This week brings you Echo Park Rising is back, a massive car show, and a hot sauce expo. August is halfway through so ... GTFO LA!
Thursday, August 16
Echo Park Rising
[dropcap size=big]E[/dropcap]cho Park’s free four-day music festival is back. The popular annual festival officially starts Thursday with an opening ceremony for the Laveta Stage. In its eight years, the festival has focused on and celebrated creativity, music, diversity, and small businesses of the L.A. neighborhood. Throughout the four days of the festival you’ll be able to get drink specials at local restaurants, discounts at local stores, music performances in the evenings at multiple venues, and all kinds of activities to enjoy. On Friday, catch a performance by TT, a solo project from Theresa Wayman of rock band Warpaint. Two other performances to look out for Saturday are Oakland’s Shannon performing with the Clams and Chicano Batman’s Bardo Martinez playing with his band the Doves. More info here.
Friday, August 17
Son Jarocho & Son Cubano: The Art of Improvisa Son
[dropcap size=big]Y[/dropcap]ou may have heard about Son Jarocho through L.A. band Las Cafeteras, which fuses the traditional Mexican music genre with contemporary beats. Son or sound, is Spanish slang for song, and in Mexico and Cuba son makes up part of the name of regional musical genres that are rooted in their history. Son Jarocho for example refers to music from Veracruz and Son Cubano is Cuban. The genres share common history with each other, but also the improvisational musical traditions of Jazz. On Friday, NPR Music Critic Betto Arcos presents a night that showcases the art of improvisation in Son Jarocho and Son Cubano, with the help of Toktli from Guadalajara and “Denis y su Son.” Come to learn about each genre, how they are alike, and how musicians come together to create music on the spot. More info here.
Saturday, August 18
The 4th Annual California Hot Sauce Expo
[dropcap size=big]T[/dropcap]his two-day event is paying tribute to the beloved spicy condiment we love to put on tacos and pretty much everything else. It will bring together hot sauce lovers for an experience that will feature competitions and showcases. The Stage of Doom, a fitting name, will be the center of the hot sauce showdowns and highlights. Contests include a Guinness Book of Records Carolina Reaper Pepper Eating Contest, with a $1,000 grand prize for broken record, and the Booze & Infuse Cocktail Competition. On the schedule of events is Lucha Libre, a Chihuahua beauty pageant, and a lot of eating. Craft beer and cocktail specialities will be available as well as food vendors galore. Tickets starts as low as $10. Craft brew packages and “fiery” packages are available too. More info here. 
KCRW Summer Nights: Henry Rollins at our Backyard Party
[dropcap size=big]L[/dropcap]ocal radio station KCRW has a new HQ and has been throwing summer parties to show you its new backyard. Their last party of the summer is Saturday will be DJ’d by KCRW DJ and former Black Flag frontman Henry Rollins. DJs Dan Wilcox and Eric J. Lawrence will also be in the house. Plus, vinyl lovers can enjoy the Beat Swap Meet pop up that will be there. This party is as much about food as it is about the music. Evan Kleiman of KCRW’s Good Food has picked her favorite food trucks to be your grub options. More info here.
‘Goldthread’ Los Angeles Meetup and Screening
[dropcap size=big]G[/dropcap]oldthread is a new publication based in Hong Kong and produced by journalists all over the world that cover Asian food and culture. On Saturday, journalists will be talking about the stories they are writing in a special panel that will begin with a screening of videos they have been working on. Get some insight on how stories are made and behind the scenes exclusives. Food, music, and drinks will be provided. More info here.
Sunday August 19
Clean Culture x CarPhysics Summer Showcase at StubHub Center
Clean Culture presents a massive summer showcase for car lovers. The biggest car gathering in L.A. will happen at the StubHub Center this Sunday. Register your car or come to see what others have been working on. Live music, contests, and awards too. More info here.
