While the notion of the guilty pleasure has always seemed a bit suspect, (like it! don't feel about bad!), if there was ever a run of guilty pleasure-style activities, this weekend is it. Our schedule features club-style bingo, heavy chocolate consumption and The Sound of Music. The (Hollywood) hills are alive, LA. Have fun out there.
FRIDAYWhat: The Underground Rebel Bingo ClubWhy: Rebel Bingo has thrown fetes of raucous number shouting around the world in cities including London, New York and Ibiza. This weekend, the party arrives on the west coast with a drinking, dancing, board filling extravaganza that the group calls, "hardcore bingo." Sounds like a winner to us.When: September 23, 9:00pm, $10Where: East Hollywood, exact location provided upon ticket purchase, (Facebook.com/theundergroundrebelbingoclub)
What: Nocturnal WonderlandWhy: It's worth the drive to San Bernardino (seriously!) for this two day electronic festival, which will feature a slew of DJs and producers including Fedde Le Grand, Avicii, Showtek and MartyParty. The artists will play in a sprawling collection of rooms with names like Alice's House, Queen's Grounds and the Labyrinth, and stilt walkers, fire dancers and aerialists will set a mood of wonderland whimsy. Wear your best Mad Hatter attire, or just smile all crazy like the Cheshire Cat while you dance. When: September 23-24, 3pm-2am daily, day pass $65, two day pass $130Where: NOS Event Center, 689 South E Street, San Bernardino, (nocturnalwonderland.com)
SATURDAYWhat: Sound of Music Sing-a-LongWhy: You know you know all the words to "The Lonely Goatherd," (sing it with me, high on a hill...). Put this knowledge to good use during the Bowl's annual Sound of Music Sing-a-long. Audience members are encouraged to dress in their best lederhosen, (or snappy outfits made from old curtains), and sing "The Hills Are Alive" at the top of their lungs with thousands of fellow Von Trapp enthusiasts. All of the actresses who played the family daughters, (Liesl, Louisa, Brigitta, Martra and Gretl, FYI), will make appearances. We must've done something good.When: September 24, 7:30pm, $12 - $82.75Where: Hollywood Bowl, 2301 North Highland Boulevard, (323-850-2000 or hollywoodbowl.com)
What: SeptemberfestWhy: It's not that we don't love the German tradition of Oktoberfest and all of the beer-soaked fun that it offers, it's just that we're impatient Americans and we don't want to wait until next month to throw a party. Enter Septemberfest, a day long celebration of food, beer, music and general carousing. The event will feature food trucks, rock and roll and more than 150 microbrews. That is to say, it'll be a very USA-centric affair.When: September 24, 3pm - 7pm, $40 GA, $50 VIP, $15 Designated Drivers, (food sold separately)Where: Santa Monica Pier, 1600 Ocean Avenue, (310-902-6955 or drinkeatplay.com/septemberfest)
SUNDAYWhat: TarfestWhy: This free, day long music and arts festival features performances from so cool you likely haven't heard of them yet acts including Saint Motel, Everest, Obi Best and Ash Panda. Tarfest, (named for its location at the La Brea tar pits), will also include live paintings, art installations, a children's art making tent, and every Los Angelenos preferred dining option, food trucks.When: September 25, 12pm - 6pm, freeWhere: Hancock Park, 5801 Wilshire Boulevard, at South Curson Avenue, (tarfest.com)
What: LA Chocolate SalonWhy: It'll be a fantasy akin to jumping in the chocolate river from Willy Wonka, (although it will turn out better for us than it did for poor Augustus Gloop), during this day long chocolate tasting extravaganza. Artisan chocolate makers from around the country will provide samples of every conceivable style of the sweet stuff, and lectures and demonstrations will teach us how it's made. And yes, Charlie Bucket, there will be a chocolate fountain.When: September 25, 11am - 5pm, $30 at the door. Children under 6 free with one adult per two children; each additional child under 6, $10; children ages 6-12, $10Where: Pasadena Center, 300 Green Street, at South Marengo Avenue, Pasadena, (lachocolatesalon.com)