Duude, lots going on this weekend and it’s going to be a hot one. What to do? What to do? BTW, I had to include the above New Kids on the Block video for this post. Hey, it’s about the summer.
Friday, June 20
Taschen Warehouse Sale
When I used to work at Book Soup on Sunset, I came to know Taschen books as those huge but affordable coffee table books about quirky and questionable subjects. If you’re looking for a gift for your weird, arty friend or something to dress up your coffee table, you’ll want to check out the Taschen semi-annual warehouse sale in Beverly Hills. Thousands of slightly damaged and display copies are available at anywhere between 50-75% off the cover price
- Friday 10am-7pm, Saturday 10am-7pm, Sunday 12-5pm. The Taschen Store, 354 N Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 274-4300.
Splendid and Ella Moss Warehouse Sale
Aww man, I heart Splendid and Ella Moss clothes and now they’re going to have a warehouse sale downtown where shoppers can save 50-70% off. That’s on stuff for both gals AND guys and even kids from Splendid, Ella Moss, Splendid Little’s, Splendid Mills, Splendid Girl and Ella Moss Girl. Cash and credit cards only.
- Friday-Saturday 9am-4pm. Cooper Building, 860 S. Los Angeles St., 8th Floor, Downtown.
LA Irish Film Festival Mixer at the Edison
Into Irish films, Irish whiskey and Irish food? Check out this mixer at the Edison where Old Bushmills Whiskey is hosting a party for the LA Irish Film Festival; the festival takes place in Beverly Hills in the fall. No movie screenings, but there will be a traditional Irish band and lots of fine folk to chat film and whiskey with and perhaps dance a jig with. And can’t forget about the food — fish and chips, braised beef, and bread pudding with whiskey sauce. Mmmm, whiskey.
- 7-9pm. Free. The Edison, 108 W. 2nd Street #101, Downtown. RSVP: aidan [at] edisondowntown.com
Saturday, June 21
Make Music Pasadena
Even though it’s going to be a hot one this weekend, music fans will flock to Downtown Pasadena as over 300 concerts will be going off on World Music Day for the first ever Make Music Pasadena. And, get this, all the concerts are free! Yes, it’s going to be SoCal’s largest free music festival. The huuge bill includes everything from new local talent to Grammy Award nominees. You’ll want to check out The Raveonettes, Autolux and Dengue Fever, to name but a few.
- 10am-10pm. Free. Old Town Pasadena, Holly Street between Fair Oaks Avenue and Raymond Avenue; One Colorado Courtyard; and Playhouse District on El Molino Avenue between Green Street and Colorado Boulevard.
Hamburger Mary Celebrates Gay Marriage
Gay marriage is finally legal in California. Huzzah! That calls for a celebration and Hamburger Mary’s in West Hollywood knows it. So all weekend you can enjoy a glass of champagne for one dollar. For the hard-core celebrants among us who require a stiffer one, Jager shots are $3 and tequila shots are $1. BTW, you don’t need to be married to partake of the special.
- Hamburger Mary’s, 8288 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood. (323) 654-3800.
Sunday, June 22
Sangria Sundays at Cafe La Boheme
Enjoy your summery Sunday afternoons on Cafe La Boheme’s outdoor patio, sipping red or white sangrias and taking in the tunes spun by the dj. Small plate dishes like salt and pepper calamari with lemon basil aoli, shrimp toast with chili dipping sauce and the La Bohème burger will be available to nosh on between sips. Word of warning to nonsmokers, though, there are also in-house Cuban cigar rollers, so if you don’t like cigar smoke this may not be your thing.
- 4pm-7pm. Café La Bohème, 8400 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood. (323) 848-2360.