With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Weekend Events: Horror flicks, hoppy beers and Cookie Lyon
Redondo's Kite Festival is free and open to all ages.
(
Marcus Ertl/Flickr Creative Commons
)
The 2015 Wistaria Festival in Sierra Madre.
(
Susanne Nilsson via Flickr
)
Kids participating in the collective pottery project at the Santa Monica Airport ArtWalk.
Another week gone, another weekend ahead. We've found eight great ways to spend it from a kite-flying festival to a celebration of hops to a tribute to everyone's favorite music industry soap opera, "Empire." Let's get started.
1. Horror Movie Night
Sponsored message
Get ready for a night of fright as the folks from Great Horror Campout host a screening of "Poltergeist" at the Griffith Park Old Zoo. Watch if you dare. The film is supposed to be "cursed" after several actors in the trilogy, including Dominique Dunne and Heather O'Rourke, suffered tragic, unexpected deaths. Bring a blanket and a brave friend for this movie under the stars. Pro tip: Gates open at 6 p.m. with free, first-come-first-serve parking.
When: Friday, March 11, 7:15 p.m.
Where: Griffith Park Old Zoo, Los Feliz | MAP
Price: $15 | Tickets
2. PaleyFest Kickoff
Sponsored message
Need more Cookie Lyon in your life? You're in luck. The PaleyFest's annual celebration of television kicks off with a tribute to "Empire." The event will feature cast members Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard, Jussie Smollett and Bryshere Gray, among others. Friday’s screening and discussion is followed by PaleyFest panels continuing through Sunday, March 20. Ten TV shows will be featured including “Scandal” and "Scream Queens.”
When: Friday, March 11, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Dolby Theatre, Hollywood | MAP
Price: Tickets start at $30 | Tickets
3. LA IPA Festival
Sponsored message
More than 50 breweries are set to pour you a drank at this very hoppy event. Entry is free but it's first-come, first-serve so we recommend arriving early.
When: Saturday, March 12, 9:30 a.m.
Where: Mohawk Bend, Echo Park | MAP
Price: Free entry, $5 half-pint pours
4. 10th Annual Airport Artwalk
Sponsored message
At the 10th Annual Santa Monica Airport ArtWalk more than 60 art studios will fill converted hangars with interactive workshops, live music and demonstrations. The event is on, rain or shine. In addition to art, there will be an array of food trucks including the Grilled Cheese Truck with its gooey sammies and the Chunk-N-Chip truck with its sweet, ice cream treats. Pro Tip: Parking, shuttle service and a bike valet (yes, a bike valet) are all free.
When: Saturday, March 12, noon - 5 p.m.
Where: Santa Monica Airport, Santa Monica | MAP
Price: Free
5. Craft, Art and Music Fest
You can buy handmade art and jewelry while eating donuts and listening to four different bands this weekend at the FW/LA's Craft Art and Music Fest. There will be more than 25 arts and crafts vendors, plus performances from Thee Appian Way, Elephant Hill, Little Girls and Silent Generation.
When: Saturday, March 12, noon - 7 p.m.
Where: NOBO, Chinatown | MAP
Price: Free
6. Cherry Blossom Festival
(
Susanne Nilsson via Flickr
)
Spring is in bloom at this annual celebration of flowering cherry blossom trees and Japanese culture. The price of admission includes origami, musicians playing Japanese instruments and guided walks where you can learn about cherry blossoms. You can even buy your own cherry tree to take home. Japanese food will also be available for purchase.
When: Saturday, March 12 - Sunday, March 13, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Where: Descanso Gardens, La Cañada Flintridge | MAP
Price: Free with admission ($4-$9)
7. Sierra Madre Wistaria Festival
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tThC9Jbqb_g
It’s that time of year when crowds gather to view and celebrate the famous Sierra Madre wistaria vine, recognized as the largest blooming vine in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records. See the giant purple petal-adorned wonder then stroll a festival with more than 100 food, arts and crafts vendors, live music and a car show. Pro tip: To view the wistaria vine, you’ll need to purchase a shuttle ticket.
When: Sunday, March 13, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Where: Downtown Sierra Madre | MAP
Price: Festival is free. Wistaria viewing is $2.05-$9.43 | Tickets
8. Redondo Beach Kite Festival
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSv-YzFddY4
Let’s go fly a kite! This all-ages free event open to the public is one of the longest-running kite festivals in the country. Bring your childlike sense of wonder — and your A-game, if you're competitive. Prizes are awarded for the best handmade kite, best ground display, highest-flying kite and the youngest (and youngest-at-heart) kite flyers. You can also help launch a colossal 25’ by 14’ kite.
When: Sunday, March 13, noon - 5 p.m.
Where: Redondo Pier, Redondo Beach | MAP
Price: Free
What'd we miss? Let us know on Twitter @kellie_gal and @JessicaHamlinB.
At LAist, we focus on what matters to our community: clear, fair, and transparent reporting that helps you make decisions with confidence and keeps powerful institutions accountable.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
