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Free weekend? Run with firecrackers, hang with Larry Mantle and dive into art
A rainbow, the result of scattered rains, crosses the Los Angeles sky in September, 2012.
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Kevin Wong/Flickr/Creative Commons
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Congrats! You've made it through the work week. Slap on some cologne for LACBC's bike prom; enjoy thought-provoking discussions from a panel of creative writers at the Last Bookstore; and make it a date with marine mammals at the Aquarium of the Pacific's electrifying night dive. It's all happening this weekend.
Here's everything you need to know:
1. LA CHINATOWN FIRECRACKER RUN, WALK AND BIKE RIDE
See the Los Angeles sky light up with more than 100,000 firecrackers before partaking in a competitive run. L.A. Chinatown Firecracker Run Committee is hosting its annual two-day Firecracker Festival, complete with a 5 and 10k run, a rigorous rides and tons of entertainment. There's even a Kiddie Run scheduled for the little ones, along with carnival rides and a petting zoo. Here's a complete schedule of events. Here's a list of festivities planned for Saturday.
When: 7:30 a.m to 4 p.m. Saturday; 6 a.m. to noon Sunday
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Where: Chinatown | MAP
Price: To compete in the bike or run, on-site registration fee is $48 per applicant | FAQ here
2. AIRTALK LIVE EVENT: YOU'RE INVITED TO OUR OSCAR PARTY
Love AirTalk's Filmweek? Join Larry Mantle and a panel of stellar film critics for an Oscar preview party Sunday at the historic Egyptian Theatre. Critics — including Andy Klein of the L.A. Times, Claudia Puig of USA Today, Alynda Wheat of People Magazine and Charles Solomon of Amazon.com — will talk the good, the bad and the ugly. Who do you want to win? Come Sunday with predictions, questions and critiques. Here's a full list of nominees.
When: 1 p.m. Sunday
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Where: Egyptian Theatre | MAP
Price: $11 general admission; $8 for members | Purchase tickets here
3. WHY WE LAUGH: BLACK COMEDIANS ON BLACK COMEDY
Enjoy a screening of the documentary "Why We Laugh," presented by executive producer-comedian Darryl Littleton. Learn about the history of Black comedy and the driving forces that have shaped the genre, including Bill Cosby, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock and more.
When: 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday
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Where: LA Public Library | MAP
Price: Free
4. DARK OBSESSIONS: POETRY AND PROSE READING
(Monica Luhar/KPCC)
Enter a labyrinth of over 100,000 books and hear renowned authors recite words from your favorite prose and poetry at the Last Bookstore. Enjoy booze, snacks and good music during the first installment of Next Words — a collection of readings from CalArts creative writers. The lineup includes authors Shishonia, Djinji, Ani and Chrysanthe, followed by a brief Q&A.
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When: 7 to 9 p.m. Friday
Where: The Last Bookstore | MAP
Price: Free
5. NIGHT DIVE AT THE AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC
Explore the sights and scenes of critters and sea lions; view colorful art and groove to the sounds of contemporary and futuristic music; and grab a bite from food trucks like the Grilled Cheese Truck or Nestor Taco at the Aquarium of the Pacific's Night Dive Friday. Stick around for some guest lectures from scientists, scholars and more. Pro tip: Grab a cocktail and get rad ROV robot demos on the Harbor Terrace from 8 to 9:30 p.m.
When: 7 to 11 p.m. Friday
Where: Aquarium of the Pacific | MAP
Price: $14.95; members get in free | Purchase tickets here
(seanmcgrath/flickr Creative Commons)
LACBC is celebrating its sweet sixteen with a '90s-themed bike prom. Channel your best Laney Boggs and party like it's 1998. Try your luck at a raffle and enter for the chance to be crowned "Bike Prom Queen and King." Dance the night away to electrifying pop music courtesy of La Muff and Trickmilla.
When: 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday
Where: American Legion Hall Post | MAP
Price: $25 for non-members | Purchase tickets here
EVEN MORE EVENTS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND
- Junior Roller Derby hosts garden clean up | 10 a.m. Saturday | Long Beach
- African American Festival | 11 a.m. Saturday | Culver City
- Courtney Barnett at Bootleg Theater | 7:30 p.m. Sunday | Los Angeles
- ROGA | 8 a.m. Saturday | Santa Monica
What did we miss? Share with us in comments.
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