From dining discoveries to rock superstars, here are the top Los Angeles weekend event picks for August 2-5.
Edited by William Yelles.
EVENTS
Aug. 3. Beer tasting from 40+ breweries is complemented with pub-style grub (available for purchase), a rare after-hours visit to animal habitats, pop-up zookeeper talks and close-up animal experiences. Entertainment includes tribute bands, DJs and dancing. 21+. 7-11 p.m. See website for ticket prices. 5333 Zoo Dr., L.A., 323.644.4200. lazoo.org
Aug. 3. Go home with someone cuter than whomever you could meet at a bar. Get acquainted with a pack of adoptable doggies over beer, wine and cocktails in the Hammer Museum’s courtyard. Maybe you’ll score a new puppy pal. Co-presented with Pug Nation, Much Love Animal Rescue and Mutt Hut Rescue. 6 p.m. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood, 310.443.7000. hammer.ucla.edu
Aug. 3, 4. Old Town Pasadena is the backdrop for a night market with 200+ handmade artisan booths from art and home decor, fashion and accessory design, body products, housewares, food, and more one-of-a-kind treasures at Pasadena’s Central Park. F 5-10 p.m., Sa 3-10 p.m., 275 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. Jackalopeartfair.com
Aug. 4. Radio station KCRW opens up its new digs at Santa Monica College’s CMD Campus for its inaugural Backyard Party @ KCRW HQ. This outdoor, all-ages event launches with The Midnight Hour performing with an 18-piece band. Additional highlights include Good Food’s Evan Kleiman’s favorite food trucks, record collectors and dealers hand-selected by Beats Swap Meet, a bar and plenty of summer fun. 7 p.m. Free. 1660 Stewart St., Santa Monica. kcrw.com
Aug. 4. Indie singer-songwriter Cat Power’s music has stretched from folk to electronica over the decades. Presumably, she’ll draw on everything in between as well, plus preview new songs from her upcoming album Wanderer, due out later this year. Show starts at 7 p.m., but arrive early and picnic on the lawn. Free. Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey, 424.526.7900. visitmarinadelrey.com
Aug. 4. This seventh-annual event turns Burbank’s downtown area into a pedestrian-friendly concourse showcasing top celebrity vehicles, hundreds of classic cars and automotive-related vendors. Find vehicles from Vehicle Effects, the Television Motion Picture Car Club, Hollywood Hot Rods, Unique Twist and more. 3-9 p.m. Free. San Fernando Boulevard from Magnolia Boulevard to Angeleno Avenue, Burbank, 818.238.5180. dtnbur.com
Aug. 4. Make your way to this traveling outdoor film and music series for a screening of the comedy Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray. The story follows a TV weatherman (Murray) who gets caught in a blizzard he didn’t predict and finds himself doomed to relive the same day over and over again until he gets it right. Doors 5:30 p.m.; band 7 p.m.; movie 8:30 p.m. $8-$21, under 5 free. Centennial Square in front of Pasadena City Hall, 100 Garfield Ave., Pasadena, 213.267.4393. eatseehear.com
Aug. 5. Grammy Award-winning indie folk rock band Bon Iver teams up with edgy dance company TU Dance for the West Coast premiere of Come Through, a collaboration that is sure to deliver memorable tunes and complex modern dance moves. 7 p.m. See website for ticket prices. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood, 323.850.2000. hollywoodbowl.com
FOOD + DRINK
Now Open. Doner kebab—shwarma-style meat prepared on a rotating spit licked by flames, carved into slices and served atop pita bread—comes to Hollywood with the debut of Kebbros. Naturally, being in Tinseltown requires some theatrical excitement so Kebbros features a robot that carves meet off the rotating spits that diners can see in action thanks to the open-kitchen concept. Dave Northrup (Rush Street, City Tavern) is executive chef. Daily 11 a.m.-11 p.m. 1542 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, 323.797.1115. kebbros.com
Now Open. Larchmont Bungalow Café has soft-opened in Echo Park. Not to be confused with the old restaurant on Larchmont Boulevard, this is a completely new restaurant with new ownership tucked behind the popular Cosa Buona. Grab a table on the olive tree-lined patio and enjoy all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as coffee, baked goods, smoothies, boba and more. 7 a.m.-9 p.m. 2110 W. Sunset Blvd., Suite N, Echo Park, 213.908.5301. larchmontbungalowcafe.com
Aug. 3. Dozens of food trucks descend on the Westside’s trendiest boulevard for this popular monthly event. Great people-watching (including a celebrity sighting or two) can be had in between sampling all the gourmet eats. Many shops usually offer special deals on unique and designer goods so be sure to pop in to nab a bargain. 5 p.m.-late. Abbot Kinney Boulevard, between Venice Blvd. and Main St., Venice. abbotkinneyblvd.com
Aug. 5. With the debut of Sunday hours, the upscale market and fine-dining establishment will henceforth be open seven days a week. The menu is also spruced up for summer. With new dishes such as Foie Gras Torchon, Grilled Holland White Asparagus, Scallop Crudo Kumbo with cucumber and sesame and a Coconut Panna Cotta. New summer cocktails are on the menu as well. See website for hours. 6600 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, 323.946.7512. gwenla.com
Aug. 5. The fifth annual Stu and the Kids benefit—a Thai-flavored food and wine fest that funds scholarships for Hill Tribe kids in Chaing Mai, Thailand—returns to Vibiana. VIP ticket holders get a chance to experience a private demo with Top Chef winner Brooke Williamson. 4-8 p.m. (The private VIP demo starts at 2:15 p.m.) $125 GA, $225 VIP, $25 children 6-12. Vibiana, 214 S. Main St., L.A. Tickets
ARTS + CULTURE
Aug. 2-26. Inspired by the 2007 film starring Keri Russell, this musical about waitress and expert pie maker Jenna boasts an all-female creative team along with original music and lyrics by six-time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles. See website for show times and ticket prices. Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com
Aug. 4. The Pasadena Pops celebrates the best of The Beatles with a special tribute to the 50th anniversary of the White Album. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for picnicking. Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drink or visit one of the many onsite gourmet food vendors. 7:30 p.m. $25+. Los Angeles County Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, 626.793.7172. Tickets
Aug. 4-25. Co-hosted by Jane Lynch and Matt Sorum, this event showcases musically inspired artwork by over 70 artists. Featured artists include Shepard Fairey, Morley, Mikael B, Mickey Avalon, Val Kilmer and more. A portion of proceeds will go to Adopt the Arts which helps fund arts programs in L.A.’s public elementary schools. 7-11 p.m. Free. Gabba Gallery, 3126 Beverly Blvd., L.A. gabbagallery.com
STYLE + BEAUTY
Now Open. The ROW DTLA’s newest tenant is a cult-favorite Japanese brand specializing in uniquely crafted lifestyle products including schedule planners, stationery and office supplies as well as collaborations with fashion brands. This is HIGHTIDE’s first U.S. location. Tu-Su 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 787 S. Alameda St., Suite 140, downtown, 213.935.8135. hightidestoredtla.com
“Remix: The Art of Music” artwork by Max Neutra. Brew at the L.A. Zoo photo by GLAZA/Jamie Pham. Yappy Hour artwork by Constance Depler courtesy Hammer Museum. Jackalope Summer Nights photo courtesy @jackalopeartfair/Instagram. Backyard at KCRW photo of The Midnight Hour by Artform Studio. Cat Power photo by Jeffrey Glaab. Burbank Car Classic photo Abran Rubiner Photography/Downtown Burbank. “Groundhog Day” photo courtesy Columbia Pictures. Bon Iver photo courtesy @boniver/Instagram. First Friday on Abbot Kinney photo by Venice Paparazzi. Stu and the Kids Fundraiser photo courtesy Stu and the Kids/Facebook. “Waitress” photo ©Joan Marcus 2016. HIGHTIDE photo courtesy @hightidestore_dtla/Instagram.
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