Everybody probably knows even better than we do how we don’t really have a “fall” here in L.A. Seeing how September was frickin’ hot, and the temperatures have cooled down (before they warmed up again yesterday), I can say with confidence that fall, as Angelenos know it, is finally here. If weather won’t do it, incentive for increased beer consumption will – be it German beer, domestic, local or any other. 
If you’re not sure what to do, look no further. I’ll be in Orange County for a night, trying the South Coast Plaza restaurants on for size, then welcoming 28-year-old conducting prodigy to LA at the Hollywood Bowl for ¡Bienvenido Dudamel! (with David Hidalgo, Flea and Herbie Hancock “opening,” to boot). Sunday, I’ll be cruising to the Pasadena Wine Festival. So if you didn’t get a stab at the free Dudamel tickets, don’t fret – there’s still plenty to do.
Saturday, October 3
Autumn Fest
The bars at Farmers Market and Monsieur Marcel have put together their own fall celebration. Saturday, you can sample more than 50 different beers from around the world – paired with the most delicious imported and artisanal cheeses from Monsieur Marcel. JoAnn Cianciulli will also be there to be sign copies of her new book, L.A.’s Original Farmer’s Market Cookbook.
Tickets are $20 in advance at Monsieur Marcel Gourmet Market or $25 at the door.
1 – 5 PM
Farmers Market Upper Deck
3rd & Fairfax – 6333 W. 3rd Street
323.939.7792
Eagle Rock Music Festival
This is a free music festival put on by Eagle Rock Center for the Arts, Councilmember Jose Hiuzar and City of LA Dept. of Cultural Affairs with over 40 acts including Peanut Butter Wolf, No Age, The Gaslamp Killer, Nico Stai and Carnage Asada (ok, I have no idea what Carnage Asada sound like but they deserve a mention on band name alone). The acts are all over the map with so many different genres – get some culture, people! There’s even free parking and a free shuttle. For full lineup, stages and set times, visit their MySpace page.
And if you feel like continuing through the night, there’s an after-party at Verdugo Bar. DJ Bwank will be on the 1’s and 2’s (or aren’t they just 1’s, these days?) so in combination with their consistently excellent, evolving beer program – you have no reason to go home right away.
4 – 11 PM
Colorado Boulevard
Between Eagle Rock Boulevard and Argus Street
Free shuttle: Eagle Rock Plaza
Afterparty:
3408 Verdugo Road
Glassell Park, CA, 90065
323.257.3408
@verdugobar
All Weekend: Saturday – Sunday, October 3 – 4
Free Admission to Museums
The Fifth Annual Museums Free-For-All program may not give you incentive to visit The Getty (since it’s free all the time), but there are plenty of museums to take advantage of this weekend. Do remember that regular parking rates apply. Peep the list below to see when to visit your museum of choice. Some are offering free admission on one of two days while others are doing the entire weekend.
- Armory Center for the Arts – Both Days
- The Autry National Center – Sunday, October 4th only
- Bowers Museum – Sunday, October 4th Only
- California African American Museum – Both Days
- California Heritage Museum – Saturday, October 3rd only
- California Science Center – Both Days
- Craft and Folk Art Museum – Both Days
- Fowler Museum at UCLA – Both Days
- The Getty Center – Both Days
- The Getty Villa – Both Days (timed tickets required and may be attained on Getty website)
- The Grammy Museum at L.A. Live – Sunday, October 4th only
- Hammer Museum at UCLA – Sunday, October 4th only
- Japanese American National Museum – Saturday, October 3rd only
- Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial – Saturday, October 3rd
- The Museum of Contemporary Art,
Los Angeles (MOCA) – Sunday, October 4th only - Museum of Latin American Art (MoLAA) – Both Days
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County – Sunday October 4th only
- Norton Simon Museum – Sunday, October 4th only
- Orange County Center for Contemporary Art – Both Days
- Orange County Museum of Art – Both Days
- The Paley Center for Media – Both Days
- Santa Monica Museum of Art - Saturday, October 3rd only
- Skirball Cultural Center – Sunday, October 4th only
- The Studio for Southern California History – Both Days
Pasadena Wine Festival
It’s “Oktober” and all, and this has nothing to do with beer – but this is definitely the next best thing (depending on who you ask). Heck, I’ll be there!
Maybe you don’t have the moo-lah for the American Wine & Food Festival at a hefty $300 per person – so the Pasadena Wine Festival may be your best bet. Held both days from 4:30 – 10 pm at $55 for one day or $85 for both (or $125 for VIP, you balla), this event lets you sip wines from California regions like Napa, Paso Robles, Sonoma, Monterey and Santa Barbara. International wines from Spain and Australia will also be available. Since 9 of 10 American wines are made in California – you will undoubtedly taste the best of the rest. BBQ and other food will be available for purchase. You can also play bocci ball, toss around the frisbee or horse shoes so bring blankets for the grassy knolls. Live jazz and salsa will treat your ears as you swirl your glasses. It has to be a good time if they call it “spring break for adults.” Woah.
I’ll be there Sunday – so give a holla!
4:30 – 10 PM
Tickets
$55 for one day, $85 for both, $125 for VIP
Los Angeles Arboretum
301 N Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007
That’s the round-up. So much to do! So much to see! So much to hear! Eat! Drink! Have a great weekend and I’ll see you on the flip side.
