Welcome to the weekend. It’s just one week till the big 4th of July weekend so take it easy and experience a romantic cooking class with your special lady and/or man friend at Chef Eric’s Culinary Classroom. Learn to make sushi and drink sake at Surfas in Culver City. And finally, there are some can’t miss festivals this weekend like the Mardi Gras Festival in the LBC, Obon Festival, LA County Family Music Festival, Soul Motion Scooter Fest, or the Summer Block Party in the South Bay.
Friday, June 26
Couples Romantic Cooking Class
West Los Angeles (7-10pm)
At Chef Eric’s Culinary Classroom couples learn to make sensual recipes like Baked Salmon and Vegetable Packages in Sake Sauce with Creamy Gnocchi di Semolina Gratinati, Crunchy Citrus Beef over Rice Pilaf and Leeks with Stir-Fried Broccoli in Ginger and Garlic, and Sweet and Sour Fish with Red Bell Peppers, Mixed Greens and Steamed Rice. For your romantic dessert we have Chocolate Crème Brûlée to top off the evening. BYOB, and dine privately after the instruction. Cost is $185 for the couple. A full list of classes can be found on their web site.
Saturday, June 27
Sushi and Sake Class at Surfas
Culver City (1-2pm and 3-4pm)
In the Test Kitchen at Surfas from 1-2pm. Chef Andy Matsuda, Executive Chef and CEO of the Sushi Chef Institute demonstrates the basics of cutting fish for sushi and preparing Nigiri-sushi at home. Meet Chef Andy Matsuda and learn the basics of slicing the fish and assembling this Japanese favorite. Then from 3-4pm Sake Sommelier Yoshi Murakami de-mystifies sake with a side-by-side tasting and non-traditional pairings. This event is free, seating is limited, so arrive early.
An Evening with Star Chefs
Arcardia (6-10pm)
The Santa Anita racetrack in Arcadia is hosting “An Evening with Star Chefs”. The event benefits Rosemary Children’s Services. Participating restaurants include Celestino, El Cholo, Il Fornaio, McCormick & Schmick’s, Mi Piace, The Raymond, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and The Terrace at The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa. Tickets are a steep $150 per person. Call 626.844.3033 ext. 211 for tickets.
23rd Annual Long Beach Bayou & Mardi Gras Festival
Long Beach (11:30am-8pm)
The sounds of New Orleans come alive at the Bayou & Mardi Gras Festival with Cajun, Zydeco & Blues: Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Chas, Cafe R&B; blues legends Hubert Sumlin & Willie “Big Eyes” Smith (Muddy Waters) play with guitarist Jimmy Vivino, and many more. Daily Mardi Gras Parade led by New Orleans Traditional Jazz Band. Cajun & Creole cuisine, arts & crafts vendors & more. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door.
Valley Japanese Community Center Summer Obon Festival
Sun Valley (5-10pm)
Delicious ethnic foods such as Udon, Sushi, Chinese Chicken Salad, Teriyaki are some of the foods which will be available for purchase. Demos of Judo, Karate, Kendo and Tea Ceremony will be held as well as festival-type games and calligraphy exhibits. The center is located at 8850 Lankershim Blvd, Sun Valley.
Summer Block Party in the South Bay
El Segundo (6-9pm)
Enjoy live music under the summer stars at Plaza El Segundo’s free Block Party. Come on out for entertainment, restaurant samplings, fashion trunk shows, dance and yoga demos, raffle prizes and shopping specials. The funky fresh Los Angeles-based female duo band The Bangz will perform their new hit single and The Bruce Brothers Band, a blues band will play a funky mix of down-home blues and uptown jump swing.
Sunday, June 28
Pagoda Bar Summer BBQ
Hollywood (2-5pm)
Enjoy a special Ultimat Vodka pool party at the Pagoda Bar at Yamashiro with hosted hors d’oeuvres, $3 BBQ sliders, music mixology by DJ Kamayo, and of course muddled cocktails. Bring your bathing suit, the pool is open for all.
LA County Family Music Festival with the Charlie Daniels Band
San Dimas (12-7pm)
Los Angeles County’s 19th Annual Family Music Festival will feature country-rock legend Charlie Daniels along with music greats, the Marshall Tucker Band and Gary U.S. Bonds. Sponsored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich and the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Family Music Festival features top musical acts as well as family activities, food booths, vendors, craft booths, a classic car exhibit, carnival rides and a children’s play area. Advance tickets are available for $18 or for $25 on the day of the event. More info on the web site here.
Soul Motion Scooter Fest
Long Beach (4pm-10pm)
A vintage scooter rally, plus music from DJ Dennis Owens, The New Fidelity, The Boogaloo Assassins, Money Mark, and Animal Liberation Orchestra. Hang out and dine at one of the many restaurants located near Pine Avenue and Broadway as you enjoy live music for free! Spanning from June to August 2009, and running the gamut from jazz to funk to pop, Summer And Music (SAM) will be the first to feature local musicians and a variety of creative curricula for free on the streets of downtown Long Beach.
Upcoming:
July 3-13 – This Independence Day, Pourtal Wine Bar in Santa Monica salutes America’s most intrepid winemakers with the debut of “United Grapes of America,” a patriotic Tasting Tour of at least 30 wines from 30 different states. Each wine will be available by the taste through Pourtal’s state-of-the-art Enomatic system, along with tasting notes and pairing suggestions. Tasting prices vary, and are based on the wines selected. More info on their web site.
July 4 – Chef Brian Moyers is offering a festive Blackboard Menu at BLT Steak on Independence Day. Items will include smoked pork spare ribs with peach barbecue sauce and fennel slaw; adobo marinated flatiron steak with charred green tomato chimichurri; and red, white and blue confetti cupcakes. Diners can order dishes individually or select one appetizer, main course, side and dessert for $60. BLT Steak. Call 310-360-1950 for reservations.
July 12 – Celebrate Bastille Day in Elysian Park from 12-10pm (corner of Stadium Wy. and Scott Ave.) where the Consulate General of France in Los Angeles will host the event with all-day festivities, live entertainment, music, dance, food and wine from France. In its eighth year, the event will feature a Parisian Waiter’s Race, street performers, Tahitian dancers, a Petanque Tournament, scenic and portrait painters, comedians, singers and dancers amongst market vendors and sidewalk cafés.
July 16 – Summer cooking classes at The Larchmont Larder, taught by owner Michael Beglinger, celebrate seasonal ingredients. “Summer Baking” takes place July 16 at 7 p.m., and will incorporates fresh fruits into crisps, cobblers, shortcakes, pies and tarts. “Just Tomatoes” is set for On August 13 at 7 p.m., and will teach how to put heirloom tomatoes in soups, salads, tarts and sauces. Classes are $75 each. Reservations are required. 323-962-9900
July 17-18 – Lots of wine, food, music, sea and sun at the California Wine Festival in Santa Barbara. A unique wine tasting experience with hundreds of California’s best red and white wines, live blues music, dozens of top chefs and specialty food purveyors, gourmet appetizers, fresh cut fruits, grilled meats, artisan breads and cheeses and much more.
July 19 – AMMO partners with California’s best farmers to present a seasonal series of farm-to-table dinners. These intimate meals draw together slow-food enthusiasts and restaurant industry insiders for a rare opportunity to savor the finest in local produce and engage with the farmers who grow it. The event will include a four-course prix-fixe menu inspired by the featured farm’s best produce, with optional wine pairings for each course. Seating is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Price is $55 per person; plus $30 for the wine pairing. Call 323-467-3293 for reservations.
August 1-2 – 21st Annual Taste in San Pedro at Point Fermin Park showcases gourmet foods, beer & wine, live entertainment, children’s activities, craft boutiques, an artists pavilion and a tribute to our Military. Over 30 restaurants, wineries, breweries will be in attendance.
August 6 – The Celebrity Chef Tour Benefiting the James Beard Foundation, features Award-Winning Chefs and once in a lifetime dining experience with the worlds best chefs all in one location. The LA details have yet to be announced, but tickets will probably be around $175 each.
August 8-9 – Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri from Diners, Drive Ins and Dives hits the stage at the Celebrity Food Show. Taste gourmet foods, sample fine wines, and spend the weekend having a good time with family and friends. Tickets start at $35, additional info on the web site.
25. June 2009 at 8:17 am
Hey! My sister lives in San Dimas. Thanks for the Family Music Festival info!