Weekend Buzz – Events for April 15-16

It’s a holiday weekend, which means that most of this weekend’s big events are clustered on Saturday, which leaves more time for Easter holiday observations with family and friends on Sunday for those who celebrate.

That said, Saturday does turn out to be pretty jam-packed.  First up for early risers is a big estate sale at 1263 S. Windsor Blvd. It’s the second day of a two-day event that starts today and runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The organizers promise a trove of “amazing mid-century finds” including china, crystal, silver, California pottery, furniture, vintage record players, typewriters, sewing machines, wrought iron, lamps and more.  For details and photos, see the link above.

Later, you can go from real life to the virtual world at VRLA 2017, the “world’s largest immersive technology expo.”  This virtual reality and augmented reality extravanganza, is open at the Los Angeles Convention Center on both  Friday and Saturday, April 14-15th, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (note: the exposition floor doesn’t open until 12 p.m.).  The show features demos of projects in development for systems such as the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, PlayStation VR and others, showcasing the future of storytelling, entertainment and more.  There will also be speakers, presentations and big industry announcements.

If you’d rather look back than forward, the historic Egyptian Theater, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., will be offering a behind-the-scenes, docent-led tour of the legendary 1922 movie palace (now fully restored and home to the American Cinemtheque).  In addition to the public part of the theater, which was the site of Hollywood’s first big movie premiere extravaganza, you can see what it would have been like to be in a Grauman stage show, with a visit to the dressing rooms and singers’ boxes.  You’ll also learn about the more recent painstaking restoration work and the marriage of modern technology with a landmark of Hollywood history. The tour will start promptly at 10:30 a.m. at the box office, rain or shine, and will take approximately 60 minutes. Reservations are not required; tickets are $7 for Cinematheque members, students and seniors; $9 for others.

For more family fun, there are a couple of Saturday events at the John C. Fremont library, 6121 Melrose Ave.  First, new STAR volunteer reader Frances will read to kids of all ages in the children’s reading room from  12 to 2 p.m…and then later, from 4 to 5 p.m., there’s the monthly BARK volunteer event, where children can increase their reading skills and self-confidence by reading aloud to certified therapy dogs.  All the dogs are trained to work with children, and the owner is present at all times. All ages welcome, and of course, this and all other library programs are always FREE.

At 2 p.m. (both Saturday and Sunday) you and the kids could also enjoy an old-fashioned kiddie matinee at the New Beverly Cinema – this week showing the 1990 version of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Later, for architecture fans, the A+D Museum, 900 E. 4th St., downtown, will host a panel discussion and reception inspired by Michael Webb’s new book, Building Community, which focuses on the urgent need to create many more and better-designed affordable apartments…in Los Angeles, other cities and around the world.  Panelists include Frances Anderton, host of KCRW’s DnA program and a former editor of The Architectural Review in London; Julie Eizenberg, co-principal of Koning Eizenberg Architecture, which has a long and distinguished record of creating affordable housing in Santa Monica and elsewhere; and Richard Loring, an architect turned builder-developer, who has commissioned leading LA architects to design condos of exceptional quality, and is currently working with a team of architects on an innovative system of prefabricated construction. Author Webb will moderate the discussion and sign copies of books on sale at the event. The event runs from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday; tickets are $3.

Saturday evening this week has some great offerings for vintage film lovers.  First, at 6:30 & 8:40 p.m., you can head back to the New Beverly for a double feature of Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs…

…or you could return to the Egyptian Theater for an American Cinematheque double-feature celebrating actresses Bette Davis and Joan Crawford (in honor of the new release “Feud”).  First up is All About Eve, featuring Davis as a major Broadway actress whose biggest fan ingratiates herself into the diva’s inner circle and steals her spotlight.  And next comes Crawford in her signature (Oscar winning) role as Mildred Pierce, a divorcee who ends up as a successful restauranteur – but her selfish daughter can never have enough and Mildred’s inability to control her proves to be her un-doing. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., and there will also be contest – with prizes! – to see who can do the best Joan Crawford impersonation.

As noted above, events are fewer on Sunday, because of the Easter holiday, but there are still a couple of great options if you and the family would like to venture out.

First, for a great brunch you don’t have to cook, try the weekly Smorgasburg event downtown, which this week celebrates Put an Egg on Everything Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  You won’t have to hunt for these eggs, as vendors will just be serving up special egg-topped creations all day.  Smorgasborg is located at the Alameda Produce Market in DTLA, and in addition to the dozens of food vendors, it includes design, craft, style, vintage, wellness and other offerings.  Two-hour free parking is available at ROW DTLA, 785 Bay St.  Please note that pets are not allowed.

And later on Sunday, for more family vintage film fun, you can head back to the New Beverly for the Easter-themed The Passion of the Christ at 6:30 p.m…

…or in a more secular vein, return to the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian for a double feature of Superman (the Christopher Reeve version) and the classic 1950s sci fi thriller, The Day the Earth Stood Still.  The show starts at 7:30 p.m., and all attendees can enter a drawing for Superman comic books.  Klaatu barada nikto!

Finally, last but not least, is Metro’s Easter gift to area neighbors – no subway-related construction or street closures this weekend along Wilshire Blvd.  Have a great holiday weekend!