Vegan Beer Festival
Sample vegan brews from more than 15 breweries and vegan eats from a variety of LA-area restaurants and food trucks at the fourth annual Vegan Beer Festival this Saturday. 1 pm; unlimited tastings; Roxy Theater, 9009 W Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069; Tickets: GA: $40 (advance)/$50 (day of); VIP (Early noon entry, exclusive beer tasting, access to VIP lounge) $50 (advance)/$60 (day of); Non-Drinking: $15 (advance)/$20 (day of); They partnered with SideCar, new users get a $20 SideCar credit by entering promo code LAVBF.
Dinners at One-Eyed Gypsy
One-Eyed Gypsy is a kind of anything-goes bar. They’ve now brought in a Top Chef guy to do a bunch of dinners, and he’s thinking offal salad and a whole fried chicken. Who doesn’t like fried chicken? Every Tuesday & Sunday in May, 901 E 1st St, Downtown
Philosophie Tasting Event at Equinox
This event features samples of Philosophie Superfood Smoothies to help fuel your workout. Equinox non-members are also invited to join and will be given a three-day pass to use the gym and try out their amazing classes! May 4, 9-11 am; Equinox, 1835 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West LA
Exhale Santa Monica
Relax and join this yoga event this weekend. Learn great ways to incorporate yoga into your daily routine. May 5, 2-3:15 pm; Fairmont Miramar Hotel, 101 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica
Art in the Afternoon
Join in hands-on with art workshops, nail art, an aquarium on wheels, and made-to-order ice cream from Nitro Dreams at this annual family fundraiser hosted by Disney’s G. Hannelius. All proceeds benefit A Window Between Worlds, the only national nonprofit dedicated to using art to help end domestic violence. Tickets ($20-45); Sunday, noon-4 pm; Venice Skills Center, 611 Fifth Ave., Venice; 310.396.0317.
Cochon 555
Five local chefs fight to win at all things Pork at the snout-to-tail charity battle. Pig out on their dishes, along with craft cheeses, oysters, and pork-spiked desserts. Wash it all down with endless tastings of wine, bourbon, and beer. Then, head upstairs to Cochon 555’s fifth birthday bash with heritage barbecue, mezcal ice cream, and bourbon snow cones and shmooze with past contenders and fellow swine connoisseurs. Event ($125-$200) and after-party ($55) tickets at cochon555.com; Sunday, 5 pm; House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood.
1st Annual Angel City Heritage, Music & Arts Festival
The downtown brewery Angel City‘s officially opening! Celebrate the culture and spirit of the Downtown Los Angeles Arts District in the First Annual Angel City Heritage, Music & Arts Festival. It’s a day of music, art, brews and food from the Seoul Sausage Truck, The Melt, Son of a Bun, and Peddler’s Creamery. A percentage of the day’s proceeds will go to Art Share L.A. Art Share L.A. is a sanctuary for the arts in Downtown Los Angeles, providing home to 30 artists in residents through our subsidized live/work lofts and community access to a 14,000 sq ft creative art center. If you take the Metro; the brewery is only a few blocks from the Little Tokyo/Arts District stop on the Gold Line. They also partnering with Side Car, and they will provide a credit for a free ride to everyone who checks in to their mobile app during Heritage Festival. $4 parking at 10 am at 723 E. 2nd St. and 124 S. Garey St.
One Colorado’s Saturday Nights in May
In collaboration with LA Music Academy, One Colorado presents live music in the Courtyard every Saturday night in May. Free; music starts at 7 pm; 24 East Union St., Pasadena, 91103; 626.564.1066
Complimentary Portraits for LGBTQ Couples
Los Angeles-based photographer Susan Slade Sanchez is offering complimentary portraits for LGBTQ couples. Walk-ins are welcome anytime between noon-3 pm. Participants receive two copies of their portrait. ForYourArt, 6020 Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile
EAT. DRINK. ART.
This is a night to meet friends, socialize, and celebrate the creative process. Nosh on food from LA’s food trucks like Heirloom La, Border Grill, Coolhaus, Mandolin Grill, and Flat Iron and drink Silverlake Wine and beer from Eagle Rock Brewery, while you experience performances by artists, watch live professional models for studio drawing, watch live pottery throwing, and join a paintball gallery. It all goes down while KCRW DJ Dan Wilcox rocks the house. Saturday; Tickets: 6:30–8 pm, VIP Reception ($50 in advance: $60 at door), silent auction preview, drinks (3) & hors d’oeuvres; 8 pm–Midnight, General Admission ($25 in advance; $30 at door; includes 3 drink tastings); Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, 90027; 323.644.6269
Dreamers Dose
This indie-psych-rock band recently opened up for Manchester Orchestra at HOB in WeHo and they are playing at The Echo tonight. Dreamers Dose are a fresh young LA rock band, heavily influenced by some of the great psych/alt rock bands like Brian Jonestown Massacre, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Queens of the Stone Age. The band is currently finishing up their full-length debut with producer Alain Johannes (Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures). Over the past few years they’ve opened for Band of Skulls, Dead Sara and Vanaprasta among many others.
First Fridays
Local merchants on or near Abbot Kinney come together every month to feature the best artists, gifts, products and music in the area. Local charities benefit as art junkies, couples and families descend on the always funky beach community. And, of course, beverages are available. Free; 6-10 pm
First Fridays at The Natural History Museum
Head downtown for tours, discussions, music, and DJs. This time around they are featuring music from Javelin and Helado Negro. Plus, the DJ Lounge has Anthony Valadez and Matthewdavid. Tickets; 5-10 pm; 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007; 213.763.DINO
The Goonies
Want a quieter, non Cinco de Mayo Sunday? head to the Egyptian Theater for a screening of The Goonies. Discussion with Richard Donner follows the film. $11; Sunday, 4 pm; 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028
Proper Barber Shop Turns 3
To celebrate their anniversary, they’re throwing an all-day bar-b-que. Monster energy drinks and Sailor Jerry Rum will get you in the spirit for a bean bag toss tournament, and the BBQ. May 5, 12 pm; 7950 West 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048
Bar Nineteen12
Sample the Kentucky Derby’s signature cocktail, The Mint Julep, among other classic whiskey cocktails, like Old-Fashions, Manhattans and Sazeracs, while watching the race inside the bar or outside on its terrace overlooking Sunset Boulevard. Complimentary whiskey tastings courtesy of Heaven Hill Distilleries will be offered on the outside terrace from 2-4 pm. Throughout the afternoon’s festivities,you are encouraged to enter a “Best Hat” contest and the winner will receive brunch for four in the Polo Lounge. The fun continues after the races with live music by crooner Eddie Wakes from 4-7 pm, following an evening performance by Latin-soul singer Quetzal Guerrero from 9 pm-12:30 am. For resys: 310.273.1912.
Township Saloon
They are serving up Mint Juleps at their Kentucky Derby Party this Saturday from noon-5. Plus, they are having a Best Hat Competition and “Hot Brown” Sandwiches.
Tom Bergin’s
Chow down on bourbon-pecan pie, drink specials and “pretzels and ponies,” (a big soft pretzel plus a flight of beer), from noon-5 pm. 840 S Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036; 323.936.7151
Los Angeles Athletic Club
This private club opens its doors to the public with a party that includes a mint julep, a Southern food buffet, games, live music and a chance to check out the new Marcos Tello/Aidan Demarest-fueled Invention Room lounge. $42/person; 431 W 7th St., Los Angeles, CA 90014; 213.625.2211
Seven Grand
The party starts at noon with $9 juleps and big screens for the ponies. 515 W 7th St #2 Los Angeles, CA 90014; 213.614.0737
See all Kentucky Derby events here.
Los Lobos Cinco de Mayo Festival
The Greek Theatre kicks off its summer season with the festival that features Los Lobos with Robert Randolph, Los Super 7, Willie G of Thee Midnighters, in addition to special guests Kinky, El Chicano and Pedro Torres Y Su Mariachi. The Greek Theatre Plaza Stage will feature La Santa Cecilia, Los Fabulocos and Making Movies for a full day of music and celebration beginning at 3 pm. $25-70. 2700 N Vermont Ave., greektheatrela.com
El Chavo
This Los Feliz hotspot never disappoints with its annual Cinco de Mayo party; this year it’s four days long. The fiesta takes over the entire restaurant and back patio. Expect live entertainment, drink specials, taco cart on the patio and more. May 2-5; 4441 Sunset Blvd., L.A., 323.664.0871.
Wanderlust Cinco de Mayo Pool Party
Join in Cinco de Mayo Yoga Pool Party with Cristi Christiansen, Riyaana Hartley & Vanessa Kudrat, featuring DJ Fabian Alsultany. Bring a bathing suit, towel, Yoga mat & sunscreen. Plus, there is a raffle, give aways, and brunch after! Free; 9 am; Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel; must RSVP
New Era’s Cinco de Mayo Party
Head to New Era’s Melrose store for a catered taco bar, drinks by Jarritos, live art by Mimi Yoon, tunes by DJ HAPA, and spin-art with the Scratch Academy. May 5, 1-4 pm; 8001 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046
Sprinkles Cupcakes
Los Angeles’ classic cupcake spot rolls out new margarita flavored cupcakes for the holiday. It’s made with key lime tequila cake topped with key lime frosting and dusted with salt around the rim.
See all Cinco de Mayo events here.
