Best Activities To Do This Week In L.A. - March 7
Many of Los Angeles' favorite drinking, viewing, and eating events return this week. Old Pasadena starts things off with a weeklong happy hour taking place at various restaurants and bars around the area, and an exhibit by an artist whose work has been featured as album artwork and on television shows is a definite for your to do list. Speaking of TV, Paley Fest is back for over a week of screenings and exclusive cast and crew Q&As. The All-Star Chef Classic also returns for three days of up-close cooking demos and tastings, as does the third annual Los Angeles IPA Festival. Not returning, but making their debut, Jose Gonzalez and musical group yMusic will perform for the first time at the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall. The week ends by celebrating the start of spring and the Iranian New Year at a special LACMA festival.
Old Pasadena Happy Hour Week
Various Locations
www.oldpasadena.org
Old Pasadena welcomes you to "Get Happy" by celebrating happy hour all week long. Every day through March 14, several restaurants, bars, and lounges in the Pasadena area will offer extended food and drink promotions. In addition to great drink specials, tastings and food pairings will also be available at two dozen Old Pasadena locations. Specialty cocktails encouraging the "Get Happy" theme include POP Champagne & Dessert Bar's Sparkling Sorbet (sparkling wine poured over homemade sorbet), Green Zone Restaurant's self-serve 18oz. Fresh Strawberry Lychee Soju, and many more. If you want to make a night out of it, gather a few drinking buddies and check the website for recommended itineraries and crawls.
"Sweet Dominion" Art Exhibit
Corey Helford Gallery
571 S Anderson St.
Los Angeles, CA 90033
(310) 287-2340
www.coreyhelfordgallery.com
What do vintage robots and glazed donuts have in common? Both are featured in the playful works of Eric Joyner, whose newest exhibit "Sweet Dominion" is enjoying a residency at the expansive 12,000 square foot Corey Helford Gallery. In this exhibit, Joyner revisits old themes as well as explores new ones, like rain, cakes, anti-gravity, Transformers, sea life, human behavior, migration, and believe it or not, more. Through it all, the common thread remains of his iconic robots going about their ordinary days, with donuts. Drawing inspiration from friends, food, and the world around him, Joyner seeks to evoke an emotional response, while inspiring imaginative thinking. The exhibition is on display through March 19.
Ultimate Digital Industry Networking Event
iPic Theaters
10840 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 307-7003
www.iPic.com
Tonight, urban creatives, digital gurus, tech-hackers, IT executives, and entrepreneurs will descend upon the iPic Theaters in Westwood to connect during the Ultimate Digital Industry Networking Event. Gain some serious inspiration at this networking think-tank, and connect with those in the know. Social innovation expert and co-founder of virtual reality experience Me Up, Fabio Zaffagnini, will be on hand for special interactive, intimate sessions. Best known for his crowdfunding event Rockin' 1000 where 1000 musicians played a Foo Fighters song that went viral with over 29 million views, Zaffagnini is a true expert on crowd sourcing and product design. Admission to the event is $30, and includes two drinks and appetizers.
All-Star Chef Classic
L.A. LIVE
800 W Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
www.allstarchefclassic.com
One of L.A.'s premiere food events is back, as the All-Star Chef Classic returns to L.A. LIVE for a three-day food extravaganza. Watch as 40 internationally renowned chefs and personalities take the stage to cook up world-class cuisine in a festival setting unlike any other. A custom-built event deck will host seven chef-led dining experiences, including: multiple Masters Dinners, Global Grand Tasting, Grill & Chill, and a Little Masters event offering the next generation of great chefs to get some hands-on training. Tonight the "Noche de Masters Dinner" will feature five top chefs specializing in Spanish and Mexican cuisine, preparing a multi-course meal for guests inspired by their respective countries. Every seat in the 300+ Restaurant Stadium is a good one, allowing an intimate, kitchen-side experience for foodies and fans. This third annual event runs from March 9-12.
PaleyFest Los Angeles
The Dolby Theater
6801 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
(310) 786-1000
www.paleycenter.org
Attention television junkies: PaleyFest is back! Featuring special screenings and panel Q&As of some of today's hottest shows, PaleyFest is your chance to get breaking news and behind-the-scenes scoops straight from the source. Fans are treated to exclusive conversations from both cast members as well as the creative minds behind several acclaimed series. The festivities kick off tonight with an Opening Night Presentation of Empire, including cast favorites Lucious, Cookie, and the whole Lyon family. PaleyFest begins today, and runs through March 20. Check the website to find out when your favorite TV shows and celebs will be on stage.
Jose Gonzalez
Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 S. Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 972-7282
www.laphil.com
Jose Gonzalez' Friday night concert has been sold out for weeks, but lucky for you, they added another night. The singer-songwriter brings his crystal voice and classically inspired guitar playing to an evening of folk, pop, and world music. Known for the haunting and personal nature of his songs, the Swedish indie folk artist will transform the great hall into an intimate gathering. He'll be joined by inventive ensemble yMusic, a group of six New York City instrumentalists providing clarinet, trumpet, and a string trio accompaniment. Both the group and Gonzalez will be making their Walt Disney Concert Hall debut.
Los Angeles IPA Festival
Mohawk Bend
2141 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 483-2337
www.laipafestival.com
Get ready to get hoppy as the Los Angeles IPA Festival returns for its third year at Mohawk Bend. Over 60 breweries will be there to present their best brews to an all-star judging panel made up of the best in California beer. Currently enjoying an increased popularity, IPAs, or India Pale Ales, are a hoppier, higher alcoholic beer than their pale ale cousin. The festival is a celebration of both the beloved craft beer, as well as the community producing it. While the competition will be from all over the Golden State, plan on seeing a strong representation of L.A. breweries, including Highland Park Brewing, Eagle Rock Brewing, and two-time IPA Fest winner Noble Ale Works. The festival starts at 9:30am, with a ceremony dubbing the winners of the People's Choice Award and Judges' winners at 3:00pm. The event is 21+ and no tickets or reservations are required.
Celebrate Nowruz (Iranian New Year)
LACMA
5905 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 857-6000
www.lacma.org
Celebrate the arrival of spring and the Iranian New Year at LACMA with the Nowruz Festival. A day of fun activities and performances are in store from 11:30am - 7pm. This year, the 8th annual festival includes a parade of dance and musical performances with traditional Iranian costumes, and a performance by contemporary Middle Eastern group NIYAZ. Drop-in programs of storytelling, calligraphy, and crafts for the kids will take place at the Director's Roundtable Garden until 4pm. Be sure to check the site for more details on where exactly the various activities will take place. The event is free and open to the public.