What, no driving in Los Angeles? Ditch that SUV, or for you Westsiders; your Prius, for your bike, skates or just plain walking shoes. Ciclavia returns April 21st, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. and will transform Venice Blvd. from downtown L.A. to the Sea. Bring your kids, dogs and smiles…
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…
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!
There really are perks to being the early bird… We went to the newly opened Milo & Olive this morning to celebrate my Dad’s birthday (breakfast is his favorite meal). These are the same people who brought us Huckleberry, Sweet Rose Creamery, and Rustic Canyon. In other words YUM! While waiting for our Baked Farm Egg’s and Prosciutto and Gruyere Quiche’s (both delicious), the co-owner Josh Loeb brought us over some samples from the bakery section. Among the baked goods we tasted, which were all sublime, there was a butternut, rosemary and fleur de sal flatbread cake that was a stand-out. My advice, go now before the crowds find out they’re open and forget about not eating carbs, there are times when you just have to surrender!
A few years ago, 2002 to be exact and way before I learned to Yelp… I was tired of the high attitude, high cost salons (which shall remain nameless) where the stylists kept staring at themselves in the mirror while pretending to be interested in you and your hair. Then I found a local directory book called Moxly Head to Toe: The Guide to Beauty. In it, there was a listing for Vox Salon in Ocean Park. Moxly’s description “…continues to cater to high-end, low-maintenence women who want to look good without spending a lot of time and money doing so.” That suited me perfectly and Carmine has been tending to my tresses ever since! At this Bumble and Bumble salon, everyone is talented and super friendly. Their prices are reasonable and it feels like the whole neighborhood goes there. Check them out, you will not be disappointed!
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.
In the mood to look at some art, have a meal and do a little shopping? Hop on down to Royal/T in Culver City… This cafe/gallery/store is a playful mix of all three and bills itself as L.A.’s first Japanese style cosplay cafe’. Meaning, there are adorable young asian waitresses in full French maid regalia. It would be worth one stop just to see it, but the food is so yummy and reasonably priced, we go all the time. The contemporary art rotates which also makes for an element of surprise each visit. And for those who want to party but can’t stand the thought of sweaty bodies rubbing up against you? Step into this Porta Party complete with disco ball and iPod jack. Party for one please!
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.
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???
You don’t have to be a Secret Millionaire to give back. Anyone who has been watching that show cannot help but be touched by the gratitude that springs forth from both the giver and recipient. On May 14th and 15th, Big Sunday returns with thousands of volunteers spreading out around the city to build community through community service. At Keller Williams Santa Monica, we are doing our own day of service at John Adams Middle School on May 12th http://tinyurl.com/3osmqbw
You are welcome to join us or click on the Big Sunday weblink above to learn about other opportunities to be of service.
I can say without hesitation, that I feel the best about myself when I am doing something good for others and community service has been a wonderful lesson in compassion for my family.
365 Things To Do in Los Angeles 