This event was much smaller than I anticipated. There were only a handful of vendors, and not much…read morethat I found interesting. I bought a pair of earrings on my way out, so I guess it wasn't all bad. The artists who were painting canvases at the front were pretty cool, but we didn't have enough time to sit around and watch them. We spent the most time in the food truck food court. There were five or six trucks. I wished there were more, but then again, I can only eat so much, so it ended up being alright. This would have been much better if we didn't have to pay five bucks each to get in.

The 2nd Make It Funky Festival presented by the Flock Shop LA was just as hoped it would be. A…read moresmall festival with great musical acts, both by DJ's and Bands, unlike the huge festivals with mediocre acts all day. If you are in the likes of KCRW and anything other than top40 than the $10 entrance is very much worth it. Funk sounds from Connie Price, lyricism from Wildchild, brass horn's blairing from The Rebirth, to all the wonderful DJ's that play in some of the most renowned underground venues will keep you two stepping the night away (ie: Soul Sessions, The Rhythm Section, Afro Funke, and Sonado Sunday.) The festival also had a Food Vendor Court which was filled with a couple of LA's famous food trucks. The White Rabbit Food Truck and Spring Street BBQ kept my belly full as I walked around. I am personally not a big vendor fan, but there were plenty of vendors with great stuff. The live art was very entertaining while DJ's feed the artists musical inspiration. Overall Make It Funky is an experience that I hope Chinatown and Flock Shop continue throughout the years. It brings quality music as well as great people together to open your mind, fill your belly, and your keep your feet moving.

First time ever attending Montrose Craft Beer Fest and I enjoyed visiting and trying out new…read morebrewery vendors. I also purchased the VIP ticket and includes a small section for you to sit down and have pizza, wine and a tote bag with souvenirs. They also had a digital photobooth with props that matched the theme. Although it rained quite a bit at the beginning, it was tolerable and soon the rain ended and beautiful blue skies appeared. I did get to try out most of the beers which included: 805, Shadow Grove, Frogtown, Old Stump, Cerveceria Del Pueblo, Pro-five and Cellador amongst others. Unlimited pours during the festival plus DJ's spinning great hip hop music had me dancing alone unbothered. There were more sweet (vendors) bites than food vendors diversity options available, had pizza for the most part and a few other bites in between (chili, cabbage salad). I was there mainly for beer and wine. I got to spin the wheel and won a Starbucks gift card. Some may say the price of the VIP ticket was not worth it as it lacked more food options there; only pizza was offered and complimentary wine. So, next time I'll just purchase the general admission as I felt that was sufficient. There are plenty of activities to do. A live band was playing awesome music, and a DJ spinning hits on the other end of the block. Very lively otherwise.

Despite the heat this was a terrific event!…read more I did wish there were more food vendors. I was unable to get much to snack on because the lines were so long. The beer sampling was fantastic so that made up for it. I went at about 1:30 pm and had lots of beer tastings- I think I tried almost every brewery there. The event was scheduled to be between 1pm-4pm and it was about 3:15 or so when the beer pop-ups would say they were out of something. The food booths ran out much earlier. Among my favourites were the Avatar Jasmine IPA, the Red Ale from the Firefighter brand, a special brew from Hanger 24, and a delicious Leffe ale. The festival was pretty crowded but they did a good job of providing trash cans and cocktail tables. Everything seemed very clean, I appreciated that. I would definitely go again; recommend this for the 21 and over crowd but don't go hungry! :)

The city holds a great 4th of July fireworks show at the elementary school every year! There is…read morelots of music, food, and rides for the whole family to enjoy. Gates open at 4 pm and close at 8:30 pm prior to the start of the show, but be sure to get there early for good seats! There is a $5 entry fee, but children 2 and under are free.

We had a great time…read more Adam Schiff was there and was very welcoming. The food trucks and ice cream was good It was a safe and fun environment Only suggestion would be hope it was a bit longer

LA Weekly presents Food & Wine Festival at the California Market Center (CMC). Food porn…read moreextravaganza....oh heaven help me!! So many representing LA eats that the line to get in was weaving out the door. It was well worth it as 40 of the hottest restaurants presented an amuse bouche of their signature bites & alcoholic beverage samples. Mingling with chefs, meeting new people and talking about food was a nice way to end the weekend. Great venue at the California Market Center offering spectacular panoramic views of the city. It was large enough that I didn't feel claustrophobic with the volume of people attending and enough tables and chairs to pace yourself. Surprisingly it wasn't too bad getting out of the parking building either and thought it was well facilitated. LA knows how to do it and LA Weekly had a very successful event. Salud #theessentials till next year!

I signed up for this event assuming it would be like all other food and wine festivals. That is,…read morean overpriced, overcrowded mess of booths and people unsuccessfully intermingling in the hot sun or hot indoor space. Thankfully I can report The Essentials 2015 mostly chipped away at my negative stereotypes. The food we sampled was all quite good, the beer and wine quite drinkable, and the hard booze creatively mixed. Our group appreciated that none of the tables made a point to stamp the ridiculous "drink card" everyone was issued. Make no mistake, the event was PACKED, but once inside the crowds were only an issue for certain restaurants. Thankfully it didn't impact the temperature, as we were fully comfortable start to finish. Some vendors went above and beyond with their food, while others proffered more pedestrian bites. Though I don't remember too many specifics, a few establishments were just really, really good. A big "thank you!" to Connie & Ted's, L&E, and Providence for providing exquisitely fresh oysters on the half shell. Sounds like at least a 4-star review at this point, right? Yup, but I have to voice what I feel are a few legitimate qualms. First, the signs for each vendor were SO small they were often invisible behind the chefs and people in line. Second, a better laid-out map would have worked wonders, as the one provided was essentially useless. The third and fourth issues require their own paragraph. We arrived prior to the 2:00 p.m. opening time for general admission. However, the organizers let us in late, and the throngs of people waiting outside further delayed the process. Long story short, we finally got into the event at 3:00...not cool. To boot, most of the "prestigious" vendors (e.g., Melisse, Hungry Cat) completely ran out of food as early as 3:30. Either they received bad information about the number of tickets sold, or they simply brought whatever quantities they wanted. Regardless of the reason, this was completely unfair to those of us who paid to try their food. I couldn't help feeling a little ripped off. This was definitely an improvement over other foodie festivals. We had a GREAT time. However, there are certainly some kinks that need to be ironed out. I can't wait to go again next time and hopefully leave a 5-star review!

2025 was my first time going to this music festival. Without a lot of research, I feel like this…read morefestival has a common through line of musicians who love to use synthesizers in their music - 80s new wave, goth, industrial, etc., etc.. An exception I also noticed was different shades of punk as well. As a festival, I thought it was well organized and the location was good (next to the Rose Bowl). It wasn't too large and there were lots of great options for food and drink. Bathroom lines weren't crazy and there were water filling stations. For reference: I had a VIP ticket, which may have helped with bathroom lines and lines to some of the food/drink vendors. Great viewing locations for VIP, but the Clubhouse level gave you access really close to the stage. I personally believe there are two major camps (with all different types of shades in between) of folks who go to music fests - 1) people who just love going to fests love the experience and vibe regardless of the line up. 2) people who go to a fest specifically for a particular lineup that piques their interest. I would say I fall into more the second category. The 2025 lineup in particular was a dream lineup for me! My favorite band growing up was New Order. OMD's Sugar Tax spent countless hours in my walkman and I love music from The Go-Go's and Alison Moyet. And up until this point, I haven't been able to see any of them live except for New Order. Devo, Clan of Xymox (loved their music on 'The Guest' soundtrack), She Wants Revenge, Buzzcocks, and 'Til Tuesday were very nice bonuses. Only sad part really was that I wanted to see Nick Cave but had to choose between this and The Go-Go's. I chose The Go-Go's because I was going to try and watch them at The Roxy, but secondary market tix for that was like $500 : / Just a bunch of bands and musicians I wanted to see all wrapped up in one festival! I would definitely love to come back to a future fest and would even consider tix at the 'Clubhouse' level ($1,000 in 2025), but like I mentioned above, for me, it would really depend on the lineup during that given year.

It is now 2025, and I am still on a musical high from my fourth consecutive Cruel World Fest. I…read morecall it the Gen X music fest, and have recently heart it called Goth Prom. Whether you are a Goth Princess, a Die Hard Gen X, a Dark Synth Fan, or an 80s music guru, this music festival has the best lineups for you. My husband and I went to the first Cruel World Fest, which had been postponed due to the pandemic, and since then, we have gone every year... with no plans to stop. Through the years I have seen so many music legends. And what I love is that they also showcase many younger bands that have similar styles. I have learned about several new favorite bands. This year we had some cooler weather and even a little rain, but it did not stop the party. In fact, It was appreciated after having been to the fest in the 100 degree heat a couple years back. Goldenvoice has gotten better and better at throwing the festival. There are more water stations (bring a refillable bottle) and more bathrooms set up. Getting in is a breeze, and lines are mostly short. We usually opt for GA+ for cleaner restrooms, but it is not really necessary. The merch line is usually ridiculously long, but we stopped by later in the day and got a couple of shirts after only about three minutes in line. This year for me was amazing. There was so much great music, I barely had time to eat anything... and we were there for about 11 hours. I was able to see Nick Cave for the first time. OMD put on an amazing show as always. Highlights for me were hearing Midge Ure sing Vienna and dancing to Stereo MCs in the rain. Can't wait to find out the lineup for next year!

When the stars align, two major events occur at the Santa Anita Racetrack: the 626 Night Market and…read moreCal Phil's Festival on the Green. Despite their proximity, it's hard to believe that these events could exist in the same universe, as the two events could not be more different. While the former is overcrowded and unruly, the latter is relatively low-key and calm. Thus, if you're looking for a fun experience but not enthused about battling pushy people and lengthy lines, I'd highly recommend checking out Cal Phil's Festival on the Green. Since this is THE Cal Philharmonic Orchestra, the excellence of the music is indisputable. But, the selection of pieces could probably have been improved to better fit the advertised theme. For a concert entitled "Lights, Camera, Action," I expected more music from iconic movies, as we only heard one piece from Hercules, Jurassic Park, Lawrence of Arabia, Psycho, and Star Wars. Other selections, such as Korngold's Violin Concerto and Shostakovich's Symphony #5, were beautiful, but were less engaging given their disconnect from the night's theme. (The programs for the other concerts in the series seemed to feature a mix of pieces as well, but I can imagine that the musical / pop-oriented concerts allow for more crowd participation.) The setup of the venue is pretty straightforward: closest to the stage are tables; behind the tables are rows of benches; and further back is the eponymous green. While you could score seats closer to the stage, I'd recommend choosing the cheaper lawn seats, as this is the perfect spot to have a boozy picnic with friends before the concert. Just don't forget the corkscrew! Although lawn chairs are helpful, they are certainly not needed as long as you bring blankets or towels to sit on. There is a slight berm along the edges of the venue, so if you want to be elevated / avoid having someone stick their chair right in front of you, then arrive early to stake your spot! We arrived at approximately 6PM and most of the elevated lawn spots had already been claimed. Tickets can be purchased online via Cal Phil or Goldstar. If you choose to purchase food at the venue, you do have several options in the form of food trucks serving ice cream, sliders, and Cajun fare. Obviously, this can't compete with the fare you'd find at the Night Market. And, if you don't bring enough libations, there is a bar that sells various forms of booze, including entire bottles of wine. There is ample parking is available through Gate 6. It costs $15 per car, so it's definitely worth it to carpool. You probably could walk over from somewhere with free parking, but it would certainly take you awhile, especially if you have lots of stuff to carry. Definitely check out Cal Phil's Festival on the Green if you're interested in a fun experience with family and friends. Even if the music isn't your cup of tea, you'll have fun being outdoors and picnicking in good company!

Outdoor on the grass, temperature about 80 and the night sky is clear. Listening to singers,…read morechoral groups and a very talented orchestra perform Andrew Lloyd Webber meets Puccini. Movie scores, play scores and opera all in one evening. The sound system was good and the lighting was well done. One projection screen showed multiple views from the many cameras on stage. Parking is easy and the departure from the lot is easy. Great food and bar. Overall, a fine example of the arts in SoCal. Admittedly, this is a scaled-down version of the Hollywood Bowl experience, but not very scaled down on price with good seats at the A, B and C tables going for $90-120 each and parking at $14. Still, 4-5000 people show up every two weeks during summer. Last night's performance was underwritten by Smith Brothers Restaurants in Pasadena Current Developments in the Financial picture. The orchestra and management ratified a two-year Agreement in June of 2013, including an increase in wages. Performance scale increased from $139 to $142 in the first year, and from $142 to $145 in the second year. Rehearsal scale went from $114 to $116 in the first year, to $116 to $119 in the second year. Health & Welfare contributions also went from 7% to 8% for the duration of the agreement. The orchestra suffered a massive meltdown in the 2012 season, finishing the year owing musicians over $120,000 for three unpaid concerts; management also reneged on their obligations to make payments to the Health and Welfare Fund and the Pension Fund. After a protracted legal fight, including grievances and filings with the National Labor Relations Board, an agreement was reached in May that made all payments owed to the musicians, including late payment penalties, H &W and Pension Fund payments and work dues.

They changed it up a bit with a AYCE entry pass good for 3-4 hours. It's a pricey $60 ticket, even…read morewith an online code for the 10% discount. It's only a good deal for a big eater, but i'd say it's a nice summer experience. There were a good 10 food vendors serving various dishes.. Lots of pulled pork, great brisket, baby back ribs, plenty of bbq sauce. My favorite was BigMista's pork candy, which was a very maple-y coated thick cut bacon spiced like hotpepper jerky. It's unlimited drinks, they had plenty of beer on tap. Also, water & soda. The same drink vendors served desserts, which included root beer floats, cupcakes (double chocolate, red velvet, & maplebacon), & banana cream pudding. They had a live band, plenty of seating. Parked on lot for Santa monica pier, and the tents were set up literally in the parking lot.

OK, so it IS quite expensive for what you get (6 vendors, mostly from LA, all sort of in the 3-star…read morerange) BUT, you're gonna get a LOT of beer and some good music for the price, too. I have never been to the previous BBQ Fests. This was my first time, and I have to say, they had to have improved upon prior years because this one was great. The NJ booth beat everyone out for the best pulled BBQ pork, hands down (naturally) and the selection of beers was great: there was something for everyone. The band, Petty Cash (Tom Petty/Johnny Cash cover), couldn't have been a better choice. With individual tents for each group of people, it was neither too crowded nor too hot. I will definitely be coming back next year!

It had cool shit to do, lots of room to wander and a good lineup on Saturday. Flume, Chromeo, St…read more Lucia... I understood the whole snowboard competition thing, but when all that was over and someone was willing to let me use his board, plus there was no one on the snow ramp, why wouldn't they let me snowboard down like one time!? It would only take a second, geez. I had fun on Saturday and everyone who attended was seriously PLUR and the bomb dot com, including the merchandise young woman who helped me A LOT. She went super duper out of her way to find me a small jacket when they checked the other booth, made a phone call of some sort, 2 people were looking in the back, the mannequin had on a size Large and then suddenly she came out seriously genuinely happy for me with the small that I wanted, even though I wanted the jacket badly enough to agree to just buy the large one. She was really cool for doing all that. No one in LA goes to any trouble to help, but she really really did. She was on a mission and had no other reason to help me beside that she was an amazing individual. They had cool art work and a badass truck that I kept bothering security about to know whose the owner and if I could buy it right now. He did not even really speak in the same language as I did, so it was not going to happen and I was really sure I would drive off in that truck that night, which was Sunday because they painted it over those 2 days. The parking situation was not cool to say the least though- got to figure that one out. It was pouring rain on Sunday and they did a buy one shirt and get a sweatshirt free or probably vice versa, but you have to walk so many miles to your car because anywhere you park you'll either have to walk many miles to get in or to get out. That was my main complaint, but otherwise, I'll always go again. It was pretty rad.

This was my second year attending Air and Style. Last year I had an absolute blast and found that…read morethe event was very well organized with a really good lineup. However, this year was the complete opposite. My friend and I got VIP but only got mailed VIP bracelets and never actual tickets. I knew this seemed off because most other festivals have an area on the bracelets that is scannable for entry. After contact both FrontGate tickets and Air and Style directly, they had told me that all I needed were the bracelets to get in. However, upon arriving, the people scanning the tickets at the door told us we had to wait in the will call line to get tickets. I looked on the air and style Facebook page the next day and found that many other VIP people ran into the same problem. I don't know if they changed management this year or something but the event just seemed so much more unorganized. They released the app and set times only a day or two before the festival which made things more hectic in terms of planning. They also started running out of their drinks on day two. VIP didn't really come with many perks besides a separate bar and a front viewing area for the main stage so I don't think it's worth the money. However, Air and Style is worth it in my opinion if you're just buying GA tickets and the lineup is good as the 2017 one.