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Free weekend? LA Pride, craft cocktails and the Ultimate Dog Festival
This dog doesn't look like he wants to do agility exercises but maybe yours does.
(
Victor Svensson/Flickr/Creative Commons
)
This dog doesn't want to do agility exercises but maybe yours does.
(
Soggydan Benenovitch/Flickr/Creative Commons
)
There is a festival for everything this weekend. Really — whether you want to celebrate your dog, your sexuality or your love of craft cocktails, Southern California is the place to be. Here's everything you need to know.
1. LA Pride Festival
Tweet: Look at all those performersAre you ready for a crazy weekend in West Hollywood? This year, L.A. Pride brings back its free Friday night celebration, including a Trans Party with comedians, dancers, DJs and the cast of "Transparent." The fun continues on Saturday; you can pay for a ticket to see acts like Wilson Phillips and KE$HA. The ginormous parade is Sunday with headliner Fifth Harmony. Here's a map. Here's a lineup of performances for the weekend.
When: 5 p.m. to midnight Friday (free admission); noon to midnight Saturday with festival ticket; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday with festival ticket
Where: West Hollywood Park | MAP
Price: Friday is free | $20 advance tickets Saturday; purchase here
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2. Free comedy
Did someone say free? Join Brian Moreno and his comedic friends on the Sunset Strip for a night at L.A.'s House of Blues. The best part: no cover and no drink minimum. If you haven't been to this historic venue, now is the time. See what Moreno is all about at his website here.
When: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Parish Room at House of Blues | MAP
Price: Free
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3. Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet
The Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet turns 50 this week. It's not totally free, but a handful of quarters will get you far — 50 cent admission, 50 cent hotdogs, 50 cent churros and 50 cent Italian ice. The Beatles Tribute band "A Hard Day's Night" will be on hand to entertain as you eat and shop. Pro tip: There's a beer court.
When: 11 a.m to 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet | MAP
Price: 50 cent admission
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4. LA Film Fest
Insta: Grab that popcornLocal and international storytelling converge at the Los Angeles Film Festival. LAFF will host conversations with actors, filmmakers and other film industry figures. Some screenings are free; some will cost you around $15. Here's a festival guide. Pro tip: Watch trailers and hear from the festival's director here.
When: Through June 18
Where: Regal Cinemas and several other locations | MAP
Price: Individual film prices vary
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5. Craft Cocktail Fest
If you're up for day drinking Saturday, head over to the Long Beach Craft Cocktail Festival. Sixteen local bars, including Roxanne's, The Stache, Alex's Bar and The Pike, will whip up dozens of classic cocktails. Taste them all (tolerance permitting) and vote for your favorite.
When: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Roxanne’s | MAP
Price: $20 advance tickets | Purchase here
6. Ultimate Dog Festival
It's a day for the dogs! Pamper that pup with doggy massages, agility exercises and acupuncture. Yes, that's right — acupuncture and even a dog chiropractor. It's all happening at the Ultimate Dog Festival in Torrance this weekend. Don't miss the entertainment hosted by Monique Madrid and Comet the Pup from the comedy show 2 Girls, 1 Pup. See a schedule and reserve a spot for a sports activity here. Pro tip: There will be food trucks with human food.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Columbia Park | MAP
Price: $10 | Purchase tix here
7. 7th annual Egg Fest
Have you heard of the Big Green Egg? Apparently, it's a BBQ with the capability of making really great food. And there is a festival to celebrate it this weekend! Enjoy an array of meats, craft beer and live music. Find a schedule of events here. Pro tip: There will be cooking classes and demo Eggs available for jealous people who want to take a test run.
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Cable Airport | MAP
Price: $35; your ticket includes food and non-alcoholic beverages | Purchase tix here
8. Art about climate change
(Photo: Nillie De Grakovac)
If you can bear hot temps in the desert this weekend, stop by the Joshua Tree Art Gallery for a conversation with local conservationists about the changing desert and how to navigate climate change. Afterwards, stick around to check out the accompanying art. Pro tip: Interested in this topic? Check out KPCC's I See Change project. You can read about how the drought is affecting Joshua Trees here.
When: Convo 5 to 6 p.m. Saturday | Art reception 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Joshua Tree Art Gallery | MAP
Price: Free
9. Weekend splurge: Ink-n-Iron Fest
Are you jonesing for a new tattoo? The Ink-N-Iron Festival is known as the "Kustom Kulture Festival" for a reason: 280 tattoo artists from around the globe will gather on the Queen Mary to display their work. "This convention will be both a sort of art gallery and community festival," boosts the festival on its site. The all-ages, three-day event will also feature burlesque shows, a pin-up pageant and musical performances from acts like Pennywise.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Queen Mary | MAP
Price: 1 day general admission — $42.50 | Purchase tix here
What cool events are happening in your 'hood? Let me know on Twitter @kristenlepore.
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