Haute Highlights


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LA County Fair

The Los Angeles County Fair will be open during Labor Day weekend, starting this Saturday, Sept. 3.

If you’ve never been to the LA County Fair before, you won’t want to miss out on this year’s festivities. The fair has a gargantuan, jam-packed list of fun for all ages, including myriad fair attractions, competitions, grandstand concerts and shows.

Some of the highlights include: a concert by the Beach Boys on Monday, Sept. 5; Shark Encounter, one of this year’s main attractions, which includes a tantalizing discussion and exhibit about sharks; and the enthralling Aerial Arts Circus Show with Esmeralda’s Traveling Circus — for a nominal fee, spectators can become become part of the act.

Don’t forget to buy tickets. Season passes are $24.99 at Walgreens, any-day tickets are $10 at Ralph’s or you can also buy tickets on the fair’s website at www.lacountyfair.com/2011.

FYF Fest

The much anticipated indie rock music festival will return to the Los Angeles State Historic Park in Downtown this Saturday. Performers such as Explosions in the Sky, Broken Social Scene, Yacht, Death From Above 1979, Cold War Kids and many more are sure to entertain.

Though there were many kinks with the venue last year, including long lines and supplies running out, FYF and their partner, Goldenvoice, claim they’ve prepared for these complications. The event runs from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. and tickets start at $40, a steal compared to the price to see a single artist at the Staples Center.

There’s really nothing like watching your favorite bands — or, better yet, new favorites whom you discover that day — play as the sun sets over the majestic Downtown Los Angeles skyline. Be sure to buy your tickets as soon as possible; this is one event you won’t want to miss.

Annenberg Community Beach House

Looking for something to do during the long weekend?

The Annenberg Community Beach House, recently opened to the public, is the perfect outing for a day trip. Originally developed by William Randolph Hearst for the beautiful Marion Davies, the beach house now serves as a temporary getaway for all — no exclusive membership required.

The beach house has incredible, picturesque views, a splash pad, a play area for children, art galleries, a historic pool and a splendid guest house that used to belong to Davies.  Aside from the various highlights to look at, Annenberg Beach House also has a slew of intriguing activities for people to get involved in, including everything from yoga and disc golf to ladder ball and stand-up paddleboarding.

The best part about the Annenberg Community Beach House is its low prices. There will be free tours Monday, and prices for using the facility are $4 per hour or $10 for the day. For more information on the beach house’s location, hours and activities, visit its website at www.annenbergbeachhouse.com.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Screenings

This weekend, the Cinespia screenings at the infamous Hollywood Forever Cemetery feature two cult favorites — Tim Burton’s 1990 classic Edward Scissorhands and Rob Reiner’s 1984 rockumentary This Is Spinal Tap. Cinespia is notorious for playing old Hollywood or cult-classic works, but they’ve outdone themselves with this glorious double feature weekend.

Typically, screenings only run every Saturday throughout the summer, but then again nothing says Labor Day weekend better than Johnny Depp as a dark, yet endearing and lovable scissor-handed man, or a group of dumbstruck Brits singing around a miniature Stonehenge and dancing elf. The cemetery is located off of Santa Monica Boulevard and Gower Street.

Tickets are $10 at the door, though you should look into online ticketing given last week’s screening of Hitchcock’s Psycho was sold out by the time most attendees arrived. Bring a picnic and blanket and snuggle up to some of Hollywood’s best at this interesting, prime location.