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18 Fabulous Things To Do This Pre-NYE Weekend In SoCal
Humphry Slocombe celebrates its 10th birthday with ... an ice cream giveaway. (Courtesy of Humphry Slocombe)
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If you didn't get a chance to inhale enough goodies on Christmas, then check out the ice cream scoop party at Humphry Slocombe's, offerings for International Bacon Day, Rose parade tastings and a pre-NYE party in Anaheim. Music and mirth take center stage with shows featuring Puddles Pity Party and Mac Sabbath.
FRIDAY, DEC. 28; 1 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Humphry Slocombe's 10th Birthday
Humphry Slocombe's Abbot Kinney Scoop Shop -- 1653B Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice
The San Francisco-based ice cream company celebrates 10 years in business by giving out scoops all day long on Friday (for a suggested $1 donation). The proceeds will go to to L.A.'s Homeboy Industries, a nonprofit offering job training to former gang-involved individuals. To keep the party going all month long, the scoop shop brings back fan favorite flavors from the time capsule (including Peanut Butter Curry, Jesus Juice and Government Cheez-It), available in a 5-mini-scoop Charcuterie Board ice cream flight.
COST: Varies; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, DEC. 28 - SUNDAY, DEC. 30; 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sip & Savor
Rosemont Pavilion/Jackie Robinson Memorial Field -- 700 Seco St., Pasadena
As part of the Tournament of Roses week activities, guests can watch volunteers as the parade floats are assembled and take shape. This year, the new event offers foods, wines, beers and entertainment throughout the weekend. Food and beverage tasting tickets are sold separately.
COST: Admission starts at $15; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, DEC. 28; 8 p.m.
Mac Sabbath
Fonda Theatre -- 6126 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
The Black Sabbath cover band that performs while cosplaying as McDonald's characters headlines a show with The Dickies, PPL MVR and Captured By Robots playing in support. Fries extra.
COST: $25; MORE INFO
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FRIDAY, DEC. 28; 7:30 p.m.
Bombs Away Live! / Demolition Man 25th Anniversary
The Frida Cinema -- 305 E 4th St. #100, Santa Ana
The Bombs Away! podcast hosts a screening of the Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes 1993 action flick, followed by a live recording of the B-Movie comedy podcast that "rips on the best of the worst." Hosts and special guests dissect the film and wraps with an audience Q&A.
COST: $15; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DEC. 29; 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
2nd Annual Polar Bear Swim
Annenberg Community Beach House -- 415 Pacific Coast Hwy., Santa Monica
If your idea of a good time is a swim in winter, then head to the ocean for a 300-yard, Pacific swim followed by a dip in the Beach House's heated pool. The day also includes s'mores, warm beverages and games. RSVP to get on the waitlist.
COST: $4 - $10 for pool admission; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DEC. 29; 8 p.m.
Yasiin Bey
The Novo DTLA -- 800 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown L.A.
The artist formerly known as Mos Def performs exclusive sets of music from the late producer-rapper J. Dilla and producer-rapper Madlib.
COST: $24.50; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DEC. 29; 9 p.m.
Puddles Pity Party
Fonda Theatre -- 6126 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
Big Mike Geier's alter ego -- a nearly 7-foot-clown crooner -- performs covers and originals with a melancholic twinge. Puddles took off a few years back after he teamed up with Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox for Lorde's hit song "Royals."
COST: $53 - $63; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DEC. 29; 6:30 a.m.
Everyone's Annual Last Hike of The Year to The Wisdom Tree
Griffith Park Merry Go Round -- 4730 Crystal Springs Dr., Griffith Park
With 2018 coming to a close, the group Everyone's Hike presents its annual New Year's Eve morning hike -- just a few days early. Enjoy great views and company while traversing the trails of Griffith Park to the solitary Wisdom Tree. To celebrate, wear silver and/or purple and bring your party hats, but leave the confetti at home (because litter).
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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SATURDAY, DEC. 29; 11:59 p.m.
New Year's Evil
New Beverly Cinema -- 7165 Beverly Blvd., Fairfax
Quentin Tarantino's theater screens the 1980 "classic" slasher film directed by Emmett Alston. A deranged man makes obscene phone calls to a TV host, threatening murder as the clock hits midnight in each time zone. The movie's punk rock heroine may be next on the killer's grisly midnight hit list.
COST: $10; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DEC. 29; 7:30 p.m.
Mondo Cult Film Variety Showcase #3: Dystopia
Spielberg Theatre at the Egyptian -- 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
The monthly screening series showcases the best new "underground, surreal, crazy, experimental, obscene, absurd, rule-breaking and outlaw films" from around the world. These "mondo" films generally defy genres and classification. This program's titles include: "MST3K_V3" (USA, 5 min. dir. Robin Comisar) and "State Of Emergency Motherf**Ker!" (Belgium, 5:34 min. Dir. Sébastien Petretti). Post-screening discussion with filmmakers.
COST: $12; MORE INFO
The 14th Annual Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival continues in Santa Monica this weekend. (Image courtesy of the L.A. Children's Film/Facebook )
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SATURDAY, DEC. 29; 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
14th Annual Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival
MLK Jr. Auditorium at the Santa Monica Public Library -- 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica
The festival screens short films and animation from around the world, specifically for children. There are filmmaker and animator appearances during the festival.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DEC. 29; 6 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Pre-New Year's Eve Party
Grasslands Meat Market at Anaheim GardenWalk -- 400 West Disney Way #199, Anaheim
Get your New Year's Eve pre-party on at the BBQ and churrasco eatery. The festivities include live music by '90s cover band The Advancements and a special inclusive menu with BBQ shrimp, BBQ ribs, steak buffet, grilled vegetables, mashed potatoes, chocolate mousse, caesar salad, fruit with honey lime yogurt sauce, chilled shrimp, black beans and rice, and antipasto salad. Discounts on drinks.
COST: $99 (plus tax and gratuity); MORE INFO
Pasadena Architectural Legacy Tours offer a glimpse into the history and architecture of the city. (Photo courtesy of Pasadena Heritage)
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SUNDAY, DEC. 30; 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.
Pasadena Architectural Legacy Tours
The Postcard Fountain at the Paseo -- 300 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (Civic Center District Tour) or the sidewalk in front of 1233 Wentworth Ave., Pasadena (Hillcrest Neighborhood Tour)
Pasadena Heritage presents two different walking tours focusing on the Civic Center District and Fountains and the Hillcrest Neighborhood. Both tours, which are perfect for locals and guests alike, explore each area's architecture and history.
COST: $15 - $20; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, DEC. 30; 7:30 p.m.
Laura Veirs
Moroccan Lounge -- 901 E 1st St., downtown L.A.
The Portland-based, folk-pop musician plays in support of her latest album, The Lookout. Tara Jane O'Neil opens the night. This show is 21+.
COST: $15 - $18; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, DEC. 30; 5 - 7 p.m.
Busted! Storytelling
Stories Books and Cafe -- 1716 W Sunset Blvd., Echo Park
The storytelling night features tales from Angelenos about getting around L.A. without a car. Hosted by Scott Schultz, featured storytellers include Annette Barrera, Nathan Hurd, Tarikh Joseph, Horus RA, Rudy Salo and Satya Vanii.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Bacari offers a "Free bacon upgrade" for National Bacon Day on favorites like their fries. ((Image: Bacari))
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SUNDAY, DEC. 30
International Bacon Day
Various locations
As if people needed another reason to eat bacon. But Sunday is the day to celebrate the cured meat. At the Bacari restaurants on 3rd Street, Glendale and Marina del Rey, diners can have the "free bacon upgrade" wherever it's an option on the menu, including the fries and mac and cheese. Exposition Park's Figueroa Philly, serves up an L.A. Street Dog Cheesesteak ($12) for one day only. It's a bacon-wrapped hot dog and steak and topped off with melted Cheese Wiz.
COST: Varies; MORE INFO
THROUGH JAN. 6, 2019
Winter Fest OC
Orange County Fair & Event Center -- 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa
SoCal's largest winter experience features 40,000 square feet of new experiences and returning activities. The fun includes an outdoor ice-skating rink, ice tubing at Snowflake Summit, snow play, a larger Festival of Lights tunnel and a SoCal Dickens Village.
COST: Tickets start at $10; MORE INFO
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ONGOING
LA Cycle Tours
Hotel Indigo® Los Angeles Downtown -- 899 Francisco St., downtown L.A.
The hotel has now partnered with local bike tour company LA Cycle Tours to connect guests to the city's history and culture as portrayed in the hotel's design narrative. The interiors, inspired by the Prohibition Era, Golden Age of Hollywood, and historic Fiesta de Las Flores parade, are illustrated in two new bike tours: "Rolling 20's" and "Fiesta de Las Flores." The tours, which are approximately 10 miles long and under four hours, are open to guests and locals alike.
COST: $55 per person; MORE INFO
UPCOMING
AirTalk's FilmWeek: 2019 Oscar Preview takes place on Sunday, Feb. 17 from 1 - 3pm at The Theatre at Ace Hotel. Tickets are $12 - $14 and are onsale now. Learn more.
How are you spending your weekend? Let us know on Twitter @christineziemba and @LeoHasACat.
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