Garlic, energy drinks, hootenannies, baklava, there's a festival for everything. So why not dedicate an entire event to Japan's favorite alcoholic drink? The L.A. Sake Festival planners aren't into staging a low-key, dignified homage to the Far East's rice-and-water-based libation. No, they're adding a “Vegas vibe.” That means more than 100 brands of sake, introductory tasting classes, samplings from top mixologists, and the sensational “saketini.” And no sake festival would be complete without — you guessed it — karaoke. After a few rounds of “Desperado” and multiple tastings, you'll know why it's called the “Drink of the Gods” — 'cause you'll be saying, “God, why did I drink so much sake?”

Sat., Aug. 15, 8-11 p.m., 2009

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