Published June 24, 2010

The Weekender
Morning Beer, Pho Tacos and a Wild Pool Party

PERKS

Yes, You're Meeting with Joel McHale

This week, Perks is introducing you and three friends to none other than Joel McHale on the set of The Soup. Assuming all that comic genius can fit in one studio.

411:: See more on Perks

CHANGE

The 35-Cent Martini Returns

Back in the day, you started many a Thursday night with one of the Edison's famed 35-cent martinis. Well, on Wednesdays and Thursdays, that dirt-cheap martini is back. It's limited to one per person, but happy hour goes until 7pm—and cocktails, beer and wine are 40% off after round one.

411:: Wed-Thu, 5-7pm, The Edison, 108 W Second St #101 (at Main), 213-613-0000

PHO REAL

Xoia Soft-Opens in Echo Park

Before you drop into El Prado for a beer, you can now fuel up at an intriguing new Vietnamese restaurant next door. They've got standards like pho and banh mi, but the owner is a Mexico-born artist, so you'll also find cross-continental offerings like Pho Beef Tacos.

411:: Soft-opens Jun 25, Xoia, 1801 W Sunset Blvd (at Lemoyne), Echo Park

EARLY BIRD

Brown-Bagging It in the Morning

Things are getting started early on Saturday at Blue Palms Brewhouse. If you buy a 9:30am VIP ticket, your brunch will be accompanied by samples of 24 craft beers. (Yes, 24.) Plus, it's a blind tasting, so the beers will all arrive in brown bags. We hope they're recycling.

411:: Jun 26, 9:30am with $55 VIP ticket (regular admission 11am, $40, sans brunch), Blue Palms Brewhouse, 6124 Hollywood Blvd, 323-464-2337, tickets here

The Cultural Pick
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GOING INZANE

Billy Zane: Artist

A little-known secret of Billy Zane's artful performances is that since the days of Titanic, Zane has been lugging an easel and paint on location. The result is the series Killing with Love, which will be on display at Frank Pictures Gallery with an opening reception this Sunday. Apparently, Billy's finest work has yet to be seen—with apologies to Zoolander.

411:	Jun 27, 6:30-9:30pm, no cost, Frank Pictures Gallery, 2525 Michigan Ave, 310-828-0211
Click here to see more cultural picks

SPF

A Crazy Pool Party at Tony's

Downtown's darkest whiskey saloon has stepped boldly into the summer daylight to host what we're anticipating to be a wild, pansexual, hipstery party. You'll want to head straight to the parking lot, which is covered in Astroturf and topped with a pool and an inflatable waterslide. There'll be plenty of gratis Jell-O shots, and the beer's free for the first hour. See you at 12:01.

411:: Jun 27, noon-6pm, $5 before 2pm, $8 after, Tony's Saloon, 2017 E Seventh St, 213-622-5523

GLAZED LOOK

Doughnut Shoppe Night at BLD

This week's talk of doughnut-flavored ice cream has also got you craving... doughnut-flavored doughnuts. Good news: though Grace restaurant has closed for relocation, its legendary Wednesday doughnut nights now live on at BLD, the more casual sister restaurant just up the street. You've been meaning to increase your powdered-sugar intake.

411:: Wednesdays, BLD, 7450 Beverly Blvd (at Vista), 323-930-9744

EXTRAS

Summertramp
The Edison Cocktail Hour

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