This Weekend: $30 Oscar Movie Fest, Riva Wine Classes, Chocolatey LBC

— by Caroline on Crack

Colbert and Conan invisible string dance-off.

Whattaya know? It’s Oscar weekend. Movies, yes. Awards show? Meh. Here are some other things to get excited about this weekend.

Friday, February 20

Huckleberry Cafe & Bakery Just Opened
The owners of foodie favorite Rustic Canyon in Santa Monica have just debuted their new homestyle café and bakery. With doughnuts baked fresh every morning at 8am, breakfast served all day on the weekends and yummy-sounding pastries, sandwiches, pizzas and rotisserie meats, it already sounds like a great start.

  • 8am-4pm Wednesday-Sunday (7 days a week hours to come). 1014 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica (map). (310) 451-2311.

Saturday, February 21

AMC Best Picture Showcase: 5 Best Picture Nominees Screening for $30
Get geared up for the Oscars by screening all five Best Picture nominees on one screen in one day. And this year, they are some really good ones — Milk, The Reader, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Slumdog Millionaire and Frost/Nixon. Afraid your bladder won’t make it through Benjamin Button? That IS a lonnng movie. Not to worry, every theater-goer will get a souvenir lanyard which allows you to come and go when you want.

Riva’s New Monthly Italian Wine Education Classes Debut
Santa Monica restaurant Riva debuts its wine class this Saturday, kicking off with a session on Tuscan wines. Sommelier Thierry Perez and a guest winemaker lead guests through the wines while Executive Chef Jason Travi provides the food pairings which are comprised of high-quality farmer’s market fare.

  • 1-3pm. $65. 312 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica (map). (310) 451-7482.

5th Annual Belmont Shore Chocolate Festival
Yes, it’s all the way in Long Beach, but come on it’s a chocolate festival. All things delicious and chocolatey! Willy Wonka would be soo jealous. Gorge yourself on delicacies by the likes of Frosted Cupcakery, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and La Creperie. You can pick up $10 ticket books at Archibald’s, La Strada, Mail Boxes Etc., and Sweet Jill’s.

  • 1-4pm. $10 ticket books available. 2nd Street in Belmont Shore, Long Beach (map).

Sunday, February 22

2nd Annual SoCal Movie Fanatics Oscar Party 2009
Feel like doing a little something for the Oscars other than sitting at home with your chicken wings and Belgian brew? Join the fun at this Oscar viewing party where, for $26 you get all-you-can-eat appetizers, soft drinks and the chance to win a $50 gift certificate to the ArcLight. Plus the camaraderie of other folks interested in the awards ceremony. If you show up in your tux and couture for the red carpet, you may even win “Best Dressed.”

  • 4pm. $26. Busby’s East, 5364 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles (map). (323) 525-2615.