While the rest of the country would surely recognize the tiny stretch of First Street between Linden and Elm avenues as one Miami’s more murder-heavy promenades—praise be to CSI: Miami location scouts—we know it well for its real-life, safer, alter ego: the East Village Arts District. From the pure excellence of Utopia restaurant up to [...]

Tiki Island
There’s nothing like the scent of the Alamitos Bay Farmers Market, the aromas of hummus and fresh fruit all combining in a sort of swirl that always seems to add on more to your appetite. But I wasn’t there for the produce alone, so after filling up on fruit samples, feta cheese and tomatoes, [...]

Frieda’s Fresh Marketplace
There’s a lot of history behind the fresh food at Frieda’s—decades of importing exotic produce and years of slowly pushing new tastes into the American diet—and that’s all summarized in some of the company’s early photos, black-and-white prints of founder Frieda Caplan receiving things like the first-ever American shipment of New Zealand kiwis. [...]

Beachgreens delivers nutrition to your doorstep

PHOTO by ROSHEILA ROBLES
As the owner of beachgreens, Aliye Aydin brings the farmers market—from Santa Monica, to be exact—to your doorstep. Too busy to go organic on your own? Let Aliye (pronounced Ah-lee-yah)—who not only studied nutrition at Berkeley but trained as a chef at the Natural Gourmet Institute in [...]

Mike Watt: Pedro’s punk legend turns 50.
DIPIAZZA’S 5205 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach 90804. 562.498.2461; dipiazzas.com.
Beer Tasting: Sip, don’t chug. 5-10pm. $15.
MORRY’S 5764 E Second St, Long Beach 90803. 562.433.0405; morrys.com.
Call in Sick: The Christmas party before the Christmas party. 9pm. $5. 21+.
QUE SERA 1923 E 7th St, Long Beach 90813. 562.599.6170; thequesera.com.
Farmers Market: [...]

Andy Street: Residents and business owners come together for the first ever Andy Street Christmas Tree Lighting. 6pm.
ANDY ST AND DOWNEY AVE 3495 Andy St, Long Beach 90805.
Thee Makeout Party: Ex-member CZ still gushes over these guys: “Dictators spirit, Raspberries songs.” 9pm. $3. 21+.
QUE SERA 1923 E Seventh St, Long Beach 90813. 562.599.6170; thequesera.com.

Entrance: CZ-described “nuked blues” band in support of the reunited members of the Source Family, LA’s legendary cult/commune. 8pm. $18. 18+.
ECHOPLEX 1154 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles 90026. 213.413.8200; attheecho.com.
Copa de Lucha: Wrestling so outlandish it’s probably almost real. 7pm. $15-55.
LONG BEACH ARENA 300 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach 90802. 562.423.3647; longbeachcc.com.