Serving Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, and the Greater Wilshire neighborhoods of Los Angeles since 2011.

Weekend Buzz – Events for August 20-21, 2016

leimertbookfair2016header

It looks like the heat wave of the last few days should be behind us now, so you can be free to move about the city and have fun this weekend.

mmhpozmapsmall
Click to see full size map

If you’re interested in local neighborhood preservation efforts, there will be an informational open house and public hearing on the Preservation Plan for the proposed new Miracle Mile Historic Preservation Overlay Zone on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at the Candela Taco Bar, 831 S. La Brea Ave.  City officials will speak briefly about the Plan and hear public comments.  (Written comments may also be submitted until August 29.)  Adoption of the Preservation Plan is one of the final steps before the HPOZ can be approved and implemented.  It provides guidelines for the renovation, remodeling, and upkeep of properties in the HPOZ area, and will be used by the HPOZ’s future review board and city officials in administering the HPOZ.  So if you live in the Miracle Mile area, or would like to learn more about the HPOZ process for your own neighborhood, this is a great opportunity to listen in and/or speak up.

leimertbookfair2016small
Click to see full size flier

Later, if you’re in a literary mood, head a bit south down La Brea for the 10th anniversary edition of the Leimert Park Village Book Fair, running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.  This annual event features more than 200 authors, poets, spoken word artists, storytellers, performers, and literary/educational exhibitors. With more than 5,000 attendees, it’s both a noteworthy cultural tradition and one of the summer’s premier literary events (voted one of L.A.’s Five Best Annual Book Festivals). Highlights include Main Stage performances, a Children’s Village/Reading Corner, Poet’s Stage, Cook’s Pavilion, and Health and Wellness Stage. There will also be interactive activities, storytelling, book giveaways, and hands-on projects for children at a Superhero/ Comic Pavilion…as well as writing workshops, panel discussions, film screenings, theater performances, storytelling, readings, author meet & greets, spoken word performances/poetry recitals, and live music. Admission is free and there will be something for everyone of all ages.

yarnbombingaugustBack in the Miracle Mile on Saturday, creativity of another kind will be blooming with the monthly meeting of the Yarn Bombing Los Angeles Knit Graffiti Collective, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Craft and Folk Art Museum.  Find out what your local guerilla knitters are up to, share projects you’re working on and participate in some good conversation.  All skill levels are welcome and encouraged.  Admission is free.  See http://www.cafam.org/programs and http://www.yarnbombinglosangeles.com for more information.

lemonadeIf all that knitting makes you thirsty, it’s time for a trip to Lemonade at 626 N. Larchmont Blvd.  In honor of National Lemonade Day (what else?), they’ll be giving away free 12 oz. samples of six brand new, “Never Before Squeezed” lemonade flavors.  Saturday only – so don’t miss it!  (And did we mention they’re free?)

whdfBack in the art groove, dance is in the spotlight this week at the West Hollywood Dance Festival, which concludes with two big performances at 2 and 8 pm. Saturday at the Fiesta Hall at Plummer Park (7377 Santa Monica Blvd., 90046).  The 2 p.m. performance is a Family Matinee, featuring family-friendly pricing and program length and a “meet and greet” with the artists afterwards.  You can also enjoy refreshments and take pictures with the cast of powerhouse dancers.  The 8 p.m. performance is the Festival Gala, featuring Multiplex Dance, Tongue Dance Project, the Taiko Center of Los Angeles and students of the WHDF Intensive…along with new works by choreographers Jessica Harper and Charlotte Katherine.

tacofest2In a more easterly direction on Saturday afternoon and evening, it’s time once again for the L.A. Taco Festival, which runs from noon to 8 p.m. at Grand Park (a new, larger venue for the sixth year of the event).  Nearly 40 vendors of almost every kind of taco imaginable will be on hand to satisfy all your taco cravings.  And there’s a greater purpose, too – the proceeds benefit Jovenes, Inc., which provides homes and community for homeless youth.

chinatownsummernightsLater, stay downtown and explore KCRW’s final Summer Nights in Chinatown, from 5 p.m. to midnight at 943 – 951 N. Broadway (Chinatown’s Central and West Plazas).  Billed as “part food event, part summer party,” it features food from Chinatown Restaurants, shopping, music and dancing (with DJs from radio station KCRW), local live bands, an artist and flea market, gourmet food trucks, a culinary stage, family-friendly cultural workshops, offerings from local bars, large-scale video projections, and (yes, it makes a difference!) “accessible, clean public restrooms.”

Sunday this week is all about art.

paintalongfliersmall
Click to see full size flier

On Sunday, from 2 to 6 p.m., the Dysonna City Art Gallery will host its 4th annual Paint Along Art Walk, “an afternoon of live painting, local artists, food, music, free gifts and more.”  You can sit back and watch the gallery’s artists at work…or grab a canvas and discover your own inner artist.  Miracle Mile Toys and Games will also be joining in, with a free canvas and finger painting session for the younger set.  (There will also be open play in the store’s Lego Zone, with discounts on Lego Duplo products if you submit photos of your creation to the store’s Instagram account.)

gronktalkLater on Sunday, adults can head back to the Craft and Folk Art Museum for “Keep Your Shirt on While I Put on My Pants,” a gallery talk in which L.A. based writer Marisela Norte joins longtime friend Gronk for a conversation about their shared Los Angeles history and the influence of B-movies on their lives and work. It starts at 6:30 p.m. and admission is free…though space is limited, so RSVPs are required at [email protected].

metroconstructionheaderFinally – your weekly reminder:  Wilshire Boulevard, from La Brea to Highland, will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday until 6 p.m. Monday, for Metro Purple Line construction (concrete decking installation and jet grouting).

Drive safely…and have a great weekend!

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Elizabeth Fuller
Elizabeth Fuller
Elizabeth Fuller was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN but has lived in LA since 1991 - with deep roots in both the Sycamore Square and West Adams Heights-Sugar Hill neighborhoods. She spent 10 years with the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council, volunteers at Wilshire Crest Elementary School, and has been writing for the Buzz since 2015.

Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Calendar

Latest Articles

.printfriendly { padding: 0 0 60px 50px; }