Another big, busy weekend this week, with wonderful fall weather that should make it a pleasure to be out and about enjoying everything.
The first big event, starting at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, is actually located in Lincoln Heights, in East LA, but will definitely be of interest to anyone living in one of our local historic neighborhoods. It’s the LA Historic Neighborhoods Conference, sponsored by the Los Angeles Conservancy and the Los Angeles Department of City Planning’s Office of Historic Resources. This year, the conference will focus on the intersection of historic preservation, affordable housing and the challenge of increasing the housing supply. The event, which will take place at Abraham Lincoln High School, 3501 N Broadway, 90031, will include expert presentations, interactive workshops and dialogue with community stakeholders. It’s perfect for anyone interested in neighborhood conservation, with topics including including preserving multi-family housing, engaging youth in preservation, protecting legacy businesses, and more…including a selection of day-end walking tours, based on different themes and nearby neighborhoods. There will also be opportunities to discuss specific issues in your own neighborhood. (For full descriptions of specific panels, workshops and tours, see https://www.laconservancy.org/neighborhoods-conference-sessions-and-walking-tours )
Next up, for some seasonal fun, the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood is presenting 25th anniversary screenings of Hocus Pocus, the fun, family-friendly film in which a group of teens try to prevent a coven of witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy) in a spooky old house from becoming immortal. Weekend showtimes are 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 9:45 p.m. See the link above for tickets and more information.
Closer to home, the Wilshire Branch Library, 149 N. St. Andrews Pl., will hold its monthly book sale on Saturday, starting at 11:00 am. There will be lots of great book bargains – many under $1 – and refreshments will also be available for sale.
Back in 1986, an arson fire devastated Los Angeles’ Central Library. After a second fire, and several years of restoration efforts (which sparked a larger new historic preservation spirit in the city), the Library triumphantly reopened in October, 1993. And this weekend, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, the Library is celebrating the 25th anniversary of that wonderful landmark with two full days of free free lectures, performances and more. For the full schedule see the event link above.
A bit closer to home, the big annual Fall Festival returns to The Original Farmers Market, also with two full days of special events and programming for all ages, on Saturday and Sunday. It’s billed as “a family-friendly weekend jam-packed with crafts, games, live music, a petting zoo and much more.” Specific attractions include “kid-sized, pedal-powered tractor pull competitions; an animal-friendly petting zoo with creatures of all varieties, including bunnies and goats; world-famous All-Alaskan Pig Races, featuring flat-track racing and hurdling pigs; arts and crafts for kids and adults alike, including a Harvest Knot Workshop with American Straw, and a classic “no hands” pie-eating contest sponsored by Du-par’s.” Mr. Jack O’ Lantern’s Game Zone, will also feature pumpkin bowling, candy corn hole, pumpkin decorating, pumpkin putting, an R.I.P. ring toss and pumpkin knock. And there will also be lots of free live music from country, western and rockabilly bands. See this link for the full schedule of performances, events and more.
For those looking for some quieter, more creative activities, check out the Pine & Coil: Pine Needle Basket Workshop with Lisa Young, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Craft and Folk Art Museum. Artist and designer Lisa Young, from LKLY Designs, leads an introductory coil basketry workshop. Learn basic coiling and binding techniques using pine needles, cotton thread, and beeswax to create a unique vessel. The cost is $160 or $150 for CAFAM members (including materials). See https://cafam.formstack.com/forms/pine_coil for details and registration.
After lunch on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. at Holman United Methodist Church, 3320 W. Adams Blvd., you might want to check in at the Neighborhood Council Sustainability Alliance election forum to learn more about two sustainability-related issues that will be on the November ballot: Charter Amendment B, which would pave the way for a public bank in the City of Los Angeles…and Measure W, which would encourage better stormwater capture in Los Angeles County. Speakers on the issues will include Lauren Ahkiam—Director, Water Project, LAANE (Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy), Madeline Merritt—Public Bank Los Angeles, Jay Handal—Co-Chair, Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates, and Pamela Manning—Community and Government Relations Representative, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. There will also be updates from NCSA committees and member representatives.
Later, starting at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, LACMA will present a free screening of “A Grande Sortie,” a short film by Los Angeles based filmmaker and photographer, Alex Prager, who was commissioned by the Paris Opera Ballet to tell the story of a prima ballerina. The film’s score, sampled from Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring,” was composed by Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, with choreography created in collaboration with the Paris Opera Ballet, partially adapted from Creative Director Benjamin Millipied’s iconic piece, “Amoveo.” Shot in the landmark Ópera Bastille, the film is set during opening night of ballerina Cozette’s return to the stage after an unexplained hiatus. The screening will be followed by a talk with Prager and LACMA CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director, Michael Govan, followed by a reception and book signing.
For another interesting film opportunity, just across the street, the Petersen Museum will present a screening of Robert Williams: Mr. Bitchin,’ starting at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. A prolific artist, Williams worked on the fringes of the traditional art scene, was schooled in Southern California hot rod culture and became a leader in the world of underground comics and the Lowbrow art movement. In 1994, he, with others, started Juxtapoz Magazine, providing a forum for artists who had previously been isolated from the mainstream contemporary art world. Admission to the event is free, but standard parking rates apply. Light refreshments will be served.
Finally on Saturday evening, Alexandria House, a transitional housing shelter for women and women with children, will host its second annual SpeakEasy and Casino Night fundraiser, starting at 7 p.m. at the St. Sophia Cathedral, 1324 S. Normandie Ave. This “party with a purpose” includes casino games (poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, bingo and more), along with a buffet supper, cash bar, silent auction and raffle. Tickets are $95 per person, which includes $50.00 in gaming chips, the buffet dinner and a drink ticket. For more information, contact [email protected] or see https://www.alexandriahouse.org/casinonight_20181013
On Sunday, and providing a nice bookend to the historic neighborhoods conference that opens the weekend, the last big event this week is the Windsor Square-Hancock Park Historical Society’s annual home tour, this year featuring Legacies of Lucerne. The self-guided tour, which starts at 1 p.m., features six historic homes on Lucerne Blvd. in Windsor Square, as well as a large silent auction featuring donations from local businesses, and a selection of fine wines. For more information, see the Buzz’s story from earlier this week. Tickets are $75 for the General Public and $65 for WSHPHS members (join the WSHPHS and you’ll get the $65 discounted rate with your membership). Full time students 23 and under with ID can attend for $25, and children under 12 are free. While advance reservations are encouraged through the WSHPHS link above, credit cards and cash will also be accepted at the event.
Have a great weekend!
