From end-of-summer festivals to food and wine celebrations, here are the top LA weekend events for September 21-24.
Edited by Christina Xenos.
EVENTS
22nd Annual Redondo Beach Lobster Festival
Sept. 22-24. Head down to South Bay for mouth-watering Maine lobster dishes, live music and stand-up paddle board lessons. Kids activities include face painting, balloon art and more. F 6-11 p.m.; Sa noon-11 p.m.; Su noon-8 p.m. See website for full schedule and pricing. Seaside Lagoon, 200 Portofino Way at the corner of Harbor Drive and Beryl Street. lobsterfestival.com
Cocktails in the City
Sept. 23. Thirty of the best bars and bartenders across the city gather to celebrate L.A.’s cocktail culture. Sip on libations from Melrose Umbrella Company, Birds and Bees, Sassafras, Big Bar and more. A bar school, food and live music will also be on-site. Pre-dinner cocktail party 4:30-8:30 p.m.; after-dinner cocktail party 9 p.m.-1 a.m. See website for pricing. The Majestic Downtown, 650 S. Spring St., downtown. cocktailsinthecity.com
ROW DTLA Block Party
Sept. 23-24. Downtown Los Angeles’ ROW shopping district celebrates the addition of 30+ distinct and independent brands to its already impressive roster of food and lifestyle offerings. The inaugural event will feature a street fair, retail activations, craft workshops, live art installations, pro-skaters and skate ramp, outdoor movie, DJ sets, food trucks, cocktails and more. Visit website for full schedule. 777 S. Alameda St., downtown. rowdtla.com
Venice Art Crawl
Sept. 21. Celebrate the official last day of summer along the vibrant seaside community of Venice. Stroll through the neighborhood to experience pop-up galleries in studios, homes, parking lots, bars and more. See website for an interactive guide of all participants and locations. 6-10 p.m. Free. veniceartcrawl.com
SPONSORED
Health Fair and Fitness Classes at Skyspace LA
Upcoming | Sept. 27. Skyspace LA has partnered with Equinox to host an evening health fair, complete with express fitness classes. Classes include pilates, barre, yoga and more, and will last 25-30 minutes in the private event space on the 70th floor. Workout classes begin promptly at 6 p.m and run until 8 p.m. Afterwards, guests can sample food and beverages while learning more about health and wellness. 6-9 p.m. $15 individual class; $55 all four classes. Tickets include admission to all levels of OUE Skyspace LA. 633 West Fifth St. #840, downtown, 213.894.9000. Tickets
Celebration of Food and Wine at Terranea Resort
Sept. 22-23. Exchange the hustle and bustle of city life for a weekend of wining and dining along the Pacific. Celebratory events include an intimate champagne reception, refreshing breakfast on the beach, seminars from award-winning chefs and winemakers, farm-driven grand tasting dinner, live entertainment and more. Try your hand at mixology with a cocktail competition or indulge in naming the final winner. See website for pricing. Terranea Resort, 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, 310.265.2836. terranea.com
Abbot Kinney Festival
Sept. 24. This festival, now in its 33rd year, spotlights the eclectic boutiques, artisan eateries and influential art galleries along the “Coolest Block in America.” Enjoy top food trucks and booths, kids’ rides and games, four music stages and three beer gardens. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, 310.396.3772. abbotkinney.org
Catalina Wine Mixer 2017
Sept. 22. Inspired by the hilarious “Catalina Wine Mixer” scene from Will Ferrell’s comedy classic Step Brothers, this jam-packed weekend at Descanso Beach Club takes on a life of its own. Expect live music, DJs, dancing, great food, fine wine, fancy cocktails and a special screening of Step Brothers at the historic Avalon Theatre. See website for full schedule and transportation details. visitcatalinaisland.com
Museum Day Live!
Sept. 23. An annual celebration of curiosity hosted by the Smithsonian magazine. Download your ticket online which provides free admission for two people. L.A.-based participating museums include GRAMMY Museum at L.A. Live, Japanese American National Museum and Museum of Latin American Art, among others. Free. smithsonianmag.com
Outdoor Simulcast of ‘Carmen’
Sept. 23. The LA Opera, in partnership with Los Angeles County, is bringing their opening show outdoors for one night only. Carmen, starring Ana Maria Martinez and conducted by James Conlon, will be broadcast live in high-definition at Exposition Park and the Santa Monica Pier. 5 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show. Free, RSVP encouraged. Exposition Park, 700 Exposition Park Dr. L.A.; Santa Monica Pier, 200 Santa Monica Pier. laopera.org
Etiquette Tea
Sept. 23. This Saturday, children are invited to the exquisite grounds of The Langham Huntington, nestled in charming Pasadena, for a proper Afternoon Tea. Guests will learn about the ‘“five magic words” and traditional tea party etiquette, while enjoying the signature Langham Wedgwood tea service. Adults are welcome to accompany children. 10-11:30 a.m. RSVP required: 626-585-6218; $60 Adults, $48 children ages 4-11 (excludes tax and gratuity). The Langham Huntington, 1401 South Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena. langhamhotels.com
Dino Fest
Sept. 23-24. Travel back in time with the second annual Dino Fest at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHMLA). Activities include talks with world-renowned paleontologists, an interactive Dig Pit, tours of the Dinosaur Hall and more. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. $12 adults; $9 students and seniors; $5 children; Museum members and children under 2 free. 900 Exposition Blvd., L.A. nhm.org
100: The Apollo Theater Celebrates Ella’s 100th Birthday
Sept. 24. Grammy-winning artist Patti Austin helms an all-star evening to celebrate Ella Fitzgerald’s centennial birthday. The Apollo first introduced Fitzgerald to the world in 1934 where she won Amateur Night at age 17. She went on to earn 13 Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Arts and collaborated with Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, among others. 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35. Ford Theatres, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood. fordtheatres.org
FOOD + DRINK
Tallula Happy Hour
Santa Monica’s beachy Mexican restaurant now offers happy hour in the bar, lounge and patio areas. Stop by for menu specials like Nachos “Sencillo” and “Rollo de Ojo” Steak Tostadas with jicama, red onion and mint; in addition to a variety of tacos made with organic corn tortillas. Margaritas arrive either by the glass or pitcher and specials also extend to beer and wines by the glass. M-F 4-6 p.m. 118 Entrada Dr, Santa Monica, 310.526.0027. tallulasrestaurant.com
Icebergs x E.P & L.P. Los Angeles
Sept. 24. Get a taste of Australia’s famed Bondi Beach when renowned restaurateur Maurice Terzini takes the locale’s Icebergs Dining Room and Bar international, collaborating with fellow Aussies, Grant Smillie, David Combes and award-winning chef Louis Tikaram. The event features a three-course family-style lunch that showcases dishes like Salt & Pepper G51 Toothfish; Grilled Skull Island Prawns with Smoked Garlic Butter; Cavetelli with Cloudy Bay Clams & Spicy Shellfish Oil; and Roast Lamb Shoulders. After lunch the party moves upstairs for sunset views, drinks and music. Noon-2:30 p.m. for lunch food menu. $60/pp. 603 La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, 310.855.9955. eplosangeles.com
Tallula photo by Frank Lee. ROW DTLA Block Party photo by Katie Gibbs. Abbot Kinney Festival photo by Venice Paparazzi. Catalina Island photo by Christina Wiese. Carmen photo by Lynn Lane. Etiquette Tea photo by Matt Armendariz.
