The weather is going to be insanely gorgeous this weekend, with temperatures hovering between 85 and 90 degrees. So, we suggest you take this opportunity to enjoy the city's most happening pools as well as its best restaurants for outdoor dining (most of which we promise you CAN afford, especially at happy hour).
You'll also want to be sure to hit up Graffiti Coffee Bar on LA Brea at some point this weekend, as Cake Monkey will be popping up there with all kinds of goodies. If you feel like a bit of a splurge, hit up Scratch Bar, the newly-opened must-try on La Cienega (which has a delicious-sounding 3-course prix fixe option for $45). Oh, and don't forget that the Fred Segal Santa Monica Sale will be going strong all weekend!
Beyond that, we've gathered up tons of affordable dining options and events to fill this weekend (or several weekends, really).
Want to know what they are? Keep reading for the BGG Weekender, your Friday to Sunday guide to life...
FRIDAY
We hope you ate light this week, because those of you who are as fanatical as we are about Korean BBQ are going to want plenty of belly space for Shin Jung Restaurant's all-you-can-eat, all-night Korean BBQ and Shabu Shabu event. Non-Korean BBQ fans can instead opt to pig out on the cheap at the Pico and Robertson block party, or via the Good Food Friday event at Santa Monica Place. Oh, and in honor of National Ceviche Day (really?!), Mo-chica, Picca, and Paiche are all serving up a special, off-menu ceviche dish for $10.
Those who'd like to skip straight to the activities can join free Bollywood/Bhangra dance lessons downtown; attend an improv performance by some of the city's best female talent; grab free beer, live performances, and major discounts at the Insight store in Venice; or catch one of the many concerts taking place Friday night.
Shows include: the Summerland Tour featuring Everclear, Live, and others at The Wiltern (though tickets are pricey); Baths at the El Rey; Twin Shadow at The Glass House in Pomona; Allah-Las, Prince Rama, Gothic Tropic at FIGat7th; AM & Shawn Lee at The Echo; Dan Croll at the Troubadour; Milo Greene at Masonic Lodge (there are still a few pricey tickets available on Stubhub); or The Moonbeams, The Dirty Dishes, Hotel Cinema, and My Double My Brother at El Cid.
SATURDAY
First thing's first. There's a big Stila sale happening downtown, so makeup junkies will want to get there as early as possible -- it starts at 8 a.m. After, grab your bike and join in on this much, much mellower version of last weekend's CicLAvia event. Then, cut out early and prop yourself up poolside for the weekly SKAM event at Drai's. Or, forget your bikini and opt instead to indulge via Food Truck Haven at Angel City Brewery. Later, join this exclusive rooftop party and BBQ, tasting hour at The Grove, and/or this summer dessert tasting in Culver City. Oh, and it's National Vegan Pizza Day (really?!), so Mohawk Bend is offering 5 vegan pizzas for $10 each all day.
Those of you with $50 burning a hole in your pocket will definitely want to skip out on any and all of the eating events mentioned above and save up instead for the LA Street Food Fest, which is sure to be amazing (for your seratonin levels, not your waistline).
Later, it's closing night of LA Design Week, so celebrate by joining in on the Chinatown Design Night festivities. Or, take in a performance by the Raiford Rogers Modern Ballet Company. Believe it or not, you also have the option of seeing Helen Mirren perform live in a staging of The Audience at James Bridges Theater.
If all of those options seem a bit tame to you, or if you'd like to "earn" a cool $500 tonight, we reluctantly suggest you attend the big opening party at Buckwild's. Or, check out Flyball?
There are also a few film screenings on offer, including Belle De Jour at LACMA, Boogie Nights as a part of Eat See Hear, and The Breakfast Club via Street Food Cinema.
And finally, here are the night's notable concerts: Twin Shadow Elliphant, Touche, and DJ Mario Cotto at The Fonda; Giraffage, Mister Lies, Astronautica, and Mike Gao at Los Globos; Digital Getdown with Joakim (DJ Set), Free The Robots (DJ Set), and Channel One at a secret location downtown; So Many Wizards, Kera and the Lesbians, and Motive at Bootleg Bar; Colleen Green, Beach Party & Radical Dads at the LA Fort; and Big Business and Aeges at The Echo.
SUNDAY
If you don't feel like hitting up the Vintage Clothing and Textile Show in Burbank, opt instead to start the day with free yoga at L'Ermitage at 11 a.m. Then, swing by Rush Street for brunch and a great shopping event, wherein you can grab vintage boots for $25, or 2 for $40, courtesy of The General Store.
After, travel out west to join Wanderlust for free yoga at the Santa Monica Pier, which will be on offer all afternoon. Or, go downtown for Grand Park's Sunday Sessions and performances by Audiofly, Droog, and Eduardo Castillo.
Later, grab a very broke-girl-friendly dinner at Top Round, the new casual restaurant which replaced the original Umami. Who knew roast beef could look this good?! Then, catch a performance of The Audience featuring Helen Mirren if you missed it on Saturday (or loved it so much you've got to go back). You could also check out one of the following shows: Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band at Amoeba; Green Galactic 20 Year Anniversary Celebration with Pole, John Tejada, and Plaid at California Plaza; IHC Sunday with Switch, Amtrac, and Stevie Be at Drai's; or Reggae Night XII Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, Stephen Marley, Third World.