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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Fri. Aug. 14th

7pm, Book Signing

Book Soup

8818 Sunset Blvd.

West Hollywood

Elaine Madsen, mother of actors Matthew and Virginia Madsen (of Sideways fame), will be on hand to sign copies of her new book Crayola Can't Make These Colors.  Virginia will be present to introduce her mom.

Sat. Aug. 15th

11am-8pm, Bleu Sale

454 S. La Brea

As if 30%-75% isn't enough, the store will be offering cocktails and hors d'oeuvres during a shopping spree that is sure to make you anything but blue :D

4pm, Lingerie & Sugar Blues

S Factor

5225 Wilshire Blvd.  #222

For women who have never tried S Factor, the original pole dancing and striptease workout, you are missing out.  I did so last month and was pleasantly surprised.  Not only did I learn my first (and so far only!) pole trick, but I also woke up the next morning feeling it in my thighs.

Normally classes are pretty steep; however today you can test the new workout for FREE.  RSVP to 323.965.9685 and hurry.  Classes fill up faster than you can say, "teach me to lap dance!"

Thx to FWJ reader Megan for the heads up!

8-10pm, Readymade Film Festival

316 W. 2nd St.

Downtown

$10

2 hours of amazing shorts focused on social consciousness, directed by emerging talent (including FWJ reader Flor).

8pm-2am, Ghettogloss Grand Opening

6109 Melrose Ave.

FREE

The beloved Silverlake art gallery and boutique has officially moved, and they want to celebrate with you.  Bring your favorite shirt or article of clothing, and have it transformed by one of their silk screeners.  Cocktails and live music included.

*The above suggestions are for those who did not RSVP to LA's Sake Fest!

Sun. Aug. 16th

2-7pm, Vegan BBQ

Verdugo Bar

3408 Verdugo Rd.

Glassel Park

cash only

Hosted by Hot Knives, this "BBQ, booze, and beats" event features vegan food ranging from curry seitan banh mi to beer popsicles.

The Dean of Book Soup

Wed. July 22nd

9:30pm

Book Soup

8818 W. Sunset Blvd.

West Hollywood

Howard Dean reads excerpts from (and signs) copies of his new book Howard Dean's Prescription for Real Heathcare Reform.  

Book Soup keeps getting better.  I frequently BS, but if the new discount is true, I'll be frequenting BS more often.

"If you're looking for sympathy...

...you'll find it between sh*t and syphilis in the dictionary."

omg omg omg

David Sedaris reads from his latest story collection "When You Are Engulfed in Flames" this Wed. June 17th at The Grove's Barnes & Noble at 7pm. The catch is that you must purchase his book in the a.m. to receive a wristband to participate.

If you're looking for fun, you'll find it between the first page and the second!

This Weekend: Score "Love"

Sat. May 2nd

12-4pm

Red Mango

all locations

Try their new flavor Tangomonium for FREE (one topping included, limit one per customer).

1-3pm

Golden Apple Comics

7018 Melrose Ave.

As part of Free Comic Book Day, William Shatner will be signing copies his comic book, which is (duh) FREE!  To find out what other stores will be giving away FREE books, click here.

2pm

Book Soup

8818 W. Sunset Blvd.

$25

This event isn't cheap, but I love the show so much I couldn't resist posting it:

This weekend, Patti Stanger of Bravo's Millionaire Matchmaker will be on hand to discuss her book 8 Easy Steps for Attracting Your Perfect Mate.  Click here to purchase tickets.  Who knows?  Maybe you'll find your perfect mate there!

4pm

UCLA Tennis Center

405 Hilgard Ave.

$25

To raise money for the Swedish School of Los Angeles, Will Ferrell will be taking on Swedish player Mats Wilander in a tennis match.  Tickets are a bit pricey, but hey, it's for charity!  Click here to purchase some.

Get Pink...Or Purple...Or Red

So I'm not gonna lie...I read Perez Hilton.  And for those of you who read his blog, too, get excited about his appearance at The Grove for a book signing at Barnes & Noble - Wed. Jan. 14th. at 7pm.

Don't you love how the celebrity-obsessed can become celebrities themselves?  Maybe we're all barking up the wrong tree and should consider a career move.

"Just Keep Telling Yourself, 'You're a Boy, You're a Boy!'"

I have faith in my readers in that they are sure to be fans of Tony Curtis (think: Some Like It Hot).  Meet this inspirational actor as he signs copies of his new book at Book Soup this Tuesday at 7pm.

Be Kind to Michel

Tonight at the Hammer Museum at 7pm, Michel Gondry will read an excerpt from his new book You'll Like This Film Because You're In It: The Be Kind Rewind Protocol.  The master behind movies like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind will be presenting clips from other works, as well.

One Fifth As Good? You Be the Judge

Fans of Sex and the City: author Candace Bushnell will be signing copies of her new book One Fifth Avenue at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, tomorrow at 7pm.

Read-Along with Chong

Wed. Aug. 20th, 7pm

Barnes & Noble

1201 3rd St.

Santa Monica

Tommy Chong from Cheech & Chong reads excerpts from his "unauthorized biography."

Rushdie Reads

Mon. June 16th

Writer's Guild Theater

135 S. Doheny Dr.

Beverly Hills

Author Salman Rushdie reads from his new novel "Enchantress of Florence" tonight.  Need a better reason to go?  Carrie Fisher will be present for the Q&A.  Need an even better reason?  It's FREE (and Rushdie used to be married to Padma from Top Chef).

Still don't want to go?  You better be doing something amazing tonight.  Like watching The Bachelorette.  Go get her, Jason!

Bargain Books

Who doesn't love Taschen books?  From June 20th-June 22nd, you can take 50-75% off slightly damaged books for these 3 days only.  Stop by 354 N. Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills.  If you don't own one already, these books make amazing gifts.

In the Flesh: LA Erotic Reading Series

Thurs. May 29th, 8pm

At Freddy and Eddy: 12613 Venice Blvd, LA

free, with a suggested $10 donation to Rape and Incest National Network (RAINN)

According to In the Flesh Reading Series - LA, you can enjoy complementary cupcakes and cookies from Schmerty's as you listen to a collection of journalists, novelists, and various other kinds of -ists share tales of sexual survival.  The evening will range from Willam Belli (Nip/Tuck, CSI) and his story of toe rape to Dana Harris (Variety.com, Naked Ambition) and her story about making it through the Hot D'Or Awards in Cannes.

Other speakers/writers include Rachel Kramer Bussel, Shana Ting Lipton, Maxim Jakubowski, and Stan Kent.  Their books will also be on sale there.

If you like this event, you can go to the others on the last Thursday of every month!