Friday, October 23, 2009

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.

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

Brentwood Farmers' Market
FREE

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

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

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.

Monday, October 19, 2009

I See London, I See Wine

Thurs. Oct. 22

5-9pm, South of France Wine Tasting
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

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.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Thurs. Oct. 15th

Not into celeb sightings? Try vintage furniture.

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

Virginia Avenue Park
2601 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica
FREE

Food. Art galleries. Oh, and you.

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!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Jesus Is Sarah

Wed. Oct. 14th

8pm, Jesus is Magic
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!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

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.

Monday, October 12, 2009

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
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.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

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.)!

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

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.

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

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

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.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

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.

Friday, October 2, 2009

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

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
611 N. Fairfax
$14

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

Thursday, October 1, 2009

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)
Downtown
Hollywood
Long Beach
Mid City
- BLD
Pasadena
- The Melting Pot (by FAR the best deal here)
San Pedro
West Hollywood
- Taste (one of my favorite restaurants in LA)

Click here for a full list of participating restaurants.