BGG Weekender: Lions, and Tigers, and Beers—Oh My!

We’d like to be in Ojai this weekend (following this amazing itinerary, ahem), especially because the Ojai Classic Rock Fest is happening, and it looks b*tchin’ (read: or...something). However, we can’t skip town because we’ve agreed to actually feed our interns brunch on Sunday, and without us (or this week’s tips from Mar Yvette and GreenLeaf Gourmet Chopshop), they may starve to death. So without further ado, here’s what to do if you, like us, must stay local: 

Friday
6 p.m. - While watching caged animals do caged animal things may not be your first thought for Friday night fun, imagine how hilarious it will be to taunt the poor little buggers once you're drunk (we kid -- please don’t end up a viral video with a tragic ending). Friday’s Brew at the Zoo is exactly what it sounds like, and because the tickets are a bit pricey ($40), we suggest you drink as many craft beers (and coo over as many widdle baby aminals)  as humanly possible.

Once you’re good and liquored up, get your DD (aka your ‘favorite’ pregnant friend) to drive you over to Hollywood to window shop the new Arts & Leisure pop-up boutique at Space15Twenty and potentially get some sort of astrological advice from Susan Miller.  Leave your credit cards in the car. 

Afterward, head downtown to check out the new Pattern Bar. Cute, fashion-themed cocktails and affordable tapas -- yes, we love this combination and yes, this makes us a cliché.

Note: The Decemberists are playing The Greek Friday night. Stubhub still has tickets. 

Saturday
Stop by the Cienega SPA for a gift bag and free massage, but buy something while you’re there as the spa is actually a non-profit venture to benefit the Women’s Resource Center. 

Having done your good deed for the day (week/month/year), head to one of the following:

The Hudson Block Party, which runs for 10 hours (1 p.m. - 11 p.m.) and features local bands, DJ’s, vendors, 2 full bars (at the Hudson), and goodies from The Churchill, Intelligentsia, and Baby Blues BBQ. 

The LA Craft Beer Crawl, in case you didn’t quite guzzle enough craft beer at the Zoo on Friday. Tickets are again a little pricey, but this crawl hits all of downtown’s finest and lasts for seven hours, so...be sure to bring your pregnant friend again.

The LA International Tea Festival, for those of you who teetotal or are just sick of how often we convince you to partake in excessive boozing.

Follow up your choice of one of these three activities with the purchase of a sleeping bag and a ticket to Cinespa’s Movie’s Til Dawn at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery. They’ll be screening Monterey Pop as well as other concert films. Kinda like going to Outside Lands, but...not. Goes until 6 a.m. on Sunday. 

Sunday

11 a.m. - Devour some Berry, Berry Good Pancakes at Grub on Seward. Award-winning and affordable -- no comment as to calories. 

1 p.m. - Catch Cirque de Soleil’s IRIS at The Kodak Theater. It’s like getting the best of a weekend in Vegas while saving yourself $500 and an epic hangover. 

Afterward, pick up an Original hot dog at Papaya King. Spend a few minutes waxing poetic about how Papaya King is better in NYC because _____.

5:00 p.m. If you’re feeling ambitious, take a drive down to Little Tokyo to catch the Sunday Parade as a part of the Nisei Festival. If you can’t seem to muster up the energy for it, worry not -- next weekend is the Gyoza-Eating Contest, where a 100 lb. woman nicknamed ‘Black Widow’ will allegedly consume hundreds of potstickers in 10 minutes.  Having that to look forward to has gotta help your Sunday blues, no? At the very least, you should feel better about that hot dog from earlier...