tent-fail-weekend-what-upLast weekend signaled the start of summer, but those of us in Southern California might not have known it with all the wind, rain and even snow. If you weren’t totally blown away by that sub-par weather, rest assured we have plenty of events to get you into that summery state of mind in this edition of the Weekend, What Up!

Friday

  • Enjoy a tour and discussion followed by music from Gayngs, Dirty Beaches and KCRW DJs Anthony Valadez and Dan Wilcox at the Natural History Museum First Fridays. Tickets $5 – $15. Events 5:30 – 10 PM at 900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, 90007
  • It’s madness, but it’s fun (especially in this warmer weather). First Fridays Venice means food, drinks, art, music and wandering around aimlessly through crowds on foot or via bicycle.
  • The KJEE Summer Round Up at the Santa Barbara Bowl features music from Cage the Elephant, Lykke Li, Foster the People and more. Tickets $26.50 and up. Show starts 4 PM at 1122 N. Milpas St. Santa Barbara, 93103
  • If you’re into sparkles and giant boots as much as I am, you’ll probably want to see Bootsy Collins at Club Nokia. Tickets $20.50 and up, starts 8 PM at LA Live’s Club Nokia 800 West Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, 90015

Saturday

  • It’s back, and this time it’s next to Blue Palms Brewhouse in Hollywood. ColLAboration LA #2, the mega-rad pop up craft beer garden from four of L.A.’s biggest beer brains, will have a heck of a lot of special things going on. Get a glass for $10 as your admission and enjoy beers for $5 – $6 a pop at the seven-hour event. Check out ColLAboration on Twitter for the latest news on the special brews they’ve got in their artillery. 12 – 7 PM, 6100 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, 90028
  • Correction: 6/8/11 — This event is on 6/25/11: Enjoy the small, independently-run Front Yard Fest music festival in South Pasadena where eight to ten small acts will perform across from Garfield Park. $10 suggested donation and admission includes all-you-can-eat hot dogs (for real). 2 PM until it’s “too dark” at 1841 Clark Place
    South Pasadena, CA 91030
  • Ed Begley and TreePeople host the first annual Green City Fair featuring workshops, food from Whole Foods, free live music and upcycling crafts. Free to attend, 10 AM – 4 PM at TreePeople, 12601 Mulholland Dr., Beverly Hills, 90210
  • The Sixth Annual ARTWALK Culver City is a free, self-guided tour of over 35 local galleries and exhibit spaces. The kick-off event is Saturday from 2 – 8 PM at the Helm’s Bakery Complex. Check out the complete artwalk map here. Helm’s Bakery Complex 8800 Venice Blvd. Los Angeles, 90034
  • There’s a brand new arts and concert venue opening in Thousand Oaks. Check out the Open Borders Grand Opening and see The Doors’ keyboardest Ray Manzarek while enjoying gourmet food trucks and a full bar. Tickets $20 – $25, 6 PM – Midnight at 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 91360
  • For our northern neighbors, Sudwerk Brewing is hosting Davis Beerfest 2011 to benefit Citizens Who Care. Over 100 brews, tours of the Sudwerk Brewery, food, music and raffle items 1 – 4 PM. $35 in advance, $40 at the door. 2001 Second St. Davis, 95618
  • Celebrate with the Addison Homebrew shop at the Addison 1st Anniversary Party. Food trucks, homebrewing demos and an anniversary homebrew competition await. No entry fee mentioned. 10 AM – 5 PM at 1328 E. Orangethrope Ave, Fullerton, 92831
  • The Santa Rosa Beer Fest, a benefit for Face to Face (not the band…) features over 40 of Northern California’s best microbreweries plus Sonoma County’s gourmet treats. Tickets $40 in advance, $45 at the door and the money goes to Face to Face, the Sonoma County AIDS Network.
  • Get down at Bootie LA’s 6th Anniversary. Dance your pants off to mashups at The Echoplex from 9 PM – 2 AM for $12 (or $6 before 10 PM). 1554 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles

Sunday

  • Who wants nine pairings of craft beers and artisan foods? Everyone. Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens is hosting San Diego’s Chef Celebration, featuring killer pairings of beers from all over California (Pssst, there are 2 beers per dish) with local chefs’ creations. Tickets $55, 12 – 3 PM at 1999 Citracado Pkwy, Escondido, 92029
  • The Yeastside Brewers’ June meeting will be at Tony’s Darts away to discuss IPAs. If you’re interested in attending, sign up for their mailing list and check out the meeting starting at noon at 1710 West Magnolia Blvd. Burbank, 91506
  • Have a Taste of Alhambra on Sunday where food, wine and music from local vendors combine in downtown Alhambra. Tickets $45 in advance, $55 at the door. 5 – 9 PM at 2nd & Main, Alhambra 91801

All Weekend Long, My Babies

  • Hey Boston! The American Craft Beer Fest is back already. Friday’s session and Saturday’s second session still have tickets available. Try over 500 craft beers at BeerAdvocate & Harpoon Brewery’s big event. $45 in advance, $50 at the door, Friday and Saturday 6 – 9:30 PM at the Seaport World Trade Center, 1 Seaport Ln, Boston, MA 02210
  • Go try something new at Old Pasadena’s Restaurant Week running now through Wednesday, June 8. Deals at Quadruple Brasserie, POP Champagne Bar, Vertical Wine Bistro and more. Meals from $15 – $35 at various locations.
  • Sip some wines then float away at the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival. The event features wine and food pairings, live music, FMX biker demos, and camping. Friday 5 – 10 PM, Saturday 6 AM – 10 PM, Sunday 6 AM – 6 PM. Tickets $17 – $50. Event takes place at the Lake Skinner Recreation Area at 37701 Warren Rd. Winchester, 92596
  • Enjoy the culture, food and history of Mongolia at Mongolian Cultural Days in Los Angeles. Ongoing exhibitions, dinners, festivals and fairs at different locations throughout the city until Tuesday, June 7.
  • Nerd out to Star Wars in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl. We’re warning you now, this is probably not the best idea for date night. The tour is here Friday and Saturday with tickets starting at $12.50. Friday 7:30 PM, Saturday 8 PM at 2301 N Highland Ave, Hollywood, 90068

Sign up for DrinkEatTravel.com’s Weekend, What Up!

Don’t have time to visit a website? Don’t worry! We’re prepping for the upcoming release of Weekend, What Up! straight to your inbox. Sign up now for the Los Angeles edition and you’ll never miss out on all the fun (You’ll get an email once a week about drinking, eating, traveling and whatever we think you’ll like!).We will not share your personal information with anyone and you can unsubscribe at anytime.

* indicates required