I don’t know about you but my mom doesn’t live in town so I don’t have to worry about taking her out for brunch or anything. Just sent her flowers. This weekend is mine (I’ll be up in NorCal though).

Friday, May 9

Kids in the Hall at the Orpheum
Yes! There are still tickets available for the Kids performing at the beautiful Orpheum Theatre downtown. Sure, it’s in the balcony but funny knows no distance. I wonder if they’ll do all their old and beloved characters from the ol’ sketch show? Should be fun and I’m sorry to miss out.

• 8pm. Tickets: $32-$52. Orpheum Theatre, 842 S. Broadway, Downtown (map).

Saturday, May 10

Tickets for Beck/Spoon/MGMT at the Bowl Go on Sale
Beck and Spoon and MGMT are playing the Hollywood Bowl in September but Saturday is the day when the tickets go on sale for the first time to the general public. It’s going to be an awesome show. And apparently it’s Beck’s debut appearance as a headliner here. Which is weird considering this is his town.

• On sale 10am PDT. Tickets: $20 -$75.

Poketo Warehouse Sale and Cupcake Social
A sale where everything — wallets, T-shirts, plates, and stationary — is only $5-$10. Poketo really knows how to spring clean as it’s doing this to make room for its new wares for the new season. And there will be cupcakes for super cheap like $1!

• 10am-5pm. Poketo Studio, 510 S. Hewitt Street #506, Downtown (map).

The Princess Bride at Angel City Drive-In
So many great lines in this movie. I must have watched it a bazillion times and memorized them all. I wonder how many people at the drive-in will be quoting along with the movie. And what a fun way to watch it, at the Angel City Drive-In where the Angel City Derby Girls bring you your food, where you can sit on astroturf or in your car and where, more importantly, you can BYOB. Here’s a Princess Bride drinking game to keep things REALLY interesting.

• Gates open 7:30pm, show starts at 9pm. $10. Alexandria Hotel, 240 W. 4th Street (2nd floor), Downtown (map).

Sunday, May 11

Free Red Mango Yogurt for Moms
Borrow someone’s kid and pretend you’re a mom so you can get free yogurt at Red Mango where they’re giving away a small yogurt with one topping as a special for Mom’s Day.

• 3-5pm. All Red Mango stores.

What are you up to this weekend?

Friday, May 2

Grand Opening of the Americana at Brand in Glendale
The mall that took $400 million and two years to make is finally opening tomorrow and shoppers rejoice. The first 300 customers into the new Urban Outfitters there get a free UO/Glendale tote. The first 200 at the H&M store get a free T-shirt and maybe a $10-$300 gift card (gc winners are randomly selected). The first 300 frugal fashionistas at Forever 21 will receive $10-$100 gift cards. Shoppers, start your engines.

• 9am grand opening ceremony, 10am stores open. S Brand Boulevard and E Colorado Street, Glendale (map).

The Little Mermaid Sing-A-Long at the El Capitan
OMG, I LOVE this movie and knew/know the words to every song. That’s why I highly recommend this sing-a-long at the beautiful El Capitan. Sing at the top of your lungs, show no shame. “Part of youuuurr wooorrrrrrrrrrddddd!” Maybe stop by the soda shop next door before the show for a black & white sundae.

• 7:45pm, through May 11. $13 ($9 through Goldstar). El Capitan Theatre, 6838 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood (map). (323) 467-7674.

Saturday, May 3

Nike Beach Clean-Up and Fun Run at Dockweiler Beach
You might think I’m weird but I think this sounds like a really fun event. Help clean up the beach first and then go for a run! AND you get a free breakfast first before the activities. If you bring 9 or more of your friends, you guys will get a Nike gym sack for future workouts.

• 8am-11am. Dockweiler Beach, 6203 Pacific Avenue, Playa del rey (map).

BodyRock in the Park
There’s a party going off in Griffith Park! DJs spinning til dark, barbecues, volleyball games and you can BYOB just as long as it’s beer or wine. Weekend forecast says high 60s so bring a light sweater and blankets.

• 2pm-9pm. Free but there’s a $10 suggested donation. Griffith Park, 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles (map).

If you’re not going to the Long Beach Grand Prix (fun!) or the Grilled Cheese Invitational (yum!) this weekend, maybe a pole dancing demo, mixology class or a comedy show where your iPod is the joke will tickle your fancy.

Friday, April 18

SusieCakes Celebrates National Animal Crackers Day
Remember animal crackers? I used to love carrying those animal crackers boxes around like a little purse when I was a kid…OK, I was 27. SusieCakes will be selling its own frosted version of the animal cookies and will donate 50% of all proceeds made on cookie sales to the Humane Society of the United States.

• SusieCakes Brentwood, 11708 San Vicente Boulevard, Brentwood (map) (310) 442-CAKE and SusieCakes Calabasas, 23653 Calabasas Road, Calabasas (818) 591-2223 (map).

For Girls Only: Buy a Book, Get a Free Pole Dancing S Factor Lesson
Megan Crane’s booksigning for her book Names My Sisters Call Me ain’t your typical book event. This one has pole dance demos. Sorry, guys, women only. And, girls, when you buy a copy of Megan’s book, you get a free intro S Factor session (normally $40)! There will also be food and refreshments. Also, first 10 people get a free autographed book and the S Factor T-shirt. RSVP at labookclub [at] sfactor.com.

• 6:30pm. Free. S Factor LA Studio, 5225 Wilshire Boulevard #22, Mid-Wilshire (map). (323) 965-9685.

Mixology 101 at the Wine House
Sick of not getting a heavy enough pour on the cocktails you order? Do it your own damn self at Wine House’s mixology class. Get schooled in pre-Prohibition cocktails and vintage libations. But word to the wise: bring a designated driver. Trust me.

• 7:30pm. $55. The Wine House, 2311 Cotner Avenue, West L.A. (map) For reservations, call (310) 479-3731 ext. 0.

Soundtrack: Is Your iPod Hilarious?
This Upright Citizen Brigade show takes the popular “Bring Your Own iPod” nights to a whole other level. Why share your extensive Celine Dion collection with just a bar full of people? Go for it with a whole theater. Bring your CDs, iPods and MP3 players and watch/listen for the hilarity to ensue. Comedy folks from The Office, Superbad and Mad TV, to name a few, will be on hand to make fun of your musical tastes.

• 10pm. $8. UCB Theatre, 5919 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles (map). (323) 908-8702.

Saturday, April 19

Tamales and Wine Tasting at Mama’s Hot Tamales Cafe
At this speecy spicy event, Latin-American wines are paired with Mama’s famous hand-made tamales. Mmmm, tamales. Enjoy the different flavors from several Latin American countries.

• 6-9pm. $20/person or $30/couple. Mama’s Hot Tamales, 2122 W. 7th St., Los Angeles (map). (213) 487-7474.

Whole Life Times’ LA Green Drinks Earth Night
The perfect way to celebrate Earth Day early: green drinks on a roof top on a hopefully warm evening. Whole Life Times presents an Earth Night rendition of the popular weekly LA Green Drinks. Enjoy organic wine, beer and food. Green LA Girl, Siel, will hold an environmentally focused Q&A followed by Green LA director Jonathon Parfrey and other speakers. Acoustic music and then DJ’d tunes round up the evening. Earth Night proceeds go to Green L.A. and your choice of environmental groups that you select at the door. RSVP at lagreendrinks [at] gmail.com.

• 7pm-12am. $10 suggested donation. Whole Life Times, 1200 South Hope Street, Suite 300, Downtown (map).

So I’ve been fortunate that publicists have actually put me on their “media” list so that I get a heads-up about upcoming events/products/venues they’re promoting. For the ones that sound rilly cool to me, I’ll excitedly write a post about ‘em. Surrrre! But for the rest, they usually sit in my email box….until now.

I thought it would be fun/funny to have a regular post where these press releases that CoC forgot can live. (That, and by the time I hit Friday, I’m usually brain dead. Heh.) Cuz who knows? The following blurbs (as lifted from the releases themselves) are things that might be of interest to others.

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Flickr shot of London’s mobile clubbing by chrisjohnbeckett

This weekend, spend only about $15. Many free events and flash mob-type craziness.

Friday, March 21

Switches with Castaneda at Original Penguin Store
Three hours of free vodka drinks, discounted retro sportswear and the undiscovered band of the month, Los Feliz’s own Castaneda. Sounds like THE thing to do this Friday night. But RSVP quick like a bunny to iwanttogo [at] filtermmm.com so you don’t miss out on the fun.

• 7:30-10:30pm. 8215 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles (map).

Fridays Off the 405 Is Back
Yay! Fridays Off the 405 is back. Such a great way to end the work week and kick off the weekend. This Friday’s event features Brooklyn’s avant-pop/jazzy trio Something in Spanish. There will be a cash bar open til 8:30 as well as the Garden Terrace, which will be selling sandwiches and stuff to hungry hungry hipsters.

• 6-9pm. Free. Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles (map).

Belgian Brew Focus Tasting at Vendome
Apparently Belgium makes the best beer in the world. Who knew? If you don’t believe this bold claim, check out the brewski tasting at Vendome. Explore a flight of Abbey and Trappist beers covering the full range of styles and flavors. But if you’re the DIY type and would rather make your own brew at home, Vendome offers an Art of Brewing class on Saturday night at 6pm for a mere $10.

• 6-8pm. $10. Vendome Wine Bar, 11555 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City (map). (818) 766-5272.

Mobile Clubbing
Do you find that you always bring the par-tay wherever you go? Here’s the event for you where you’ll have the chance to bring it all over L.A. via the Metro. This mobile dance club kicks off at the Hollywood and Highland metro station where hundreds of antsy Angelenos will meet up for no reasons other than to rock out / beatbox / breakdance / do the Electric Slide to whatever they have on their iPods. Think of it as flash-mobbing except you’ll be doing it repeatedly at different metro stations. Make sure you have your $5 all-day Metro pass in hand, an iPod filled with your favorite dance hits and your snazziest dance clothes on.

• 10pm. $5 for all-day Metro pass. Hollywood / Highland Metro Station, Hollywood (map).

Saturday, March 22

World Pillow Fight Day
Another random act of mob wackiness: pillow fighting with strangers at Pershing Square. You know the drill: Bring your own cushy pillow (preferably filled with feathers for dramatic effect), remove your glasses/sunglasses and swing at will, but make sure to mind those not carrying pillows and those with cameras. Chances are they don’t want to play with you. The pillow fight last year at the Grove was a no go but hopefully since there aren’t snooty shoppers at this downtown park, this event will go off in a flurry of feathers.

• 2:30pm. Pershing Square, 530 South Olive Street, Downtown (map).

When I was a wee one, my idea of St. Patrick’s Day treats were the marshmallow charms from my Lucky Charms cereal and Shamrock shakes — not consumed at the same time. Fortunately as an adult there are other yummy ways, apart from Irish whiskey, to celebrate being and not being Irish.

Bellacures Scrub and Jello Shot
This salon with its fun mani/pedi specials is offering a complimentary organic scrub and green jello shots to its customers with any service they order as a special for the Irish holiday. Come before 3pm to get the scrub and after 3pm if you want to slam some green jello shots during your treatment.

Red Mango and Lucky Charms
Ever since this opened up down the street from me in West L.A., I’m so addicted to its yogurt. Love that mochi. But just for St. Paddy’s, they’re offering Lucky Charms topping. I’ll be soo tempted to pick just the freeze-dried marshmallows.

Sprinkles’ Irish Chocolate Cupcake
This cupcake store never lets me down for the holidays, any holiday. And they seemed to offer the best Irish cupcake flavor in town: Belgian dark chocolate cake topped with Baileys Irish Cream cheese frosting. Yum! This special cupcake is only available from the 14th through the 17th. $3.25 each.

Yummy Cupcakes Irish Flavors
If you want a variety of cupcake flavors to choose from for the holiday, Yummy has got quite the selection for you. Just on St. Patrick’s Day there’s Irish Coffee, Green Velvet, Guinness Extra Stout and Irish Chocolate Mint Chip ($2.50-$3.25 each). I’m really curious about that Guinness cupcake. It would have been cool if they used a Baileys Irish Cream cheese topping, too. They could have called it the Irish Car Bomb cupcake!

The idea of wedging myself into a pub with 200 drunken revelers doesn’t appeal to me but at all. On Monday, I’ll probably just toast a tumbler of Jameson to you from the safety of my living room. And this weekend of events is pretty Irish pub-free.

Friday, March 14

Pasadena ARTRide
Get some culture and some exercise by enjoying Pasadena ARTNight a la two wheels. The biannual art night bike ride welcomes riders of all skill levels. You get to cruise by the Norton Simon, Pasadena Museum of History, Pasadena Library, Pasadena Museum of California Art and the Pacific Asia Museum as well as take in the live musical performances. Make sure to bring a bike in working order, a night light and a bike lock.

• 6-10pm. No charge for ride and museums. One Colorado Courtyard (in between Colorado, Fair Oaks, Union and DeLacey Streets), Old Pasadena (map).

Saturday, March 15

Pirate Party at Redwood
Can a pirate bar get any more, uh, pirate-y? Yes it can when you figure in the Pirates Charles Band and their pirate songs taking over the Redwood pirate bar downtown. Ferget the leprechauns. This weekend, it’s all about the pirates.

• 9pm. Redwood Bar, 316 W. 2nd Street, Downtown (map). (213) 680-2600.

’80s Aerobics Night at the Mountain Bar
Two live bands, djs spinning all night long and a photo booth at this Chinatown hot spot. To join in the fun, they don’t want your money, they just want you to dress up like you’re going to work out in 1983. Do your best Jane Fonda or Olivia Newton-John getting physical.

• 8pm. No cover. The Mountain Bar, 473 Gin Ling Way, Chinatown (map).

Sunday, March 16

Pay for Tap Water to Benefit UNICEF
Now that L.A.’s water has been voted the best tap water in the world you probably won’t mind paying $1 for it when you ask for it at a restaurant now, right? OK, what if it was for a good cause? From March 16-22, participating restaurants will ask diners to donate a $1 for each glass of water they order to benefit UNICEF. Every dollar raised means a child will get clean drinking water for 40 days. So get hydrated at Chaya Venice, Abode, Magnolia, Mama’s Hot Tamales Cafe and Cobras and Matadors, to name a few.

• From March 16-22. Various restaurants.

Hollywood Dreamz St. Patrick’s 5K/10K Run/Walk
Since Monday will be a big drinking day, maybe get a run in the day before? At this fun run, you get to warm up with the Laker Girls before the run and bagpipes start you off. Break out your greenest running gear in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and if you have the greenest costume you get a prize. I don’t know how green is really green but will body paint and sweat mix?

• 8am. $30. Griffith Park by the merry-go-round, 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles (map).

Ginger & Maryann’s Winter Clearance Sale
NorCal boutique Ginger & Maryann host a winter clearance sale in our neck of the woods. Enjoy 35-75% off the likes of Free People, Betsey Johnson, and Marc, along with handbags by Chloe, Tod’s, and Isabella Fiore. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served as well. Only cash and checks accepted.

• 11am-4pm. 2009 Glyndon Avenue, Venice (map). (310) 313-2951.

Flickr Shot by dotsara

If you got a “Snow Day” from work, what would you do for your unexpected day off? That happened to me last Thursday when I got the call in the morning that our building had shut down due to loss of power and wouldn’t be back up til 9pm. Oh darnnn!

I was soo giddy when I heard that that I immediately jumped in my car and took off down the street until I realized that I didn’t know where I wanted to go. Since my roommate Dre and I work together, she had the day off, too. “Where should we go?” I asked her. “I don’t know. Where do you want to go?” she threw back. “I asked you first!” So finally I decided we should have breakfast at the Griddle Cafe. I just wanted to go somewhere that I normally wouldn’t get to go to on a weekday. And I was sure that since it was a weekday it would be easy to score a booth since everyone would be at work. Wrong! It was still busy and all the booths were taken. Who are all these people and why aren’t they at work?

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Flickr Shot by dotsara

Sorry so late with this, folks. I know you were probably really concerned about your weekend plans. Heh.

Saturday, March 8

FIDM Scholarship Store Sale
The first I heard of this store and apparently it’s having a huge sale. You can buy cutting-edge fashionable clothes that normally retail for $300-$400 and get ‘em for about 80-90% off! Apparently these clothes have strutted many a runway and award show.

• FIDM Scholarship Store, 919 S. Grand Avenue, Downtown (map).

The Great Urban Race
Fun! Like the Amazing Race but this takes place in the city you all know and love and you get a chance to win $10,000. Grab your best buddy or the smartest person you know, not always one and the same, and search the city following clues and taking public transportation to find stuff. 1st place wins $300 and 2nd place $150. Proceeds benefit Lance Armstrong’s “Live Strong” Foundation.

• 11am. $59 per person til today, $70 on race day. Hollywood Billiards, 5750 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles (map). (323) 465-0115

Angel City Drive-In: The Goonies
Hey, the Goonies ARE good enough. Man, I hated this movie and that Cyndi Lauper song that went with it but it would be funny to see Josh Brolin all young and stuff. And whatever happened to that Feldman kid? As with all Angel City Drive-Ins remember to BYOB and enjoy the Weenez brought to you by the lovely roller derby girls.

• $10. 6:30pm. 2nd Floor, 240 W. 4th Street, Downtown (map).

Kitsune Fashion Mixer
Me and some friends are probably going to hit this fashionable mixer before the Hungry Cat par-tay. Not so much for the free vodka shots (10:30-11:30pm) but more for the fashionable crowd. AND groups of 6 or more get a free bottle of champagne, but I think it’ll just be 4 of us so…oh well.

• 10:30pm. Hollywood Canteen, 1006 Seward Avenue, Hollywood (map).

Flickr Shot (not an L.A. mocktail) by code_martial

Unless you don’t like drinking liquor anyway, it can be a bit of a drag to be the designated driver for your drunkard friends. You have to sit there on your bar stool sipping on your tiny, weak soda while they get to enjoy pretty, decked-out specialty cocktails. Fortunately, there are some lovely nonalcoholic options out there for you responsible folk, and I’m not talking O’Douls.

West L.A.’s Arsenal has a special section of its drink menu dedicated to “teetotalers.” But if you don’t want a latte or Red Bull, opt for the Fauxtini ($2) which promises “all of the fun, none of the booze.”

Ugo Italian Bar in Culver City presents an array of juicy virgin cocktails ($8) for the sober barhopper. Yeah, I know, eight bucks IS a pretty penny for something that doesn’t even have alcohol. But if it’ll make you feel better, the “real” drinks cost $12 and up.

• Bubbly Bellini: Peach Bellini, grenadine and club soda
• Gingerly: Cranberry juice, orange juice and ginger ale
• The Grenadini: Grenadine, orange juice and pineapple juice
• Pomegranate Palmer: Iced tea, lemonade and pomegranate juice
• Spring Fever: Lemon juice, apple juice, blood orange juice and mango

The industry-crowded X bar in Century City offers an impressive list of tasty “spirited alternatives” ($7) that mirror alcoholic versions to keep agents in AA in the action.

• Citrus Mint Cooler: faux mojito with fresh mint muddled with lime, rock candy syrup and soda water
• Coco Colada: faux pina colada with blended pineapple juice and coconut milk
• Pomegranate Garden Mint Soda: faux pomegranate mojito with pomegranate juice, muddled mint, club soda and a mint sprig.

Velvet Margarita Cantina on the Cahuenga Corridor may not have a nonalcoholic alternative to its Pink Puta cocktail but it does have some yummy coffee drinks ($4). So while your friends are sauced, you’re wired.

• Cafe Chicano: a latte with chocolate and cinnamon
• Cafe Mexicano: a latte with chocolate
• Cocoa Loco: a latte with coconut and chocolate

Cheers to you, designated drivers everywhere. I couldn’t do what I do without you, and goodness knows there are several celebutantes out there who could use friends like you. Too bad there aren’t more bars doing this. It’s a brilliant idea.

On a random note and yet in the same vein, if you’re throwing a wine dinner and anticipate some nondrinking participants, buy some bottles of Vignette Wine Country Sodas. I first saw these at the City Bakery in Brentwood Country Mart and later at Bottega in West L.A.

They’re nonalcoholic sodas made with juices from wine varietal grapes and are available in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Rose. The Chardonnay was surprisingly my favorite, tasting of a light and refreshing pear drink. The Pinot Noir wasn’t as intense in flavor. Anyhoo when poured in wine glasses you can hardly tell that they’re innocent except for some mild fizzing.

Posted on LAist.

Fellas, I hate to tell you this but Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, next Thursday to be exact. But don’t panic, I have some ideas about how you can still save the day. Nope, not restaurant suggestions. You can find those here or here. Rather, treats and stuff. If none of these work…well then your lady is just hard to please.

Art Walk Valentine’s Party
Take your honey on a V-day shopping spree (especially since you forgot to buy her a gift). Check out this arty Valentine party during the art walk where you can shop the fine art, photography, jewelry and even flowers. You might want to stop by jewelry company La Bijou Belle where they will have plenty of pretty bracelets and necklaces, perfect for your sweetie.

• February 14, 12pm-9pm. Dale Youngman Gallery, 446 S. Main Street, Downtown. (213) 458-3735

Bellacures’ Chocolate Love Potion Mani & Pedi
If your girl can’t get enough of your famous backrubs, go the extra mile and spring for this decadent chocolate mani/pedi. She’ll be treated to a warm cocoa soak and an aromatic chocolate sugar scrub. And while she’s enjoying the complimentary chocolate martini a heated cocoa butter mask will be applied to her hands and feet. Afterwards her hands and feet will be treated to a chocolate cream moisturizer and a massage. Nail care and polish are also included. Yummy!

• Monday, February 11-Sunday, February 17. Pedi $65, mani $45. Bellacures, 239 N. Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Hills (map). (310) 550-5822.

Craftsman’s Special Valentine Beer: Honesty Ale
Dating a beer chick? First off, congrats. Second, this reddish amber ale which tastes of sour cherries will be the perfect, albeit unusual, brew with which to toast the one you love. Originally created for Presidents’ Day — Honesty name and cherries, get it? — this special Craftsman creation proved more popular for the sweethearts’ holiday.

• Served at the Library Bar, 630 W. 6th Street, Downtown (map). (213) 614-0053.

SusieCakes Valentine Treats
For the cutest treat ever, get her a Love Shack ($65) with your names on it. Not only for Christmas anymore, SusieCakes has Valentinized the gingerbread house by decorating it with red and white candies and chocolates. Or you can grab some of the chocolate-covered long-stem strawberries ($3) and serve them to your girl with a nice bottle of champagne. Or conversation heart frosted sugar cookies ($3.50) with a vintage Valentine card would be a cute way to start the Valentine date.

• SusieCakes, 11708 San Vicente Boulevard, Brentwood (map). (310) 442-CAKE.

Sprinkles Cupcakes’ XOX Box
Every stylish girl loves these little designer cupcakes. Sprinkles has created a special XOX Box filled with yummy chocolate marshmallow, red velvet, dark chocolate and vanilla cupcakes adorned with red or pink sugar decorations.

• Thru February 17. Sprinkles, 9635 Little Santa Monica Boulevard, Beverly Hills (map).

Audrey Hepburn Double Feature at the New Beverly
Speaking of stylish girls… Nothing says “I love you” like your willingness to sit through Sabrina and Roman Holiday with her. But at least you’ll have something pretty to look at: Audrey!

• February 13-14, 7:30 and 9:45pm. New Beverly Cinema, 7165 West Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles (map). (323) 938-4038.

EXTRA Credit:

Albert’s Valentine Cocktail at Fraiche
If you don’t have V-Day reservations at Fraiche, maybe just stop by for this extra romantic cocktail after dinner. Barchef Albert created it for you love birds out there: rose champagne with rose water and a sprinkling of rose petals ($12). Awwww! Hold me!

• Thru February 16. Fraiche, 9411 Culver Boulevard, Culver City (map). (310) 839-6800.

Flickr Shot by davidg

I don’t know about you but this weekend looks like it’s going to be soo fun! Not only is there going to be lots of celebrating for the new year in Chinatown but there’s a warehouse sale, a kid in the hall, derby girls and a tequila tasting to name a few to-dos.

Friday, February 8

Barneys Warehouse Sale
It’s that time of year again, the mutha of all warehouse sales is back for its biannual pass through Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar. Save 50%-80% on designer goods in men’s, women’s and kids clothing and accessories.

• Thru 2/18, Santa Monica Airport Hanger, 3021 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica.

Scott Thompson: Scottastrophe
Everyone’s favorite Kid in the Hall is doing his thang again every Friday this month at the Steve Allen Theater. Scott Thompson’s one-man show, so un-PC, so sexy and fun. Enjoy his visual aids and props as he gets you laughing about everything from politics to religion to celeb scandal.

• $10. 8pm. The Steve Allen Theater, 4773 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles. (323) 666-4268.

Saturday, February 9

Valentine’s Special at Angel City Drive-In: True Romance
I always hear good things about this drive-in with the real-live derby girls (Angel City Derby Girls) on skates who bring you your refreshments. Oh yeah, and there’s a movie playing, too: Quentin Tarantino’s classic, True Romance. Walk in, bike in or drive in and enjoy the film while chomping on some Weeneez hot dogs. BYOB to keep things interesting.

• $30 drive-in, $10 walk/bike-in. 6:30-10pm. 240W.4th Street, Los Angeles.

El Carmen Tequila Tasting
Desiring something with more kick than a wine tasting? Check out this edgy sip session where you’ll sample over a dozen tequilas. Snacks and good times included. Careful, careful though. You know that wise, old saying: One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.

• $25 cash at door. 5-8pm. El Carmen, 8138 W. Third Street, Los Angeles. (323) 852-1552

6th Annual Double Standard Official Party of the Lunar New Year
The Chinatown courtyard is the setting for the official lunar new year party, with both Grand Star and the Mountain Bar bookending the scene. Over 25 performances, five DJs, and two dance floors. The first 500 people to show will get a lucky red envelope (hong bao)! Net proceeds will be donated to the Asian Pacific Community Fund ( www.apcf.org) and fund future projects and events supporting the Asiatic arts scene.

• $15 before 11pm/$20 after 11pm. 9pm-2am. Grand Star/Mountain Bar, 930 N. Broadway, Chinatown.

Sunday, February 10

30th Annual Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker 5K/10K
Start off the Chinese new year with a bang. 100,000 firecrackers will signal the start of this 5K/10K fun run. After the race, participants can party it up in the festival area where volunteers will greet you with fresh fruit, drink and other snacks.

• $30. 7:30am-4pm. North Broadway & College Street, Chinatown.

Super Bowl schmooper bowl. Who’s playing, anyway? Apparently that’s the big thing this weekend. I’m sure there are a bunch of sports bars you can watch the game at but for those looking for other means of entertainment, here are the following.

Friday, February 1

Last Day for Win a Valentine’s Date Submissions
Ladies, the clock is ticking down. The deadline for the “Win a Valentine Date” is Friday at midnight so get your submissions in while you still can and cross your fingers that you get picked to go on one of three fun dates.

First Fridays featuring Kid Sister and DJ A-Trak
Metromix called Kid Sister and DJ A-Trak the coolest lineup yet of the Natural History Museum’s First Friday series. I guess that means I better check it out! But apparently these kids did a show at the natural history museum in New York and Kanye West jumped up on stage and joined Kid Sister as well as performed some of his own tunes. So perhaps you should be prepared to be delighted.

• $9. 7-10pm. Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles. (213) 763-DINO.

Rock n’ Roll Wine Event at Santa Monica Bar & Grill
Actually, I just remembered, I can’t go to First Fridays because I’ll be attending the Rock ‘n Roll Wine event at Santa Monica Bar & Grill. Personally I like a little peace and quiet with my wine tasting but maybe this “sexy, high energy” event will expand my horizons. There will be a dozen wines being poured as well as a musical performance from The Bends.

• $35 advance, $40 at door. 7-10pm. Santa Monica Bar & Grill, 3321 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica.

Saturday, February 2

It’s Just Like Sex But Nobody Leaves Disappointed Nonprofit Benefit
This sounds like a pretty hot party. A $20 open bar consisting of not just one brand of liquor but MANY — Absolut, Sauza Hornitos, Karl Strauss and more. Mix that up with a sultry Tokyo fashion show, live music and DJs and art by local artists and you’ve got a rockin’ good time. A raffle will be conducted to benefit Challenge Aspen, a nonprofit for autistic kids, as well as City Sound, a nonprofit encouraging arts for kids. Aww!

• $20. 9pm. 1221 S. Hope Street, Los Angeles.

Porn-prov
OK, I just picked this cuz porn and improv always fascinated me but the two will come together, er, join forces at the Upright Citizen Brigade Theatre when porn directors, producers and performers will, for some inexplicable but provocative reason, do some improvisational comedy.

• $5. 12am. UCBT, 5919 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles. (323) 908-8702.

Sunday, February 3

30th Annual Super Bowl Sunday 10K/5K
If you are going to spend your Sunday afternoon sitting around, drinking beer and stuffing your face with fatty foods, it’s probably a good idea to get a run in the beginning of the day to off-set that fattening Super Bowl spectating. You’ll enjoy a scenic run along Redondo Beach, taking in the pier, marina and the 10,000 other runners joining in on this 30-year-old pre-Super Bowl tradition. And for those of you who want to get your beer drinking started early, participants 21 and over get treated to two free beers (per person while supplies last) at the Asahi Beer Garden located near the start/finish line.

• $30 entry. Portofino Way in King Harbor, Redondo Beach.

Coming down from the holidays? I know, I’m feeling a bit blue, too. No more sparkly lights or Christmas music or wonderful sales. Le sigh. At least this weekend, there are lots of music events to choose from to get your ass grooving again, from a drum-off to a mashup. Take your pick.

Friday, January 4

First Fridays featuring Sea Wolf
Nothing like music and taxidermy to start off a new year right. Enjoy indie fave Sea Wolf at the Natural History Museum’s series First Fridays. Also performing are Afternoons with DJ Hoseh and DJ Allen of dublab.com spinning in the African Mammal Hall. Enjoy drinks at the three bars and the L.A. Weekly lounge.

• $9. 5:30-10pm. Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles (map). (213) 763-3466.

Saturday, January 5

Tree People’s Mountain Planting
Is making the world a nicer place to live one of your new year’s resolutions? Join the Tree People in restoring woodland by planting oaks, native plants and grasses in one of the ‘Bu’s prettiest parks. Contact Kristina Clark at kclark@treepeople.org or (818) 623-4846 to join in on the fun.

• 9am-12pm. Malibu Creek State Park, Malibu (map).

Hive Gallery’s New Year Group Show Opening
The Hive Gallery is a-buzzing with a fresh crop of artists. Check out the opening reception where live painting, DJs and a full bar await you.

• $7. 8pm-12:30am. The Hive Gallery, 729 S. Spring Street, Downtown (map). (213) 955-9051.

Guitar Center’s Drum-Off Grand Finals
The nation’s best undiscovered drummers compete to be crowned the Drum-Off champion. The night will feature performances by the four Drum-Off finalists as well as Angels & Airwaves, “Go Get A Late Pass!!!” featuring ?uestlove of The Roots, Street Drum Corps with special guests Adrian Young of No Doubt, Brooks Wackerman of Bad Religion, Shannon Leto of 30 Seconds to Mars, John Sawicki of Stomp and Byron McMackin of Pennywise.

• $20. 7pm. Music Box at Henry Fonda Theater, 6126 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood (map). (323) 464-0808

Bootie LA Returns to the Echo
L.A.’s mashup party returns to its original home, the Echo. Relish creative mashups from the likes of Foxy Cotton, DJ Paul V of Indie 103.1, and Bootie San Francisco creators Adrian & the Mysterious D.

• $10, $5 before 10:30pm. 9pm-2am. The Echo, 1822 Sunset Boulevard, Echo Park (map).

Sunday, January 6

Last Day of Dali: Painting & Film at LACMA
I find Dali’s films disturbing but if you love that crazy surrealist (said affectionately, of course) and still haven’t visited his paintings and films at LACMA better check it out while you still can. Sunday is the exhibit’s last day at the museum.

• $12-$20. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles (map). (323) 857-6000.