Weekend Buzz – Events for December 5-6, 2015

We took a week off from the Weekend Buzz last week, because the post-Thanksgiving weekend was pretty sleepy, event-wise.  The machine has definitely kicked into high gear again this week, however, and there’s a huge lineup of things to do.

Saturday

On Saturday, for the foragers, you could start with an estate sale at 4518 W. 6th St. in the Windsor Square neighborhood, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.  This one features many different kinds of collectibles (photos in the link above), so you may even be able to pick up some unique holiday gifts.

Saturday is also the last day of a three-day estate sale at 428 S. Las Palmas in Hancock Park, which advertises a lot of furniture, china, art and collectibles (again, photos in the link). Not sure what’s left at this point, but the final days of multi-day sales are usually great for bargains.

The most interesting sale opportunity this weekend, however, is a bit further away…but definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – the big liquidation sale at downtown’s legendary Hotel Figueroa.  The hotel, which closed in November, has new owners who are planning a complete remodel (reportedly going back to the original 1920s style of the building), and they’re selling off every bit of the building’s famous Moorish decor and other fixtures and furnishings.  The sale runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day between now and December 31.  Lines were long earlier this week (both to get in and to check out with purchases), so plan to spend some time if you decide to investigate.

If you’re more in the mood for holiday preparations, and would like to help spread some holiday cheer, the Big Sunday volunteer organization is holding a holiday decorating event today, from 9 to 11 a.m.  This year, throughout the month of December, Big Sunday will be sending folks to decorate nearly two dozen group homes, shelters, hospitals and more. Today’s event will be held at the Brentwood VA.  Santa will be there too.  If you’d like to help (at either today’s event or another upcoming decorating day), contact [email protected] (for today’s event) or [email protected] (upcoming dates).  (Note:  if you want to bring some decorations with you, please do…but note that only synthetic trees are allowed at the VA, as per fire rules.)

We also have several events today for our arts enthusiasts. Chevalier’s book store, which celebrated its 75th anniversary on Larchmont Blvd. earlier this week, will be holding a Young Authors Panel from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.  Five 2015 debut young adult authors – Michelle Levy, E. Katherine Kottaras, Charlotte Huang, Jen Klein and Nicola Yoon – will discuss their work, answer your questions, sign their novels and talk about their beautiful edgy stories with seasoned YA novelist Gretchen McNeil. YA lovers of all ages are welcome, especially aspiring writers.

Over at the Craft and Folk Art Museum, on Wilshire, there’s an On and Off Record Artist & Curator Talk with Phranc & Howard Fox at 3 p.m.  Paperworks artist Phranc and curator Howard Fox will discuss Phranc’s career as a visual artist and her history as a widely recorded punk rock and folk musician in L.A. Space is limited. RSVP required.  The event is free with paid museum admission.

For film buffs and families, the Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council will host a toy drive and free screening of the 1990 movie Home Alone (rated PG) from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood.  Come see the now-classic holiday-themed movie, and bring an unwrapped toy to help bring some holiday cheer to a child in need.

If you prefer more adult-oriented cinematic violence, the American Cinematheque is hosting a 25th-anniversary screening of Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas (rated R) at the Egyptian theater in Hollywood at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are $11 ($7 for American Cinematheque members).

And finally, for a great way to cap a pre-holiday evening, check out the Zoo Lights at the Los Angeles Zoo, from 6 to 10:30 p.m.. L.A.’s brightest new holiday tradition shines more brilliantly than ever this year. Stroll through an area of the Zoo awash in holiday displays, expanded from last year and transformed into a fantastical wonderland populated by glowing light animals and a trove of dazzling effects.  Additions since last year include a decked-out L.A.I.R. and a dramatic display combining light, water and music. View real reindeer, visit with Santa (on select dates), and enjoy holiday treats and goodies, all under the stars.  The event also celebrates ‎SteampunkStyle‬ tonight, with ‎Klara‬, one of the main characters from KURIOS by Cirque du Soleil You can meet and take a selfie with her from 6 to 8 p.m.  Tickets are $16 for adults and $14 for children ages 2-12.

Sunday

Nothing better than pancakes for breakfast  on Sunday morning, and for some particularly festive flapjacks, check out the Chanuka Pancake Breakfast at the Westside Jewish Community Center, 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.  Come in your PJs for breakfast, art and other activities, including a special Chanuka-themed magic show.  Tickets are $12 at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wjcc-chanukah-pancake-breakfast-tickets-19432969535

To help work off some of that yummy breakfast, the West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition, a local chapter of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, is hosting a Sunday Funday Ride, starting at 10:00 a.m. Taylor Nichols leads the 14-mile family-friendly ride, which will highlight Hollywood history and bicycle infrastructure improvements along the route. Near the end of the ride, participants will stop at the Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market for refreshments. Riders will gather at 9:30 a.m. at West Hollywood Park at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard at the statues just north of the library and pool. Following comments from West Hollywood Mayor Lindsey Horvath, waiver signing, a pre-ride safety talk, and local highlights, the group plans to set off at 10:00 a.m and complete the ride by noon.

For history buffs more interested in walking than riding, the West Adams Heritage Association is holding its annual holiday walking tour on Sunday, from noon to 3 p.m.  As usual, the holiday walking tour is an adjunct event to the organization’s annual holiday progressive dinner, which is at the same locations later in the day (but, sadly, is long since sold out).  This year’s event focuses on the Charles Victor Hall tract of homes, featuring Queen Anne cottages, American Foursquare, Arts & Crafts and Craftsman residences.  Almost two dozen homes in the neighborhood were designed by noted architect Frank M. Tyler.  Homes on the walking tour will be open from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, and there will be a docent-led tour at 12:30.  Tickets can be purchased at the tour’s welcome house at 2650 Halldale Avenue, 90007, at the time of the tour.

If art is more your style, head back to the Craft and Folk Art Museum on Sunday afternoon, from 1-5 p.m., for a Pattern Through Print Workshop with Cathy Weiss. 

Learn about Weiss’ Love and Light installation at the museum as you spend time layering the printmaking techniques of relief, stenciling, stamping and dyeing to create unique prints. Please bring in images, photos, and stories to inspire you. Please register in advance as space is limited. Also, an RSVP is required to [email protected]. Cost is $45 (or $35 for members), including materials.

At the same time, for those in a party mood, City Council Member David Ryu will celebrate the opening of his CD4 Hollywood Field Office, 6501 Fountain Ave., 90028, with a holiday-themed party from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. The event will feature a shoe drive and an ugly sweater contest.  RSVP at www.davideryu.com/events.

Finally, the big event of the weekend, the one we’ve been waiting for for more than a year, is one that is, alas, also sold out:  the grand re-opening of the Peterson Automotive Museum.  Love it…hate it…or still not sure?  Folks are definitely talking about the remodeled exterior of the museum building at Wilshire and Fairfax, but this weekend those fortunate enough to have already purchased tickets will FINALLY get a chance to venture inside and see how the exhibits have also been overhauled.  If you’re one of the lucky ticketholders, Sunday’s preview event  will provide “museum-wide access in a more intimate environment complete with food, beverage, KCRW DJ Jason Bentley and an open bar, from 10am – 4pm.” Preview Day attendees will experience the new XBOX Forza Motorsports Gallery and Disney/Pixar Cars Mechanical Institute, and the thousands of stories that now occupy each of the twenty five new museum galleries…along with special gifts and prizes.  If you don’t have tickets for Sunday’s event, but are still eager to see the remodeled museum, it opens to the public for regular visits on Monday, December 7, and tickets (starting at $15) are available at http://admissions-petersen.myshopify.com/collections/tickets.