Fest-a-palooza: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Tenacious D Curate Festivals This Weekend

So October is a great month for festivals (music, art, beer, etc.) and this weekend is no exception. There are two happenings—one thrown by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and another by Tenacious D—that especially pique our interest.

Throwing down the gauntlet first in this epic festival weekend is Edward Sharpe’s Big Top, beginning tonight and running through Sunday at the Los Angeles State Historic Park(aka the Cornfield) in DTLA. The band has curated an eclectic lineup of musicians, vaudeville comedians, contortionists, acrobats, puppetry and interactive performance artists. Add to that lineup, a farmer’s/vendors market, beer gardens and late-night happenings.

Many performances will take place in the round under, yes, a big top, with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros headlining each day of the all-ages festival. Other great acts are also on the bill, including Lucent Dossier (all four shows), Fool’s Gold, Kristina Nekyia (tonight), Rocco DeLuca (Friday), Cassorla (Saturday), The Giving Tree Band (Sunday) and many more. There’s also a family afternoon matinee show that features Mr. Balloon Man, Scott Land Marionettes and other acts that appeal specifically to the hipster-in-training set.

Just as important as the music and performers to any festival is the food/beverage situation. A few of the drink/snack vendors include Angel City Brewery, Handsome Coffee Roasters, Babycakes, Queen of Kale and Midnight Moonshine.

Gates at the Cornfield open at 4 pm each day (Thursday to Saturday). The Big Top opens at 7 pm. On Sunday, the gates open at 10 am with the Big Top matinee performance beginning at 11 am. The evening performance starts at 7 pm.

Tickets: $60 each night / $50 for Sunday’s matinee performance. We hear that Saturday night is already sold out, but tickets are available for the other shows.

Tenacious D's Festival Supreme takes over the Santa Monica pier on Saturday. (Image: courtesy of the festival)
Now speaking of Saturday (on the other side of town...Westsiiiiiide!), the boys of Tenacious D (Jack Black and Kyle Gass) are putting on Festival Supreme for one day only at the Santa Monica Pier.

The comedy (and a little music) festival promises seven hours of hilarity. By the look of the incredible lineup, Tenacious D have called in pals and heavy hitters for this day. Who's performing? Patton Oswalt, Tim Minchin, Tim and Eric, The Mr. Show Experience, The Mighty Boosh, Sarah Silverman, Zach Galifianakis, Adam Sandler, The Gregory Brothers, Tig Notaro, Hannibal Buress, Eric Idle & the Jeff Davis Experience, Fred Armisen, Princess (Maya Rudolph and Gretchen Lieberum), Will Forte, Demetri Martin, Dynasty Handbag, Reggie Watts, Beardyman, Craig Robinson and the Nasty Delicious, Garfunkel & Oates, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, Neil Hamburger Band, The Abe Lincoln Story, Nancy and Beth (Megan Mullally and Stephanie Hunt) and of course, the fest’s creators Tenacious D.

The performers are being split among three stages, as well as The One-Man tent, in which fans have an opportunity to share a “unique one-on-one experience” with Neil Hamburger (just the description makes us want to peep into that tent).

As for the food situation, the Festival Supreme has a greater number of noshing options, including Spicy Pie, Lemon Man, Poke Poke, Border Grill, Fritzi Dog, Goldie's, Strawberry Fields and Black Bean Ice Cream. Specialty cocktails are being created just for the day, including Cocktail Supreme, Gov't Shutdown and the "Mr. Drink Experience.

We hear there’s also going to be free arcade games and other amusements included in the ticket price, which is a good thing because Festival Supreme’s ticket prices are pretty steep. General admission tickets are $99 plus fees, and VIP tickets are $250 plus fees. This event is strictly 21+. Doors at 2 pm.

So if you have the cash this weekend, your festival itinerary is pretty easy to map out: Since Big Top is already sold out for Saturday night, check out Festival Supreme and hit the Big Top on one of the other days.