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Get Out: Buy Crafts, Drink a (Free) Beer, Visit The New Grand Park Or Watch A Spaghetti Western
Renegade Craft Fair at Los Angeles State Historic Park. (Photo by D_P_R via Flickr)
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OUTDOORS: The first sections of the highly-anticipated Grand Park in downtown officially open this weekend. Opening ceremonies begin Saturday at 10 am and include dance performances by So You Think You Can Dance participants Katee Shean and Lauren Gottlieb, dancers from Cirque du Soleil, and local youth groups, among others. There will also be dance classes to join at noon, and food trucks to fill you up after you've expended all that energy. For more information, visit the park's snazzy new website.
CRAFTS: The Renegade Craft Fair returns to downtown this weekend at the Los Angeles State Historic Park. Tons of independent artists will be selling their creative goods, and their booths will be open from 11 am to 7 pm on both Saturday and Sunday. If shopping isn't enough for you, there will also be hands-on workshops to join, a free photo booth to jump in, and a DJ spinning some crafty beats.
WESTERN: American Cinematheque's "Spaghetti Westerns Unchained" series continues at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood tonight. The double-feature begins at 7:30 pm and will screen two Italian films: The Mercenary and Death Rides a Horse. Check out the trailers here and buy your tickets in advance. If these aren't your style, check out our weekend Film Calendar for more choices.
BREWS: German pub Wirtshaus is celebrating its first year of business with a little birthday shindig that begins at 3 pm. Free beer from the special celebratory keg will be served until it's gone, so go early for some schnitzel and drink.
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ART: Local conceptual artist John Baldessari's newest exhibit is open from 6 pm to 8 pm tonight at the 1301PE gallery on Wilshire Boulevard; expect to see Baldessari's layering of genres, including photomontage, painting, and written phrases. The exhibit will also feature the work of fellow award-winning artist Rirkrit Tiravanija.
JAZZ: Today is the start of the 2-day Central Avenue Jazz Festival. The LAUSD All-City High School Jazz Band will kick things off at 11:40 am, and the Diana Holling Band, Sons of Etta, The New Jump Blues and Gerald Wilson Orchestra will also play until 7 pm.
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