Local event planners seem to be assuming that the rest of us are just as tired as they are in this between-holidays week, and they’re probably right…so it makes sense that there’s a bit of a lull in big local events this weekend. If you do have some holiday energy (or houseguests) left, though, there are a few fun things to do that are pretty close to home.
Not too far south, The William Grant Still Arts Center, 2520 West View St., continues the run of its 38th Annual Black Doll Show (which opened earlier this month and will run through Feb. 16). Billed as “the longest-running display of black dolls in Los Angeles,” this year’s theme is “Double Dutch: A Celebration of Black Girlhood,” which was chosen by the curator, Myshell Tabu, “to showcase the many nuances of black girlhood, including play, activism, education, the Black experience, and hair.” According to the organizers, the show affirms and illustrates “the depth, diversity, and dynamism of Black girlhood. Black girls are as innocent as they are strong and as creative as they are challenged.” The exhibition features “immersive installations with hopscotch, murals featuring larger-than-life ashy knees, beaded individual braids, and dolls engaging in hair-care, double-dutch, and more.” The Galleries also feature doll and quilt art. Black girls are portrayed with various body types, skin tones, abilities and preferred gender or non-gender expression. Hours on Saturday are 12-5 p.m. and admission is free.
Classic film fans have a number of fun options this weekend, too, starting with a 2 p.m. showing of the 1980s favorite “Gremlins” at the New Beverly Cinema, 7165 Beverly Blvd., both Saturday and Sunday.
Then, at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, also at the New Bev, there’s the 1970s disaster classic, “The Poseidon Adventure,” followed by the sequel, “Beyond the Poseidon Adventure.”
At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, there’s a screening of Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” at the American Cinematheque’s Egyptian Theater in Hollywood…
And at 6 p.m. on Sunday, the New Beverly has a deal you definitely can’t refuse, with a double feature of “The Godfather” and “The Valachi Papers.”
Sunday is a great day for your younger kids, with an 11 a.m. show by the Bob Baker Marionettes at the Miracle Mile Toy Hall…
..and a special New Years Eve Eve celebration at the Zimmer Children’s Museum, 6505 Wilshire Blvd., starting at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. Even the youngest children will be able to get into the New Year’s spirit with a New Year’s countdown and festive balloon drops at 1:18pm, 2:18pm, and 3:18pm. And kids can also decorate their own accessories and noisemakers to ring in 2019.
Finally, this is also a great time to catch up with some other big holiday events you may have missed in the previous weeks, which are enjoying the final days of their runs (and may be slightly less crowded) in these few days before New Year’s — they include holiday hours, lights and trolley rides at the Grove, holiday train rides in Griffith Park, the Zoo Lights, and special holiday light shows at Descanso Gardens and the Los Angeles Arboretum…among others. Check with each individual venue for hours and tickets.
Have a great weekend!
