Going Solo

Just because you’re on your own doesn’t mean you have to sit at home:

Friday Evening

The Farmers Market on West Third at Fairfax begins its first “Twilight Summer Music Festival” from 7 to 9 p.m., with a band of Scottish pipes and drums called the Wicked Tinkers. Many stores and restaurants, including Gumbo Pot, E.B.’s Beer and Wine and Kokomo Cafe, will be staying open late. It’s the perfect time to soak up the evening air while listening to the free performance. Music ranging from gospel to country to swing continues Fridays through Aug. 29 in this festival celebrating L.A.’s musical diversity. Call (213) 933-9211.

Saturday

Morning

The 8000 Sunset Blvd. complex in Hollywood is the ideal place to wile away a weekend morning. With dozens of listening stations featuring the latest in pop, jazz, classical and world music releases, at Virgin Megastore you can preview CDs before throwing down the cash to buy them. Then, try one of the weekend-only 10 a.m. movies at Laemmle’s Sunset 5, (213) 848-3500. This Saturday and Sunday choose from “Chef in Love,” “I Was A Jewish Sex Worker,” “Visas & Virtues,” “Licensed to Kill,” and the 1946 Humphrey Bogart classic, “The Big Sleep.”

Saturday

Afternoon

Head west on Sunset to Sunset Plaza for a late lunch at the counter at Chin Chin, 8618 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, (310) 652-1818, (and four other area locations). Try the “Dim Sum and Then Sum,” a choice of three half orders of dim sum, soups, salads, mushu, fried or steamed rice or roasted meats ($8.50). Don’t miss the fortune cookies dipped in white and milk chocolate for dessert--one of the world’s best inventions.

It’s possible to spend an entire afternoon browsing and eating one’s way down Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade. For comfort food, try Benita’s Frites, 1433 Third Street Promenade, (310) 458-2889. The only dish served is double fried Belgian-style French fries that come in a cone with your choice of 20 dipping sauces including spicy catsup, Thai peanut sauce and garlic mayonnaise ($2.22-$4.38).

Not only does Barnes and Noble, 1201 Third Street Promenade, (310) 260-9110, have plenty of cozy seats and thousands of tempting books, there’s a Starbucks Coffee inside the bookstore. Settle in with something to read and a latte. Street musicians outside provide the accompaniment.

Saturday

Evening

Interact Theatre Company, known for staging revivals, is presenting “Arsenic and Old Lace,” the comedy classic of murder, mayhem and mirth, as part of its “4th Annual Interactivity ’97 Festival.” The festival, which runs Saturday-June 29, comprises 22 informal staged readings. Interact Theatre, 11855 Hart St., North Hollywood, $7 suggested donation, (818) 773-7862.

Sunday

Afternoon

Check out the screening room at the Museum of Television & Radio, 465 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, (310) 786-1000, open Wednesday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Private consoles allow you to sample one of the museum’s 75,000 television and radio programs covering more than 70 years.

After all this sitting around, consider getting out on the tennis court with other singles. On Sunday in Marina del Rey, a round-robin, mixed doubles tennis tournament happens from 4 to 6 p.m., sponsored by The Tennis Players, a Beverly Hills organization. Marina Tennis Center, 13199 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey. Courts, partners and balls provided, $10. There’s a no-host gathering afterward. Call (310) 275-8415 (reservations required).

If a little afternoon music is more your speed, check out the free “Sundays at Four” series at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Bing Theater, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 485-6873. This week pianist Kathy Sawada performs.