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Arts & Entertainment

This Weekend, 'Art Cider' on Avenue 50 and Green Beer at the Verdugo

It's all coming together this weekend in Highland Park, as The Avenue 50 Studio is hosts its annual Holiday Party/Art Show/Sale and The Verdugo Bar has joined forces with GatherGreen.com for its first ever Price Less Times event.

Ever find yourself sitting around on a Friday night desperately seeking something something, anything, to liven up your weekend? If the answer to that question is "yes," then you're probably not from Highland Park or Mount Washington. Every weekend, our little corner of Los Angeles offers a little something for everybody.

But what makes our neighborhoods' "little somethings" so undeniably sweet is how they all come together in a neat little package. This weekend, for example, the serves up equal doses of holiday spirit and cutting edge exhibitions, while the Verdugo Bar's dishing out a counter-intuitive but oh-so-right combo of Vietnamese tacos, microbrews and green philosophy.

Here's what you need to know.

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Check out some art, do a little shopping, and get festive at the Avenue 50 Studio Holiday Sale and Party.

Avenue 50 Studio, 131-135 North Avenue 50
Saturday, December 18, 7 - 11 p.m., Sunday, December 19, noon - 4 p.m.

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Each year Avenue 50 Studio opens its doors to the public and puts together a holiday sale of art, affordable prints, photos, textiles, and other nifty gifts.

This year marks the sixth anniversary of the Show/Sale/Party and the event is divided into two parts.

Part one goes down on Saturday night and that's where the party's at. Essentially an office shindig for three studios worth of artists, (She Rides the Lion, Two Tracks Studio, and Avenue 50 Studio) the night is guaranteed to be a blast, especially because there will be hot apple cider and tamales. 

Who doesn't love hot apple cider and tamales?

The show is scheduled to pick up again on Sunday afternoon, and is expected to be a bit more mellow, but just as full of holiday cheer.

Whether you love to jingle bell rock or shop till you drop this event promises to be a good time. Festive attire is encouraged on both days.

When I spoke with Sonia Romero, the artist behind She Rides the Lion, she was arranging several of her own works on a large wall at the rear of her studio, which is located in the same building as the Avenue 50 and Two Tracks Studio. The remaining walls were waiting for the works of some of more than 30 other artists who are going to participate this weekend. 

"Unlike usual where you buy things from a gallery, this is a show of independent artists where you buy directly from the artists," she said. "They are all working towards making holiday gift type things because of the upcoming holidays so, it's like, a really good opportunity to get something inexpensive but high quality from handmade local artists and buy it directly from them."

Needless to say there will be lots and lots of art, but also jewelry, books, photographs, handmade buttons and other charming holiday giftables.

There will also be a silent auction, so be prepared to fight (silently, politely and in pen) for the art you crave.

Don't forget your festive holiday attire and wallet. 

Save the environment, drink beer, and eat Vietnamese nachos at The Verdugo.

Verdugo Bar, 3408 Verdugo Road, Saturday December 18, 1 - 7 p.m.

This Saturday afternoon The Verdugo Bar teams up with LA based web company GatherGreen to present "Price Less Times."

At Price Less Times you'll be able to imbibe sustainable, organic beer and peruse the offerings of green vendors all while being dazzled by the turntable mastery of DJ Tone Arm.  If you get tired of buying things, discussing the earth, and sampling microbrews there will be tasty and Vegan friendly Vietnamese food provided by the Mandoline Grill truck. (Their Bahn Mi is delightful and the Vietnamese nachos are just as tasty as the concept is bizarre).

GatherGreen is a website dedicated to helping people save money and go green by using coupons. Essentially you sign up with the site and let them know what neighborhood you live in. They then send you deals on organic and sustainable products and services that are close to your home.

GatherGreen's ultimate mission is to transform the culture from one of consumption to one of sustainability. They feel that helping people make more sustainable choices by making those choices more available and affordable can really make a difference in both the environment and the economy. They also believe that showcasing environmentally friendly businesses in a community will get those green establishments more business, which will in turn encourage other businesses to follow suit.

Whether or not coupons can actually accomplish any of this is up for debate, but the folks from GatherGreen seem friendly, and if they want to bring fancy organic beer I've never tried into the neighborhood, I'll drink it and give their cause a shot.

Plus, The Verdugo has a lovely patio on which to spend a relaxing and environmentally friendly weekend afternoon.

Hooray for beer! Hooray for the Environment! Hooray for Vietnamese food and DJ's! Hooray for the weekend in Highland Park!

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