Explore the “lyric dimensions” of art this Saturday with poetry readings at the Craft Contemporary. Discover the power of plants and fungi, while listening to live music and sipping cocktails at the Natural History Museum. Give back by taking part in a community clean-up or by donating your life-saving blood. Explore, discover, give back this week, and have fun while doing it. Many birds, one stone.
Arts, Culture, and Entertainment
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams…(Yeats). Join exhibiting artist Diedrick Brackens for an afternoon delight of poetry at the Craft Contemporary on Saturday, March 26 from 3-5 p.m. Brackens and his guests will share a selection of poems that explore the “lyric dimensions” of his exhibition Diedrick Brackens: heaven is a muddy riverbed. The event is free for all, but advanced registration is required. Space is limited, so make haste!
And the Petersen Automotive Museum will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the James Bond franchise and its much loved exhibition, Bond in Motion, with a British-themed March Breakfast Club Cruise-in! Bring the family to Museum Row on Sunday, March 27 from 8-11 a.m. to see the “rarely seen in public” Lotus Esprit, along with many other British cars. Ticket prices range from $12-$17; complimentary pastries, coffee, and parking included.
Internationally acclaimed cellist Jan Kalinowki and pianist Marek Szlezer make up The Cracow Duo, who will be performing a live concert at the Holocaust Museum LA this Sunday, March 27 from 2-4 p.m. Spend an afternoon listening to the beautiful sounds of works by Polish-Jewish composers. This free concert is presented in partnership with the USC Polish Music Center and supported by the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland.
LAUNCH LA, with the generous support of its sponsors and the local arts and business community, presents to you the 19th Annual TARFEST Music and Art Festival this Sunday, March 30. Tune-in at 7 p.m. to the Festival’s YouTube broadcast premier of dance and musical performances that will delight your senses, while simultaneously representing the diversity and quality of talent in Los Angeles. The mission of LAUNCH LA (and TARFEST) is to provide paid performance opportunities to artists while presenting free, quality arts programming to the public.
Then on Thursday, March 31, the Petersen will shift gears to the catwalk for Cars and Fashion happening from 6-11 p.m. In partnership with LA Fashion Week, the Museum will play host to two runway shows featuring designers Michael Cinco (left) and Rocky Star. Be front row at an exclusive showcase of LA fashion! Tickets range from $200-$500.
The first of April is upon us, people, and so are First Fridays, back live and in-person at the Natural History Museum! Can I get a whoop whoop! Explore the museum after hours with live music, DJs, topical discussions, signature cocktails, and more. From Seeds to Psychedelics: Returning to the roots of well-being with new ideas drawn from ancient ways, is the theme of this season, which looks to the power of plants and fungi to save us. And on Friday, April 1 it’ll be all about Wild Harvesting. Tickets are free for members and $20 for non-members. Festivities will begin at 5 p.m.
History and Community
The Mid City West Neighborhood Council will kick-off a community beautification project with a Community Clean-Up on Saturday, March 26 from 8:30-10 a.m. This zhuzhing up of Rosewood Garden Park will culminate in a mural installation (scheduled to be completed by June 30) by the nonprofit Inner-City Arts. Volunteers will remove trash and debris, perform light gardening, and sweep the park and surrounding area. This project is funded by the City of LA ‘Keep LA Beautiful’ grant program and donors including City Councilmember Paul Koretz. The park is located adjacent to Fairfax High School. Coffee and light snacks will be provided.
In collaboration with the Red Cross, Larchmont Sanctuary Spa is giving you another opportunity to donate blood locally this week on Tuesday, March 29. Blood donations have been on the decline and the shortage is now affecting the scheduling of surgeries, so please consider donating today. The Blood Drive will take place from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Click here to schedule an appointment. Your kind act can save lives!
And not to be missed, the Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society will have its first Happy Hour in Historic Buildings event of the year at the old La Brea Firestone Tire Store (now officially known as All Season Brewing) on Tuesday, March 29. Re-opened in 2021 as the new local brewhouse (the project won a prestigious Landmark Award from the Historical Society), the venue also has a full bar, classic and draft cocktails, wine, and house-made ginger beer. This is a no-host bar event. Happy Hour funtime starts at 5 p.m.
Local Government
Your local NC, the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council, will have just one virtual gathering this week for the Transportation Committee on Monday, March 28 at 7 p.m. Click here to view the calendar for details.
And the Mid City West Neighborhood Council will wrap up this week’s events with two meetings and one Community Clean-Up (details in the Community section above) starting on Saturday, March 26 with the clean-up of Rosewood Garden Park, followed by the Arts and Recreation Committee meeting on Monday, March 28, and weekly Wednesday Walks on Wednesday, March 30. Click here to check Mid City’s calendar for details.
