The calm after the storm of holiday events has arrived this week, but don’t think about moving on just yet! The Great Pumpkin Bash is happening this weekend, as are a few Dia de Los Muertos celebrations nearby. And if you’re more than ready to move on with your life, then just keep reading and I can all but guarantee you’ll be happy you did. Some non-seasonal highlights include all of the many great events happening at the Academy Museum, Fluff & Sandy McClean’s Estate Sale, a Veteran’s Day celebration at The Ebell, and the sure-to-be-joy-inducing TrollsFest at the Century City Mall. Have fun!
Arts, Culture, Consulates, Fluff & Sandy McClean, and the Pope of Trash
ESTATE SALE! And not just any estate sale, Fluff and Sandy McClean’s Hancock Park Mansion Estate Sale! Hosted by Scavenger’s Paradise, you’ll have the opportunity to browse a wonderful collection of items this Fri, Sat, and Sun, Nov 3-5. Expect to see a massive collection of vintage children’s tea sets, art, furniture, dollhouses, oh so many linens, jewelry, mirrors, dishes, glassware, outdoor furniture, vintage stove, and much more! Please note that NO bags or purses are allowed inside and that the number of people inside at a time will be limited. Also, please bring help to load your large items. All sales are final. Cash and Visa/MC accepted. Sale will take place locally at 268 S. Plymouth Blvd – Los Angeles, CA 90004. Please read posted parking signs. Thank you in advance. Hours are Fri-Sat 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Sun 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Also, many of you may recall Fluff McClean as the longtime president of the Windsor Square-Hancock Park Historical Society, which is having its own big event this weekend – a very special interior tour of Consulate General homes in our area (there are actually 11 such homes, but not all of them will be on the tour). It’s happening tomorrow, Saturday, November 4, from 12-4 p.m., including lunch, refreshments, and a silent auction. Tickets are $65 for WSHPHS members and $85 for non-members. Day of event ticket purches, lunch and the silent auction will be held at 355 S. Windsor Blvd. Names of the country consulates and addresses will be provided within the program when attendees receive their wrist bands. Security will be tight on the tour, so photography and video of any interiors of the consulates is strictly forbidden.
And a little to the west, TrollsFest Immersive Fan Event and Musical Extravaganza is where it’s at and it’s where you should be this Fri, Sat, or Sun, Nov 3-5. Taking over Westfield’s Century City Mall, this weekend-long event will transport its visitors to the TROLLS world to celebrate their latest soon-to-be hit movie, Trolls Band Together (in theaters Nov. 17). Come immerse yourself in the franchise’s latest chapter by performing with the film’s all-star boy band BroZone (voiced by Justin Timberlake, Troye Sivan, Kid Cudi, Eric André, and Daveed Diggs), along with lots of other cool stuff like getting a TROLLS makeover, mini-golf, dance lessons, giveaways, exclusive merch, and much more! Sip on TROLLS-themed shakes from Shake Shack and get your hair and nails did like a troll (of course) by Hally Hair and Sally Hansen. Southwest Airlines will even be in the house unveiling its new TROLLS-themed plane – what? – mania! Please note that online tickets have already been snapped up, but not to worry, there will be a standby line each day. Tickets are FREE. Hours are Fri: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sat: 2 – 7:30 p.m. and Sun: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. See you there!
SO much good stuff is going on at the Academy Museum this week I had trouble deciding which ones to highlight. From Sat, Nov 4 – Fri, Nov 10, there is no shortage of fantastic options to choose from, like the new-ish (opened Sept 17) first-of-its-kind exhibit – John Waters: Pope of Trash – Anointed the “Pope of Trash” by William S. Burroughs in 1986, self taught filmmaker, author, contemporary art collector, fashion icon, and self-proclaimed “filth elder” John Waters is the very definition of a self-made American iconoclast. “Waters’ anti-establishment vision is crystal clear and never fails to push the boundaries of good taste and challenge traditional institutions with every artistic endeavor”, including his much-anticipated annual Artforum top 10 lists. 
Exhibit closes in Aug 2024. And some of that other good stuff I was talkin’ ‘bout: Día de Muertos & Alebrijes Book Signing and Family Workshop; Fleischer Studio Cartoons; Home Movie Day; Italian film screenings; Sunday Supper at Fanny’s; plus education and public engagement programs like Gallery Spotlight: Land Acknowledgement, and more! Check the calendar for dates, times, and details. Academy Museum is open six days a week, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Closed on Tuesdays.
Next, come gather with your fellow man at the Natural History Museum (NHM) for a special Día de los Muertos celebration on Sunday, Nov 5, to honor this Latin American tradition that celebrates the lives of departed loved ones. There will be live Mariachi Music, Art activities like Calavera Mask making, Día de Los Muertos Ofrenda and Reflection in the Rotunda, Storytime for the little ones, traditional Folklorico Dance, and much more. Come together as a community and take part in this celebration of life! Ongoing programs – like lessons on Flores Espirituales: Growing Spiritual Flowers. Get FREE marigold seeds and learn about the botanical, historical, cultural and spiritual significance of the flowers, and its role in the Day of the Dead traditions – will take place in the Rotunda and out in the Nature Gardens from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. You’ll also have the chance to support local businesses at a variety of Latinx vendors set up throughout the gardens. FREE for members and with paid Museum admission ($7-$18).
Lastly for this short-but-sweet section, our dear friends at Chevalier’s Books are at it again this week on Thursday, Nov 9 at 6 p.m. with actor and cultural icon Ed Begley Jr. scheduled to discuss his new memoir, To the Temple of Tranquility…And Step On It!, with fellow actor Jere Burns. “Beloved actor and environmental activist Ed Begley Jr. shares hilarious and poignant stories of his improbable life, focusing on his relationship with his legendary father, adventures with Hollywood icons, the origins of his environmental activism, addiction and recovery, and his lifelong search for wisdom and common ground.” EBJ is truly one of a kind, and behind all the stories, Begley has wisdom to share about family, friends, addiction, failure, and redemption. Order a copy of the book here. This event is FREE; kindly RSVP to reserve your spot.
Community, Local Government, and a Pumpkin Bash
The historic Ebell of Los Angeles is the gift that keeps on giving with a lovely smorgasbord of activities and events to choose from again this week, including Line Dancing Lessons ($5 per class, $20 for series) on Saturday, Nov 4 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. (What a great way to get in some exercise and prove you’ve still got it!) Then, on Monday, Nov 6 at 11:30 a.m., the Ebell’s Monday Lunch Speaker Series presents Katy Yaroslavsky on Inspiration and the Future of Los Angeles. Join the Councilwoman for an enlightening conversation about her journey as an accomplished attorney and politician, and the influential women who helped shape her path. 
Come discover what it’s like to navigate local politics as a woman leader in today’s age. Tickets are $45/$60 for members/non-members. Lastly, the Ebell will be honoring those who served for Veterans Day on Friday, Nov 10 starting at 10 a.m. In collaboration with the Mindful Veteran Project, guests will enjoy a morning of thoughtful musical pieces, profound readings, and reflections dedicated to the valor of US military veterans. Light refreshments will be served. This event is FREE; space is limited. Reserve your spot today!
Smash It, Don’t Trash It! Help keep pumpkins out of our landfills in a super fun way at The Great Pumpkin Bash at Pan Pacific Park happening on Sunday, Nov 5 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Presented by LA City Council District 5 and the Board of Public Works, attendees will have the chance to rough up some pumpkins in the Dodgers’ Strike Zone and Pumpkin Smashing Zone, and learn a thing or two about gardening and composting at FREE workshops. You can even bring your old or new e-waste and leave it with Homeboy Industries. Enjoy FREE giveaways and raffles, such as shade trees, compost kitchen pails, mulch bags; pumpkin spice lattes, face painting, bike repairs, bounce houses, and more – with booths featuring over 30 exhibitors. Don’t miss out on this eco-friendly extravaganza! Please note that Pumpkins must be free of paint, candle wax, glitter, and other non-biodegradable decor. Pan Pacific Park is located at 7600 Beverly Blvd.
Our friends at the Mid City West Neighborhood Council are also back in action this week, with a meeting for its newish committee, the FAR (Films, Art & Recreation) Committee meeting on Tuesday, Nov 7 at 7 p.m. Check Mid City’s calendar for details, agendas, and full schedule. All MCW meetings are held at the Pan Pacific Park Senior Center (lunch room) located at 141 S. Gardner St.
And closing out LG&C this week is your local NC, the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council (aka The GWNC), which will have an all-important Resilience Committee meeting on Monday, Nov 6 at Coldwell Banker, located at 251 N Larchmont Blvd at Beverly. And a General Board meeting on Wednesday, Nov 8, both meetings start at 6:30 p.m. Every Board meeting is held at the Ebell of Los Angeles on the second Wednesday of the month. And, bonus, a FREE GWNC-SPONSORED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY – that deserves all caps – the GWNC Environmental & Sustainability Committee Special Event: “Can I Recycle That? And New Rules For The Green Bin.” Come on over to the Memorial Branch Library this Saturday, Nov 4 from 10 a.m. – noon, and learn what can actually be recycled and what can’t, and other ways to reduce your carbon footprint. FREE Street Trees and Kitchen Pails will be given away. All are welcome!
