And Down the Stretch They Come
{Del Mar} Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Season opens July 17, with racing daily through Sept. 3.
A “Sport of Kings” in British society, horse racing has been entertaining the elite for centuries, from the chariot races of antiquity to the gods of Norse mythology. Del Mar’s breathtaking facility, the same track once circled by Seabiscuit and frequented by celebrities such as Lucille Ball and Jimmy Durante (the roadway entrance is, in fact, named for him), is a destination in itself. Scout the horses in the paddock before placing your bets, meet the jockeys, and become a member to take part in exclusive experiences with the Turf Club. An air of timeless equestrian elegance flourishes at Del Mar, where the ladies don derby hats and gentlemen long to spark celebratory stogies. Contact Nancy Bonforte (858/755.1141, ext. 4291) for membership inquiries.
dmtc.com
Photo: Andrea Bricca
Chef for a Day
{Los Angeles} Patina Restaurant
Want to collaborate with a culinary master and learn the techniques of a 5-star restaurant? Go behind the scenes and immerse yourself in the mouth-watering world of fine dining and sumptuous flavors, guided by Patina’s Executive Chef Charles Olalia and his team. Having prepared culinary treasures at Thomas Keller’s French Laundry and Restaurant Guy Savoy in Las Vegas, Olalia was promoted to his current position by Patina Founder Joachim Splichal in 2010. Create an exquisite, five-course, gourmet meal under the tutelage of a master, and then sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of your labor with your seven invited guests.
CSQ contact: Jessica Panalba, 213/972.3028 patinagroup.com
Your 7th Inning Stretch
{Simi Valley} Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Through September 4
Baseball has long been a sport that could bring the country together, from the Great Depression to the days immediately following 9/11 and beyond. Ever since William Howard Taft threw out the first pitch to signify the start of the 1910 season, American presidents have followed that same tradition. Ronald Reagan was an avid baseball fan (in fact, early in his career he recreated the play-by-play of Chicago Cubs’ games for radio broadcasts), so it’s only fitting the Reagan Foundation is honoring America’s pastime with the exhibition, “Baseball! Celebrating Our Nation’s Pastime,” at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. More than 700 rare artifacts and memorabilia are on display, from Babe Ruth’s fur coat and traveling trunk to the legendary Honus Wagner trading card (the rarest in the world). Baseball’s memory lane is in Simi Valley this summer, and the Great Communicator would be proud.
reaganlibrary.com
Photo: Leigh Weiner
Still Life in the Country
{Los Angeles} Annenberg Space for Photography
Through September 28
Their music is timeless. Captured in their prime, artists such as Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and Hank Williams Jr. personify pure Americana. Guest-curated by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum, “Country: Portraits of an American Sound” brings together a collection of resonant works by a handful of seminal music photographers. Henry Diltz, Raeanne Rubenstein, Ethan Russell, and primary Grand Ole Opry shutterbug Les Leverett are among the photographers whose works make up the more than 110 prints in the collection. A documentary commissioned by the Annenberg Space for Photography is part of the exhibit, as well as archival artifacts and a jukebox containing rare audio files.
annenbergspaceforphotography.org
Weekend Departures
{Los Angeles} The Getty Museum
Through September 13
Come for the art, stay for the music, and leave with a song in your step. Friday Flights and Saturdays Off the 405 give you two reasons to linger at The Getty long into the night. An eclectic assortment of sonic treats at one of the city’s iconic architectural marvels will punctuate your weekend and provide the perfect getaway without having to log an inordinate amount of miles on the freeway. The promise of festive and lively sounds is borne out by the names of the featured groups, from Ooga Booga to Chicano Batman. Holy Frijoles!
getty.edu
Here’s to Your Health
{Santa Barbara} California Wine Festival
July 17–19
If not for Disneyland, wine tours would be the most popular tourist attraction in California. Wine is an integral part of California culture, and the Santa Barbara leg of the 11th Annual California Wine Festival will feature more than 50 wineries and five breweries as well as dozens of restaurants, allowing visitors to experience the full spectrum of California-harvested flavors in food and wine. Live music enhances the opulent atmosphere, perfect for experiencing new flavors, or revisiting old favorites. The three-day event kicks off with Old Spanish Nights, and other exclusive events include two tastings and a wine seminar. So give Mickey and Donald the weekend off, but don’t be Goofy: Consider a cab or a designated driver.
californiawinefestival.com
