This Weekend: Lavender Gimlets, Deep-Fried White Castle, Operatic Fly

— by Caroline on Crack

I like this weekend. It sounds fun. And I’m almost able to forgive it for being the first weekend of September.

Friday, September 5

2008 Los Angeles County Fair
Summer’s over, you don’t have to worry about maintaining that bikini body anymore! Why not go whole hog and snarf deep-fried White Castle burgers, muffin-size red velvet cupcakes and of course funnel cake at the county fair? Sure there are other things like horse shows, wine tastings and Chinese acrobats but I’m telling you, it’s all about the food.

  • Runs through September 28. Pomona Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Avenue, Pomona (map).

Gin Night, Vodka Bad, Gin Good at Bar Keeper Silver Lake
Enjoy a little gin cocktail party at L.A.’s favorite barware boutique. This night they’re serving up Lavender Gimlets and Thyme Lemon Fizz made with Plymouth Gin. Yum! Thanks to Johnny the Fish for this heads up.

  • 7:30-10:30pm. Bar Keeper Silver Lake, 3910 West Sunset Boulevard, Silver Lake (map). (323) 669-1675.

Saturday, September 6

Insider’s Wine Class at Fraiche
Get in the wine know by taking this insider’s wine class at Fraiche in Culver City with the restaurant’s sommelier/co-owner Thierry Perez. This class will focus on five different wines, cheeses and cured meats from Piedmont, Italy. If you like what you taste, you can buy yourself a bottle at the class and even break it open later for dinner at Fraiche, free corkage.

  • 12:30-2:30pm. $60. Fraiche, 9411 Culver Boulevard, Culver City (map). Reservations: (310) 839-6800.

Sunday, September 7

$15 Burlesque Class at Alexandria Hotel
Have 60 minutes to kill? Why not spend it learning some sultry sexy burlesque moves in a historic downtown ballroom? Burlesque dancer Ruby Champagne will teach you the basics like the glove peel, shimmies and the boa tease to name a few. Gloves and feather boas will be provided.

  • 4:30pm. Classes every Sunday through October 5th. $15/class or $75/five classes. Alexandria Hotel, 501 S Spring Street, Downtown (map). (213) 626-7484.

Howard Shore’s The Fly The Opera at L.A. Opera
You read right. The Fly as in Jeff Goldblum’s The Fly, as in Vincent Price’s The Fly is now an opera directed by David Cronenberg, the director of the 1986 movie, with music by composer Howard Shore (of Lord of the Rings fame) that’s conducted by Placido Domingo and featuring a set design by Oscar-winning designer Dante Ferretti.

  • Through September 27. Tickets $20-$200. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Avenue, Downtown (map). (213) 972-8001.