If you thought things were going to slow down just because it’s officially autumn, think again. This weekend is jampacked with festivals of food, music, and fun.
HEAR: Way Over Yonder Festival
The East Coast’s Newport Folk Festival kicks off its first Pacific edition. The lineup includes a few names who know their way around an acoustic guitar: proto-emo heartthrob Conor Oberst, rootsy Swedish sister act First Aid Kit, and border-rockers Calexico. And they’ll all be playing in a minor key. More information (October 5-6; Santa Monica Pier)
EAT: 6th Annual Feria de Los Moles
Plunge into the savory adventure of mole, the earthy flavor rush from Mexico that often requires more than 30 ingredients in its preparation. More information (October 6; Olvera Street)
RIDE: CicLAvia
Cyclists of the world, unite! The latest iteration of the cross-city bike ride cruises through downtown L.A. and Boyle Heights, with a stop in the piñata district near Olympic Boulevard and Central Avenue. More information (October 6; downtown)
LISTEN: South African Arts Fest
Legendary South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela graces the Grand Performances stage as part of this celebration of music, art, and film. In the United States, Masekela is probably best known for bringing his homeland jazz roots to the #1 hit of 1968, “Grazing In The Grass.” The festival will host musical performances, film screenings, and panel presentations at various venues in downtown to showcase the broad range of talent that comes from the South African region. More information (October 4-6; downtown)
PLAY: Adult Color Wars
Have your own Wet Hot American Summer with grown-up water balloon fights, silly sing-alongs, tug-of-war battles, and even a sleepover. Just don’t try running your counselor’s underwear up a flagpole. More information (October 5; JCA Shalom)
HEAR: Angel City Jazz Festival
From modal music to improv explosions, Los Angeles becomes the epicenter of jazz in this performance and film series. High notes include guitar virtuoso John Scofield, genre-blending Rhodes scholar (the keyboard, not the fellowship) Robert Glasper, and young pianist Richard Sears. More information (October 2-13; various venues)
EAT: Heirloom LA and Poketo Korean and Thai Street Food Festival
Downtown gift store Poketo has teamed with Heirloom LA to curate a Korean and Thai-inspired backyard party. Kick back with soju cocktails, Kyochon-style chicken wings, beef larb lettuce wraps, as well as a “Smile Booth,” music, movies, and more. Tickets cost $65. More information (October 4; Poketo)
HEAR: Eagle Rock Music Festival
A free shuttle services takes you to a bevy of locations all over Eagle Rock: the Family Stage at Eagle Rock City Hall, the Experimental Stage inside the L.A. Pilipino American Church, jazz and blues at Colombo’s Italian restaurant—to name just a few. With the multitude of genres, DJs, bands, and producers, there’s something for everyone at this festival produced by Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock. More information (October 5; various locations)
EAT: Seventh Annual Chocolate Salon
It’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like: and excuse to taste samples from dozens of high-end chocolatiers. So what’s wrong with that? More information (October 6; Pasadena Center)
RECORD: LA Podcast Festival
L.A. Podcast Festival was designed to bring podcasters and their listeners together. Check out expert panels, listening parties, and live podcasts recorded at the event. More information (October 4-6; Le Meridien Delfina)
SEE: West Edge Design Fair
West Edge invites you to check out the hotest designs of the year. 90.000 square feet occupied by 150 leading national and international brands offering design inspiration for interior and exterior environments. More information (October 4-6; Barker Hanger)
WATCH: Hollywood Black Film Festival
This year the Hollywood Black Film Festival features 73 movies from 8 countries, live storytelling, monologue slam, and of course plenty of celebrities. More information (October 2-6; The Ricardo Montalban Theater)
SEE: Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Los Angeles
Ever gone divot stomping? Here’s your chance. Spend a classy Saturday at the fourth-annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Los Angeles. The event promises to bring the excitement of polo to the West Coast. See Argentine polo champ Nacho Figueras in action. More information (October 5; Will Rogers State Historic Park)
EXPERIENCE: Soirees Mystique – An Evening of Victorian Enchantment
A night of mind-reading and mysticism lies in your future at Heritage Square, where it’s always the 1800s and clairvoyance never goes out of style. More information (October 5; Heritage Square)
PLAY: 19TH Annual Pumpkin Festival
Let the little ones prance in a costume parade, create autumnal crafts, and pluck orange gourds. More information (October 5-6; Kidspace Children’s Museum)
HEAR: California Calling: A Story of Growing Up Punk Rock
As the cofounder of SideOneDummy Records in the 1990s, L.A. punker Joe Sib launched the careers of rock bands Flogging Molly, the Gaslight Anthem, and Anti-Flag. In a stand-up-meets-tell-all session he reveals humorous stories from his antiauthoritarian days. More information (October 4; Nerdmelt)
HEAR: Bedrocktoberfest
The lineup is all over the place from Wu-Tang Clan impresario RZA to singer-songwriter Liam Finn, but the Echo Park block party should be nothing but fun. More information (October 5; Echo Park)
