Friday
Spend Friday night west of the 405, starting with First Fridays on Abbot Kinney . Food trucks (17 of them), open galleries and late-night shop hours—it's the triumvirate of LA street fest staples in full force. Just make sure to show up as early as possible to ease the search for street parking.
A bleak portrait of inequality as portrayed by a pack of rioting mutts? Count us in. White God, which screens at the Nuart on Friday night, follows the story of a dog torn away from its owner, but this film is no Homeward Bound. Instead, expect to see 274 real live dogs—no CGI here—revolt on the streets of Budapest in this occasionally grisly Cannes favorite. Up for a double feature? Stick around for a midnight screening of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
Saturday
Whether you celebrate Easter or not, Olvera Street's Blessing of the Animals is a fantastic excuse to see what sorts of crazy pets Angelenos keep. You're welcome to bring your own devout dog, but don't be surprised if he winds up strutting next to a sheep in sunglasses and a sombrero.
Over on the other side of Downtown, raise a bottomless glass to the LA Beer Fest. A ticket to one of the two afternoon sessions will grant you access to over 200 types of brews at LA Center Studios. Grub from the food trucks on the lot will run you a few extra bucks, but with all that beer to taste who has time for food?
Stripped Stories’ tales of disastrous romps are so candid that the show has a strict no-recording policy. Sounds like a satisfyingly squirmy way to spend the rest of your Saturday night. Make your way to UCB Sunset for one of our favorite storytelling shows; you simply can’t go wrong with a set that includes a game of “Never Have I Ever.”
Sunday
The time has come to get dressed up, partake in old European traditions and celebrate the springtime. Well, Easter, yes, but we were actually thinking of the opening weekend of the Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire. Admit it, you've always been intrigued by those ubiquitous billboards, so head out to Irwindale for an afternoon of jousting, tea with the queen and, erm, buxom belles.
Oh, I could write a sonnet about your Easter bonnet—if you don't mind it set to a boozy club beat, that is. That's the gist of this annual costume contest at the Abbey. The lovely Candice Cayne hosts an over-the-top Easter Sunday party where everyone's invited to throw on their tackiest, most fabulous homemade bonnet.
On the other end of West Hollywood, channel your inner Don Draper at the swanky, jetsetting Now Boarding for the Mad Men final season premiere. Settle in for live jazz, show-themed cocktails and a character costume contest before the episode airs. You'll find us dressed up as our all-time favorite Mad Men guest star: the foot-mauling John Deere riding mower.