From Memorial Day celebrations to foodie festivals across the city, check out the top LA weekend events for May 24-28.
Edited by Christina Wiese.
EVENTS
Seed Food and Wine x Eat Drink Vegan
May 23-26. Miami-based Seed Food and Wine organized this event-filled week focused on plant-based living. On May 26, SFW hosts a 5K run at Brookside Golf Course, then teams up with Eat Drink Vegan at neighboring Rose Bowl Stadium, where you’ll find unlimited pours of more than 250 drinks, 100+ restaurants and a vegan marketplace. SFW $25+, seedfoodandwinela.com; EDV noon-7 p.m., $45+, under 5 free, eatdrinkvegan.com
SPONSORED
Yoga 1,000 Feet Above Downtown Los Angeles
May 26. Start your morning off with a yoga class set to the hottest R&B hits at OUE Skyspace LA. Admission includes an hour-long yoga class taught by an R&B Yoga instructor, plus unlimited Skyslide rides and a refreshing mimosa following the class at the Skyspace bar and lounge (for guests 21+). 9-10 a.m. $40. OUE Skyspace LA, 633 W. Fifth St. #840, downtown, 213.894.9000. Purchase Tickets
Yoga Wake Up x La Peer Hotel
May 26. On the last Saturday of every month, now through September, find your flow on the rooftop of West Hollywood’s La Peer Hotel. After class, mix and mingle while you indulge in a complimentary mimosa. 10-11 a.m. $25. La Peer Hotel, 627 N. La Peer Dr., West Hollywood. Tickets
MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street
May 27. Eat your way through Santa Monica’s culinary scene at this 5th annual event benefiting Heal the Bay and Summer SOULstice. Participants will exchange “MAINopoly dollars” for tastings at restaurants, juiceries, ice cream stores, coffee shops and more; other highlights include a Go To Jail VIP beer garden—complete with cocktails, champagne and photo booth—plus attendees are invited to don their best Monopoly-inspired outfit. 1-6 p.m., after party begins at 6 p.m. VIP $40 advance, $50 day of; GA $25 advance, $30 day of. Check-In: Ashland Hill, 2807 Main St., Santa Monica. mainopolysm.com
Foodways Summit
Through May 31. Expand your knowledge of Long Beach’s local food movement at this week-long culinary celebration. Expect talks, tastes and tours, with a special emphasis on expanding health food access, education and opportunities. See website for complete schedule. foodwayssummit.org
New Observation Wheel at the Queen Mary
Through June 17. Hop aboard the largest traveling observation wheel in the Western Hemisphere for spectacular views of the Long Beach skyline. Sip on beverages (alcohol available for purchase) while you cruise through the sky; for a romantic setting, opt for an evening ride when the wheel lights up with over half a million LED lights. Open daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m. $15 adults; $10 military, seniors 60+, children 4-11; Free children under 4. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach. queenmary.com
MEMORIAL DAY
Forest Lawn—Hollywood Hills Memorial Day Remembrances
May 28. For over 100 years, Forest Lawn Memorial Parks have honored and observed the bravery and sacrifices made by the members of the U.S. Armed Forces. This family-friendly commemoration features a keynote address, presidential proclamation, rifle salute, invocation, color guard, patriotic music, wreath laying and more. 10-11:30 a.m. Free. 6300 Forest Lawn Dr., L.A., 888.204.3131. forestlawn.com
JazzReggae Festival
May 28. For over 30 years, this local fest has brought good vibes, good music and good art together under the California sun. This year’s lineup includes Konshens, Jamila Woods, Charlotte Day Wilson, among others. Food and art vendors will also be on-site. Noon-6 p.m. $25+. UCLA, Westwood, 310.825.4321. jazzreggaefest.com
LACMA’s Target Free Holiday Monday: Memorial Day
May 28. Visitors and locals alike are invited to a free day of fun and learning at the largest art museum in the western United States. Expect art workshops for all ages, bilingual tours and live music with Soft Streak at 12:30 and 2:45 p.m. in the afternoon. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. lacma.org
May 25-28. Celebrate the long holiday weekend over wine sips and live music in the picturesque Santa Monica Mountains. Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band and Twisted Gypsy kick off the festivities Friday, with beer and wine specials running through Memorial Day. Opens at 11 a.m. Malibu Wines, 31740 Mulholland Hwy., Malibu. malibuwines.com
Fiesta Hermosa
May 26-28. This semiannual festival features over 300 artists and crafters, as well as food, live music, a “kiddie carnival,” a charity beer and wine garden and more. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. See website for free bike valet, parking and shuttle information. Hermosa and Pier avenues, Hermosa Beach, 310.376.0951. fiestahermosa.net
Topanga Days 2018
May 26-28. Enjoy concerts, a parade (May 28, 8:30 a.m.) and old-fashioned fun at this 45th annual fair. Spend Memorial Day weekend listening to live music and participating in games like sack races and horseshoes. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. $15-$25 per day; $40-$65 three-day pass, under 6 free; Fun Zone passes $20-$50. 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, 310.455.1980. topangadays.com
Valley Greek Festival
May 26-28. This 45th annual fest celebrates the sights, sounds and tastes that define the traditional Greek way of life. Nom on classics like gyros and baklava, watch traditional dance performances, shop for Greek specialities at the outdoor market, tour a Greek Orthodox Church and much more. Sa-M noon-9 p.m. $4, parking free. 9501 Balboa Blvd., Northridge, 818.886.4040. valleygreekfestival.com
Pool Opening Weekend
May 26-28, June 2-3. The Annenberg Community Beach House, situated in Santa Monica State Beach, kicks off summer pool days this Memorial Day weekend. As always, reservations and membership fees are not required. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 415 Pacific Coast Hwy., Santa Monica, 310.458.4904. annenbergbeachhouse.com
Baldoria 2nd Anniversary
May 27-28. When Memorial Day and restaurant anniversaries collide, only good things can happen! To mark the occasion, executive chef Duke Gervais will offer $2 margherita pizzas and $2 shots of any spirit. On Sunday, the day before the celebration, create your very own pizza with the help of chef Duke; ticket includes a complimentary glass of beer or wine. $30/pp class. 243 S. San Pedro St., downtown, 213.947.3329. baldoriadtla.com
The Bungalow
May 27-28. Spend the extra long weekend nomming on American summer classics like wings, nachos, chili fries and more. Also on tap for the holiday weekend are a pineapple margarita and DJs spinning tunes all day. Su noon-2 a.m., M noon-10 p.m. 101 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. thebungalow.com
FOOD + DRINK
Where Mulholland Meets Manuela
May 24. Beloved DTLA eatery joins forces with Mulholland Distillery for an evening of bites and cocktails on the outside bar. Chef Kris Tominaga, newly appointed to the restaurant, will be on-hand to discuss new menu items while the founders of Mulholland Distillery shake and serve specialty cocktails. 6-10 p.m. 907 E. 3rd St., downtown, 323.849.0480. manuela-la.com
Barnsdall Art Park: Friday Night Wine Tastings
May 25-Aug. 31. Sip wine and picnic in the heart of Hollywood every Friday night this summer at this 10th annual wine tasting fundraiser. For opening night, held in conjunction with the L.A. Times Food Bowl, famed food critic Jonathan Gold and James Beard winning chef Daniel Humm (NoMad Los Angeles, Made Nice in NYC) join the evening for a special Q&A. The NoMad Truck will be on-site for bites while Silverlake Wine returns with a curated selection of artisanal pours. 5:30-8:30 p.m. $45 opening night, $35 rest of season. West Lawn, Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. barnsdall.org
Weekend BBQ Series
Starts May 25. Cheers to long summer evenings and gorgeous SoCal sunsets at The Roof Garden at The Peninsula Beverly Hills. Available every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening from 5-9 p.m., sample dishes straight off the grill from executive chef David Codney. Highlights include coffee and chipotle smoked beef ribs, Pabst Blue Ribbon beer can chicken and pulled pork biscuit. End on a sweet note with a housemade s’more. 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.551.2888. beverlyhills.peninsula.com
The Dolly Llama
Opens May 26. The ice-cream-meets-bubble-waffle-cone purveyor expands its downtown L.A. footprint with a new Koreatown outpost. Expect doughy, bubble waffles alongside waffle sticks, classic waffle cones, ice cream scoops and toppings galore. For the grand opening on Saturday, the first 100 people in line will receive swag like t-shirts, water bottles, hot cocoa mugs, gift cards and more. Noon-11:30 p.m. Free. 273 S. Western Ave., L.A. Tickets
Burger Day
May 27. The 2nd annual Burger Day returns to Smorgasburg with a lip-smacking lineup. Vendor highlights include Pie N’ Burger, Alvin Cailan, Cassel’s, Fukuburger and George Motz serving the famous Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free entry. ROW DTLA, 777 S. Alameda St., downtown. Details
No More Heroes
Now Open. A new cocktail bar and music venue has landed in the heart of West Hollywood. Cole Apodaca (Laurel Hardware, Ysabel) helms the beverage program which features aged drinks, playful takes on classics and frozen specialities just in time for summer sipping. On the entertainment bill, find live acoustic tunes (Aussie Nights) every Tuesday, DJs every Saturday and more live music every other Sunday. 7746 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. Su-Th 7 p.m.-late, F-Sa 7 p.m.-2 a.m. nmh.la
STYLE + BEAUTY
Macramé Wall Hanging or Chandelier Workshop
May 27. Lifestyle brand Poketo hosts artist Emily Katz and online creative hub Modern Macramé for a day of DIY workshops. Attendees can create their very own wall hanging or chandelier, both in the macramé style of knotting, rather than weaving or knitting. 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. $200-225. Poketo, 777 S. Alameda St. #174, downtown. Tickets
Gone Bazaar x The Hollywood Roosevelt
May 26. In love with all things vintage? Shop and mingle with some of L.A.’s up-and-coming independent designers at this poolside bash. Singer and activist Meredith O’Connor hosts the shindig with music by BJ Panda Bear. Noon-6 p.m. RSVP to haya@gonebazaar.com. The Hollywood Roosevelt, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. thehollywoodroosevelt.com
ARTS + CULTURE
“School of Rock”
Through May 27. Based on the Jack Black-starring comedy, this Tony-nominated musical features all the original songs from the movie, 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and musical theater’s first-ever kids rock band. See website for showtimes and ticket prices. Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com
“Katherine Gray: As Clear as the Experience”
May 27-Sept. 9. The Craft & Folk Art Museum (CAFAM) presents the first solo exhibition from L.A.-based glass artist Katherine Gray. The exhibit comprises of 10 large works—complete with theatrical lighting that forms vivid projections on the walls—plus an immersive room that brings to life the sights, sounds and smells of a glassblowing studio. Tu-F 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sa-Su 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $7 adults; $5 students, teachers, seniors; Free for members and every Sunday. 5814 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. cafam.org
“In Focus: Expressions”
Through Oct. 7. Take a deep dive into the art of human facial expression and all its variations. The new exhibition highlights 45 works from the Getty Museum’s permanent collection and kicks off with a universal expression: the smile. Accompanying the exhibit is extended summer hours for both the Getty Museum and Getty Villa. See website for hours. Free, $15 parking. 1200 Getty Center Dr., L.A. getty.edu
“School of Rock” photo by Tristram Kenton. “Katherine Gray: As Clear as the Experience” photo courtesy of the artist and Heller Gallery, New York. “In Focus: Expressions” photo Mary, Milwaukee, WI, 2014, © Alec Soth/Magnum Photos.
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