Art, film, food, cars…and a big parade. All good options for your holiday weekend.
Starting with the art, the LA Art Show: Modern|Contemporary, at the LA Convention Center, is worth checking out this weekend. Last year, the self-described “fulcrum for art commerce, connecting galleries, artists, curators and collectors” drew nearly 70,000 attendees and the organizers are hoping this year’s event will be even bigger. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 to 5 on Sunday.
Now that we’ve had some rain (and then some), things are growing again, and many people are thinking about their gardens. At 2 p.m. on Saturday, the John C. Fremont Library, 6161 Melrose Ave., will be hosting a free California Native Plant Horticulture Program, featuring Lili Singer of the Theodore Payne Foundation. Singer, an award-winning horticulturist, educator, writer and host of KCRW’s “The Garden Show,” will cover the essentials of gardening with California flora, why natives are valuable, and plant communities…along with planting techniques, establishment, irrigation, pruning and ongoing maintenance.
For film fans, there are a couple of highlights on Saturday. First, the African American Film Marketplace and S. E. Manly Short Film Showcase runs this weekend at a couple of local venues. From 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, at Raleigh Studios, the BHERC Youth Diversity Short Film Festival presents 23 films by young filmmakers of tomorrow. From noon to 8 p.m., at the same venue, there will be screenings of 68 short films by emerging African American filmmakers, along with a Q&A session with casts and crew. Then, on Sunday, at 8 p.m.,”Films with a Purpose” presents the Los Angeles premiere of “Wild Roots” by Sir Wormley, “Child Support” by Alcee Walker, and an encore presentation of “Forgiveness” by Satie Gossett…all at Harmony Gold Preview House, 7655 Sunset Blvd. And finally, on Sunday, from noon to 8 p.m., there will be more screenings of the 68 short films, more Q&A, and a closing night soul food reception. See the link above for ticket information for all events.
Later this evening, don’t forget that DineLA Restaurant Week started yesterday…which means great prix fixe menus at many of your local (and non-local) favorite restaurants. Check out the full list at https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/dinela-los-angeles-restaurant-week/ .
After an early dinner, you could cap the evening with a free film screening at LACMA. “When We Rise,” showing at the museum’s Bing Theater at 7:30 p.m., chronicles the real-life personal and political struggles, set-backs and triumphs of a diverse family of LGBT men and women who helped pioneer one of the last legs of the U.S. civil rights movement, from its turbulent infancy in the 20th century to the once unfathomable successes of today. Created and written by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Guy Pearce, Mary-Louise Parker, Rachel Griffiths, Ivory Aquino, and Michael K. Williams. Both Van Sant and Black will be there for a discussion as well.
On Sunday, the Petersen Museum’s monthly Cruise In event returns at 9 a.m. on the third floor of the museum’s parking structure, this month celebrating car designer Carroll Shelby’s birthday with “some of the fastest, rarest and most beloved Shelbys of all time.” All car enthusiasts are welcome to participate in the car show and contest. Awards will be given for Best-In-Show, Petersen Perfection, and People’s Choice. The most historically authentic car will receive The Petersen Perfection Award. Petersen members will also have early access to the museum from 9am–10am.
Later, you can bring the whole family to Think Big, one of LACMA’s Andell Family Sundays events, featuring artist-led workshops and family-friendly gallery tours and activities based on LACMA’s collections and exhibits. This week, drop in any time between 12:30 and 3:30 p.m., for a look at artist Toba Khedoori’s “really big” art. Khedoori’s mural-sized paper paintings feature realistically drawn architectural elements and ordinary objects, like a chair or a door, “floating” in white space…along with unexpected evidence from her studio like dog hair or footprints. Sunday’s workshop will help participants explore Khedoori’s art through dancing, drawing, and a group project. Admission is free with museum general admission. (Note: children must be accompanied by an adult).
After the workshop, you could hang around a while for some music in LACMA’s Bing theater. At 6 p.m. members of the Capitol Ensemble, (Phillip Levy (violin), Benjamin Ullery (viola), and Clive Greensmith (cello)) will perform Mozart: Divertimento in E-flat, K. 563. Hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as the top classical performer of 1995, Phillip Levy has received worldwide critical acclaim at festivals that include Spoleto, Bayreuth, Edinburgh, Israel, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Ojai, Seattle, and Aspen. His collaborators have included such artists as Sir Yehudi Menuhin, Iona Brown, Sir Neville Marriner, Dawn Upshaw, John O’Conor, Ralf Gothoni, and Lynn Harrell. For eight years he held a Senior Lectureship in violin and chamber music at Stanford University and led the Stanford String Quartet, with whom he performed and recorded extensively. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Levy is on the faculty at California State University Long Beach. The event is free and open to the public.
Finally, since this is a three-day holiday weekend for most of us, a couple of bonus events for Monday, both honoring the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
First, as previously reported, local volunteer and community service organization Big Sunday will host its 5th Annual MLK Day Clothing Collection & Community Breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon at 6111 Melrose Ave. For several weeks, volunteers have been collecting all kinds of clothing for all kinds of disadvantaged and grateful people…and on Monday more volunteers will count, sort, and fold the donations…and enjoy breakfast together. See the link above for details and to sign up.
For an even bigger and more direct celebration of Dr. King, there’s the 32nd annual Kingdom Day Parade starting at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and S. Western Ave., then proceeding and W. 48th St. to Crenshaw Blvd. and on to Leimert Park. Organized by the Congress of Racial Equality of California, this is the biggest such parade in the country, and its theme this year is “Now More Than Ever, We All Must Work Together.”
Have a great weekend!
