It’s the first weekend of 2019! If you had all of the party sucked out of you on NYE and want to chill, we got you! If you’re trying to party, we got you! If you like to support your local food vendors, we definitely got you! So ... get the f**k out of the house!
Carnitas El Momo - Fundraiser for Omar Chavira
[dropcap size=big]M[/dropcap]edical bills can pile up quickly especially for folks battling cancer. Omar Chavira, a life-long friend of the owner of Carnitas El Momo, is currently fighting cancer. Carnitas El Momo is holding a fundraiser for Chavira and his family at Dry River Brewing on January 4. So definitely go out, eat some delicious carnitas, grab a drink, participate in a raffle for some more good brews, donate, and support your local food vendors going through hard times! Get more information here.
When: Friday, January 4
Where: Dry River Brewing, Boyle Heights
Midnight Showing of Akira
$12
[dropcap size=big]I[/dropcap]f Taco readers are anything like our staff (hi, Cesar and Erick), I know some of you really enjoy anime. Catch the midnight showing of Akira with a fellow anime lover (or just yourself). This beautiful Japanese film will be shown at 11:59pm on January 4 at Landmark's Nuart Theatre. Get tickets here.
When: Friday, January 4
Where: Landmark's Nuart Theatre, West L.A.
Them Fatale: Drag King Show
$10
[dropcap size=big]Y[/dropcap]ou’ve heard of drag queens, but have you heard of drag kings? This is going to be a fun show at the Redline Gay Bar in DTLA with performances by the Backstreet Butches, KLAUS, Salty Caramel Bae, and more. Proceeds are going to the post production budget of The Sympathy Card, a lesbian rom-com about “three women wrestling with living in the present, mortality, and bad first dates”, which is a cause I can get behind. Support your local drag kings! The show is being held January. 5. Get more details here.
When: Saturday, January 5
Where: Redline Gay Bar, DTLA
Hollywood Club Crawl
$20
[dropcap size=big]M[/dropcap]aybe you didn’t get to party enough on on NYE, that’s fine. I got you! For $20 you can get into four different clubs with no cover and express entry on January 4. Enjoy discounted and /or free drinks while you go club hopping. This is a group activity, so it’s probably a good excuse to bring your girls and explore the club scene and meet other Angelenos! Get another wear out of those NYE heels! More details here.
When: Friday, January 4
Where: Hollywood
Moonlight Forest Lantern Art Festival
Adults $28 Kids $23 (Arboretum members get a 15% discount)
[dropcap size=big]M[/dropcap]aybe you’re not the partying type, the Los Angeles Arboretum (the one in Arcadia) is putting on a magical lantern festival that’s sure to make your Instagram feed pop. Even if you’re not on the prowl for cute “candids”, the artwork will be breathtaking and definitely something you’ll want to experience with your friends or kids. Additionally, there’s free parking and food trucks. The festival will be held January 5. Get more details here.
When: Saturday, January 5
Where: Arboretum, Arcadia
Valfré 5 Year Anniversary / Zodiac Launch
FREE
[dropcap size=big]F[/dropcap]ull disclosure, I hadn’t heard of Valfré before writing this, but she’s a Mexican born illustrator that makes really cool clothes based in L.A. She’s throwing a party on January 5 to celebrate both being in business for five years and launching her Zodiac line. I was initially sold at “zodiac themed cocktails”. Anyways, there will also be music, cute clothes, drinks, and star freckle makeup. Get more details here!
When: Saturday, January 5
Where: The Lodge Room, Highland Park
All Night Party: Reggaeton Room + Hip Hop Room at The Reserve
FREE with RSVP
[dropcap size=big]L[/dropcap]ove reggaeton and hip hop? Why not party with both? There will be a hip hop room and reggaeton room at The Reserve on January 4. Bring a few friends and get down to your favorite songs. RSVP to get a discounted ticket at the door before 11pm. Get more details here.
When: Friday, January 4
Where: The Reserve, DTLA
'AntiPatriarchal Masculinities' Opening!
FREE
[dropcap size=big]K[/dropcap]ikuye Sugiyama's AntiPatriarchal Masculinities is a chance to see photography that depicts “beautiful, tender forms of masculinity." The exhibit invites guests to “celebrate and meditate on the varied embodiments of masculine identifications." It’s going to be held at Cuties Coffee, a queer owned coffee shop on January 5 from 1 pm to 4 pm. Get more details here.
When: Saturday, January 5
Where: Cuties Coffee, East Hollywood
Retro City Festival 2019
Day Pass $35 / Weekend Pass $50
[dropcap size=big]D[/dropcap]o you long for a simpler time when playing video games at the local arcade after school was a thing? Wish no more, Retro City Festival has all kinds of classic video games and pinball machines. You’re bound to find your childhood favorites here, whether it’s Galaga Ms. Pac Man, or Guitar Hero. It’s at the Fairplex on January 5 and 6, so game away! Get more details here.
When: Saturday and Sunday, January 5 - 6
Where: Fairplex, Pomona
Goat Mafia at Sara’s Market
[dropcap size=big]S[/dropcap]tart off the new year with some of the best birria in L.A. and Chivadillas! Goat Mafia will be at Sara’s Market on January 5 from 2 pm to 5 pm. Get more details here.
When: Saturday, January 5
Where: Sara's Market, East L.A.
