5 Can’t-Miss Upcoming Events

The upcoming weeks are filled with exciting things to do around LA. For UCLA students who need a study break or if you just need to get out of the house, all of these events, ranging from celebrity appearances to yummy food and musical performances, will entice you. There is something here for everyone happening in Los Angeles in the next few weeks. All of these events and festivals are within 30 minutes drive of the Palazzo Westwood Village apartment homes.

Kinfolks Soulfood Festival

The Kinfolks Soul Food Festival has has only grown since its inception in 2007. Bobby Brown, Salt and Pepa, Stephanie Mills and El Debarge will be making appearances at the festival. This year they will be holding competitions for the best soul food recipes, as well as appearances by award winning chefs, Chef Auntie Fee, Chef Robert Roberts and Chef Amadeus. Don’t miss out on this mouthwatering experience! April 11th at Exposition Park.

Mental Head Circus

Take in the modern-day Vaudeville circus show from small tables while contortionists twist themselves and aerialists perform feats so amazing that you won’t believe your own eyes. April 11th and 12th at King King in Hollywood.

Great Horror Campout Movie Night

If you didn’t have the opportunity to see this horror classic when it was in theaters, now is your chance! This screening of the Exorcist under the stars will include, prizes and giveaways, monsters, photo opportunities and merchandise available for purchase. Don’t miss out on the chance to see this classic horror flick at an old, abandoned zoo. This movie may not be suitable for children. Friday April 17th at Griffith Park Old Zoo.

Brokechella

For the 5th anniversary of Brokechella, they aren’t skimping out on the fun. With 4 stages worth of musical performances plus a comedy stage, giant Jenga, art galleries and ‘puppychella’, this is not something you want to miss. If you’re too broke for that other music festival, this is most certainly the place for you. Saturday April 18 at 590 Santa Fe Avenue.

LA Times Festival of Books

Bibliophiles rejoice! The Festival of Books has returned this year and is bigger than ever. Appearances from Billy Idol, Keegan Allen, Kate Mulgrew and musical performances by The Trojan Men, Trio Ellas and Ren Martinez. And stick around after hours for some extra events that you won’t want to miss! April 18th and 19th on the University of Southern California’s campus.

Can't Miss Spring Events in LA

As of today, spring is officially here! While we get to enjoy milder weather year round, this may not be that big of a deal, but there is still a lot to look forward to - from UCLA commencement to plenty of area events! If you're not staying in to watch the #MarchMadness this weekend, make some plans to attend these must-attend spring events, courtesy of Thrillist: 

MARCH 22
LACMA
Nowruz Festival
This free (FREE!) Persian New Year fest will have great food & an outdoor concert from a "groundbreaking Iranian rock band." Also, not sure if we mentioned this but... FREE!!!!!!

MARCH 25
Colony Palms
Micah Wexler @ Colony Palms
The crazy-lauded chef behind Wexler's Deli is popping up at one of Palm Springs' best hotels for a gin-paired dinner. Epic road trip, anyone?

MAR 28-29
Santa Anita
Ramen Championship
Noodlers from all over the place have a competition. No matter what, you win.

MARCH 29
5919 Franklin Ave.
UCB Search History
People combing through your search history? Total nightmare. The Upright Citizens Brigade basing an improv show off of strangers’ search histories? A damn funny Sunday, plus a rotating A-list cast member or two.

APRIL 1
Ace Hotel
The Music of David Lynch
Your favorite ultra-weirdo collabs with other weirdos like The Flaming Lips on a one-off performance of music from his movies/TV (including the Twin Peaks theme song, the Angelo Badalamenti score to Blue Velvet, andMulholland Drive's "Llorando").

APRIL 4
LA Center Studios
LA Beerfest
Unlimited pours. $40. You need no more info than this.

APRIL 6
Dodgers Stadium
Dodgers opening day
You're my boys, Blue!

APR 11-13
Empire Polo Field
Coachella Weekend 1
At this point, you're either going, or you're pissed you're not.

APRIL 18
Santa Fe Studios
Brokechella
50 bands, $15.

Park Plaza
LA Cocktail Classic
AYCD hooch from some classy cocktailers, for $65. Yup.

MAY 2
Literally everywhere
Pacquiao vs. Mayweather
You're watching this, somewhere -- a friend's house, a bar, a betting hall. You're watching this.

MAY 16
4900 Alhambra Ave.
Derby Dolls' first bout in their new venue
LA's premiere ladies on skates found a new spot. Help them devirginize it.

MAY 22-24
All over Las Vegas
Punk Rock Bowling & Music Festival
Rancid. Bosstones. Bowling. Vegas. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

MAY 23
Regent Theater
Bootie Prom
The annual dress-up-and-dance-to-mash-ups-and-be-super-fun event returns.

JUNE 6-7
The Reef LA
CatCon
"It's like ComicCon -- for cat people." Seriously! That's how they describe it!

JUN 12-14
Ink N Iron
Queen Mary
"It's like ComicCon! For tattooed people!" Seriously. That's how we describe it.

JUNE 20
Hollywood Bowl
Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl
Journey is playing with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. And fireworks. Yep. Happening.

JUN 20-28
All over the city
LA Beer Week
It's June instead of September this year. Mark your calendars.

Create Happy at-Home Habits

"Wine" by Emiliano DeLaurentiis is licensed under CC BY 2.0

The new year is a great time for a fresh start and creating new habits. While many people are focused on losing weight or working out more, think about focusing your energy on creating daily, positive moments at home in your apartment! Yes, there’s almost always some chore that needs to be done, but balance it out with doing something enjoyable for YOU! Apartment Therapy offers these tips for creating those happy moments:

1. Have one daily ritual that is just for you. For me, a mom to two young kids, I like to drink my coffee in peace in the morning. Even if it means getting up earlier, that quiet time before the family routine kicks in helps me ease into the day and do something for myself before I start doing things for everyone else. Your ritual could be anything that brings you pleasure or peace, even if just for a few minutes. My mom, for instance, took a hot bath almost every night of my childhood.

2. Set aside time in the week to listen to music. For some people, music is always playing at home. I envy these people. I live in a small apartment with three others and more often than not, the sounds filtering through our home come from the tv, iPad games and noisy toys. On Sunday mornings I like to very intentionally put on music that we can all enjoy and keep other sounds to a minimum. Set aside time in your home when music is all that you can hear. If you live with others, perhaps rotate playlists.

3. Use what you have. Go ahead - use the "nice" soap, light those spendy candles, break out the fabric napkins. Treat yourself well at home. Too often we squirrel away little luxuries at home and only bring them out for company. Let your home provide you with small pleasures; you deserve them.

4. Cook or prepare something, for pleasure, for yourself once a week.Cooking, even for people who love to do it, can be a grind when it's a daily obligation and particularly when it's on you to feed your family. If you can, make something for yourself as often as you can that is not completely utilitarian, even something simple like salted avocado spread on toast. It may help you reconnect with the parts of cooking you do like and, of course, the eating of it will bring you enjoyment in the short term.

5. Choose one weekend day when you don't do any housework.Wouldn't it be great if you did a little bit of housework each weekday so you could just relax and enjoy your home on the weekends? Yeah, that doesn't really happen. Try to condense your household chores to one part of the weekend and have one day, Saturday or Sunday, that is reserved for being home, not cleaning home.