My Gosh, there are a lot of celebrations happening this week Tomatoes! LA is Hoppin’! Methinks I should start by wishing all you a very “Happy 4th of July”!  Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum is throwing an honest to goodness old-fashioned “Barn Dance”.  On the other side of town, you’ve got the “Grand Park and Music Center’s 4th of July Block Party” where you can watch the L.A. sky light up for free! Dance the night away with the “Autry’s Sizzling Summer Nights” series. And this Sunday check out the Westwood Food and Wine Festival. There’s lots to do but feel free to park yourself in a hammock and just… relaaaaax.

July 4. Barn Dance  

Slap your knee and kick up your heels tomatoes, just like the good ole days, with a real barn dance on America’s b-day at Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum. There’s even a pie eating contest, a cake walk and a watermelon seed spitting contest dag nab it!  You are never too old or too young to enjoy a down-home Barn Dance and old-fashioned fun in beautiful Topanga Canyon ladies, especially when you are a hot tomato.

Renowned multi-instrumentalist and traditional dance caller Evo Bluestein will be the master calling the shots during the lively hoe-down and for all you Ukulele lovin’ tomatoes Topanga Ukulele Revival will be performing along with other unique live music.  Of course, there’ll be a barbecue and other fixin’s, snacks, soft drinks, beer and wine…and various and sundry treats. Plenty to keep your bellies full and your spirits happy gals.

4th of July Block Party

The Grand Park July 4th Block Party, presented by the Music Center returns with a quintessential American way to celebrate our freedom. Remember block party’s tomatoes? Well, I will admit that I do. However, this block party is the largest Independence Day Celebration in LA and features picnics, ways to play, music, dancing and an incredible new fireworks display launched from the civic center across the beautiful DTLA sky line. What a sight to behold ladies.  And it’s all free! I bet that tickles your toes Ladies.

They’ll be games and art-making for all ages, including soccer, tag, bubble fun and chalk art available. Or, you can boogie over to the two musical stages with DJs by day and live performances by night. This block party is for everyone, (even your four legged friends) and there is room for everyone since the Block Party spreads across the entire park, from Grand Avenue to Spring Street, plus the surrounding streets. So tomatoes, gather your friends, family and/or pets get ready to celebrate big.

July 2. Westside Food and Wine Festival

A big birthday year for Culver City. 100 years old to be exact. They’ve been celebrating all year long and this Sunday is the “Westside Food and Wine Festival” that is a great addition to their list of celebrations. It’s a day full of tastings from 30 popular  restaurants in the area along with wine, other libations from spirits vendors and live entertainment from Culver City and beyond tomatoes.  You don’t have to reside in Culver City to enjoy. How does that grab ya tomatoes?

This Culver City celebratory event also features a silent auction, the professional strolling magician as seen on America’s Got Talent, and a fortune telling psychic; as well as raffle prizes. And hey gals, VIP tickets  include chair massages and other special perks.  Wow! Proceeds from the festival’s amazing food, wines, and spirits will benefit the Backpacks for Kids and Culver City/Palms Meals on Wheels program. You know how I like them apples tomatoes.

July 6-August 17. Autry Summer Nights

Sizzling Summer Nights at the Autry is an outdoor dance party starts Thursday with an array of Latin sounds from new bands and legends of the Salsa Music Scene.  The Salsa, the Cha –Cha, the Merengue and more makes for a very lively dance floor.  Time to brush up on your hot tomato dance moves gals.

Oh wait…the outdoor parties include free dance lessons with award-winning salsa instructor Orlando Delgado. Yeah! You also get access to museum Galleries and there’s even a separate children’s dance floor. It’s a family affair Tomatoes. Tacos, margaritas, and other light refreshments are available for purchase.