It’s Thursday, Thanksgiving. It's raining as I write this. The freeways are emptying. And here is your weekend guide, Los Angeles. So ... get the f**k out of the house!
Thursday, November 22
Champagne Buffet at Knott's
[dropcap size=big]B[/dropcap]uena Park's best known theme park Knott's Berry Farm is hosting a Thanksgiving champagne buffet that includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and even home-style fried chicken. Knott's season passholders get a discount. All other prices below. More here.
Tickets
Adults - $49.99
Seniors - $30.99
Kids (3-11) - $18.99
When: Thursday, Nov. 22; 9 am to 6 pm
Where: Knott's, Buena Park
Brunch on the Queen Mary
[dropcap size=big]L[/dropcap]ong Beach's favorite haunted queen is hosting its annual Queen Mary brunch, which features more than "50 unique dishes from around the globe." Tickets here.
When: Thursday, Nov. 22; 10 am to 7 pm
Where: Queen Mary, Long Beach
Vegan Thanksgiving at Beelman's
[dropcap size=big]P[/dropcap]lant-based pub Beelman's will celebrate Thanksgiving with a special menu by Chef Caroline Concha. The meal is $25 per person and includes one main, one side, and one dessert. More info here.
Thanksgiving Menu:
Main
Field roast stuffed celebration roast – gravy, peaches & apricots compote
Chickpea Loaf with maple glaze
Chicken Drumstick – tossed with bechamel sauce and served with a side of cranberry sauce
Sides
Slaw – napa & green cabbage, cranberries, raisins & almonds
Brussels sprouts – flash fried brussels sprouts, sriracha, agave & mustard
Spiced cranberry sauce – cardamom, cloves, nutmeg & ginger
Mashed Potatoes with gravy
Curried Sweet Potato Tots with a mango chutney aioli
Yam Bisque – coconut, crispy sage & garlic chips
Dessert
Pumpkin pie with ginger & brulee with bourbon
Mint chocolate ice cream & deep fried oreos
When: Thursday, Nov. 22; 5 pm to 10 pm
Where: Beelman's, DTLA
Taco at Don Goyo
[dropcap size=big]I[/dropcap]f you don't like Turkey or want to pregame with some incredible Tijuana and DF style tacos, hit up Don Goyo's in Downey this turkey day. The little taco window just added some picnic tables to keep up with demand. But you could always just eat standing, as is custom on the streets of Tijuana, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Los Angeles, or any other Mexican city. More info here.
When: Thursday, Nov. 22; 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Tacos Don Goyo, Downey
Friday, November 23
Shop Local with Mercado Downey at El Cielito
[dropcap size=big]M[/dropcap]onthly pop-up Mercado Downey is bringing its eclectic collection of vendors to El Cielito in South Gate for Viernes de Ventas. If you want to avoid the Black Friday revolcadero but need to get your shopping fix in, this might be your best bet. More info here.
When: Friday, Nov. 23; 5 pm to 9 pm
Where: El Cielito, South Gate
Spend Black Friday Not Shopping in the Great Outdoors
[dropcap size=big]M[/dropcap]aybe you want to avoid Black Friday altogether. Latino Outdoors is hosting #OptOutside, a hike to Echo Mountain and Inspiration Point in the lower San Gabriel Mountains. But it's an early bird, work off the turkey tacos kind of thing. So don't go hungover maybe? More info here.
When: Friday, Nov. 23; 6:45 am
Where: Cobb Estate Entrance, Altadena
Saturday, November 24
Bike to La Plaza de Cultura y Artes with Land Dwellers
[dropcap size=big]L[/dropcap]and Dwellers is hosting a bike ride from Highland Park to DTLA with a stop planned at Audubon Center at Debs Park, where Director Marcos Trinidad will play an Audubon Center tour guide of sorts. More info here.
When: Saturday, Nov. 24; 10 am
Where: Highland Park Station, Highland Park
Do DANKsgiving at La Cita
[dropcap size=big]L[/dropcap]a Cita and The Dank are hosting DANKSgiving, a cover-free night of live music, art, and even free food – for merch patrons – from Ensalada Bar. Music will be provided by aforementioned Dank and Lillyflor y Los Compas. And there will be an erotic art show by Tijuana-based artist Sabina Espinoza. More info here.
When: Saturday, Nov. 24; 6 pm to 9 pm
Where: La Cita Bar, DTLA
Smell the Rave at Lash
[dropcap size=big]O[/dropcap]lfactory aficionado Maxwell Williams, aka DJ Okamax, tells L.A. Taco that he's been experimenting with scented raves. Williams is on the board of directors at the Institute for Art and Olfaction, where he's been cooking scents for the past five years. This Saturday is Scent Rave II, the second such experimental smell rave.
"Each [rave] features the dissemination of perfumes I've made, and I'm trying to make a new one for each edition of the party. This week, I'm releasing Sparkle Princess #6 (Dark Castle)," Williams explained via email. "I'm currently using a 'cured-scent-bead-in-pantyhose-
Saturday's event features DJs Mai, Okamax, Joanna Swan, and special guests. More info here.
When: Saturday, Nov. 24; doors open at 9 pm
Where: The Lash, DTLA
Sunday, November 25
Eat the Tamale Festival in La Habra
[dropcap size=big]I[/dropcap]n some homes, tamales for Thanksgiving are as common as Turkey. But if that ain't you or you want more, check out La Habra's Tamale Festival featuring more than 40 food stands, 80 vendors, an artwalk, tamal making lessons, a cantina, live entertainment, and a tree lighting ceremony. Admission is free and there's even a special event shuttle. More info here.
When: Sunday, Nov. 25; 9 am to 6 pm
Where: City Hall, La Habra
Catch the Oaxaca Basketball Tourney at ELAC
[dropcap size=big]O[/dropcap]axaca Basketball is having their quarterly tournament featuring players that are descendants of the Oaxaca community. The event starts Sunday at East L.A. College. The tourney will feature food stands, vendors, live music, and el basket. More info here.
When: Sunday, Nov. 25; 9 am to 6 pm
Where: ELAC, Monterey Park
