LA3C Food, Culture, and Music Festival

The LA3C was a worthy experience. The 2 day festival took place in Los Angeles, California. It featured so many amazing artists such as Snoop Dogg, Seventeen, and more. There was so many options for food and culture from products to vendors in the SheMedia Meaningful Marketplace. So what’s my review, and should you add it to your travel listing? A special thank you to Mercedes of DG Speaks for being my partner in fun.

VIP or General Tickets

SheMedia provided us with general tickets and once there we got VIP tickets. I am actually glad that it happened that way. It allowed me to see the ticketing experience from both sides. General tickets are self explanatory. You get into the venue, you pay for what you purchase and you do the free experiences that are provided. There are a lot of vendors that everyone had the opportunities to take momentos home. There are plenty of vendors for drinks and food.

VIP however has its own entrance that takes you inside of the SheMedia Meaningful Marketplace. This is where the heart of the LA3C event is. General tickets have quite a walk into the venue. The perks of VIP are that you have covered seating. Seating is contingent on space. However there are tables to stand at for drinks and food. You have almost an immediate space at the stage. I mean up and close and personal. The music is loud up there I would highly encourage you to travel with ear plugs as I did. VIP also has their own drinks and food vendors. The bathrooms although portable festival bathrooms are completely upgraded and nice. The bathrooms alone are worthy of a VIP ticket. You must have a wristband that allows you into VIP. I watched so many who tried to gain entry. Security did an amazing job.

VIP is worth it so next year opt for them right off the bat. I believe they even have a way for you to get the tickets and use a layaway plan. Get the VIP ones.

Food and Drink Vendors

There were several drink sponsors such as Makers Mark, and Stella Artois. Both had different options that were equally as good. In addition to both vendors were regular wine, beer, and cocktail sales located in a few places in the festival. Food was plentiful. There was Dining Discovery that featured some really good vendors. From Boba tea, Nashville Chicken and more. I opted to try Cena Vegan. I had the Taco Trio. They were made fresh to order and hands down delicious. The staff was so nice. Food pricing was a little under 20 dollars. Average pricing for a festival. Food definitely worth it.

Ramen Hood

I saw before I came the vendor list. As soon as I saw that there was going to be ramen I checked day one and didn’t find it. I soon found it on day 2. It was on the other side that I hadn’t even visited. Ramen Hood was vegan and delicious. The only thing was that I wanted more or a bigger bowl. But I get it, festival size is probably more cost effective. I ate every bite.

Lastly the sweet plantains that I had from Pupusas was too good. It’s hard in Philadelphia at times to find them but they reminded me of my hometown.

The Music at LA3C

What’s a festival that has music without the artist. It was electrifying. I loved every single acts even the ones I had never heard of. The one that sticks out to me has to be the K-pop group, Seventeen. I had never heard of them but their performance. Whoever is teaching them about stage presence-high five. They have it. Seventeen brought back the essence of boy band.

Snoop Dogg was my favorite. I knew this going in. He gave a performance that only he can do. Snoop had the crowd on their feet and ready. He went back to his first songs and mixed in a tribute to both Biggie and Tupac. If you missed his performance and were on the grounds you heard it from where you were. Free Nationals really made me download their music. I hadn’t heard of them prior but I listened to them on the way home. They had along with them India Shawn. I have heard of India but I enjoyed her more seeing her in person. All of the performances from the two day were good. Monogem led everyone song and a little mediation. She can really sing.

SheMedia Meaningful Marketplace

This is where you can shop and support small businesses. From artist, to products you were covered. I got to see and meet my favorite blogger, CeCe Olisa. She has been in the game for awhile. She is the queen of body positivity and her mantra of not waiting until you are a size whatever you deem to be better than where you are is refreshing. As I was transitioning to keep going and showing up for yourself. She is the curator of Cocoa by Cece. The doll butter, self love scrub is everything. We got to test it out and it was life changing. I bought some on the spot.

So shopping, music, drinks, food, two stages, fun, and free experiences inside of the festival all points to you getting your ticket when they announce soon for 2023.

Here’s a few things to keep in mind for a festival:

• Have a clear bag to keep items in-pay attention to the website’s prohibited items before you go (LA3C kept everything super clear)
• Boots-some from of boots is probably your shoe of choice. I got these from Amazon. I wore a half a size bigger and two socks to protecting my feet and I was warm and comfortable
• LA3C was cashless-make sure you tip every vendor you patron
• Limit alcohol intake. It’s an all day festival. So drink responsibly. There were a few who didn’t and had to be escorted off the premises
• Pace yourself
• Get the lockers they provided (for a fee) and/or bring battery back ups. I had 6 of them and shared them too. Don’t forget extra cords too.
• Dress for the weather. There was threats of rain. It even rained before Day 2 so keep a poncho and layer up
• Have fun

Anxiety Moments and How to Cope

Why am I including anxiety with this article? Simple. This wasn’t for me but could have been the first big crowd since life shut down. If you naturally love to dance and have a good time but anxiety creeps in here are a few things I did to help during the festival. At the end of each set, crowds move from one stage to the other. Try to stay where you are to give the crowds enough time to leave. Take a deep breath before leaving an area. Stay in one area as long as you need to. There was so many open spaces at LA3C. If you were in VIP stay in your area where its a little less congested until you are ready.

Drink water. There were plenty of water stations to refill your bottle. Water is a great way to calm down. Make sure you fuel. Eating while at a concert especially one that is all day is vital. Set an eating time around the acts that you want to see. If you are able go with someone else-do. Be sure to keep your battery full on your phone so if you need to text someone back home to reassure you, do so. Keep your location on with someone you trust. My husband knew where I was in case of emergency. Keep the festival map in your pictures in case the internet stopped working. Always enjoy it.

Thank you to Penske, SheMedia, and LA3C and all of the vendors. Stay tuned for the Stylecaster and GlamSquad Beauty Brunch later today and later on a general LA review including hotel and food spots. To see my video recap go to Instagram.