Results tagged “fun”

Three international movies are screening today at the Egyptian as part of Filmforum/AFI Fest. At 4:30 it's Los Herederos from Mexicao with A Letter to Uncle Boonmee from Thailand and at 7:30 The Anchorage from Sweden. Admission is free, but you have to secure your tickets via AFI. [Ticket info]

Per this event's host, Out of the Box, Los Angeles is the 7th most haunted city in the country. How does one measure this, do you think? Highest incidence of apparition sightings? Most vampire paraphernalia? Highest population of creepy people? We have no idea, but you can discover all there is to know about haunted Hollywood as you run between various hotels, theaters and secret locations on this hair-raising hunt. No EMF meters required, but a flashlight is recommended. Call 323.799.1374 to register.

Head down to Olvera Street this evening to see the first night of nine that is the celebration of Dia de Los Muertos. See how the tradition of celebrating and honoring the lives of the dead is carried out in colorful displays. On the plaza you can experience face painting, street theater performances, strolling mariachi bands, Aztec dancers, puppets, ballet folklorico and other fun family activities. Dia De Los Muertos community altars will also be on display in the plaza and in the various shops on Olvera Street. Tonight, and every night through November 2, you can see a candlelight procession at 7 p.m.

For a dose of true local culture this weekend, consider this poetry festival hosted by the Pasadena Public Library. Now in its third year, this poetry powwow honors the most distinguished local poets from both the past and present, with guests reading not only their own poems but the works of their predecessors as well. The event will feature Laurel Ann Bogen presenting the work of Eloise Klein Healy, Ron Koertge presenting the work of Steve Kowit, and BH Fairchild reading Henri Coulette and Robert Mezey. 3 p.m., free.

Okay so maybe these hot hot temps have eclipsed any indication we had earlier this week that this is, in fact, October. But the calendar doesn't lie--and it's time to fete the great pumpkin. Today from 10 a.m .to 5 p.m head over to Juan Bautista de Anza Park (3701 Lost Hills Rd) in Calabasas for the Pumpkin Festival. Regale all things pumpkin, from pumpkin food and beer to crafts and carving.

If you consider the '68 Camaro a work of art, then this street festival is for you. Today the city of Santa Monica provides a backdrop for an auto show that not only features classic cars but music, glass-blowing, ceramics, painting, poetry, photography, wood carving, sculpture and jewelry making as well. Hop on one of the two double-decker Skyline Tour buses that will run up and down the street to ensure you take it all in. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. today at Pico and Centinela.

Fans of chocolate, listen up! Get thee to Pasadena's Convention Center today between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. where for $25 you can sample chocolates from several of the state's premier chocolate-makers at the Luxury Chocolate Salon. Confections, truffles, bars, dessert treats, and other chocolatey goodness await you and your appetite. Meet the makers, taste until you're full, and shop a little for your holiday gift lists (and that secret stash of chocolate we know you keep). Although LAist is skipping the sweetness this year, we've had a tasty time there in the past.

Are you aware that it's DOCOMOMO North America Tour Day? Well it is. And if you feel like celebrating, the Los Angeles Conservancy is offering a special afternoon Evolving Skyline tour at 2 p.m. today. The tour explores the architecture, history, art, and policies that have molded LA's Central Business District and Bunker Hill. Cost is $5 for members, $10 for non-members. Purchase tickets here.

Book lovers, get thee to the West Hollywood Book Fair, where today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. you can rejoice in the printed word via their 400+ authors and artists, hundreds of panels and book signings, stages and tents featuring storytelling, workshops, and live performances, a kids' area, and the fine company of thousands of fellow bibliophiles like yourself.

First, there was Rocky Horror. And in recent years, moviegoers have recited favorite lines and lyrics from such campy musical romps as The Sound of Music, Mamma Mia, and the musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. And now, the looming 20th anniversary of an 80s cult classic begged for an exuberant celebration of fans publicly displaying an affection so epic it would be deemed a fan flick phenomenon. Enter Troop Beverly Hills: The Experience, which is described by its organizer as a” sing-a-long, dance-a-long, quote-a-long, and if we're lucky, Shelley Long!”

The Mar Vista Recreation Center hosts an environmentally-friendly (and super kid-friendly) community Fall festival today with a mission to increase awareness of and participation in protecting the environment, and have some fun. What kind of fun, pray tell? Circus acts, a 60s and 70s cover band, and square dancing! Woot! There's also a morning puppet show promoting environmental awareness, as well as a "Kidz Go Green Zone" with nine inflatable slides, bouncers, arts and crafts using recycled materials, face painting, games, and a petting zoo. (Is accompaniment by a child required? Just asking.) 11430 Woodbine Ave. from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

       

This weekend brings the opportunity to check out many of our area museums for a can't-beat-it price: Absolutely free. If you've got more time than dimes these days, hit up as many of our amazing art, history, science, and culture museums at no charge.

                     

Brakes are required at the Red Bull Soapbox Races but a sense of self-preservation is not. The event has been held in more than 40 countries over the past decade, with vehicle designers thinking way outside of their so-called-box. It stopped in downtown Los Angeles for the first time on Saturday.

Celebrating 25 years of giving in Venice, the 2009 Abbot Kinney Festival takes place today from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Join thousands of locals and visitors for a day of ocean-side fun, music, performances, exhibitors, and food. The fest is free and open to the public; just be sure to plan to take public transit or park in a nearby lot and take a shuttle, as spaces will be scarce.

If you're the type of parent who has to slip squash purées à la Jessica Seinfeld into your kid's mac n' cheese, swing by Westfield Topanga today and enter them in the KCRW's World's Pickiest Eater contest. You and your child will sample creations prepared by Good Food host and Angeli Caffe Chef Evan Kleiman, who dares to find something your child will love. Event runs from 2 - 4 p.m.

The Port of Los Angeles LobsterFest wraps up today from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Ports O'Call Village (1190 Nagoya Way, San Pedro). Your $9 admission gets you into the fest itself, which includes live music and entertainment, shopping opportunities, street performances and kids activities, and lobster meals are $17.

Tonight Pershing Square plays host to a free, multimedia art show that will literally light up the heart of downtown. The event showcases more than 50 artists whose installations, performances and projections utilize the medium of light, with many of the pieces incorporating park fixtures into the illumination. Music and refreshments will also be abundant at this family-friendly event.

Ahoy, land lubbers! September 19th means it's International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Join in the shenanigans by peppering your speak with some salty sea-worthy sayings, or by taking part in some of the many area Pirate-themed events going on.

It's your day off. You're uninspired and under-funded (aka bored and broke). "But I live in Los Angeles!" you remind yourself. "There's got to be something I can do that won't break the bank." Art, music, museums, theatre, workshops, gardens, and more always seem to come with a price tag, unless you're totally in the know. Well, it's not too complicated to file yourself under the in-the-know column. Free L.A. is a publication that you can keep on your bookshelf to use when you need low-cost fun on the fly, or hand off to those out-of-town couch surfers you're hosting who would otherwise spend their vacation days fondling your remote control and eating you out of house and home.

Get a bite of the food scene in Santa Monica at this annual event held at the historic Pier. The Taste of Santa Monica brings together dozens of area eateries. Admission is $10, which gets you access to live music, giveaways, a chance to win tickets to see Cirque du Soleil's Kooza, and more. Of course, the food costs extra--this year they're selling Taste Bucks, which you can use to enjoy the wonderful food and purchase beverages at the many wine booths, beer gardens and bar.

Play "I Spy" in San Pedro this Saturday with a scavenger hunt run by Out of the Box Events. Meant to drag Angelenos out of their regular hangouts and into lesser known parts of the city, OOTB promises this hunt will go way beyond simply collecting objects and instead be full of creative challenges. We wonder...dizzy bat races? Dumpster diving? Strip bowling? Find out and report back. Tickets are $30 and benefit the Los Angeles Conservancy. Game runs from 2 - 5 p.m. Bring a digital camera.

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the FIDM Museum present a show called "The Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design." This 4th annual exhibit puts visitors close up to the costumes that bring favorite small screen characters to life. See over 100 costumes, props and sketches from popular television shows of 2008-2009, including this year’s Emmy nominated designs. The show is free and open to the public today, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but today is closing day, so don't miss out!

       

The 2009 Latino Heritage Month Celebration got off to a rousing start yesterday at City Hall as the annual event began with a ceremony that included food, music, dancing, and the presentation of awards to local legends.

It seems like just yesterday we were prepping to dive into the deep end of Summer 2009, and now with Labor Day Weekend upon us it looks like it's time for us to start coming in from the water. Well, that's the case for most City of L.A. Public Swimming pools, as all but seven city seasonal aquatic facilities will close on Labor Day. You can get your swims in this afternoon until 5, Sunday from 1-5, and Monday from 1-5 if you're in need of a cool down and find yourself without a pool to dip your toes in.

If you're still craving a scoop of Buff Monster, dip into Culver City's Corey Helford Gallery tonight as it plays host to the opening of his latest exhibit, "Heavy Metal Ice Cream Smile." This is the third visit to CHG for the once-rogue street artist turned pro, and per the man himself, "The few people that have already seen the pieces in the show all agree that this body of work is my best." As Buff Monster would have it, we're tickled pink. The event runs from 7 - 10 p.m.

Tonight Illinois-bred Smashing Pumpkins front man Billy Corgan will be playing to a sold-out crowd at the Hotel Café. Danish rockers Mew, who are slated to open for NIN later this week, are poised to perform at Zune LA. And, lastly, Austin's own retro soul singer-songwriter Black Joe Lewis (LAist Interview) will be performing at the Troubadour with half-American, half-Kenyan Benga rockers Extra Golden. But we strongly suggest heading over to Spaceland to catch LAist favorites Local Natives (LAist Interview), who will be closing out their month-long residency tonight. Hometown heroes the Henry Clay People (Review, #2, #3, #4), OC-based pop rock outfit Aushua and NY's own indie pop supergroup Fun—which features the Format front man Nate Ruess, Steel Train front man Jack Antonoff and former Anathallo multi-instrumentalist Andrew Dost—are all slated to perform as well. Yours truly will be DJing between bands. Come on out early!

The Black Box Theater presents The Conversation tonight at 5 pm. Diana, a teenage runaway discovers she may have stumbled into a web of deceit and fraud at her safehouse -- a residence for women run by nuns. The play is based on a life-altering fragment of conversation overheard by author Alpha Blair as a teen runaway in NYC. Tickets are $15.

Sea and Space Explorations in Eagle Rock is having a fundraising "Resort Raiser" flea market tonight from 6-10pm. There you'll experience a giant flea market, performances by Simone Gad (a short spoken word piece), Homesick Elephant and Doormouse, sounds, Fluxus popsicles, massages, psychic readings, food and fundraising for this artist-run non profit.

"Buy local!" is the rally cry of Unique Los Angeles, who have paired up with Urban Outfitters/Space 15 Twenty to bring you Mini-Market--a giant 'buy local' outdoor sale today from 10-4. The Mini-Market will be set up adjacent to the Hollywood Farmer's Market and will have over 60 independent designers and artists, selling everything from clothing to art prints, baby goods to beauty products, plush dolls to stationery. No cost to get in.