WATCH PARTIES: So the photos beaming in from LA Live during Game 1 of the Stanley Cup? Hoo boy. Talk about a lively, energetic crowd. If you want to be in that mix and wear your jersey and drink purple margaritas at Rosa Mexicano and get deals and discounts at a host of restaurants, make for LA Live, the official HQ for the LA Kings cup action. Next game is up on Saturday, June 2.
GILMORE HERITAGE AUTO SHOW: Farmers Market on Third and Fairfax is flat-out fun pretty much every day of the year, but this free vintage car show is one of its shiniest hood ornaments. Dozens of convertibles and hot rods and wagons'll park it around the Market; all you have to do is walk around and look. Oh, and the Pontiac GTO is the star of the Saturday, June 2 car party.
HESTER STREET FAIR: New Yorkers will recognize the name and probably do a double-take; after all, isn't Hester Street in their neck of the building-laden woods? Yep, but the famous food-and-vintage-stuff street party is headed for Hollywood for four special summer days. Day one is Saturday, June 2. It's free, too, which everyone likes, be they in NYC, LA, or anywhere.
OLD PASADENA RESTAURANT WEEK: While dining specials have tended to cluster in the colder months, we do love this warm weather dining event. One, it happens in June, which is rare. Two? It's two weeks, not one. And three? Part of the proceeds help Union Station Homeless Services. It opens on Friday, June 1.
TEMECULA VALLEY BALLOON AND WINE FESTIVAL: Without a doubt this is one of the biggies on the wine country calendar. Some people come for the concerts -- this year Lifehouse and Soul Asylum are on the bill -- while some people come for the balloon glows and flights. Ohhhh. And yep, there's vino, too, as evidenced by "wine" being in the very name. Friday, June 1 through Sunday, June 3
