Some friends and I are hitting up the UCLA Jazz Fest this Memorial Day weekend, and we want to bring food for a picnic as opposed to buying food at the venue. It’s more affordable and healthy, and also adds a personal, homemade feel to the outing. Unfortunately the venue is shady about concert-goers bringing coolers to the event, so we’re forced to come up with non-perishable food ideas for the picnic. If the “no cooler” rule wasn’t an issue, I would go all out.
The idea is to bring along food items that are easy to transport, and easy to eat. Finger foods are a good bet, anything that requires too much assembly is complicated and messy.
Notes for Food Consumption Outdoors
When preparing and eating food outdoors, remember to keep perishable items in a cooler.
Water may be at a premium, so keep antibacterial wipes handy
Bring plenty of ziploc bags and plastic wrap to store items with a propensity to leak
Don’t forget to double check and make sure you have utensils and condiments for your food!
What are some of your favorite picnic recipes? And does anyone have any tips on keeping food fresh without a cooler? I’m trying to circumvent the “no cooler” rule.
Memorial Day Weekend at that, so you got Monday off people! You know what that means. You can’t be sitting around idly talking about, “I’m gonna get my rest in this weekend.” Nah playa. Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start to summer. And that means you gotta get that ass out and party!
If you happen to be in Los Angeles this weekend, here’s some events. I can’t guarantee I’ll be attending, but if you’re in town drop me a comment and let me know what you’re up to!
Friday 5/22 Falcon
Note: This event will be Hollywood so you have to dress accordingly. Expect things to be scene-y.
Sat 5/23Drake Performance @ Element
Sun 5/24 UCLA Jazz Reggae Fest
I’m hitting this one up, fa sho. I gotsa see Mz. Badu do her thing. I’m passing on Reggae Day tho. I’m resting on Monday
Dammit. If I didn’t have plans I would surely hit this show. Esp because its free! If you’re in LA and not hitting the Mos Def show, please go see Miss Janelle Monae do her thing. I had the pleasure of seeing her perform at the Hip Hop 101 Festival a few months back and she absolutely killed it. She is super talented, and her energy is fantastic. She gives her entire self in her performance. That’s not something you see often. She won over a crowd of apathetic hip hoppers, I tell you that much!
If by chance you are in LA next week, catch Mos Def at the House of Blues on Thursday, 5/14. Presale tickets go on sale today…but let me give you a tip: wait until closer to the day of the show to buy tickets in case there is a cancellation. Not saying that Mos is flaky or anything, but this week the Dead Prez show AND the Black Out 2 listening party got cancelled last minute. Seems like there’s something odd going on with hip hop in Los Angeles. Just putting you up on game ;-).
Drake’s going on tour, ya’ll. If you’re not up on Drake, exercise those fingers and get to googlin’. So Far Gone is in heavy rotation on my Imeem playlist. Drake is potentially the next big thing in hip hop.
4/17 Purchase, New York @ Purchase College
4/18 Elmhurst, New York @ Daemen College
4/21 Ann Arbor, Michigan @ University of Michigan
4/22 Gainesville, Florida @ University of Florida (Oconnell Center)
4/23 Durham, North Carolina @ North Carolina Central University
4/24 Columbus, Ohio @ Club Ice
4/25 Bowling Green, Ohio @ Bowling Green State University
4/28 Dekalb, Illinois @ University of Northern Illinois
4/29 Kingston, Rhode Island @ Edwards Auditorium
4/30 Newark, Delaware @ Bob Carpenter Center
5/1 Statesboro, Georgia @ Georgia Southern University (Performing Arts Center)
5/2 Atlanta, Georgia @ The Loft
5/8 Houston, Texas @ Warehouse Live
5/9 New Orleans, Louisiana @ McAllister Center
5/13 Toronto, Ontario @ Sound Academy
5/15 Chicago, Illinois @ Excalibur Night Club
5/16 Washington DC, Washington DC @ Love Night Club
5/22 San Bernadino, California @ Santos Manuel Student Union
5/23 Los Angeles, California @ Luckman Fine Arts Complex
The lineup for 2009’s Rock the Bells has been released! And it’s no disappointment either. I went last year and it was dooooope. That was the first time I saw Nas live and it was one of the greatest hip hop moments of my life.
No diss to last year’s lineup, it was phenomenal to see the Pharcyde reunion, more than half the members of Wutang, and Tribe Called Quest, but this year looks waaay better. I mean, hello The Roots are performing this year. I missed them when they opened for Erykah Badu last year, history won’t repeat itself this year.
Word around the ‘net is that Lauryn Hill is making a comeback this summer at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. I mean, we’re worldly around these parts, but who’s bouncing to Switzerland to see this live? Hmmmm…I would consider it. Though she has her reasons for avoiding the limelight, L-Boogie’s voice and style are definitely missed.
Hopefully her performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival gets Ms. Hill’s creative juices flowing and inspires her to resurrect her career and assume her rightful place in soul music. I would love to see her evolution from “Doo Wop” and “Lost Ones” to now.
My boy DJ Val the Vandle is on the ticket for Paid Dues Festival this year, and I’m so proud of him! That’s quite an accomplishment. Sponsored by Guerilla Union, Paid Dues should be dope. It’s gonna be at the NOS Events Center in San Bernadino. A little drive from Los Angeles, but a nice drive and well worth it. The lineup includes a “best of” list of the future of hip hop. Personally I can’t wait to see MURS. I’ll be there (God willing) and I hope you will too.
It’s Grammy weekend here in Los Angeles, and that means the city is poppin’. I’m sure you’ve seen the pics around the web of celebrities hitting up parties and gifting suites, getting their swag on. But what about the purveyors of style who aren’t celebrities? The fly folks who socialize in industry circles, then go home to real life after the party is over? I know who you are, and I got something for ya.
If you happen to be in LA this weekend, here’s some info on Grammy parties. Whether you want to do the Hollywood thing or kick it with the hipsters, I got you on the event tip. The best parties are usually quietly kept but I’m in a good mood and I feel like sharing. Pick your scene and go!
