Buchanan’s La Reunión, the pop-up market experience that celebrates local Latin culture, takes place this Saturday, August 28, at City Libre. The block party will help support food insecure communities in L.A. through No Use Without You by bring together the best of L.A.’s Hispanic voices and businesses, from artists to bartenders and chefs all under one roof. Festivities include delicious food from Mexican food truck El Guero’s Food Truck, Mexican Restaurant La Barquita Mariscos, and dessert shops LA Churros and Kimdy Sweets, paired with a special Buchanan’s cocktail by Va’La Hospitality.

Shop from local businesses like Glamlindo Artesania and Mexichic Crafts, indulge in custom nail art and designs by Nail Art Fairy, and experience a DJ set by Al Tun Tun and live entertainment from Reggaeton artist, Fuego. There will also be a LA culture inspired photo wall designed by plant shop owner Mariela Mejia, popularly known as The Plant Chica.

Also on Saturday, August 28, Cult Santa Monica will be hosting an outdoor Broadway Block Party to celebrate a Taste of Louisiana with a crawfish boil, drink specials, live music and more. Local venues Cult, Lanea and The Independence are coming together for a fun night that includes a cocktail crawl with live DJs and bands, one pound of fresh boiled crawfish, corn and potatoes, two drink tickets for drink special cocktails at Cult or Lanea, $8 rum drink specials and priority VIP entry to Cult and Lanea. The event is free to attend, or VIP tickets are available.

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BBQ at Smorgasburg (Michele Stueven)

Unique Markets returns to ROW DTLA this weekend, Saturday, August 28 and Sunday, August 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.with its first full-scale market since 2019. About 120 vendors include a Shake Shack pop-up, DIY jewelry making, IG-worthy photo booth opportunities and a VIP rooftop lounge offering a place to relax and refuel, cocktails in hand. Tickets for one day are $10, VIP Tickets are $20, and two-day passes are $15 and can be purchased here. On Sunday, Smorgasburg is hosting its 5th annual BBQ Day, featuring pop-up BBQ vendors, the return of Moo’s Craft BBQ and Ugly Drum, plus BBQ-themed specials from many of Smorgasburg’s resident food vendors.

Grand opening festivities for Randy’s Donuts Santa Monica will take place on Tuesday, August 31 from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. where all guests receive a free raised glazed donut from 6 a.m. – 12 p.m. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 11 a.m.

While there won’t be the iconic larger-than-life donut made famous at the original Inglewood location, a 10-foot replica of the landmark will be unveiled for those who want a photo-op with the famous donut sign. Santa Monica will be the first location to unveil the rollout of a new Randy’s Roast coffee program; a wide selection of monthly and seasonal coffee beverages and donut pairings.

What’s Popping Up is a weekly column in the L.A. Weekly that explores all that’s new in food and drink.

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