

 

 

 

ARTS + CULTURE

‘New Money’

Mar. 23-25. Bitcoin. Zdash. Litecoin. With cryptocurrency on the tips of everyone’s tongue, artist Andy Bauch’s new exhibition sparks conversation on the value of art and money. The exhibition features over 12 works comprised of LEGO bricks, all infused with secret keys to bitcoin wallets. F 7-10 p.m., Sa-Su noon-6 p.m. Castelli Art Space, 5428 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City. andybauch.com

 

 

 

‘KING TUT: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh’
Opens Mar. 24. The California Science Center welcomes the largest King Tut exhibition ever in celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the tomb discovery. Boasting more than 150 artifacts from the pharaoh’s tomb, 40 percent of the items will be traveling outside of Egypt for the first time, offering SoCal a rare cultural experience. See website for entry times. $19-$30. California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park Dr., L.A., 323.724.3623. californiasciencecenter.org

 

 

 

‘People, Places, Perspectives’
Mar. 24-25. Peep L.A.’s emerging photographers at this new exhibition from Substrate Gallery. Artists will be on-hand to discuss their work, which ranges from street art to fine art. Sa 4-9 p.m., Su noon-4 p.m. Free. Substrate Gallery, 709 N. Ridgewood Place, L.A. substrategallery.com

 

 

 

 

YoungArts Los Angeles 
Mar. 24-29. Enjoy multidisciplinary performances, a cinematic arts screening and a visual arts exhibition from rising stars who were selected by the National YoungArts Foundation to receive mentoring and national awards (Viola Davis and Nicki Minaj are among the program’s esteemed alumni). See website for public performance schedule and tickets. Most events take place on UCLA’s campus. UCLA, 445 Charles E. Young Drive E, L.A., 800.970.2787. youngarts.org

 

 

 

‘City and Cosmos: The Arts of Teotihuacan’
Mar. 25.-July 16. Find nearly 200 pieces—many of which have never been exhibited in the U.S.—at this new archaeological exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Discover sculptures made from volcanic rock, objects carved from precious stones and more artifacts found in the ancient Mesoamerican city. M, Tu, Th 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; F 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sa-Su 10 a.m.-7 p.m. See website for museum admission. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 323.857.6010. lacma.org

 

 

‘Orpheus and Eurydice’
Through Mar. 25. The LA Opera season continues this month with Christoph Willibald Gluck’s landmark masterpiece. Conducted by James Conlon, this special presentation also features the full company—43 dancers—of world renowned Joffrey Ballet. See website for showtimes. $16+. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.8001. laopera.org

 

 

¡Latin Food Fest! photo by Martina San Roman. ‘Dolores’ photo © 1976 George Ballis/Take Stock / The Image Works. Sustainable Wine + Dinner Series photo by GLAZA/Jamie Pham. The Pacific Food Beverage Museum photo by Romney Caruso. Sweet Rose Creamery photo by Abby Mahler. ‘New Money’ artwork by Andy Bauch. King Tut photo © Laboratoriorosso, Viterbo:Italy. ‘People, Places, Perspectives’ photo by Kevin Warnecke. YoungArts Los Angeles photo by Jason Koerner. Standing Figure Photograph by Jorge Pérez de Lara Elías, © INAH. ‘Orpheus and Eurydice’ photo by Todd Rosenberg Photography.

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