Upcoming Events: April 13-19, 2015

The Factory Gastrobar’s Grilled Cheese Week
April 13-19
The Factory Gastrobar, Bixby Knolls, Long Beach
http://www.facebook.com/events/1570393353209281/

The Factory crafts some amazing artisan grilled cheese sandwiches, and for the next seven days, they will sling a different variation of grilled cheese each day. If you love grilled cheeses as much as I do, you ought to visit The Factory everyday this week.

Free Sprinkles Day: 10 Year Anniversary
9:00 am – 9:00 pm, April 13
Sprinkles Cupcakes, Nationwide
http://www.facebook.com/events/1588763341371569/

Visit any participating Sprinkles Cupcakes today to receive one FREE cupcake!

Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day
12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, April 14
Ben & Jerry’s, Worldwide
http://www.benjerry.com/scoop-shops/free-cone-day

Get one FREE ice cream cone this Tuesday at any participating Ben & Jerry’s store.

Roar in The Shore
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, April 15
Legends, Belmont Shore, Long Beach
http://www.belmontshore.org/events.html

Completely free to attend, guests can view race cars on displays, and receive racer autographs.

Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2015
11:00 am – 10:00 pm, April 16
10:00 am – 10:00 pm, April 17-18
10:00 am – 5:00 pm, April 19
Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim
http://www.starwarscelebration.com/

Star Wars fans rejoice! This weekend, a massive Star Wars expo comes to Southern California at the Anaheim Convention Center. Find all things Star Wars here, such as collectibles, merchandise, apparel, art, literature, special guests, screenings, seminars, and more. Admission varies in price, with single-day admission ranging from $60 to $75, children costing $35, and a weekend pass for $140.

Lagunitas Tap Takeover
4:20 pm – 10:00 pm, April 16
Select Beer Store, Redondo Beach
http://www.facebook.com/events/806278599455499/

Select Beer Store in Redondo Beach will have a Lagunitas tap takeover this Thursday night. No admission required – simply show up and order as you go.

22nd Annual Wild & Crazy Taco Night
4:30 pm – 7:30 pm, April 16
Share Our Selves, Costa Mesa
http://www.shareourselves.org/events/

25 of Orange County’s finest chefs will gather to prepare their most unusual and unique taco. Come witness history in the making, as chefs strive to reinvent the wheel by crafting the new generation of tacos. VIP hour starts at 4:30pm and costs $150, while general admission starts at 5:30pm and costs $80.

Tecate Light Thunder Thursday
6:30 pm – 10:30 pm, April 16
Pine & Broadway, Downtown Long Beach
http://www.downtownlongbeach.org/Latest-News-Detail/Tecate-Thunder-Thursday?id=64693

Completely free to attend for all ages, guests can catch motorcycle shows, race cars on display, racer autographs, a rock wall, live music, and more. Guests can find free parking for up to two hours in the structures east of Pine and north of 3rd.

Richie Ramone – Live in Long Beach
7:00 pm – 11:00 pm, April 16
Blacklight District Lounge, Long Beach
http://www.facebook.com/events/1822015921356349/

Come enjoy all your favorite Ramones hits this Thursday night in Long Beach. The cover for this show costs $10. No one under 21 may enter.

41st Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
7:00 am – 9:00 pm, April 17-18
7:00 am – 5:30 pm, April 19
Long Beach Convention Center, Downtown Long Beach
http://www.gplb.com/

Catch all the excitement of the races all weekend in beautiful Downtown Long Beach, as the streets transform into a speed zone. Open to all ages, racing events take place throughout the day, so attendees can catch a race at most times of the day. Consult the website to further read about the race schedule, but know that the celebrity race takes place in the early afternoon on Saturday, and the grand prix takes place Sunday afternoon. Ticket prices vary by type, but a general admission weekend pass costs $70. The massive area that the grand prix covers features multiple entrances, so visitors do not need to seek out any particular entrance – just the entrance most convenient to them. All visitors must mind the increased traffic in & around Long Beach during this weekend, plus the multiple street closures. Preferably, public transportation remains the same price, so visitors should look into that option. As the races take place entirely outdoors, attendees should prepare for the excess heat with sunblock and plenty of hydration. Most if not all of the vendors accept cash only, but attendees can still access businesses in Shoreline Village, which will accept cards.

RVCA Warehouse Sale
9:00 am – 7:00 pm, April 17-19
RVCA Warehouse, Irvine
http://rvca.eventbrite.com/
http://www.rvca.com/b/post/warehouse-sale

If you like RVCA, check out their warehouse sale this weekend. Not only do you get to visit their warehouse, but you can score some great deals on apparel, accessories, and more. Guests can enter for free after waiting in an absurdly long line. No one under 13 may enter.

SoCal Etsy Guild Handmade Pop-Up Shop at Arts District Co-Op 1 Year Anniversary Celebration
12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, April 17/19
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm, April 18
Arts District Co-op, Downtown Los Angeles
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/arts-district-co-op-1-year-anniversary-celebration-tickets-16406755046

Free to attend for all ages, the SoCal Etsy Guild will celebrate their first year anniversary this weekend with food trucks, art, vendors, live music, a full bar, and more.

Mission Brewery Tap Takeover
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, April 17
Alpine Village, Torrance
http://www.facebook.com/events/913327552018940/

Enjoy some brews from Mission Brewery as they take over the taps at Alpine Village this Friday night. No admission required – simply show up and order as you go.

Punk Show in Baldwin Park
6:00 pm – 1:00 am, April 17
American Legion Post 241, Baldwin Park
http://www.facebook.com/events/341360836059291/

Get your punk rock on this Friday night in Baldwin Park at this local all-ages show. The cover for this show costs $5, or enter for free if arriving before 7:30pm.

Raskahuele @ The Constellation Room
7:00 pm – 1:00 am, April 17
The Observatory’s Constellation Room, Santa Ana
http://www.observatoryoc.com/event/-raskahuele

Get your skanking on at this skacore show this Friday night in the Constellation Room at The Observatory this Friday night. Tickets to this all-ages show cost $12.

Chicks That Rock
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, April 17
Jimmy’s Place, Burbank
http://www.facebook.com/events/624590280974487/

Rock out at this local rock show this Friday night in Burbank. The cover for this show costs only $5. No one under 21 may enter.

1st Annual Guns ‘N Hoses Competition
9:00 am – 3:00 pm, April 18
Farmers Park, Anaheim
http://www.anaheimpa.com/about/guns-n-hoses

Come watch firefighters, police, and civilians compete in a charity fitness competition this Saturday at the Farmers Park in Anaheim, free to attend. In addition to the competition, visitors can take photos with SWAT and vintage firefighting vehicles, watch a K9 demo, enjoy a performance by the OC Law Girls, watch a police vs. firefighter tug-o-war, browse vendors, enter a 50/50 raffle, and more. Guests over 21 can also enjoy a beer garden starting at 11am. Have lunch at the nearby Umami Burger any time on Saturday, and they will donate 10% of the proceeds to the competition’s charity.

24th Annual Poppy Festival
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, April 18-19
Lancaster City Park, Lancaster
http://www.poppyfestival.com/

Bring out the family to this all-ages family-fun festival this weekend in Lancaster. This festival will have plenty of activities for everyone to get involved with, along with food, drinks, multiple vendors, music, dance, art, games, rides, and more. Admission for regular adults costs $8, while children, seniors, and military can enter for $5.

20th Annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, April 18-19
University of Southern California, Los Angeles
http://events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks/

Immerse yourself in a world of literature this weekend on the USC campus, completely free to attend. In addition to finding thousands of books here, visitors can expect live bands, poetry readings, chef demos, cultural entertainment, artists creating their work on-site, a photography exhibit, film screenings, discussion panels on some of today’s hottest topics, and so much more.

3rd Annual Riverside Tamale Festival
11:00 pm – 7:00 pm, April 18
White Park, Riverside
http://riversidetamalefestival.weebly.com/

Enjoy Hispanic food and culture this Saturday afternoon in Riverside. Admission costs only $1, but all guests must pay for tamales at cost, so bring cash for that.

L.A. Local Craft Beer & Artisan Food Fest
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, April 18
Alpine Village, Torrance
http://www.alpinevillagecenter.com/events/los-angeles-craft-beer-food-fest/

Check out the best of local food and beer at this tasting event this Saturday afternoon at Alpine Village in Torrance. Admission costs $40 and provides access to unlimited food and beer tastings while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.

15th Annual Taste of Hillcrest
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, April 18
5th & Robinson, Hillcrest, San Diego
http://fabuloushillcrest.com/events/taste-of-hillcrest-2013/

Savor the flavors of all the amazing eateries in Hillcrest this Saturday afternoon. Over 40 restaurants will offer delicious samples to guests, while a handful of local breweries will provide beer tasters for guests. Admission costs $30 presale and $35 on the day of the event. Admission includes 50 taster tickets, and each location accepts different amounts of tickets. Guests can move at their own pace, and select which locations to spend their tickets at.

2015 California Wine Festival – Dana Point
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, April 18
Lantern Bay Park, Dana Point
http://www.californiawinefestival.com/

Enjoy food and wine at this wine tasting event this Saturday afternoon in Dana Point. General admission costs $59 and starts at 1pm, early admission costs $79 and starts at 12pm, and VIP admission costs $99, starts at 12pm, and includes a few extra VIP perks.

Santa Monica Ukulele Festival
12:00 pm – 8:30 pm, April 18
Santa Monica High School, Santa Monica
http://www.santamonicaukulelefestival.com/

Enjoy ukulele music, check out ukulele products, and/or bring your own ukulele to share music at this music gathering in Santa Monica this Saturday. Admission costs $5, and parking costs $5.

5th Annual Brokechella
3:00 pm – 12:00 am, April 18
cARTel: Collaborative Arts LA, Downtown Los Angeles
http://brokechella.com/

Cannot afford to dump money on Coachella? Check out Brokechella, a miniature version of the money-guzzling concert, this Saturday in Downtown Los Angeles. Expose yourself to the variety of local art and music at this intimate experience, and keep your wallet happy too. Admission to this event costs $20 presale or $25 at the door. No one under 21 may attend.

Cosmo 7K – All Ladies Run/Walk
3:30 pm – 9:30 pm, April 18
Fairplex, Pomona
http://energyevents.com/cosmo7k-la

Only women can participate in this 7k fun run this Saturday! All participants receive complimentary snacks, a t-shirt, a souvenir martini glass, a goodie bag, and more.

OC Roller Girls – Roller Derby Rodeo
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, April 18
The Rinks, Huntington Beach
http://ocrollergirls.com/

Watch intense & brutal girl-on-girl action at this roller derby bout this Saturday night in Santa Ana. Tickets to this roller derby bout cost $15.

1st Annual A Taste of Downtown
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, April 18
Cooper Design Space, Downtown Los Angeles
http://downtownartwalk.org/gala/

Enjoy food, drinks, music, art, and more in Downtown LA this Saturday evening. General admission costs $45 presale or $65 at the door, while VIP admission costs $75 presale or $95 at the door – VIP admission gains priority entry and seating.

Night Nation Run – San Diego
6:00 pm – 12:00 am, April 18
Sleep Train Amphitheatre, Chula Vista
http://www.nightnationrun.com/san-diego-2015/

People always seem to want to find any way possible to make running less boring. Introducing Night Nation Run, a glow run that now involves EDM. Run a course complete with lights, glow sticks, lasers, EDM, and more. Registration costs $30 presale or $60 once presale registration runs out, and includes a t-shirt, a glow necklace, a goodie bag, and access to the after-party with more EDM.

Buck-O-Nine – Live in Southern California
8:30 pm – 1:30 am, April 18, The Casbah, Middletown, San Diego http://www.casbahmusic.com/event/5232
8:00 pm – 12:00 am, April 19, Slide Bar, Fullerton http://www.facebook.com/events/387635884729937/

Buck-O-Nine will headline two shows in Southern California this weekend. Each show has a different price and age limit, so click on the show’s link for more information.

Los Angeles Cocktail Classic
9:00 pm – 1:00 am, April 18
Park Plaza, Los Angeles
http://drinkeatplay.com/cocktailclassic/

Basically, rich people drinking with hundreds of other rich people. Admission costs $75 and includes all drinks while supplies last. Food comes at a separate cost, so have cash available for that. No one under 21 may enter. Dress code strictly enforced.

Grand Pacific Steam’s Steampunk Swapmeet
10:00 am – 4:00 pm, April 19
San Diego Lapidary Society, Linda Vista, San Diego
http://www.facebook.com/events/1415773082058104/

Steampunk fans will not want to miss this all-ages flea market for all things steampunk. Free to attend, visitors will find all sorts of vendors selling music, apparel, accessories, art, and more.

26th Annual San Diego Earth Fair
10:00 am – 5:00 pm, April 19
Balboa Park, San Diego
http://earthdayweb.org/

This FREE and all-ages Earth Day celebration takes place this Sunday at Balboa Park in San Diego. Bring the family out to enjoy this fair with art galleries, “green” food, arts & crafts, vendors, a parade, and more.

2015 Los Angeles Avocado Festival
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, April 19
Olvera Street, Downtown Los Angeles
http://www.lafoodfestivals.com/

Dozens of food vendors will serve up delicious avocado eats along Olvera Street this Sunday afternoon. Free to attend for all ages, visitors can simply pay for the food that they want without the worry of paying to enter.

25th Annual Multi-Cultural Earth Day
12:00 pm – 7:00 pm, April 19
WorldBeat Center, Balboa Park, San Diego
http://www.facebook.com/events/1592835090952858/

At this free and all-ages event, find live music, dance, arts & crafts, vegetarian food, and more.

Taco Madness 2015
2:00 pm – 7:00 pm, April 19
Villains Tavern, Downtown Los Angeles
http://tacomadness.brownpapertickets.com/

A bunch of taco businesses from across LA County will gather here this Saturday for an afternoon of slinging tacos. Admission costs $10 but does not include anything but entry – guests should bring plenty of cash to purchase tacos once inside.

Jonah Raydio, Brendon Small, and The Manx @ Grill ‘Em All
8:00 pm – 11:00 pm, April 19
Grill ‘Em All, Alhambra
http://www.facebook.com/events/860972927279783/

Brendon Small of Metalocalypse fame will visit Grill ‘Em All this Sunday night, which will accompany a performance by The Manx. No admission required, but the restaurant has limited space, so arrive early to secure your spot!