Dine Out Long Beach Restaurant Week 2.0
February 28 – March 5
Participating restaurants, Long Beach
http://dineoutlongbeach.com/
The city of Long Beach has so many fine restaurants that they will have an entire week to celebrate the bounty. During this 7-day period, participating restaurants will have various food & drink specials. Check the website linked above for a list of participating restaurants and their specials.
The Federal Bar’s 5th Anniversary Celebration
6:00 pm – 11:00 pm, February 29
The Federal Bar, North Hollywood
http://nh.thefederalbar.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/975538795825139/
North Hollywood’s The Federal Bar turns five years old this week, and to celebrate, they will have a bunch of rare brews on tap this Monday night. This event has no admission fee – simply stop by and enjoy a cold one or two.
Get Happy – Old Pasadena Happy Hour Week
March 1-14
Participating locations, Old Pasadena
http://www.oldpasadena.org/happyhourweek/
Enjoy extended Happy Hour food & drink specials at participating locations in Old Pasadena during this two-week period.
San Diego Burger Week
March 3-12
Participating locations, San Diego County
http://www.sdcitybeat.com/sandiego/burgerweek
Enjoy select specialty burgers from participating locations all over San Diego County during this 10-day period for just $5 each!
Modern Times Night @ Select Beer Store
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, March 3
Select Beer Store, Redondo Beach
http://www.selectbeerstore.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/429888723876863/
Modern Times will stock five of their brews at Select Beer Store this Thursday evening. This event has no admission fee – simply show up, and enjoy a cold one or two.
9th Annual Musink Tattoo & Music Festival
3:00 pm – 11:00 pm, March 4
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm, March 5
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, March 6
OC Fair & Events Center, Costa Mesa
http://musink.org/
Welcome to Musink, an all-ages music, tattoo, skateboarding, and pin-up festival that takes place at the OC Fairgrounds this weekend. Some of the largest names in punk rock will perform this weekend, such as Rancid and Bad Religion. Over 300 tattoo artists from around the world will fly in for the weekend. Tickets will remain on sale until the end of the fest on Sunday, so do not worry about not obtaining a ticket. Bring cash, as most of the vendors do not accept cards. Parking costs $10 per vehicle, so I highly recommend carpooling or getting dropped off.
First Fridays
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, March 4
Various locations
Long Beach: http://firstfridayslongbeach.com/
Venice: http://www.abbotkinney1stfridays.com/
This monthly artwalk occurs on the first Friday of every month. Each location offers different activities, but most will contain food & drink specials, art exhibits & displays, street performers, and more. Venice and Long Beach have the two largest gatherings of all First Fridays. Other locations include Westchester, Fullerton, and City of Industry. Most First Fridays locations cost nothing to attend, while the local businesses uphold their standard rules (e.g. bars 21+ only).
The Secret Affair – 60’s Night
9:00 pm – 1:00 am, March 4
Alex’s Bar, Long Beach
http://www.alexsbar.com/event/1090215-secret-affair-long-beach/
Occurring on every month’s first Friday, this 60’s night at Alex’s Bar will play all vinyl music of motown, northern soul, boogaloo, 60’s pop, and more. Feel free to dress up too, as the bar staff will hold costume contests and dance contests.
Downtown Anaheim Community Yard Sale
8:00 am – 1:00 pm, March 5
Center Street Promenade, Anaheim
http://www.downtownanaheim.com/
Local Anaheim residents will join in on a large communal yard sale in Downtown Anaheim this Saturday morning. Visitors can explore this event for free, while residents wanting to set up a spot to sell things must register for $10 per spot.
Insane Inflatable 5K Long Beach
9:00 am – 3:00 pm, March 5
El Dorado Park, Long Beach
http://insaneinflatable5k.com/long-beach-ca/
It appears that people will do anything to break the mundane cycle of 5k runs. Introducing the Insane Inflatable 5K, a 5k obstacle course that takes you through inflatable obstacles. You remember these things as a kid. Now endure them as you challenge yourself and others to get through over three miles of this stuff. Registration costs $64 online or $75 on the day of the event, and comes with an event t-shirt.
The Original International Tiki Market Place
10:00 am – 3:00pm, March 5
Elks Lodge 1952, Garden Grove
http://www.facebook.com/events/1666514063566081/
For $10 admission gain access to a plethora of tiki-themed vendors in Garden Grove this Saturday afternoon. Admission comes with a $10 voucher for a drink.
11th Annual San Diego Cherry Blossom Festival
10:00 am – 4:00 pm, March 5-6
Japanese Friendship Garden, San Diego
http://niwa.org/11th-annual-cherry-blossom-festival
The Cherry Blossom Festival at the Japanese Friendship Garden in San Diego celebrates spring and Japanese culture. Guests can marvel at the beauty of the iconic cherry blossoms as well as the koi pond and waterfall at San Diego’s Japanese Friendship Garden. Visitors will also find an assortment of cultural performances, authentic Japanese street food, one-of-a-kind crafts & gifts, and a beer & sake garden for attendees to enjoy. The kids’ area offers hands-on arts & crafts and engaging activities. Admission costs $8.
Holi Festival of Colors – Riverside
11:00 am – 2:00 pm, March 5
Martha Mclean Park, Riverside
http://www.festivalofcolorsusa.com/festival-of-colors/festival-colors-riverside-ca/
Want to get covered in color without the necessity of moving for five kilometers? Check out the Festival of Colors this Saturday. As simply a celebration of color, guests will enjoy live music the entire time, all while mingling and showing off colors. Color throwing occurs every hour. Admission costs $5, and guests can purchase colors at the festival.
Betty’s Birthday @ Hangar 24
11:00 am – 12:00 am, March 5
Hangar 24 Brewery, Redlands
http://www.hangar24brewery.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/1687816934808364/
In celebration of the birthday of their popular Betty IPA, Hangar 24 will have multiple variations of the brew on tap this Saturday at their tasting room in Redlands. This event has no admission – simply show up and enjoy a cold one or two.
2016 Spring Busker Festival
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm, March 5-6
Seaport Village, San Diego
http://www.seaportvillage.com/entertainment/busker-festival
Basically, Circue du Soleil. This artful all-ages outdoor festival brings out performers of various entertainment trades (jugglers, contortionists, stilt-walkers, etc) to entertain visitors. Free to attend, guests should seek alternate methods of transportation to arrive here, such as carpooling or public transportation, as decent parking will likely take a long time to find.
15th Annual Lantern Festival
12:00 pm – 7:00 pm, March 5
Chinese American Museum, Los Angeles
http://www.camla.org/lanternfestival.html
This free and all-ages festival celebrates Chinese tradition with recreations of street fairs filled with illuminating lanterns, music, lion dance, interactive arts & crafts, and more, all culminating with a glow-in-the-dark dragon dance at the end of the day. Local food businesses will sell authentic Chinese food and drinks as well.
Absolution Brewing Company’s Hoppy 2nd Birthday
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, March 5
Absolution Brewing, Torrance
http://www.absolutionbrewingcompany.com/
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/hoppy-2nd-birthday-tickets-21571131836
Absolution Brewing turns two years old this week, and to celebrate, they will have lots of beer on tap plus an anniversary ale and a cask tent, as well as gourmet food trucks present throughout the day. The event itself has no admission fee, but Absolution offers beer packages for those who want a festival experience. A general package costs $25 and comes with three full beer pours and one meal ticket for the food trucks. A VIP package costs $45 and includes an anniversary t-shirt, unlimited beer pours from 12pm to 1pm, and then four beer pours after 1pm.
Power Rangers Launch Party & Signing
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm, March 5
Phat Collectibles, Anaheim
http://www.phatcollectibles.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/529253643911009/
A new Power Rangers comic series will launch, and some of the important people behind it will make an appearance at Phat Collectibles in Anaheim this Saturday afternoon. Stop on by for a meet & greet, autographs, and photographs.
OC Roller Girls – Get Lucky
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, March 5
The Rinks, Huntington Beach
http://ocrollergirls.com/
Watch intense & brutal girl-on-girl action at this roller derby bout this Saturday night in Huntington Beach. Tickets to this roller derby bout cost $13.
4th Annual Rock Star Beer Festival San Diego
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, March 5
SILO in Makers Quarter, San Diego
http://www.rockstarbeerfestivalsd.com/
A corporate beer festival comes to San Diego this Saturday night. General admission costs $35 and starts at 7pm while VIP admission costs $50 and starts at 6pm. All attendees receive unlimited beer samples while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.
Blacklight Run – San Diego
6:00 pm – 12:00 am, March 5
Sleep Train Amphitheatre, Chula Vista
http://www.blacklightrun.com/san-diego/
The fun run madness continues with this nightly run through the Sleep Train Amphitheatre in Chula Vista. This run takes place at night, and requires participants to wear all white while getting splattered with neon powder throughout the blacklight-filled course. By the end of the run, all participants will glow with many different colors and enjoy seeing a sea of glowing runners at the afterparty. Registration costs $20 by Wednesday and $45 afterwards, and comes with an event t-shirt, a glow pack to throw at other runners AFTER you have crossed the finish line, and a goodie bag full of items from the event sponsors.
Agent Orange: Live in Corona
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, March 5
Bar 1650, Corona
http://www.facebook.com/events/1639790366283453/
Rock out to some local punk rock bands this Saturday night in Corona. The cover for this show costs $15. No one under 21 may enter.
Dirty Little Secrets Rock Burlesque – St. Patrick’s Show
8:30 pm – 12:00 am, March 5
TRiP, Santa Monica
http://www.dirtylittlesecretsburlesque.com/
Get your fill of burlesque at TRiP in Santa Monica this Saturday night. No one under 21 may enter.
Orange County Restaurant Week
March 6-12
Various restaurants in Orange County
http://www.orangecountyrestaurantweek.com/
For one week, numerous restaurants in Orange County will offer prix-fixe multi-course meals, ranging from $10-20 for lunch and $20-40 for dinner.
Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show
5:00 am – 2:00 pm, March 6
Fairplex, Pomona
http://www.pomonaswapmeet.com/
See thousands of original and restored classic cars at the Fairplex this Sunday morning. Many of the vendors will also sell automotive accessories, parts, and more as well. This all-ages show cost $10 to enter, while children 10 and under get in free with a paid adult admission. Parking costs $10 per vehicle – guests must enter via gate 17 on Fairplex Drive, directly off the 10 freeway.
The Coaster Run 5K/10K/Kids Run
6:00 am – 10:00 am, March 6
Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park
http://www.thecoasterrun.com/
Participate in a charity run through an amusement park this Sunday morning with the Coaster Run. Choose between a 5K or a 10K, or a Kids Run for the little ones. As a charity run, no participant can win – all participants will receive a commemorative medal for finishing the run, plus a complimentary slice of Boysenberry Pie. All participants also receive a coupon for half off an adult’s admission to the amusement park good for up to a month following the run. Registration varies in price depending on the course, so refer to the website for details.
San Diego Vintage Flea Market
9:00 am – 3:00 pm, March 6
The Observatory Parking Lot, North Park, San Diego
http://sdvintagefleamarket.com/
At this free all-ages outdoor market, visitors will find modern to vintage inspired clothing, housewares, furniture, smalls, and more for sale from the various local vendors.
CicLAvia
9:00 am – 4:00 pm, March 6
Van Nuys Blvd, Pacoima
http://www.ciclavia.org/
Much of Van Nuys Blvd in the San Fernando Valley will close to bikers this Sunday afternoon. Cars may not enter the designated areas during this time – only bikers and pedestrians may roam the streets.
5th Annual LA Zine Fest
11:00 am – 6:00 pm, March 6
The Majestic, Downtown Los Angeles
http://lazinefest.com/
This free and all-ages expo will feature hundreds of local and/or independent authors and publishers sharing their magazines, comics, and other DIY material. Workshops and speakers will engage attendees with more material.
A Punk, A Camera, and An Empty Stomach 