Some of us are really excited for the Eat Real event, so excited we might even brave the 405 closure debacle & cross from East to West side. Heck, some of us who think free labor is like running in public — the horror — might even volunteer.

Here’s the official blurb, interspaced with photos from the “Preview Event”, followed by further thoughts on the festivities inspired by the Eat Real Fest Oakland:

The Eat Real Festival, the urban food extravaganza that showcases food in all its tasty forms, has just announced highlights of the lineup for the jam-packed Los Angeles event taking place at the Helms Bakery District in Culver City, CA on July 16th and 17th, 2011. Offering an extraordinary opportunity for people to celebrate not only the very best of their regional foods, but also the people who grow it and make it. Attendees will get up close and personal with their food through two days of non-stop food skills and hands on DIY demos including a “flying knives” butchery contest, an eclectic array of local food producers in the marketplace and a curated selection of delicious street eats incorporating local and sustainable ingredients all priced at $5 or less. “Eat Real takes the idea of and old-time state fair and turns it on its head,” said Anya Fernald, founder of Eat Real Festival. “For two full days, attendees can dine and sip on delicious items that highlight local, healthy and sustainable ingredients. But eating and drinking is only part of the fun. We’ll also put people in touch with their food by showing how it’s made – from making jam, sauerkraut or bread, raising backyard chickens and bees, to seeing the artistry involved in butchering a steer or pig. We celebrate the very best southern California has to offer and will activate thousands of people to demand good food, all the time.”

There is no cost for entry into the Eat Real Festival. In fact, there is no cost for any of the festival activities that includes music, workshops, demonstrations and events like the canning and butchery contests. The only cost when attending the Eat Real Festival will come from shopping in the marketplace or purchasing food from the food vendors on site. By agreeing to take part in Eat Real, vendors commit to using 1-2 local or sustainable ingredients in their food, hormone free meat and ensure that all prepared food for sale on site will be priced $5 or less. There is also space devoted to local food craft folks (cheese, charcuterie, pickles, jams, and more) and urban homesteading where attendees can learn what it takes to get in touch with your inner backyard farmer.

»continue reading Eat Real Fest LA: For The Anti-Cool July 16 – 17

22-20s / AIR / ALBERTA CROSS / BELLE AND SEBASTIAN / BOOM BOOM SATELLITES / BOYS NOIZE / BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE / THE CRIBS / FLOGGING MOLLY / FOALS / HOT CHIP / IAN BROWN / JOHN BUTLER TRIO / KEN YOKOYAMA / KITTY DAISY&LEWIS / LCD SOUNDSYSTEM / MAGNETIC MAN / MASSIVE ATTACK / MUSE / OCEAN COLOUR SCENE / PARACHUTE / RIDDIM SAUNTER / THEM CROOKED VULTURES / toe / YEASAYER / VAMPIRE WEEKEND / Z-TRIP

English Festival Info

HEADS UP

Sasquatch! Music Festival @ Gorge Amphitheater, George, WA (3-day Pass) Sat 5/29 – Mon 5/31

Sasquatch! Music Festival @ Gorge Amphitheater, George, WA Sat 5/29

Sasquatch! Music Festival @ Gorge Amphitheater, George, WA Sun 5/30

Sasquatch! Music Festival @ Gorge Amphitheater, George, WA Mon 5/31

My Morning Jacket, Massive Attack, Pavement, Ween, Vampire Weekend, MGMT, Band of Horses, The National, LCD Soundsystem, Tegan & Sara, Broken Social Scene, Passion Pit, Deadmau5, She & Him, Public Enemy, Nada Surf, The New Pornographers, The Hold Steady, The xx, Dirty Projectors, OK Go, Drive By Truckers, Kid Cudi, The Long Winters, Minus the Bear, The Mountain Goats, Quasi, Camera Obscura, Fruit Bats, Brother Ali, Midlake, Dr. Dog, Caribou, Simian Mobile Disco, City & Colour, No Age, The Temper Trap, Vetiver, Miike Snow, Portugal. The Man, Telekinesis, Mayer Hawthorne, Why?, Girls, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Wale, The Lonely Forest, Japandroids, Boys Noize, Yacht, Freelance Whales, Laura Marling, Patrick Watson, Past Lives, Cymbals Eat Guitars, The Low Anthem, The Very Best, Phantogram, Neon Indian, Nurses, The Tallest Man on Earth, Fresh Espresso, Mumford & Sons, Jets Overhead, tUnE-YarDs, Shabazz Palaces, Fool’s Gold, Morning Teleportation, Z-Trip, Dam-Funk, Hudson Mohawke, The Middle East, Local Natives, Avi Buffalo, Booka Shade, A-Trak, Yes Giantess, Craig Robinson, Rob Riggle, Garfunkel & Oates, Luke Burbank.

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DRIVING DIRECTIONS

»continue reading Sasquatch! Music Festival, May 29-31–Lineup Annouced–My Morning Jacket, Massive Attack, Pavement, Ween, Vampire Weekend, MGMT, LCD Soundsystem & many more–Ticket Pre-sale Today, 10 a.m.

This week marks the 199th anniversary of “el grito de Dolores” or, as we norteamericanos like to call it, “the Mexican Independence Day that we thought was Cinco de Mayo”. On September 16, 1810, Mexico threw off the shackles of Spanish rule following a call to arms by one Padre Miguel Hidalgo and what was surely as inspirational a speech as Taylor Swift would have delivered at the MTV VMA’s if given the chance. Since another historic Hidalgo incident, the Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo, gave our fair state to the USA three decades and change later, it seems only fitting that at least one day a year, Los Angelenos get a chance to remember the good old days…

»continue reading Festival Run-Down: The Best and the Worst of Fiestas Patrias de California

One more quality festival to add to the ever-growing September pile:

Continuing a community-wide tradition, FilAm ARTS presents the 18th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC), on September 12-13, 2009 at Point Fermin in San Pedro. Widely known as Southern California’s largest and longest-running Filipino cultural celebration, FPAC will feature performances by a diverse line-up headlined by the premiere Filipino American comedian, Rex Navarrete; Geologic, of the rising hip hop group the Blue Scholars; MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew Season 2 finalist, Supreme Soul; YouTube sensation, AJ Rafael; and pop vocalist Ashley Robles.

This year, FPAC introduces its first-ever Martial Arts Village, featuring IMB Academy, and South Bay Martial Arts Club to name a few. FPAC also includes the return of popular, annually-anticipated events and activities, such as the Balut Eating Contest, the annual vegetable competition, FPAC Tinikling Dance Battle, Pinoyvisions Films, the youth Ati-Atihan parade, arts and crafts by Pilipino Artists Network members, and of course Filipino and Asian cuisine and shopping at the Marketplace by the Sea.

Key takeaway: Balut Eating Contest. See you there.

» 18th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (official site)

Fiestas Patrias California
Olvera Street Plaza, Downtown LA
10a-10p Saturday, Sept. 12
10a-9p Sunday, Sept. 13

September 12th is fast approaching. Are you stuck with no plans for Mexican Independence Day? Are you worried that once again all your friends will be celebrating with their cooler compadres and you’ll be crying into your flan alone… again? Fear not, friends, because you can be at the social gathering of the season and celebrate Mexican Independence Day with Los Angeles at the Fiestas Patrias California festival! This September 12-13th, come enjoy musical performances, food, rides, and family-friendly activities. Best of all: it’s free!

» Fiestas Patrias California (official site)

Worth $10?

Cheapskate foodies, garlic paste addicts, festival fans and carnivores alike: Saturday has come and gone. Did you make it out to the Summit this weekend for the inaugural Korean BBQ Festival & Cookoff? Did you suffer 90-minute lines for such booths as “Flip’s Beach BBQ” (one of the only vendors with a clear, discernable sign posted) or, as did my party, did you stumble upon one of the unmarked vendors in the corner catering primarily to staff, and purchase a (mostly passable) plate for $10 or $15? Did you wait patiently for Sprinkles to set up shop, just for the chance to wait in a line that appeared at surface to be less than than a 75-minute commitment? Did you get sunburned? Stuffed? Bored? Cooled by a paper-and-wood fan that inexplicably reminded of you “Yelp”? Did you partake of the Coors Light and Blue Moon suds? What were the highs and lows? The ins and outs? The Bar-B’s, and the Q’s? The Kims? The Chis? Please grade the festival. Lay it on us, won’t you now, please. My festival grade after the jump.
»continue reading 2009 Inaugural Los Angeles Korean BBQ Festival & Cookoff: What’d You Think?

Ice Cream Man, aka Matt Allen, aka Long Beach’s Music Mayor, all-around nice guy and Ice Cream Ambassador to the nation, has just launched a weekly web video series showcasing exactly what it is that he does during the festival season. The first episode, broken into two parts, feature Bonnaroo 2009 backstage glimpses and acoustic, possibly ice-cream-induced performances by White Rabbits, Chairlift with Kuroma (pictured) and MGMT. Future installments will feature the Gories, Dead Confederate, Circulatory System and a host of other bands soaking up the sun in various locales. Have a look for yourself right here and if you see Ice Cream Man on the road this summer, make a point to say hello and nab a treat.

» Road Trippin’ With Ice Cream Man: The Series

As previously announced, Outside Lands will return to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park for year two, August 28-30, 2009. Tickets to the festival will go on sale this Sunday at 10am; headliners include Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band and Beastie Boys. Stay tuned to our calendar for further ticket purchasing info. Full lineup after the jump.

» Outside Lands 2008 photos by Sung

»continue reading Outside Lands 2009 Lineup Announced

Outside Lands shall return to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park for a second year, August 28-30, 2009. Last year’s inaugural headliners included Radiohead, Jack Johnson and Tom Petty. (N/B: Writing those words just reminded me of Sunday’s lunch, dammit: I bet Jack Johnson knows which Surfer Taco to order. Maybe even shows up with his own sauce and escabeche in tow.)

Interestingly enough, if we are to take the below press release at face value Stereogum may be “road-tripping” to the festival this year. Sort of a long drive from New York if you ask me, but I say bring it, guys! See you up there (I’m flying Virgin with a cocktail in hand).

As always, keep your eyes tuned to the site for your ticket on-sale info. Photos from last year’s festival may be found here.

March 3, 2009, San Francisco — Another Planet Entertainment, Superfly Productions and Starr Hill Presents, in a partnership with the San Francisco Recreation & Park Department, are proud to announce the second annual Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival. The second installment of this dynamic entertainment experience will once again take place over three days in San Francisco’s historic Golden Gate Park. The dates for this year’s event are August 28 – 30, 2009.

»continue reading Outside Lands Returns to Golden Gate Park: 2009 Dates Announced

Say it isn’t so. We’ve just finished eating all those grilled oki-dogs in honor of the Knights of Labor, Eugene V. Debs, Gompers, railroads, socialists and that begrudging bill-signer Grover Cleveland, and already it’s time to look ahead to October? The above damning evidence surfaced courtesy our team of analysts this morning, and we have no choice but to share it with you now: October 4 is totally recommended this year. The Eagle Rock Music Festival (a freebie, lest you forget) will once again take on downtown’s Detour, head on; Iron and Wine and the Swell Season are at the Greek, and David Byrne’s still within surfing distance. Sheezus. As more shows are diligently and painstakingly added to October 4 in the days and weeks to come, rest assured we will evaluate them for the coveted “recommended” status and, provided they merit the bump, acquiesce accordingly.

OCTOBER 4: FOR THE “EDITOR’S PICK” LOVER IN YOU
» David Byrne @ Arlington Theater, Santa Barbara
» Detour Festival @ Downtown
» Eagle Rock Music Festival @ Eagle Rock
» The Swell Season w/ Iron & Wine @ Greek Theatre

» Browse our entire show calendar

Did You Know? In a move SXSW would have no choice but to admire, The Pity Party played both Detour and Eagle Rock festivals on the same day last year, earning the title “Hardest Working Band in Los Eageles.”

Full food report will be forthcoming. For now, the photos do the talking.

Stevie Wonder with daughter Aisha

Somewhat inexplicably I’m still alive following back-to-back Coachella & New Orleans weekends. We’ll have some fun coverage of the 2008 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival rolling out this week; stick around.

HEADS UP
Outside Lands Festival: Friday, Aug 22 (RADIOHEAD)
Outside Lands Festival: Saturday, Aug 23
Outside Lands Festival: Sunday, Aug 24

Tickets for the above single days go on sale Thursday May 1 at 10am; Visa presale Wednesday, April 30 (tomorrow). If you missed out on those elusive Radiohead Hollywood Bowl tickets, now’s your chance to see them up north without breaking the bank. Friday’s show begins at 5pm; Saturday and Sunday offer longer lineups with bands beginning at 1pm both days. Full lineup after the jump.

OUTSIDE LANDS SINGLE-DAY TICKETS TO GO ON SALE MAY 1ST AT 10AM PST

DAILY PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

MORE ARTISTS CONFIRMED, INCLUDING LUPE FIASCO,
THE BLACK KEYS, STARS, JACKIE GREENE, KAKI KING, LIARS AND NICOLE ATKINS & THE SEA

Previously Announced
Outside Lands Festival @ Golden Gate Park, San Francisco (3-day pass)
Outside Lands Festival @ Golden Gate Park, San Francisco (VIP)

» Outside Lands: The Festival is announced
» Outside Lands: The VIP is broken down

»continue reading Outside Lands (San Francisco) (Radiohead) Adds Artists; Announces Single Day Tickets (Onsale 5/1)

Anybody make it out to Amoeba last night to catch Flight of the Conchords? Come the 6pm hour I was deep in thought, hunched over the Coachooser in the Sandalwood Conference Room at the Marina Del Rey Courtyard Marriott with a team of analysts determining the precise location and time of their unannounced appearance at the fest this weekend.

We’ve got midnight reports from Metblogs and LA Weekly Style Council. Looks packed. Who else turned out…and how was it?