Best Of LA: Week Of July 27
This week of events proves Los Angeles really does have it all. Those looking to imbibe can start their week off with Sake Monday at Katsuya, or wait until hump day to feast on a five course beer dinner in the South Bay. Theater goers will appreciate shows this week featuring a work by famous French playwright Marivaux, as well as a performance meditating on race in America that includes an audience talk-back with the author herself. Two iconic Los Angeles landmarks are opening tours to the public to the delight of both history and sports buffs; music fans will enjoy a free concert in the park with headliner Vanessa Williams; and an International Surf Festival and massive Korean entertainment convention rounds out the week with a bit of international flair.
Sake Mondays at Katsuya
Katsuya
6300 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 515-8782
www.katsuyarestaurant.com
There's no case of the Mondays a little sake and sushi can't cure - especially when it's half price. Every Monday, Katsuya offers 50% off all bottles of sake, and for those who aren't a big fan of the Japanese drink, they offer 25% off all bottles of wine as well. Their list is extensive, so you're bound to find a discounted bottle of something good to go along with their outstanding sushi menu. If you're not in the Hollywood neck of the woods, but still want to get your sake on, Katsuya's Brentwood, Glendale, and L.A. Live locations offer this special deal as well.
Coliseum Historic Tour
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum & Sports Arena
3939 South Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90037
(213) 747-7111
www.lacoliseum.com
Like Wonka's factory, the Coliseum has historically closed its gates to the public during non-event hours, until now. As a former Olympics host (and current Special Olympics host) the Coliseum has played a major role in sports of all kinds. Declared a National Landmark in 1984, the stadium has served as home to two Super Bowls, a World Series, a Papal Mass by Pope John Paul II, countless concerts and sporting events, and of course the famous USC Trojan football team. Come peek behind the scenes of this historic sports monument in either a self-guided ($10) or guided ($25) tour, and see previously forbidden areas like the board room, press box, and locker room. As an added bonus, you can head to the roof and check out a breathtaking view of not only the USC campus, but downtown L.A. and the San Gabriel Mountains.
Five Course Beer Dinner at Abigaile
Abigaile
1301 Manhattan Ave.
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
(310) 798-8227
www.abigailerestaurant.com
As the South Bay's only restaurant with an onsite brewery, Abigaile is the perfect place to offer a special five-course beer dinner. For this limited event, they're combining forces with Ninkasi Brewing in Eugene, OR to pair the perfect IPAs, lagers, and stouts with dishes like Foie Gras Torchon, Hamachi and Ahi Crudo, Indochine Pork Belly, and Hunan Braised Pork Ribs. The dessert course will be a Banana Tarte Tartine served with the hotly anticipated Ground Control Imperial Stout, made from a brewer's yeast that was sent into space and orbited the earth before being brewed into a limited edition "Space Beer". Tickets are $60 and can be purchased here.
Vanessa Williams Concert
Burton Chase Park
13650 Mindanao Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
(310) 305-9595
www.visitmarinadelrey.com
Multi-talented, award-winning entertainer Vanessa Williams presents an unforgettable evening of music at tonight's Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series. Backed by the 75-member Marina del Rey Symphony, Williams brings her extensive repertoire to the stage for this free concert in the park. Pack a picnic, grab a chair, and enjoy an evening out under the stars with a soundtrack as impressive as the setting itself. Showtime starts at 7pm.
Upstairs Downstairs Tour
The Gamble House
4 Westmoreland Place
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 793-3334
www.GambleHouse.org
The Upstairs Downstairs tour is back today for a limited time this summer. Though slightly less grand than Downton Abbey, the Gamble House's history and architecture are impressive and worth seeing. Tour both the upstairs of the classic Arts and Crafts style home with its meticulous craftsmanship and specially-designed glass light fixtures and architectural features, as well as the less opulent downstairs, where the home's servants lived. The tour is a unique chance to compare the living quarters of the served with those "in service." Tickets are $20, and tours run through August 16th.
International Surf Festival
Various South Bay Locations
www.surffestival.org
Hermosa Beach, along with sister South Bay beach cities Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and Torrance, is playing host to the 54th International Surf Festival. In addition to the namesake surfing contest, the event will include the annual Lifeguard Medley Relay, Pier-to-Pier Swim, and Volleyball Tournament. A paddleboard race, dory race, and various youth events will take place as well during the three-day event. Participants range in age from 8-80, so bring the family and soak up some South Bay sunshine. A full line-up of events and locations can be found on their website.
KCON LA
Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 S. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(323) 456-4813
www.kconusa.com
The largest annual fan celebration of Korean entertainment and culture in North America is back, and is expected to draw even more attendees than last year's 43,000+ crowd. A massive fan convention will take place from Friday to Sunday at the Los Angeles Convention Center, featuring all things K-culture, including: stars, panels, workshops, entertainment, and samples of Korean cuisine. At the end of each action-packed day, some of the top names in Korean pop music will play the Staples Center (Saturday and Sunday only). Various concert and convention ticket options are available, so check the website for more information.
The False Servant
Odyssey Theatre
2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90025
(310) 477-2055
www.OdysseyTheatre.com
The Odyssey Theater Ensemble, in conjunction with Evidence Room, presents The False Servant by notable French playwright Marivaux. This 18th century tale of seduction, money, and power gets a fresh adaptation and translation by Martin Crimp, while still maintaining the precision of the original text. A young Parisian woman disguises herself as a man in hopes of discovering her fiance's true motives, and along with her scheming servant, soon learns her husband-to-be is not to be trusted. Showtime is 8pm, and tickets range from $15-$35.
Citizen: An American Lyric
The Fountain Theater
5060 Fountain Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 663-1525
www.fountaintheatre.com
The stage adaptation of Claudia Rankine's award-winning book Citizen: An American Lyric opens this weekend, with tonight's performance including a special appearance by the author herself. The internationally acclaimed poet will be on hand to sign copies of the book, as well as lead a talkback with the audience following the show. Named one of the best books of the year by the Los Angeles Times, NPR, and several other media outlets, Citizen is a provocative meditation on race fusing poetry, prose, movement, music, and video imagery.
