Hope you're hungry and thirsty because the weekend begins with a "yappy hour" and Brew at the Zoo then continues with corn, lobster and brunch festivals. Kitsch abounds with Charles Phoenix, the battle of the beards and CatCon. And lest we forget, KPCC's own Larry Mantle hosts a screening of quintessential L.A. film "Chinatown."
FRIDAY, AUG. 3; 5 - 10 p.m. - SATURDAY, AUG. 4; 3 - 10 p.m. Jackalope Summer Nights Central Park — 275 S. Raymond Ave, Pasadena Maybe you've heard of the Jackalope Art Fair? The organizers are hosting a new night market where more than 200 juried exhibitors will selling strictly handmade wares, from paper products to pickles. The indie fair also features a beer garden, acoustic music, free sunset yoga classes and DIY workshops. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, AUG. 3; 6 p.m. Yappy Hour Hammer Museum — 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood Celebrate "The Dog Days of Summer," the museum's upcoming film series, with a mutt-centric shindig. Sip a cocktail in the courtyard while visiting with dogs waiting to be adopted. Please do not bring outside dogs to this event. The screenings begin on Tuesday, Aug. 7 at 7:30 p.m. with "Sounder." COST: FREE entry; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, AUG. 3 - SUNDAY, AUG. 5 Corn Festival El Centro-Lions Park — 320 E. Erna Ave., La Habra This is one a-maize-ing (see what we did there?) festival. Organized by the Lions Club for more than 60 years, it has grown from a bbq and dance into La Habra's largest fundraiser and community event. There's live music throughout the weekend, cute doggie and kid contests, an apple pie bake-off, a car show on Friday, a parade on Saturday and a corn-eating contest on Sunday. It's free so you won't have to cobble (we can't help ourselves) the fund to attend. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, AUG. 3; 7 - 11 p.m. Brew at the Zoo Los Angeles Zoo — 5333 Zoo Dr., Griffith Park More than 40 breweries — Elysian, 21st Amendment, San Miguel, Kona, Ballast Point, to name a few — are participating in this beer event under the stars. The night also also features pop-up zoo keeper talks, animal discovery stations, pub grub available for purchase and live music from Black Crystal Wolf Kids, Boombox Heroes and Woodie and the Long Boards. COST: $55 - $135, $35 for designated drivers; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 4; 3 - 9 p.m. Burbank Car Classic San Fernando Boulevard — between Magnolia Blvd. and Angeleno Ave., downtown Burbank More than 150 classic cars, celebrity vehicles and auto-related vendors show off trims and rims. View cars from "2 Fast 2 Furious," "Fast and Furious 4," "Furious 6" and "The Fate of the Furious," along with the Mustang used by Barricade Decepticon from the Transformers" series. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 4; 7 p.m. FilmWeek Screenings: 'Chinatown' The Theatre at Ace Hotel — 929 S. Broadway, downtown L.A. "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown." Directed by Roman Polanski, written by Robert Towne and starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway and John Huston, the film is inspired by Southern California's water wars (aka how L.A. got its water and the Owens Valley got screwed). AirTalk host Larry Mantle, who selects films set in SoCal for the series, hosts an onstage discussion with guests after the film. COST: $13; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 4 - SUNDAY, AUG. 5 CatCon Pasadena Convention Center — 300 E. Green St., Pasadena Kitty culture and pop culture collide for a weekend of talks, workshops and vendors. Highlights include a public conversation about cannabis and cats, workshops on making your own cat furniture and the best food for your cat. Maybe you can make Ian Somerhalder, Lil BUB, Moshow the Cat Rapper, Pudge the Cat and Merlin Ragdoll purr at meet and greets. COST: $15 - $100, meet and greets extra; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 4; 4 p.m. The Voyager Institute Resident — 428 S. Hewitt St., downtown L.A. If only school were this interesting. The film and music lecture series celebrates its first anniversary with a program that includes archivist Natalie Snoyman discussing "Technicolor Film and Fashion of the '30s," Suki-Rose Simakis presenting a video mix of "A History of Working Women on Television" and a chat with "Kids in the Hall" actor Scott Thompson. COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
The Museum of Art History in Lancaster opens its 'Robot Art' show this weekend. (Image by Dave Pressler)
SATURDAY, AUG. 4; 2 - 6 p.m. Robot Show Opening Reception Museum of Art History — 665 W. Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster The museum holds opening receptions for eight exhibitions that explore the place robots and artificial intelligence have in our society. The main gallery features a retrospective of the works of Emmy-nominated television producer and artist Dave Pressler. Other solo exhibitions feature the work of Jeff Soto, Cristopher Cichocki, Chenhung Chen, Alex Kritselis, Robert Nelson, Karen Hochman Brown and Patrick McGilligan. The show remains up through Sept. 30. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 4; 7 p.m. Summer Nights' Backyard Party KCRW HQ — 1660 Stewart St., Santa Monica The public radio station holds a party on the Santa Monica College CMD campus to celebrate summer and the recent opening of its new headquarters. Live music provided by The Midnight Hour, a new 18-piece project from Ali Shaheed Muhammad (of A Tribe Called Quest) and composer Adrian Younge. KCRW DJs Garth Trinidad and Travis Holcombe spin throughout the night. Evan Kleiman curates the food trucks. All ages. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 4; 9 a.m. - noon Primo's Donuts 62nd Anniversary Primo's Donuts — 2918 Sawtelle Blvd., Sawtelle The family-owned donut shop in West L.A. celebrates more than six decades in business. In their annual tradition, owners Ralph and Celia Primo will give away mini versions of their Buttermilk Bars to every customer. While you're there, might as well check out the shop's other offerings, including the recently added Salted Caramel Buttermilk Bar. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 4; 2 p.m. La Tocada Music Festival LA State Historic Park — 1245 N. Spring St., downtown L.A. The festival presents Latin alternative, rock and pop acts on two stages with a lineup that features Café Tacvba, Mon Laferte, Paneton Rococo, Jesse & Joy, Molotov, Porter, Little Jesus, Caloncho and Camilo Septimo. In addition to music, there's also lucha libre wrestling, art on display and local food vendors. COST: $69 - $199; MORE INFO
SATURDAY AUG. 4; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Laughs On Tap: An Evening of Stand Up Comedy ...& Beer 2154 Hill Dr., Eagle Rock Maria Bamford headlines the comedy night with all proceeds benefiting Shower of Hope, which offers mobile showers for the homeless. Other comics on the bill include Luz Pazos, Fraser Smith and Drew Lynch. Tickets include a light dinner from Luciano's in Pasadena and one drink from Eagle Rock's Craft Beer Cellar. This event is 21+. COST: $25 - $30; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 4; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Brunch Life Fest Rainbow Lagoon Park — 400 E. Shoreline Dr., Long Beach This new fest brings together restaurants from Long Beach, the OC and L.A. for tastings, mimosas and cocktails designed for day drinking. Participating vendors include Teetee House, Veggie Fam, Mess Hall Canteen, Mussels & Pearls, Drake's Brewing, The Dudes' Brewing and Steelhead Coffee. Samples and tastings are available while supplies last. Full-sized entrees and beverages will also be available for purchase. This event is 21+. COST: $20 - $65; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 4; 7 - 11 p.m. Remix: The Art of Music Opening Reception Gabba Gallery — 3126 Beverly Blvd., Rampart This group show features more than 70 artists whose works have been inspired by music. Co-hosted by Jane Lynch and Matt Sorum, participating artists include Shepard Fairey, Morley, Mickey Avalon, CANTSTOPGOODBOY, Kate Carvellas, Morley and Val Kilmer. A portion of proceeds will go to Adopt the Arts, a nonprofit that helps fund arts programs in L.A.'s public elementary schools. The exhibition will remain on view through Aug. 25. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 4; 6 - 11 p.m. - SUNDAY, AUG. 5; 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. We Stole the Fire RCNSTRCT Studio — 7400 Melrose Ave, Fairfax Think Tank Gallery presents a group show and immersive art experience "to ignite free speech and expression." Confirmed artists include Phil America, Sheryo x The Yok, Lolo YS, Abars, Willie Gomez and Kristen Liu-Wong, among many others. The weekend pop-up features audience participation activations, performance art, installations and graffiti art. The opening party is 21+. All ages are welcome on Sunday. COST: FREE admission with RSVP; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 4; 6:30 - 10 p.m. GR2 @ 15 Years Artists Reception Giant Robot 2 — 2062 Sawtelle Blvd., Sawtelle This ginormous group show celebrates the gallery's 15th anniversary with works by more than two dozen artists including Gary Baseman, Theo Ellsworth-Thought Cloud Factory, Susie Ghahremani, Darren Inouye and Trisha Inouye, Geoff McFetridge and Yukinori Dehara. The exhibition remains on view through Sept. 15. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, AUG. 4; 1 p.m. Beard Battle The Hi-Hat — 5043 York Blvd., Highland Park The 3rd annual facial hair fiesta returns with the theme "Circus/Sideshow." We can't wait to see beards that will surprise and shock. There are 11 categories for competitors (including one for women), so choose the one that fits your face. The Gentlemen's Social Club of Los Angeles will collect cans of nutritional foods and donate them to the Los Angeles Food Bank. Two cans gets you a raffle tickets. COST: $15 - $20 (spectators); $25 - $30 (competitors); MORE INFO
SUNDAY, AUG. 5; 3 - 8 p.m. Lobsterfest at Newport Beach Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort — 1131 Back Bay Dr., Newport Beach Eat crustaceans for a cause with proceeds benefiting Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire. The general admission ticket includes one Maine lobster, a grilled New York strip steak, salads, red potatoes, corn-on-the-cob, rolls, dessert and access to a cash bar. The VIP package includes all-you-can eat Maine lobster and two adult beverages. Kids meals sans lobster are available, too (advanced purchase only). COST: $75 - $150; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, AUG. 5; 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Addicted to Americana Book Signing Walt Disney's Carolwood Barn — 5202 Zoo Dr., Griffith Park Retro guru Charles Phoenix signs and discusses his 2017 book about kitsch across the U.S of A. His appearance takes place in a museum dedicated to Disney's love of trains and model railroads. Books will be available for sale. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, AUG. 5; 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. BrunchCon The Reef — 1933 S. Broadway, downtown L.A. As its name implies, this is a celebration of all things brunch. Tickets include one bite from each of the 30+ vendors and as many mimosas and Bloody Marys as you can drink. Shop brunch-related goods, play games or listen to tunes in between bites. There are two sessions: 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1:30 - 4pm each day. VIP sessions begin a half-hour earlier. This event is 21+ only. COST: $45 - $85; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, AUG. 5; 7 p.m. Bon Iver & Tu Dance Hollywood Bowl — 2301 N Highland Ave., Hollywood Justin Vernon's Bon Iver teams with the Tu Dance troupe to present the West Coast premiere of their work, "Come Through." Opening the night includes Wye Oak and the Metropolis Ensemble. COST: $15 - $160; MORE INFO
THROUGH AUG. 31; 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sparrow Mart The Standard — 550 S. Flower St., downtown L.A. British artist Lucy Sparrow has painstakingly recreated a supermarket installation made of 31,000 handmade felt items, retailing for $5 each. Shop the Mart for plush avocados, kale, Cheeze Whiz, SPAM and more. To complement the installation, the hotel offers a British-inspired menu at Sparrow Café. The installation is closed on Mondays. COST: FREE; MORE INFO