Life tends to get boring and mundane, if we let it, so I encourage you to try at least one new thing this week. I’m not talking about base jumping or anything too drastic (but if that’s more your jam, then by all means), more along the lines of baby steps, like going outdoors more often or engaging in social activities like book talks and community clean-ups. You could also check out a venue you’ve never been to, such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall or the Hollywood Heritage Museum, for example, or maybe even do a little shopping at an outdoor marketplace. See, all things within reason that may even give you a new perspective on something or just get you out of the house, and this week’s round-up is perfect for doing just that. With this small curation of mostly chill and relaxing events to choose from, you should have no problem at all checking that box.
Arts, Culture, “Communists,” and Peafowl
Shopping!!! That’s a 3 exclamation point announcement right there, and this shopping event I speak of is the MAUM Market happening at ROW DTLA this Saturday, March 25 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Come browse 70+ LA-based small, Asian owned businesses selling art, home goods, fashion, jewelry, food, and more! MAUM “마음”, which translates to “heart, mind,” was launched in January 2022 by a pair of Korean entrepreneurs whose intention was to provide “fellow like minded Asian-owned small businesses with an in-person platform to either launch their new ideas or to connect their existing brands to an engaged audience.” MAUM Market is a monthly marketplace showcasing the best of local Asian artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs. You can also catch them at the Hollywood Farmers’ Market and at Platform in Culver City. Entrance into the market is $5. To get tickets, simply go to MM’s website and click Book Now.
It is well known that peacocks (a.k.a. peafowl) like to unabashedly strut their stuff, well the males do anyway, so maybe there’s something to be learned from these famously “cocky,” yet beautiful beasts, and on Saturday, March 25 they will have their day in the sun to show you how it’s done! From 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Peacock Day at The Arboretum will be in full swing with fans of tail feathers on full display. Enjoy crafts, face painting, traditional Indian cuisine from The Peacock Cafe, a guided walking tour, a photo booth for those all so important photo ops, and specialty peacock churros, to boot! You’re even welcome to dress up like a peacock, too, if you so desire. Fun facts: Their natural habitat is woodland and forest, but they adapt well to different environments and captivity, and are native to India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia, as well as the Congo Basin. Tickets are $15 for Adults, $11 for students and seniors, and $5 for kids 5-12 (free for members and kiddos under 5). Non-members must purchase tickets online and register.
If fascinating Hollywood history is your drink of choice, then get out your highball glasses, my friends, and pour in the Hollywood Heritage Museum’s Afternoon @ The Barn: Legacy of the Hollywood Blacklist event happening this Sunday, March 26 at 2 p.m. You can take it straight up or on the rocks, but this one-hour film, directed by Judy Chaikin and narrated by actor Burt Lancaster, is sure to educate you about the lingering effects of The Hollywood Blacklist, which occurred in the late forties and early fifties as part of the Anti-Communist witch-hunts that terrorized the nation. Seen through the eyes of the wives and children of the now-deceased Hollywood figures whose careers were destroyed, the film features numerous Hollywood film stars, including Gary Cooper, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, and Ronald Reagan, along with noted screenwriters, and many others. There will also be a post screening Q&A with the director, as well as some of the family members who lived it. Legacy of the Hollywood Blacklist was released on PBS in 1988. Tickets are $10 for members and $20 for non-mems.
It’s that time again, people, time for Storytime and book talks at Chevalier’s Books, starting with a reading of Something Wild by Molly Ruttan for the kiddos on Sunday, March 26 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Followed by a little something for the grown-ups on Thursday, March 30, with an in-store discussion of author Leigh Mcmullan Abramson’s debut novel, A Likely Story. The only child of an iconic American novelist discovers a shocking tangle of family secrets that upends everything she thought she knew about her parents, her gilded childhood, and her own stalled writing career in this brilliantly observed standout debut. “Wry, wise, and propulsive, A Likely Story is punctuated with fragments of a compulsively readable book-within-a-book about a woman determined to steal back the spotlight from a man who has cheated his way to the top.” Teen ballerina, ex-lawyer, author, and NY native Leigh Mcmullan Abramson has written for The Atlantic, The New York Times, and more. This event is free, but don’t forget to RSVP.
And don’t miss your chance to catch one of today’s fastest-rising conductors, Finnish-Ukrainian star Dalia Stasevska!! The Walt Disney Concert Hall will be play host to this very talented woman, who will show you how it’s done this week, conducting the LA Phil’s performance of Tchaikovsky and Sibelius this coming Thursday and Friday, March 30-31, with showtimes at 8 p.m. and 11 a.m., respectively. Dalia (now Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic) leads this “arresting” program, including the soul-filling (yes, please!) Violin Concerto by Tchaikovsky played by Randall Goosby – who, according to the LA Times, “plays like an angel with nothing to prove” – along with one of Sibelius’ most performed symphonies, his Second. Tickets range from $77-$234. Bonus Bio: Stasevska is also the Chief Conductor of the Lahti Symphony Orchestra and Artistic Director of the International Sibelius Festival, who, in addition to all of these accomplishments, has taken an active role in Ukraine by raising funds and driving to the frontlines to deliver aid in person. I am impressed to say the least, and I think you will be too!
Lastly, along with peafowl having their day at The Arboretum, the butterfly community will also have its day, well, actually an entire season or two, to show you why they’re everyone’s favorite insect. The Butterfly Pavilion is back at the Natural History Museum and with the rains finally at bay you’ll probably want to start spending more time outdoors, and what better place to step back into the light than here. Come soak up a little sun and nature at this special exhibition featuring hundreds of butterflies, including California natives like the Western Tiger Swallowtail and Common Buckeye, and with lots of flight space and resting spots, you’ll be able to easily gaze upon these amazing creatures with joy and delight. See all stages in the butterfly life cycle, including eggs, caterpillars, and chrysalises. Bonus: There will also be a special Butterfly Pavilion store to get your merch fix (museum gift shops are the best!). Tickets for the BP are $8 per person and free for members. Please note that tickets are for 30 minute time slots. Open now through August 13.
Community and Local Government
Hi there, it’s me again, reminding you that it’s time for the second part of the LADWP’s Lawn Be Gone! program two-day workshop is this Saturday March 25 in Hancock Park. The homeowner told the Buzz they are very excited to participate in the program. We went to the workshop last week and will be there again this weekend for the fun part — planting the new plants. Click here to learn more and join us, it’s free!
And speaking of reminders, it’s also your last chance to help make the golden state a little bit brighter at the Clean California Community Days: Spring Into Action volunteer service event! This statewide event will be wrapping up on Monday, March 27, so if you haven’t yet signed up – You can still do it here! The goal of CCCD is to clean up our communities and spread the word about taking pride in keeping California clean (I like that). Just click on the event map link and enter your zip code to find clean-ups and other happenings in your area.
Your local NC and all around community do-gooding group, the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council has two days of subsequent action this week, starting on Monday, March 27 with a Transportation Committee meeting, followed by the Land Use Committee on the evening of Tuesday, March 28. Check the GWNC’s website for agendas and full calendar here. P.S. All NC meetings will be back to IRL starting next month, so be sure to check the website for more info.
And in conclusion, the fine folks that make up the Mid City West Neighborhood Council are taking a breather this week with just one meeting on the books for the Social and Racial Equity Committee, happening on Tuesday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m. Check MCW’s calendar for details.
