Before heading into that glorious two day respite we call the weekend, all of us here at Broke Girls Guide like to reflect on the last four days we've, ahem, endured. Despite our best efforts, the goals we set for ourselves at the outset of each new week ("gym and kale every day!") become distant to do's in the face of long workdays, unexpected calls from crushes, and irresistible invites.
Before diving into the insanity of the weekend, take a second to click here and enter our Whole Foods Gift Card giveaway. It could land you a lot of kale (see above) and it's an easy way to reaffirm your commitment to getting super fit and staying uber healthy.
Done? Good. Now let's move onto the fun stuff: a free music fest, a special LA-wide shopping bonanza, and more...
Friday
All Over LA
Hit up ThreadCrawl: It's basically like a beer crawl, but instead of empty calories and a big belly, you get huge discounts at high-end stores throughout Los Angeles (think: Blue Jeans Bar in Santa Monica, Flannel in Venice and Joie in West Hollywood and Pasadena). Tickets are $17--but we prefer to think of them more as a passport to savings. Good through Sunday.
West LA/Westwood
No Age may be LA's most celebrated punk band of recent memory, but their music is anything but one-dimensional. With elements of experimental post-rock, shoe-gaze and ambient, their latest album has something for everyone. They play the Hammer Museum. Free entry; doors open at 7 pm.
Silver Lake
We mentioned this earlier in the week, but a $5 James Murphy DJ set deserves repeat reminders.RSVP here for discounted entry, and line up early.
Other Shows
The Stones Throw Soul Tour Revue with Peanut Butter Wolf, Dam-Funk, The Stepkids, Myron & E, Southern Soleros at the Glass House. 7 pm; tickets here ($20).
The Echo Presents THEM Jeans, Dirty Dave, Raw Geronimo, et al at the Echoplex. 8:30 pm; tickets here ($10).
Wide Streets, Twin Steps, Gothic Tropic at Pehrspace. 9 pm; $5.
Saturday
West LA/Westwood
Attend a special edition of Wellness Weekends at the W Hotel in Westwood. BYOM (mat, duh) pilates plus free mimosa go down as usual, followed by a poolside pop-up boutique with fashion-forward active wear from Carbon38. RSVP to rsvpwlaevents@whotels.com.
West Hollywood
Whole Foods, meet vinyl. You heard us! Your favorite healthy food store is now hawking contemporary and classic records, from Daft Punk to the Rolling Stones. They also collaborated with do-good West Hollywood-based music startup LSTN Headphones to make sure your tunes are coming across crystal clear. The launch party goes down Saturday at Fairfax/Santa Monica Blvd., with live performances from Dawes, Yellow Red Sparks, Javier Dunn, Cary Brothers and Jesse Thomas, Whole Foods freebies, and raffle prizes. 11-4 pm; free. (And don't forget to enter our Whole Foods $50 Gift Card giveaway!)
Downtown
Seriously you guys: LA Taco & Music Festival. The grub fest goes down at Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights, 12-5 pm; free.
H2O Music Festival with A Tribe Called Quest, Big Boi and Frankie J. State Historic Park, 3:30 pm; tickets here ($45).
Echo Park
In only its third year, Echo Park Rising has become a beloved east side fixture, part music festival, part local business spotlight; in our eyes, all good. Enjoy food trucks, a variety of stages with performances throughout Saturday and Sunday, and discounts at participating retailers around the area. Free with RSVP, here.
Other Shows
Echo Park Rising continues into the night at Echo Country Outpost, a not-so-underground after hours (and after party) spot with a live performance by Nathan Xander, a cheap cash bar, and plenty of upper level patio space to mingle. Kicks off at midnight.
Queens of the Stone Age at the Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal City Walk, 8 pm.
The Decoders at Steady Groovin', 10 pm.
Sunday
All Over LA
August is one of the most popular months for moving, and if you're thinking about ditching your current walk-in-closet-sized set-up for a new place with walk in closets, take a peek at our Broke Girl's Guide to renting in LA. We break it down by price range and neighborhood, so you can spend less time scouring Craigslist for listings and more time daydreaming about all the stuff you'll fill your new apartment with.
Angel City Brewery hosts Barks, Bubbles & Brews. It's exactly what it sounds like: Throw down a ten spot, Hand Rover over to the grooming experts from Much Love Animal Rescue and enjoy a beer with fellow Angeleno canine aficionados while your dog gets the star treatment. 15% of proceeds go to the rescue group, and you get a chore done. If only all Sundays could be this sweet. 12-3 pm.
West LA/Westwood
Don't feel like making the trip downtown? Westsiders can check out a summertime BBQ at Freddy Smalls. All the fixings you'd expect, plus beer-steamed Maryland blue crab, a beer truck and DJs spinning hip-hop, funk and soul. Tickets are $45, but all you can eat.
Shows:
Best Coast with Bleached and Lovely Bad Things at the El Rey Theatre, 8 pm; tickets $25.
Rebelution & Matisyahu: The Good Vibes Summer Tour 2013 at the Santa Barbara Bowl, 5 pm; tickets $43.
