Latest posts from our Los Angeles expert:
Aloha Spirit Moves Into Ventura
No need to hop a flight to the lovely Hawaiian Islands, when this weekend the Aloha Beach Festival (www.alohabeachfestival.com) brings a bit of the islands to you. Held at Surfer's Point, just west of the historic Ventura Pier just north of the L.A. County border, the festival proclaims to be the embodiment of that magical spirit of aloha--a heady albeit egoless mixture of unity, modesty, kindness, compassion, patience, and other lofty and low-key qualities. Held on 23-24 August, between 9 AM and 6 PM, the festival attracts an interesting and eclectic crowd of displaced islands, old-school surfers, and one or more generations of families. Professional and amateur surfers alike (and any age) can enter the Old Guys Rule Longboards and BZ Surf Expression session where trophies and prizes are bestowed for the longest nose ride, longest wave ride, and one-wave teams. This surfing event is all about "sharing the stroke of surfing." Out-of-water events include the Frisbee disc freestyle that incorporates basic toss and catch action along with tricky moves that are reminiscent of dance steps and gymnastic feats. More serious is the World Beach Invitation Frisbee K9 freestyle disc championship, an event that performed to music and judged on several criteria (not the music!). Hula dancers and other live music will take to the Aloha Stage, and also available will be Hawaiian food, local arts and crafts, and a beer garden. Entry to the festival is free. Now that's aloha!
Long Beach Crusted with Crawfish and Zydeco
This weekend, 2-3 August, Long Beach hosts its 15th annual Crawfish Festival (www.longbeachcrawfishfestival.com). Held at Rainbow Lagoon, near the harbor and the most popular city attractions, the festival attracts thousands of visitors with its fabulous food and entertainment options. Billed as the largest crawfish festival outside of Louisiana (how many are there, one wonders?), the event showcases tons of fresh crawfish along with other authentic Cajun cuisine. If crawfish isn't your favorite, there's a food court with Jamaican, Chinese, Thai, chicken and ribs, and other international fare. Adults can imbibe beer, wine, Margaritas, and other kickback-and-relax drinksAnd, of course, no respectable Louisiana-style function would be complete without the sound of music and the stomp of dancin' feet. Presented on two stages are rotating bands that include not only feel-good Cajun and Zydeco music, but also pulsating Afro-Brazilian and "French Rockin' Boogie" beats. Festival-goers groove on a dance floor, and dance instructions are offered regularly throughout the event. You can even join a congo line. For younger members of the family, a children's area provides magical acts, storytellers, and bounce-around inflatable devices. On Sunday night, get a spot by the main stage for a special performance by three of this year's Cajun Zydeco Grammy Awards nominees.
There's Still Time for Fair Play
Ongoing through 3 August, the Orange County Fair (www.ocfair.com) continues to draw visitors from Southern California as well as vacationers from farther afield. Held on the grounds of the Orange County Fair and Event Center in conjunction with the State of California 32nd District Agricultural Association, this major event incorporates all the elements that make a perfect county fair--hot entertainment, popular carnival rides, a plethora of competitions and exhibitions, and food galore. There are separate midways for small children (Kiddie Carnival) and a more thrill-producing area for teens and adults. Tribute bands laud the tunes and vibes of the Eagles, Journey, Pink Floyd, and the Rolling Stones. Those into a bit more action (more action than the Stones??) go for such thrills as mixed martial arts, bullriding, extreme rodeo, and speedway events. On Sunday, 3 August, the Plaza Arts Stage is the setting for the International Pop Overthrow. Held annually throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, this pop music festival features world-known pop and rock bands. This year's line-up includes The Romeros, Strawberry Mud Pie, The Irises, Comic Book Heroes, and other big names. If you've never heard of any of them, that's even more reason to attend! Tip: check the fair website for money-saving coupons and other deals.
Quiche, Can-Can, Drag Queens, and Poodles
It's Bastille Day, and where better to spend it than--er, Santa Barbara? No joke. In celebration of the famous French holiday, Santa Barbara will host its 21st Annual French Festival (www.frenchfestival.com), which draws approximately 20,000 visitors and is billed as the largest French celebration in the entire Western United States. Held on Saturday and Sunday, 12-13 July, between the hours of 11 AM and 7 PM Oak park will turn into Francophile heaven complete with sidewalk-café dining on fancy fare, casual crepes, Cajun specialties, and scrumptious pastries that will slide down with beer, wine, and champagne. Continuous entertainment at this free event encompasses an interesting mix of cabaret tunes, cool jazz, can-can and Moroccan belly dancers, Cajun performers, and opera and classical music. Storytellers and puppet shows delight children, and everyone's mood is tuned up a notch by the mimes and jugglers that wander among the crowds. There will be tributes to French musical icons Edith Piaf, Maurice Chevalier, and Jacques Brel, as well as Sengalese drummers, French-Polynesian dancers, a depiction of Bastille Day 1789, and--of course--the Femmes Fatales Drag Review. Mais oui! Oh, and Sunday 5:30 PM is the not-to-be-missed Poodle Parade when costumed, decorated, or au natural participants strut their fluff.
Oak Park
W Alamar Ave & W Junipero St
(805) 564-PARIS
Web Site
Cool Things To Do With Dear Car-Crazy Dad
Father's Day weekend is upon us. In lieu of breakfast in bed and letting Dad just kick around the house all day, consider some of the really cool car-and-motorcycle events that Southern California has in store for dads (and more). On June 14, in lovely Barstow, the Route 66 "Mother Road" Museum (www.route66museum.org) hosts a classic car show. Held at the Historic Harvey House Casa del Desierto, this family affair will showcase a mélange of vehicles including classic cars, hot rods, and motorcycles. Adding to the allure will be DJ Kev Dog spinning oldies and car-themed tunes, an art show featuring cartoonists Phil Ortiz ("The Simpsons") and Phil Yeh ("Dinosaurs Across Route 66) as well as appearances by Miss Route 66 titleholders and other personalities hailing from the "Mother Road." Pomona's Fairplex sets the scene for the 44th annual L.A. Roadster Show (www.laroadsters.com), June 14-15, which bills itself as the "largest roadster show on earth." So there. On display will be hundreds of original and modified open roadsters from the 1930s and earlier years. The event also doubles--triples, actually--as a swap meet and trade show where numerous vendors and manufacturers offer hard-to-find parts and car kits for those who are restoring their own roadsters. On June 15, the second annual Father's Day Car Show comes to Channel Islands Harbor (www.channelislandsharbor.org) with a feast of custom and classic cars and hot rods. Also on hand will be musical entertainment and food and vendor booths. The waterside location keeps the day extra cool.
Dining on Delicacies in the Desert
Palm Springs launches its first restaurant week, June 15-20, and it promises to be an excellent culinary journey for aficionados of food, drink, and desert air. Already a popular domestic and international holiday destination, Angelenos are fortunate to be day-trip close to this desert oasis. During restaurant week, foodies will be able to sample the culinary delights offered by a diverse range of restaurants--three-course, prix-fixe menus at a cost of $26-$36 per person. An example of the $26 meal is Azul Tapas Lounge with a first course of Roasted Portabello Tomato Tower stacked with herbed goat cheese and finished with pomegranate black truffle vinaigrette, and a second course of Lobster Stuffed Filet of Beef with bourbon braised tomatoes and lemon scented asparagus finished with a roasted blueberry gastric. A third course selection is Ganache Stuffed Chocolate Cake with French Vanilla Ice Cream. Purple Palm at the Colony Palms Hotel is one of the choices at the $36 price level. Starters at this establishment include Watermelon Salad (with raspberries, watercress, and red onion), entrées such as Roasted Lamb Saddle with pine nuts, lemon, and ratatouille-stuffed squash blossoms. For dessert? How about the Lemon Sponge Custard with frog hollow cherries? These are just a couple of more than two dozen restaurants participating in this tasty inaugural event. For more information: www.palmspringsrestaurantweek.com.
In Celebration of Books (yes, they still exist)
Books, author panels, stage attractions, hundreds of exhibitors, and approximately 140,000 people are scheduled to take part in the prestigious 13th annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, held on the UCLA campus, April 25-27. Kicking off the event on Friday evening will be the Los Angeles Times Book Prizes, a tribute to some of the most acclaimed books of 2007. Thereafter, for the next two days, the festival is in full force both indoors and outdoors. A phenomenal range of author panels include discussions on scintillating topics as well as conversations with well-known authors such as Maxine Hong Kinston, Gay Talese, Joseph Wambaugh, and Ray Bradbury. Panelists are available to sign their books at several signing areas where fans line up to breathe the same rarified air as their favorite authors. Presented on the outdoor stages are culinary whizzes, poets, and storytellers. One stage is devoted entirely to children's tales. And, there's even an Etc. Stage, a catchall for other categories such as eclectic musical performances, and readings by emerging voices. Browse booths brimming with books in many genres and languages, and book-related merchandise. Also exhibiting and providing information are cultural and literacy organizations. Indoor panel and speaker sessions are ticketed events, while all outdoor activities are free. For more information: http://www.latimes.com/extras/festivalofbooks.