However you choose to celebrate Easter, I hope you do it with loved ones or that you find yourself in good company, even if said company is just yourself. Perhaps you’ll start a new tradition of your own by attending one of these fine happenings below; whoop it up with the cool kids at a taxidermy class, hit up the Easter choo choo at Griffith Park, take in a classic film festival with your best friend, or just sit back, relax, and enjoy some quiet time.. The world is your Easter egg!
Easter, Taxidermy, and Classic Films
Come spend an Easter weekend at the Griffith Park & Southern RR for an “I Spy Easter” Train Ride and Visit from the Easter Bunny. Bring the fam down on all three days, or opt for just one this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 7-9 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. This special event takes passengers on a mile-long stretch through the park, with bridges and tunnels and such, and past the park’s Old Frontier Town, with special Easter eggs hidden along the track for the kiddos to “spy” and record on special maps to exchange for a gift at the end of the ride. Rides are $5 per person (18 months and under are free), which includes access to the activity area. Hang time and photo with the Easter Bunny is $7 per visit and includes one printed photo. Showtime for the Easter Bunny is 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Last train leaves at 5 p.m.
Not sure if you’re looking for an Easter Egg Hunt beyond the backyard or living room, but if you don’t mind a little weekend drive, then may I suggest you head up and over to Pasadena for the Egg Bowl and Bunny Brunch at the world famous Rose Bowl. On Saturday, April 8, experience what it’s like to be on the field of one of the world’s most iconic stadiums, while you hunt for Easter eggs with the fam at the RB’s annual Easter celebration. Thanks to the City of Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department and Rose Bowl Stadium, this FREE community egg hunt and Spring Festival will take place from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on stadium grounds.
You can also upgrade to a VIP experience and get a Bunny Brunch at the cost of $20 (kids 4-9) or $30 (Kids 10+) per ticket. Brunch begins at 9 a.m. VIP egg hunt starts at 10 a.m. Tickets for the free egg hunts are available at CityOfPasadena.net/reserve. Tickets are not required for the spring festival area. And if you’re looking for something a little closer to home for the littlest ones, how about an Egg Hunt in the Park at the Memorial Branch Library on Olympic Blvd. Take a lovely morning stroll or drive on over to the MBL for an Easter egg hunt followed by a special story time, also happening on Saturday, April 8, from 10-11 a.m. This event is FREE and open to everyone.
Start a new family, friend, or friend family tradition this Easter by gathering your working animals and pets for the Blessing of the Animals happening, as always, the day before Easter on Saturday, April 8. This holiday tradition has been a part of Olvera Street since its founding in 1930, but its practice dates back to the 4th century when San Antonio De Abad was named the patron saint of the animal kingdom and began to bless animals to promote good health. In the early days of the pueblo, the priest from La Placita Church would bless the livestock of the farmers to keep them healthy and productive, benefiting the entire community. As the practice continued, it was no longer limited to cows, horses, and goats, it began to include all animals, especially pets. Line to receive blessing begins at 1 p.m. and will be in front of the Pico House. Blessings from Archbishop Jose Gomez from 2-3 p.m. Entertainment from 12-4 p.m. Please note that Main Street, between Arcadia and Cesar Chavez will be closed from 4 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Blessing will take place on Main Street.
And why not follow that blessing with an Easter meal courtesy of The Cat and Fiddle Restaurant and Pub in Hollywood. C&F is serving up yet another one of its fabulous holiday pre-fixe menus for Easter this Sunday, April 9, with offerings of Curried Carrot Soup and Deviled Eggs, and mains such as the ever-enduring Traditional Sunday Roast, Australian Leg of Lamb, and vegetarian Nut Roast Wellington. With a delectable Chocolate Mousse or Sticky Toffee Pudding to top it all off. The menu is available for dine in or pick up on April 9. Pre-order by April 8 to guarantee yourself a plate! Reservations for dine-in are strongly encouraged. The C&F is located at 742 N. Highland Ave.
Book Talks! Book Talks! Book Talks! I’m talkin’ ‘bout book talks and the little bookstore that could, Chevalier’s Books, which will host three free events this week, including one with TV writer, producer, and author Sascha Rothchild, in the house on Tuesday, April 11 at 6 p.m. discussing her recent book Blood Sugar. This critically acclaimed, New York Times Book Review Best Thriller of 2022 tells the story of Ruby Simon, “an absurdly likeable murderess accused of killing her husband—ironically, the only murder she didn’t commit. This twisty, clever tale of female power stars an unforgettable protagonist you can’t help but root for—an addicting mixture of sour and sweet.” Next up on Friday, April 14 at 6 p.m., authors Anna Quinn and Staci Greason will be in town discussing their recent books Angeline and All The Girls In Town, respectively. 
Quinn’s novel, Angeline, is about “a young, cloistered nun from Chicago transferred unwillingly to a radical convent in the San Juan Islands in Washington State. Here, she must learn to assimilate the profound losses of her past with a supernatural gift for healing that awakens as she opens to her new life.” Anna Quinn is an author and former bookstore owner who also leads writing workshops across the country. Greason’s novel, All the Girls in Town is about “three smart, sexy, and slightly screwed-up women who join forces to wreak vengeance on the rock star who hurt them all.” Fun Fact: Greason played the late Isabella Toscano Black on Days of Our Lives. All event are free and open to the public.
Get some ideas for next year’s Easter table centerpiece at Life from Death: Taxidermy for Education & Conservation with master taxidermist Allis Markham at the Philosophical Research Society, Thursday, April 13 from 7-9 p.m. Come check out the place you never knew was there, the PRS, and learn from Markham as she discusses the specifics of taxidermy, giving guests a new understanding of this underappreciated art form. Examples of her work will be on display for you to examine up close and personal. Allis Markham is a multi award-winning taxidermist / Nassologist trained at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. Her clients include The Huntington Library, The Getty, Gucci, The Nomad Hotel, EB Florals, and TV shows such as Bates Motel. She has more recently been focused on museum work and public education, including a stint as an adjunct professor at Occidental College teaching taxidermy on behalf of the Biology Department. Tickets are $15.
And I’ll leave you with…Good news! The 2023 iteration of the TCM Classic Film Festival has arrived and You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet is the tagline for this year’s festival happening Thurs-Sun, April 13-16. Celebrating film legacies and the 100th Anniversary of Warner Bros Studios, the Festival will shine a special spotlight on the legacy of WB over four days at three historic theaters in the heart of Hollywood; the Hollywood Legion, Hollywood Roosevelt, and TCL Chinese 6 Theatres. Join your fellow classic movie lovers, as you all collectively experience these films as they were meant to be experienced – on big screens in cool, old theaters. All venues are within walking distances of each other and are ADA accessible. Check the Full Schedule Here. Festival passes range from $399-$2,549 and include tickets to the Opening Night Reception on Thursday, April 13 at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Individual tickets are $20 for most screenings and events. Tickets to the Official Closing Night presentation of The Big Chill (1983), if available, are $30. Students get 50% off with valid ID. Please note that all individual ticket sales are cash only.
Local Government
The Mid City West Neighborhood Council is back again this week with a General Board meeting on Tuesday, April 11 and Social and Racial Equity Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 12. All meetings will now be held at the Pan Pacific Park Senior Center (lunch room), 141 S. Gardner St., Los Angeles. There is no remote option. “We hope to see you in person,” love the MCWNC. Check MCW’s calendar for details.
And your local NC, voted “most likely to succeed” back in high school, the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council is also back in-person this week with its General Board Meeting on Wednesday, April 12 at the Ebell of Los Angeles (Dining Room) at 6:30 p.m. Check the GWNC’s website for agendas and full calendar here.
