Memorial Day Weekend marks the official beginning of summer for us Angelenos and this year, as usual, is chock full of events. If you know you want to be in the streets, but are unsure where to start, let us lead you:
Thursday – Sip @ Post and Beam: Join KC and the family as they start the weekend off right with cocktails and delicious vittles after work. The brainchild of veteran restauranteur Brad Johnson and master chef, Govind Armstrong, Post and Beam boasts unique culinary creations paired with designer cocktails. The Sip team has added an extra layer to the atmosphere with a handcrafted playlist created by our own Chris Lehman and a trivia question which will usually land you dinner at Post and Beam and tickets to some rich, cultural experience in the city. Take advantage of the “Red Stripe & Jerk Chicken” special for the night. Things gets underway at 5pm and happy hour specials end at 8pm.
Friday – THE GOODS at Zanzibar: We are KCRW FANatics here at BI and our current favorite DJ (which is hard, considering the KCRW line up) is Anthony Valadez. Check out his function THE GOODS at Zanzibar in Santa Monica with Jahkova on the turntables alongside The Rootdown’s KG Superstar holding down the mic duties. Every Friday night is filled with positive energy w/ a room filled with dance floor madness. Soul classics, anthems, reggae and throw back hip hop are served alongside new joints fresh from the turntables. Email Antvala@sbcglobal.net to get on the guest list. Entry for all is free before 10 pm.
Saturday – Grits and Biscuits: I had never heard of this party until this year, but it sounds like it’s about to be on and poppin! If you love some Dirty South music then this function is right up your alley, bringing the Dirty South to the West Coast!!! The Grits & Biscuits Party will be in L.A. for some down home booty shakin, pelvis poppin, booty droppin, and Dirty South Hip hoppin all night. DJ Square Biz will be spinning every joint you know & remember from the Dirty South UGK – Outkast – Uncle Luke – Cash Money – Young Jeezy – No Limit – Three 6 Mafia – Trina – Trick Daddy – Petey Pablo – Trinidad James and Rick Ross. Bust out your OG booty shorts and comfy shoes for this one! Taking place at the House of Blues, Sunset Strip, tickets are on sale now for $20!
Sunday – BHCP Summer Concert Series – Loose Ends and Klymaxx: It’s back!!!The 4th Annual BHCP Live! Concert Series is the hottest FREE outdoor summer concert series in Los Angeles. This year there will be 7 must see shows on Thursdays and Sundays, starting this Sunday with Loose Ends and Klymaxx! 80’s babies who love R&B be there and bring your mommas and aunties because they love Loose Ends and Klymaxx too!
Honorable Mention – UCLA Jazz/Reggae Festival: As always, the UCLA Jazz/Reggae Festival will take over the UCLA campus this weekend. Featured artists this weekend are Santigold, Common, Ziggy Marley, and Barrington Levy amongst others! Shout out to Derrick’s Jamaican, Kobbler King, Hawkins House of Burgers, and Shabazz for getting in on the food vendor list!
Join the Black Is Break podcast team for a LIVE podcast episode this Friday, July 19th via Spreecast at 8 PM PST. The team will be discussing their responses to the Zimmerman trial and verdict, and more importantly discuss ideas for progression for Black Americans at this point. RSVP today to participate in the conversation and join our chat room.
