Critical 5 things to do in L.A.: something new, October 5-7
L.A. tends to be a cliquey town. Once you get settled into a routine, it's hard to force yourself to venture out of your favorite places and try something new. But, if you feel like exploring a little, this is definitely the weekend for it. So, forego your tried and true ways of doing things and see what else is out there.
Front Porch Cinema
L.A. loves to do movies outdoors, which is great, except generally the films that are offered are old, campy flicks that people have to pretend to enjoy ironically. Rarely do the hosts of these al fresco cinematic experiences fire up the reel with new popular movies. The Front Porch Cinema does things differently. This Friday they are showing the box office smash The Hunger Games. What's even better is that, while the creepiness of watching movies in a graveyard (like at the famous Cinespia events) has its own charm, this takes place on the iconic Santa Monica Pier. As if watching a blockbuster surrounded by the salty ocean spray wasn't enough, this event is also free.
Eagle Rock Music Festival
Usually music festivals in Los Angeles take themselves extremely seriously, purporting to showcase the new alternative up-and-comers in the indie circuits. Eagle Rock Music Festival, however, takes a more relaxed, lighthearted approach to the music scene. A melting pot of all different types of music, this good-humored fest also has things like square dancing, a stage dedicated to folk music and an arts and crafts area. Leave the pretentious festivals behind and come ready to dance in the streets at the ERMF this Saturday.
BAM Fest
Celebrating all things local, this Saturday the Beer Art Music Festival (known simply as BAM Fest) is featuring 30 craft breweries, 4 bands, 3 art galleries and untold numbers of gourmet food trucks. For $40 you get a tasting glass and limitless access to beer samples, which is great considering there are some places in Los Angeles where $40 only buys you two Bud Lights. Being in L.A., the event even boasts a free valet service. Being in the Santa Monica neighborhood, however, this valet service is of course only for green-conscious bike riders.
The Full Monty
As long as you're going outside of your comfort zone, why not watch others do the same? This weekend come see the Third Street Theater's rendition of the overexposed play The Full Monty. Drop your inhibitions and watch these thespians drop their pants in this funny story about steelworkers turned strippers.
Jason Mraz
This Saturday tons of people will be flocking to the Hollywood Bowl to see Jason Mraz play on the main stage. Skip that concert. Instead, see him in the far more intimate setting of The Wiltern on Sunday. There Mr. A-Z will be playing a stripped-down acoustic set of all his best romantic ballads and pop hits. This is definitely a better way to listen to the singer/songwriter in his element with just a mic and a guitar. It might be slightly more expensive, but the proceeds from this show go to benefit the Jason Mraz Foundation, which donates to a long list of worthwhile causes.
