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.

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.

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.

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.

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Fri. Aug. 7th

2-3pm, FREE Peet's Coffee

It's time for another Freddo...this time a coffee one!  What better way to get energized for the remainder of your work week?

5:30pm, Wax Unveiling

Madame Tussaud's

6933 Hollywood Blvd.

FREE

Quentin Tarantino attends the unveiling of his own wax figure.  You are invited to watch, but try not to melt.

Sat. Aug. 8th

10am-4pm, Designer Tag Sale

2500 Grandview Ave.

Venice

$10 admission fee (cash only)

With prices as low as $5, this huge high end interior designer yard sale is certainly worth checking out (especially for me now that I've moved).  Gift bags for the first 30 attendees.  I know I'll be one of them!

12-8pm, Korean BBQ Festival

(cook off to start at 5pm)

3223 6th St.

For $10-$15 a plate, you can sample all food from the competition, which is set to feature ten local Korean restaurants.

2-7pm, Fred Segal Makeover Party

8118 Melrose Ave.

West Hollywood

RSVP to rsvp@caromarketing.com and reserve an appointment for a courtesy makeover (to be followed by styling tips, a fashion shoot, cocktails, and in store discounts).  Thx to Caroline on Crack for the find.  Maybe I'll see you there.

3-5pm, Gourmet Ding Dong Tasting

Essential Chocolate Desserts

10868 Washington Blvd.

Culver City

$10

Not into Korean food?  No worries.  Another tasting event today - this one on the sweeter side. For a minimal fee, you can feast on up to 10 gourmet ding dongs.  Flavors range from white chocolate raspberry & banana peanut butter to espresso & carrot cake.  Call 310.287.0699 to reserve a spot.

9:15pm, Syesha Mercado Performance

City Walk

If you aren't too full from the BBQ and ding dong death wish, or all shopped out at the interior design yard sale and Fred Segal, check out this former American Idol.  I know I'll be wiped from today, but if anyone's voice can pick me up, it's hers!

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Fri. July 24th

7:30-9pm, Salsa Lessons

Mama Juana's

3707 Cahuenga Blvd. W.

Studio City

$10

Rodrigo Guzman (Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance?) offers beginner salsa lessons. If you practice hard enough, you might be able to look like the woman in the picture. Don't want to look like the woman in the picture? Ignore me. Why are you reading this blog anyway?

7:30pm, Laserium Show

Historic Vine Theater

6321 Hollywood Blvd.

$12

An interactive light show set to Beatles music. Need I say more? Click here for restaurants that offer 20% off if you're planning on watching the show.

Sat. July 25th

8:30-9:30am, Yoga on the Pier

Santa Monica Pier

FREE

Presented by 102.7: bring a mat, towel, and photo ID. Nature will do the rest. Thanks to FWJ reader Megan for the heads up!

7pm, Cemetery Screening

(movie starts at 8:30pm)

FREE

Looking for the rainbow connection? Head to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. This time the series will be screening The Muppet Movie. Feel free to bring all friends - humans and puppets alike. Just remind them not to talk once the movie starts.

7:30pm, Hollywood Outdoor Cinema

the Old Circuit City

4400 Sunset Blvd.

Silverlake

If the cemetery doesn't do it for you, watch The Big Lebowski here instead, powered by an xbox on a 40' inflatable screen.

Sun. July 26th

5-8pm, Dessert Decadence

Renaissance Hollywood Hotel

1755 N. Highland Ave.

$40

Too much to spend for an endless assortment of all-you-can-eat pastries, chocolate, and more? Maybe. A dieter's worst nightmare? Absolutely. Enough to stop Jaydi...? I think not. Click here to join her.

7pm, Movie Under the Stars

(and every Sun. through Sept. 27th)

The W Hotel

930 Hilgard Ave.

Westwood

FREE

Paramount Home Entertainment presents The Kite Runner. Dine with "self-righteous monkeys" or get cozy in a private cabana. The choice is yours.

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Fri. July 17th

7:30-9pm, Friday Night Sing-Along

W.M. Keck Amphitheater, Walt Disney Concert Hall

Join hundreds of Beatles lovers and live musicians as they belt out the band's favorite tunes. The event is FREE; however tickets are distributed 45 minutes prior to the event. Plan

accordingly, and you will have an easy day's night :D

Sat. July 18th

SusieCakes Giveaway

Brentwood

To celebrate their 3rd anniversary, this chain will be stuffing 10 "Golden Tickets" into their frosting-filled cakes. Winners will receive prizes ranging from baking classes to custom cakes each month for a year.

9pm, Old Pasadena Film Festival

33 E. Green St.

My pick for this weekend's film festival is Sixteen Candles, set to be screened on the rooftop of a schoolhouse parking garage. Have fun. Just don't let your date try to steal your undies!

Sun. July 19th

8am-11pm

Milk

7290 Beverly Blvd.

For National Ice Cream Day, this shop will be dishing out FREE scoops of ice cream (flavors ranging from vanilla to banana dulce de leche). All you have to do is enter the restaurant and utter, "I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!"

7pm, Shakespeare by the Sea

Roxbury Park

471 S. Roxbury Dr.

Beverly Hills

Pack a picnic, kick back in your beach chair, and enjoy a FREE performance of Love's Labour's Lost.

A Cold Dosa of Hermosa

Thurs. July 9, 4-7pm

Paciugo Gelato Caffe

1034 Hermosa Ave.

Hermosa Beach

FREE gelato in honor of their one year anniversary.  Thx to Eater LA for the find!

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Fri. June 26

5pm-9pm, FREE Pinkberry

Normally overpriced, this awesome chain will be launching 2 new flavors: coconut and passion fruit (or the "tropical swirl" if you mix them together). To celebrate, show up between the hours listed and receive a small cup at 

no charge! Also, if you are feeling adventurous, try it with this season's Bing cherries.

6:30pm, Dance Downtown

Music Center Plaza

135 N. Grand Ave.

Salsa your way through International Latin Ballroom night.

Sat. June 27th

10am-6pm, Venice Eco Fest

Winward Ave. & Ocean Front Walk

Venice Beach

This celebration of art, music, and dance will incorporate organic treats and green technology to "raise awareness about our ecosystem."

1pm, Ashley Tisdale concert

The Grove

189 The Grove Dr.

Arrive early for this FREE performance.  Thx to LA Freebee for the heads up!

7:30pm, East of Eden

Hollywood Forever Cemetery

6000 Santa Monica Blvd.

Feeling bad? Through and through bad?

This outdoor screening is technically FREE, but $10 donations are encouraged. The film starts at 9pm, but get there early with lounge chairs and picnic supplies to claim your spot. I'm so excited this summer treat is back!

Sun. June 28th

10am-7pm, FREE Spray Tans

Sunset Tan

Click here for participating locations.  No purchase necessary!

11am-4pm, FREE Burgers, Fries, and Shakes

Ruby's Shake Shack

23000 Pacific Coast Highway

at the Malibu Pier

Enjoy guacamole burgers and malibu mud pie shakes (amongst other delicious items) in honor of their grand opening!!!

12-3pm, Milo Ventimiglia Signing

Collector's Paradise

7131 Winnetka Ave.

Canoga Park

Issue #1 of the comic book Berserker to be signed by the Heroes star himself.

Sun. June 28th - Tues. June 30th

Got what it takes to be the next American Idol? Then check out Season 9 auditions at the Rose Bowl (1001 Rose Bowl Dr. in Pasadena) during these dates. The front of the line is at Gate F, and they will not be charging for parking. Click here for more information.

Have Some Hart

Ride your bike to Sweet Harts, Melissa Joan Hart's new frozen yogurt shop in Sherman Oaks, and receive $1 off your order.

Bee Happy

Tues. May 12th, 4-8pm

FREE scoop of Haagen Dazs tomorrow.  To find your nearest location, click here. 

Moms, Matt, and Monica. Santa Monica.

Sat. May 9th

Amtrak's National Train Day

10am-3pm

Union Station

800 N. Alameda St.

Highlights include a FREE performance by Matt Costa at 1pm.  To check out a full list of events, click here.

Sat. May 9th, Sun. May 10th

LA's BBQ Fest

For $10, you can enjoy LA's 2nd annual BBQ Fest on the Santa Monica Pier, featuring live bands and a beer garden. If you are not VIP ($39), entrance begins at 1pm.

Sun. May 10th

FREE TCBY

A cup or a cone for all moms on this special day.

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.

Iceberg Ahead

Celebrate Carvel's 75th anniversary with FREE icebergs all day Thurs. April 30th. Click here to find your nearest Carvel store.

Thx to L.A. Decostified for the heads up!

Free Cone Day

Tues. April 21st

Don't forget to stop by Ben & Jerry's tomorrow for your FREE scoop of ice cream!

Bask-In the Sundae Glow

Through March 28th, Baskin-Robbins is allowing you to...well, see above...simply by presenting this coupon.

Melting in Your Mouth

Sign up for The Melting Pot's newsletter, and receive a coupon for FREE chocolate fondue for 2!

Happy Birthday, Pinkberry

Sat. Jan. 10th, 5-7pm

868 Huntley Dr.

West Hollywood

In honor of their four year anniversary, Pinkberry is offering FREE samples today at their original location! Hurry up and get in on the action.

Can't make it?  Print out this coupon and get 2 for 1 until Jan. 25th.

Go Bonkers for Boule

Tonight from 6-8pm, Boule in Beverly Hills will be giving away FREE...yes, free...chocolate - to promote its holiday flavors.  See you there at 413 N. Bedford Dr.!

I Scream, You Eat for Free

If you live near Venice (or even if you don't), Abbot Kinney's new natural gelato and sorbet shop N'Ice Cream (1410 Abbot Kinney Blvd.), is handing out FREE scoops tomorrow from noon to 4pm.