This is one of those great holiday-season weekends with something for almost everyone. Lots of different interests represented!
First up on Saturday is the DWP’s monthly Customer Service Saturday and shade tree giveaway, at four of its Regional Customer Service Centers, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (closest location to our area is 4030 Crenshaw Blvd.). The event provides in-person help with DWP bill payments, service order requests, billing questions and resolution of billing issues. You can also learn about, and sign up for, a variety of DWP energy-saving programs. And finally, L.A. residents and property owners are eligible to receive a free tree (limited supplies; first come, first served; address verification required). For more information, see http://www.ladwp.com/saturdays.
A fun shopping event this weekend is the Renegade Craft Fair, taking place both Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Grand Park in downtown L.A. The event, “showcasing the very best of emerging and established handcrafted goods and DIY culture,” offers “original and one-of-a-kind items from 250+ carefully selected makers and artisans.” Items include jewelry and accessories, home decor, apothecary, art, and much more. There will also be food, libations, seasonal music, and DIY workshops. For more information, see http://www.renegadecraft.com/fairs/losangeles-2016-holiday
Later, at 2 p.m., take the family to the Blackstreet Puppet Theatre and Ebony Repertory Theater’s “Interactive Musical Holiday Fable for All Ages,” featuring puppeteer Gary Jones’s “yuppets” and music “from Otis Redding to Tchaikovsky” at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 W. Washington Blvd. The Blackstreet Puppet Theatre, a community staple since 1975, has been recognized by the Smithsonian, the California Arts Council, the L.A. Department of Cultural Affairs and the Disney Corporation. Tickets are $10 for children/$15 for adults. For more information, see http://www.yuppets.com or call 323-964-9766.
A bit later, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the William Grant Still Arts Center, 2520 W. View Street, check out the opening of the Paper, Plastic, Ceramics, Wood, the 36th annual Black Doll Show, curated by Rosalyn Myles. “Influenced by African artists who use recycled and repurposed materials, and in an effort to be green and sensitive to our environment,” the show this year “asked artists to mine their studios, kitchens, and thrift stores for raw materials, mixing old and new to create contemporary works of art that move beyond traditional doll making.” Artists represented in this year’s show include Adah Glenn (AfroPuff), Amaechina Doreen, Audrey Chan, Barbara Flemings, Beverly Collins, DCastro, Dolores Johnson, Ingrid Elburg, Judy Ragagli, Karl Jean-Guerly Petion, Kimberly J. Wilfong Sigman, Lavialle Campbell, Marita Dingus, Mark Steven Greenfield, Roz Brown, Sandra Zebi, Stephanie Moore, Suesan Stovall, Sybil McMiller, Teresa Tolliver, Timothy Washington, Timothy Bellavia, and more. The opening celebration will also feature live jazz from the Marcus L. Miller Ensemble. The show runs through February 18, 2017, and will also feature Saturday dollmaking workshops on December 17, January 21 and February 4.
For your evening entertainment on Saturday, there are several great options.
First, at the Ebell of Los Angeles, is the Starry Night Annual Holiday Ball. The gala event starts at 6 p.m. with cocktails, hors d’ouevers and strolling carolers, with a gourmet dinner and wine at 7 p.m., and then Dancing through the Decades, with the Chico Band. Dress code is black tie for men and “festive holiday dress” for the ladies. Tickets are $90 for Ebell members and $100 per person for non-members.
Next, if you’re more in the mood for vintage film, the American Cinematheque is showing a brand new 70mm print of Stanley Kubrick’s classic “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Screenings will be held both Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the Egyptian Theater, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., with additional screenings on December 16, 17, 18, 26 and 27. The film is definitely one that should be experienced on a big screen and this is the perfect opportunity. According to the Cinematheque, the film, shot in Super Panavision 70, “offers remarkable resolution. Figures in windows of spaceships, patterns in the star gate sequence and numerous other details are more plainly visible than ever before.” Also, “audio is equally important to 2001, even if the film is deliberately short of dialogue. The soundtrack’s use of classical compositions has become iconic – it’s almost impossible to hear Strauss’ “Also Sprach Zarathustra” or “The Blue Danube” without visualizing monoliths and whirling space stations.” The screening will include the atmospheric overture, intermission and closing music. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $14 student/senior; and $13 for Cinematheque members.
And finally, on Saturday, from 7:30 to 11 p.m., those looking for music and community will find an abundance of both at Big Sunday’s first “In It Together” Night of Music. This will be a special event featuring a few of the many musicians from Big Sunday’s extensive community. They include George Hill (New Directions Veteran Choir); The Hollywood Forever Bluegrass Band (Mark Drop, “Utah Bob” Rosenfield, Maddie Eaton, Ulrich Sinn and Brian Mastalski); Michelle Mayne-Graves (also from the New Directions Veteran Choir); Rob Seals & Co.; Sophie Strauss and even Big Sunday’s own founder and director, David Levinson. Event admission is free; ages 21 and up only (beer and wine will be served). Please RSVP to [email protected]. Donations of new pairs of socks are also greatly appreciated and will benefit Big Sunday veteran Adam B.’s sock drive for the homeless.
Bright and early on Sunday morning, the Westside Jewish Community Center invites you to participate in its first-ever ‘One. Healthy. Community.’ 5K Run/Walk, to promote health and wellness, and to benefit the programs of the WJCC. The event is appropriate for the whole family, with a kids fun zone and health and wellness expo with free food and program demonstrations. The starting line, rain or shine, is behind the JCC (5870 West Olympic Boulevard) at San Vicente Boulevard and Stanley Avenue. Parking, registration and other information can be found at https://www.wizathon.com/wjcc5k/index.php
Later on Sunday, if you’re in a creative mood, check out the Marvelous Marbling Paper Craftlab Family Workshop at the Craft and Folk Art Museum. Drop in any time between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m., to experiment with wondrous inks, paint and paper and learn basic techniques for marbling paper. You’ll leave with a colorful paper creation. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children, and free for CAFAM members.
For local history enthusiasts, and anyone else who would like to learn more about one of our smaller area neighborhoods, there will be a free “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” walking tour of the Sycamore Square neighborhood (the area from Wilshire to Citrus to Olympic to La Brea) on Sunday afternoon. Join Buzz co-publisher Elizabeth Fuller, a longtime Sycamore Square resident, for an enlightening look at the neighborhood’s origins, growth, and architecture, as well as changes through the decades, current issues and preservation efforts. No RSVPs required, just meet at the NE corner of Sycamore and Olympic (the corner of the Wilshire Crest Elementary School lawn) at 2 p.m. The tour takes about an hour and is an easy, level stroll.
Finally, on Sunday, for more holiday music and revelry, you can return to the Big Sunday headquarters, 6111 Melrose Ave., from 3 to 5 p.m. for the 7th Annual Big Sunday Holiday Party & Sing-along. Each year, people from all walks of life join Big Sunday staff and volunteers to eat, sing (with a live band!) and enjoy the holidays. As always, the guests of honor are the incredible kids from Ability First and the amazing seniors from Sunset Hall. The organizers promise, “There will be singing (good singing not necessary — trust us) (and no, you don’t have to sing if you don’t want to). We’ll deck the halls and light a menorah, too. Of course, there will be loads of arts & crafts and delicious holiday treats. We’ll also be collecting toys for kids, winter coats for kids and adults and non-perishable food items for our End of the Month Club.” To sign up, see http://bigsunday.org/get-involved/holidayparty/
Have a great weekend!
