From Texas Barbecue to Peanut Butter & Pickles ice cream, here are the top Los Angeles weekend event picks for August 9-12.

Edited by William Yelles.

EVENTS

Skyline Sound & Cinema: “Die Hard”
Aug. 9. There’s no better place to watch Bruce Willis take down an office tower full of baddies than a rooftop in downtown L.A. Relive the excitement of the 1988 action classic with sunset views of the city while enjoying food, drinks and pre-movie entertainment. 21+. Doors 6:30 p.m., movie 8:30 p.m. $10-$15. The Bloc, 750 W. Seventh St., L.A. theblocla.com

 

 

 

“The Room” with Tommy Wiseau
Aug. 10. The cult so-bad-it’s-good midnight movie The Room has become a cultural phenomenon playing steadily for nearly 14 years and inspired James Franco’s The Disaster Artist. Here’s your chance to see it on the huge Egyptian Theatre screen along with a rare appearance by director-star Wiseau himself who will introduce the film. 7:30 p.m. $15. 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.466.3456. Tickets

 

 

 

KCON USA 2018
Aug. 10-12. KCON USA—the world’s largest Korean culture convention and music festival—returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center and adjacent Staples Center with its all-star lineup of K-pop concerts and exhibitions. Additional K-beauty and esports offerings are new this year. See website for complete event schedule, artist list and ticket prices. kconusa.com

 

 

 

A Downtown HoeDown
Aug. 11. California country and Texas twang meet up in downtown L.A.’s Arts District for live music, food, vintage Western clothing vendors, family-friendly activities and classic country DJ. Noon-10 p.m. $10+. Pearl’s Texas BBQ, 2143 Violet St., L.A. pearlsbbqla.com

 

 

 

 

Tanabata Festival
Aug. 11-12. “Generations” is the theme for this year’s annual showcase of Japanese culture, exhibits, food and entertainment. Activities include Taiko, Geta Tap, martial arts, bonsai, calligraphy and more. Part of Nisei Week, a Little Tokyo tradition in its 78th year. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Japanese American Community and Cultural Center, 244 S. San Pedro St., L.A., 213.683.7193. niseiweek.org

 

 

 

Aki’s Pup Up Pawty Festival
Aug. 12. Also part of Nisei Week, bring your furry friends to check out vendors and activities for both dogs and pet parents. There will be a canine fashion show, dog training demo and animal psychic. Special appearances by Aki the Akita and other celebrity Instagram dogs. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Japanese American Community and Cultural Center, 244 S. San Pedro St., L.A., 213.683.7193. Info

 

 

 

FOOD + DRINK

Otoño Restaurant
Now Open. Chef/Owner Teresa Montaño brings the flavor of Spain to L.A.’s Highland Park neighborhood with her menu of tapas, paellas and raciones (entrees). Dishes integrate Japanese cooking techniques, Mexican influence and European accents. Su, Tu-Th 4 p.m.-midnight; F-Sa 4 p.m.-2 a.m. 5715 N. Figueroa St., L.A., 323.474.6624. otonorestaurant.com

 

 

 

National S’mores Day
Aug. 10. Kitchy bakery Gotta Have S’more toasts the holiday with a “buy one, get one half-off” deal for anything in the store. Flavors range from salted caramel and peanut butter cup to cookies and cream. Seasonal offerings include peanut butter and jelly, spicy Mexican hot chocolate, pumpkin pie and more. Also try the s’mookie—a s’more and cookie combo that replaces graham cracker with chocolate chip cookie. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 1066 S. Fairfax Ave., L.A., 323.646.4114. gottahavesmore.com

 

 

Alta Adams x LocoL Dinner Series
Through Aug. 11. Chef Keith Corbin returns to the original LocoL Watts for a special dinner series previewing menu items for his forthcoming Alta Adams and Adams Coffee Shop opening later this summer in West Adams. Diners can feast on Corbin’s interpretation of California soul food. Offerings include black-eyed pea fritters, fried green tomatoes and tomato-watermelon salad. Also Aug. 14-18. 6-9 p.m. LocoL, 1950 E. 103rd St., L.A., 323.642.7704. welocol.com

 

 

 

Mixology Class
Aug. 11. Bring your date or friends to California modern restaurant Margo’s and master how to craft three tequila cocktails—a margarita, paloma and tequila martini. The interactive, hands-on class includes three courses of plates, themed to go along with the evening. 8 p.m. $90. Margo’s, 1534 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, 310.829.3990. Tickets

 

 

 

Angel City Brewery Avocado Fest
Aug 11-12. Angel City Brewery’s beloved Avocado Ale returns for the brewery’s sixth annual Avocado Fest featuring food (including avocado toast, of course), beer and a live performance from hip-hop artist Mac Lethal. Saturday highlights include two avocado contests for eating and juggling. Holy guacamole! 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 216 Alameda St., L.A., 213.622.1261. angelcitybrewery.com

 

 

 

Eat Your Vegetables in Ice Cream
Through Aug. 31. Artisan scoop shop Salt & Straw debuts its latest flavor series from co-founder and head ice cream maker Tyler Malek. Inspired by in-season product, choices include Freckled Chocolate Zucchini Bread, Green Fennel & Maple, Beet Red Velvet Cake, Chocolate Date Shake and Peanut Butter & Pickles. Available at all five L.A.-area locations (Larchmont, Venice, West Hollywood, Studio City and Arts District). See website for hours and addresses. saltandstraw.com

 

 

 

ARTS + CULTURE

“Star Wars” at the Hollywood Bowl
Aug. 9-11. The Los Angeles Philharmonic brings two of John Williams’ epic scores to life. On Aug. 9 and 11, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back screens while the orchestra performs live. In between, on Aug. 10, the iconic original Star Wars: A New Hope plays in high definition. 8 p.m. See website for ticket prices. 2301 N. Highland Ave., L.A., 323.850.2000. hollywoodbowl.com

 

 

 

Randy Newman
Aug. 12. L.A.’s own Randy Newman celebrates his half-century-spanning career with his own band and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Newman is set to perform selections from each of his 11 studio albums. 7:30 p.m. See website for ticket prices. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood, 323.850.2000. hollywoodbowl.com

 

 

 

 

STYLE + BEAUTY

Simply LA
Aug. 11. Calling all fashion and beauty insiders, entrepreneurs, influencers and wannabes. If you want to learn the latest social media tools and strategies to make it in the style industry, check out this day-long conference and networking event. Expert speakers include The Hills alum Lo Bosworth, The Bachelor vet Lauren Bushnell and The Real co-host Jeannie Mai. Actress/model Kat Graham is the featured keynote presenter. See website for complete schedule and speakers list. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. $50-$350. The Americana at Brand, 889 Americana Way, Glendale. simply-inc.com

 

 

African Marketplace Pop-Up
Aug. 12. The Fowler Museum located on the UCLA campus hosts L.A.-based designers offering clothing, bags, jewelry and home decor in conjunction with the exhibition Striking Iron: The Art of African Blacksmiths. Kay and Nyamo Anuluoha, owners of the oldest African-print clothing store in L.A., will be on hand to discuss the legacy of their business and their role in providing clothes for the Marvel blockbuster Black Panther. Market noon-5 p.m., talk 2 p.m. See website for list of vendors. Fowler Museum at UCLA, 308 Charles E. Young Drive N., Westwood, 310.825.4361. fowler.ucla.edu

 

“Die Hard” photo courtesy Twentieth Century Fox. Downtown Hoedown photo courtesy @pearlsbbqla/Instagram. Tanabata Festival photo courtesy Nisei Week Foundation/Facebook. Aki’s Pup Up Pawty Festival photo courtesy Pup Up Pawty/Facebook. Otono photo by Frank Lee. Alta Adams x Locol photo courtesy @welocol/Instagram. Angel City Brewery Avocado Fest photo courtesy @angelcitybeer/Instagram. “Star Wars” ©2018 & ™ Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Randy Newman photo courtesy Hollywood Bowl. Simply LA photo courtesy @simply/Instagram. African Marketplace Pop-Up photo courtesy The Fowler Museum at UCLA.

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