Best Of Los Angeles: Week Of August 18
(credit: Ann Watson Photography)
The kids are back in school so take a week for yourself, LA. This week has plenty to tempt you, with dance lessons and parties, munching some incredibly rare and unique dishes, and a happy hour staycation close to home. Reward your family with a weekend trip to Long Beach for a soap box derby the whole family can get in the action on.
(credit: John Anson Ford Theatres)
Monday, August 18
JAM Sessions at the Ford
The John Anson Ford Theatres
2580 Cahuenga Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90068
www.fordtheatres.org
Take a personal day and release some serious stress by starting this week with an afternoon salsa lesson at JAM Sessions at the Ford. Oxygen Tango's introduction class teachines improvised social Argentine tango in a fun, and easy way. Come alone, with friends or a partner for this free dance lesson.
(credit: Chianina Steakhouse)
Tuesday, August 19
Taste Chianina
Chianina Steakhouse
5716 2nd St.
Long Beach, CA 90803
(562) 434-2333
www.Chianina.com
Chianina Steakhouse in Long Beach is proud to finally be serving their namesake steak, Chianina. Available on a first-come, first-served basis, this type of grass-fed herd of steer from Utah is one of the rarest and is available at only a handful of establishments in the world. Available in a variety of cuts, the porterhouse cooked Bistecca Fiorentina style is a house best bet. Reservations and availability are limited.
(credit: Ed Krieger)
Wednesday, August 20
Stay & Play Happy Hour
Downtown Culver City's Third Wednesday
Culver and Washington Blvd's.
Culver City, CA
www.downtownculvercity.com
Join Downtown Culver City for their Third Wednesday Happy Hour inviting you to stay and play with a staycation in the city. Sample "Aloha August" spiked tropical punch, enjoy free live entertainment, dining specials, and numerous merchants. Don't forget to get your Third Wednesday Passport stamped for the chance to win fun prizes!
(credit: Chaya Venice)
Thursday, August 21
"Garlic Fair"
Chaya Venice
110 Navy St.
Venice, CA 90291
(310) 396-1179
www.thechaya.com
Chaya Venice—the westside location of the iconic Franco-Japanese establishment—launches its 19th Celebrate the 19th annual "Garlic Fair" at Chaya Venice, the westside location of LA's iconic Franco-Japanese restaurant. The bold menu, available through August 31st, features numerous dishes and cocktails all centered around the amazing spice including Spicy Garlic Seafood "Tan-Tan" Soup, and a 40-clove garlic rib eye. And you don't have to worry about garlic breath, complimentary mini bottles of mouthwash are available in the restroom for your date's enjoyment.
(credit: The Music Center)
Friday, August 22
Dance Downtown: 90s Night
The Music Center Plaza
135 N Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.musiccenter.org
Spend your Friday evening under the lights of Los Angeles as you dance to the best music of the 90s with your fellow Angelinos. Live DJs, live bands, and dance instruction, as well as your best 90s costume, will help you get your groove on as you remember how to do the running man, typewriter, the Carlton, and the cabbage patch. Free.
(credit: Queen Mary)
Saturday, August 23
All-American Soap Box Derby
Queen Mary
1126 Queens Hwy.
Long Beach, CA 90802
(877) 342-0738
www.queenmary.com/derby
Making its formal Long Beach debut this weekend, soap box derby, the granddaddy of motor-sports racing that flourished just after the Great Depression, promises to intrigue a new generation of racers and budding engineers. With no cost to compete and all entrants welcome, hop in your own soap box racer and hit the track.
(credit: AnneWatson)
Sunday, August 24
3rd Annual PigOut
The California Scenario
611 Anton Blvd.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
www.100eats.com
The 3rd annual PigOut promises an evening of culinary fun as you will drink, dine, and socialize with a group of pork aficionados. Celebrity chef creations, involvement from some of the area's finest restaurants, culinary demonstrations, tastings, pairings, and even a 250 pound Templeton Rye Duroc Pig of the Templeton Rye Heritage Pork Project will be available. Entrance includes unlimited food and beverage samples.
Katie Bodell is the Blog Editor for Trekaroo, the largest family travel website in the U.S. She is also a freelance writer, a happy wife to her best friend, and a mom to three sweet California girls. See more on: Trekaroo | CheapOair | Google+ | Twitter.
