We’re always up for celebrating a holiday in West Hollywood — especially if it involves food and drink. This weekend we’ll be celebrating the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French soldiers at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. If that throws you for a loop, understand that we mean Cinco de Mayo.
Of course, given that Cinco de Mayo means “the fifth of May,” and that it falls on a Monday this year, we’re really talking Quatro de Mayo.
The Grande Cinco de Mayo Block Party will be held from 2 to 10 p.m. Sunday at Tortilla Republic at the corner of El Tovar Place and Robertson Boulevard. There will be a dance floor so you can move to the music of DJs Arron Elvis, Dan Knapp and Corey Craig, outdoor bars, a mariachi band and $6 margaritas.
Tickets, $25 for general admission and $50 for VIP, are available online. Proceeds will benefit Project Angel Food, which provides free meals to those affected by HIV/AIDS. Don’t forget to bring a sombrero!
The Abbey will try to top that by playing host to Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles, Los Angeles’ only gay mariachi band. Led by director Carlos Samaniego, Mariachi Arcoiris has a transgender female member, Natalia Melendez.
The Abbey also will be offering a shot and a beer promotion: A shot of Avion tequila and a Dos Equis for $12. If you’re really thirsty, you can get a bucket of four Dos Equis bottles for $20.
Forget the sombrero at Mickys, 8857 Santa Monica Blvd. at Larrabee, which is billing its Cinco de Mayo celebration as a night of “Drag and Drinks.” On May 5th at 9 p.m., Mickys will screen a new episode of RuPaul’s “Drag Race,” followed by a Showgirls performance with Raven, Morgan McMichaels, Lineysha Sparx, Jiggly Caliente Brooks and Latrice Royale. And you’ll have a chance to win a ticket to the May 6 reunion of RuPaul’s “Drag Race” Season Six if you are picked from among those who dress as their favorite queen. For reservations contact: adame@mickys.com.
And for those who find drag a drag, there’s Pink Taco at 8825 Sunset Blvd. near Roxbury. Its Cinco de Mayo celebration starts on Saturday at noon with DJ Politik spinning on what Pink Taco is billing as “Pinko de Mayo.”
