Kevin O'KeeffeSee also:
*Our Calendar Section, Listing More Great Things to Do in L.A.
*5 Artsy Things to Do in L.A. This Week
Feeling the need to get out and do something different? Perhaps with large swaths of similarly-interested people? L.A. is going positively festival-crazy this week, with three different fests set to begin — and none of them are of the musical variety.
Whether you're happiest with a wine glass in your hand, a theater geek, proud to be LGBT or all of the above, you're likely to love what L.A. is serving up this week. After hitting up a festival or three, take in some hip-hop dance theater or curl up with a few new books you just found on sale to relax.
5. A Jug of Wine (and Thou?)
A glass of wine goes well with many things: food, heartbreak, good company and, most of all — more wine. Test your love for the glorious liquid at LAWineFest, a two-day event with wine, food trucks, craft brews and more. Expect L.A.'s usual roster of hipsters and foodies, along with oenophiles old and new. Between sips, boost your knowledge about everything from wine-and-cheese pairings to what it takes to own a winery, straight from California winemakers. Each year wine lovers can learn about significant wine locales — this year it's the Rioja region in Spain. Saturdays fill up more quickly, but either day you will get the most out of the festival if you park yourself right outside the gates before they open: You know you want first dibs on everything. Raleigh Studios, 5300 Melrose Ave., Larchmont; Sat., June 8, 2-6 p.m.; Sun., June 9, noon-5 p.m.; seminars free (seating limited), admission $85 singles, $155 couples, $20 designated drivers. lawinefest.com. — Eva Recinos
4. Bookshelf, Meet Trunk Sale
The D.A.P. Booth is a perennial art-fair highlight, its giant neon ampersand beckoning enthusiasts of palatine culture books to the Artbook/Distributed Art Publishing tables. Laden with copies of backlist and newly released gems alike, these pop-ups also offer a rare chance to buy the equivalent of factory-direct what can otherwise only be perused. But having settled in splendidly at its lofty new showroom in downtown's Theater District, D.A.P. also has returned to its appointment-only routine — it's technically a business that almost never sells to the public, no matter how much art lovers beg and plead. So those who fetishize new-book smells await the annual D.A.P. Sample Sale like bookworm Mardi Gras. The inaugural one in its downtown location promises both a swarm of art students on a budget and well-heeled connoisseurs on a quest for the best examples of vintage, back-catalog, classic and sneak-preview treasures — all marked 60-75 percent off. Don't worry, they sell tote bags, too. Artbook/D.A.P. Showroom, 818 S. Broadway, Suite 700, dwntwn.; Sat., June 8, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; free. (323) 969-8985, artbook.com/artbook-los-angeles-showroom.html. — Shayna Nys Dambrot
3. On the Fringe
Hollywood, known more for its movies and clubs than its pop-up theater and one-man showcases, is letting its Fringe show this month. The Hollywood Fringe, dedicated to promoting creative freedom through open-access art, will feature hundreds of shows in 20 venues, all located between Franklin and Melrose. First conceptualized in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1947, the Hollywood Fringe is entering its fourth year in L.A. This year's festival will feature a variety of shows including cabaret, musicals, physical theater and comedy. The most common type of show, however, will be the solo show — as is usual at fringe festivals. Attendees can purchase tickets online, as well as download the festival's official app on Apple and Android devices to plan their viewing schedules. Various venues in Hollywood; shows begin Thurs., June 13, and continue through Sun., June 30; prices vary by show. hollywoodfringe.org. — Kevin O'Keeffe
2. Trust Us, It's Gonna Be Epic
For the opening salvo of this summer's Ford Amphitheater dance series, choreographer Amy “Catfox” Campion and the high-energy dance virtuosi who make up Antics Performance return with Illuminated Manuscript, bringing a hip-hop dance theater retelling of the ancient Mesopotamian poem The Epic of Gilgamesh. While he may not have the same popular recognition as Hercules, Gilgamesh shares many of the same traits. He's part human and part god, a gorgeous, strong, ruthless king who sets off on a quest, with the poem recounting his adventures as he seeks the secret of immortality. The 10 Antics dancers taking the stage will be assisted by original music from several composers including Campion, graffiti art by Gilyon “Gillatine” Brace-Wessel, animation by Sapphire Sandalo and lighting design by Jim Smith. Early arrivals can bring a picnic or purchase food and beverages at the concession stand while listening to DJ Drez spinning records on the plaza. Hip-hop merchandise will be on sale and the Antics graffiti mural offers a photo op. John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. E., Hlywd.; Fri., June 7, 8:30 p.m.; $30-$75, $15 students, $12 children 12 & under. (323) 461-3673, fordtheatres.org. — Ann Haskins
1. Pride Sans Prejudice
Halloween is five long months away, but you can still let your freak flag fly like it's never been flown at West Hollywood's second biggest annual event — L.A. Pride. After three days at the gay Graceland, you won't be able to see or think straight, no matter what your color on the rainbow spectrum. The 40-year-plus tradition for the LGBT community, this year themed “The Sacred and Profane,” features live performances by The Pointer Sisters, Ciara, Kat Deluna and Uh Huh Her, plus hip-hop, Latin, country and a whole do-ask-do-tell army of DJs. Don't forget the popular Dyke March, which features a run/walk, sober oasis, more than 150 exhibitor tents and an 18-and-over Erotic City, which includes an appearance by a fella who goes by the title Mr. CSW Leather 2012. Of course, the weekend's highlight is always the parade, and this year you'll be waving pageant-style to grand marshal Maria Menounos of Extra fame. Celebration at West Hollywood Park, 647 San Vicente Blvd., W. Hlywd. Parade along Santa Monica Boulevard between Fairfax Avenue and Doheny Drive; Fri. 5 p.m.-mid.; Sat., noon-mid.; Sun., June, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; $20, $12 seniors, children under 12 free. (323) 969-8302, lapride.org. — Siran Babayan
See also:
*Our Calendar Section, Listing More Great Things to Do in L.A.
*5 Artsy Things to Do in L.A. This Week
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