weekend-what-up-china-balls

Now that it’s officially summer, we order you to get outside and enjoy a music festival, or a beer festival, or your own backyard party! Have a happy summer weekend with this edition of Weekend, What Up!

Friday

  • See some live music at Open Borders as Pinback takes the stage. The new concert and arts venue in Thousand Oaks has a full bar, food trucks, art gallery, and plenty of music events lined up for this summer. Tickets $20 – $25, doors 6 PM, music begins 8 PM. 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, 91360
  • It’s already time for Santa Monica’s Last Fridays again. Stores and bars along Main Street will have extended hours and deals. Don’t forget about the free bike valet at Library Alehouse! All night along Main Street, Santa Monica 90405

Saturday

  • The LA Vegan Beer Festival, the brainchild of QuarryGirl and Tony Yanow, is back again. Lots of great craft beer will be flowing, and ColLAboration will have a tent at the fest too! Food trucks include Mandoline Grill, Fresh Fries, Frankenstand and more. General admission $40, VIP $50, D.D.’s $15. Event is 1 – 4 PM at The Roxy, 9009 W. Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood 90069
  • Enjoy the independently-run Front Yard Fest in South Pasadena with small musical acts and independent short films. Event is across from Garfield Park with a $10 suggested donation and admission which includes all-you-can-eat hot dogs (for real). 2 PM until it’s “too dark” at 1841 Clark Place, South Pasadena, 91030 (Psst it’s BYOB).
  • Eat and race at the same time with the Gourmet Food Truck Race. The scavenger hunt combines games, puzzles, and some of LA.’s most popular food trucks and your ticket includes food samples. $60 per person, 11 AM – 5 PM at various locations.
  • Sample food and beverage and watch cooking demos from the restaurants of The Grove at A Taste at The Grove. Free to attend, events ongoing 11 AM – 7 PM at 189 The Grove Dr. Los Angeles, 90036
  • Watch The Terminator under the stars while enjoying food trucks like Munchie Machine, India Jones and Don Chow Tacos at this weekend’s Outdoor Cinema Food Fest. Tickets range $8-$10. Doors open at 5:30 PM at Exposition Park 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, 90037

Sunday

  • Join Chef Aaron Robins and Bar Manager Rory Snipes at Boneyard Bistro for their Lost Coast Beer Dinner. We love the great food and beverage at this Studio City restaurant. $45 for food, beer and tax. Dinner begins at 7:30 PM at 13539 Ventura Blvd. Studio City, 91423
  • Es muey delicioso. The L.A. Taco Music Fest is a holy trinity of good things — tacos, live music (including mariachi) and L.A. Free event, but not free tacos! 12 – 8 PM at the Mariachi Plaza Station at 1st and Boyle Ave, Los Angeles, 90033
  • Stough Canyon’s Native American Celebration features dancing, food, crafts and demonstrations. Free with some small fees for crafts, 12 – 3 PM at Stough Canyon Nature Center, 2300 Walnut Ave. Burbank, 91501
  • Join the Foothill Cycle Club for a morning ride. This weekend it’s the La Tuna Sandwich ride through La Crescenta, La Tuna Canyon and Toluca Lake before returning to Pasadena. $15 to join the club, ride leaves at 8 AM from Elk’s Lodge at 400 West Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, at the Orange Grove Blvd. and Green St. intersection.

All Weekend Long, My Babies

  • The San Diego County Fair’s Beer Festival runs Friday through Sunday, featuring over 150 breweries from around the world. Attend one of four sessions during the weekend for $45 (or $32 if you already have your fair admission covered), or go to the VIP session on Saturday, 3:30 – 8 PM for $75. Located at the Del Mar Fairgrounds: 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Del Mar, 92014
  • Need more fun in San Diego? Check out the San Diego Spirits Festival too! Cocktail competitions, tastings, parties and more at the Port Pavillion and Broadway Pier. Tickets $60 general/$90 VIP online, $75 general/ $105 VIP at the gate. Saturday and Sunday 1 – 5 PM general, 11 AM – 5 PM VIP at 1000 North Harbor Dr. (between Broadway & Ash St.) San Diego, 92101
  • Santa Monica’s Summer Soulstice runs Saturday and Sunday, features live bands all day, plus a sidewalk sale. If you’ve been looking to jam with some cover bands, this event has you covered. This event is free, 11 AM – 7 PM all along Main St. Santa Monica, 90405
  • St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine is throwing the 33rd Annual Greek Festival, A Taste of Greece. Pastries, delicious food, dancing, music, wine and all the fun a Greek Festival can offer. Admission $3 with ongoing events Friday through Sunday at 4949 Alton Pkwy, Irvine 92604.
  • Celebrate summer at the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration, a weekend-long celebration complete with music, art and a jungle-themed parade down State St. Free to attend Friday 4 – 9 PM, Saturday 12 – 8 PM, Sunday 12 – 6 PM at Alameda Park, 1400 Santa Barbara St. Santa Barbara, 93101
  • The L.A. Film Fest wraps up this weekend. You can still catch films, panels and a free community screening of Rudy at L.A. Live, complete with a beer garden, outdoor grill and more. Check the site for each event’s price, time and location.
  • What do you get when you combine a gallery, hot griddle and beer? The Pancakes and Booze Art Show! Munch on one of your favorite breakfast foods with a cold one and check out work from 75 of L.A.’s emerging artists. $5 at the door. Friday and Saturday from 8 PM – 2 AM at Lot 613 613 Imperial Street Los Angeles, 90021