Your Los Angeles Fourth of July Survival Guide

I find the Fourth of July in Los Angeles, or really any major party holiday, kind of terrifying. When you add driving to the equation of barbeques and all-day beer drinking, you end up with a mess. This is why last year, I spent the evening in Venice and biked to the beach and the parties we attended, as did all the people in the area. It was fun. That said, if you insist on driving around to Fourth events, we have a few:

There are a lot of sort of generic civic events around town, that promise entertainment and music, which means they are for your parents. But at least you’ll be amused by the sights at the Mr. and Mrs. Venice Beach contest on Saturday, from 9 to 5.

If you’re in Hollywood and want a good old fashioned pool party, the Mondrian‘s Skybar has one for you, with DJ Zen Freeman spinning from noon till 7 p.m., giving you just enough time to head somewhere else for the fireworks.

Catch it before it disappears: The Cirque Berzerk the punky, dark and twisted circus for grownups has been extended till the third week of July, but this weekend seems like it’d be pretty cool to check out, no?  Especially when you consider that the open field and the proximity to Dodger Stadium makes it a good spot for fireworks viewing. The circus is sort of a gothic vaudeville show, with trapeze performances, dancers, and sure-to-be scary clowns, running rampant in downtown L.A. Playing all weekend long.

Did you know that raves still exist? Did you know that, in Los Angeles, they are gargantuan affairs, such as the Electric Daisy Carnival, which drew over 135,000 people last week?

There are more rave-y events this weekend featuring a lot of DJs I’ve never heard of, and sporting bad, hyperactive, multi-colored fliers with testosterone-y titles like Massive! and G.Y.R.O. (short for Get Your Rave On), yet still promote P.L.U.R. (If you don’t know what that is, you are on your own). They are keeping it real. If you don’t believe me go here and here to find more info.

Cure the fireworks hangover with a Brit-themed brunch at the Palihouse. Though it happens every week, this weekend seems like a proper bookend to your weekend. Chef Brandan’s English Sunday Roast includes all the Brit Sunday papers, Bloody Mary’s, backgammon, DJ, and foodstuffs like roast beef and Yorkshire Pudding, Toad in the Hole, potted pork belly, and of course, fish and chips. Every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Palihouse Holloway.

Of course, if you’re smart, you’ll just stay home and bbq with your neighbors.

(Image courtesy of PixieVision Productions)

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