Okay, so you guys know exactly how we feel about Fridays--we certainly don't play coy or hold back our true emotions when it comes to the weekend. Yet this particular Friday has managed to make us even more excited than most....because in addition to marking the start to the weekend, it also marks the official start to summer!
And yes, we're well aware that "summer" doesn't quite mean what it used to. Instead of three months of absolute leisure, we'll be lucky to sneak in three days here and there. But still, come on--it's summer!!! And this weekend will be starting off our favorite season with all of the summertime activities we adore, from music festivals to poolside parties to outdoor screenings and more. So let's get to it!
Keep reading for the Venice Music Crawl, the First Day of Summer Bar Hop, a Pancake Film Festival, and so much more...
Friday
As the first day of summer, today also marks the longest day of the year, so we're going to make the most of it. Start off early by nabbing a free cup of coffee at Lamill in Silver Lake.
Later, once you've been sprung from your cage, head out of LA proper to partake in the Vans Warped Tour or to see Bone Thugs 'N Harmony (because...awesome) in Santa Ana. Or, check out the Etsy Craft Fair in San Pedro.
If a long drive isn't on your to-do list, stay local and enjoy a burlesque parody show, a summer solstice party at The Hammer with KCRW DJ Jeremy Sole, or (if you're feeling flush, as tickets are $50) a real burlesque show courtesy of Dita Von Teese at the House of Blues. There's also going to be a party happening at Space15Twenty from 7-10 p.m., which will be hosted by Jayne and Stop It Right Now and curated by by Yasi + Jane and Cultistzine, and which will feature live music, free drinks, and more.
There are, of course, also a ton of concerts happening tomorrow night, the most notable of which are the following: Church Sessions with Ariel Pink; Sea Wolf at the El Rey; and Wildcat! Wildcat! at The Echo.
You can also catch La Santa Cecilia and The Boogaloo Assassins at FigAnd7th; this cool/weird-sounding Sci-Fi soundtrack thing; Jonathan Wilson with Strings and Other Things at Largo; Zo!, Choklate, DJs Destroyer, and Seano at Bootleg Bar; or Bikos at Taix.
And, since you won't be anywhere near ready for bed once the above events have ended, you should swing by one of the following events with later start times: Daft Punk vs. Radiohead at Wilshire (an intriguing event that does not, sadly, actually involve some sort of live duel between Daft Punk and Radiohead) or the Private Label event at Lure Nightclub featuring Nancy Whang of LCD Soundsystem.
Saturday
We sincerely hope the longest day of the year didn't wear you out yesterday, as you've got quite the agenda for Saturday. To begin with, we want you to check out the Pancake Film Festival in Echo Park, which starts at 10 a.m. It's a festival dedicated to pancakes in film. Seriously.
After, because this is the kind of day you're having, you might want to head to Pomona for the Tomato Assault. This is a giant tomato fight with live music. Seriously.
If you're not feeling the food fight, opt instead for one of a few more mellow options. You could always hit up SKAM poolside at Drai's, as it's going to be nearly 80 degrees out. Or, head downtown to peruse Parachute Market, a "conceptual quarterly marketplace offering furniture, objects, fine arts, sculpture, new and vintage fashion by the next wave of Southern California artists, designers and collectors."
Later in the afternoon, you'll have to choose between some pretty seriously amazing events. Our vote goes to the First Saturday of Summer Bar Hop, which is taking place at The Belmont, Cabo Cantina, The Den, Fatty's, The Parlor, & Rock & Reilly's. If you'd rather take in culture than booze, check out 25 Plays Per Hour at 2:30 via The Hollywood Fringe Festival instead. Or, go west to join in on the Watson Adventures Murder At The Getty Scavenger Hunt or the Venice Music Crawl.
Around 6 p.m., head to Culver City for LA Foodies's #Bite Flite. Tickets are $22 but include food, dessert, beer tastings, and more. After, those of you who like to support domestic abusers (kidding, but not really) should head to the Honda Center in Anaheim for Power 106's Powerhouse 2103 featuring Chris Brown, Tyga, and Big Sean.
The rest of you should take in an outdoor screening. On offer tonight is The Man Who Knew Too Much via Cinefamily, Office Space via The Electric Dusk Drive-In, and The Misfits at LACMA.
As far as concerts go, there's a doozy of a concert happening at The Hollywood Bowl. It's the opening night celebration, and performers are to include Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Patti Austin, and John Legend.
Other music-leaning options include: Mr Little Jeans + DJ Dan Wilcox at KCRW Summer Nights in Pasadena; Alex Cuba, also in Pasadena; Josh Rouse and Field Report at Troubador; Mark Farina at Los Globos; Seven Saturdays, Aftergloam, Jetpacks and Laserguns, Jetpacks and Laser Guns at El Cid; The Record Company, Soft Swells, The Walcotts at The Satellite; Martin Luther McCoy at Hotel Cafe; and The Staves and Musikanto at the Bootleg Theater.
Sunday
Feel fancy Sunday morning by participating in rooftop yoga at L'Ermitage at 11 a.m. (We even let you sleep in!)
After, if you weren't one of the lucky peeps to score tickets to Tacolandia, swing by Sunday Funday at Rush Street instead for a $20 bottomless mimosa or Bloody Mary brunch. Or, join the Korean BBQ Fest + CicLAvia event, which basically entails biking your way through Koreatown eating BBQ, also known as the best day ever.
If that sounds like too much work for you, instead peruse the Parachute Market before cooling off poolside instead at the Standard Downtown via their Afternoon Delight event. RSVP is required, so email rsvp@afternoondelight2013@eventbrite.com if you think you may want to go.
Those of you who are feeling a little more flush than the rest of us can also consider attending the TedxCulverCity event, which is probably going to be amazing (especially if you're a fan of TED talks). Or, splurge on a ticket to the Drink:Eat:Play Festival, which sounds as though it involves three of our most favorite things--drinking, eating, and playing.
As far as the night's concerts go, you've got a pretty decent selection to choose from. Iron & Wine is sold out, but She & Him (at the Hollywood Bowl!) is not. Also, Barenaked Ladies are playing with Ben Folds Five and Guster (remember Guster?!?) at The Greek Theater, while those of you looking for something a little more indie should check out Austra and Bestial Mouths at the Troubador, Treetop Flyers, The Futures League, and Valida at the Bootleg Bar, The Grand Ole Echo Country Music and Sunday BBQ at The Echo, and IHC Sundays with Green Lantern, Arnold of M|o|d, Falcons, and Kittens at Drai's.