The weekend has once again rolled around, and Southern California is packed with cool stuff to do — pozole, pancakes, bread, bungalows, free comedy, free music, free art. Now, go live your best SoCal weekend.
CRAFTY PICK
Jackalope Arts
WHEN: Saturday, April 28 - Sunday, April 29; 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
WHERE: Central Park — 219 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
This "community meets artisan event" encourages locals to connect with makers who produce kid stuff, housewares, clothes, stationery, artwork, bath supplies and more. When you're tired of shopping, learn about terrariums, essentials oils, hula-hooping, hypnosis, glass-fusing and how raw wool is turned into clothing at DIY demos.
COMEDY PICK
Packchella Comedy Festival
WHEN: Friday, April 27 - Sunday, April 29
WHERE: The Pack Theater — 6470 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood
COST: Pay what you can; MORE INFO
The newest heavy hitter on the local comedy scene hosts its second annual comedy throwdown featuring three days of musical comedy. Headliners include comedians Eliza Skinner and Zach Sherwin, with shows ranging from "Solo Must Die: A Star Wars Musical" (from "Scorpion's" Ari Stidham) to the MTV Unplugged-themed "PackTV Unplugged." There's even a Mel Brooks-themed musical burlesque show: "Blazing Tassels." Pro tip: They've got delicious food trucks each night — Mac'd N Loaded on Friday, Cravin' Crab Cakes on Saturday and ComfortL.A. on Sunday. And as always, all the shows are pay what you can.
FOODIE PICK
Pozole Sunday
WHEN: Sunday, April 29; 8 a.m.
WHERE: Alta Baja Market — 201 E. 4th St., Santa Ana
COST: FREE (except what you spend on food); MORE INFO
This market and deli in downtown Santa Ana will start serving the traditional Mexican soup at 8 a.m. and won't stop until they run out. They'll be dishing out two versions, a red pozole with pork and a vegan pozole verde with zucchini and heirloom beans. Bread Artisan Bakery will hold a sidewalk sale and Donoxtli Fine Foods will offer samples of artisanal Mexican food products from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CULTURE VULTURE PICK
Cheech Marin Art Exhibition
WHEN: Friday, April 27 - Sunday, April 29
WHERE: Riverside Convention Center — 3637 5th St., Riverside
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Actor Cheech Marin has built an impressive collection of Chicano art. Several pieces from his trove of treasures will be on display during a convention for the League of United Latin American Citizens. A center for chicano art and culture, named after Marin, is slated to open in downtown Riverside in 2020.
BOOZY PICK
Pancakes & Booze Art Show
WHEN: Saturday, April 28; 8 p.m.-2 a.m.
WHERE: Union — 4067 W. Pico Blvd., Arlington Heights
COST: $10-15; MORE INFO
What the name promises, the event delivers. This "underground" art show features works from more than 150 emerging artists as well as live body painting, music, DJs and a free pancake bar. 21+ only.
WERK IT PICK
Queen Kong
WHEN: Friday, April 27; 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
WHERE: Precinct — 357 S. Broadway, downtown L.A.
COST: FREE ADMISSION; MORE INFO
Meet Vanjie Vanessa Mateo, the most famous queen to be voted off "RuPaul's Drag Race" in the first episode. Other "Drag Race" and "Dragula" alumnae will be on hand including Victoria Porkchop Parker, Pinche, Felony Dodger and Kelly Mantle. Plus, a queer pop-up shop by 3rd Class Clothing.
CULTURE VULTURE PICK
Our L.A. Voices
WHEN: Friday, April 27 - Sunday, April 29
WHERE: Grand Park LA — 200 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
This performing and visual arts showcase brings dance, music and theater to a festive, family-friendly setting. Highlights include a staging of Claudia Rankine's "Citizen: An American Lyric," a performance collaboration between Antics and story architect Mark Gonzales, a public marketplace where visual artists can create and sell work, numerous youth concerts, "Proud Stories" celebrating the LGBTQ experience and an exhibition of Jose Dávila's "Sense of Place."
MUSIC PICK
Stagecoach Festival
WHEN: Friday, April 27 - Sunday, April 29
WHERE: Empire Polo Club — 81800 Avenue 51, Indio
COST: $349-$1,199; MORE INFO
This is the Southern California desert music festival that still has tickets to sell. Old school country-western stars Garth Brooks, Gordon Lightfoot and Tanya Tucker share the bill with newer stars like Florida Georgia Line and Keith Urban as well as emerging acts Kacey Musgraves, Jason Isbell and Jade Bird.
ARTSY PICK
Gronk's Open Studio
WHEN: Saturday, April 28; 1 - 10 p.m.
WHERE: 725 S. Spring St., downtown L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
You may not know his name, but you've probably seen Gronk's work. The East L.A.-born painter, printmaker and performance artist is famous for his murals — like the ones at Estrada Courts in Boyle Heights. He'll open his studio so fans can check out his latest projects. Attending artists include Tanner Goldbeck, Roberto Vázquez and Urban Iconic.
FLICK PICK
TCM Classic Film Festival 2018
WHEN: Thursday, April 26 - Sunday, April 29
WHERE: Seven venues in Hollywood including TCL Chinese Theatres, Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
COST: $20 for most screenings and events; MORE INFO
From horror flicks ("The Exorcist") and courtroom thrillers ("Witness for the Prosecution") to spaghetti westerns ("Once Upon A Time In The West") and frothy comedies ("How To Marry A Millionaire"), this sprawling festival showcases 88 movies. Check out works by trailblazing female animators and catch classic monster movie "Creature from the Black Lagoon" in 3D.
OUTDOOR PICK
City Nature Challenge
WHEN: Friday, April 27 - Sunday, April 29
WHERE: All over
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
More than 60 cities around the world will join this friendly competition. In Los Angeles, the Natural History Museum is rallying people to get outside, snap pictures of local wildlife and post their pictures to social media using the hashtag #NatureinLA. Beyond winning or losing, you'll contribute to an international database of urban wildlife that will be used by scientists and naturalists.
FLICK PICK
The Watermelon Woman + Jewel's Catch One
WHEN: Saturday, April 28 | 2 p.m.
WHERE: Silver Screen Theater at the PDC — 8687 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood
COST: $30; MORE INFO
As part of a series founded by filmmaker Ava DuVernay to reflect the LGBTQ experience, the Pacific Design Center will screen two films: the 1996 cult classic "The Watermelon Woman," about a woman making a film about an obscure black actress from the 1930s, and the 2016 documentary "Jewel's Catch One," about the legacy of America's oldest black-owned disco club and its owner. "Dear White People" creator Justin Simien will moderate a reception with the directors of both films.
FOODIE PICK
From Earth, to Farm, to Grain, to Table
WHEN: Friday, April 27; 6-9 p.m.
WHERE: Craft and Folk Art Museum — 5814 Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile
COST: $45-55; MORE INFO
An eclectic group of makers — artist Leyna Lightman, farmer Larry Kandarian, Ceor Bread, Craftsman Brewing and ceramist Beverly Morrison — will lead hands-on demonstrations on baking, brewing, farming and working with clay. Learn about harvesting grain and help bake bread inside a ceramic kiln while you taste beer. You'll be able to come back and pick up the fired ceramics you make at this workshop.
ARCHITECTURAL PICK
Bungalow Heaven Home Tour
WHEN: Sunday, April 29; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
WHERE: Bungalow Heaven neighborhood — Pasadena
COST: $10 for the bus tour, $25 for the home tour; MORE INFO
Located north of the 210 freeway between Lake and Hill avenues, Bungalow Heaven is a Pasadena neighborhood with one of the largest collections of Craftsman homes anywhere in the U. S. This year's theme, "Window to the Past," celebrates the old and leaded glass windows still present in many of these houses. Experience this historic neighborhood by touring several homes. Docents will be on hand to answer questions.
COMMUNITY PICK
The Eclectic - Music Festival & Art Walk
WHEN: Saturday, April 28; 3 p.m. - 10 p.m.
WHERE: The Eclectic — 1121 Mission St., South Pasadena
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
More than 50 musical acts including swing kings Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, nouveau rockabilly band Maureen and The Mercury 5, afrobeat act Mexico68, flamenco-inflected Twanguero and hometown favorite The South Pasadena Transit Authority will perform across a number of stages and intimate venues. An interactive art installation by Stephen Hsiao features South Pasadena's "Astride Aside" sculpture stopped in time with the help of light and shadows. There will also be art gallery open houses, community activities and promotions by merchants along Mission Street and Fair Oaks.
THEATER PICK
Artists at Play 2018 Spring Readings
WHEN: Saturday, April 28; 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m .
WHERE: Company of Angels — 1350 San Pablo St., Boyle Heights
COST: $15; MORE INFO
Artists at Play showcases two new works by emerging playwrights of Asian descent. Chloé Hung's "Three Women of Swatow" follows three generations of women as they come together to solve a bloody situation. Nicholas Pilapil's "Young Dumb Broke High School Kids" explores the lives of three teenagers as they navigate pregnancy, finding love and creating family.
DANCE PICK
Shen Yun
WHEN: Friday, April 27 - Saturday, April 28
WHERE: McCallum Theatre — 73000 Fred Waring Dr., Palm Desert
COST: $80-165; MORE INFO
Travel back to ancient China to experience classical Chinese dance amped up by colorful costumes, high-tech backdrops and a live orchestra. The acrobatic show is also a finger in the eye to China's ruling communist regime and a subtle ad for Falun Gong, a spiritual practice banned by the Chinese government.
How are you spending your weekend? Let us know on Twitter @LeoHasACat.