Category Archives: attractions

Day 30: Pacific Standard Time and Public Arts Festival

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Spine of the Earth, 1980, Lita Albuquerque. Ephemeral installation at El Mirage Dry Lake Bed, CA Photo: Lita Albuquerque © Lita Albuquerque Studio, 1980

 www.PacificStandardTimeFestival.org

Pacific Standard Time: Celebrating art in L.A. 1945-1980 and the Public Arts Festival are collaborating from January 19-29, 2012.  This eleven day festival lineup promises to be a contrast of visual works staged in public venues and underground works in less grand spaces.  Many events will feature L.A.’s music and theater.  Personally, I’m thinking about checking out Punk Rock at MOCA…

Day 29: Seussical the Musical

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http://morgan-wixson.org/?page_id=722

Wondering what to do with your kids for the next few weekends?  Take them to the Morgan Wixson Theater in Santa Monica for a children’s theater production of Seussical the Musical.  I took my eleven year old two weeks ago to watch her friend perform in it and it was good fun!  The costumes and props were colorful and talented kids singing and dancing provided a great way to spend a rainy day.  There were some really young kids in the audience and I have to say, this show kept their attention from beginning to end.  It’s only running throught Dec. 17th so go online and get your tickets now!

Day 26: Dia De Los Muertos

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http://www.olvera-street.com/html/dia_de_los_muertos.html

In case you missed this year’s crowning event at Hollywood Forever, there is still time to celebrate Dia De Los Muertos this week at Olvera Street .

Not to be confused with Halloween, it is a day for honoring our beloved ones who have passed.  This ancient Mexican tradtions brings together family, friends and loved ones.  So check out the calaveras, the alters and bring your stories of deceased loved ones to share.

Day 24: The Getty Villa

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http://www.getty.edu/visit/

Not in the mood to fight the Mother’s Day brunch crowds today?  Why not postpone your celebration for this Thursday, May 12th and take her up to The Getty Villa in Malibu for some Tea by the Sea? 

According to The Getty Website. “Tea by the Sea is a special dining experience inspired by the Mediterranean herbs, vegetables, and fruits that grow at the Villa. Feast on a Mediterranean-inspired menu of sweet and savory sandwiches and pastries, along with fruits, cheeses, and a varied selection of teas. After tea, you can tour the Villa’s authentically re-created first-century Roman gardens with knowledgeable docents, then spend the rest of the afternoon savoring the Villa’s exhibitions and permanent collection.”

$36 per person.
Thursdays from 1:00-3:00
Please reserve in advance. Call (310) 440-7300 or get tickets online.

Day 23: Petersen Automotive Museum

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http://www.petersen.org/

You are going to need a bib to walk through this place. I was definitely drooling over this little hottie!  The Petersen Automotive Museum is a great place to host events or just take a stroll around and see the history of cars. 

Last time we were there, it was to go to the Gold Standard, a benefit for Heal the Bay featuring Jonathan Gold’s (L.A. Weekly’s Pulitzer Prize winning food critic) favorite L.A. restaurants. After eating ourselves silly, we decided to do a lap around the museum.  Both my dad and husband re-lived their childhood days when they saw the Helms Bakery truck. It had these beautiful wooden drawers and used to drive around L.A. delivering fresh baked good daily.  And we thought food trucks were a new thing…

Father’s day is coming up, maybe we’ll stop here, wander around and then go the Farmer’s Market for dinner???

Day 20: Natural History Museum

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www.nhm.org

The last time you visited the Natural History Museum, did you need a parent signed field-trip slip and were you riding a yellow school bus?  Re-live that childhood curiosity and plan a visit…  

Try an adults only First Fridays (next one is on May 6th). Once a month, the entire Natural History Museum stays open until 10 pm and features live music, exciting scientific discussion, and behind-the-scenes curatorial tours.  See a Mummy, explore the upcoming Dinosaur Hall, learn more about the history of California or take a stroll in the Rose Garden. 

My family loves the Hall of Mammals and the Gem and Mineral Hall.  For a special treat, check out the Pavillion of Wings from April 10th-Sept. 5th. More than 40 different butterfly and moth species and an array of plants take up residence every summer, this is a special exhibit and requires an additional entrance fee, but the kids love it!

Day 14: Earth Day at the Autry

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theautry.org

On May 1st, The Autry presents a Native American perspective on earth-friendly living. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about sustainable living in the West. There will be earth-friendly tips from backyard farmers, gardening experts, green-build architects and wildlife experts. This family friendly event also features a Kid’s planet area, where children can participate in activities and games.

Day 10: El Capitan Canyon

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O.K., this is really not in L.A., but a two hour drive North, past Santa Barbara in Goleta.  I am at my daughter’s elementary school campout.  So, not only is this not in L.A, but it’s also not camping! 

We are in a fabulous eco cabin with a king bed, duvets and a bath with shower.  There is a separate living room and the couch is folded out as a bed.  The cabin is situated on a creek and my 10 year old daughter and her friends just caught 8 frogs!  The campground is catering our meals the entire weekend and the kids are riding their bikes, playing in the dirt, walking on the rocks in the creek, climbing trees and playing outside!!  Just like we used to do as kids…   

 Tomorrow night we’re making s’mores, on a real campfire. I like my marshmallows perfectly toasted, brown on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside. Life is good.

www.elcapitancanyon.com

Day 8: LACMA

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Let’s start with the fact that I know absolutely nothing about art.  Despite having a mother who has been an artist her whole life and dragged me along to art shows and museums as a kid (notice I used the word dragged), none of the information stuck.  I know nothing about techniques, the history of the artists, the evolution of art, nada…  That being said, since art is subjective anyway, you don’t need to know anything at all to go and look.  Now I just pay attention to my reaction to the art itself; some I find repulsive, some makes me angry, some makes me laugh, others make me ponder, and some I just find beautiful…

A few years ago, when LACMA opened the Broad Contemporary Art Museum, we decided to take the kids to see the Jeff Koons exhibit.  We thought this would be a good first step for all of us since his art is so whimsical and fun.  To our pleasant surprise, the kids were given free memberships that are valid until they are 18 years old and the accompanying adult gets in free!  The program is called NexGen, so bring those kiddies with you for a free day at the museum!

We went a few weeks ago during our school spring break and had a light lunch at the Stark Bar, a contemporary setting in the courtyard between the buildings.  We shared a burrata appetizer and a mushroom and truffle oil flatbread.  It was a lovely afternoon and I am looking forward to going back.   The kids are looking forward to seeing the Tim Burton exhibit that starts at the end of April.  No more dragging along for me. I want to go, my kids want to go and it’s free.  Thanks Mom, I guess a bit of it sunk in after all!

http://www.lacma.org/

Day 7: California Heritage Museum

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An official city landmark since 1979, go check out all things California in a wonderful old Craftsman in Santa Monica.  The home was originally situated on Ocean Ave. and was built for the son of the  founder of Santa Monica, Roy Jones.  Today it is located on Main St. and Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica.  From fiesta ware, to skateboards, to movie stills, there is a little something for everyone who has an interest in California history.  Tuesday nights from 5:30-9:30 there are gourmet food trucks that benefit the museum and Sunday mornings there is a wonderful farmer’s market.  Both feature free bicycle valet, so peddle on down and get your grub on!

www.CaliforniaHeritageMuseum.org