Lots going on this weekend!
On Saturday, you can start the day with some great free films – with an environmental focus – as the KCET Earth Focus Environmental Film Festival runs all day at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, starting at 10:30 a.m. The event features “five acclaimed documentaries tackling the most important and relevant global environmental issues today.” Celebrity environmental activists (including Sharon Lawrence, Ed Begley, Jr. and Raphael Sbarge), will introduce each film, and there will be post-screening dialogues with the filmmakers. The full-day festival will also showcase “green” organizations in Los Angeles, with informational booths set up in the Egyptian courtyard. Admission is free, but seating is limited and will likely fill up, so RSVP to [email protected] or dial 747-201-5816, leaving your name, contact info. and number in your party.
Later, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, check out Mr. Holmes Bakehouse on Larchmont Blvd., where they’ll be teaming up with San Francisco’s Smitten Ice Cream to feature scoops of Smitten’s vanilla, fresh-picked strawberry, or brown sugar flavors packed into a Mr. Holmes cruffin cone.
Over at the Craft and Folk Art Museum, in Miracle Mile, those in a crafty mood can attend Strong and Versatile: Japanese Handmade Paper and Paper Thread Talk and Demonstration with Hiroko Karuno, being held twice on Saturday, at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. The master spinner, dyer, and weaver will present a slide lecture on the process of washi (Japanese handmade paper) making, and will demonstrate the intricate method of producing kami-ito (paper thread) from a sheet of washi, and how to prepare it for weaving. The event is free with museum admission, but space is limited, so RSVP to [email protected].
For more Japanese fun, try the Higashi Obon Festival, at the Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple in Downtown LA, running both Saturday and Sunday from 1-9 p.m. Obon is a traditional Japanese Buddhist celebration honoring the spirits of the ancestors. The free festival is open to everyone and features food vendors, a farmer’s market, cultural performances, children’s games and prizes, and tea ceremony demonstrations. And everyone – even newcomers – are highly encouraged to join in the traditional Bon Odori dancing.
At 2 p.m., back in Miracle Mile, LACMA will host a talk by Susan T. Goodman, senior curator emerita of The Jewish Museum in New York, on The Fragmented Years of Marc Chagall The discussion will address the artist’s importance in the story of modern art, including how images and experiences from his early years in Vitebsk, Russia, were perpetuated and provided inspiration for his life. Chagall’s wide-ranging geographical travels and the upheavals caused by seismic historical events will also be considered as they framed and determined his artistic output. The talk is free and open to the public.
Also at 2 p.m., the John C. Fremont Library, 6121 Melrose Ave., will host its monthly BARK event. BARK is an all-volunteer program that encourages children to increase their reading skills and self-confidence by reading aloud to certified therapy dogs. Studies show that reading to these dogs actually leads to improvement in reading skills. All the dogs are specially trained to work with children, and the owner is present at all times. All ages welcome and, of course, this and all other library programs are always free.
On Sunday, the morning starts with the Petersen Museum’s monthly Breakfast Club Cruise-In, from 8-10 a.m. on the third floor of the museum’s parking structure. Enjoy strolling through rows of classic, custom, exotic cars, trucks, motorcycles and more. Complimentary parking, coffee and bagels are provided to all attendees, and museum members will have Early Access to the museum from 9–10 a.m. by by showing their membership cards. RSVP at the link above.
At noon on Sunday, and just up the block, the Craft and Folk Art Museum will host a Master Class with Hiroko Karuno: Making Paper Thread, from 12-6 p.m. In the very hands-on workshop, participants will learn the uniquely detailed method of making kami-ito from a sheet of washi, from folding the paper to spinning the paper with a drop-spindle. Space is limited to 10 participants who have experience with spinning and weaving, and advanced registration is required. For more information, or to sign up, contact [email protected].
Across the street at LACMA, starting at 12:30 p.m. and open to drop in any time until 3:30 p.m., families can enjoy Andell Family Sundays—Travel to Egypt in the museum’s central courtyard. The event features artist-led workshops, friendly gallery tours and activities thematically based on special exhibitions and LACMA’s permanent collection. For this installment, participants will visit LACMA’s permanent collection of ancient art (more than 2,000 years old!) from Egypt and the Near East. You can look for the mother and son gods Isis and Horus, a sarcophagus and mummy, and many animals like baboons, cats, and falcons…and then, after exploring, make your own art inspired by what you see.
Back at CAFAM, at 1 p.m., for more art-related fun, you can explore the world of traditional Japanese papermaking through a hands-on learning experience guided by Hiromi Paper. Using paper pulp and a suketa (papermaking mould), participants will make their very own sheet of Japanese paper. This is a free drop-in workshop open to the public.
For something a bit more physical, Knowles Karate Academy, 4356 W. 3rd St., will be holding a one-day Women’s Self Defense workshop from 3-5 p.m. Participants will learn and practice 2 Standing, 1 Ground, and 2 Strike techniques in a safe, positive, supportive environment. The cost is $20 and the workshop is limited to 25 participants, so RSVP to the link above if you’d like to attend.
As the day winds down on Sunday, the American Cinematheque will screen two period-piece movies by director Peter Greenaway, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Egyptian Theater. “The Draughtsman’s Contract” is a stylish and beautifully rendered murder mystery set on a rural English country estate in 1694…and “Prospero’s Books” is a highly imaginative retelling of Shakespeare’s The Tempest starring John Gielgud. There will be a panel discussion between films with Draughtsman’s actress Suzan Crowley, cinematographer Curtis Clark and makeup artist Lois Burwell, moderated by Art Directors Guild production designer Thomas A. Walsh.
And finally on this busy weekend, music fans will enjoy the Johnny Ramone Tribute 2017 at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery (doors open at 6:30 p.m.; show starts at 7:15). This is Linda Ramone’s annual tribute to punk rock legend Johnny Ramone, and it’s billed as “a very fun event celebrating some cool things Johnny loved, like cult films, horror movies, collectibles and rock n’ roll.” This year’s event features a screening of one of Johnny’s favorite films, 1998’s cult classic Buffalo ’66, introduced by its eccentric star and director Vincent Gallo, who was Johnny’s very close and personal friend. In addition to the film screening, the there will be an exhibition of some rare and never-before-seen Ramones memorabilia from Johnny and Tommy Ramone’s collection, with Ramones art by Shepard Fairey, Lucas David and Shag. Billy Idol and Steve Jones will play some acoustic songs. There will also be a pop-up gallery from Morrison Hotel Gallery, DJ services by the incredible Howie Pyro, food trucks and special celebrity guests including Fred Armisen, Rosanna Arquette, and many more…as well as a short ceremony to honor Johnny and Linda’s beloved friend Chris Cornell, who has been laid to rest right next to Johnny. Tickets are $20 in advance, or $25 on the day of the event and at the gate. Kids under 12 are free.
Have a great weekend!
