Monday, August 29, 2011

Labor Day in LA - What to Do This Holiday Weekend

Been slaving away all month and so looking forward to the holiday weekend!  And there's plenty to keep us entertained - we might need an extra day to recover! 

Below are some highlights, with ways to save on most of them, including The Taste, a 4-day wine and food festival intended to celebrate all things epicurean with events around the city from Beverly Hills to Hollywood, to Downtown. We were disappointed with the LA Times Food & Wine event at Paramount Studios' backlot last year, and it sounds like they've made improvements, offering AYCE food & wine with the price of admission.  I haven't decided whether I'll give it another try - but those who are curious, I've sifted through to find the most interesting sounding ones, and with the 40% off discount, it seems just a little more palateable. Details below.

*** FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd ***

Los Angeles Times Food & Wine The Taste
Art of Mixing Hollywood, The Studios at Paramount 9pm-12am
KCRW’s Jason Bentley will DJ the opening before live music from a Latin-inspired punk band. Attend an exclusive cooking/mixology demo with Chef Ricardo Zarate (Food & Wine’s Best New Chef in America, Mo-Chica), John Rivera Sedlar (Rivera, Playa) and Julian Cox (mixologist, Rivera). Unlimited tastings including from Eva Restaurant and Guelaguetza, wineries, breweries and spirits.
Cost: $125

[DEAL ALERT: Save 40% off tickets using code "Family" or "Web" when purchasing through Eventbrite]


Nordstrom Rack - Clear the Racks Sale Up to 75% off!!! All weekend through September 5th
Shop Nordstrom Rack's sale at up to 75% off - check website for store locations.  This sale actually starts August 30th and runs through September 5th.  Hope they'll have my fav jeans on sale!!!


*** SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3th ***

Los Angeles Times Food & Wine The Taste
Secrets from the Kitchen & Cellar Beverly Hills, 9900 Wilshire Blvd. 11am-3pm

Learn the secrets behind Scarpetta owner, Scott Conant’s signature Italian cooking style. Check out an exclusive interview with celebrity couple Chef Ludo & Krissy Lefebvre (12:45-1:45pm). See what Michael Voltaggio is cooking up. You can also sample (unlimited) the latest dishes from top L.A. restaurants like Picca / Mo-Chica, Sotto, Craft and Chaya (and newcomers like La Seine) and wines.

Cost: $150

Los Angeles Times Food & Wine The Taste
Taco Tequila Tryst Hollywood, The Studios at Paramount 7-10pm
Roy Choi, 'godfather' of the gourmet food truck craze, hosts L.A.’s best taco artists in creating one-of-a-kind tacos, all set to live music.  Wash down AYCE bites from Chichen Itza to Border Grill to Yamashiro (and of course, Kogi) with Hornitos tequila and Don Q rum and more.

Cost: $125
 
[DEAL ALERT: Save 40% off tickets using code "Family" or "Web" when purchasing through Eventbrite]

Long Beach Greek Festival Sept. 3-5 noon-9pm
LA residents would be hard-pressed to find reasons to trek down to the LBC on a normal day - but this might be a fun reason to.  The Long Beach Greek Festival is a self-described "cultural event of Olympian proportions"! The event includes Greek food, wine, beer and ouzo, cooking classes, live music, dance performances and lessons, shopping and a carnival for the kids.

Cost: $3 admission


Fiesta Hermosa Sept. 3–5 10am-6pm
Get the most of beach weather while it lasts just a bit longer at this community event with more than 270 painters, photographers, ceramicists, jewelers, sculptors and crafters, two stages of live music, food court with 18 different kinds of ethnic eateries, Charity Beer & Wine Garden with local microbrews, and a Kiddie Carnival.

Cost: Free admission

Fly Over LA - Private Flight Lesson
Private hands-on flight lesson from a FAA-certified instructor -Fly over iconic landmarks including the Hollywood sign, downtown LA, Malibu and Santa Monica Pier!  Take home souvenirs: logbook, instructor endorsement and digital photo to remember the experience.


With the current Travelzoo deal at Encore Flight Academy in Van Nuys you can purchase now and redeem starting Saturday September 3rd (through March 6th, 2012). 

Cost: $89 for private lesson worth $200 via Travelzoo local deal!!
(Also available: $140 for $380 lesson that also includes ground instruction and flight simulator training)



*** SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th ***


Los Angeles Times Food & Wine The Taste
Fashion Bites Brunch Beverly Hills, Rodeo Dr. 10 am-2 pm
Over 30 LA brunch spots from Fig & Olive, to The Blvd at the Beverly Wilshire will serve up unlimited samples of signature dishes alongside bottomless Bloody Marys, Bellinis and mimosas among Beverly Hills' finest fashion houses on Rodeo Drive.

Cost: $150

Los Angeles Times Food & Wine The Taste

Food Noir Downtown, Broadway between 8th and 9th 8pm-12am

Food and film come together in a creative experience. Broadway, between 8th and 9th streets will be closed as chefs serve up ‘noir’ inspired dishes, wine and spirits. Get unlimited tastings from the First & Hope Supper Club, Auntie Em's Kitchen, Terroni, Chaya, Xioia, The Varnish, The Misfit, Seven Grand and more (see site for full list). Pop into the iconic Orpheum Theatre to catch classic Warner Bros. cartoons, vintage newsreels and trailers for legendary films from Hitchcock, DeMille and more.

Cost: $125

[DEAL ALERT: Save 40% off tickets using code "Family" or "Web" when purchasing through Eventbrite]


Long Beach Greek Festival Sept. 3-5 noon-9pm

As mentioned above: a self-described "cultural event of Olympian proportions"! The event includes Greek food, wine, beer and ouzo, cooking classes, live music, dance performances and lessons, shopping and a carnival for the kids.

Cost: $3 admission

Fiesta Hermosa Sept. 3–5 10am-6pm

As mentioned above: beachside community event with more than 270 painters, photographers, ceramicists, jewelers, sculptors and crafters, two stages of live music, food court with 18 different kinds of ethnic eateries, Charity Beer & Wine Garden with local microbrews, and a Kiddie Carnival.

Cost: Free admission

Fly Over LA - Private Flight Lesson
As mentioned above, you can get a private hands-on flight lesson from a FAA-certified instructor -Fly over iconic LA landmarks and take home a logbook, instructor endorsement and digital photo to remember the experience. All for $89!

Cost: $89 for private lesson worth $200 via Travelzoo local deal!! Deal at Encore Flight Academy in Van Nuys.
(Also available: $140 for $380 lesson that also includes ground instruction and flight simulator training)



*** MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th ***

Los Angeles Times Food & Wine The Taste
Picnic in the Hills Beverly Hills, 9900 Wilshire Blvd. 12-4pm
Event hosted by Giada De Laurentiis from Food Network. Enjoy demos including cupcake making with Sprinkles Cupcakes founder, wine seminars, and an interview with "Hungry Girl" host and best-selling author Lisa Lillien, and family-focused events throughout the afternoon.

Cost: $150 (Children 14 and under free)

[DEAL ALERT: Save 40% off tickets using code "Family" when purchasing through Eventbrite]

Need help sorting through all The Taste events? Check out The Taste iPhone app which offers the ability to create customized schedules and to quickly search through the stars at the event!

LACMA - Target Free Holiday Mondays
Free* day at the museum (all day) and enjoy a live music performance.  Stop by Ray's & Stark Bar to fuel up after wandering through the museum.

Cost: Free admission to museum (excludes Tim Burton exhibit or any specially ticketed exhibits).  Ray's & Stark Bar food/drinks for purchase.

Descanso Gardens - Boddy's Big Backyard
Inspired by legendary parties that E. Manchester Boddy hosted in the 1930s and ’40s, Descanso celebrates with music, food and garden activities for the whole family:
  • 10am Walk through the California Natives Garden
  • Noon American rock and bluegrass at Under the Oaks Theater
  • 11am-3pm Gourmet barbecue from Patina on the Main Lawn (or bring your own picnic).
Cost: Activities free with admission (General admission $8. Senior/Students $6. Kids 5-12 years $3. Guild members and kids under 5 free.
Long Beach Greek Festival Sept. 3-5 noon-9pm
As mentioned above - the event includes Greek food, wine, beer and ouzo, cooking classes, live music, dance performances and lessons, shopping and a carnival for the kids!

Cost: $3 admission

Fiesta Hermosa Sept. 3–5 10am-6pm

As mentioned above - maximize beach time at this community event with more than 270 painters, photographers, ceramicists, jewelers, sculptors and crafters, two stages of live music, food court with 18 different kinds of ethnic eateries, Charity Beer & Wine Garden with local microbrews, and a Kiddie Carnival.

Cost: Free admission


What will you do this weekend?  Do share in the comments!

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