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10 ways to spend your weekend in LA

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This weekend is full of ways to get active. From planting trees to running after grunion, there's so much to do you won't have time to cry over not being at Coachella.


1. Cowboy Festival 

(
Tom Cruze/Cowboy Festival
)
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The packed schedule includes concerts, movies, historical tours and plenty of barbecue. Be sure to check the program guide for exact locations and prices of events throughout the weekend. Musical performances will occur on four stages in William S. Hart Park from morning 'til night on both Saturday and Sunday for $10 tickets. Grab your boots and fringed vest, this festival is sure to transport you to the Old West. 

When: Now - Sunday, April 24 | Program Guide

Where: Old Town Newhall Neighborhood, Santa Clarita

Price: Prices vary by event


2. Bugs 'n Brews

https://twitter.com/AngelCityBeer/status/723223634257547264

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Angel City Brewery is teaming up with the Natural History Museum to bring you a night of education, beer and bugs. As a part of a new research project, the museum is collecting insects from all around L.A., including the roof of Angel City Brewery. They will present their rooftop findings at 6 p.m. Sip on some Bug Juice — a one-night-only special brew made with strawberries, honey and hops — and enjoy a photo gallery of insects. 

When: Thursday, April 21, 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Where: Angel City Brewery | MAP

Price: Free admission 


3. Groundlings Action Playset

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Spend your weekend laughing as L.A.'a most famous sketch comedy troupe presents a new show. Groundlings graduates include Lisa Kudrow and Kristen Wiig, and it's the sort of place where alumni are known to pop in and take the stage. The Action Playset is for ages 16 and up only. 

When: Fridays, 8 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Where: The Groundlings Theatre | MAP

Price: Tickets are $20 | Get Tickets


4. Monsterpalooza

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Like things that go “bump” in the night? Visit more than 200 vendors and watch makeup demos at this monster-iffic affair. Catch a “Lost Boys” discussion with some cast and crew members or say "hi" to celeb guests Linda Blair, Bella Lugosi, Jr., Clint Howard and others.

When: Friday, April 22 - Sunday, April 24

Where: Pasadena Convention Center | MAP

Price: Tickets are $30 | Get Tickets


5. Grunion Run in Venice  

Grunion gather to spawn on a sandy beach.
Grunion gather to spawn on a sandy beach.
(
Haris Lakisic / Grunion.org
)

Get a glimpse of grunion on the SoCal shore — the only place in the world to see the silvery fish — as they gather on the sand during the peak season of their mating season. You can look, but don't catch. It's closed season and fishing for grunion is prohibited. Open season resumes in June. 

When: Saturday, April 23, 10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.

Where: Venice Breakwater straight down Windward Avenue 

Price: Free


6. Broke L.A. (formerly Brokechella)

Can't fork out hundreds to go to Coachella? Broke L.A. could answer to your festival craving. The lineup showcases L.A. art, music, technology, film and food. You must be 21 or older to attend. 

When: Saturday, April 23, 3 p.m. - midnight

Where: Imperial Arts Studios | MAP

Price: General admission $20 | Tickets


7. Earth Day Clean-Up and Tree Planting

Lionshares volunteers pull weeds around stressed urban trees during one of Tree People's urban forestry events at Cheviot Hills Park on Friday morning, June 5, 2015. Losing mature trees not only hurts the eco-system, it also can cause local temperatures to rise and home values to drop.
Lionshares volunteers pull weeds around stressed urban trees during one of Tree People's urban forestry events at Cheviot Hills Park on Friday morning, June 5, 2015. Losing mature trees not only hurts the eco-system, it also can cause local temperatures to rise and home values to drop.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)

Celebrate the sentiment of Earth Day by helping to beautify Hyde Park. Spend the morning serving with California Greenworks to pick up trash and plant trees. 

When: Saturday, April 23, 9:00 a.m.

Where: Meet at Rivera Floor Covering | MAP

Price: Free


8. REDCAT International Children’s Film Festival

If your kids want to stare at a screen, take ‘em to see something different. This film fest features animated and live action short films from pros and amateurs across the globe for all ages. Check out “Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs," "Lea and the Forest Pirates" and many more. 

When: Saturday, April 23 - Sunday, April 24, various showtimes 

Where: REDCAT Theater | MAP

Price: Tickets are $5 | Get Tickets


9. “Making a Murderer"

Steven Avery from the Netflix original documentary series "Making A Murderer".
Steven Avery from the Netflix original documentary series "Making A Murderer".
(
Netflix
)

If you’re on one of the many who binge watched Netflix documentary series “Making a Murderer,” odds are you have questions. Steven Avery’s defense attorneys, Dean Strang and Jerry Buting, will speak on the case and the justice system. They'll also take questions from the audience, so prepare for cross-examination.  

When: Sunday, April 24, 8 p.m.

Where: The Theatre at the Ace Hotel Downtown | MAP 

Price: Tickets range from $49.50 to $90


10. "Infinity on Trial" 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEZk6uMBJ83/?taken-by=blumandpoe

Check out 40 years of work by artist Julian Schnabel. In addition to a display of paintings in the downstairs gallery, approximately 40 of his drawings will be presented in the upstairs gallery. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday. 

When: Now - Saturday, April 30, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Where: Blum & Poe, Los Angeles | MAP

Price: Free 


What'd we miss? Let us know on Twitter @kellie_gal, @JessicaHamlinB and @LeoHasACat.

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