We're in the home stretch of The Most Wonderful Time of the Year -- and whether you've been patiently making your way through an advent calendar or trying to stifle your "humbugs" through three weeks of goodwill towards man, it's all about to draw to a close.
Us? We're squeezing out one more weekend of fun before family obligations hit hard next week. Sure, that means our fair share of cozy Christmas events (we love a good jingle bell), but we're also dipping into a couple of once-in-a-millenium parties to usher in the so-called End of the World this Friday.
Keep reading, or you might miss out on the End of the World parties... and if the world ends, that will really suck...
Friday
It's the big day, everyone: the End of the World day. Also known as the day the Mayans decided just to stop counting because, really, who can plan that far in advance anyway? We can relate. "Celebrate" the end of the world tonight, starting at Tortilla Republic, where they're hosting a Mayan Fiesta featuring drink and food specials.
After dinner, head east to Space 15 Twenty for a screening of Goodbye Sun, an apocalyptic romance written and directed by Samuel Michael Casebolt. There's also free beer involved. If you feel the need to dance until the world ends, finish up your night at Los Globos, where El Vez, the legendary L.A. "Mexican Elvis" will be performing. Or, if you'd like your last day on earth to come with a side of free punch, get to Rock & Reilly's for their Bad Judgement Day party. After, we suggest blithely planning out the rest of you weekend.
Saturday
Wake up to the sweet sound of another day on earth -- and celebrate by attending a sing-a-long with none other than that queen of sonic optimism, Julie Andrews. She's joining the LA Philharmonic for a morning of classic Christmas tunes... and she doesn't mind if you accompany her (dream come true or total nightmare -- you decide). After, hop down to the OC for an afternoon exploring the county's best microbreweries -- with samples!
Upon your return from The Orange Place, grab dinner at the softly-open Tapanade in West L.A. before heading to Royce Hall for more Christmas shenanigans courtesy of Rufus and Martha Wainwright.
If you're still raring to go after, check out a midnight screening of The Everything is Terrible Holiday Special 2012: Cataclysmic Transformation at Cinefamily. If all those insane, psyched-out images don't keep you up all night, we don't know what will. Perhaps tonight would be a good time for a bedside nightcap (holiday-themed, of course).
Sunday
After your late night of psychedelia, sleep in a bit. We're starting our day at 2 p.m. with a wine-tasting and food-pairing featuring various rising local talents at Domaine LA on Melrose -- all for a cool $15.
Once you've loosened up a bit, it'll be time to get your holiday food situation in order. We're planning on gifting ourselves (and maybe some friends) with Casa Vega's genius tamale gift bags. For $36, you can grab a dozen tamales and requisite fixin's (hot sauce, crema) along with specific reheating instructions. Once you've gotten your savory purchases out of the way, it's time to focus on the dessert table. Sweet Rose Creamery cooked up a smattering of crazy delicious ice cream pies this season -- in flavors like Eggnog, Cranberry Pistachio, and Malted Chocolate and Hazelnut Praline. Your family will be impressed, which might be a nice change for once.
Detox from the inevitable ice cream "sample" you indulged in at Sweet Rose Creamery by checking out the new Macro Hour at M Café. From 4-7 p.m. daily, enjoy well-priced bar bites like Macro Nachos or BBQ Seitan Spring Rolls. Then, wind down your Christmas Eve at the Satellite, where comedic throwback Neil Hamburger will bring his ever-popular brand of hilarious schmaltz. It's the perfect primer for the cheesy charm of the next few days. We'll see you on the other side, broke girls!
