It’s the final weekend of the Winter Olympics, so once again community event planners seem to be ceding at least some of their territory…but there are still a few noteworthy happenings in our general area.
First up, starting today (Friday) and running through Monday, Ampersand Boutique, 658 N. Larchmont Blvd., will be holding its Semi-Annual Sidewalk Super Sale to make room for the new season ahead. They’ll have racks outside with merchandise ranging from $5-$20+, including highly discounted designer clothing, jeans and shoes…while racks inside will be 50% off.
Just around the corner and west a few blocks, at 6121 Melrose Ave., the John C. Fremont Branch Library will have its weekly homework tutor available from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Students from Kindergarten through Community College can bring in their math and science work – it’s free and no reservations are needed. First come, first served.
The really big event of the weekend is the Chinese New Year Festival and 119th Annual Golden Dragon Parade in downtown’s Chinatown. The festival runs from noon to 8 p.m. in and around Chinatown’s Central Plaza (943-951 N. Broadway), which is easily accessible via Metro’s Gold Line to the Chinatown station. The parade – the oldest of its kind in the U.S. – will run from 1-3 p.m., starting at Hill and Ord Streets. In addition, throughout the day, there will be a photo booth, Chinese artisans and calligraphy, candy sculpture, face painting, dance performances, a craft and vintage market, craft beer garden, gourmet food trucks, a music stage, pop-up food booths, strolling performers, and a culinary stage with Chinese food demonstrations.
And finally, at 1:30 on Saturday afternoon, the LaunchLA gallery, 170 S. La Brea, will host an Artist Dialogue & Exhibition Walk-Through for its current show of works by Holly Elander (paintings from her series “Solitary Shadows” and “Their Home”) and Christine Rasmussen (“Fenomenal” paintings). Elander earned her BFA in Communications Design from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and currently lives and works in Los Angeles. Rasmussen graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.A. in Art Practice (with Honors) and Peace & Conflict Studies. Now based in Los Angeles, she has exhibited in California, Texas and Vietnam, and her works are in private collections in the United States, Europe, Africa and Asia.
On Sunday, Public Radio fans can head over to the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 W. Washington Blvd., for a 5:30 p.m. performance of the KPCC radio show “Unheard LA – Live in Mid-City (ep. 4).  The show will feature host Bruce A. Lemon, Jr., with “an eclectic mix of community storytellers from across Southern California,” including Alex Alpharaoh, Bella Cosper, Andre Echave, Cheryl Farrell, Julayne Lee, Johanna Middleton, Dante Mitchell, Akela Munsey, Erica Rey and Irene Sanchez. There will also be a mixer after the show, where attendees can meet and mingle with the performers. Tickets are free, but RSVPs are required at https://kpcc.ticketleap.com/unheard-la–live-in-mid-city-ep-4/
Also on Sunday evening, auto racing and Steve McQueen fans can enjoy a 6:30 p.m. screening of The Man and Le Mans at the Petersen Museum. McQueen – both a superstar actor and a prolific racer – was known as the “King of Cool,” and in 1970 began production of his dream project, Le Mans, a film about the famed 24-hour race. Problems developed immediately, with budget issues, on-set rivalries, and personal issues threatening the whole endeavor. “Steve McQueen: The Man and Le Mans” explores this story through recently uncovered footage and McQueen’s personal recordings. Tickets are free for Petersen members, and $5 per couple for non-members. See the link above for details and tickets.
Finally, one more heads up about Metro’s big 10-day closure of Wilshire Blvd., from Western to Manhattan Place, which starts tonight at 9 p.m. and continues until 6 a.m. on Monday, February 26, to prepare the area for Purple Line subway construction. Full details of street closures, detours, bus route changes and more are available at https://www.metro.net/projects/notices/notice_purpleline1_WilshireWestern/
Have a great weekend!
