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Free weekend? Lunar New Year, Night on Broadway and a pizza crawl
Let the countdown begin. We're just a handful of hours away from the weekend. It's time to start planning. How about a David Bowie movie marathon followed by contemporary dance and a pizza crawl? Here's everything you need to know.
1. Bowie at Cinefamily
Cinefamily in West Hollywood will celebrate David Bowie with its very own movie mixtape Friday night. It'll screen a curated list of Bowie music videos, short films, obscure TV appearances, interviews and documentary clips. And if that's not enough, stick around for a late-night showing of "The Hunger" at midnight — which, of course, is the Bowie vampire flick that also stars Susan Sarandon.
When: 7:30 p.m. and midnight Friday
Where: Cinefamily | MAP
Price: $12 for each screening
2. L.A. Dance Project
If you want to throw down a couple extra bucks, catch a performance from the L.A. Dance Project this weekend. The dance company was founded by Benjamin Millepied, who choreographed and starred in "Black Swan" (and married star Natalie Portman). This weekend's show is called "Hearts and Arrows," and the dancers will move to music composed by Philip Glass.
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Where: Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts | MAP
Price: Between $25 and $120
3. Free admission to local museums
If you've been meaning to go to an L.A. museum but haven't found the time, make the time on Saturday — it's the 11th annual SoCal Museums Free-For-All day. More than 20 museums are offering free admission, so it's a budget-friendly chance to spend the whole day seeing the best art and science exhibits Los Angeles has to offer. That's why we've created your ultimate itinerary for the day.
4. Night on Broadway
Broadway will be bustling with artists, acrobats, performers and musicians Saturday night. Hop around its seven historic theaters for music, dance, immersive art and film. The main outdoor festival area will span from 3rd to 7th streets with an interactive kids zone, a Ferris wheel and a virtual reality lounge. Here's the full event guide. And if you show your Metro TAP card, you'll get discounts at these local businesses.
When: 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday
Where: Broadway downtown | Event map
Price: Free
5. Lunar New Year Festival
Saturday is the Asian Pacific Lunar Festival in downtown Riverside. It'll begin with a morning parade including traditional Asian music, taiko drums and dance performances. The festivities will continue with martial arts demonstrations, anime cosplayers and Asian cuisine throughout the day. Then at night, you can expect a fireworks show.
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Mission Inn Avenue and Lemon Street | MAP
Price: Free
6. Raekwon at the OC Observatory
Rapper Raekwon from the Wu-Tang Clan is performing at the the Observatory this Saturday. Tickets are only $5, and all ages are welcome — so if you're looking for a cool spot to spend your night, stop by this budget-friendly show. Pro tip: There will also be guest performances by AM ONER, Panda and Stephen the Martyr.
When: 8 p.m. on Saturday
Where: O.C. Observatory | MAP
Price: $5 | Tickets
7. Gone With the Wind
Fiddle-dee-dee! — Aero Theatre is showing the iconic Old South film, "Gone With the Wind," on Saturday. Not only will the classic Civil War-era romance of Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler play out on screen, but biographer James Curtis, author of "William Cameron Menzies: The Shape of Films to Come," will have a book signing prior to the film at 6:30 p.m. in the lobby. Menzies is acclaimed as Hollywood's first production designer and did award-winning work on "Gone With the Wind." But frankly my dear, if you want to head right to the film, the showing starts at 7:30 p.m.
When: Book signing begins at 6:30 p.m. and the film starts at 7:30 on Saturday
Where: Aero Theatre | MAP
Price: $11 | Tickets
8. CoffeeCon L.A.
Calling all coffee addicts: CoffeeCon L.A. is going down this Saturday. The festival offers various seminars throughout the day, covering everything from a French press lab all the way to exploring specialty coffee in Yemen. More than three dozen artisan coffee roasters will have exhibits at CoffeeCon, plus there will be unlimited coffee samples to keep you hyped all. Day. Long. All-day tickets and half-day tickets are available, so you can spend as long as you like building your rep as a coffee connoisseur.
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday
Where: Magic Box at The Reef | MAP
Price: $30 for one all-day ticket or get three all-day tickets for $22.50 each | Tickets
9. Foodie bike ride
A pizza crawl on bike? Yes, please. A group of bicyclists will meet at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles before hitting up a handful of pizza joints in Echo Park and Silver Lake: Masa, Two Boots, Wood Handcrafted, just to name a few. The best part: Your $20 ticket will include the food. The ride will be hosted by the urban cyclists, L.A. Bike Trains.
When: 1:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Union Station
Price: Tickets are $20; that includes food and it will help support L.A. Bike Trains
10. Weekend splurge: Fiesta Mexico-Americano
Fiesta Mexico-Americana is bringing "A Celebration of Mexican-American Heritage" to Northridge on Sunday night. The performance features Los Lobos and Ballet Folkloric Mexicano, and together they transform the stage into a mash-up of traditional Mexican art forms. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., and tickets range from $35 to $65.
When: 7:30 p.m. on Sunday
Where: Valley Performing Arts Center | MAP
Price: Tickets range from $35 to $65 | Tickets