This weekend starts off with a couple of big neighborhood estate sales. The first, running today through Sunday (9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday), is at 262 S. Irving Blvd., and features “antiques, art, stacks of antique rugs, vintage toys, antique china and silver, clothing and mid century furniture pieces”…most of which, say the organizers, “have been in the home since the family moved in” in the 1940s.
The second sale, at 145 N. Arden, running today (Friday) and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is in its second week, so all items are 50% off this week. They include a 1936 Steinway and Sons grand piano, a Schafer and Sons Grand piano, antiques silk tapestries, china, Capodimonte lamps, Nikon, Minolta and Canon cameras, sheet music, vintage clothing, costume jewelry, microphones, Super 8 movie projectors, and a cuckoo clock. The organizers say they’re also opening two new rooms this weekend, with items not available at last week’s sale.
From 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, at Los Angeles Trade Technical College (Aspen Hall, TE-101), 2215 S. Grand Ave., you are also invited to provide input to Metro on its “NextGen Bus System” design. This will be an open-house-style workshop, so you can drop in any time during the three hour time span. Meet with Metro staff, learning about the study that’s been done for the new bus system, and share your thoughts on how to improve the system, including routes, frequencies, and days and times of operation. Every attendee will receive a free TAP card (while supplies last) and there will be raffles for additional Metro transit passes. For more information, visit the project page or view the workshop notice.
One of the bigger events in town this weekend is the LA Art Show, running from January 23-27 at the LA Convention Center. It’s billed as “the most comprehensive international contemporary art show in America, and promises “more than 200,000 square feet of exhibition space…committed to today’s prominent galleries,” both domestic and international. And we’ve heard that least one of our local galleries, LaunchLA, will have a presence at the event.
Later, back in the Miracle Mile, the Petersen Museum will celebrate the Rolex 24 at Daytona race, with a special live screening, panel discussion, simulator event, reception and dinner, from 3 – 6 p.m. on Saturday. Featured speakers include Dennis Aase, Jim Busby, George Dyer, Rick Knoop, John Morton, and Les Unger. Drivers attending include Wayne Baker, Bruce Canepa, Joey Cavaglier, Clayton Cunningham, Brad Frisselle, Jeff Kline, Michael Leven, John Paul Jr., Alwin Springer, and Dave Wolin. And vehicles featured at the event will include a 1974 Datsun 240Z, a 1981 Kremer Porsche 935 K4 IMSA GTP, a 1984 Porsche 962-001, 1991 Toyota Eagle GTP MK-III, and a 2005 Riley DP – Lowe’s #12. Tickets are $99, or $89 for museum members. See the link above for tickets.
Just a bit later, from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday at the Craft Contemporary (the former, recently re-named Craft and Folk Art Museum), there will be an opening reception for the museum’s three new exhibitions. The first is “Beatriz Cortez: Trinidad/Joy Station,” in which Los Angeles-based artist Cortez “imagines a future communal life that combines the geodesic dome architecture of post-war utopian communities in the United States with the collective living practices of the ancient Maya in what is present-day El Salvador. The second new show is “Focus Iran 3: Contemporary Photography and Video,” which is “the third exhibition in this juried biennial series that features photography and video works that relate to Iranian culture. This iteration features works by an international selection of artists offering a range of perspectives about youth culture in Iran or the Iranian diaspora. Organized in collaboration with Farhang Foundation.” And, finally, the third new exhibit is “Beatriz Cortez and Rafa Esparza: Nomad 13,” described as “an unconventional space capsule built from adobe bricks and steel,” which “houses a garden of plants that are indigenous to the Americas and were cultivated by the Inca, Maya, and Aztec civilizations.”
On Sunday, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Knowles Karate Academy, 4378 W. Third St., will hold a women’s self-defense workshop as a fundraiser for Alexandria House, which provides transitional housing services for women and children. The cost is $25, and participants will learn leverage-based self-defense techniques, as well as simple, effective strikes. 100% of the proceeds will go to Alexandria House. For more information, see https://www.facebook.com/events/2260304514295477/ and/or http://www.knowleskarateacademy.com/events/
Meanwhile, for your youngest family members, come celebrate the Birthday of the Trees at the Westside Jewish Community Center‘s annual Tu B’Shevat Festival. From 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., on Sunday, you’ll find food, games, crafts, a moon bounce, an organic farmers’ market, pony rides (weather permitting), a petting zoo (ditto), free tree giveaways, and a silent auction that benefits the Early Childhood Program at the JCC. The event is appropriate for the whole family, admission is free, and it will be held rain or shine. For a glimpse at past events, and to see what you can expect this year, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MakyUzE14JM&feature=youtu.be
Later, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Sunday, join Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer as he hosts a special “THRIVE!” event and panel discussion at Holman United Methodist Church, 3320 W. Adams Blvd., focusing on aging and “how all of us can stay active, healthy and productive for many years to come.” Panelists include the the Rev. Marguerite Phillips, HUMC’s Minister of Congregational Care and Support Ministries, Dr. Daniel Stone, a Gerontologist from Cedars Sinai; and Susan Strick, an aging expert from Feuer’s office, who will talk about online safety, avoiding consumer scams and legal issues for seniors. Refreshments and a Q&A session will also be included. Please note, though, that while the event is free and open to the public, RSVPs are required at (213) 978-8026.
And finally on Sunday, from 2-6 p.m., for those who love Hollywood and entertainment history, author Chris Nichols (who also writes the popular “Ask Chris” column for Los Angeles magazine), will speak about his new book, “Walt Disney’s Disneyland,” at the Hollywood Heritage Museum, 2100 N. Highland Ave. The book is described as a “bountiful visual history includ[ing] stunning color photographs, concept drawings, as well as ephemera from the historical collections of the Walt Disney Company and the golden age of photojournalism, to trace the park’s development and immersive world of magic and wonder, from Main Street, U.S.A. to Tomorrowland.” It covers the history of the park from concept through design, construction and six decades of operations.
Have a great weekend!
