The Jets and the Sharks, the Montagues and the Capulets, the Bloods and the Crips, the Red Sox and the Yankees... History is full of big rivalries. And while we like to dabble all over town, the return of Carmageddon this weekend is a good excuse to exercise a little neighborhood pride. So whether you're an easy, breezy Westsider or a hipper-than-thou Eastsider, we've got you covered with a weekend full of local diversions.
Friday
Westsiders, start your weekend early by sneaking off to Fred Segal between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. -- their annual fall sale starts today and you're going to want to get there while the getting's good! Later, grab a to-go dinner at Huckleberry before heading to the pier for the first night of Front Porch Cinema. The eat|see|hear-produced, free fall movie series is screening the Wizard of Oz in celebration of the movie's 75th anniversary. After, stop by Andrew's Cheese Shop on Montana for a guided beer and cheese tasting with pairings.
Eastsiders should start their night in Chinatown for the annual Chinese Moon Festival. Now in its 74th year, the festival celebrates the fall harvest season with food, entertainment, and a ping pong tournament (natch). After you've loaded up on moon cake and food truck fare, make your way to the El Rey for the 10th Anniversary celebration of eccentric reissue label, Light in the Attic Records (Nasty Gal's patron saint Betty Davis? Yeah, they reissued her record.).
Saturday
Nothing says "Westside Pride" quite like starting your morning at Chez Jay, so sidle up to the classic, salty bar for an equally classic, salty breakfast. Then, do what any other community member under siege might do: start drinking. The Carmageddon Pub Crawl runs from 1:30 to 7 p.m. and promises what most of our nights out should: no driving! Cut out early (please) and head to Culver City for the Tappan Collective opening of new photographic works by Clara Balzary and David Kitz. Then, it gets really good. Head to Royce Hall where Nick Offerman (Parks & Recreation's Ron Swanson) is performing a one-man show of "cautionary tales, tunes, and tips for prosperity," called American Ham (get it?). If you're going, get your tickets now (like, right now) because last we checked there were only nosebleeds left.
Sorry eastsiders, no Ham for you. But, there are seriously some really good vegan options on your side of town. Kidding. Sort of. Start your day with brunch at Canele in Atwater Village. After, make your way to Golden Road Brewery for the Beer Float Showdown hosted by Food GPS. If you aren't stuffed from brunch and the heated (er, frozen?) competition, stop by Viet Noodle Bar on your way to Poketo for the closing party of their Bold Rush exhibit. Later, go to the Hollywood Bowl for an '80s extravaganza with The Go-Gos, Psychedelic Furs, and Bow Wow Wow. Totally.
Sunday
On the west side, start your day at Serenity Sundays at Gladstone's with an hour of donation-based, beginners yoga focusing on breath and alignment, followed by a healthful, light breakfast at the restaurant. Then, go into town for the West Hollywood Book Fair at the newly renovated West Hollywood Park. With over 100 exhibitors and 13 stages of author and artists, there's bound to be something to capture our post-50 Shades hearts and minds. Later, grab dinner at Night + Market, where Kris Yenbamroong's been catching some major attention for his street-style Thai food.
Back east, start your day at the L.A. Beer Week Festival at Union Station. There will be over 70 local, national, and international breweries represented, so it seems like a pretty apt opportunity to check out our ever-expanding Metro system, n'est-ce pas? After, head into Hollywood for Cinerama Fest, where the ArcLight's screening movies produced with the Dome's namesake technology. Pulpy '50s action ensues! Later, grab a quick bite at the Delancey and then a drink at the new Antebellum-chic (that's a thing, right?) watering hole Sassafras and, well, you've got yourself a Sunday!