Saturday starts this week with one of our favorite and most characteristically “L.A.” events – the 13th annual Great Los Angeles Walk. This is not a race, but simply a big group hike from downtown to the ocean. People can go as fast or slow as they want, stop to explore or rest whenever and wherever they want, and drop in or out as they wish. The route changes every year, but this year it starts at Pershing Square at 9 a.m., and then will proceed west along 6th Street, past some favorite food venues of the late L.A. Times food critic, Jonathan Gold (and also right through the heart of the Greater Wilshire area). It’s free and great for all ages. For more information and the full route map, see the link above and the event FAQ at http://greatlawalk.blogspot.com/2018/11/the-great-los-angeles-walk-2018.html.
Also downtown on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. will be the Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission’s Pow Wow, at Grand Park, celebrating the area’s many native cultures, on the land of one of the first villages in Los Angeles. Everyone is welcome to join in the celebration, which will include arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, dance contests, other special contests, dinner break entertainment, drawings, drum performances, and more. See the flier or event link for more information.
Also at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and back in the Mid-City area, you can check out the formal debut of one of the new Great Streets projects at the SE corner of Pico and Hauser – The Coloring Book – a giant sidewalk chalk coloring space. The Coloring Book was created as a temporary solution to a much-discussed community problem – the lack of public gathering spaces. The sidewalk on Hauser is quite wide south of Pico, however, and there are several schools and day care centers nearby, so this new temporary feature is a trial of one kind of new gathering area. At Saturday’s launch party, artists will lead free activities for the kids, and there will also be an actual car to draw on with chalk, in addition to the newly-decorated sidewalk. There will also be quilt bombs, and free food from local businesses such as Alfredo’s Pizza, Chocolate Cafe, Century Liquor and Market, CJ’s, and Mid-City Deli. Oh, and yes, there will be chalk – lots of chalk!
If you’d like to keep up the family artistic endeavors after your chalk drawings, just head over to LACMA, where the museum will be offering an Artful Quest, intergenerational family class for ages 5 and up, starting at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. Families will investigate works from LACMA’s permanent collection, and then, in the studio with artist Hannah Cassell, create a mixed media abstract artwork while experimenting and learning new techniques. The cost is $40 for LACMA NexGen members (plus one adult), or $50 for the general public (plus one adult). Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration is required, and art materials and parking fees included in the price of the class. All skill levels welcome.
For film fans, the American Cinematheque is offering three interesting screenings this weekend at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood (6712 Hollywood Blvd.) The first is a free showing of the new movie, “Beautiful Boy,” based on the true story of writer David Sheff’s relationship with his drug-addicted son, Nic. The film will be followed by a discussion with screenwriter Luke Davies and actress Maura Tierney, who co-stars in the film. Tickets are free, but it’s first come, first served, so RSVPs do not guarantee seating. Also, priority will be given to American Cinematheque members when the doors open at 5:30 p.m. (showtime is at 6:30 p.m.)
A bit later, at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Cinematheque is also presenting a screening of ““The Courtship of Miles Sandwich”and More Great comedy Shorts from the Hal Roach Studios.” This “odd and hilarious pre-holiday program” will feature several early Hal Roach 8mm film shorts, with youthful appearances by Harold Lloyd in “I’m On My Way” (1919), Stan Laurel and James Finlayson in “A Man About Town” (1923), Snub Pollard in the Thanksgiving-themed “Courtship of Myles Sandwich” (directed by Charley Chase) and many more. There will also be live musical accompaniment by Cliff Retallick.
On Sunday, you can take in two holiday arts and crafts markets. The first, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. is Temple Israel of Hollywood’s annual Hanukkah Marketplace, held at TIOH’s Miller Hall, 7300 Hollywood Blvd. Proceeds benefit the schools of TIOH.
Then, further east at Barnsdall Art Center, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., you can continue your holiday shopping at the Barnsdall Art & Fair, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. This free event is a great way to enjoy art with friends and family, while supporting local artists and feasting on lunch and tasty treats from local restaurants. The items for sale will showcase work from the Art Center students and faculty, including handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, cards, prints, paintings, drawings and photography. There will also be a fundraising raffle, with great prizes (including work from Barnsdall’s talented artisans). Proceeds from the event support the Barnsdall Art Center’s programming and education for Los Angeles kids and adults.
Later, starting at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, and back in the Miracle Mile area, the Craft and Folk Art Museum will host an artist talk, “Of Thorns and Love” with artist Sherin Guirguis and exhibitions curator Holly Jerger, who will lead a gallery tour and discussion about Guirguis’ extensive research surrounding Egyptian feminist activist Doria Shafik and how she translated those findings into the paper-cut paintings and sculptures for the exhibition. The event is free, but spae is limited, so please RSVP to [email protected].
Also starting at 2 p.m. on Sunday, and just a bit east, on the third floor deck of the new The Mansfield development, 5100 Wilshire Blvd., the Sycamore Square Neighborhood Association will hold its Annual Meeting and board elections. The event will feature special guest speakers, including City Council Member David Ryu, a Holiday Treat Bake-Off, kids’ activities, elections of new officers, and a raffle with more than $900 in prizes from wonderful neighborhood merchants. And finally, there will also be tours of the new development, which will be opening very soon.
Moving into evening on Sunday, you could head back to the American Cinematheque, at the Egyptian Theater, for a 7:30 p.m. screening of director Wim Wenders’ newly restored 1987, “Wings of Desire.” In the film, billed as Wenders’ “most fully realized cinematic vision,” Bruno Ganz stars as “an angel having pangs of longing as he observes the lives of mortals in Berlin,” including an ethereal trapeze artist. American actor Peter Falk also stars, essentially plays himself, as “a philosophical film and TV star (often addressed as “Columbo” by other characters!).” Falk’s character is making a movie in Germany and is one of the few people who can sense the presence of the invisible celestial spirits in the film. In German with English subtitles.
And finally, from 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. on Sunday, comes a big annual early-holiday-season event – the 17th Annual Tree Lighting celebration at the Grove. This year, the event will feature a special performance by CBS’ “A Home for the Holidays,” as well as the season’s first snowfall, Santa’s grand arrival, and a huge fireworks show. (So now you know what all that noise is before it happens. Probably a good idea to keep skittish pets indoors during this time.) And it’s all free and open to the public.
Have a great weekend!
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