Mornings are about more than just waking up – they’re about starting early to make the most of every moment. This summer, the Kickstart Tu Día series is here to help you live your mornings right.
Where better to start your day than the land of palm trees and bright stars? Welcome to morning in Los Angeles. Here are some ways to get your day off to the right start:
1. Get outdoors
751 Echo Park Avenue
L.A. River Reopening near Rattlesnake Park
Crystal/Fletcher Drive intersection
Echo Park Lake reopens on June 15th after a two year-long remodeling effort, and everyone who lives nearby and has snuck a peek knows that it looks MAJORLY LEGIT. It has a number of renovations like swanky new sidewalks and the boathouse and Lady of the Lake statue were also restored. It’s about time!
As with Echo Park Lake, a small stretch of the L.A. river beginning at Rattlesnake Park has been re-opened but only until Labor Day this year. In the past, this small stretch was closed off from kayaking, fishing, biking and straight-up lounging by the (concrete) riverside to anyone without a permit. But now, anyone can make use of this river from sunrise to sunset so take advantage .
2. Test your strength
Chichen Itza Restaurant
3655 South Grand Avenue
Sunday, June 16th
It’s a fiery Father’s Day. Interested contestants can register up to one hour prior to contest time at the restaurant. Up to 10 people will participate in the contest. The brave contestants will be provided a bowl of chile habaneros along with a plate of delicious tacos of cochinita pibil. The person who eats the most chiles during the timed event will win a monetary gift certificate from Chichén Itzá Restaurant.
3. Get some culture
LA Film Fest
LA Live
800 Olympic Blvd
June 13th – June 23rd
Presented by Film Independent, LA Film Fest will be happening for ten days in downtown LA. With shorts, documentaries and feature films showcasing storytellers of our generation, this year features over 20 Latino films, including perennial favorite Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar’s latest, I’m So Excited. All the films involved will be competing for various awards. Though we know it’s not about who wins, the cream of the crop are awarded with cash prizes and some have gone onto receive Oscar nominations. Serving as a platform for emerging talent, this years LA Film Fest highlights Mexico, Chile, Spain and Uruguay. With films beginning as early as 10:30 AM, you can Kickstart your day with culture and spend the day exploring the world of film.
4. Dance
FIGat7th Downtown Festival
735 S. Figueroa Street
June 3rd – August 7th
Make use of the remaining daylight hours to check out the newest music/art/food/everything festival to hit LA. The 1st annual FIGat7th Downtown Festival features free music, dance, visual art, theatre and film at the FIGat7th shopping center in downtown LA from June 3 to August 2. Here are some of the great Latin artists throughout the summer weekends there you won’t want to miss: La Santa Cecilia and The Boogaloo Assassins (June 21), La Chamba (July 19), and Jose James and Carolyn Malachi (August 2).
Mountain Dew Kickstart helps you kickstart your day with the energy you need to tackle the day. How do YOU get your day started in LA?