It looks like a pretty low-key weekend in mid-town L.A. this week, which makes it a perfect time to check out the Friends’ of John C. Fremont Library’s monthly book sale, today (Saturday, September 10), from 12-5 p.m. The library is located at 6121 Melrose Ave. (cross street June), with a small parking lot and street parking available. Most books are priced between $.10 and $1, so come and find some terrific bargains!
For more shopping, both Saturday and Sunday, check out UniqueLA‘s Fall Market on the 10th floor at the California Market Center, 110 E. Ninth St., downtown. Billed as a “large-scale, modern popup market,” it features a “curated group of 125 independent designers and artists, selling everything from jewelry to home decor and furniture, stationery to men’s leather goods.” Tickets are $12 online or $15 at the door (kids 12 and under are free). In addition to the other vendors, there will also be free drinks from Honest Tea and GT’s Kombucha, free DIY watercolor projects all weekend long, free photo booth portraits with Oh Snap Studios, and a kids play area. Hours are 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Secure underground parking is available at the California Market Center for a $6 flat-rate.
At roughly the same time today, from 12- 6 p.m., the Velaslavasy Panaorama, 1122 W. 24 St., invites you to a day-long street festival celebrating the re-lighting of its restored 1939 neon marquee. The festival will include “talented musicians, performers and entertainers bound to dazzle adults and children alike.” It starts with a dedication ceremony featuring city officials and neighborhood representatives. From noon to 3, the Echo Park Film Center’s Filmmobile will offer animation activities and workshops for both children and adults. There will also be live performances featuring The LA Rollers (5pm), a troupe of roller skate dancers featured in the documentary L.A. ROLL; a set by DJ Lance Rock (Yo Gabba Gabba!) and several sets of accordion music throughout the day. Food trucks, cartoonists and vendors will be available as well, including the neighborhood Nature’s Brew Coffee Cart and handicrafts from the Chiapas Project. Meanwhile, inside the theater, enjoy puppet shows by the Bob Baker Marionette Theater (12:15 p.m.), cartoon screenings throughout the day, and an illustrated lecture on the history of neon in Los Angeles by J. Eric Lynxwiler (MONA) at 4pm… along with footage from the forthcoming LA Roll documentary film. The theater events are ticketed and available on a first-come-first-served basis. The garden and grounds of the Velaslavasay Panorama will also be open all day in between the events, and visitors can relax and enjoy live ambient music from the Gazebo. Finally at 6 p.m., the façade re-dedication, neon lighting and ribbon cutting will take place with representatives of the Museum of Neon Art and Chicken Boy (of Highland Park’s renowned Future Studio) as the official master of ceremonies. The daytime portion of this event is completely free and open to the public; RSVP’s strongly recommended at http://neon2016.bpt.me
For your evening entertainment, in honor of the 50th anniversary of Star Trek, the American Cinematheque hosts a 7:30 p.m. screening of For the Love of Spock, a new documentary directed by Adam Nimoy, son of actor Leonard Nimoy, who first portrayed the famous Vulcan. The film is an “affectionate look at one of television’s most iconic characters –Mr. Spock of “Star Trek” – and the man who portrayed him.” It weaves together archival footage and new interviews with cast members from the original series and current big-screen franchise to profile the life and legacy of Leonard Nimoy. After the screening, there will be a discussion with Adam Nimoy, and Star TrekEK soundtrack releases will be available for purchase in the lobby from La-La Land Records. The program also includes a free bonus featurette, “The New Frontier: Resurrecting Star Trek.” And all ticket buyers will be eligible to win a Star Trek The Original Series Soundtrack Collection Box Set.
On Sunday, you can start your day with some refreshing yoga – and a good cause – as Knowles Karate Academy hosts a Gulf Coast Flood Relief Fundraiser. Special yoga classes on Sunday will be held on a donation basis, with 100% of the money collected going to the Gulf Coast Floods Children’s Relief Fund, a fund began by the non-profit charity “Save The Children.” Class times are 10 a.m, 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. If you can’t make it to one of the classes, but would still like to donate, you can do so directly at www.savethechildren.org. Also, please note that you do NOT have to do Yoga to participate in the fundraiser. You could just bring a coffee and watch others do yoga…as long as you donate something to the cause!
Also on Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, check out the National Drive Electric Week Event, on the South Lawn of Exposition Park (behind the Natural History Museum). The event promotes Electric Vehicles (EVs) and EV Charger Rebates by LADWP. This community event offers free test drives of the newest electric vehicles, information about EV purchase incentives, food trucks and live music. All LA residents are invited to come and learn more about all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric cars, trucks, motorcycles, and bikes. National Drive Electric Week is a nationwide celebration that promotes the benefits of EVs, and the many programs that support EVs such as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s ‘Charge Up LA’ EV charger rebate program.
Later, if you’re in a creative mood, join the folks at LACMA for Andell Family Sundays—A Family Collection: Chinese Paintings. From 12:30-3:30 p.m., you can look at, talk about, and then make your own art at this weekly family event featuring artist-led workshops and friendly gallery tours and activities. The sessions are thematically based on special exhibitions and LACMA’s permanent collection. This week’s event focuses on the special exhibition Alternative Dreams: 17th-Century Chinese Paintings from the Tsao Family Collection.
Also in the creative vein and just across the street, the Craft and Folk Art Museum will be conducting Printing with Bubbles -A CraftLab Family Workshop, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (drop in any time during that period) on Sunday. Participants will experiment with creating unique patterns on paper with dyed bubbles. Tickets are $7 adults, $5 children and free for CAFAM members
And last but not least, your weekly reminder: Wilshire Blvd. will be closed between La Brea and Highland from 8 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Monday, for Purple Line construction work. See https://www.metro.net/projects/notices/notice_purpleline_090816B/ for the full details. Local access for residents and businesses will be maintained, but if you’re going through the area to another destination, please try to use Highland, La Brea, Olympic and 6th Streets, and avoid cutting through the local residential streets. Your neighbors will appreciate it!
Have a great weekend!
