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

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.

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!

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Thurs. July 30th

8pm, Movies in the Park

189 The Grove Dr.

The Grove

FREE

Watch Twilight under the stars!

Fri. July 31st

8pm, Cannibal! The Musical

(through Aug. 22nd)

The Garage Theatre

251 E. 7th St.

Long Beach

$18 ($15 for students)

Written by Trey Parker (South Park).  A horror story with fart jokes?  Can't wait to find out...

Sat. Aug. 1st

8:30am-4pm, Smashbox Makeup Classes

Sephora Sherman Oaks

14006 Riverside Dr.

FREE

Call 818.817.0900 (promo code: YELP) to reserve a spot in the

 limited-capacity sessions, designed to improve your skills (or lack thereof) with the brush.  FREE gifts for signing up!

3-9pm, Candy Land Lolita Tea Party

Royal/T

8910 Washington Blvd.

Culver City

FREE

(picture courtesy of Grub St.)

Experience this life-sized Candy Land game board, featuring fashion shows, cupcake & cotton candy stands, high tea served by the Royal/T maids, and more. RSVP to rsvp@royal-t.org (keyword: Candy Land).

7pm, Robot Chicken on Wheels

Skateland Northridge

18140 Parthenia St.

FREE with purchase of DVD

Seth Green and Breckin Meyer on skates as part of the Adult Swim Presents series.  Once inside, enjoy a live performance by Gym Class Heroes.

7pm, Cinespia Cemetery Screening

In Northridge tonight, some like it sweaty.  Not for you?  No worries.  Some Like It Hot at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, too.

Sun. Aug. 2nd

12:30-5pm, Cirque du Soleil Performance

The Grove

189 The Grove Dr.

FREE

The Grove is on fire this weekend. Perhaps literally. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Cirque du Soleil will be performing portions from all six of its shows! Face painting and juggling included...

The schedule is as follows:

12:30 p.m.: "The Beatles' LOVE," as seen at The Mirage

1 p.m.: "Mystère," as seen at Treasure Island Hotel & Casino

1:30 p.m.: "O," as seen at Bellagio

3:30 p.m.: "Zumanity," as seen at New York-New York Hotel & Casino

4 p.m.: "KÀ," as seen at MGM Grand

4:30 p.m.: "Criss Angel Believe," as seen at Luxor Las Vegas

Thx to FWJ Laura for the heads up!

Other Weekend Updates

Tweet @LemonadeLA for FREE dessert at Abbot Kinney's new Lemonade restaurant.

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Fri. July 10th

2-3pm, Stop by and grab a FREE Tea Freddo from Peet's Coffee.

6:30-10pm, Dance Downtown - West Coast Swing

135 N. Grand Ave.

Los Angeles

Sat. July 11th

***12-5pm, Swap-O-Rama-Rama

California Market Center

110 E. 9th St.

$5-$10

This could be incredible or completely disgusting.  Show up and decide for yourself, as this will be my first swap-o-rama.  The concept: exchange your unwanted clothes for as many FREE clothes as you can carry out to your car.

The Renegade Craft Fair will be in the same building at the same time, where over 200 artists will be selling handmade clothes and accessories.

Click here for details.

Also, on your way to the event, why not grab a FREE slurpee at 7-Eleven in honor of 7/11's National Slurpee Day?

Fri. July 10th - Sat. July 11th

Old Pasadena Film Festival

The largest FREE outdoor film festival in Southern California will be screening movies every Friday and Saturday through July 25th.  This weekend, enjoy Notting Hill, The King and I, Daddy Long-Legs, and Footloose.

Special treats include a live orchestra performing the Daddy Long-Legs' soundtrack, and Alfred Newman's kids discussing their father's prolific scoring career.

For the full list of screenings, click here.

Sun. July 12th

Ketchup

8590 Sunset Blvd.

West Hollywood

Every Sunday this season, take 50% your bill by mentioning the "Sunset Strip Summer" promotion.

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Sat. June 20th

10am-5pm, BCBG Sample Sale

Residence Inn

1177 S. Beverly Dr.

Up to 70% off over 2,000 pieces of merchandise (an additional 10% off for cash purchases).

11am-3pm, USC Alumni Day at the Beach

Santa Monica Beach (just N. of Ocean Park)

$5 in advance, $10 upon arrival

Fight on! Click here to buy tickets to the 2nd annual beach day to raise money for the USC scholarship fund. Volleyball and surfing expected.

Sat. June 20th - Sun, June 21st

9am-5pm, International Makeup Artists Trade Show (IMATS)

Pasadena Convention Center

300 E. Green St.

$10 and up

Makeup demonstrations and FREE product samples upon arrival.  Click here to purchase tickets.

10am-7pm, Pasadena Chalk Festival

280 E. Colorado Blvd.

The largest street painting festival in the world is back again.

Sun. June 21st

9am-4pm, Open Casting Call

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

7000 Hollywood Blvd.

TLC & Kelly Ripa are inviting female inventors to audition for their new show. If you have a "brilliant product and working prototype," they want to help you manufacture and market it. For more information on how to apply, click here.

7pm, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days

(every Sun. through Sept. 27th)

The W Hotel

930 Hilgard Ave.

Westwood

That's right. The FREE rooftop screenings have returned! This summer, all films screened will be Paramount ones.

500 Days of Summer - Giveaways

Be one of the first 500 people to show up to any of the following locations, and receive FREE goodies (to promote the aforementioned flick):

- 9am Juice It Up (Chase Bank parking lot in Studio City)

- 11am Fiji water (on Santa Monica beach)

- 1pm Kogi Korean BBQ truck (1097 Glendon Ave.)

- 1pm Red Bull (on 3rd St.)

- 2pm Pink's hot dogs (8433 W. Sunset Blvd.)

- 2:30pm Cool Haus Ice Cream truck (1515 Abbot Kinney Blvd.) 

- 3pm Sprinkles (at The Grove)

Thx to Caroline on Crack for the heads up.

all weekend long

The Los Angeles Film Festival!!! Be sure to check out Paper Heart, the mockumentary starring Charlyne Yi!!! I saw it at Sundance and gave it lots of FWJ stars!!!

Cirque Berzerk!

This Weekend: Dark Fruit and Dancing

Fri. May 29th

6:30-10pm

Dance Downtown

Music Center Plaza

135 N. Grand Ave.

Downtown

Join Jaydi as she learns the Texas 2-step and line

 dancing.  Be prepared to partner up with friends (or cute strangers?).

Sat. May 30th

2-7pm

FEM Pop Up Store

9011 Melrose Ave.

West Hollywood

FREE (starting at 4pm)

Fashion Elements presents up to 60% off designer jewelry, clothing, and accessories.  RSVP here.

5-7pm

Dark Night of the Soul

8071 Beverly Blvd.

FREE

Don't want to see Sam Raimi's new horror film this weekend?  Fine.  Get scared another way by attending the opening of David Lynch's new exhibit, where you can view photographs inspired by Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse music.

Curious what songs will be haunting you as you peruse the gallery?  Click here for the soundtrack.

Thx to For Your Art for the heads up!

6-10pm

An Evening with Acai

Fresh at The Grove

189 The Grove Dr.

21+

Enjoy FREE hand treatments and cocktails as this store promotes products infused with the Brazilian super fruit. 

Thx to LA Decostified for the find!

Sun. May 31st

4-7pm

Gourmet 5 Year Old Party

Renaissance Hollywood Hotel

1755 N. Highland Ave.

Hollywood

$40

Sample LA's best comfort food as the city's best restaurants and caterers appeal to your "childhood sensibilities and gourmet palate" by cooking up dishes like lobster mac 'n cheese and pumpkin ravioli.  A little pricey, but if that isn't stopping you, get your tickets here.

4-10pm

Ford's Filling Station

9531 Culver Blvd.

Culver City

$18

Experience the first of what is to be a weekly prix-fixe BBQ menu.  Choose from two meats (such as pulled pork and brisket) and two sides (like succotash and corn).  Select beers are $3.

A Sealed Fate?

Thurs. May 14th, 10am-6pm

Zune LA

8275 Beverly Blvd.

Nigel Barker (of America's Next Top Model fame) invites you to view his photography and documentary film for the Humane Society of the United States.  Although held during regular business hours, this event is FREE.

Be Kind: Attend

Tues. April 14th, 7pm-2am

The Montalban

1615 Vine St.

Who wouldn't love a FREE evening with Michel Gondry? RSVP now to experience:

"An Evening with Michel Gondry and Friends" will feature music, art, film and surprise guests, celebrating one of cinema's most groundbreaking filmmakers. Gondry will discuss the past, present and future of his filmmaking career. Having worked with artists and actors from Beck and Jon Brion to Jack Black and Conan O'Brien, who knows who might join Gondry on stage for this rare evening of music videos, behind-the-scenes clips and more. Not available in stores, Gondry's new DVD will be available for sale exclusively at the event (and post-event on http://MichelGondry.com), and guests will have the opportunity for Gondry sign copies during the after party.

This is a free event. RSVP required, but does not guarantee admittance. Tickets will be distributed on a first come, first served basis."

Have Bank of America?

I do!  With your BoA card, you can actually get into the following museums for FREE the first weekend of every month until April:

- The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts
- Crocker Art Museum
- Explorit Science Center
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
- Museum of the African Diaspora
- de Young Museum
- San Jose Museum of Art
- Tech Museum of Innovation
- LACMA
- Autry National Center of the American West
- Museum of Latin American Art
- Discovery Science Center
- Laguna Art Museum
- Riverside Art Museum
- Palm Springs Art Museum
- California Center for the Arts Escondido
- Mingei International Museum Balboa Park
- Mingei International Museum Downtown Escondido
- Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Take advantage of this amazing offer, and report back favorite exhibits!

Oil and Water

A fan of Brandon Boyd from Incubus?  Love his music?  Well, how about his art?  Starting today (through Sept. 27th), feel free to observe it at Mr.Musichead Gallery at 7511 Sunset Blvd.

For Those into Modern Art...Try a Chicken

Sat. July 26th, 7pm

High Energy Constructs

990 N. Hill St. Suite 180

Music and FREE fried chicken from BonelliContemporary.  'Nough said.

Fat Kids Are Harder to Kidnap.

Thurs. July 10th, 8-10pm

POP Factory

8650 Melrose Ave.

West Hollywood

For those of you who have never been to a Todd Goldman art gallery, you are missing out!  Lucky for you, POP Factory is celebrating its opening featuring Todd Goldman's work.  Enjoy FREE music, food, and drinks by RSVPing to gail@pop-factory.com.

Picture Andy

Enjoy Andy Warhol's work?  How about his photographs?

From July 10-August 22, you can view them here on Beverly Blvd.  The opening reception is on the 10th from 6-8pm.

Banana Daiquiri Seance

Fri. June 27th, 11pm-1am

Bonelli Contemporary

943 N. Hill St.

Chinatown

213.617.8180

Artist Holly Myers curates a month-long art extravaganza called "Party Favors" to prove that parties can be art.  That's right, beginning Sat. June 28th in Chinatown, FREE odd parties will be thrown where guests can revel in their "art."

Tonight, you can attend the "Banana Daiquiri Seance."

Entertainment Art

June 21-July 18

2380 Glendale Blvd.

Silverlake, CA

For one month, the Art Director Guild and Ghettogloss are showcasing small scale work of Hollywood production designers and art directors for FREE.

Thx to Bored-LA for spotting this event!

Dante's Inferno - Save the Date

Sat. July 19th 7pm

Santa Monica Museum of Art

2525 Michigan Ave.

Brought to you by SMMoA, this film of hand-drawn puppets is brought to life with hand-made special effects.  The literary classic is retold as an apocalyptic graphic novel meeting Victorian-era toy theatre.  Voices are by Dermot Mulroney and James Cromwell.  Following the FREE screening of this film is a Q&A with the artists and puppet designers.

Click here to watch a trailer.