In the midst of the final stretch of award season (plus, with the drama of this week's weirdo manhunt), we were considering scouring Kayak or Hipmunk for a good deal on travel so as to get as far away from L.A. as we could muster (that is, as far as our wallets could muster).
But then something happened: Slowly we started hearing about one can't-miss event after another and pretty soon, well, we knew we couldn't leave -- at least not this weekend. So, we're going to spend the next few days in the thick of it, mixed up in a few dance parties, modern home tours, Chinese New Year celebrations, and even a miniature treehouse show. That's right -- it's all happening in Los Angeles this week. So, buckle up and get ready for the weekend ahead.
Keep reading for your new favorite taco spot and a chance to show off your freakishly on-point movie trivia skills...
Friday
Grab dinner and drinks at Vinotéque in West Hollywood before heading east to Echo Park for the We Hate Everything Including This Film Series at the Echo Park Film Center.
Later, make your way over to Mt. Washington for a big bash with Dart DJ -- their romantic "Love-In" is co-hosted by some of L.A.'s coolest kids (SQIRL confitures, Modernica Props, The Motley, BEERGARDEN/LA), so you know it'll be a fun time. If you still have energy left after, get back into Hollywood for a Private Label dance party at Lure featuring RAC and MDNR.
Saturday
Saturday morning, succumb to your inner snoop via the Venice Modern Home Tour. You can check out some of the fanciest modern homes near the beach and daydream about the day one of them becomes yours... After, check out Peter Shire's Tea For Two Hundred at the Santa Monica Art Museum.
Later, grab lunch at Tacos Punta Cabras before heading to the far east (L.A.). Once you've crossed over to the other side, check out the Miniature Treehouse Party (?!) with Treedom's Takashi Kobayashi at the Feal Mor boutique in Silver Lake. Then, go to Chinatown to celebrate the Year of the Snake with the annual Golden Dragon Parade and New Year Festival. In between the performances, paper folding (really), and competitive ping pong, you'll likely want to gorge yourself on fare from the Kogi Truck, Seoul Sausage, and a host of other Asian-related eateries.
Sunday
Grab brunch in Marina Del Rey at Killer Café using this deal, then make your way to the Egyptian to catch a special live edition of Airtalk for KPCC's "FilmWeek" Oscar Preview. Journalists, movie experts, and host Larry Mantle will all be in attendance to discuss the best and worst of the impending Oscars.
After, head east to The Ukrainian Center of L.A., where L.A. Zine Fest will already be in full swing. There, you can peruse some of the best indie publishers in town before you move on to your next destination, BGG favorite Blossom.
Finally wind down (more like wind up) your night back west at Busby's East for their infamous Big OSCARS Quiz Thing. Test your movie knowledge against some worthy opponents -- and potentially win a $200 prize! We think it's a perfect way to prep for the big night (that would be the Academy Awards) on February 24. Depending on how your team does, celebrate your victory or dance off your defeat at Dim Mak Sundays before you really wind down the night and pack it in (it is Sunday, after all).
Monday
Well, what do we have here? A bonus day! Thanks to our oh-so-generous forefathers, we get one more blissful day off from work, school, and responsibility. Start this magical day at LACMA, where you can gain access to current exhibitions (excluding Stanley Kubrick, sadface) and permanent collections without spending a dime because admission is free all day today. While you're there, make sure you have a breakfast feast at BGG favorite C&M coffeehouse in the museum lobby, whose hand pies are the stuff dreams are made of.
Later, scoot up to Hollywood to take in a movie at the Arclight (we'll look the other way while you purchase entry to Safe Haven). The theater's ticket prices may be steep (although you'll be catching a matinée, so you might not have to skip your student loan payment this month just to watch a movie), but bring your stub with you to Hungry Cat after the movie and you'll watch 10 percent of your lunch tab disappear.
Finally, wind down your day at the Bootleg in Echo Park. Their Monday night residency for February features '90s-inspired, dancey local artist Mystery Skulls, so get ready to cut a rug in preparation for your (four day!) week ahead.
