Weekend Docket: 7/27/12

It's Opening Ceremony tonight and thank god for Broke Girls Guide who did a full round-up of where you can snag a seat next to an attractive dude to watch London ring in a new year! Haven't fully decided where I'll be watching but I'm sure after a few cocktails & dress shopping with the lovely Elise Cantu (she's a super hot actress you should all know & adore...) I'll figure it out.

As for tomorrow... I'll be at the Taste of Summer Charity Event for the Fulfillment Fund.  Unfortunately (or well really fortunately) it's sold out but there will be a few last minute tickets at the door (seriously like 10 tickets) for the die-hards who missed out.  And too bad you didn't buy tickets early because I'm totally going to try and snag awesome auction items like a private cocktail & bites dinner at Spitz Little Tokyo! They have such a fantastic cocktail program there!

Rounding out the weekend is yet another amazing Living Social Adventures event: Trapeze and Sushi!  Yeah, you heard that right.  I think it's also almost sold out, but never fear we have another one on sale right now: The Urban Ninja Warrior Experience... Ninja Time anyone?

But enough about me, what are you all doing this weekend?? I want to hear all about your weekend plans too! Leave em in the comments below :).  And as always... if you want to connect, you can follow me on twitter @nicolemiizuka or find me on Facebook!

All Weekend

The Pancakes & Booze Art Show
July 27-28
Basically your average Sunday morning in college, the name says it all: You’ll find plenty of elixirs, free flapjacks and works from some of Southern California’s top emerging artists at this underground event on Friday and Saturday night. It's really as simple as that. Totally worth checking out if you love art & delicious breakfast foods. Oh right and music? Totally LA this event costs $5 at the door. Lot 613: 613 Imperial Street (@ 6th) Los Angeles http://pancakesandbooze.com/

The Renegade Craft Fair: Los Angeles
Saturday & Sunday 11am - 7pm
We’re finishing up the West Coast leg of our 2012 RCF summer tour with the 4th Annual Renegade Craft Fair Los Angeles on July 28+29 from 11am-7pm both days, at the Los Angeles State Historic Park! Get ready for hundreds of today’s best indie crafters, hands-on workshops, music, food trucks, booze + oh so much more. Get ready Los Angeles, it’s gonna be a good one. You’ll be able to get crafty with all kinds of awesome workshops from the likes of the Urban Craft Center (they’ll be teaching needle felting from their awesome RV o’ craft), L.A. Zine Fest (try your hand at the art of zine-making!), and SideStreet Projects (check out woodworking demos from their converted schoolbus!). As always, our favorite free-to-use photobooth from Magnolia Photobooth Co. will be in full effect, and DJs from KXLU will be spinning our crafting + shopping soundtrack. Attendees can help LA’s four-legged friends find a forever home with Second Acts Animal Rescue. We’ll also have several of LA’s finest food trucks on hand! State Historic Park 1245 Spring Street http://www.renegadecraft.com/photos/los-angeles

Long Beach Crawfish Festival
Saturday & Sunday
Combines the best Cajun, Zydeco, and New Orleans sounds of music, tons of fresh crawfish prepared Louisiana style and served by authentic Cajun chefs; giant food court, children’s area, dance floor, two stages and beach bars to create the largest Crawfish Festival outside of Louisiana. For over 19 years the Crawfish Festival has become a tradition to over thousands of festival goers annually. We combine the best Cajun, Zydeco, and New Orleans sounds of music, tons of fresh crawfish prepared Louisiana style and served by authentic Cajun chefs, giant food court, children’s area, dance floor, two stages and beach bars to create the largest Crawfish Festival outside of Louisiana, right here in Southern California. Tickets are $28 at the door. Rainbow Lagoon, Long Beach http://www.longbeachcrawfishfestival.com/

Friday 7/27

Cordero Negro @ Royal/T
all night
Royal/T will host Cordero Negro as Chef Sandra Cordero features her Twelve Tapas Tasting Menu for two evenings only. Cordero Negro is pleased to partner with Royal/T upon the closing of their space and current exhibition appropriately titled “The Art of Cooking”. The $45 prix fixe tasting menu will include such dishes as Chilled Tomato Gazpacho, Patatas Bravas, Garlic Shrimp, Goat Cheese stuffed Pequillo Peppers, Green Bean Salad, Meatballs, Spanish Flan, and more… thus making for a perfectly traditional yet creative menu ideal for sharing amongst guests. Royal/T, 8910 Washington Blvd, Culver City. http://www.royal-t.org/event/cordero-negro-royalt/

Global Fusion Night @ The LA Zoo
6pm - 9pm
Nighttime drinking & eating at the Zoo is an LA must, and tonight marks the last night of the summertime "Music in the Zoo" series. I've been a few times and let me tell you, it's pretty amazing! Munch on some good grub and listen to some global music (the lineup includes French, Irish Mediterranean and African music) while you roam around through the Los Angeles Zoo, seeing which animals are still awake for the party. LA ZOO 5333 Zoo Drive Los Angeles, CA 90027 http://lazoo.org/mitz/

Saturday, 7/28

New. Artisanal. Now.
12pm - 6pm
ForYourArt is highlighting locally made products for a day, in the spirit of the Hammer Museum's L.A.-centric biennial, Made in L.A. The free event will feature a dozen of the city's unique culinary talents, who have been selected by the likes of Krista Simmons (LAist’s food editor), Shawna Dawson (Artisanal L.A.), and Michaele Musel (The Secret Fork). Sample bites from Crème Caramel L.A. and Orgasmo de la Boca. FYA Space 6020, 6020 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-City www.foryourart.com

Chinatown Summer Nights
7pm - 11:30pm
Chinatown Summer Nights is back again with a three-Saturday stint in one of L.A.'s most iconic neighborhoods. Listen to KCRW DJs and various bands as you dine from a selection of food trucks, including Pigs Feet Under and Crepe'n Around. And don’t miss the craft-beer garden, which features brews picked by locals Eagle Rock Brewery, Golden Road and El Segundo Brewing Company. Chinatown Summer Nights, 943-951 N. Broadway, Downtown  www.chinatownsummernights.com

Saturday Screenings!

Street Food Cinema: Iron Man
Eat|See|Hear Presents: The Princess Bride
Oscars Outdoors: The Dark Crystal
Cemetary Screenings: The Big Lebowski

Sunday, 7/29

Sugar Social at Taylor De Cordoba
7pm
Beloved author and advice columnist Cheryl Strayed (a.k.a. Dear Sugar) shares sweet and salty stories from her new book, Tiny Beautiful Things, and best-selling novel, Wild, at the summer session of Eating Our Words. Plus dig into locally sourced treats from I Heart Pies and Carmela Ice Cream. 2660 S. La Cienega Blvd., b/t Venice & Washington Blvds., Culver City R.S.V.P. (required) by Fri. to rsvp@taylordecordoba.com.

Monday, 7/30

www.laist.com

Vegan Burger Showdown @ Mohawk Bend
6 to 9:30 p.m.
Mohawk Bend's vegan-friendly chef, Mike Garber, is holding a vegan burger showdown, featuring chefs Jet Tila (The Charleston) and Kajsa Alger (Street), to prove you don't need animal products to make an epic burger. The event will feature a sample platter of three original creations ($12 for three sliders) that diners can vote on, alongside a panel of judges, including Los Angeles Magazine's Lesley Barger Suter. Mohawk Bend, 2141 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park www.mohawk.la