Weekend Buzz – Events for February 6-7, 2016

This is Super Bowl weekend, so as you may expect, most of the weekend’s non-game-related events are jammed into Saturday, so as not to conflict with the BIG event on Sunday.  And that means that Saturday is “super” full of things to do this week.

The day starts out with some very convenient local bargain-hunting opportunities.  First up, Hope Lutheran Church, 6720 Melrose Ave., is having one of its periodic big rummage sales, from 8 a.m. to noon.  Featured items include clothes, CDs, books, toys, furniture and electronics.  Delivery of purchased items is also available for a small fee. Credit cards accepted, too.

Continuing with the shopping theme, the Friends of John C. Fremont Branch Library will hold its monthly used book sale, just down the street at 6121 Melrose Ave., from 1 to 5 p.m.  Most books are priced from $.10 to $1 – great bargains, indeed.

A bit further east along Melrose, Fancifull, purveyors of gift baskets and fine foods and wines, will be holding an open house and basketmaking workshop at 5617 Melrose Blvd.  Starting at 1 p.m., you can taste wines, beers and the ever-popular Elderflower Presse, along with cheeses, chocolates and other potential (and extra special) Super Bowl munchies.  You can also learn to make a basket, complete with bow, to fill with goodies for your Valentine.  Admission is free, and there will be 10% off all purchases during the event. Participants must be 21 to consume alcoholic beverages.

After the food samples, it’s just a hop around the corner to Ampersand consignment boutique and its “40% Off Practically Everything” sale at 658 N. Larchmont Blvd....which they’re combining this weekend with a “Semi-Annual Super Sale” featuring even more sale racks, including many $5 and $10 bargain items. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Meanwhile, if you don’t want to spend your whole day shopping, you could check out any (or all) of three big events at the L.A. Convention Center.

First, there’s the Los Angeles Abilities Expo, which runs from Thursday, February 5th through Sunday, February 7th.  The show includes products, services and technologies to aid people with physical, sensory, learning, and developmental disabilities of all kinds.  It also provides the opportunity to test drive cutting-edge assistive devices…participate in sports, dance, and music activities…and enjoy sessions with celebrities, assistance dogs, therapy horses, face painting for kids and more. 

The second big happening at the Convention Center this weekend is open auditions on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for America’s Got Talent.  If you think you have what it takes to make a splash on the popular TV show, see the website for registration and other information.

And finally, there’s the biggest, sweetest – and, unfortunately, reportedly sold out – event:  the L.A. Cookie Con & Sweets Show, also running both Saturday and Sunday at the Convention Center. Billed as “the West Coast’s biggest baking, decorating and pastry convention,” it would be hard to resist…if a ticket could be found.

Later, moving into Saturday evening, there are a trio of music and film events.

First, the Ebell of Los Angeles and the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles are co-sponsoring “As Time Goes By,” a 1940s-inspired “Casablanca” evening of cocktails, dinner and dancing to Dean Mora’s Swing Band.  The dinner is sold out, but dance tickets are still available – $25 dollars for members of the sponsoring organizations and $30 for non-members. 1940s attire or black tie suggested.

If you’re more interested in film than music, you could head over to the 24th Annual Pan African Film Festival, which will screen more than 150 new films from February 4th through 15th.  More than 50 of the offerings will be shown this weekend, at the 15-screen Rave Cinemas at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.  Showtimes are throughout the day, from 10:45 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.  See the Festival’s screening guide for the full list of films, times and ticket information.  One big attraction on Saturday evening, at 7 p.m, will be an “LA Rebellion” filmmaker panel, moderated by D. Andy Rice, from UCLA’s Center for EthnoCommunications, with panelists Zeinabu Irene Davis, Alile Sharon Larkin, Ben Caldwell, Charles Burnet (tentative) and Billy Woodberry (unconfirmed).

And finally, if you’d prefer film and music on Saturday evening, the Ebony Rep is sponsoring an Evening of Dance on Film, with jazz archivist Mark Cantor, at 8 p.m. and free of charge at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 W. Washington Blvd.  Film clips and discussion will showcase the work of the Nicholas Brothers, Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson, the Berry Brothers, Sammy Davis, Jr. and more.

And then, of course, comes Sunday…and a football game…which we won’t even try to compete with.  Have a super weekend!