FESTIVALS
JazzReggae Festival
May 26-27. Kick off the summer with live music, food, and live art. Headliners of the 27th annual festival include Santigold, Common, Ziggy Marley and many more. $30-65. UCLA Intramural Field, 405 Hilgard Ave., Westwood. jazzreggaefest.com
Topanga Days
May 25-27. Celebrate music, the arts and the work of local artisans at the 40th annual Topanga Days. Spend the weekend listening to live music, while discovering art, jewelry and clothing from local artisans. Musical headliners include: Jim Crawford Band, Franchot Tone, Lee Rocker, and many more. 1440 N. Topanga Cyn. Bl., Topanga, 310.455.1980. topangadays.com
Drawing On The Moon Music and Arts Festival
May 24-27. Drawing on the Moon is a uniquely eclectic music festival that showcases more than 120 local, national, and international live and electronic music acts of a variety of genres, from African to experimental. Experience entertainment on five stages; art and film; dance, and theater performances; workshops, yoga, massage, health practices, and more. The site of the festival is on top of a mountain in Malibu, 2000 feet above sea level, on more than 25 acres. Surrounded by rolling hills, mountains, the ocean; the property also includes ecosustainable vineyards, orchards, a zoo, a sweat lodge, tipi, yurt, and numerous custom structures created by fierce environmentalist Debra Malmazada over the last 20 years. drawingonthemoon.com
Fiesta Hermosa
May 25-27. Check out one of the largest arts and crafts fairs in the country at the 41st annual “Fiesta Hermosa” in downtown Hermosa Beach. The event features more than 300 artisans including painters, photographers, jewelers, sculptors and more, in addition to live music on two stages, an international selection of food to eat, beer, wine and more. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Hermosa Beach. fiestahermosa.net
Grand Park Sunday Sessions
May 26. Celebrate Sundays all summer long by listening to the best in electronic music at Grand Park. Carefully curated by Eduardo Castillo from The Eclectech, Castillo brings the beautiful soaring sounds beats of local and international DJs and producers to the heart of downtown Los Angeles. The kick off event features Wolf + Lamb with Baby Prince, No Regular Play, Eduardo Castillo, among others. Also find food from food trucks and cocktails from Pattern Bar. 2-10 p.m. Grand Park’s Performance Lawn, 200 N. Grand Ave., downtown. grandparkla.org
EVENTS
Skybar Pool Party
May 27. Spend Sundays lounging by the pool on large, oversized daybeds, sipping Skybar’s famous mojitos, and dancing to the sounds of special guest DJ’s at this weekly summer party. Sundays through Spet. 30. Dress to impress. RSVP required, early arrival suggested: 323.848.6025 or email skybarla@mhgc.com. 8440 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. mondrianhotel.com
XIV Summer Sessions LA
May 26. Each week The XIV Summer Sessions patio transforms into a high energy dance floor with beats by internationally known DJ talent. Embodying the spirit of the exclusive beach parties born in the South of France, expect revelers sporting summer-chic fashions, bronzed cocktail waitresses flaunting sexy Frederick’s of Hollywood bikinis, hours of dancing in the seamless indoor-outdoor space, and more. The party continues at the official after-hours spot at HYDE Lounge, where resident DJ Connor Cruise will spin beats throughout the night. A double-decker bus will transport guests from XIV Summer Sessions to the chic ultra lounge. 5-10 p.m.; 10 p.m.-2 a.m.1743 N. Cahuenga Blvd., L.A., 323.525.2450. xivsummersessions.com
Hyde Beach at Gladstones
May 27. Already established as the premier nightlife destination in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and South Beach, sbe’s Hyde Lounge brings its energy to the beach this Memorial Day with the Los Angeles debut of Hyde Beach at Gladstones. Situated directly on the sand, Angelenos can kick off the summer in style and dance the night away by the ocean breeze until the sun sets. This exclusive party will feature performances by the hottest DJs, specialty packages, a BBQ on the deck and more. $30+. 17300 Pacific Coast Hwy., Pacific Palisades. play.sbe.com/HydeMalibuBeach
WET Weekends at W Los Angeles
May 27. Spend Memorial Day poolside at the W Los Angeles, sipping cocktails and noshing on food from the Backyard restaurant, all to the tune of DJs spinning throughout the afternoon. Weekly party kicks off Memorial Day and continues on Sundays throughout the summer. Noon-5 p.m. 930 Hilgard Ave., L.A., 310.208.8765. wlosangeles.com
The Langham Huntington, Pasadena
Kick-off your summer vacation at The Langham with a poolside BBQ menu and live entertainment by the pool all weekend. The Hideaway Pool Bar features a happy hour wine tasting event from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 24, with Bodegas M Tempranillo and Albarino wines and tapas offered at happy hour pricing; while the Terrace’s BBQ menu offers selections like smoked brisket, grilled chicken, BBQ pork ribs and more. 1401 South Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena. pasadena.langhamhotels.com
Memorial Day Yacht Party, Mini-Cruise & BBQ
May 27. Kick off summer with four levels of sun and fun on the FantaSee One Mega-Yacht. Afternoon featured DJs, BBQ, cabanas with bottle service, karaoke and more. Fantasea One Mega-Yacht, 13509 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, 310.821.5371. $40+. wantickets.com
Drai’s
May 27. Hip hop DJ Lucky Lou has manned the turntable behind acts like Jay-Z, P. Diddy, The Black Eyed Peas, LMFAO, among others launches a Monday party atop the W Hollywood Hotel. 6250 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. More Info.
Electric Run
May 24. Snap on your glow-sticks and run the 5K in your best neon attire through miles of light installations from some of the most talented set designers in the world. 8:20- 11 p.m. Home Depot Center, 18400 S Avalon Blvd., Carson. electricrun.com/losangeles
MOVIES
Cinespia: The Party | Clueless
May 25, 26. Cinespia continues its picnic/movie season at Hollywood Forever Cemetery with Memorial Day weekend screenings of The Party (Saturday) and Clueless (Sunday). Bring blankets, drinks and a picnic. DJ Carlos Nino spins before and after the screening. Online pre-sale tickets are now available Gates 7 p.m., movie 8:30 p.m. $12. Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 600 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. cinespia.org
Eat|See|Hear: The Princess Bride
May 25. LA’s roving outdoor movie event series celebrates Memorial Day weekend with a screening of The Princess Bride. In addition to the movie, which screens on the only three-story HD movie screen west of the Mississippi, expect food trucks and live music from Derde Verde. Each Saturday through Sep. 14, Eat|See|Hear screens a different movie in a different location. Doors: 5:30 p.m., band: 7 p.m., movie: 8:30 p.m. Santa Monica High School baseball field (enter through the walkway on 4th Street between the track and the DoubleTree Hotel). eatseehear.com
EAT | DRINK
STREET
May 26. Because burgers and hotdogs are a bit blasé, Susan Feniger’s STREET and Asian/American pop-culture tastemaker, Giant Robot, are hosting a Korean BBQ on STREET’s patio to celebrate the launch of the summer. Guests can partake in Korean BBQ and saunter up to STREET’s sake lounge, and Susan Feniger will be on hand to spice the party up. 742 N. Highland Ave., L.A., 323.203.0500. eatatstreet.com
Memorial Weekend Brunch at Fig & Olive
May 24-27. Dine on a Riviera-inspired three-course brunch from chef Pascal Lorange. Menu highlights include truffle mushroom croquette, lobster bisque, crab cake eggs Benedict, south of France poached eggs with salmon and more. During brunch, the restaurant will also serve new spa-inspired “mocktails” (think Jardin De Fraises with kefir clover, muddled fresh strawberries and fig, clover honey and a rouch of fig balsamic). $28 brunch, $10 cocktails. 8490 Melrose Place, L.A., 310.360.9100. figandolive.com
Red Sun BBQ at Katana
May 27. Celebrate the start of summertime from Katana’s patio, one of the best vantage points over looking the Sunset Strip. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Katana offers special off-menu cocktails and small bites, such as tacos with braised pork, Hokkaido scallops in yuzu dressing, the Jalisco Spice cocktail (jalapeno infused Don Julio Silver, agave, apricot and lime juices), and more, including Ichiban Shibori Frozen Nama, a draft beer topped with frozen beer bubbles (Katana is one of three spots in the U.S. to have it on draft). 8439 W Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 323.650.8585. innovativedining.com
Vintage Enoteca
May 24-27. Spend the entire weekend dining on all beef hot dogs served with bacon marmalade, purple coleslaw, alongside oatmeal stour beer floats. If you aren’t up for beer, you can opt to pair your dog with one of the wine bar’s expertly picked varietals of wine, or enjoy their signature blackberry sangria. 7554 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A., 323.512.5278. vintageenoteca.com
Bouchon Bistro Fried Chicken Night
May 27. What better way to celebrate the holiday than with chef Thomas Keller’s expertly fried chicken served along a Belgium endive and hazelnut salad, fork crushed red potatoes and parker house rolls and more. If you’re not up for eating in, you can also order it to go for BBQs and other alfresco dining. $36/pp. 235 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, 310.271.9910. bouchonbistro.com
RivaBella
May 26. The posh outpost for Italian cuisine in West Hollywood offers a special version of their recently launched Sunday brunch that includes a buffet complete with porchetta carving station, $7 bottomless mimosas and bloody Marys, live music and more. $44/pp. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 9201 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.278.2060. rivabellarestaurant.com
Plan Check
May 27. Plan to park it at the Plan Check bar on Monday. They are offering limited edition Maui Brewing Co. Lemongrass Saison. 1800 Sawtelle Blvd., L.A., 310.288.6500. plancheckbar.com
Zengo
May 27. Richard Sandoval’s Latin/Asian dining destination, is turning up the heat this weekend with a Sunkissed Bottomless Brunch in partnership with SubstanceLA. From 12pm to sunset, diners are invited to kickback on Zengo’s newly designed patio, listen to beats from Boris M.D. and indulge in bottomless brunch and cocktails for $35 a person (21 and over). 395 Santa Monica Pl., Santa Monica, 310.899.1000. http://www.richardsandoval.com/zengosm/index.php
Dominick’s Crawfish Boil
May 25. Celebrated West Hollywood Italian eatery Dominick’s brings back a festive local favorite: its annual crawfish boils. Drawing upon his New Orleans heritage, chef Brandon Boudet takes over the eatery’s patio to boil 300 pounds of Louisiana crawfish. In addition to the crawfish, available for $11.99 per pound, diners can enjoy a selection of Boudet’s Big Easy-inspired dishes, including Po’ Boy sub sandwiches, Creole boiled artichokes with remoulade and Dominick’s Dago red, white and prosecco wines by the bottle and beer. For dessert, the chef offers New Orleans Sno Balls—snow cones drizzled with house-made syrups—in multiple flavors, served with an optional shot of Old New Orleans spiced rum. Space is limited; reservations recommended. Noon to 4 p.m. 8715 Beverly Blvd., L.A., 310.652.2335. dominicksrestaurant.com
Tortilla Republic Memorial Day Brunch
May 27. Celebrate your day off with a special brunch offerings from West Hollywood’s outpost for modern Mexican cuisine. Signature dishes include huevos divorciados (poached eggs with tomatillo ranchero sauce, Applewood-smoked bacon, black beans, tortilla strips and queso fresco), TR Benedict, seared ahi and sweet potato hash and more, including bottomless mimosas. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 616 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.657.9888. tortillarepublic.com
Hyperion Public Booze and Barbecue Weekends
May 25-27. Stop by Silverlake’s Hyperion Public for grilling delicacies like skirt steak skewers, cheeseburgers, portabella burgers, potato salad, bacon cole slaw, and more. Seating available outside and on the patio. 2538 Hyperion Ave, Silver Lake, 323.761.6440. HyperionPublic.com