Friday, August 24, 2012

The City Prolific: Weekend Events August 24 - 26

I didn't post for the last two weeks because I was away. Far away. In the High Uintas, the only East-West mountain range in the lower 48 states. I spent six days living in a tent, alongside a creek that provided a far more soothing nighttime soundtrack than the Hollywood traffic to which I usually fall asleep.



Back now in LA, I'm once again amazed at all there is to do. The list below is just a drop in the bucket of free or cheap events this weekend. I've chosen the ones that  seemed the most fun.

ALL WEEKEND

FIESTA LA BALLONA 


A celebration of Los Angeles's rich history, "Fiesta La Ballona Days" offers live music, food and festivities in the heart of culver city.  From the website:  Fiesta La Ballona Days" began in 1951 as a week-long celebration of the region's early settlers. People went to events and even to work dressed up as Native American Indians, rancheros, seƱoritas, cowboys and cowgirls. The early fiestas evoked pride among the descendants of the "first families" and offered the entire community a playful opportunity to connect with its history.  In 1985, the fiesta was reinvented as a "Festival of the People" and the one-day event took on an international flavor. Five or six years later it became a weekend fair in May. In 2003, the Fiesta was once again revived by offering events during the entire week with a culminating festival in Veteran's Park. In 2004 amusement rides were added to attract families to the event. In 2005 the Culver City Lion's Club opened the first Beer and Wine Garden. The Fiesta La Ballona continues to be a celebration of the past, present and future of Culver City showcasing both its warmth and its sophistication. It continues to offer people a place for food and fun and sharing. 

Free Friday-Sunday

Veteran’s Park
4117 Overland Ave
Culver City

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24

Echo Park Rising


Just as yellow is the new black, Echo Park Rising is the new Sunset Junction Festival.  Revel among live music, great shopping and eating deals on Sunset Blvd, Echo Park Ave, and Alvarado. Over 60 bands, performers, comedians, and DJ’s will perform along the streets of Echo park, with the main stage setup on the parking lot of TAIX French Restaurant, a movie screening of a classic horror film on the roof of the citibank building, and a fair of sorts solely dedicated to those who press and print their own zines, books, albums, t-shirts, etc that will take over the entire Echoplex.

Mad Decent Block Party


The Mad Decent Label was created by DJ/Producer DIPLO, and the label has been throwing their infamous block parties since 2008 on the East Coast; They've recently expanded to other corners of the country, including our own. Check out the promo video on the website: http://www.maddecentblockparty.com/ A swaggerin' hotdog and ice cream cone board a helicopter. It'll bea day of free music, food, and drink, as well as t-shirt making, games, surprise guests and a unique lineup at the LA Center Studios (that's where Mad Men films)!

Free
12-8pm

Los Angeles Center Studios
1201 W 5th St
Los Angeles 90017

Cinespia Present 'The Birds'


There is no better setting in the world for a screening of this film.  Catch this 1962 Alfred Hitchcock classic starring Tippi Hedren and Rod Taylor in the Hollywood Cemetery. DJ spins before and after the screening. gates

$10 donation tickets available at gate

7:00 pm / movie 8:30 pm
no reservation necessary

bring blankets, drinks and picnic dinner for this screening below the stars. as a courtesy to other moviegoers: NO TALL CHAIRS!! No distilled spirits please.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery
6000 Santa Monica Boulevard at Gower Street
Hollywood

Eat/See/Hear Presents "Weird Science"




































The Birds at the Cemetery and Weird Science at La Cienega park - what a dilemma!  Musicians Monte Mar & Vinnie Ferra will perform before the screening of Hitchcock's classic, which will be projected upon a 52-foot wide screen (!)

$10 General Admission
A limited amount of “Fashionably Late” passes available online for $20, which will be premium reserved seats in a desirable area of the venue.
Advance reservations encouraged.

5:30pm- Doors open, 7pm – Band performs, 8:30pm – Movie begins

La Cienega Park
8400 Gregory Way
Beverly Hills 90211

Chinatown Summer Nights



Part food event, part summer party, Chinatown Summer Nights presents a great reason to party in LA's uniquely-own Chinatown. Taste the many culinary offerings of Chinatown and LA’s gourmet food trucks; sample the neighborhood’s wares; watch Chinese chefs perform cooking demonstrations; experience large-scale, outdoor video projections; take part in hands-on, Chinese cultural activities presented by local organizations and museums; sip on Chinese beer and dance in Central Plaza with 89.9 KCRW’s DJ’s.

Free
5-11:30pm

Los Angeles Chinatown
Cesar Chavez & N Broadway
Los Angeles 90012

SUNDAY, AUGUST 26

NO BUDGET FILM FESTIVAL



The mission of this film festival is pretty f'ing cool. Go, to support the collaborative spirit of these filmmakers, AND to patronize the Downtown Independent - a real gem in the local film scene.
What is it?: 

In a day and age where a million dollar budget and a cast of sitcom stars still counts as “independent spirit” cARTel brings the indie film fest to The Downtown Independent this August 26th. There were only two rules: 
1. Your film must be no longer than 8 minutes
2. Your film can use absolutely NO MONEY, and instead, rely on collaborating with your community to get amazing things done. 

$11.50
7pm

Downtown Independent Theatre
251 S Main St
Los Angeles 90012

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