Happy 50th, Timber Mountain Log Ride: You've seen the nostalgia, the ye olde lumber camp scenes, the animatronics, the woodland vibe. But was your mind on the drop coming up at the end? It's an undeniably wet experience, a splashy must-do beloved by generations of Southern Californians. Pay tribute to the iconic Knott's Berry Farm attraction on its 50th anniversary on July 11. There'll be commerative buttons handed out at the gate, "unique photo opps," and special merchandise for sale near the ride. Were you at opening day on July 11, 1969? It's probably a moment you can't forget. "Drop" by again and wish this great ride well.
Subaru Summer Jazz Nights opens: If you're standing at Tinseltown's best-known corners, inside a now-famous shopping center, and you hear the sound of a sax or a percussive beat? Chances are you're about to enjoy one of Hollywood's most quintessential summer music-cool happenings. And this free jazz happening isn't just a one-night thing, either, hurrah. It opens on July 9, and will run for five fabulous Tuesdays, all the way through to Aug. 6, 2019. Various bands and artists will take the stage, so count on hearing some true pros of the form. It starts at 7 o'clock, and if you make a $14 donation, which helps Project Angel Food, there shall be wine and cheese.
"Tarantina": A showcase devoted to the films of Quentin Tarantino, performed by a line-up of female performers? That's "Tarantina," which'll dance into Club Bahia for one potent and performance-driven night on Thursday, July 11. This is just a few weeks ahead of "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," but fans of the director can expect to see snazzy homages to his past flicks, such as "Kill Bill." The "pulpy, grindhouse fantasy" will include "acrobats, lounge singers, actors & burlesque dancers" on the bill. Tickets run from $25 to $300, and general admission seating is first-come, first-served.
Snack Specials: When mid-July arrives, we've entered full-on food-craving mode, but the foods we are seeking out aren't among the hard-to-get, long-to-eat variety. Rather, we want easygoing eats, the sort of fun-time vittles that tell us we're smackdab in the middle of sunshiny, warm-air'd July. Wienerschnitzel is turning 58 on Tuesday, July 9, and Original Chili Dogs and Mustard Dogs'll be 58-cents apiece, plus tax. And on July 11, which is 7/11? Oh yes, that's Slurpee Day, so swing by your local 7-Eleven for something slushy, cold, and free. Details? Slurp 'em up, pronto.
Free Queen Mary Movie Night: Not only are we in the middle of the snackiest season, but it also happens to be the free-outdoor-movie-est season. That's super-sweet, but when you can plunk down near one of the world's most celebrated ocean-liners for a flick, one that's as popular as "Grease," well, summer gets even summer-ier. Expect that on Thursday, July 11 when '50s-style, made-in-the-'70s charmer pops up next to the Long Beach ship. Parking costs, do note. Shama-lama-ding-dong this way for more information.
