Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Sat. Nov. 14th

11am-9pm, Mission Street Block Party

from Fair Oaks Pharmacy to City Hall

South Pasadena

FREE

Merchants to hold special open houses and hand out goody bags and discounts. Event to include strolling musicians and artists.

1-4pm, Fluxus Brentwood Opens

11677 San Vicente Blvd. Suite 109

Los Angeles

FREE

Meet head designer Jeffrey Sebelia, winner of Season 3 Project Runway and receive a 25% discount. Music and refreshments included.

Sun. Nov. 15th

9am-5pm, Eastside Metro Extension Grand Opening Party

East LA

FREE rides (for the Gold Line only)

Eight new metro rail stations from Downtown to East LA open at once, each featuring its own party! To include Chicano rock, Mariachi music, tasty food booths, local artisans, karaoke, and more.

12:30-5pm, National Bundt Day

Kiss My Bundt

8104 W. 3rd St.

Los Angeles

FREE

Sample slices of yummy cake, and get 15% off all purchases by mentioning YELP.

Neighborhood Parks

Sat. Nov. 14th

7pm, Inside Parks and Recreation

Paley Center for Media

465 N. Beverly Dr.

Beverly Hills

$15

The following cast members will appear in person to discuss their half hour mockumentary:

Amy Poehler, “Leslie Knope”
Aziz Ansari, "Tom Haverford"
Paul Schneider, "Mark Brendanowicz"
Nick Offerman, "Ron Swanson"
Greg Daniels, Cocreator/Executive Producer
Michael Schur, Cocreator/Executive Producer
Additional panelists to be announced.

Wild Coffee

Thurs. Nov. 12th

4-8pm, FREE 12 oz. Holiday Coffee Bean Drink

(at participating locations)

7pm, The Wild Bunch 40th Anniversary Event

Million Dollar Theater

307 S. Broadway

Los Angeles

$15

Stars attending include Billy Bob Thornton and Thomas Jane. Screening starts at 7:45. Click here to purchase tickets.

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Fri. Oct. 23rd

5-7pm, FREE Pumpkin FroYo at Cefiore

Click here for participating locations.

Sat. Oct. 24th

All Day, Firenze Osteria Grand Opening

4212 Lankershim Blvd.

North Hollywood

I was fortunate enough to check out Fabio Viviani's (of Top Chef fame) new restaurant during last night's media preview. The complimentary risotto alla salsiccia e funghi (sausage and mushroom risotto) and malfatti burro e salvia (spinach and ricotta dumplings) - made specially for my vegetarian date - were delish...as was the red wine. Great date spot if you don't mind the TV at the bar.

7am-3pm, LF Warehouse Sale

5333 McConnell Ave.

Los Angeles

80-90% off. I go every year. So should you.

11am-1pm, The Charm of Korean Cuisine

Korean Cultural Center

5505 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles

FREE

Renowned Korean food expert and director of The Institute of Korean Food, Sook-Ja Yoon, will be giving a lecture and workshop on the nutritional value and taste of Korean cuisine followed by a tasting of a variety of delectable dishes.

Sun. Oct. 25th

9am-2:30pm, Toyota Farm to Table Tour

Brentwood Farmers' Market

FREE

The best local chefs will prepare complimentary tastings featuring fare from their favorite farmers.

2-6pm, Bedrocktoberfest

Echo Park

FREE

Celebrate the opening of 8 state-of-the-art hourly music studios with an afternoon of music, food and their own brewery’s beer. Expect surprise guests, sneak peeks, and full access to recording studios.

6pm, High on Mackenzie

Book Soup

8818 Sunset Blvd.

West Hollywood

FREE

Mackenzie Phillips presents and signs High on Arrival.

Sat. Oct. 24th - Sun. Oct. 25th

11am-6pm, Brewery Art Walk

2100 N. Main St. Unit A10

Downtown

FREE

A biannual weekend at the world's largest art complex. Over 100 participating resident artists and the opportunity to purchase works directly from them at studio prices.

Thanks to FWJ readers Michael and Ami for the suggestion.

I See London, I See Wine

Thurs. Oct. 22

5-9pm, South of France Wine Tasting

Chic Wine Bar

5545 Pico Blvd.

Los Angeles

$25 (tax, tip, food, and wine!)

5 generous tastes paired with seasonal dishes. Coolhaus to serve wine-flavored ice cream.

Say Yes to These Events

Wed. Oct. 21st

7pm, The Yes Men Fix the World

Hammer Museum

10899 Wilshire Blvd.

Westwood

FREE

A documentary that follows two activists infiltrating the world of big business - on a mission to save civilization from its worst excesses. Directors Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno will be on hand for a pre-show meet and greet and post-show audience Q&A.

Tickets are available at the Billy Wilder Theater Box Office one hour prior to start time. Limit one per person on a first come, first served basis. No RSVP necessary.

8pm, Mortified LA

King King Hollywood

6555 Hollywood Blvd.

$16

"Ripped from the pages of real life, Mortified stars everyday adults sharing their most embarrassing and real childhood letters, lyrics, journals, home movies and artwork... in front of total strangers. Equal parts comedy, theater, & therapy."

FWJ reader Alessandra will be performing! Click here to purchase tickets.

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Thurs. Oct. 15th

Not into celeb sightings? Try vintage furniture.

7-10pm, tini Grand Opening

515 S. Fairfax Ave.

Los Angeles

Cocktails. Music. Shopping. RSVP to Jen@thisisnotikea.com.

Fri. Oct. 16th

4-7pm, Coffee Bean Giveaway

FREE 12 oz. Pumpkin Ice Blendeds or Pumpkin Lattes. One per person (or just hit up various locations and get five!).

7pm, Aimee Mann Concert

The Wiltern

3290 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles

$22.50 and up

Click here to purchase tickets.

Sat. Oct. 17th

10am-5pm, Art Walk & Vintage Auto Show

Virginia Avenue Park

2601 Pico Blvd.

Santa Monica

FREE

Food. Art galleries. Oh, and you.

8pm, Horrible Movie Night

The Complex

6476 Santa Monica Blvd.

(doors open at 7:15pm)

Hollywood

$8

"HMN exhumes forgotten and unwatched cinematic disasters, and invites your biting barbs and witty rejoinders." Prizes awarded for best comments of the evening.

This month they plan to "poison your palate" with 2004's Suburban Sasquatch. RSVP now to horriblemovienight@pacbell.net.

Thx to FWJ reader Jerilyn for the suggestion!

Jesus Is Sarah

Wed. Oct. 14th

8pm, Jesus is Magic

The Ivy Substation

9070 Venice Blvd.

Culver City

$20

Sarah Silverman's film followed by a Q&A with the actress herself. Click here to purchase tickets (courtesy of the WTF Festival). It's last minute, but there are still seats available!

Free Theatre Tix

It's not too late to reserve FREE tickets to shows in October like Eclipsed, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Steel Magnolias. Click here and then "find a show" on your left to see what's still available.

To learn more about the Theatre Communications Group (TCG) concept, click here.

Get Your Shine (and Sign) On

Thurs. Oct. 15th

All Day, Infatuated Promotion

Sephora

Hollywood & Highland Center

6801 Hollywood Blvd.

FREE

Meet Kim Kardashian and have her sign your new Infatuation lip gloss ($29).

6-9pm, Penguin's 3rd Anniversary

8215 Melrose Ave.

Complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, 25% off all purchases...gift bag with purchases over $75. RSVP at 323.655.0401 and bring this flyer.

7pm, Alicia Silverstone Book Signing

Book Soup

8818 W. Sunset Blvd.

Hollywood

The actress will present copies of her new book The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Losing Weight, Looking Great, Saving Yourself, the Animals, and the Planet! If you stay long enough to hear the entire title, she'll even sign copies for you.

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

For those not attending the FREE Jason Mraz concert in San Diego:

Fri. Oct. 9th - Sun. Oct. 11th

Buy one, get one FREE Peet's Coffee. Thx to FWJ reader Melody for the heads up.

Fri. Oct. 9th

7pm, The Deer Hunter Concert

The Knitting Factory

7021 Hollywood Blvd.

$20

Just show up (to Hollywood, not Hazel St.)!

9pm, Haunted Hayride (and Ghost Story)

Gillette Ranch

26800 Mulholland Hwy

Calabasas

$35

A small fee for the scare of a lifetime. Ticket includes ghost story (read to you by none other than actress Amy Smart) and a haunted hayride. Sound lame? Now picture being pulled in a hay-filled wagon in the middle of a dark forrest filled with spiders, insane asylum inmates, and creatures trying to snatch you away from your ride...

Sat. Oct. 10th

11am-4pm, A Taste of Dance

The Music Center

135 N. Grand Ave.

Downtown

$1 per lesson

Learn all different styles of dance for a buck a piece (each lesson is 20 minutes). Styles include Irish step, Columbian salsa, the moonwalk... I went last year with some friends and had a blast (the pop and lock class had my sides hurting from laughter).

6-9pm, Raising the Bar

Joe's

1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd.

Venice

$10

A mixology competition with bartenders from Comme Ca, Providence, and more. All cocktails (classic, rum-based, and "free style") to be judged by owners of competing restaurants (and you!). RSVP to Claudia at 310.392.5655.

8pm, Streep Tease

Bang Improv Studio

457 N. Fairfax Ave.

Los Angeles

$15

You don't have to be drunk to enjoy Meryl Streep monologues performed by men.

Sat. Oct. 10th - Sun. Oct. 11th

12pm, Beyond Eden

LA Municipal Art Gallery

4800 Hollywood Blvd.

FREE

Expanding on last year's East of Eden exhibit, this one features work from 15 galleries across LA.

Sun. Oct. 11th

11am-5pm, Luxury Chocolate Salon

Pasadena Center

$20 ($25 at the door)

Attendees can sample chocolate from all over the world, view demonstrations, attend chef and author talks, and sample some great wine to go with the delicious chocolate confections. Chocolatiers range from Marti Chocolatt to Clarine’s Florentines.

Click here to purchase tickets now.

The Pastor and The Porn Star

Wed. Oct. 7th

7:30-10pm, The Great Porn Debate

USC Bovard Auditorium

3551 Trousdale Pkwy

FREE

Pastor Craig Gross and porn star Ron Jeremy (they are actually friends) hold a public debate on what might as well be entitled "The Christian and The Jew."

Attendance is on a first come, first serve basis.

Chaya Brasserie Turns 25

To celebrate, all 3 locations (Beverly Hills, Venice, Downtown) are offering 3-course meals for $25...the entire month of October!

Dishes range from shrimp tempura sushi rolls to pinot noir braised boneless short ribs. Click here for Dig Lounge's experience.

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Sat. Oct. 3rd

7-9:30pm, Nelly Greenfield Salon's Open House

11731 Barrington Ct.

FREE

The latest fall fashions for hair, makeup, and jewelry. Complimentary food and beverages. Live entertainment.

Sun. Oct. 4th

10am-6pm, West Hollywood Book Fair

West Hollywood Park

647 N. San Vicente Blvd.

FREE

Artists, panels, book signings, and Cirque du Soleil's "Kooza." Featured artists to include Carol Channing and Amber Tamblyn.

8pm, Comedy Death-Ray

The Cinefamily

611 N. Fairfax

$14

Weird Al hosts an evening to include film Top Secret. Click here to purchase tickets now.

Dine LA

Oct. 4th - 9th & Oct. 11th - 16th

DineLA Restaurant Week is back! This means 3 course meals at super reasonable prices!

FWJ Favorites include:

Beverly Hills

- Coupa Cafe (arepas... OMG OMG OMG)

- Il Fornaio

- Tanzore

Downtown

- Lawry's

- Nick & Stef's Steakhouse

- Tiara Cafe

- Warung Cafe

- LA Bistro

- Zucca

Hollywood

- Luna Park

- Pig 'N Whistle

- The Happy Ending

Long Beach

- Southern Roadhouse

- Fuego

Mid City

- BLD

- Cube

Pasadena

- La Grande Orange

- Maison Akira

- The Melting Pot (by FAR the best deal here)

- Vertical Wine Bistro

San Pedro

- Ports 'O Call

West Hollywood

- Taste (one of my favorite restaurants in LA)

- The Hall Courtyard Brasserie

Click here for a full list of participating restaurants.

Taste This Thursday

Thurs. Oct. 1st

11am-1pm

Mrs. Fields locations

FREE chocolate chip cookies in celebration of National Cookie Month.

5:30-9:30pm, Taste of Downtown Burbank

On San Fernando between Magnolia & Orange Grove

To benefit the local YMCA scholarship fund, downtown Burbank’s restaurants will serve samples of their best recipes. Combined with live music and a beer garden, what could go wrong?

Click here to order tickets.

Amoeba's Monday Movie

Mon. Sept. 28th

3-6pm, FREE Weaver's Coffee

Vicente Foods

12027 San Vicente Blvd.

If you're not fasting for Yom Kippur...

8pm, Anvil Screening

Space15Twenty

1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd.

Hollywood

While I'm not a huge fan of the setting (it's a little difficult to hear the movie over people's chatter), it's supposed to be an amazing film and it's FREE.

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Thurs. Sept. 24th - Sun. Sept. 27th

Annette Benning in Medea. Perhaps the only time I wish I were a UCLA student ($20 tickets!).

Thurs. Sept. 24th

3-7pm, Carvel Customer Appreciation Day

Click here for your nearest location.

FREE Oreo ice cream sandwiches (called "Lil' Rounders"). Thx to LA Decostified for the find.

6-9pm, Fred Segal PreSale (up to 50% off)

8100 Melrose Ave.

West Hollywood

RSVP here.

Sun. Sept. 27th

7-9pm, Dexter LA Premiere Screening

W. Los Angeles

Whiskey Blue

930 Hilgard Ave.

Westwood

FREE

Catch the new season of Dexter while sipping complimentary "killer" cocktails.

Fri. Sept. 25th - Sun. Sept. 27th

10am-8pm, 7 for All Mankind Warehouse Sale

Los Angeles Convention Center

West Hall

1201 S. Figueroa St.

Downtown

Click here to RSVP.

Jest and John

Tues. Sept. 22nd

8-9:30pm, Infinite Summer's David Foster Wallace Celebration
Skylight Books
1818 N Vermont Ave.

FREE

To celebrate the late David Foster Wallace’s book Infinite Jest, head to Skylight tonight for cookies, cake, and "refreshments." Expected guests include The Office's John Krasinski, whose film Brief Interviews with Hideous Men was my favorite movie at Sundance. It opens next week and John is rumored to sign posters.

A 20% discount on all books over 800 pages.

Track the Truckers

Finally, a website to track all those darn food trucks that park outside my building. Thanks to LAist for the discovery (and for our office's soon to be smelly bathroom).

Big Impact Movie

Wed. Sept. 23rd

7pm, No Impact Man

Central Library

630 W. 5th St.

FREE

Environmental reporter Judith Lewis discusses Colin Beaven's film, a documentary about his family’s yearlong experiment to live a zero waste lifestyle in New York City.  Beaven also shares clips.

Click here to RSVP.

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

For those not making the trip to Taste of Ojai:

Fri. Sept. 18th

10am-5pm, Maybelline Color Sensational Launch Tour

Hollywood & Highland Center

6801 Hollywood Blvd.

FREE

Stop by for lip shade matching & complimentary lip overs by New York makeup artists.

8:30pm, Dead Man's Bones

Bob Baker Marionette Theater

1345 W. 1st St. at Glendale Blvd.

Downtown

$20

Watch Ryan Gosling warm up his creepy goth/folk vocals before going on tour (accompanied by the Silverlake Conservatory Children's Choir).

Call 213.250.9995 to purchase tix.

Sat. Sept. 19th

10am-5pm, BCBG & Ella Moss Sample Sale

Residence Inn

1177 S. Beverly Dr.

FREE

Over 2,000 tops, dresses, and handbag up to 70% off (an additional 10% with cash purchases)!

7-9pm, Spaces Opening

WC Gallery

Food + Lab Cafe & Marketplace

7253 Santa Monica Blvd.

Clement Jolin's color photography exhibit will be featured in...this amazing restaurant's bathroom. If the event itself doesn't pique your interest, the food and beverages being served should. Food Lab is a hidden gem of West Hollywood. If you don't believe me, try their gorgonzola dolce sandwich.

Free Fekkai

Thurs. Sept. 17th

10am-9pm, Shampoo Swap
Saks Fifth Avenue

Get this: bring in a full size shampoo bottle (full or EMPTY!) and receive a FREE bottle of Fekkai Advanced shampoo of your choice. One per customer while supplies last.

Dine L-Yay!

Wed. Sept. 23rd - Thurs. Sept. 24th

Enjoy two progressive dinners, featuring 7 dineLA restaurants over a 2 day period. Each dinner is limited to 40 people, so be sure to snag tickets now. Between the Downtown and Santa Monica options, the SM one (Whist, Anisette Brasserie, and The Dining Room) is the most FWJ friendly at $39 a head.

Thanks to Food GPS for the find.

Red Carpets, Red Roses

Mon. Sept. 14th

9am, Red Carpet Lottery

(thru Sept. 20th)

For those who have a thing for Oscar, click here to register for your chance to sit on the red carpet bleachers during next year's Academy Awards.  Did I mention registration is FREE?

7pm, LAGG Party

R Bar

3331 W. 8th St.

Koreatown

To celebrate LA Guerilla Gardening's birthday, they are inviting you to live music, tasty snacks and FREE drinks.  Password to get in = "Seed Bomb."

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Fri. Sept. 11th - Sun. Sept. 13th

10am-6pm, Larchmont Sidewalk Sale. Need I say more?

Sat. Sept. 12th

9:30-11am, Huntington's Yoga Series

The Huntington Library and Gardens

1151 Oxford Ave.

San Marino

$25

Enjoy a yoga class in one of the most beautiful settings in LA an hour before the public can gain entry. Garden locations will vary every week (such as the lilly pond). Advanced registration necessary, so call 626.405.2100 to reserve a space.

5-8pm, Pizza Fusion Grand Opening

2901 Ocean Park Blvd.

Santa Monica

Enjoy food samplings from their organic menu of pizza, sandwiches, and salads, as well as FREE organic beer and live music!

Sun. Sept. 13th

7pm, Mean Girls Screening

W Hotel WET Pool

930 Hilgard Ave.

Westwood

FREE

Every week through Sept. 27th, they will be screening a film (The Duchess and Major League to follow). One of the last movies of the series.

Big Opening

Thurs. Sept. 10th

7-11pm, Big Man Bakes Grand Opening

413 S. Main St.

If you plan on attending the Downtown Art Walk (to check out local talent like Robert Vargas), stop by Big Man Bakes and enjoy FREE cupcakes!

You Won't Be Bored

Wed. Sept. 9th

7-10pm, Bored to Death Screening

SmogShoppe

2651 S. La Cienega Blvd.

FREE

HBO presents an exclusive screening of their new comedy, and you are invited to attend. RSVP now for complimentary food and beverage!

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Fri. Sept. 4th - Wed. Sept. 9th

Fig

Fairmont Miramar Hotel

101 Wilshire Blvd.

Inspired by the Santa Monica Pier Centennial (Wed. Sept. 9th), the chef is offering "grown-up" pier indulgences - ranging from lobster corn dogs to bratwurst on pretzel rolls ($5-$14) every day leading up the celebration. Click here to view the full menu.

Sat. Sept. 5th

National Bowling Day

Click here to find out how you and your friends can bowl for FREE!

50% off Harry's Hat...

3413 Cahuenga Blvd. W.

Universal City

...if you wear your college gear. What a great way to check out this new bar, created by the owners of Luna Park.

Sat. Sept. 5th - Mon. Sept. 7th

10am-midnight, LA County Fair - Opening Weekend

(closes at 10pm on the 7th)

The Fairplex

1101 W. McKinley Ave.

Pomona

$1

**Note that prices shoot up to $12-$17 per day (on weekends) after Labor Day, so if you're not going out of town, take advantage of your staycation here.

Deep fried oreos. Need I say more?

Carnival rides. Pig races. The Beach Boys. Might have to pass on the chocolate-covered bacon. Actually, definitely have to pass on the chocolate-covered bacon. God, how am I doing so far? Click here to join me now through Oct. 4th.

Sun. Sept. 6th

8pm, Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Hollywood Forever Cemetery

6000 Santa Monica Blvd.

$10

"You realize if we played by the rules, right now we'd be in gym?"

Truly Discounted

Truly Vegan

5907 Hollywood Blvd.

Are you a vegan on a budget? Have you been wanting to try soy chicken or rice-free sushi? If so, Truly owner Nida is offering a 15% discount to FWJ readers for all orders over $20. Take advantage of this now and be sure to bring in a print out of this article for confirmation.

Dine in only.

Cycled Cells

Thanks to FWJ reader Karolyn, you can now make $$ from your old cell phones. Click here to find out how (it's easy!).

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Sat. Aug. 29th

2:30-4:30pm, Open Improv Workshop

The Second City

6560 Hollywood Blvd., 2nd fl.

$25

If you were ever considering taking classes here, now is the time to do it.  Take this discounted 2 hr. intro class, and a $25 credit will be applied if you decide to sign up.

5-10pm, Brothers & Sisters Art Show

Gallery 800

5108 Lankershim Blvd.

North Hollywood

Presumably not as cool as the artwork on my show, but pretty sweet nonetheless.  Support FWJ friends Elysse and Cole as their coworkers (cast & crew) present personal art pieces during this TV show's opening reception.

8pm, Silent Sleepover

611 N. Fairfax Ave.

$12

How many times can you say, "Bring a sleeping bag" to a movie theatre?  At least once, because tonight, the Silent Movie Theatre will be screening 6 features (ranging from Little Darlings to Meatballs 2) in a row - all of which feature a summer camp theme.  If you're able to stay awake, eggs and other breakfast treats await in the am.  DJing and s'mores on the patio!

Convinced?  Click here to buy tix now.

Sun. Aug. 30th

Tim Robbins hosts the afternoon gala for The Trial of the Catonsville 9, which runs this weekend only at The Actors' Gang.

All Weekend

Ninja Warrior Tryouts

2861 Los Feliz Blvd.

Yes, I watch G4.  I know it may not seem so from my photos, but I'm a huge fan of this Japanese game show.  If you are, too, and you've ever thought, "I normally wouldn't be into breaking my collarbone, but since it's on national TV..." this is the competition for you.

Besides, if you make the final 10, you win a FREE trip to Japan!

Trip to Vegas

If you can road trip before Sept. 7th and can book before Monday, check out the ridiculously reduced prices at these hotels through Expedia.

Cocktail Thursday

Thurs. Aug. 27th

6-9pm

Benefit Cosmetics Boutique

8387 W. 3rd St.

Celebrate the launch of The Cocktail Hours, featuring complimentary gift bags, Starlet Martinis, and mini makeovers.

Contact info@thecocktailhours.com to RSVP, and do so soon since space is limited.