BY KAREN YOUNG
THURSDAY-SUNDAY
Los Angeles Food & Wine: This popular event is back for the second year with city-wide events August 9 – 12. Get close-up with chefs and winemakers throughout the weekend at themed parties, dining experiences, wine seminars, cooking demos and a charity auction brunch. Chefs include Wolfgang Puck (host chef), Andrew Zimmern, Giada de Laurentiis, Guy Fieri, Graham Elliot, Michael Voltaggio, Duff Goldman, Michael Chiarello and Scott Conant .Tickets and the full event lineup at www.lafw.com.
FRIDAY
Brew in the Zoo: Enjoy 4.5 ounce beer samples, comedians from the Laugh Factory, DJ Morningstar, live local bands, pub-style grub for purchase, and more. Animal highlights include elephants, koalas, and apes. Plus, visit the new LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles), featuring crocodiles, rattlesnakes, vipers, giant salamander, horned lizards and dozens of other scaly and slimy species from around the globe! 6-10 p.m. 21+. $40 advance/$45 door/$20 dd. 5333 Zoo Drive, L.A., 323.644.4200.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
The 51st Annual Watermelon Festival: This is the longest running and largest non-profit festival in Southern California welcoming 20,000 visitors every year, featuring live music, rides, games, food, beer, shopping, contests, raffles, art, and of course, free watermelon. The proceeds benefit over 70 charities and organizations. Admission is $5; children under 30″ are free. The 51st annual festival of 2012 will take place on August 10, 11, 12 at Sunland Park in Sunland-Tujunga (Los Angeles). For more information, please visit our website or facebook page. We hope to see you at this year’s 51st Annual Watermelon Festival.
FRIDAY
Dance Downtown: It’s 60s night with live bands and DJs at the Music Center Plaza. Live out loud, learn different dance styles and join in on Downtown’s only open air dance floor. Every experience level is welcome. 6:30pm – 10:00pm. Music Center Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave. Los Angeles. 213-972-3660. FREE
Supernatural Cooking Lesson: Author, teacher, epicurean and healer Nancy Mehagian teaches a cooking class for kids of all ages this Saturday morning from 11 a.m.-noon at Whole Foods in Tarzana. She’ll prepare the Mexiquinoa Salad from her award-winning “Supernatural Kids Cookbook.” No purchase necessary. A portion of the proceeds from any books sold at the event will go to Share Our Strength/End Hunger Network. Ebooks available through PDP on amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, itunes.com, www.huquapress.com
The Third Annual Chinatown Summer Nights: Check it out on August 11 with a fresh lineup of great food, art and music for perfect summer festival fare. Large outdoor dance floor featuring KCRW 89.9 DJs Anthony Valadez, Jason Bentley, Jeremy Sole, Valida and Aaron Byrd/. The LA Weekly live music stage features some of the hottest local music acts. Also, look for Iron Chef-style cooking competitions and live demonstrations, gourmet food trucks, hands-on Chinese cultural activities and workshops,live art and large-scale outdoor video projections, gift vendors and more. Events are free and open to all ages. Bike racks and plenty of parking available. For more information on LA Craft Experience: www.laceevent.com | Chinatown Summer Nights 5 p.m. to Midnight. 943 – 951 N. Broadway, Los Angeles CA 90012 (Central and West Plazas).
Movies on the Green: Close Encounters of the Third Kind, starring Richard Dreyfuss and directed by Steven Speilberg, is this week’s free film, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Warner Center Park, 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills.
Rick Springfield at The Starlight Bowl: Rick Springfield (remember Jesse’s Girl?) is at The Starlight Bowl in Burbank August 11 from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., 1249 Lockheed View Dr., Burbank. Adults: $10 Children (3-12): $6 Seniors (60+)/Disabled: $6 Children 2 and under free (excluding box seats) Tickets purchased at the gate on the evening of the performance will be an additional $2 per ticket. Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more.
The Service Dogs in Concert: Bring a picnic and some low chairs and enjoy a Sunday concert in the park at Peter Strauss Ranch on Sunday from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. The Service Dogs have played shows throughout Los Angeles including at Universal City Walk. Enjoy a summer afternoon rocking out to popular rock ‘n’ roll from the 80’s and 90’s. Peter Strass Ranch, 30000 Mulholland Hwy at Troutdale Drive, Agoura. Admission FREE
Sun Sets in Calabasas and National Night Out: Feel the rhythms of Brazilian Jazz, Samba, Salsa, Merengue, Bolero, Gypsy Rumba and Afro- Brazilian music Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center. It’s also National Night Out! The Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff and the City of Calabasas are encouraging community members to participate by locking their doors, turning on outside lights, and spending the evening outdoors enjoying the music of Combolux. Representatives from the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station will be on hand. It’s a unique opportunity to meet local deputies, learn about what their typical day is like and to thank them for their service. All concerts begin at 6:00pm and are free to the public. Located on the Greenbelt at Calabasas Lake (open to public during concerts). Enter at The Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center (located at 23400 Park Sorrento). Free park & ride shuttle from the Calabasas Inn (located at 23500 Park Sorrento) Shuttle hours: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Seating & Food. Field seating on grass – bring picnics, lawn chairs & blanketsLimited chaired seating available on a first come – first serve basis.
Karen Young is the Founder/Editor of MY DAILY FIND. Got news? Tips? Email karen@mydailyfind.com
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