Salsa in the Sky, Mardi Gras, National Margarita Day, The Simon & Garfunkel Story and more … Check out the top Los Angeles weekend events for Feb. 20-23.

Edited by Alicia Luchak.

 

EVENTS

 

Queer Me Out
Feb. 20. In support of the LGBTQ+ movement, the W Los Angeles—West Beverly Hills is hosting a speakers series in its newly renovated meeting space, featuring some of the community’s strongest advocates. The panel is made up of legends like international drag entertainer Rhea Litre; drag show producer Beau Byron; and talented model and actress Sasha Colby. It will be moderated by WeHo’s longest-running host of Pride Festival, Billy Francesca. At 6:30 p.m., MAC Cosmetics’ GLAM Bar will give complimentary “glam-ups” and sell VIVA Glam products, with all proceeds going to the MAC AIDS Fund. Free. 7-9 p.m. 930 Hilgard Ave., Westwood. RSVP

 

 

Salsa in the Sky 
Feb. 21. Dance across the downtown skyline with 360-degree views at 1,000 feet off the ground. At OUE Skypsace LA, you can enjoy live salsa by Flaco Navaja and Razor Blades; a bachata DJ; a burlesque show; three full bars; signature cocktails; access to the clear glass Skyslide; and, naturally, salsa and bachata lessons at 9 p.m. Bottle service is also available. 8:30 p.m. $15 presale, $20 at the door. 633 W. 5th St., downtown. Tickets

 

 

 

31st Annual Mardi Gras Celebration
Feb. 22-23, 25. Party New Orleans-style at the Original Farmers Market with bead throwing, beignets, face painting, live music and Cajun gumbo and jambalaya from vendor the Gumbo Pot. 6333 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.933.9211. farmersmarketla.com

 

 

 

 

 

Boomtown Brewery Anniversary 
Feb. 22. The Arts District’s beloved Boomtown Brewery is celebrating its fifth birthday with an anniversary bash, featuring 25 beers on tap and six new releases like the Anniversary Ale, a Barrel Aged Barley Wine, Proper Minger Best Bitter and even a beer made special for the Academy Award-winning film Parasite. The free birthday beer festival will also include exclusive merchandise, games, giveaways, a lineup of live DJs, photo booths and plenty of local food vendors to choose from. Free admission. Noon-2 a.m. 700 Jackson St., downtown. boomtownbrew.com

 

 

CicLAvia— South L.A.
Feb. 23. Six miles of L.A.’s normally congested streets turn into a car-free park for a walk and bike tour through South Central, Florence-Firestone and Watts during this South L.A. iteration of the beloved open-streets event. See website for route details. 9 am-3 pm. Free. 213.355.8500, ciclavia.org

 

 

 

 

Afro-Latinx Festival 
Feb. 23. In celebration of Black History Month and cultural diversity, the Museum of Latin American Art is celebrating the African influences on Latin American culture with food, music, live performances and more. Participating local organizations like Long Beach Public Library, the African-American Cultural Center of Long Beach and Colour Bloc Creativ will offer panels, bilingual story times and artist-led workshops. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach, 562.437.1689. molaa.org 

 

 

NATIONAL MARGARITA DAY

 

Socalo 
Feb. 22-23. Enjoy two tequila-tasting days at the new California canteen Socalo to celebrate National Margarita Day. Chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken concocted a special menu for the “holiday” featuring five honorary cocktails: Margarita de la Casa, El Picante, Chinola Margarita, Guava Margarita and Pepino Margarita. 1920 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.451.1655. socalo.com

 

 

 

 

Gracias Madre 
Feb. 22. As a special National Margarita Day treat, Los Angeles’ vegan-Mexican hideaway Gracias Madre is offering an all-day happy hour. Sip on the classic Purista Margarita; the El Jefe, with a citrus blend, house curacao, agave, reposado tequila and extra anejo Cadillac float; or try out the unique Daisy Margarita, a fresh blend of lemon, kumquat, aquafaba, and tequila or mezcal. 8905 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 323.978.2170. graciasmadre.co

 

 

 

FOOD + DRINK

 

Grown in L.A.: A Taste of Los Angeles Wines 
Feb. 21. The newly formed Los Angeles Vintners Association is taking a night to appreciate some of L.A.’s finest wine at the first winery and tasting room to open its doors in downtown Los Angeles since Prohibition, Angeleno Wine Company. Sip and sample locally grown wine from four high-quality local wineries and meet with the winemakers themselves. Plus, you can pair each glass with gourmet Mexican street food by Guerrilla Tacos. A ticket comes with a flight of 10 wines, but each label can also be purchased by the glass. 5-9 p.m. $20. 1646 N. Spring St., downtown. Tickets

 

 

Cassoulet Night 
Feb. 23. Join Lucques for its annual winter celebration of the Southern French country classic slow-cooked casserole, cassoulet. The three-course menu includes a Salad of Young Greens and Saint Agur with Local Walnuts, Banyuls and Wildflower Honey; Cassoulet de Maison with Duck Confit, Pork Confit, Garlic Sausage and White Beans; and a Crème Caramel with Armagnac Prunes and Orange Blossom Langues de Chat. 5-9:30 p.m. $65 per person. 8474 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 323.655.6277. Tickets

 

 

 

Parm Boyz Pop-Up
Feb. 23. The monthly dinner pop-up at Melrose pizza hot spot Ronan is returning for another round of family-style Italian feasts. The Parm Boyz are serving up their Italian-American favorite dishes like chicken and eggplant parmigiana served with spaghetti and red sauce, Caesar salad, cheesy mozzarella sticks and their rich tiramisu. The night will also get festive with a mid-meal dance party. 5:30-10:30 p.m. $35. Ronan, 7315 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, 323.917.5100. ronanla.com

 

 

 

ARTS + CULTURE

 

The Simon & Garfunkel Story
Feb. 21-23 This immersive concert-style theater show chronicles the careers of folk-rock duo Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel using state-of-the-art projection and original film footage. A full band will perform their hits, including “Mrs. Robinson,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and many more. Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. Tickets

 

 

 

 

Until the Flood
Through Feb. 23. In this stunning theatrical experience, Pulitzer Prize finalist and celebrated performer Dael Orlandersmith pulls from her extensive interviews with Missouri residents to explore the social uprising in Ferguson, Missouri, following the shooting of teenager Michael Brown. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 213.628.2772. Tickets

 

 

 

 

SPONSORED
Frankenstein 
Upcoming | Feb. 28-Mar. 1. A scientist’s attempts to tinker with life itself unleashes a monster the world has never forgotten. More than 200 years since it was written, Mary Shelley’s masterpiece retains all its power to horrify and fascinate. Starring Seamus Dever, Adhir Kalyan, Stacy Keach, Mike McShane and Darren Richardson, directed by Anna Lyse Erikson. $45-$65. For the schedule, visit the website. James Bridges Theater, UCLA, 235 Charles E. Young Drive, Westwood, 310.827.0889. Tickets

 

 

Photos: Queer Me Out courtesy W Hotel. Salsa in the Sky courtesy OUE Skyspace. 31st Annual Mardi Gras Celebration courtesy the Original Farmers Market. Boomtown Brewery Anniversary courtesy Boomtown Brewery. CicLAvia courtesy @ciclavia/Instagram. Afro-Latinx Festival courtesy Museum of Latin American Art. Socalo courtesy Socalo. Gracias Madre courtesy Gracias Madre. Grown in L.A.: A Taste of Los Angeles Wines courtesy L.A. Vintners. Cassoulet Night by Suzanne Lanza. Parm Boyz Pop-Up courtesy Ronan. The Simon and Garfunkel Story courtesy @thesimonandgarfunkelstory/Facebook. Until the Flood credit Craig Schwartz Photography. Frankenstein courtesy LA Theater Works