The City Prolific: Weekend Events April 21 – 23
It’s spring, and you know what that means: summer is almost here! LA’s seasons are differentiated by event offerings. Summer is all about the outdoors: outdoor screenings, art walks, festivals, and music. And it gets started early.
FRIDAY, APRIL 21
Jazz AT LACMA
The 2017 Jazz at LACMA concert series begins this Friday night at 6 pm. Featuring composer and arranger Gordon Goodwin and his Big Phat Band, the concert is free and open to the public. takes place at the museum’s Grand Entrance.
Free
6pm
LACMA
5905 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles 90036
37th Annual Los Angeles Times Book Prizes
Join many of the world’s most distinguished authors at the 37th annual Los Angeles Times Book Prizes. Hosted by Tig Notaro, it’s bound to be an entertaining night honoring the best books and writers of the year.
$10
7pm
USC’s Bovard Auditorium
6TH Annual Book Drop Bash
Join Library Foundation of Los Angeles members and LA Times Festival of Books authors at the historic Central Library for the foundation’s 25th anniversary celebration. Bring a book to swap, enjoy snacks, desserts, local brews, delicious coffee and a tequila tasting while listening to a KCRW DJ.
Los Angeles Central Library
Saturday, April 22, 8-11 p.m.
SATURDAY, APRIL 22
LA State Historic Park Grand Opening
Architecture firm Hargreaves Associates won a design competition held for the park in 2006. Twelve years later, Los Angeles State Historic Park is ready to unveil itself as a world-class park. Situated just outside of Chinatown, this 32-acres of open space features drought-tolerant design and natural pathways. Celebrate the grand opening with musical performances, activities, and food trucks. The Downtown LA skyline rises dramatically in the near distance. The park is easily accessible by the Chinatown Gold Line Station or by bicycle. Limited parking in the park.
Free
Los Angeles State Historic Park
1245 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Art Opening: A History of Violence
Building Bridges Art Foundation presents Melanie Pullen: A History of Violence, a solo show of select artwork by Pullen. The exhibition features select pieces from the artist’s photographic series spanning nearly two decades. The works examine the ways entertainment and the media have lessened the impact of violence, trauma and social conflict.
Free
12-6:30 pm
Building Bridges Art Exchange
Bergamot Station
2525 Michigan Ave, Ste F2
Santa Monica, California 90404
Record Store Day
On the 10th anniversary of Record Store Day, head to one of the participating record stores and pick up a special release, like the Leonard Cohen tribute album A Drunk In A Midnight Choir – one of Record Store Day’s first actual label releases. Or shop any number of sales or attend any number of events – every Record Store day location celebrates in a different way.
Free
All day
Check the website for participating stores.
Museum of Ice Cream
This event is pricier than most I typically post (usually I steer clear of events over $10). But opening weekend of the much-anticipated Museum of Ice Cream seems worthy of consideration, even on a budget. Featuring a very Instagrammable sprinkle pool (with 100 million sprinkles), a banana split with 10,000 bananas, and a mint grow house, get ready to see the Museum of Ice Cream blow up your social media. The museum will only be up from April 22 to May 29. It’ll showcase a “scoop of the week” from ice creameries in California, including McConnell’s, Salt & Straw, Coolhaus x Cuisinart and CREAM. Tickets must be purchased in advance; they’re not sold at the door. Two ice creams are included with the ticket prices.
Adult: (ages 13+) $29; children ages 3-12 and seniors 60+ are $18
2018 E 7th Place
Los Angeles, CA 90021
Renew: Reuse, Recycle, Restyle at Angel City
Bring your gently used clothes to Angel City Brewery for the third annual Renew Earth Day celebration. All donations go to toSt. Vincent de Paul of Los Angeles (SVdPLA). Vintage racks and decor pieces from SVdPLA will be sold onsite. Donors will get raffle tickets for great prizes. Angel City beer, food trucks and live music (from The Howling Faith, The Vignes Rooftop Revival and Silverlake Trio) will be available throughout the day.
Free
12-6 pm
Angel City Brewery
216 South Alameda
SUNDAY, APRIL 23
Art Opening: COLA 20
Celebrating the first 20 years of the city of Los Angeles’ (COLA) Individual Artist Fellowship Program and its 271 visual, performing and literary artists / artist-duo recipients, view works by a long list of LA artists. Presented by Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs’ (DCA) and LAMAG (Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery),which is one of the country’s last municipal galleries. The exhibition will remain on view through July 2.
Free
2-5 pm
LAMAG
4800 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027
ALL WEEKEND
LA Times Festival of Books
One of my fave events of the year is here! Incredible authors of all genres descend upon the USC campus to talk about my favorite things: books, writing, film and theater.
Free
Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
University of Southern California
Check the website for transit info and a schedule of events.