The Week Ahead – Events for September 11-17, 2021

We’re back this week with more jazz, book discussions, and more art than you know what to do with! Okay, maybe not that much, but enough to get you through…along with a “bite-sized” LA County Fair, to boot. What better way to enjoy the last days of summer than eating deep-fried food on a stick!

Before we get to those things, however, it’s also worth noting that today, September 11, 2021 is the 20th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center in NYC, and the Pentagon office building in Washington, DC, in which thousands of people lost their lives or loved ones.  We didn’t find any local memorial activities in our area today or tomorrow, but the LA Daily News has a good wrap-up of activities and memorials around the greater Los Angeles and/or SoCal area.

Arts & Culture

To open the week, we’ve got the Craft Contemporary
summer exhibitions closure, with a chance for members to attend a free walkthrough with the museum’s director on Sunday, Sept. 12, from 1-2 p.m.  The tour will include current exhibitions and the courtyard project, Veil Craft. Wed – Sun: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Become a member here. Next, join Craft online for Maker Night,a new virtual workshop series, Thursday, Sept. 16 from 5-7 p.m.  This week, you’ll get to make felt tacos and donuts with artist Billy Kheel. The workshop is free, but you’ll need to purchase the materials, either from the museum shop online (Maker Night Felt Kit provides everything you’ll need), or source them on your own. Advanced RSVP is required.

Next up, join writer and film producer Adam Borba in-store at Chevalier’s Books, Thursday, Sept. 16 from 7-9 p.m., while he discusses his new children’s book, and first novel, The Midnight Brigade, with award-winning director Ava DuVernay. “Harkening to classics such as Roald Dahl’s The BFG, this heartwarming story highlights the power of friendship and the importance of finding your voice.” This event is free with RSVP; buy a copy of the book here.

Or, if you’re a LACMA VIP, you can take advantage of an exclusive members only preview of Ink Dreams: Selections from the Fondation INK Collection happening on Thursday, Sept. 16 and Friday, Sept. 17 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Stepping out of the bounds of traditional ink on paper, this collection “translates the spirit of ink to other mediums,” including photography, sculpture, and video. These modern interpretations of East Asian ink painting “propose a new view of ink art for the contemporary era”. Ink Dreams is a 400-piece collection, and the first presentation of work from the Foundation INK Collection. Members will receive unlimited access. Advanced timed-entry tickets are required. Memberships start at $40 for students.

And after your preview, head outside to the plaza and enjoy some of the last days of summer with Jazz at LACMA (Limited Edition), on Friday, Sept. 17 from 6-7:30 p.m. The 30th season continues with world-renowned, grammy-nominated vocal supergroup säje. Formed by four close friends/vocalists/composers, Sara Gazarek, Amanda Taylor, Johnaye Kendrick, and Erin Bentlage, säje performs original songs, jazz classics, and “contemporary re-imaginings”. This is a free event, but capacity is limited, and an RSVP is required. Tickets are available online starting Tuesday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m.

And for even more unique sounds, head over to Grand Performances this week, and enjoy a set by Boogaloo Assassins, on Friday Sept. 17 from 6-10 p.m. Prepare yourself for a warm night of Afro-Latin soul funk in downtown LA. Boogaloo Assassins are a 12-piece Latin Boogaloo, Salsa, and Latin Soul group, inspired by the soulful Latin records of the 1960s. They formed in Los Angeles, and have been performing together since 2008. This is a free event for all ages; RSVP here.

Food & Fun

If you’re looking for some carnival/fair action this weekend, head east to the Pomona Fairgrounds for the LA County Fair, which is back with a “bite-sized” edition for its 99th year, from September 10-26.  The full-scale anniversary event will happen in May 2022, when the fair celebrates its centennial! But this year you can enjoy a limited amount of games, rides, deep-fried food on sticks, and shopping. Fair hours are Friday-Sunday, 3-9 p.m. This is a limited capacity event, so advanced ticket purchase is highly recommended; Admission/Parking: $2/$10; Carnival ticket packages start at $20.

For lovers of beer and fests, here’s a heads up for the LA Beer Fest next Saturday, Sept. 18 at LA Center Studios. The 13th annual festival returns with more than 80 breweries, 200 beers, food trucks, live music, and more, with two sessions from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. General Admission is $50, for one session, and includes unlimited beer tastings, with food sold separately.  The Connoisseur’s Ticket, however, is $90 and includes access to exclusive air-conditioned bathrooms, an indoor/outdoor deck overlooking the event, special brews (not available to non-connoisseurs), a festival T-shirt, and commemorative glass. Proceeds will benefit dog rescue organization, Noah’s B-ark. Attendees must be fully vaccinated; tickets are non-refundable.

Take The Class again this Saturday, Sept. 11 from 10-11 a.m., and every Saturday all month long at ROW DTLA. This “mat-based, music driven, workout experience”, will combine guided instruction and thoughtfully curated playlists, with familiar exercises like squats and lunges (so nothing crazy). The goal is to “strengthen the body while also noticing the mind, in an effort to restore balance through mental clearing and emotional release”.  >The Class will take place outdoors on the ROW DTLA rooftop, with plenty of space for social distancing. Tickets> are $45; be sure to bring your own water, towel and mat.

History & Community

Join LACMA online, Monday, Sept. 13 from 6-7 p.m. for Anthony Lepore and the R.J. Arnold Photography Archive. I couldn’t have explained it better, so I thought I’d just quote the museum’s website: “The recently restored photographic archive of R.J. Arnold reveals the diversity of San Luis Obispo County in the late 19th century. In conjunction with the exhibition Acting Out: Cabinet Cards and the Making of Modern Photography, (LA-based) photographer Anthony Lepore and LACMA curator Britt Salvesen discuss the evolving role these images play in our understanding of the history of photography and of California at the turn of the century”. This is a free event, but an RSVP is required.

Next Saturday morning,  September 18, the LA Dept. of Transportation will host an event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., showcasing potential safety improvements – including protected bike lanes – for the section of San Vicente Blvd. between La Brea and Olympic.  According to Destination Pico, which will have a table set up at San Vicente and Hauser for the event, “There will be tents and tables set up at key intersections with information about the project and opportunities to give feedback. LADOT will also provide games and free swag. (Kids’ bike helmets anyone?).”

Local Government

No meetings this week for the GWNC, but Mid City West Neighborhood Council has its monthly General Board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 14 from 6:30-10 p.m.  Click here for details.  Also there’s another MCWNC meeting the next day, for the Transportation and Sustainability Committee, Wednesday, Sept. 15 from 7-9 p.m. Click here for details and meeting agenda.