Los Angeles

Weekend roundup

Los Angeles Weekend Events Roundup May 9-12

Unique LA returns to California Market Center May 11-12.

Mother’s Day brunches, arts and crafts, barbecue, modern art and more…Check out our top Los Angeles weekend events for May 9-12.

Edited by William Yelles.

EVENTS

Queen Mary’s Waterfront Cook-Off
May 11. Treat your taste buds to an all-new food festival and competition where dozens of top barbecue pitmaster teams and chili cooks vie for awards and cash prizes. Non-meat eaters can enjoy corn, funnel cakes and vegetarian options. Plus breweries, wine, music, family-friendly games, entertainment and free watermelon and pie-eating contests. Noon-5 p.m. $23-$75. Queen Mary Events Park, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0742. queenmary.com

 

 

Echo Park Craft Fair
May 11-12. This popular homegrown arts and design event, which showcases the wares of local artisans, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Shop jewelry, ceramics, perfume, clothes and more. The fair’s new family-friendly space, the Connection, is located across the street at 1110 Bates Ave. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. One day $15; weekend pass $24. Mack Sennett Studios, 1215 Bates Ave., Echo Park. echoparkcraftfair.com

 

 

Food Bowl Night Market
Through May 12. Food Bowl Night Market is an outdoor celebration of L.A.’s diverse food scene held over five nights at Grand Park in downtown. Each night will feature dozens of food vendors, pop-ups, chef collaborations, art installations and live music curated by the Los Angeles Times Food staff. Th 5-10 p.m., F 5-11 p.m., Sa 1-11 p.m., Su 1-8 p.m. Free. Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., downtown. lafoodbowl.com

 

 

MOTHER’S DAY

MOMentum Place 2019
May 12. The 21st annual MOMentum Place creates a fantastical world of aerial and circus performers, dancers and musicians in Theatricum Botanicum’s rustic outdoor amphitheater. Enjoy an uncommon afternoon of performance delights that are kid friendly and full of surprises. For an extra treat, enjoy brunch in Theatricum’s rustic gardens before the performance. Brunch: Noon-1:30 p.m., $30. Performance: 2 p.m., $10-$40. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, 310.455.2322. theatricum.com

 

Otoño Mother’s Day Brunch
May 12. Chef Teresa Montaño curates a unique, tapas-style brunch menu combining the spirit of Catalonia with cooking styles from around the globe, paying homage to L.A.’s multi-cultural melting pot. All mothers in attendance will be celebrated with a special treat of flowers and homemade chocolates. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 5715 N. Figueroa St., Highland Park, 323.474.6624. otonorestaurant.com

 

 

Tea at The Peninsula
May 12. Treat mom to tea in The Living Room featuring 19 loose leaf teas, scones, tea sandwiches, pastries, sweets, and a Peninsula Page Boy cap cake to take home. The Peninsula Beverly Hills has partnered with diptyque Paris to feature an elegant fragrance bar where moms and family members can sample diptyque’s fragrances. Each mom will receive a Peninsula Beverly Hills x diptyque candle and a selection of samples. Seatings at 10 a.m. and 12:30, 3 and 5:30 p.m. $95. The Peninsula, 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.975.2736. peninsula.com

 

Wags & Waffles Brunch
May 12. Gather at Mari Los Angeles in the InterContinental Los Angeles Century City garden for a day of brunching on delicious menu items including waffles, egg/omelet station, Norwegian smoked salmon—plus a dog-friendly buffet. Following brunch, shop with Vanderpump Pets, take photos at the dog-friendly photo booth and show off your furbaby at the four-legged fashion show (with prizes). 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. $55. 2151 Avenue of the Stars, Century City, 310.284.6536. marilosangeles.com

 

 

For 35 of the best places to celebrate Mother’s Day in Los Angeles, click here.

 

FOOD + DRINK

L’Antica Pizzeria de Michele
Opens May 9. With a century-old recipe and authentic, Neapolitan cooking method, L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele opens its first U.S. location. The concept originates from the Naples pizzeria made famous in Eat, Pray, Love. Owner Francesco Zimone has reimagined the former Cafe des Artistes space with over half of the restaurant’s seats housed in the courtyard where diners can view the pizzaiolo as the main focal point. 5 p.m.-midnight. 1534 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood. Info

 

 

Brunch at Alimento
Starts May 11. Chef Zach Pollack’s creative Italian restaurant launches weekend brunch just in time for Mother’s Day. Pollack’s inaugural brunch menu will feature a combination of both breakfast and lunch items, including new dishes like ricotta donut holes with blueberries and mascarpone, and a waffle with pulled brisket and polenta. A few Alimento signatures will also make an appearance, including the chicken Milanese sandwich. Sa-Su 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 1710 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake, 323.928.2888. alimentola.com

 

 

Sugar & Stilettos Bake Sale
May 11. Where can you see celebrities like Richard Lewis, Bradley Whitford and Ed Begley Jr. wearing a tiara and stilettos for charity? The annual event brings together top bakeries such as Sweet Lady Jane, Craft Restaurant, Milo & Olive, Susie Cakes, Clementine and Top Tier Treats for a family-friendly afternoon culminating in a crowning ceremony of Mr. Sugar & Stilettos. This year’s theme is an Alice in Wonderland tea party, with characters for photo ops, the movie playing on a big screen, complimentary tea sandwiches, snacks and more. Proceeds benefit the Westside Food Bank. 1-4 p.m. Free. 2306 Midvale Ave., West L.A. Info

 

Helms Preview
Starts May 12. Sang Yoon is previewing his Helms concept every Sunday at Father’s Office Culver City and running until the bakery officially opens later this year. Menu items include the Helms Breakfast Sammy with sausage, egg custard, yellow gruyere cheese, and harissa aioli between a rye English muffin; Bagel & Lox with mezcal cured salmon, masa everything bagel cotija “cream cheese,” and pickled red onion; and Japanese Oatmeal with mushroom dashi, pickles, coddled egg, and nori. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Father’s Office, 3229 Helms Ave., Culver City. fathersoffice.com

 

Mango Mojito Ice Cream Party
May 12. Ice creamery Humphry Slocombe and Top Chef finalist Melissa King have joined forces to create a one-of-a-kind, exclusive ice cream flavor reminiscent of the popular summertime adult beverage featuring a festive combination of mango, mint, and lime with a splash of Cuban rum. Score free scoops along with fun giveaways and swag. 5-7 p.m. Free. 1653B Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 424.387.8161. humphryslocombe.com

 

 

ARTS + CULTURE

Les Miserables
Now Playing. One of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history has been reborn with new staging and reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo—but the beloved score is still intact, featuring memorable songs like “I Dreamed a Dream” and “One Day More.” See website for show times and ticket prices. Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com

 

 

Indigenous Now
May 11. The City of Santa Monica’s annual Art in the Parks series kicks off with a day of dance, music, spoken word and visual art by indigenous artists that celebrate and uplift indigenous voices often erased or unheard. The venue—Tongva Park—is named after the indigenous Tongva people who have lived in the L.A. area for thousands of years. Billboard-sized artworks by Cara Romero Photography—recently on view at Desert X—will be featured at multiple locations throughout the park. Noon-4 p.m. Free. 1615 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica. santamonica.gov

 

The Niceties
Through May 12. This play about a university professor and her brilliant student finds them engaged in an academic debate about race and grappling with who gets to determine American history. See website for show times and ticket prices. Gil Cates Theater, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood, 310.208.5454. geffenplayhouse.org

 

 

Auction Preview
Through May 18. Visit Los Angeles Modern Auctions’ showroom to experience over 300 objects by noteworthy artists and designers. The upcoming auction includes works by Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, George Rickey, Karl Benjamin, Charles & Ray Eames, Sam Maloof and more. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 16145 Hart Street, Van Nuys, 323.904.1950. lamodern.com

 

 

STYLE + BEAUTY

Unique LA Market
May 11-12. Shop a curated selection of modern, independent designers, artists and emerging brands at this semi-annual pop-up indie marketplace. Admission includes an artist-edition cotton tote, interactive art installations and photo walls. Upgrade to VIP tickets for access to a luxe lounge with complimentary wine, drinks and snacks. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $15-$35; kids 12 and under free. California Market Center, 110 E. 9th St., 13th Floor, downtown. Tickets

 

 

Photos: Alimento courtesy @alimentola/Instagram. MOMentum Place 2019 courtesy Theatricum Botanicum. Wags and Waffles by Kambria Fischer Photography. Sugar & Stilettos Bake Sale courtesy Sugar & Stilettos Charitable Foundation/Facebook. Les Miserables by Matthew Murphy. The Niceties by T. Charles Erickson. Indigenous Now by Desert X courtesy @cityofsantamonica/Instagram. Auction Preview (Andy Warhol, “Marilyn (Castelli Graphics Invitation),” 1981, offset color lithograph on wove paper, published by Castelli Graphics, New York; printed by Colour Editions, Inc., New York. Unique LA courtesy @uniquemarkets/Instagram.

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