Update: 80’s themed skate party at Grand Central Market has been cancelled. 

Celebrate Latinx Heritage Month on Saturday, October 9 with Primos Jah Mama Sauce at the legendary HVW8 Gallery in DTLA, spotlighting the cultural practices of Cuba. Enjoy an afternoon of live music, Cuban cuisine, a Latinx art show and a market showcasing  Latinx-owned brands. The star of the show will be the Pan cCon Lechon pig roast, which will be spiced up with Jah Mama Sauce, a unique twist to a family scotch bonnet pepper sauce recipe.  

Maple Block Meat Co. is celebrating six years in Culver City with their annual Blocktoberfest, an all-you-can-eat whole hog BBQ on Sunday, October 10. . Executive cchef and owner, Daniel Weinstock, alongside Pit Master Chef Rudy Suazo are building a wood fire pit in the side parking lot and will personally tend the hog through the overnight process. This year they are adding  “LA favorite” Burgers by Standing’s with butcher and grilling expert Jose Rivera and the Axe Throwing Social Club for a day of beers, burgers, live music and whole hog BBQ.

Two packages are available: The Pit Boss Pass is $49 for all–you–can–eat from their  hog roast, including  sandwiches (served two ways — classic with vinegar–based sauce or with coleslaw and MB gold sauce). Burgers by Standing’s will serve their smashburCheese Burgers, roasted corn on the cob and classic sides:; creamy slaw, potato salad, ranch beans, braised greens, German pretzels with house–made beer mustard and Maple Block BBQ popcorn.

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Axe Throwing Social Club (Courtesy Maple Block)

The second package, the VIP Beer Garden Pass for $59, includes the all–you–can-eat menu, as well as two craft beers and seating in their shaded beer garden. This year, guests can also try their luck at the axe throwing booth. The 2021 beer garden will feature beers from Smog City Brewery and Brouwerij West Brewery, accompanied by live music.  Tickets can be reserved by going to www.mapleblockmeat.com; they sell out quickly

RUNWAY Playa Vista will be hosting their first-ever food festival, Taste of RUNWAY, on Thursday, October 14, from 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Featured eateries include Bull & Butterfly, Urban Plates, HopDoddy, Sol Mexican Cocina, LOQUI and libations from the bar and café, Joliet.

On Friday, October 15 Golden Road  Brewery will host an 80’s themed skate party at Grand Central Market in Downtown LA, transforming the basement of the historic venue into a pop-up skate rink. Locals are invited to wear their favorite costumes. Rental skates will be available on a first come, first served basis. Guests will also be able to purchase their favorite beverages (with proof of valid ID), including Golden Road’s signature Mango Cart wheat ale, Golden State Cerveza and Fruit Cart Hard Seltzer.  It’s free to attend with beverages and food purchased separately; must be 21+ to drink.

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Courtesy Jah Mama Sauce

Pasadena’s acclaimed Northern Italian restaurant and wine bar Union is bringing together prominent Central Coast wineries Wenzlau Vineyard and Habit Wine for a seven-course fall wine dinner on Tuesday, October 19.  Dishes on the menu include  smoked bass rillette with Passmore Ranch caviar and white alyssum flowers matched with Wenzlau Vineyards Cuvee L’Inconnu Blanc de Blancs as well as candele pasta with a wild boar ragu, porcini mushrooms, cocoa and butter paired  with Habit Grenache Noir. Guests are invited to enjoy lively conversation with winemakers Bill and Cindy Wenzlau of Wenzlau Vineyards and Jeff Fischer of Habit. For reservations contact logan@unionpasadena.com.

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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