Weekend Guide: Ben is Dead Magazine Reunion, Cheat Day Land, Vegan Festival, Birria & More ~ GTFO LA!

It’s Friday. It's rough out there. And here is your weekend guide, Los Angeles.  So ... get the f**k out of the house!

Friday, November 2

Celebrate an Underground Cultural Icon in NELA

[dropcap size=big]I[/dropcap]coninc alt magazine Ben is Dead, ran from 1988 to 1999 giving space to punk and grunge rock bands before they would go on to become mainstream, like Ethyl Meatplow, Nirvana, and Hole. It also gave a voice to Los Angeles's rebellious youth culture at a time when it was largely ignored by most media outlets. This weekend, the people behind the zine are celebrating its 30th anniversary at Cafe NELA. More info here. 

They are also doing a second event Sunday at Catch One. Info for that event is here.

When: Friday, November 9, 8:30 pm
Where: Cafe NELA, Northeast Los Angeles

Do Date Night with Dinner and a Mariachi Show in Pasadena

[dropcap size=big]C[/dropcap]orazon De Mariachi is a three-course dinner featuring a live mariachi show at ix Tapa Cantina. A $28 tickets gets you the following:

Menu
Appetizers

• Botanas de La Casa
• Taquitos, guacamole and esquite

Main Entrée (choose one)

• Surf & Turf: Grilled flat iron steak, shrimp scampi, onion, chili pasilla, white rice, and avocado
• ix Tapa Fajitas: Grilled ribeye steak, chicken and shrimp – served over sauteed fresh tomatoes, onions, zucchini, and red and green peppers with spices – on a sizzling skillet with rice and beans.
• Carne Asada: Charbroiled outside skirt steak served with rice, beans, and a cheese enchilada, garnished with guacamole and onions
• Pescado ala Veracruzana: Grilled basa white fish, shrimp, Veracruzana sauce, white rice and sautéed vegetables

Dessert (choose one)

• Kahlúa flan
• Chocolate lava Mayan cake

Tickets here. 

When: Friday, November 9, 8:15 pm
Where: ix Tapa Cantina, Pasadena

Take a Cheat Day in the Arts District

[dropcap size=big]D[/dropcap]o it for The Gram. Pop-up museum Cheat Day Land is like a fairy wonderland of giant pizzas, burgers, ice cream, and all the things I'm going to eat this weekend. There are food samples too. More info here.

When: Friday, November 9; open until 9 pm
Where: Cheat Day Land, Arts District

Sip on a Coffee Festival in Downtown

[dropcap size=big]T[/dropcap]he first Los Angeles Coffee Festival is running this weekend. The Festival will feature free coffee tastings, interactive workshops, food vendors, "intoxicating" coffee cocktails, and live music. More info here.

When: Friday, Nov. 9 to Sunday, Nov. 11; starts at 10 am
Where: The Reef, DTLA

Saturday, November 3

Watch a Symbol of Imperialism Come Down in Grand Park

[dropcap size=big]T[/dropcap]he city is taking down the statue of Christopher Columbus Saturday. The move comes nearly a year after the City Council voted to change Columbus Day to Indigenous People Day, after pressure from groups who cited the renowned Italian navigator's role in the mass murder of indigenous people. The Native American Indian Commission had been pushing for the removal of the statue for some time. More info here.

When: Saturday, Nov. 10; 8:30 am
Where: Grand Park, DTLA

Get Stoned with Tommy Chong in Hollywood

[dropcap size=big]H[/dropcap]ologram USA is transforming Tommy Chong into a hologram live before a studio audience. Say what? The weed, I'm sure will help this process along. The show is being billed as a "Hotbox" session with Tommy Chong being interviewed by Alki David. They're even going to be passing out free CBD samples. The best part is that the whole thing is free. More info here.

When: Saturday, Nov. 10; doors open at 7 pm
Where: Hologram USA, Hollywood

Catch a Breakdance Show in Huntington Park

[dropcap size=big]T[/dropcap]he Freestyle Sessions World Finals are happening at La Boom in HP. The two-day breakdance competition starts Saturday and features performances by Dj Z-Trip and Bboy Storm, Artson, and Lord Finesse. More info here.

When: Saturday, Nov. 10 to Sunday, Nov. 11; starts at 12 pm
Where: La Boom, Huntington Park

See a Secret Movie Club Screening at the Vista

[dropcap size=big]T[/dropcap]he 100-year-old Vista Theater is still one of the best in the city to catch a flick. This Saturday, Secret Movie Club will host a series of 35mm screenings. Some of the featured films include The Iron Giant, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and the first two Lord of the Rings films, Porco Rosso, Gremlins, and more. More info here.

When: Saturday, November 10; starts at 12 pm
Where: Vista, Los Feliz

Sunday, November 4

Eat Birria Tacos in Los Angeles

[dropcap size=big]L.[/dropcap]. A. Taco writer Cesar Hernandez has put together the most comprehensive list of the best birria de res taqueros in Los Angeles. Most of them are only open on the weekends, which is the perfect time to indulge in this spicy, delicious stew of beefy goodness. The list is here.

When: Saturday, Nov. 10 to Sunday, Nov. 11
Where: Check out our map

Eat Vegan Cookies in Pasadena

[dropcap size=big]V[/dropcap]egan Cookie-Con features bakers, artisans, chocolatiers, chefs, and cooks all experts in vegan desserts. The event is happening at the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel and will feature vegan treats, a cookie bake off, demos, speakers, and book signings. Tickets are only $5. A percentage of the ticket sales will go be donated to nonprofit Plant Based For All. More info here.

When: Sunday, November 11; 11 am
Where: Renaissance Hotel, Pasadena