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Free weekend? Nike's ginormous shoebox store, Sweet 16 and Downtown Bookfest
Workers prepare Grand Park for a New Year's Eve celebration on Dec. 31, 2013.
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Katherine Davis/KPCC
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Photo by waltarrrrr via Flickr Creative Commons
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Are you sweating yet, Angelenos? The heat wave is back, just in time for the weekend. That's why we're keeping you cool with indoor events. We're starting the festivities with basketball and bar food followed by music at the beach and a drive-in movie. For those of you who are willing to brave the heat, get ready for the ultimate book fair downtown!
Here's everything you need to know:
1. Nike’s giant Air Max Box
You know what an orange Nike box looks like. Now imagine a humungous one that you can walk inside. (Or just watch the video above.) Nike's Air Max Box popped up in downtown L.A.’s Arts District on Thursday and it'll stay through Saturday. Make a reservation online to get a peek inside and shop for exclusive Nike Air Max footwear for sale. If you already have a pair of Airs, wear them to “unlock additional Nike Member Services on-site.” Whatever that means. Pro tip: It's called "programmatic architecture" — a building that looks like something other than a building.
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday | Make a reservation here
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Where: 735 E. 3rd Street, Los Angeles | MAP
Price: Free; shop at your own will
2. Where to watch the Sweet 16
(Photo: Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
We don't have to remind the March Madness fanatics that the UCLA Bruins are playing the Gonzaga Bulldogs 4:15 p.m. Friday. Here are a couple options of where to watch if you can duck out of work early:
- Barney's Beanery: Get rowdy with other UCLA fans at Barney's in Westwood. It's got quality bar food — think mac and cheese wedges and fried pickles. Plus, there's shuffle board for commercial breaks. | MAP
- 1739 Public House: Visit this Los Feliz pub for plentiful TVs and a phenomenal beer selection. | MAP
- Tony P's: All you can eat fish and chips every Friday through Easter and $15 bottomless mimosas on the weekends. Need we say more? | MAP
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3. Music at Union Station
Square dancers, listen up! Metro Presents is bringing the bluegrass band Triple Chicken Foot to Union Station. Known for their old-time fiddle and banjo tunes, the group will perform in the Union Station Waiting Room —across from Traxx Restaurant — on Friday afternoon. There will be two 45-minute sets starting at 4 p.m.
When: 4 p.m. Friday
Where: Union Station Waiting Room | MAP
Price: Free
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4. Night at the drive-in
'Tis the season for outdoor movie screenings in Los Angeles. On Saturday, head to downtown's Electric Dusk Drive-In for a screening of "Mean Girls." Gates close 20 minutes after the films begins — so don't be late! Pro tip: If this isn’t your flick, stay tuned because upcoming screenings include "Goonies," "Fight Club" and "E.T."
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Electric Dusk Drive-In | MAP
Price: $7.50 to $55 | Purchase tickets here
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5. Waking up with the Waves
Photo of kids having so much fun!
(Photo: Wake Up With The Waves Facebook)
Get the family our the door early Saturday for an up-beat concert by the beach. Latin Grammy award winners Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band are bringing their silly pop rock to the Wake Up With The Waves stage at the Santa Monica Pier. The interactive musical experience is appropriate for children ages 1-8. And parents, be sure to have a cup (or two) of coffee before you go so that you're ready for this:
Video: Thingamajig by Lucky Diaz and The Family Jam Band
When: 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday
Where: Central Plaza, Santa Monica Pier | MAP
Price: Free
6. Downtown Bookfest
(Photo: Grand Park Los Angeles Facebook)
Grand Park will turn into a book lover's paradise. Authors and publishers from all over Los Angeles will gather in the heart of Los Angeles for live readings, performances and literary activities. Writers like poet laureate Luis J. Rodriguez and young adult author Cecil Castellucci will be there to read live. Pop-up bookstores and book swaps will also be in the mix so you can purchase new books or bring your own children's book or cook book to swap.
When: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Grand Park | MAP
Price: Free
7. Mad Men at LACMA
Tweet: Janie Bryant shares some of her favorite looks from the show
The final season of Mad Men starts back up on April 5. In the meantime, get your dose at LACMA for a two-part tribute viewing party. Jon Hamm made an appearance last time. This time, watch two episodes followed by a Q&A with Kiernan Shipka, who plays Sally Draper, along with the show's costume designer Janie Bryant. Advance tickets are sold out, but there will be some available at the door a couple hours before the screening. Get there early to snag a seat.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: LACMA Bing Theater | MAP
Price: Free
8. 826 LA Brunch
Tweet: A short film from 826 LA students
826LA — a non-profit organization that helps students with their writing skills — is teaming up with Hot Dish Reading Series to host its annual Hot Dish Brunch. Eat and drink (yes, this includes mimosas) with playwright Dorothy Fortenberry (Status Update), novelist James Hannaham (Delicious Foods) and journalist Ana Kasparian (The Young Turks), among others. All benefits go to 826LA. Pro tip: Enter through the Echo Park Time Travel Mart storefront on 1714 Sunset Boulevard. Parking in the lot behind 826LA is free all day Sunday.
When: 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday | Doors open at noon
Where: 826LA, Echo Park | MAP
Price: $10
What'd we miss? Let me know on Twitter @kristenlepore.
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