Mother’s Day has arrived, and maybe this is the year you get a little more inventive with something unexpected for mom. That’s not to say she hasn’t loved all those handmade gifts from years past, but the events below are just as thoughtful and won’t break the bank either. And if you’re not a mom yourself or close to your own, or she has perhaps passed away, then why not hang out with family, friends, or a significant other instead and make a day of it. Because, sometimes, we all need a little reminder that we are important and that we are loved!
Arts, Culture, and Mom
Nothing like an estate sale to put a smile on my face, and I thought this one might be of some interest to you. It’s in North Hollywood, but that’s not far, and there seems to be a cornucopia of treasures to be found, including lots of costumes, vintage clothing and accessories – mid century furniture, lamps, mirrors, tables, art and film/play prints, vintage telephones, typewriters, vintage hi-fi audio equipment, tube radios, record players, two pianos, vinyl records and books, kitchenware and barware, theater lighting equipment, vintage suitcases and antique trunks, outdoor furniture, vintage bicycles, toys, and lots more! This long awaited Theatre Estate Sale opened on Friday and continues through the weekend on Saturday (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.) and Sunday (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.), May 13-14. Everything Must Go! The sale will take place at 10655 Magnolia Blvd in North Hollywood. Oh, and don’t forget to bring mom!
And if you’re still looking for something special to do for mom on Mother’s Day, how about an afternoon treat of Beethoven and Strauss at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on Sunday, May 14 at 2 p.m. Sit back, relax, and absorb the sounds as pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard and the LA Phil play Beethoven’s Fourth Concerto, with Finnish conductor Eva Ollikainen concluding with Richard Strauss’ waltz-filled Der Rosenkavalier Suite. “A brilliant musician and an extraordinary visionary (Wall Street Journal), Pierre-Laurent Aimard has built his reputation as a go-to of contemporary music and collaborator for composers, but is celebrated for his interpretation of historic repertoire as well.” Eva Ollikainen is the chief conductor of several orchestras in Europe and is considered “one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary music” (NPR). P.S. There’s also a 2 p.m. concert on Saturday, May 13. Tickets are still available and range from $55-$190.
Or perhaps a Mother’s Day Sound Bath Bliss with Kristin Palombo at the Philosophical Research Society instead? If yes, then cool, because you’ve got the choice between two sessions happening on Sunday, May 14, from 2-3 p.m. or 4-5:15 p.m. Bring mom to a transformative and healing sound bath, featuring 7 quartz crystal singing bowls that are said to produce a resonance that “allows consciousness to travel into altered states of awareness”. Benefits include: Stress Reduction, Peace of Mind, Creative Inspiration, Improved Sleep, Enhanced Energy, Release from Guilt, Forgiveness, Increased Productivity and Focus.. And all for the low-low cost of $34 in advance and $40 at the door. PRS is located at 3910 Los Feliz Blvd. Warning: profound inspiration, relaxation, and healing can be expected. Come tap into your unconscious mind and access your unlimited potential!
Every Sunday, including this Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14, Fanny’s Restaurant , 6067 Wilshire Blvd. (at Fairfax) hosts a Sunday Supper with dishes inspired by the Academy Museum’s gallery, The Art of Moviemaking: The Godfather, dedicated to Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 classic. The family-style menu includes a rotating selection of aptly named dishes such as Connie’s Crispy Calamari, A Pasta You Can’t Refuse, and Sonny’s “Bada-Bing!” Ribs, along with a selection of Italian wines and other cinema-inspired craft cocktails. Dinner service runs from 5-9 p.m. Reservations can be made via OpenTable and Resy, or by emailing [email protected]. Named after Fanny Brice – the legendary movie, vaudeville, theater, and radio star portrayed by Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl – the 2-story, 10,000 sqft. space blends contemporary style and old Hollywood inspiration. Complete with swanky bar and a “captain-based” service style that nods to a bygone era. I’m sold!
Did you know that The Cat and the Fiddle Pub and Restaurant does a delightful Afternoon Tea every weekend? Me neither, until just now, and what a lovely idea for Mother’s Day! And at the cost of just $38, you can’t go wrong. There’s a limited quantity available, so make reservations now (which is required, btw). The Tea menu is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 12-4 p.m., and includes orange glazed scones with clotted cream and house made cinnamon orange marmalade, shortbread cookies, Tottenham cakes and seasonal berries, along with a trio of classic sandwiches: curried egg salad, minted cucumber & mascarpone, roasted beef with jalapeño aioli and grilled onion, and sausage roll. And tea, of course!
In a world full of bad news on the daily, I love to be the bearer of good, and this one’s a doozy! The suspense is killing me, so I’ll just come out with it. It’s the return of the LA Zoo’s Sustainable Wine + Dinner Series on Thursday, May 18. Join fellow foodies and wine-pairing lovers for a night you won’t soon forget, featuring gourmet farm-to-table menus, expert wine pairings, and fascinating takes on conservation and sustainability that might just change your perspective on things. For these exclusive evenings, the LA Zoo has partnered with California wineries whose offerings serve as the inspiration for custom four-course menus created by its own executive chef, Eileen Aguilera. The cost is $175 per person and $165 for Members. Unfortunately, opening night has sold out, but tickets are still available for June 15, July 13, and August 10.
Continuing on through the month of May, aka AAPI Heritage Month, I’d like to highlight two more talented Asian-American authors and artists this week who will be hangin’ and discussin’ at Chevalier’s Books, this Friday, May 19, at a Free Book Talk Event & Signing of Hungry Ghost and In Limbo. Deb JJ Lee’s book, In Limbo, is a YA (Young Adult) graphic memoir about a Korean-American girl’s coming-of-age story set between a NJ suburb and Seoul, South Korea. Caught between two worlds, Deb finds her mental health declining and eventually attempts suicide. 
But she is resilient, and slowly heals with the help of art and self-care, guiding her to a deeper understanding of her heritage and herself. Lee is a Brooklyn based artist, who has appeared in/on the New Yorker, Washington Post, NPR, Google, Radiolab, and PBS. And then there’s Hungry Ghost by Victoria Ying, another heart-wrenching YA graphic novel that explores eating disorders, family dynamics, and a journey to self-love. Victoria Ying is an LA based author and artist, whose film credits include Tangled, Wreck it Ralph, Frozen, Paperman, Big Hero 6, and Moana. The evening begins at 6 p.m. Check Chevalier’s full calendar here.
What a cool, calm, and jazzy way to end the week! That’s right, folks, Jazz at LACMA is back, with Oscar Hernández & Alma Libre closing things out on Friday, May 19 from 6-8 p.m. when LACMA celebrates L.A.’s finest jazz musicians with its free weekly outdoor concert. This week welcomes four-time Grammy Award winner Oscar Hernández, who has long been considered one of the most gifted and prominent pianists and arrangers on the contemporary Latin jazz scene. He is the leader of the world-renowned Spanish Harlem Orchestra, and has performed and recorded with the likes of Ismael Miranda, Ray Barreto, and Celia Cruz. Increasingly in demand, Hernández has produced such artists as Ruben Blades, Paul Simon, Willie Colón, and Steve Kroon. Jazz at LACMA is FREE and open to all. Seating is limited and first come, first served. Masks are encouraged but not required.
Careers in Film
Are you a high school student, college student, or reasonably aged human that’s always wanted a career in the film biz? If you answered yes to any of the above, then please make a point to drop in on The Careers in Film Summit hosted by the Academy Museum on Saturday, May 13 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. This FREE annual program is meant to raise awareness about the range of film-related industry job pathways for students from under-resourced communities and those interested in pursuing filmmaking as a career. Enjoy workshops, demonstrations, complimentary professional headshots (Las Fotos Project), a photo activation (I’m honestly not even sure what that is), and FREE entry to the museum with a Summit RSVP. Each moderated panel will also be livestreamed and include live Q&As with Academy members and industry pros. ASL interpretation is also available.
Local Government
The Mid City West Neighborhood Council has a busy week this time around, starting on Monday, May 15 with a meeting for the Planning and Land Use Committee. Followed by the Public Safety and Well-Being Committee on Tuesday, May 16, and the Transportation and Sustainability Committee on Wednesday, May 17. Then things will wrap up on the evening of Thursday, May 18 with the Outreach and Civic Engagement Committee. Check Mid City’s calendar for a full schedule of this month’s meetings. Please Note: all MCW meetings will now be held at the Pan Pacific Park Senior Center (lunch room) located at 141 S. Gardner St., Los Angeles.
And your local NC, the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council has just one happening again this week and it’s an Outreach Committee meeting taking place at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16 at the JC Fremont Branch Library, Community Room located at 6121 Melrose Ave. Check the GWNC’s website for agendas and full calendar here.
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