Your Weekend Guide 5/6/11 Edition

It's Friday!  What does that mean?  For me, it means that I'm stocking up on some snacks and movies and preparing myself for a nice, relaxing weekend at home.  I don't usually go out on the weekends because that's when the "amateurs" come out.  Your amateur drivers clog the freeways and parking structures, amateur partiers crowd the dance floor and amateur adventurers ruin your experience because they don't get out much.  Tuesdays and Wednesdays are my weekend: the freeways are empty, parking is ample and there's hardly anyone around to bother you.  But because it's Los Angeles, someone's always out having a good time and it adds just enough "life" to the scene without it being grotesquely crowded or uncomfortable.

If you must go out on the weekend because your mom told you it isn't good to go out on a school night, then here are some FREE things that you can do.  That's another thing you'll learn about me: I never pay for entry and I never wait in line.  More details in a future post.

Friday @ 6 pm:  Live jazz at LACMA featuring the House of Games
The jazz quartet House of Games has been thrilling audiences since 1990 with their distinctive blend of jazz, fusion and original compositions.  Individually, they have been featured artists with Ray Charles, Tierney Sutton, Miki Coltrane, Chuck Mangione, Jack Sheldon, Herbie Hancock and Michael Buble.  Drawing on a variety of styles, the quartet features Brad Rabuchin on guitar, Scott Hiltzik on piano, Chris Colangelo on bass, and Dave Tull on drums.

Saturday @ 11 am: The Santa Monica Festival
Commemorating its twentieth year, the Santa Monica Festival has evolved into a celebration of the unique intersection of art and the environment. Festival-goers can celebrate Mother Earth and all moms this Mother’s Day weekend with an eclectic mix of live music and dance, DIY art workshops utilizing recycled and repurposed materials, guilt-free shopping from vendors featuring earth-friendly artistic wares and local resources offered by a variety of City and local non-profit organizations.


Sunday @ 11 am: Fiesta Broadway
Fiesta Broadway is the world's largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the world.  It covers 12 square blocks of downtown L.A.  Don't bother driving there.  Find a park and ride station and take the metro.  Over half a million people will attend.

Enjoy!  Be safe!  Stay hydrated (with beer or water, your choice)!

Don't be an amateur!  Read The Art of Parking so you can adventure like a pro!

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